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Limping Merlins Journey

  • 5th January Update!

      5 January 2026
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    Speaking with Vet Alix today our plan remains to wait for the Orthopedic Vet to return from holiday so we can get a recommendation and quote to go ahead with surgery.

    This is the absolute worst time of year to be dealing with this due to restricted hours and resources, and it's costing 💲400-600 each visit for re-splint as Merlin must be sedated. We've already spent over 1.5K on 3 visits, and another one or two will be needed as he's outgrowing them too fast by the time we have a further plan.

    It's frustrating, but it is what it is. Unfortunately this means the majority of funds have already been spent on upkeep alone, and we need to continue fundraising for whatever surgery is to come, whether that be amputation or pins.

    We are beyond grateful for your help, especially at such a tough time of year. 🐾 On top of dealing with these costs, we continue to house 26 cats at HQ which we pay 💲450 for weekly, as well as caring for the other 64 cats in foster homes.

    Any and all help is much appreciated 🙏 We know we sound like a broken record - but if it weren't for you we honestly could not get through this.

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  • Merlin Update

      2 January 2026
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    Merlin received a new splint on Wednesday the 29th at Valley Cottage Vets, but unfortunately overnight he managed to remove it! It's most important that the leg stays immobile so off we went to After Hours Vet today where Vet Alice and Vet Nurse Juli kindly looked after Merlin and fit a nice new cast that seems more stable. He's also wearing a soft cone collar during non supervision. I will call Vet Alix at Valley Cottage Vets tomorrow to make a further plan, for now he would like Merlin to wear the splint for another week and then re X-ray to see if there's been any progress.

    Thank you all so much for your continued support 🐾 We are so grateful.

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  • Vet History and X-rays

      29 December 2025
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    Vet notes from Saturday are detailed below. Speaking further with Vet Alix today and our plan for the next 2 weeks are to continue to keep Merlins leg immobilized in a cast, upkeep daily pain meds and twice weekly and vet visits to change the splint and check on the progress. After 2 weeks we'll reassess with another X-ray and will make a further plan from there.

    Date: Vet: 27 DEC 25 11:35 TP Weight: 1.10 Owner Rachel Kittycat Rescues Code RACHE3/1 Name: AID C200 Merlin Sex: M

    Desc: stray kitten - non weight bearing on back leg even with pain relief on board, Afterhours told her to just give meloxicam and to see how he goes.

    S: NWB right hind, very inflamed and slightly dangling right stifle Clinically well otherwise CVS nad Temp 38 Lnn normal Had a lot of flea dirt when found but much healthier now eating well Has been having meloxicam the last day or two- seems happier 2 x radiopgraphs taken VD and ML view of right hind findings: complete femural growth plate fracture, type 1 salter harris fracture.

    Plan: Chat to a surgeon or orthoped to find out best way forward repair vs amputation? Until then bandaged with a splint Meloxicam 0.1ml SID PO Rest Drugs Dispensed.

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  • Vet Day!

      28 December 2025
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    Merlins big vet day was on the 27th of December at Valley Cottage Vets. We are awaiting vet notes and X-rays, these will be uploaded as soon as we receive them.

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