Look at some of the other cats and kittens waiting for a new home

Update on Freeway

July 17, 2008

Update on the 'bridge kitten,' by Pam Leavy
Bridge Kitty "Freeway" was seen by an orthopedic veterinarian at LSU Small Animal Clinic on Monday evening, where the vet reviewed Freeway's x-rays.  He determined that more x-rays would be necessary to make sure there were no changes with the bone placement.  I brought Freeway back to LSU Small Animal Clinic early Tuesday morning where she was sedated to complete the x-rays. 

The final diagnosis is that surgery might do farther injury to the broken bone, which involves the growth plate.  Because of the location of the break, splinting is not possible.  Freeway is on 'crate rest' for another 3 weeks, keeping her as immobile as is possible with an 8 weeks old kitten who wants to play. 

She is also on pain meds for a few days.  She will return to LSU for additional x-rays in 3 weeks. 

I have a 5 week old bottle fed kitten, Raisin, who is Freeway's companion, her buddy.  Although Raisin isn't allowed in the crate with her, they do visit, play, and sleep together, divided by the bars of the crate.  Freeway has a long road ahead of her, but she is a champ and is accepting every challenge she is given. 

Thanks to all who have written, emailed and called with concern for her.  Please remember that Freeway represents only one of many pets who are discarded along roadways.  Pet abandonment and cruelty is illegal.  Anyone witnessing such an event should contact animal control or sheriff's dept. with vehicle identification and an address of where the pet was dumped.

Freeway remains stable over the weekend, becoming more friendly, less frightened, and is wanting to play. 

July 11, 2008:

July 10, 2008:

July 9, 2008:

July 8, 2008: 

On Tuesday evening, around 6:00 p.m., Pam Bradley of Lafayette was crossing the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in congested, slow moving traffic, when she witnessed a kitten, approx 6-7 weeks old, being hurled from a pick-up truck at the top of the bridge.  She immediately exited her car, along with the driver of another vehicle. 
Stopping traffic, they chased the kitten who was running under cars, trying to hide.  Eventually, they cornered the terrified kitten who was hiding on top of the tire of a car.  Pam Bradley contacted Pam Leavy of CAAWS, who took the kitten, who was temporarily named "Freeway."
Pam immediately noticed a problem with Freeway's leg, which was twisted at an awkward angle, and took her to an emergency animal clinic where X-rays confirmed a broken back leg, which mostly likely occurred on impact when her body hit the bridge surface. 

Upon first examination, the veterinarian suggested surgery, requiring pins, for an estimated $1,000.  Being a non profit organization, with limited funding, CAAWS must take careful consideration of large expenditures on one animal, when so many are in need.  The veterinarian was able to realign the bone and suggested that the bone could possibly grow back on it's own, prescribing pain medicine for the next 7 days.  The break is in a difficult area to splint , so Freeway was immobilized in a carry crate, with room only for a small litter box, food/water and a bed.  As is expected, Freeway is terrified and remains hidden in the crate.  She is underweight, but eating well.
An immediate appeal went out, with a reward, to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for this inhumane act. The initial reward consisted of donations by CAAWS board members as well as donors from England.