 How can you not swoon over Man II? With his lustrous black coat, Man II is quite a debonair dude! And he’s been a special and lasting companion to his dad, Wendall, who gets cat food and cat litter deliveries from Phinney's.
Up until recently, Man II didn’t have any major medical emergencies. In April 2021, Man II had to undergo dental surgery, poor guy. Thanks to the generous support of people who sponsor Man II through Phinney's Godparents program, we were able to ensure he got the treatment he needed. Since having one lower Premolar and one molar root tip extracted, Man II now eats without difficulty or pain. Wendall calls Phinney's Friends “fantastic.” He said he appreciates all the help we provide for Man II, which includes regular vet checks and preventative care on top of the pet supplies. Man II has had some back leg pain, which might be arthritis, so over time, he might need more care. With the loving support of his Godparents, we know that Man II and Wendall can continue to get the help they need. Being a Godparent to Man II is an easy and caring way to make a difference in his life and Wendall’s life, too. He tells us that while Man II likes to be independent, he’s a steady force who helps tremendously when Wendall is anxious and stressed.
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 Sponsoring a godpet makes a real difference in their lives. Take Sargent Stubby, aka Sarge, for example. This sweet lovebug, age 11, has chronic health issues. And when the vet recently recommended additional blood work, Phinney’s covered the costs of the tests his dog mom can’t afford on her own.
He got the tests he needed thanks to the generous donations of those who support Sarge directly through Phinney's Godparents Program. His blood work showed a significant increase in his liver values from earlier in the year. The vet said Sarge may have Cushing's disease and/or liver or gallbladder-related issues, which they’ll continue to monitor. It’s likely Sarge will need radiographs and an ultrasound at some point, too. For now, we’re just so happy that Sarge can continue to live his best life with his doting dog mom, who is also elderly and needs Sarge’s help as a service dog. If you would like to sponsor Sarge or another godpet, please visit phinneys.org/be-a-godparent. Your contributions help ensure that godpets like Sarge get the ongoing help they need—whether it’s for food, supplies, or vet bills.  Muffin, who had nail caps on, became wobbly. She was falling over and limping. Even though her nails were being trimmed, some of Muffin’s nails got embedded in her paw pads because the caps wouldn't come off.
The vet recommended emergency surgery to remove the nail caps so Muffin’s nails wouldn’t cause an infection or more discomfort and pain. Muffin's mom, Jessica, heard of Phinney’s, applied for assistance and qualified. And now free from the pesky nail caps, Muffin is again doing great. Jessica said Phinney’s was a tremendous help to them both, and that she can tell Muffin is thankful for the generous donations that made it possible for her cat to get the care she needed. Muffin has been “very affectionate” since she’s been on the mend, Jessica adds. “She used to sleep where no one could ever see her. Now she’s all over everyone. She’s better than ever, I can tell you she certainly says a big thank you!” When you donate to Phinney’s emergency fund, you can help a pet like Muffin get the immediate care they need to address what ails them. You can learn more about how to donate to this and our other funds here. And for more information on how to care for your cat’s nails, visit Phinney’s Care Corner.  Hello, everyone!
Isn’t that the truth! When Heather couldn’t pay for the medical care G needed after breaking his leg, she didn’t give up hope. She reached out to Phinney’s to help her little guy. While recovering, G had a slight setback, but Heather sprang into action again, getting him back to the vet to do a little adjustment to the pin used to set the fracture. And following that tweak, G was on his road to recovery. Heather’s resolve is a testament to the care and concern pet parents have when their fur kids need help. And, we’re confident that as far as G is concerned, the love he feels for Heather is just as unbreakable. Visit Bark Tweet Meow to read more about G and Heather’s solid bond and some helpful tips on what to do if your pet breaks a bone. If you'd like to support a cat in dire straights, please donate to Phinney's Adam Rosen Fund for Desperate Kitty Cases! This Fund helps pay for expensive bills that will save a life of a cat in need.  Tuxedo, a very distinguished seven-year-old black and white cat, was recently diagnosed with two bladder stones. The vet prescribed antibiotics and pain medication and recommended emergency surgery called a cystotomy to remove the stones. But, Tuxedo’s mom, Stephanie, who’s had him since he was a kitten and describes him as her "best friend," couldn’t afford the critical treatment he needed. So, she reached out to Phinney’s, and we were able to cover the cost of the surgery and his pre-surgical work-up through our Emergency Fund, which Stephanie, who lives on a fixed income, would not have been able to pay for. Following Tuxedo’s surgery, he needed a shot of antibiotics, which cleared up a post-op infection he developed. When describing what Phinney’s help meant to Stephanie, she said that Tuxedo is doing AWESOME. “You gave me my baby back and a peace in my heart. Thank you all again," she added. The Lowdown on Bladder Stones Bladder stones are formed from mineral deposits (or crystals) that can irritate the lining of a cat’s urethra and hinder their ability to pass urine or result in a complete obstruction (blockage) of the flow of urine, quickly becoming a life-threatening condition. Fortunately for Tuxedo, the vet was able to diagnose his bladder stones quickly, and because with Phinney’s help, he was swiftly treated for this serious condition. We’ll so happy to know that Tuxedo’s bladder stones, which can also cause frequent and painful urination, is doing so well. We think that is simply PAWSOME since one of the hallmarks of Phinney’s Emergency Fund is to be able to restore a pet to health and resolve painful conditions by addressing one-time vet bills like this. To learn more about our Emergency and other funds, please visit phinneys.org/about-us.  Phinney’s recently sent a batch of cat food and kitty litter to Freedom and Serenity, which was a relief for their dad. He had just paid a huge vet bill because their brother, Hero, got sick and sadly passed away. (You can check out cute pics of Freedom and Serenity and other pets we've helped by visiting Our Memories.) We also recently sent pet supplies to Ellie Mae the dog and Eppie the cat (pictured above with their furry friend!). Their dad was also in a financial bind. And the contributions from Phinney’s pet pantry mean that he can focus on paying other bills that were weighing him down. Any pet parent can tell you that the essentials for feeding and caring for a pet can add up fast. For many pet owners like the dads of Freedom, Serenity, Ellie Mae, and Eppie, pet pantries provide essential resources to make sure their fur families have the pet food and pet supplies they need. "Phinney’s doesn't have a pantry, but we ship supplies to pet parents who are chronically ill or on a serious financial bind. That is a critical part of what we do, especially during COVID when people couldn't go out and shop as they did before," says Daniela Caride, Phinney’s president. Thanks to Phinney's, a pet owner's financial hardship doesn’t mean their pet should go without food or supplies. “We are so thankful to everyone who supports us with donations to keep our pet supply shipments going out to everyone who needs them,” added Daniela. “Without pet pantries, some people might feel they have no option but to surrender their pet." You Can Help Support Phinney’s Supply Shipments One of the easiest and most impactful ways to support our supply shipments is to make a recurring donation to Phinney’s. Recurring donations can be made on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, in any dollar amount, and can go a long way toward ensuring that pet parents' pantries will stay well stocked no matter how difficult things are at that moment. For instance, $25 a month generally covers pet food for a couple of months for a small pet, like a cat, bird, or guinea pig, and $50 a month helps ensure that larger pets, like dogs, get the food they need.  G the cat broke his leg. Not knowing how she would pay for the care G needed, his cat mom, Heather, reached out to Phinney’s for help. We answered the call by covering the costs of G’s medical care to get him on the mend. X-rays revealed that G had a fractured leg requiring a pin to set the bone. At first, post-surgery, Heather noticed that G wasn’t really himself. She called the vet to explain what was going on—that G had been sleeping a lot since the day of his surgery and wasn’t putting any weight whatsoever on his bad leg. Well, we’re happy to report that G is doing MUCH better now! Heather reports that he is bearing full weight on his leg now. It turned out that the pin in G’s leg needed a bit of adjustment, and once the vet pulled it back a few centimeters, it made a world of difference for G. So, while G hit a rough patch in the days immediately following his surgery, he’s back to bouncing all over the place now. He’s even off his pain medications. We wish G and Heather all the best. Her dedication to G in reaching out for help when G needed it and in following up with the vet when she observed things just weren’t right with him is a testament to the fact that while pets’ bones may break, the love of their people never fractures! The Breakdown on Broken Bones in Pets Pets can break bones for many reasons, such as rough play, an accidental fall, severe trauma, like getting hit by a car, or a genetic condition. While an X-ray is generally needed to confirm whether it’s a break, there are some warning signs to watch out for, including limping, refusing to walk, or crying out in pain. If you suspect that your pet has a broken bone, the first thing to remember is not to panic. Call the vet immediately to explain your pet’s symptoms. They may recommend that you carry the pet if they’re small, or if you have a bigger pet, like a large dog, you may want to make a sling out of a blanket to aid in the carrying process. A vet can take X-rays to confirm if the pet has a broken bone and can then recommend the best course of treatment. Depending on where the break is and the severity of the break, a number of options may be considered, including setting the bone and putting the pet in a cast or splint, surgically repairing the bone with pins or a plate, or, in severe cases involving a limb, amputation. After the medical intervention comes the part where pet parents can make a world of difference in their pet’s recovery. This is when you have the opportunity to continually shower them with love by administering any medications they’ve been prescribed to help manage pain, keeping a watchful eye on them to make sure they don’t overdo things and make their injury worse, bite or lick the affected area, and, in some cases, assisting them by carrying them to and from the bathroom so they can do their business. Suffice to say, helping a pet mend a broken bone is a worthwhile labor of love.  We’re happy to report that we were able to pay for more than a case-and-a-half of Royal Canin Renal Support prescription diet cat food for Baby to help manage this adorable cat’s chronic kidney disease (CKD). Healthy kidney function is essential to the ability to filter blood, and when kidney issues arise, a cat may suffer from a variety of health-related issues. Over time, and as the kidneys continue to fail, a cat can become very sick. CKD is characterized as a loss of kidney function over time, and while there is no known cure for it, one of the most common ways vets recommend managing the condition is with a prescription diet like the one Baby is on. This can go a long way to improving a kidney cat’s quality and length of life, but it costs a lot of money. “We were able to help Ellen and Baby by shipping the prescription food she needed, which is only possible thanks to recurring and one-time donations that generous people send us,” said Daniela Caride, Phinney’s president. “The impact that our donors’ contributions have on the lives of pets can be measured every day, several times, when their food is served. It's a life-saving service we are offering,” she added. In Baby’s case, just one case of 24 three-ounce cans of prescription food costs more than $40. “When you calculate how many cans a cat needs to eat each day based on their weight, you start to see how the cost of prescription food like this can quickly become a financial burden on a pet parent who does have a lot of financial resources,” Daniela said. Ways you can help support Phinney’s pet pantry One of the easiest and most impactful ways to support our supply shipments is to make a recurring donation to Phinney’s. Recurring donations can be made on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis, in any dollar amount, and can go a long way toward ensuring that pet parents' pantries will stay well stocked no matter how difficult things are at that moment. For instance, $25 a month generally covers pet food for a couple of months for a small pet, like a cat, bird, or guinea pig, and $50 a month helps ensure that larger pets, like dogs, get the food they need. More about CKD Cats with CKD have trouble processing proteins, which can cause internal wastes to build up, and that’s where prescription renal food can be beneficial. Prescription foods to manage CKD tend to be lower in protein and phosphorus, which generally means a cat’s kidneys don’t have to work as hard to excrete waste.  Recently, through Phinney’s Coronavirus Pet Emergency Fund, we were able to help a pet parent who was working two jobs to support himself and his cat Timber*, age 7, who had been rescued from the streets as a kitten and has lived with his cat dad ever since. Over the past year, Timber had developed intermittent front-leg lameness, which got worse. Walking on three legs and holding his lame leg up, Timber would twitch and, after evaluating him, the veterinarian, recommended amputation to improve Timber’s quality of life. Phinney’s was able to provide the financial help for Timber’s surgery—and we’re happy to report that Timber did great with his surgery! His dad reported that post-op he was wide awake and was able to walk on his three remaining legs. It was advised that Timber stay in a small, quiet room for a few days while he recovered, and his dad tells us his appetite has been good and that he’s been “cuddling up,” too. We’re so happy for you Timber! Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, it has been a trying time for so many pet parents and their pets. We are so thankful we have been able to apply donations received to the Coronavirus Pet Emergency Fund. Did you know, too, that Phinney’s manages other targeted funds, which are endowed by people or groups interested in supporting people experiencing pet-related challenges in Massachusetts? More information about these funds can be found at phinneys.org/about-us, and you when you donate you can leave a message letting us know which fund you would like to support. *This cat’s name has been changed to Timber to protect his person’s privacy. Consider Aftercare & Outcomes The decision to amputate a pet’s limb(s) understandably can be a tough one for a pet parent to make. They may be wondering why such a drastic measure may be recommended, so it’s a good idea to consult with an experienced veterinarian about the reason for their opinion. According to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS), it also can be important to consider the age and overall health of the pet. Some of the most common causes for amputation in pets include severe trauma, birth defects, and forms of cancer, such as neoplasia, ACVS notes. It’s a good idea, too, to ask the vet what type of aftercare and outcomes to expect as well as potential complications that may arise from the surgery.  Phinney’s recently helped little Layla get emergency bladder stone surgery. Layla is an eight-year-old Yorkie-Shih Tzu mix, who lives with her dad, Warren. Layla had been diagnosed with hematuria—blood in the urine—and despite two different antibiotics, her symptoms persisted. She was also in a lot of pain from a huge bladder stone that was discovered during an urgent-care vet visit. The vet also suspected Layla had a urinary tract infection (UTI) and recommended emergency surgery to remove the bladder stone and perform a workup for her UTI. Warren reached out to Phinney’s for financial help. With our assistance, Warren was able to get Layla the care she needed through Angell at Nashoba. There Layla underwent surgery to remove the bladder stone and had the UTI treated. Since the surgery, she has been doing great. She doesn’t have any blood in her urine and she’s “very playful,” Warren says, adding that he couldn’t have done this without Phinney’s help. Warren tells Phinney’s he is so grateful for the financial assistance to be able to help Layla. More on Bladder Stones & UTIs Bladder Stones There are many causes and varieties of bladder stones in pets. Some can be quite serious while others can resolve on their own. For instance, struvite stones may be due to chronic bacterial infections, which can be common in female dogs. Calcium oxalate stones may form due to a kidney condition and can be more common in male dogs and cats And, another form--ammonium biurate stones--tend to form when a pet has liver disease. Despite the variations of stones, the signs are all similar and include straining to urinate, passing blood-tinged urine, frequent urination, and having urinary accidents in the house. If your pet is straining to urinate or not urinating at all this can be very serious and should not be ignored. Treatment includes a prescription diet and antibiotics or in some cases surgery to remove the stone. With the proper treatment the prognosis is good. Urinary Tract Infections Urinary tract infections (UTIs) usually refer to bacterial infections of any or all parts of the urinary tract, but they most commonly involve the urinary bladder. UTIs are common in dogs, especially females, and cats who are older than 10 years of age. Signs of a UTI include urgency and frequent urination (pollakiuria). Other symptoms may include blood in urine, straining to urinate, foul-smelling urine, urination in inappropriate places, inability to hold urine, and urinating small volumes or not passing any urine while posturing to urinate. Your vet will need to test the urine to determine whether there is an infection and will provide antibiotics as they see fit. The above content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as any type of specific medical or other advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian with specific questions or concerns about your pet(s). |
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Phinney's is an all-volunteer registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps low-income people keep their pets. U.S. federal tax ID 94-3475924. All content on this website is the property of Phinney's Friends, Inc. unless otherwise noted. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
PO Box 425, Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: 617-203-2053 Fax: 617-979-8705 |
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