Willow is Unable to Walk
Willow has suffered some type of trauma to her back, apparently hit by a car. She was found in the parking lot near where she lived in a feral cat colony, dragging her back legs, completely unable to move them. We need your help to raise $1200 for further tests that might tell us if more can be done to aid in Willow's recovery, and restore to her a better quality of life.

At the vet's office on the day of the injury, there was no response, not even in Willow's eyes, when a hemostat clamp was applied to the tail. It fell lifelessly when lifted and released. No feeling or movement in the toes or pads of the left foot and leg. The vet looked at me and shook his head. These were not good signs. Willow felt a teeny, tiny bit on the other foot. She has a very painful, sensitive area in the mid-back, where she flinches and shudders with the slightest touch. Her bladder was quite large. We feared the worst, and I felt my heart drop into the pit of my stomach. X-rays revealed no fractures, but the size of the bladder gave us another one of those looks. The vet was definitely concerned. We decided to give Willow some time with some pain meds and bed-rest, to see if the damage was going to be permanent.

In the first 6 weeks, Willow recovered the feeling in her legs and tail, and is able to bend and straighten them at will. The site of trauma on the back is no longer as painful. But after 3 months, Willow still cannot stand, nor urinate on her own. A neurological exam and tests might reveal damage to the soft tissue, which could be correctable. But such tests typically cost more than $1,000. We desperately need your help to see if more can be done to aid in Willow's recovery.

8/4 - It's been nearly 5 months since Willow was injured, and her progress seems to have stalled.  There has been no improvement for more than a month. We fear that the longer we wait, the more permanent her condition may become. It's crucial that Willow see a specialist to restart her recovery, if it's going to be at all possible. According to nameberry.com, 'Willow' is an example of an "Elegant and charming nature". We agree, and would love to restore this kitty to her former graceful way. If only you could have seen how sleek and elegant she was, prancing proudly, seamlessly, as though she were a ballerina!  Many who witnessed this, commented on her unusual, flowing gait.  Willow deserves the chance to be restored.  Won't you help?

9/10 - Willow is beginning to undergo a series of acupuncture treatments that may enable her to walk again. The vet tells us her injuries seem to be consistent with a crushed sacrum and caudal (tail) vertebrae. Before the treatment, Willow had good pain response in the right foot, and slightly less in the left, but absolutely no pain response at all in her tail. She can move it, but can't feel what should be a painful pinch. During treatment, she began twitching all over, was definitely feeling it. So hopefully the healing will reach all those nerves in there. Immediately after the treatment, Willow got right to work cleaning herself, and licking, especially that tail! That was VERY good! We're hopeful this will make a difference for her.

1/19/2010 - Willow has been receiving naturopathic treatments including acupuncture for about 4 months, and she's experiencing some significant changes. Best of all, Willow feels a LOT better! She has become more social and outgoing, friendlier, more active, MUCH happier. This is an indication that her pain has been reduced greatly.

She's recently begun licking the area in the upper-mid back that was previously so sensitive, so much so that she's beginning to pull the fur out. This is probably from nerve regrowth; she's feeling "pins and needles". Though it seems weird, the vet assures us this is a good sign.

Part of Willow's exam includes checking for feeling in her lower extremities. In the past, she hasn't had any reaction to the insides of her back legs. She does now! There is still no reaction on the outside. This suggests there are some nerve segments starting to come back, others not yet.

When propped up in a standing position, Willow can stay. But if they try to move her forward, she makes no voluntary movement from the back legs yet, no attempt to take steps. She doesn't yet know the legs are there.

She's sitting more upright, and this is another sign of progress.

Willow has two areas of injury, one in the upper-mid back, and one over the pelvis. She's getting healing on the upper-mid back, not much yet on the pelvic area which controls bodily functions and the ability to walk. Currently she's not able to empty the bladder herself, so she still requires assistance. If the bladder is not emptied completely each time, she'll develop bacterial infections.

1/30/2010 - Willow continues to recover, very slowly. She now has reaction on the outside of her back legs! YAY! The nerves are continuing to heal with acupuncture. Her bladder is beginning to change, and she can feel it now when she's going to have a bowel movement. Her vet has added a homeopathic to help further her progress.

Recovery is still a possibility, and it seems that Willow is on the right track and responding to acupuncture.

We're still actively seeking donations to keep providing this treatment and continue to improve Willow's quality of life.

Please help us to continue helping Willow by making a tax-deductible donation to her fund.

Please, even if you can't assist financially, just circulating this fundraising page, or one of the others for Animal Loving Friends, would help tremendously, to give Willow a better life or save others from suffering.

Your donation could not be more appreciated!

Animal Loving Friends is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) charity, assisting free-roaming and unwanted animals in Tempe, Arizona.

You can follow Willow's progress with these treatments on our rescue's website at http://www.ALF.Petfinder.com. Visit Special Needs and our blog spot.

We want to thank you for visiting our fundraising page!

Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support our fundraising efforts.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!