SOUTH CAROLINA RESCUE

STEDE’S STORY 

One of our rescue partners is actively engaged in the care, and sanctuary of

special needs cats. Stede is an 11-year-old neutered boy, who had been adopted out by

us, but returned when his family fell on hard times, and due to economic stress and a

change in residences, we made the hard decision to send him where he could get the

medical care he needed.

Stede has a Hemangioma in his mouth - a very vascular growth (a blood-filled

mass, fed heavily by local blood vessels) which was painful. It was subject to heavy

bleeding, and needed surgical intervention. Even with the surgery, there could be no

guarantee that it would not re-occur, although most do not.

Having worked with this partner in the past, and with the promise of a placement

in safe and happy long-term hospice care if needed, Save Our Strays stepped up for the

medical costs.

Stede had the mass removed successfully, had all his lab work come back within

normal range and went back to the rescue for recovery. He did very well for months,

but, unfortunately, the growth also recovered and made its presence known down the

road. This time, instead of growing forward on his lower lip, the mass grew back along

his gumline and jaw. This, also unfortunately, will not be operable.

Stede is now comfortable. He is eating, grooming, napping in the sun and will

continue to do so as long as he remains happy. We took the chance on a potential

forever-after, and we still have that, even if it’s limited. For now, the mass is stable - no

rapid growth. We’ll take every good day. When those good days become a struggle

day, we will also make a hard decision.

Our babies are always welcome back, if circumstances change in their lives. We

will always have their backs. Your