Thank you again to everyone for their support and generous contributions to Mink's vet bills! I so grateful for the compassion during this difficult time. Months later, I am finally able to share an update. Hopefully this can be a little good news in our chaotic times...
July 31st, Mink was able to receive surgery on his hind leg to repair the broken femur at Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists with the help of the BirchBark Foundation and contribution from donations to Project Mink. He returned home the following evening, where he started his road to recovery.
The vets emphasized that he was to stay as still as possible for the following 8 weeks. While I worked, he stayed in his crate, and when I was home he insisted on sleeping on top of me. I gave him medicine every six hours for the first week to manage his pain and stave off infection.
What surprised me the most during this process, was how unchanged Mink's personality was. I thought that after such a traumatic event, he may never want to leave the house, let alone commute to my office or studio.
As Mink's medication-induced fog cleared up, I struggled to keep him still. He wanted to run and jump like he had done before. It took a few weeks before I was comfortable taking him to work with me, and that was only because he was running rampant in his crate. At that point his operating wound had closed off, and the stitches had been removed.
Weirdly enough Mink was calmer in the office than he was at home. Folks who had heard of his injuries and subsequent hospitalization came to visit and expressed relief to see him so nonchalant.
Two months post-op, Mink took another trip back to Pacific and Santa Cruz Veterinary Specialists for another x-ray. He was given the all-clear to return to his regular exercise and routine. He has made a full recovery!
Four months out, Mink is doing fantastic. He climbs, runs, and jumps like a kitten his age should! He enjoys chasing his feather toy to the point of exhaustion, and gaining new friends at the Art League and Tannery.
I am so grateful for all the help and the sheer force of nature that Mink has proven himself to be! Thank you so much for following our story, and please show some support to the folks at Birch Bark Foundation, who continue to aid families in need of aid.
