|
 |
 |
| Name: |
Mini
|
Age: |
One year old
|
| Gender: |
Male
|
Kind: |
Seal Point Siamese
|
| Home: |
Sydney, Australia
|
Mini
came into our lives when I bought a Tonkinese kitten for my
partner's Christmas present last year. The breeder also offered to give
us a Siamese kitten with a minor heart murmur - at the time the vet said
he would live to about ten years of age and stay rather small, hence his
name. We decided to give the little guy a break and provide him a loving
home.
A month after bringing the kittens home Mini developed a cough. The vet
examination and x-rays showed that his lungs were filling with blood
because his heart murmur had quickly developed into a grade five, the
most severe category. Without medication, he only had months to live;
with medication, perhaps a year. We were referred to a veterinary
specialist center for an ultrasound and had the unexpected news that his
heart condition was a leaking valve known as PDA and was operable. The
problem was the cost (approx $A2,000 on top of the other bills) and we
only had days to make a decision as time was running out. We took Mini
home and came to the conclusion that the least we could do was give him
a chance at life. The vet center also helped out with the cost as the
operation is very uncommon.
The operation in February was successful as you can see from the photo!
Since coming home, he has more than doubled in weight and is re-living
his kittenhood. His mate Jasmine was also beside herself with surprise
and joy when he returned after a week at the surgery. He was so weak
when we brought him home, but he managed to escape from his sick room on
his first night back, limp down the stairs and make sure his scratching
post was still in its proper place. We then carried him back upstairs
for recuperation until his wounds healed, much against his will! He is
re-living his kittenhood and plays non-stop with his toys and will
retrieve them for hours on end, expecting his human parents to throw,
throw and keep throwing until he wears himself (and us) out! He is a bit
of a fussy eater, but dominates the food bowl whenever BBQ chicken is on
the menu. He also enjoys some yoghurt in the mornings but will only eat
it from my fingers. He loves playing on the computer, especially walking
across the keyboard to hear what sounds he can make from the speakers!
We're so glad he's still with us. We love coming home to be greeted by
two hyperactive, furry bundles of joy.
|
|
|
|
|
