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| Name: |
Sapphire
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Age: |
10 weeks old
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| Gender: |
Female
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Kind: |
Grey Tabby
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| Home: |
Audubon, New Jersey, USA
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Sapphire was born with a rare congenital birth defect called "Atresia Ani."
At 5 weeks old she was found abandoned
outside covered in maggots and severely sick from an upper respiratory
infecion. The person that found her rushed her to the vet. At the time
it seemed she may have a prolapsed rectum because of the swelling. It
was thought the maggots had caused swelling to her rectal area causing
severe constipation but, in fact she was born with Atresia Ani. She is
unable to pass stool through her rectum as it is a blind pouch. There is
a extremely small hole the size of a pore directly below her rectum
which, expels her stool only when her colon becomes completely full
(about every 4 to 5 days). Atresia ani is an uncommonly reported
congenital malformation of the feline lower gastrointestinal tract.
Having several anatomic variations, it appears Sapphire has rectovaginal
fistulas as well. She is on several medications to prevent infection and
keep her stools soft. You can only imagine how uncomfortable it must be
for her. On her bad days, she is lethargic and listless. Despite her
issues, she is a loving and playful kitten.
NorthStar surgeon Dr. M. Joy Weinstein will perform an anoplasty, a life-saving surgery on August 25th on Sapphire.
This will connect her colon to her rectum and create an anal opening. This is an extensive surgery and her only hope at life.
As you can see in this video, Sapphire is having a good day like any other 2-pound, ten-week-old kitten.
If you would like to help Sapphire, and educate people about her birth defect, please share her story and donate if you can.
GoFundMe
Saving Sapphire: Facebook
Joa's Ark Rescue
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