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Today's
Cat of the Day
Today's Cat of the Day
 
Sapphire the Grey Tabby
Name: Sapphire
Age: 10 weeks old
Gender: Female
Kind: Grey Tabby
Home: Audubon, New Jersey, USA
 
   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


Sapphire the Grey Tabby, the Cat of the Day
Sapphire the Grey Tabby, the Cat of the Day
Sapphire the Grey Tabby, the Cat of the Day
Sapphire the Grey Tabby, the Cat of the Day
Sapphire the Grey Tabby, the Cat of the Day

Talk about Sapphire in Pet Talk!






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