Lifesaving with a Twist

LIFESAVING WITH A TWIST
Twist is part acrobat, part purr machine and 100% kitten! He deftly chases his wand toy, stops to solicit cheek scritches, then commences with his playful leaps and pirouettes. At five months old, he’s a “pre-teen” kitten who views the world with confidence and wide-eyed curiosity. And, thanks to your compassion, his world is a whole lot brighter!

Twist was in a vulnerable state and quickly running out of options before coming to HSSC this past September. At his previous shelter, he presented with a condition sometimes known as Orphaned Kitten Prepuce Syndrome. This occurs when orphaned kittens, in absence of a mama, mistakenly nurse on their siblings’ genitals. This can lead to scarring and eventually cause damage and obstruction to the urethral opening. This sets the animal up for painful urinary infections and life-threatening blockages but can be remedied with surgery.

Unfortunately, surgery was not an option at Twist’s previous shelter. They were overcrowded and faced with making the hardest, most heartbreaking decisions: Twist and several other kittens with medical issues (including eight with ringworm) would be euthanized unless they could find placement elsewhere. Thankfully, we were able to make room and take them all in.

Our veterinary team went for the least invasive route for Twist – a surgery called Preputial Urethrostomy. HSSC DVM Ada Norris describes the procedure as an attempt “to salvage the anatomy and create a functional urinary system.” His condition was so severe, however, that he ultimately needed a second, full Perineal Urethrostomy surgery. The surgery was a success. Twist is healing well and will soon be available for adoption. “He’s the happiest little kitten and seems grateful for all our interventions,” Dr. Ada says.

2022 has been a year marked by urgent pleas and last-minute saves. Our intake team has been inundated with desperate requests from overcrowded regional partners faced with euthanizing animals unless they could find placement elsewhere.

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