HSSC-Winter-2023-North-Bay-Pets-Final - Magazine - Page 7
Rutherford the Kitten
SHELTER MED SPOTLIGHT
PECTUS KITTIES
In the last six months, our shelter medical team has treated not one – but two! – kittens
with an extremely rare condition. Pectus excavatum, sometimes known as “funnel chest”,
is a congenital condition that causes the cartilage of the ribcage and sternum to be
misshapen and sink into the chest. It can lead to serious complications with heart and
respiratory function and can be life threatening if not treated.
Rutherford was the 昀椀rst “Pectus kitty” to arrive at HSSC from one of our overcrowded
partner shelters this past July. He was about a month old when his original foster noticed
an unusual dip in his ribcage. The shelter’s capacity was stretched thin and the specialized
medical care he’d require was beyond their resources. Knowing they had a short window of
time to help him, they reached out to us.
Once in our care, our veterinary team assessed his needs. They performed a thorough
examination and prepped him for a specialized surgery. They even enlisted help from
our facility’s maintenance crew to create a malleable, Rutherford-sized splint which
they surgically placed on his ribs and sternum. This device enabled our veterinarians to
carefully and gradually make adjustments to gently reshape his growing ribs.
Rutherford’s Custom Splint
In addition to regular adjustments, our vet team had to limit the wiggly kitten’s activity and
closely monitor his respiratory rate to make sure he could heal successfully. HSSC Chief
of Shelter Medicine, Dr. Kat Menard, says that Rutherford was a model patient. “He didn’t
seem to be too bothered by his splint and was tolerant of his procedures. All he wanted
was to be snuggled and get love and attention!”
One of our veterinary assistants, Dylan, stepped up to do just that! She provided a safe
and loving foster home for Rutherford so he could heal and gain those all-important
socialization skills. We can’t thank her enough for giving this precious kitten so much love
and nurturing support.
Star the Kitten
Rutherford shares his unique journey with another very special kitten. 5-month-old Star
came to us from the same rescue partner in September. Our medical team, with Rutherford’s
procedure still fresh in their minds, installed a similar splint custom sized for this slightly
older kitten. During his initial radiographs, Star would not stop purring! He proved himself
to be a friendly, happy patient throughout all of his splint adjustments and exams.
During his treatment and recovery, Star shared an o昀케ce with our Director of Shelter
Initiatives, Meagan Cirivello. “Star is a perfect cat,” Meagan says. “He likes to lay in your
arms like a baby and groom himself in addition to grooming your arms too!” Like
Rutherford, Star’s activity needed to be limited until he healed – not an easy feat for a
young cat. In addition to the snuggles he got from Meagan, our volunteer Cat Care Partners
provided him with enrichment and love throughout the day. He charmed them all with
resilience, air biscuits and near constant purrs!
Scan to Donate
We are pleased to share that both Rutherford and Star’s procedures, while not correcting
their malformations completely, were successful in creating signi昀椀cant ribcage expansion
and the rate of adverse events occurring should decrease as the kittens approach adulthood. The kittens have graduated from their splints and have been adopted into loving
homes! As rare as their medical condition is, Rutherford and Star have one incredibly important thing in common with each animal who comes through our shelter hospital: your
compassion. Your support for our medical programs ensures that the most vulnerable
animals receive the care they need to survive and thrive. Thank you!
Help animals like Rutherford & Star – make your gift today right here
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