Catcuddles Cat Clinic Welcomes its First Patient
Today is an historic day for Catcuddles as we welcomed our very first clinic patient, Kirkby!
Kirkby was a model patient and sets the bar high for our foster cats who will be seen over the coming days and weeks at our North London cat clinic!
We were contacted some weeks ago about a stray cat handed in for treatment at Medivet Woolwich. This gentle cat was underweight, riddled in fleas and had no microchip. The Vet estimated his age to be at least 10. Kirkby has FIV, or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. This diagnosis has come with a great deal of stigma in the past, but it is not as many mistakenly believe a death sentence, nor is it easily spread. FIV can be passed onto other cats only through severe, deep bites, and FIV+ cats can live long, comfortable lives, with the condition simply making their immune system more vulnerable than average. You can read more about FIV and the myths surrounding it here. Kirby has a heart murmur and is also severely anaemic, for which he was given medication for.
Friendly and affectionate Kirkby will greet you with a series of meows. He has one for when he’s hungry, another if you are not giving him enough attention or one just because he wants to say hello! This loving boy is very much a people person and is a complete fan of lockdown, and the extra company it is providing, so last week when he suddenly became subdued, off his food and withdrawn his fosterers knew something was wrong.
Kirkby was admitted with a high temperature and an infection; the medication to treat his anaemia was affecting his vulnerable immune system. With lots of fluids, monitoring and TLC at Medivet Greenwich, he was discharged back to his foster home, and as of today he is now under our care at the Catcuddles Cat Clinic for continued monitoring of his red blood cell values.
We are grateful for the continued support that allows us to care for cats in need and extend our thanks to all the amazing veterinary staff involved in his care, who continue to provide essential care during these challenging times.
There was never any doubt in our mind to skip or forgo vet care for any cat with us for rehoming but we are not able to operate without the support of the public donations. Kirkby’s treatment and monitoring of his anemia will continue at North London clinic. You can read more about the clinic and our final leap fundraiser here.