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A one-eyed kitten named Munchkin who has had a hard year has now found his forever home where he can spend Christmas.
Tabby and white-colored Munchkin came to the RSPCA UK’s Milton Keynes and North Bucks Branch in July 2014 as one of four three-week-old kittens. Their mum, Lucy, also came into care, but one of her kittens sadly died before the shelter was contacted.
Munchkin, who is now five-months-old, was smaller than his two sisters and always wanted feeding from his mum who looked after him very well. All of the cats had fleas and Munchkin was also missing his left eye. While all three kittens continued to grow, Munchkin was growing much more slowly than the others and had to be given extra formula to supplement Lucy’s milk.
Munchkin needed major and expensive surgery
More problems came when the kittens had to be weaned and, although Munchkin desperately wanted to eat wet kitten food, he started to choke so had to be fed with small spoonfuls at a time. His sisters moved onto solid food and found new homes but Munchkin still struggled and was just half their size.
Staff at the branch sought the advice of the Milton Keynes Veterinary Group who carried out tests. It was revealed he had a condition called Persistent Right Aortic Arch which affects the blood vessels of the heart and the esophagus and needed major and expensive surgery. The branch raised money through the local paper and via social media – they were overwhelmed when they raised over £1,800 for the operation.
Munchkin’s surgery was carried out on October 16. It was highly risky but the plucky kitten got stronger afterwards and put on weight. His recovery continued and he was soon ready to go to his new home just in time for Christmas.
His spirit hasn’t dampened
Owner Jenny Trilsbach said:
“Munchkin was so well cared for at Walnut Tree Surgery and we’re grateful to everyone who helped us to afford his surgery. He recovered very well, despite having open chest surgery and he is still mischievous – his spirit hasn’t dampened in any way.
“Although Munchkin was a happy kitten apart from his feeding problems, purring all the time, climbing your legs and eating your fingers but he couldn’t have carried on the way he was. He’s now well and happy and we hope his life will continue in this way.”
The photos of Munchkin in this post are seen at the RSPCA Milton Keynes & N. Bucks Branch Facebook page, where fans and friends have cheered on his progress over the past months.
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