“Meadow” Has a Potentially Life-Threatening Congenital Disorder
BOSTON, Nov. 18, 2025 – A homeless young cat will soon undergo lifesaving surgery at Angell Animal Medical Center, the MSPCA-Angell announced today.
The roughly one-year-old domestic shorthair known as “Meadow” was transferred to the MSPCA-Angell at Nevins Farm from Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition partner Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO) on September 22. She had been abandoned outside the shelter in a carrier with her kittens, but at that time, no one knew the danger lurking in her own heart.
“We regularly receive cats from partner shelters to help them keep their populations manageable,” explained Vice President of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division, Mike Keiley.
“TJO reached out to us because they had a mom and kittens that needed to be in a foster home together for a while, which is often hard to arrange. We had no idea that any of them would need special medical treatment.”
Those answers would be revealed shortly after Meadow’s arrival.
Collaborative Care Between Clinics and Hospitals
Nevins Farm clinic veterinary staff examined Meadow the same day she was brought to Methuen and discovered a high-grade heart murmur.
“Staff dug deeper when they found the murmur and learned that Meadow has a congenital disorder known as PDA [Patent Ductus Arteriosus],” Keiley elaborated. “It’s something that’s usually diagnosed in kittens, so Meadow’s case is definitely more complicated, but she needs the surgery to ensure she’s able to live the long and happy life she deserves.”
Without surgery, Meadow may suffer deadly congestive heart failure.
“One of the best things about the MSPCA-Angell is the ability of our shelter clinic teams and Angell hospital teams to collaborate to get homeless animals lifesaving care,” he added. “In other places, this disorder may not even be diagnosed, let alone treated.”
Fortunately for Meadow, she will soon have a corrective procedure in the skilled hands of veterinarians in Angell’s Surgery Department.
Meadow’s Next Steps
Meadow is scheduled to have surgery on November 19.
“This kind of advanced care is costly,” detailed Keiley. “All told, it’ll probably cost us roughly $5,000 to get her the treatment that she needs.”
Those who would like to donate to help offset that cost and care for future animals like Meadow are asked to give at mspca.org/meadow.
Following her surgery, Meadow will spend roughly two weeks recovering in a foster home before she will be ready for adoption. Those interested in adopting are asked to monitor the MSPCA-Angell’s social media channels and available animal page for updates on her status.
