MSPCA-Angell Raising Funds to Save his Life before Finding the “Little Scrapper” a New Home
BOSTON—Sept. 16, 2019 – Life on the streets is tough for any kitten but 10-week-old “Kevin” was dealt an even crueler blow, having been born with a congenital heart condition that would likely kill him without medical intervention.
Fortunately, a good Samaritan scooped up Kevin, along with his little brother, “Buzz, and rushed the pair to the MSPCA on Sept. 3, where the condition, known as Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) was diagnosed by Dr. Joseph Zarin of the Angell Animal Medical Center cardiology team.
“PDA is a pretty scary condition and basically it means that a blood vessel in his heart did not close properly after birth, which leads to congestive heart failure at a very young age, which is often fatal,” said Dr. Zarin. “The good news for Kevin is that surgery can substantially improve the quality of his life and in some cases can even cure the condition outright.”
Mending Kevin’s Broken Heart
The MSPCA is raising money to offset the nearly $2,700 surgery to repair Kevin’s heart, as medical funds are low because so many homeless animals have needed care this year before they could be adopted.
Kevin’s surgery will be paid for by Spike’s Fund, which meets the medical needs of homeless animals in the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center before they are be placed into new homes. Anyone who wishes to donate toward Kevin’s care, and the care of animals like him, can do so by clicking here.
Kevin’s surgery will be performed by Angell’s Dr. Sue Casale, who predicts a bright future for the little fighter. “He’s on the tiny side and that can always make surgery more challenging, but he’s in fine health otherwise, so I suspect he’ll do very well,” she said.
Kevin’s surgery is expected to occur later this week, after which the adoption center team will start evaluating new homes for him.
“No one would ever suspect this kitten was found outside, living in a colony with feral cats, because he is so curious and incredibly social and outgoing,” said Anna Rafferty-Arnold, associate director of the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center.
Rafferty-Arnold said that Kevin’s brother, Buzz, is much shyer but will soon be placed for adoption as well. “They’re not especially bonded and they would be fine going home together or separately,” she said.
Anyone interested in adopting can email adoption@mspca.org for more information about Kevin and Buzz.
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