A cute and cuddly kitten named Dollie was just living her best life, chasing toys and napping all day.
But at only four months old, her life took a turn for the worse, and she developed a mysterious illness that left everyone scratching their heads.
“She just wasn’t acting like a normal, playful kitten should. Then, things took a turn,” said Sara-Rose Brenner from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA).
It was a weird case, and no one could figure out what was going on. Parts of Dollie’s body started to die, including her tail, legs, and ears.
“We had never seen anything like it,” said Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs for MSPCA-Angell.
Dollie’s family made the tough decision to surrender her to the MSPCA, but it wasn’t the end of her journey. The MSPCA staff was determined to find out what was happening to the poor little kitten.
After consulting with dermatology specialist Dr. Meagan Painter, they finally figured out that Dollie was suffering from ischemic dermatopathy, which can lead to “tissue death in sensitive areas.”
With the diagnosis, the team was able to save Dollie’s life, although she did end up having to get her tail and one leg amputated.
“We expect she’ll live a long, happy life, something that would not have been possible without extensive teamwork between the hospitals and the clinic,” Dr. Painter said.
Finally, after two months of treatment, Dollie was ready for adoption. Keiley announced that Dollie was looking for a forever home, where she could live a happy life.
“We don’t think that she’ll need any specific ongoing care because of this condition, just a family that’s looking for a unique cat and is willing to work with a vet to address any future medical needs,” he said.
It’s worth mentioning that this story has a happy ending. The MSPCA announced that Dollie was adopted and found her forever home. Finally, Dollie can spend her days napping, playing, and getting all the love she deserves.
