They took in a cat and ended up saving three lives. One of the kittens proved to be a brave little soul.
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Earlier this year, a pregnant gray-and-white cat arrived at Best Friends Felines and was given a fresh start.
Rescued alongside a group of cats from an industrial area, the expectant mother, Priscilla, was understandably timid when she first entered foster care. But as she settled into a routine filled with soft beds and nourishing meals, her walls began to come down.
She stopped hiding and started seeking affection from her foster family. When the day finally came for her kittens to be born, her caregivers were right there by her side.
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Priscilla needed a great deal of support during labor, and sadly, only two kittens survived. Both newborns were underweight, but despite their difficult start, their will to live was extraordinary.
With the help of their devoted foster family, the tiny siblings steadily gained weight and strength. Priscilla was grateful for the extra help, giving her time to rest and recover while her kittens received the care they needed.
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As the kittens, Winston and Jade, grew stronger, they began venturing beyond their nest, exploring every corner of their playpen and plotting their first great escape. "When they aren't climbing over each other, they snuggle in and sleep," Best Friends Felines shared.
Winston, however, was born with a smaller chest cavity and began showing signs of breathing difficulties.
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He was diagnosed with a severe case of pectus excavatum, commonly known as a sunken chest, while his sister Jade was found to have a curved spine. "Pectus excavatum is a congenital birth defect in which a kitten's sternum (breastbone) and rib cartilage grow inward, creating a concave chest."
Because the condition was affecting Winston's breathing and development, the team at Best Friends Felines immediately began planning treatment.
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Before surgery could take place, Winston continued making the most of kittenhood despite his limitations. After a while, Jade decided she had outgrown the playpen, scaling its walls multiple times a day in search of new adventures.
"They are simply the most adorable pair, with their goofy little running styles and their almost bulldog stance due to their chests."
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When Winston finally underwent surgery to correct his condition, he faced the challenge with remarkable resilience. He was fitted with a specially designed chest brace that gently lifted his breastbone and guided his chest into a healthier position.
Although he wasn't fond of the bandage, he adapted quickly. He continued eating and drinking well, moved around comfortably, and spent plenty of time resting and healing.
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At his follow-up appointment, Winston exceeded everyone's expectations. The improvement in his chest structure was clearly visible, and he showed no signs of slowing down. "He plays and snuggles with his sister and gets cuddles from his mom. He also tries to climb the legs of his foster carers for extra attention."
A week later, Winston reached another major milestone when his brace was finally removed.
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"The doctor advised there has been a 30% correction, when the hope of what was to be achieved was only 5-10%."
Since then, Winston has blossomed into a playful, mischievous young cat with a vibrant personality. He loves being the center of attention and insists on curling up beside his people in bed at night. "He's part cat, part parrot, part puppy. He loves nothing more than sitting on your shoulder or walking up to you, wagging his little tail in glee."
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When the little family was finally ready for adoption, they didn't have to wait long to find their happy endings.
Winston has been pre-adopted by a wonderful family and will have a feline companion to spend his life with. Meanwhile, Priscilla and Jade stole the hearts of another loving family, who decided they simply couldn't bear to separate them.
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