On January 13, 2007 we answered a plea from someone who had had two approximately eight week old kittens trapped/neutered in their yard by a Philadelphia TNR ( trap-neuter-return) group.  The babies were then scheduled to be released back outside.  We decided that these babies deserved a chance and were willing to take them and work with them in the hopes of finding them fur-ever homes.

 

 Linus and his brother, Charlie Brown, arrived at one of our veterinary hospitals for a thorough examination and then off to foster care where we went to work socializing them and getting them ready for adoption.  It took a bit of time, and there were setbacks as they became ill with an upper respiratory infection.  We never received any medical documentation from the trapping organization.  Nonetheless, those of you who know us, are aware that we are committed to providing the very best veterinary and foster care, so we set out to teach the babies their social skills, have them monitored by our veterinary team,and finally Linus and Charlie Brown were ready for  prime time. 

 

Last week, we visited the vet again to update their vaccinations, as Linus was scheduled for adoption.  Unfortunately, it was at this time that one of our veterinarians heard a heart murmur and quickly had another ER vet confirm her findings.  The doctors ran some blood tests and a cardiology consultation was scheduled for this past Tuesday.

 

 Unfortunately, for Linus, the news is not the best.  An echocardiogram shows he is suffering from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy which is a progressive cardiac disease that will significantly shorten his life span.  His potential adopters were informed and it is understandable that they could not commit to adopting a kitten that may not live very long.  Linus will require follow up echocardiograms, further visits with our veterinary cardiologist and possibly medication.  The saddest part of all is that he has blossomed into one of the sweetest little boys you could possible meet.  

 

Little Linus will remain with us in foster care and be loved and we will see that he receives the best quality of life we can offer him for however long we are blessed to have him with us.  On behalf of Linus, we are asking for help in the form of donations to help defray the costs associated for his cardiac care to date and what which will be upcoming, as not to take away from the many foster cats in our care at present. If you you would like to sponsor Linus, please send your tax deductible donation to: