Disabled Tail-Less Kitty Has Overcome Tremendous Obstacles - Now Faces His Greatest Challenge Yet

https://cuddly.com/donate/4923072/panda

Permanent rescue resident Panda the tail-less kitty was just five weeks old when he came into our care after being diagnosed with Manx syndrome. Now at two and a half years of age, Panda’s health is in jeopardy and he must undergo a complicated, but potentially life-saving, surgical procedure.

Panda came into our care when he was just five weeks old after being born with Max syndrome. Manx syndrome, primarily characterized by the absence of a tail, refers to an array of problems involving the function of the hind legs, bladder, and colon. In affected cats, the spinal cord is shortened because the last few vertebrae have not developed normally. In Panda’s case, this little guy hops like a rabbit due to his abnormal gait. He is quite tiny and is completely incontinent, so he wears a diaper.

We decided to place Panda into a permanent medical foster home. It took him much longer than a normal kitten to learn basic functions, like how to climb stairs, but he never gave up. Panda is now two and a half years old, and he is just like a regular kitty! He loves to eat, play, and sit by the warm fireplace. However, Panda recently began to display some troubling symptoms and was brought to an ENT specialist for an evaluation. We have just learned that Panda must undergo a Ventral Bulla Osteotomy procedure, which opens the bone compartment surrounding the middle ear to remove inflammatory tissue and check for polyps.

Panda has come so far since being in our care, and we are devastated that he is now struggling again. Many would have written Panda off as a lost cause, deeming his life unworthy of saving. However, we know that Panda is every bit as deserving of love and care as any other cat. The surgery Panda needs is quite complicated and will cost close to $4,000. If you are able, please consider donating any items from Panda’s wishlist to ensure he has everything he needs to heal after his operation. We would also greatly appreciate any contribution you could make to help us with the cost of his care. Thank you for supporting Panda!