Herby the cat needs a home.
Herby, a long-haired domestic cat, has spent more than 70 days at the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot branch after he was picked up near the Port Alberni Train Station, suffering from what staff first thought were head injuries. After extensive vet care, the one-year-old is ready to be adopted.
HerbyB次元官网网址檚 journey has been a strange one, SPCA employee Kayla Castellarin said. When he was first picked up, he acted like he had been hit by a car: his vision was affected and he was uncoordinated when he walked. He was a B次元官网网址渟ingleton,B次元官网网址� not one of a group of feral cats.
After extensive testing, veterinarians determined he was suffering from toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-cell parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It is considered a common parasitic disease, and according to the Cornell Feline Health Center can infect nearly all warm-blooded animals, including humans.
Castellarin said toxoplasmosis is not common for this area, and especially not in such a young cat. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 really see it very often. IB次元官网网址檝e been here for 10 years and IB次元官网网址檝e never seen it. The vets were surprised.B次元官网网址�
HerbyB次元官网网址檚 infection was so progressed at that point that his neurological symptoms mimicked those of a cat that had been hit by a car. He went through treatment and the parasite is no longer active, or B次元官网网址渟hedding.B次元官网网址�
Staff at the SPCA threw a birthday party for Herby on Friday, Jan. 20, decorating his living space with balloons, a sign, even a small felt birthday crown affixed to the fourplex cage. Herby enjoyed numerous treats throughout the day.
B次元官网网址淲e decided to do something fun to spread awareness,B次元官网网址� Castellarin said. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 a black cat, and theyB次元官网网址檙e always hard to adopt out anyway. Being special needs, he needs a boost.B次元官网网址�
Herby is still dealing with the after-effects of toxoplasmosis, even though the parasite is no longer active: he has trouble with his vision and senses.
Despite these ongoing challenges Herby is B次元官网网址渜uite the character,B次元官网网址� she said. HeB次元官网网址檚 quite the love bug when it comes to his food and treats, and although he is still sensitive to touch due to his condition B次元官网网址渉e has started to allow us to have some gentle petsB次元官网网址ut it will be a slow and gradual process since being approached is still scary for him when he canB次元官网网址檛 quite see it coming,B次元官网网址� she added.
Due to HerbyB次元官网网址檚 ongoing health issues, he needs to be an indoor cat, and shouldnB次元官网网址檛 go to a home with people who are immunocompromised or pregnant. There is a chance his toxoplasmosis could reoccur, Castellarin said.
The first step to adopt Herby is the application: .
Anyone wishing to contribute to HerbyB次元官网网址檚 previous medical costs are urged to go online to .
susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
Like us on and follow us on
