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VIDEO: Disabled Vancouver Island feline teaching foster kittens BԪַhow to catBԪַ

Life goes from sour to sweet for Lemon, an adopted cat from B.C. SPCA Nanaimo

While life was initially sour for a stray kitten in Nanaimo, it has sweetened significantly after the cat was adopted by a veterinary hospital employee.

Lemon was brought to the B.C. SPCA facility in Nanaimo last summer after suffering paralysis in its back legs from a dog attack. Amy Hunt, a veterinary tech assistant at VCA Canada Island Animal Hospital on Bowen Road, fostered and subsequently adopted the orange cat, which is receiving treatment and seeing a good quality of life.

After the cat was surrendered to the hospital, staff knew it was paralyzed, as X-rays revealed BԪַa gap in his spine,BԪַ said Hunt. Dr. Jamie Wintemute recommended laser therapy and acupuncture and the cat underwent rehab at Applecross veterinary clinic with laser and acupuncture at Seaside veterinary clinic in Parksville from Dr. Cheyenne Knight, who Hunt says Lemon adores.

Hunt says acupuncture and electro-acupuncture regenerates nerve-building and gets nerves that would normally be dormant BԪַto fire,BԪַ while laser therapy increases blood flow.

BԪַInitially he had no movement up his tail and now he actually does. He can move his feet, he seems to have all his localized reflexes. It would be very unlikely for him ever to walk again [but] heBԪַs adapted very well. This is all heBԪַs really known, so heBԪַs very happy,BԪַ Hunt told the BԪַ Bulletin. BԪַHe can move around probably as fast as any other kitty and he doesnBԪַt think heBԪַs any different than any other cat really.BԪַ

Lemon even had the chance to pay it forward, acting as a surrogate sibling to a pair of orphaned kittens, Leo and Oliver, who were surrendered in June and who Hunt took on as fosters. She refers to the pair as the tangerines, as they are also orange.

Hunt said Lemon has taught Leo and Oliver BԪַhow to cat,BԪַ according to a press release from B.C. SPCA Nanaimo branch, as orphaned kittens are sometimes BԪַa bit wild,BԪַ with no grooming skills or how to partake in responsible play, and Lemon has taught the two kittens just that.

BԪַLemon, initially, was kind of jealous I think, having little babies in the house, but in about a day, he decided that they were his babies,BԪַ Hunt said told the VI Free Daily. BԪַSo he wanted to be with them every chance he got BԪַ If heBԪַs eating or anything like that and hears them playing or BԪַmeowingBԪַ or just being kittens he needs to be right there.BԪַ

The kittens will be heading to their adoptive families on Wednesday, Aug. 12 and Hunt refers to it as both happy and sad.

BԪַThese guys actually have adopters lined up and theyBԪַre going to fantastic homes,BԪַ said Hunt. BԪַIf you didnBԪַt foster, they probably wouldnBԪַt be here today, so youBԪַre saving lives. I have two other cats at home and weBԪַre at capacity BԪַ IBԪַll probably shed a few tears, but itBԪַs a more happy day.BԪַ

However, itBԪַs BԪַkitten seasonBԪַ says Hunt, and sheBԪַs sure Lemon will have more fosters to BԪַplay with and baby.BԪַ

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Karl Yu

About the Author: Karl Yu

I joined Black Press in 2010 and cover education, court and RDN. I am a Ma Murray and CCNA award winner.
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