Kiwi’s Story: From Stray to Thriving

Kiwi wasn’t always the happy, chatty cat she is today. She started her life as a stray on the streets of Springfield, MO, where survival was tough. But thanks to a kind-hearted woman who rescues and cares for stray animals, Kiwi got her second chance! Originally named “Savage” due to her feisty personality, everything changed as soon as she found her forever home. The moment her new family saw her, with her sparse fur on her head and striking green eyes… they knew she was meant to be named Kiwi.
For a while, life was good. Kiwi settled in, enjoying the comforts of a warm home, good food, and plenty of love. But then, her owner started noticing some small changes like frequent trips to the litter box, her stool was different, and then came the vomiting. It wasn’t just an occasional hairball; it was happening almost every day. She even started losing a little weight. Something wasn’t right.
Trusting that gut feeling, Kiwi’s owner took her right over to Rock Bridge Animal Hospital, where they discovered the problem: bladder stones! These tiny but dangerous formations in her bladder were making it difficult for her to go to the bathroom properly and were even causing her to throw up. Left untreated, they could have caused serious health issues.

The Life-Saving Surgery: Cystotomy

The best solution for Kiwi was a cystotomy, a surgical procedure to remove the bladder stones. It’s a fairly common surgery in veterinary medicine, but it’s always a big deal when it’s your pet going through it. The procedure involves carefully opening the bladder, removing the stones, and ensuring everything is flushed out to prevent future blockages.
Recovery meant rest, a special urinary diet, and lots of love and monitoring. Thankfully, Kiwi is a fighter and is already well on her way to a full recovery. It didn’t take long before she was back to her usual self, eating well, using the litter box normally, and making sure everyone in the house heard her loud and proud meows.

A Happy, Healthy Future

Kiwi’s story is a reminder of how important it is to pay attention to the little signs our pets give us. A change in litter box habits, unusual vomiting, or slight weight loss might not seem like much at first, but they can be signals that something is wrong. Early intervention saved Kiwi’s life, and now, with her new urinary-specific diet, she’s thriving!
From a scrappy street cat to a spoiled (and very vocal) house cat, Kiwi’s journey proves that love, care, and quick action can make all the difference! 💚