My name is Griz!

In the 20 years that Last Hope has provided rescue care for dogs and cats in need, we had never encountered such a curious medical case as we did when Griz came into our care.  Found on the sidewalk at just weeks old, those first few days in our care were so touch and go we were afraid that this teeny kitten may not make it. But as we would learn, this was no ordinary kitten, no this kitten was made of something very special and would continue to show us just how strong he can be! 

Griz suffered from what we believed was a horrible upper respiratory infection when he first came in, his first few days were spent in an incubator while our volunteers syringe fed him nearly every hour.  He quickly started to recover with the careful attention he was receiving, and we collectively let out a sigh of relief!  We had a healthy kitten on our hands, this was going to be easy from here on out! However in just a few short weeks, Griz had some worrying concerns as his chest seemed to develop a steep indent and he still sounded raspy.  Our veterinarian did x-rays and showed us an image that almost had to be seen to be believed.  Griz's chest was sinking in, and not just a little, a lot!  You didn't need a degree to see that something was very wrong in the structure of this poor little guys chest, and we had to act fast if we were going to save him. 

Griz traveled to UW Madison to meet with the talented team at the veterinary school for what was a severe case of Pectus Excavatum. We started on a journey together, learning as we went about the miracles of the kitten body.  Griz was outfitted with a small surgical splint on the exterior of his chest, this was sutured in place when he was anesthesized and would remain for as many weeks as possible.  Given his young age, his chest bones were still very flexible so we used this splint as a guide to reshape his chest and create the space for his heart and lungs to continue to grow and have the space needed to keep him alive.  Griz was such a terrific patient and he quickly stole the hearts of every student and physcian he met! He took the many, many weeks of kennel rest in stride and we found creative ways of providing him enrichment to keep his little kitten brain happy and at ease. We again held our breath as Griz underwent his final surgery to have his splint removed.  Would the small bones and ribs of his chest stay in place or sink back to where they had started, was this all for not? Luckily, Griz again perservered and surgery was a total success!

Griz is now growing, running and playing with no discernable difference between him and other cats.  What was a daunting and frankly scary diagnosis is now behind him; while his chest feels a little lumpy in some spots and he has a distinct little whistle when he plays too hard, you would never know what a grizzly outcome he could have had if it wasn't for a stranger having scooped him up off that sidewalk.

Griz would love a home with another playful young cat, he lives with dogs and cats in his foster home and tolerates the dogs but is still easily startled by them.  Griz spent many a day cuddled in the arms of people as a young kitten, he's now in his rebelious teenager phase of life so he likes affection on his terms but he's happy to sit with you - especially if you like to snack on popcorn at night and you're willing to share. A moderately quiet, cat savvy home would suit him very well!  Griz is a true survivor and he needs an owner that will be equally dedicated and in awe of this little miracle as we are.  

Griz's adoption fee is $100. He is fully vaccinated, microchipped and neutered.  He will require an indoor only home and an owner with a demonstrated history of having provided consistent care for any prior or current pets that includes keeping them altered, current on annual vaccines/testing and as indoor pets only.