Tiny Patient, Big Save

Case Rounds: Cool Cases by Vetco Total Care

French Fry was only a few months old when she first visited Vetco Total Care. The rescue organization responsible for her care sought a medical evaluation because she was growing slowly compared to her littermates, showed bowing in her front legs, and abdominal swelling related to chronic constipation.

After French Fry arrived, Dr. Harman and the VTC team meticulously assessed her vital signs and overall demeanor to gauge her health status, ensuring that no detail went overlooked. Once the initial exam was complete, Dr. Harman and the team explored the most suitable diagnostics, deciding on a series of tests, including bloodwork, gathering critical information to better understand what was happening in French Fry’s tiny body.

After running a T4 in-house and a Thyroid Confirmation Panel, they discovered something rare. French Fry’s enlarged abdomen and slow growth were due to Congenital Hypothyroidism. Because Dr. Harman and the team caught it early, they were able to treat French Fry, improving both her chances of survival and her quality of life. They put together a care plan that included Levothyroxine (thyroid replacement hormone), Cisapride, supportive care, and continued monitoring.

Now eleven months old, French Fry is a happy, sassy and adopted kitten! She’s living a mostly normal life thanks to modern medicine, early action from her Rescue and a thorough veterinary team determined to improve the lives of the mighty and the tiny.

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