Three-month-old female kitten «Buttercup» was found on the side of a road in Vietnam. Our team found her lying on the ground, paralyzed, unable to move her hind legs or even stand up. She was extremely weak, dehydrated, and in generally terrible condition. We learned that she was hit by a motorcycle and left to die. Our team quickly assessed her condition and as soon as possible she was taken to the vet for further care.
At the clinic, the vets suspected that Buttercup’s spinal cord was damaged, which is why her hind legs are paralyzed. She was put on strict caging and antibiotics. After several days of cage rest, gentle physiotherapy and massage were started. In addition, her wounds required daily treatment.
It seemed unlikely that Buttercup would ever walk again due to the injuries she sustained, but that didn’t stop her from being a happy, playful kitten. Being a little fighter, she built strength every day and was able to be placed in a foster home where she received all the care and love she needed and could play with her kitten friends.
Updated August 05, 2019
For over two months we have been working to rehabilitate Buttercup through massage, hydrotherapy and passive range of motion exercises. She has gained more and more motor control in her hind legs. As you can see in the picture, we have equipped her with a special wheelchair that she uses to move around at lightning speed. We are still confident that maybe one day she will be able to walk on her own again, but for now this solution already seems to make her very happy.