After being abandoned at only 3 days old, a helpless kitten was brought back from the brink of death with the help of a loving family and their devoted pets, including cats and dogs
When Fiona, a 3-day-old kitten, was brought to Hamilton Humane in Indiana, she weighed just 82 grams and was in desperate need of help as a singleton. Kelsey Minier, a foster volunteer for the rescue, took Fiona in and began providing round-the-clock care.
Despite Fiona’s upper respiratory infection, which was too small to treat, Kelsey kept her warm, fed, and provided supplemental care.
Fiona had made some progress, gaining weight and strength, and even latching onto the bottle on her own. However, her condition deteriorated suddenly, and she became lethargic, refusing to feed.
Kelsey promptly took her to the shelter vets the following day, where they conducted x-rays and inspections but were unable to provide a definite diagnosis. As a result, Fiona was prescribed a low dose of antibiotics, considering her size.
As she continued to decline, we decided to initiate the fading kitten protocol and stayed up all night to keep her comfortable in case she didn’t make it. The resident dogs and cats also came to offer their support.
The dogs, in particular, had bonded with her, so we kept her warm on our chests in a blanket. We even had a family slumber party on the couch and cuddled with her all night long.
Kelsey managed to keep the kitten alive with syringe-feeding while her other pets provided emotional support.
The following afternoon, Fiona showed some progress by being able to prop herself up and trying to feed from a bottle again.
Kelsey recounted to Embora Cats that her cat drank more liquid in a single sitting than it had over the previous two days, prompting a tearful and happy response from her and her family.
Watch Fiona the kitten in this cute video:
Fiona has managed to convince Tucker, who is generally not fond of kittens, to become her snuggle buddy for the time being.
Kelsey stated that the tabby girl’s personality became more apparent as she grew bigger and stronger.
Fiona has formed a strong bond with their 11-month-old puppy, Ethel, and the two of them can often be found lounging on the couch together. Fiona loves to engage in playful behavior, frequently hopping around and playfully pawing at Ethel’s face.
Ethel shows gentleness towards Fiona by showering her with licks and snuggles, even when Fiona occasionally swats at her.
Fiona may pretend not to like it, but she frequently approaches Ethel, swatting her face and sitting while staring.
Fiona has successfully transitioned from consuming milk in a bottle to eating big kitty food. She is highly energetic when playing, and affectionate when she rests.
Jasper, the resident cat, is a seasoned volunteer when it comes to kitten-sitting. He gladly takes on the responsibility and teaches Fiona the ropes of proper feline etiquette.
With the help of her loving foster family, Fiona is thriving and living everyday to the fullest.
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