Link was unable to eat on his own and was significantly smaller than other kittens of his age. His rescuers were resolved to change everything for this one-of-a-kind feline.
“Link can’t swallow food on his own and can’t pass anything bigger than a grain of rice through his stomach.” “I syringe feed him upright four times a day,” the foster mother explained.
“Persistent Right Aortic Arch is the name given to Link’s condition” (PRAA). His esophagus is constricted by an additional blood artery, making it impossible for him to pass anything but fluids through it.”
When Link was being fed, he had to be held in a specific position so that gravity could assist him in getting his food down.
“When we acquired him, he was thin and weak from not being able to eat.”
He grew bigger and happier in his foster family, although he was still underweight.
Link was always on the lookout for food due to his condition. He was at risk of malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia as a result of it.
“It takes around 15 minutes to give him one feeding and another 5-10 minutes to hold him up to make sure all of the food made it into his stomach,” says the nurse.
Money was gathered to help him receive corrective surgery so that he could eat on his own again.
Link snuggled up for a snooze shortly after the procedure.
Link cuddling with his foster mom during his rehabilitation after surgery when he returned to his foster home.
Link was able to eat his pureed canned food out of a bowl two months following the procedure.
Miracles happen every day!
