10/10/2025
SPARKIE could use your good wishes and positive thoughts! This quirky semi-feral boy just had major dental surgery Tuesday, but not without its risks. Pre-surgery bloodwork revealed Sparkie had a somewhat low platelet count, meaning he could have problems with his blood not clotting enough during surgery and the doctor was not sure we should proceed. However, after lengthy discussion and weighing his options, considering the severity of the stomatitis and dental disease he had (and hid very well from me) that would never go away and only get worse, it was decided that the surgery was needed to give him his best chance at quality (and length) of life. Sparkie has been living happily in the feral cattery for almost 11 years now, taken in by KTN when he was about a year old in 2014 from a multi-cat household losing its owner, so of course, I’ve grown attached to him. The surgery was challenging, but he got through it okay. He’s now recovering in the house where I can monitor and care for him better. Though it was a rough start, he started eating very soft food finally, is using his box and staying calm in the recovery cage. When I’m sure he’s on the mend and eating better, I’ll move him back to the acclimation cage in the cattery where he’ll probably feel more comfortable for a short time, then try to keep him on the routine of getting wet food every night separately as we were doing prior to his surgery to try to minimize flare ups in his sensitive mouth and throat. He’s a smart boy, likes to play and enjoys the outdoor enclosure like the others out there, so hopefully he’ll continue to enjoy his life and stay around a lot longer. 💜💜💜
Once again, we are very grateful for the kindness and skill that Dr. Kimmel provides for all our rescues and fosters, and particularly how good he is with the difficult cats and cases we bring to him and all the staff at Quail Crossing Animal Hospital!