Speedy's Story
Speedy in a rare moment of inaction.
Speedy is a Manx cat. He was surrendered as a very young kitten, along with his mom and siblings, to a local no-kill shelter, Animal Ark of Hastings, MN. While the shelter was able to place the rest of his family, it was immediately evident that Speedy could not be placed easily because he was born with deformed hind legs and is incontinent.
Manxes are tailless cats. As sometimes happens with this breed, the nerves at the end of the cat's spine are undeveloped. The parts of Speedy's body attached to the end of his spine could not function properly.
Home For Life® accepted Speedy into the sanctuary. The little kitten took to his new home with great eagerness. Speedy quickly endeared himself to all. Instead of noticing his incontinence, people remarked on his "personality." Everyone wanted to give him a good life. All of the animal care specialists were amazed at the little cat's spirit and determination to make the sanctuary a home for himself.
Little can be done about Speedy's incontinence, but the sanctuary facility has tile floors and walls that are designed to handle it. Occasionally, Speedy spends the day visiting at the office of Executive Director, Lisa Laverdiere, and then he wears preemie diapers to contain his mess. He is a popular visitor at the office.
The
situation with Speedy's legs was a different matter—while he was a
kitten, he weighed so little that he could hop along on his heels and keep
up with any person or cat at the sanctuary. As he grew bigger, the extra
weight on his heels created painful and disabling pressure ulcers. Three
veterinarians recommended he be put to sleep. We did not think Speedy was
ready to give up so easily and kept looking
for alternatives.
Finally,
Dr. Betty Kramek, a skilled veterinary surgeon at the University of Minnesota
Teaching Hospital, suggested tarsal realignment surgery. Dr. Kramek realigned
the bones and put in plates so Speedy could walk on his pads, which are
cushioned and designed to take the full weight of an adult cat.
Speedy recuperated quickly and now runs around the sanctuary again proving that he was aptly named. The photos above were taken following his surgery as he tried out his new legs.