In California, a kitten has defied the odds, recovering from a peculiar medical issue that made her resemble a pufferfish more than a typical feline.
Dubbed “puff kitty” by her growing fanbase online, Zoe, a stray kitten, was quickly taken to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter last week. Rescuers noticed her unusual condition as she visibly swelled right before their eyes.
Dr. Phil Caldwell, the shelter’s medical director, identified Zoe’s condition as subcutaneous emphysema. This rare ailment occurs when air escapes from the windpipe, becoming trapped under the skin.
Dr. Caldwell described Zoe as looking like a “balloon” due to the air buildup.
X-ray images revealed a significant layer of air between Zoe’s skin and muscles. Experts suspect this was caused by some trauma to her airway, although Zoe remains tight-lipped about the incident.
To alleviate Zoe’s bloating, Dr. Caldwell performed a “deflation” procedure. He carefully used a needle and syringe to release the trapped air from her neck, chest, and back.
“This is the craziest veterinary case I’ve seen in quite some time,” Caldwell said.
Videos of Zoe’s went viral online, racking up tens of thousands of likes on Instagram.
Caldwell shared an update recently online, saying Zoe has grown to two pounds. “She’s eating like a champ,” he wrote. “She loves to eat, and she’s gaining weight every single day.”
The shelter also shared the news that a T-shirt splashed with Zoe’s face is going on sale — and every penny will go straight into the shelter’s love fund, which bankrolls emergency care for animals in crisis.
