Georgia Kitten Dropped Off At Shelter Gets One-In-100-Million Diagnosis And Leaves Experts Stunned
Grub was just a tiny kitten when his family surrendered him to a shelter. After waiting weeks for a home, a dedicated foster stepped up, uncovering a medical mystery that makes him a one-in-100-million cat.
A Lonely Start
Grub was just a tiny kitten when his family surrendered him to a shelter.
At only three months old, he found himself alone in a noisy, frightening environment.
He waited there for a month and a half, but despite his unique little face, nobody stepped up to take him home.
But Grub’s story wasn’t destined to end in a lonely kennel. His life was about to change, revealing a rare medical mystery that would capture the hearts of specialists.
A Rescue Mission
Stephanie, a foster for a rescue organization called Good Mews, heard about the kitten waiting at the shelter.
She decided to go pick him up, intending to give him a temporary safe haven until a forever family could be found.
But the connection between them was instant and undeniable.
Within the first 24 hours, Stephanie knew she couldn’t let him go, officially becoming a ‘foster fail.’
Something Was Different
As Grub settled into his new home, Stephanie quickly noticed he wasn’t like other kittens.
There were a lot of normal cat activities he simply couldn’t do, and his movements were unusual.
Fearing there was some neurological involvement, Stephanie worried deeply about his future.
She admitted she was scared that the fragile little kitten wasn’t going to make it.
A One-In-100-Million Diagnosis
Veterinary experts soon delivered a stunning diagnosis for the little feline.
Grub was diagnosed with an extremely rare disease called mucopolysaccharidosis, or MPS for short.
The condition is so uncommon that only eight to eleven other cats in medical literature are known to have ever had it.
Because so little is documented, specialists are deeply interested in him and plan to monitor his progress every couple of months.
The Reality Of MPS
The rare disease impacts Grub’s skeletal system in significant ways, primarily causing dwarfism.
It has also caused the vertebrae in his neck and the lower part of his spine to fuse together.
This spinal fusion restricts his mobility and changes the way he navigates the world.
A lot of that fusion is responsible for what Stephanie warmly describes as his ‘really cute little walk’ and awkward gait.
A Striking Appearance
Grub’s condition gives him a very distinct, striking look that sets him apart.
His head is abnormally large for his tiny body, paired with a flat face and extremely small airways.
He also has tiny ears and large, cloudy eyes.
Thankfully, an ophthalmologist recently examined him and confirmed that despite the cloudiness, his vision remains very good.
A Tiny Cat With A Big Heart
Despite his physical limitations, Grub is a remarkably happy little guy.
He loves to play with his toys and tries his best to run around just like any other kitten.
Because of his dwarfism, he is about half the size of what he should be.
At eight months old, he weighs only four pounds, and while he might gain another half pound, he is pretty much done growing.
An Unbreakable Bond
The emotional connection Grub shares with Stephanie is profound and unusual for a cat.
He makes intense eye contact with his humans, looking at them as if he completely understands what they are feeling.
He is highly attuned to the people around him, constantly exchanging affection and attention.
He is incredibly loving and is always happy to sit in Stephanie’s arms for hours on end.
Making Every Day Count
When a recent sedation procedure was hard on his little body, he spent the entire night sleeping while Stephanie held him.
He often uses her hand or arm as a comfort blanket, finding absolute safety in her presence.
Because of MPS, Grub will definitely have a shortened lifespan, with hopes he can reach two to four years.
Stephanie is working with specialists to hopefully push that to five, six, or seven years.
“Even if he has a shorter life, I want to make it as beautiful as possible,” she says, ensuring this one-in-100-million cat knows nothing but love.
