Portland Kitten Beats The Odds After Fighting A Lethal Disease
Every cat lover enjoys a rescue story that ends with a happy homecoming, and today’s tale is no exception.
It’s about Cheeky, a tiny tortie kitten who battled a serious illness, fought her way back to health with the help of her devoted foster moms, and finally landed in the forever home she always deserved.
Cheeky and her two orange siblings, Moppet and Chippy, came into the care of Laura and Cassidy, a mother-daughter foster team from Portland, Oregon, one sunny August day.
Known as “The Brit Kits,” the trio was just two weeks old when they arrived through the Cat Adoption Team.
From the start, these fragile kittens required constant attention, bottle feedings every two to three hours, treatments for crusty eyes, and help with flea infestations.
At first, they struggled with the bottle, but with patience and persistence, they soon learned how to nurse properly.
Within weeks, the kittens were on their paws, darting around their foster home, playing, and filling the rooms with their tiny meows. Everything seemed to be going well, until Laura and Cassidy noticed something troubling about Cheeky.
Smaller than her siblings, Cheeky began to show difficulty walking and even standing. Concerned, her foster moms rushed her to the vet, suspecting Toxoplasmosis. Their fears were confirmed when she tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii.
She was prescribed a course of antibiotics, taken twice daily for four weeks. During that time, she was so weak she couldn’t walk on her own. Cassidy expressed her worries on Instagram:
“She’s so tiny, weighing only 266 grams at 5 weeks old. It would be so amazing if she is able to walk again & can rejoin her siblings. We miss her tortitude!”
There was real concern that the illness might leave permanent neurological damage. But with dedicated care, Cheeky slowly began to improve.
Thankfully, the new medication worked. Within days, Cheeky grew stronger and was able to rejoin her siblings. The little tortie matched their energy and playfulness, proving that the love and presence of littermates can be its own kind of healing power.
While her siblings were thriving, it soon became time for them to move on.
Chippy and Moppet were adopted by loving families in Portland and given beautiful Swahili names, Chippy became Tangawizi (meaning ginger) and Moppet became Manjano (meaning turmeric).
Cheeky, still regaining her strength, remained in foster care a little longer. She was never lonely, though, she had Uncle Louie, a kind Cocker Spaniel who adored kittens and kept her company during her recovery.
Soon enough, Cheeky was strong, healthy, and ready for adoption. She was welcomed into a cat-loving family in Washington, where she gained two older feline siblings, Snowball and Kissy.
From a frail kitten battling toxoplasmosis to a lively, confident young cat, Cheeky’s journey was nothing short of inspiring.
Cheeky’s story is not just about her resilience but also about the dedication of her foster moms, Laura and Cassidy.
Their round-the-clock care, compassion, and willingness to take on fragile kittens made all the difference. Thanks to them, Cheeky now has the happy ending every rescue kitten deserves.
