A talkative kitten that’s as sweet as can be, Tippy was found as a stray at just a few days old and brought to Pima Animal Care Center by a kindhearted rescuer. A loving foster raised him by hand.

At eleven weeks old, Tippy faced some new medical challenges. After many failed medications, negative tests, and even a micro-biome fecal transplant, Tippy needed to visit a specialist two hours away in Phoenix.

Thanks to a tremendous outpouring of support from our donors, Tippy saw the specialist right away. Thankfully, the endoscopy and biopsies revealed that his upper digestive system is normal and functioning as it should. However, the presence of inflammation in his lower intestines and a stricture in his colon were confirmed.

The internist veterinarian also discovered that the stricture was not so severe as to require immediate surgery, and Tippy was placed on a new treatment plan with anti-inflammatory and pain medications. With a confirmed diagnosis and a new regimen, Tippy is doing better than ever!

On his new medications, Tippy is having normal bowel movements with reduced frequency. His foster says he is “now much more playful, and has stopped crying out in pain.” He has also started gaining weight and is now two whole pounds. “Tippy’s tummy is too big to [let] him fit behind the refrigerator anymore!”

Tippy will continue on this plan for at least a month while his health is monitored by the clinic team at Pima Animal Care Center and his foster. While there is still a chance that Tippy will need surgery, he is much more comfortable and his future is brighter.

“He has come a long way in the past few weeks; he is a completely different kitten,” says his foster.

Thank you to everyone who donated and shared his story. It’s only with your help that we can save pets like Tippy.

Watch the short video below to see Tippy playing with his foster.