Have you ever seen a
smol kitten wearing a Band-Aid on his head? What do you think of such an image? Let's meet Otter, the cat always having a Band-Aid or helmet on his forehead, and his sister Bunny to see how adorable they are!
Source: CAROLINE GRACE
A Good Samaritan found these two kittens in Northern California and brought them home to care for. However, after a short time, she realized some health-related issues the pair were suffering. Thus, she took them to
Baby Kitten Rescue to make sure they received proper treatment.
Though Otter is missing several toes on his front paws while Bunny doesn’t have both of her front paws, they can move around without many difficulties. Caroline Grace, the director of Baby Kitten Rescue, noticed this but worried about some more serious problems.
Source: CAROLINE GRACE
“When they arrived, they were in horrible condition: upper respiratory illness, fleas, filthy and had severe diarrhea,” Caroline specified. “As I focused on getting them healthy (under the direction of our vet), I noticed Otter’s head and face looked different than a typical kitten his age. He had a very large forehead and big, bulging eyes. Otter also had what looked like an abscess at the top of his head. He was put on antibiotics for the ‘abscess,’ but it didn’t go away.”
Source: CAROLINE GRACE
When Caroline sought help from a neurologist, it turned out that what she thought was the abscess was actually an exposed part of Otter’s skull. The problem is called hydrocephalus meningocele. He’ll undergo an MRI after he reaches 6 months old and has surgery at one year old to implant a plate over the opening in his skull. While waiting for the right time, his caregivers did what they could to comfort him.
Source: CAROLINE GRACE
“That’s why Otter wears a Band-Aid,” Caroline said. “And that’s also why he wears a [helmet]: to protect his brain.” With a Band-Aid on the head, Otter looks goofy in a cute way. Those who cared for him even gave him a custom helmet so that he could enjoy his kitten life to the fullest without worrying about his head.
Otter and Bunny are apparently different, but neither of them seems to realize that. They just live every moment to the fullest with lots of love from their foster mom.
Source: CAROLINE GRACE
“Otter’s personality is brave and curious, but also extremely loving and affectionate,” Caroline added. “Otter loves exploring new places, things, and people. He’s usually the first to try something new, while Bunny watches. Once Otter shows Bunny it’s safe, she will also try the new thing! Otter is the big brother and definitely looks out for his sister. She’s had to learn to adapt to her disability by standing and walking on her hind legs, and Otter has started standing and walking on his hind legs, too … Both Bunny and Otter have adapted so well to their disabilities. Neither of them knows they are different and both of them are full of joy!”
Source: CAROLINE GRACE
This inseparable pair will be together even when they are adopted in the future. It takes some time to find a family with experience taking care of special needs pets, but the kitten will surely meet their loving forever family.
Source: CAROLINE GRACE
Let’s share these lovely cats with your friends and family! Let us know your thoughts in the comment below, and don’t forget to check out other posts on our
site for more intriguing ideas and stories!