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People.com: AHS Staff Make Homemade Splints for 5-Day-Old Kitten Unable to Walk

Written by: Arizona Humane Society

News Highlights:

  • Zion, an orphaned 5-day-old kitten, was born unable to walk. In addition to needing round-the-clock care in AHS' Bottle Baby Kitten ICU to survive without his mother, he was badly knuckling on his back feet and unable to use his legs normally.
  • While receiving care from the dedicated staff and volunteers of this 24-hour intensive care unit, the veterinary technician team fashioned together tiny splints out of a tongue depressor, gauze, medical wrap bandages and tape in hopes of giving him a chance to live a normal life. After a little more than a week with his special splints, Zion began using his back legs normally He was then able to rejoin the rest of his littermates in an AHS Foster Hero home.
  • Zion is just one of more than 1,300 orphaned kittens who have already been rescued and treated in AHS’ Bottle Baby ICU and Kitten Nursery this year, thanks to the support of the community.

People.com

Arizona Rescuers Make Tiny Tongue Depressors Splints for Newborn Kitten Unable to Use Back Legs
Arizona shelter workers had to get creative when they took in an orphaned rescue kitten unable to walk. Little baby Zion, a domestic shorthair kitten, arrived at the Arizona Humane Society’s (AHS) Bottle Baby Intensive Care Unit at just five days old and unable to fully use his back feet, which made it difficult for him to walk. The staff at AHS’ Bottle Baby ICU was determined to get Zion up on all four paws, so they made him tiny homemade splints out of tongue depressors, gauze, medical wrap bandages, and tape to keep his legs steady. "After a little more than a week with his special splints, continued care, and lots of love, Zion began using his back legs normally and was able to rejoin the rest of his littermates in an AHS Foster Hero home!" the shelter told PEOPLE in a statement. Zion is now eight weeks old and thriving at his foster home, where he is receiving continued care while he awaits his upcoming adoption day. "He plays with his kitten (and human) siblings and will even fall asleep in his foster sister’s arms while helping her improve her reading skills," the shelter says. Read full story. 
July 31, 2020