A mama cat and her 2 kittens were abandoned by a heartless human who refused to take responsibility for the young family.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
Fortunately, experienced fosterer Janet with the Osaka Kitten Nursery, stepped up. While they are still working on their non-profit status, there was no way she could turn down helping these felines.
Janet welcomed the trio into her home in mid-May. Right away they all needed her expertise and dedication to stop their suffering.
Photos: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka ~ (L) Mom Nette, (R) Garfield back, Gizmo front
Especially little Gizmo the runt, who had a rare medical issue.
This little cutie was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, or water on the brain. If his disease worsened as he grew, eventually he would need to undergo surgery.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
Cat Mom Nette, Gizmo, and his slightly larger brother, Garfield, all had Upper Respiratory Infections, fleas and were malnourished.
This was making it difficult to eat since they couldn’t breathe through their noses. And it was very tough for Janet to see Nette panic when trying to take large bites of food and then not catch her breath.
Poor Garfield also had an ear infection that needed treatment.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
The very young Nette, estimated to be only about a year old, was going into heat again, which can be painful and traumatic.
Medications were administered, humidifiers were set up and after a couple days, the felines began feeling better.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
In the world of kitten fostering, bathroom “breaks” are cause for celebration when they become regular.
Janet was happy to share this on her Facebook page on May 22nd.
“Today he peed twice on me but how can I be mad with such a cutie and it’s not his fault for being clumsy!”
Now that the virus was cleared up, Gizmo needed to focus on his wobbly gait.
Feeling better, he began testing out his bodies “play” function. To everyone’s delight, he seemed to not let anything stand in his way of fun.
https://www.facebook.com/kittenmamaOsaka/videos/594993097534309/
With Janet’s care and love, the abandoned family was beginning to see that life was worth living.
By May 28th, Gizmo’s little neonatal “potato” belly was full and he was bravely introducing himself to the other foster cats at the nursery.
His transformation from sickly little neonate to playful kitten was heartwarming!
https://www.facebook.com/kittenmamaOsaka/videos/605025903197695
Janet was sure to monitor him carefully though as he was still bumping into things.
He was just so excited to run and play!
She got him a tiny pop-up tent to sleep in. This way the other cats wouldn’t wake him up during his much-needed rest and he could move around safely.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
He was a stubborn kitten though, and refused to eat his slurry, a mix of baby kitten food and formula. Gizmo instinctively ‘trained’ Janet to feed him by syringe long after he was to be weaned off it.
Using the litter box on his own was also something he was behind for his age. Janet figured it may be due to his handicap and was always there to help him out.
And in his way of thanking her, by June 1st he was slurping up food and using the litter box successfully!
https://www.facebook.com/kittenmamaOsaka/videos/598881840478768/
While Gizmo had been facing his Hydrocephalus head on, brother Garfield was fighting to finally clear up his ear and respiratory infections.
After a month of treatments and some isolation, Garfield felt better enough to join in his brothers fun.
https://www.facebook.com/kittenmamaOsaka/videos/606607426372876/
But when the kittens were taken to the vet for their first vaccines in June, poor Gizmo had a bad reaction. This was obviously made even scarier because of his condition.
Janet is great about keeping her followers and dedicated supporters up-to-date on the felines in her care.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
On June 21st she posted Gizmo’s status after a return trip to the vet.
“He suffered from side effects of the vaccination, just like human children, but otherwise he doing good.”
“The hole in his head is closing up like it’s should be, vet told us in the beginning that because of the water in his brain, it may not close and that we have to be very careful. But Gizmo is little fighter!”
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
Gizmo also received medicine to reduce the pressure in his head more. He was given an IV with minerals and fever reducers, happily as a donation from the vet!
This didn’t matter to Gizmo in the least though and he was not happy with the IV. Fighting his best, he eventually surrendered.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
And as soon as they arrived home, he was hungry and wanted to play with his foster brothers. Maybe next time he’ll remember it’s worth it to visit the vet =)
As the days went by, Gizmo and Garfield became more and more adventurous. Although Gizmo is not so sure about stairs, so they help him up and down.
In August, momma Nette was taken into foster care on a trial basis to see if she’d get along with the families cats.
Sadly, Janet was still trying to raise the funds for her spay surgery, but with the kittens medical needs, it continued to evade her.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
Being an individual rescuer, Janet initially does this all on her own dime.
She does have an Amazon Wishlist and fundraisers are the only way she can help these cats.
But she refuses to give up, even with tsunamis and earthquakes plaguing her home! Between repairs and storms, her foster family is always at the top of her priorities list.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka ~ Damage to the home from Tsunami
Thankfully, by September 20th, her home was repaired and there was enough money to have Garfield and Nette both fixed. On September 23rd, little Garfield found his fur-ever home too.
Janet wished her little guy the best and had to remind herself that “the goal is goodbye”.
Photos: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka
Now it’s time for Gizmo to find his furever home.
He’s helping out around the house with the new fosters, that is after he realized they were fun to play with.
Photo: Facebook @kittenmamaOsaka ~ Gizmo growing up and helping with the new foster kittens
He still get treatments to reduce pressure and water on his brain.
The only other option is dangerous surgery to insert a shunt. This would alleviate the pressure caused by the fluid buildup. But that would have to be repeated because a shunt can get a blockage!
Thankfully, Janet’s vet said Gizmo doesn’t need a shunt just yet.
He is a happy kitten bouncing around, just bit more clumsily than others.
Please be sure to follow Osaka Kitten Nursery on Facebook and if you want to help further, she’s always thankful for donations and assistance.
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP, FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!
I would never think about that you going to post about my tinny nursery !
After the shock I cried tears of joy and hope !
Was bouncing around just like my kitties !
Thank you so much cole and marmalade and of course you’re mum and dad 🙂
Thank you for what you do! =) <3 Give those kitties lots of love from the CaM JaZZ Family!
Not many are willing to work with the babies that have so much trouble. Thanks Ms Janet.