Balloon Kitten Zoe’s Remarkable Recovery
A stray tortoiseshell kitten named Zoe was brought to a Palm Springs animal shelter with a striking puffed-up appearance that baffled veterinarians. X-rays revealed she had subcutaneous emphysema, meaning air had become trapped under her skin.
What Happened?
The kitten’s windpipe was damaged or punctured, allowing air to escape from the windpipe into the external tissues. A syringe was used to extract air from several spots on Zoe’s subcutaneous layer. One week later her puffiness had reduced drastically, and her internal wound most likely healed with no complications. Zoe began eating well and gaining weight, which is a good sign of recovery.
Current Status
Zoe is making progress and looking much better, though she is not out of the woods yet. The veterinary team continues to monitor her closely as she recovers.
Key takeaways
- Zoe had subcutaneous emphysema caused by air trapped under her skin.
- The air entered the tissues after a windpipe injury.
- A syringe was used to remove the trapped air.
- One week later her puffiness had greatly improved.
- Her internal wound likely healed without complications.
- She is eating well and gaining weight.
- She is still being monitored but is improving.
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Originally reported by Cole & Marmalade. Read the full article.