Otter and his sister Bunny were left behind by their mother in Northern California.
The nice lady that took them in, however, knew that they needed specialized care.
So, she brought them to Baby Kitten Rescue, which specializes in rescuing baby kittens with special needs and providing them with critical neonatal care.
Baby Kitten Rescue Director Caroline Grace noticed that Otter had a few toes missing, and Bunny was missing her front paws.
They also were very sick.
The poor little kitties had upper respiratory infections, fleas, and diarrhea, and they were very dirty.
After spending more time together, Caroline realized that Otter had other issues as well.
“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,” Caroline said.
Otter was later diagnosed with hydrocephalus and meningocele. These conditions created an abscess on top of his head that left a piece of his skull exposed.
Some of his brains actually popped out of the hole.
This left him at risk of getting an infection or having a brain injury and he was too young to have surgery that would put a plate over the opening of his skull.
So, he had to wear a bandaid and a helmet to protect his brain. Other than that, Ollie and Bunny get along just like other kittens do.
Caroline says both Otter and Bunny are very happy in their foster home.
Otter is just as courageous as he is curious and loves to snuggle and get pets.
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Bunny will sit back and watch while Otter explores and tries new things.
She’ll then follow once she realizes that it’s safe.
She loves to eat and is always the first one at the food bowl.
Bunny has learned to get around by standing and walking on her hind legs to make up for her missing paws.
Otter started doing the same thing in solidarity.
Otter is very big brotherly to his sister Bunny.
“They are both starting to get playful and wrestle with each other. Otter is my chatty boy who responds when I talk to him, and lets me know what he wants. Bunny is my little roly-poly girl who loves belly rubs,” Caroline said.
Caroline says that Otter and Bunny are a bonded pair.
So, they will be adopted together once they are ready to leave their foster home.
Caroline says those who do adopt the siblings will have to have experience taking care of special needs pets.
Thanks to some nice donors, Otter was able to get his surgery and now lives a helmet-free life.
Learn more about Otter and Bunny’s story in the video below.
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