Pure Love: Meeko
-Helen Morrison, President, Board of Directors
I have often wondered how, with all the animals in need, Fate sometimes smiles so significantly on a few. A two week old found by the side of the road by an elderly couple who just happened to be driving by. A five week old, not caught with other siblings, and then later rescued. Perhaps there is no rhyme or reason to these chance happenings. But for those lucky few, who get a second chance at the best of lives, it means everything.
Perhaps you will remember a KAS newsletter article in December, about a very precious and unusual little boy named Meeko. I wanted to update you…because February is the month of LOVE….and the story for this very special and unusual little boy totally embraces LOVE.
-Helen Morrison, President, Board of Directors
I have often wondered how, with all the animals in need, Fate sometimes smiles so significantly on a few. A two week old found by the side of the road by an elderly couple who just happened to be driving by. A five week old, not caught with other siblings, and then later rescued. Perhaps there is no rhyme or reason to these chance happenings. But for those lucky few, who get a second chance at the best of lives, it means everything.
Perhaps you will remember a KAS newsletter article in December, about a very precious and unusual little boy named Meeko. I wanted to update you…because February is the month of LOVE….and the story for this very special and unusual little boy totally embraces LOVE.
In late September of 2024, we got a call from a concerned animal lover in a near-by town that there were five 5-week old kittens living in a stone wall. We agreed to take them, but before we could get there, someone else had trapped four of them and brought them elsewhere. However, there was this one elusive little one, somewhere out there. And then, another call, that this little one was “in custody”! He was a tiny little tabby boy, small for his apparent age. We quickly took him in with Love…brought him to our kitten foster extraordinaire, Tori Gerritts, and family.
As time went by, of course, the Gerritts family fell totally in love with the new kitten, Meeko.
But they began to notice some concerning trends. He wasn’t putting on weight well, though he ate a lot, and continually wanted more. He drank a lot of water. His ears seemed to grow, but not the rest of him. His fur was a bit strange…seeming to be mostly just undercoat, with a few patches of outer fur.
There were no whiskers on one side of his face.
And…his back legs were oddly angled and he seemed to have trouble jumping up on things.
Instead, he would pull himself up using his front legs. The family made ramps for him, to get up onto beds or chairs or couches.
As time went by, of course, the Gerritts family fell totally in love with the new kitten, Meeko.
But they began to notice some concerning trends. He wasn’t putting on weight well, though he ate a lot, and continually wanted more. He drank a lot of water. His ears seemed to grow, but not the rest of him. His fur was a bit strange…seeming to be mostly just undercoat, with a few patches of outer fur.
There were no whiskers on one side of his face.
And…his back legs were oddly angled and he seemed to have trouble jumping up on things.
Instead, he would pull himself up using his front legs. The family made ramps for him, to get up onto beds or chairs or couches.
But with all this, Meeko remained the sweetest, most loving kitten. With some time, he gained energy, and would play more. He learned how to frog jump to get around. And being an inquisitive little explorer, he taught himself to go up and down stairs, by pulling up or sliding down.
The family was in love. But what was going on with Meeko? We needed to find out so that we could plan for his future, a home that understood him, loved him, cherished him.
Dr. Sally began her assessments…with blood work, xrays, urine analysis.
Sally consulted with some folks at the lab the Shelter uses. It was agreed that, given some of the results and physical anomalies, Meeko could very well be a Pituitary Dwarf.
The pituitary is situated deep within the brain, thus difficult to examine, for sure.
It is in two sections: anterior and posterior. Some of it controls growth hormones. Some of it controls gland function. One such gland, the adrenal gland, regulates cortisol. Abnormalities here can lead to Cushing's Disease. Meeko’s cortisol level in his urine, was high….as was his phosphate level.
The family was in love. But what was going on with Meeko? We needed to find out so that we could plan for his future, a home that understood him, loved him, cherished him.
Dr. Sally began her assessments…with blood work, xrays, urine analysis.
Sally consulted with some folks at the lab the Shelter uses. It was agreed that, given some of the results and physical anomalies, Meeko could very well be a Pituitary Dwarf.
The pituitary is situated deep within the brain, thus difficult to examine, for sure.
It is in two sections: anterior and posterior. Some of it controls growth hormones. Some of it controls gland function. One such gland, the adrenal gland, regulates cortisol. Abnormalities here can lead to Cushing's Disease. Meeko’s cortisol level in his urine, was high….as was his phosphate level.
What does all this mean for him, in terms of his future? What does it mean for him in terms of a forever home that can tend to him with the proper love and care, for whatever time he has on this Earth?
We decided that the best course for Meeko is to let him stay with the Gerritts. He loves it there, they love him. He knows the home well, and has a wonderful time with their other kitties.
Sally talked with Tori and Josh about what might lie ahead for Meeko. We will, of course, do more lab work and xrays in about a year, when growth has slowed and stabilized.
Meeko could live 12-15 years, as a Pituitary Dwarf.
He will need joint support supplements, and to keep his weight down….to prevent arthritis in his already creaky knees and elbows.
But with a steady, loving home, where he is comfortable and secure, Meeko can relax into his forever home. And the Shelter and Dr. Sally can monitor and tend to any rising needs.
We decided that the best course for Meeko is to let him stay with the Gerritts. He loves it there, they love him. He knows the home well, and has a wonderful time with their other kitties.
Sally talked with Tori and Josh about what might lie ahead for Meeko. We will, of course, do more lab work and xrays in about a year, when growth has slowed and stabilized.
Meeko could live 12-15 years, as a Pituitary Dwarf.
He will need joint support supplements, and to keep his weight down….to prevent arthritis in his already creaky knees and elbows.
But with a steady, loving home, where he is comfortable and secure, Meeko can relax into his forever home. And the Shelter and Dr. Sally can monitor and tend to any rising needs.
This from Tori on Feb. 11, 2025:
Meeko Purrito is doing well right now. He is finally filling out and growing (as much as he can) like a weed. It seems he is on the right path. His food is agreeing with him, he is on “treats” to help his joints, and he is proving he can try to do most of the things his cat siblings can. He might just do them a little differently or with a few extra steps. He still can’t grow half whiskers on one side of his face but it makes him unique! He is the sweetest little man and everything he does is extra adorable. He loves to find cozy baskets and laps to sleep in. He seems to always have to be touching someone else whether it be a human or cat companion. He’s just a very happy and loving little man.
What a lucky boy!! For some reason, Fate and the Universe has smiled upon this tiny boy in need.
Meeko Purrito is doing well right now. He is finally filling out and growing (as much as he can) like a weed. It seems he is on the right path. His food is agreeing with him, he is on “treats” to help his joints, and he is proving he can try to do most of the things his cat siblings can. He might just do them a little differently or with a few extra steps. He still can’t grow half whiskers on one side of his face but it makes him unique! He is the sweetest little man and everything he does is extra adorable. He loves to find cozy baskets and laps to sleep in. He seems to always have to be touching someone else whether it be a human or cat companion. He’s just a very happy and loving little man.
What a lucky boy!! For some reason, Fate and the Universe has smiled upon this tiny boy in need.