Rescuers discovered a group of kittens in need of assistance, with one of them noticeably tinier than the rest.
Heather Fontaine-Doyle, a dedicated foster volunteer with Broken Tail Rescue, was contacted by a rescuer from Charles River Alleycats in Boston regarding a litter of kittens born to a feral cat in a cat colony. One of the kittens, named Pill Bug, stood out due to his incredibly small size. Weighing in at only eight ounces at five weeks old, he was half the size of his siblings and resembled a little squirrel more than a kitten. Despite his size, Pill Bug showed remarkable resilience, being active, alert, and even trying to eat and use the litter box.
After a couple of days, Pill Pug’s condition began to worsen, as he showed a loss of appetite and weight. Despite feeling worried that he might not survive, Heather remained determined to keep fighting for him. She tirelessly fed him with a syringe every hour, ensuring he stayed nourished, cozy, and surrounded by love.
Heather Fontaine-Doyle’s kitten was her constant companion, accompanying her wherever she went to ensure he never missed a meal and always had a friend by his side.
According to Heather, the kitten used a makeshift litter box created from a protein bar box inside his carrier. Although his weight gain was gradual, it was consistent.
Heather Fontaine-Doyle watched as the tiny feline made slow progress over nine weeks, finally reaching the impressive milestone of one pound. Despite his challenges, Pill Bug’s growth rate is half that of a typical kitten, with his unique features like short, bowed legs and stiff tendons limiting his mobility. However, his determination to keep up with his feline friends shines through, showing that he’s just as capable as any other kitty out there.
Heather Fontaine-Doyle described the kitten as incredibly playful and loving, despite being small and having some limitations. She shared that he loves to stick by her side as she moves around the house, showing that he may be small, but he has a big heart.
Meet Heather Fontaine-Doyle, a courageous tabby feline who loves to take on bigger challenges like wrestling. However, nothing compares to the joy of snuggling up with his foster parents and receiving endless love and affection. Check out this heartwarming video to follow Heather’s adorable journey.
Tiny Kitten Saved from Danger
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“He loves being cradled on my shoulder and adores playing with the hair accessories I wear,” Heather shared.
“My husband’s goatee is Pill Bug’s favorite spot to snuggle and rub his face against.”
Heather Fontaine-Doyle’s cat doesn’t let his shorter legs hold him back. He may not be able to jump on the furniture, but when it’s mealtime, he darts over to his food bowl in record time. Despite his unique physique, he has found a way to adapt and participate in all the typical kitten activities with great speed.
Heather Fontaine-Doyle and her siblings have been working closely with veterinarians to explore ways to assist their kitten and enhance his ability to move. “Due to his small size, we need to keep a close eye on his calorie intake to prevent him from gaining excess weight. We are also implementing some physical therapy exercises to help improve his flexibility, in addition to giving him a joint supplement,” Heather explained.
Heather Fontaine-Doyle is currently waiting for the bloodwork results to determine if her pet, Little Pill Bug, may have pituitary dwarfism. This condition could potentially have long-term implications for him.
Despite being only two pounds at 4.5 months old, Little Pill Bug compensates for his small size with his incredibly bold and lively personality.
Heather Fontaine-Doyle shares that Pill Bug is having a blast during the holiday season with his foster family. She can’t help but admire how happy and content he is, making him one of the most joyful cats she has ever fostered.
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