Stray kitten with rare heart defect to get life-saving surgery

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A stray kitten is getting surgery for a rare heart condition her foster says could turn deadly without treatment.

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Bobbie is 5 months old and suffers from mitral valve stenosis.

Her left mitral valve failed to open fully at birth, which restricts her blood flow and causes blood to travel to her lungs rather than her heart, according to the nonprofit rescue organization Cat People of Oahu.

“When she was in hospital, we found out that she was actually born with an extremely rare and life-threatening heart defect.” said Alexis Jamison, the organization’s president, who is fostering Bobbie. “She is on four medications that help her manage her condition. But ultimately, that will only help her for so long.”

Jamison said without surgery, Bobbie may not live to see her first birthday. The issue, she said, is only one hospital in America has performed the procedure on cats.

“VCA West Los Angeles is actually the only clinic in the country that can do this on cats,” said Jamison. “It is possible to bring animals off-island for life-saving care if needed. This is not something we even knew was possible until we met Bobbie.”

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The nonprofit is looking to raise $10,000 to help cover the cost of Bobbie’s procedure — scheduled for July 29 — and associated travel and medical expenses.

“I just want to give her what I would want to give any of my own animals — and that any donor would hopefully be able to get their own animals if they were in this situation,” said Jamison.

Cat People of Oahu says any donations are welcome, even flight miles or hotel points.

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Here’s how you can donate: