A little, unclean ball of fur showed up at an Alberta, Canada, animal control facility a few months ago. The disheveled kitten, evidently lacking hope, was discovered roaming by itself in a business parking area. He was dubbed “one of the most grody, sickly, depressed little Persian cats” by rescuers from the tiny Cats Lost Society. However, underlying it all, he was concealing a breathtaking secret.
Ziggy, the small cat, was infected with ringworm, a fungal disease that made him feel uncomfortable and agitated all over. Ziggy was in so much pain that he was barely able to open his eyes.
Erin McDonald, a volunteer foster mother, learned of Ziggy’s unfortunate circumstances through the Little Cats Lost Society. When she hurried to welcome him at the shelter, everything started to shift.
“It was determined he needed a placement with an experienced caregiver, with an isolation area. So of course I said yes,” McDonald told The Dodo. That’s when she got her first peek at Ziggy’s amazing eyes.
Despite the fact that Ziggy’s ringworm infection would require him to be kept apart from McDonald’s other pets and that protective gear be used when interacting with him to prevent its spread, McDonald said, “We went home, and very quickly I learned he loves snuggles and people.” “He was so small, only 3 pounds, but his eyes were bright and full of wonder,” the restaurateur added. “My heart broke for him.”
To treat his ringworm infection, Ziggy has been given oral medication and medicated baths twice a week. The outcomes have been promising. Ringworm tests were negative, allowing Ziggy to be released from isolation.
He eagerly entered the house to interact with my other dogs. It appears that he has never been “in a house” before. Thus, everything was brand-new, according to McDonald. He adjusted well, and it appears that my other cats enjoy having him around. He started to have more fun and explore. For the first several nights, he shared my bed with me.
Ziggy is feeling more himself than he ever has before.
Even though Ziggy feels much better and his ringworm seems to be completely gone, McDonald found that he will need some additional treatments because the problem persists. She stated, “Unfortunately, we noticed new spots on him about a week ago.”
Health issues aside, Ziggy is still thriving.
“He follows me around always,” McDonald said. “We’re really seeing who he is now.”
Light has returned to Ziggy’s big, beautiful eyes.
Although McDonald expressed optimism for his future, it’s possible that he will never fully recover from the virus. “This might indicate that finding him a place to live would be difficult.” Ziggy will always have a special place with McDonald and her family, though.
McDonald and the Little Cats Lost Society are requesting assistance from the public because to the expenditures associated with Ziggy’s continued care and treatment. Donations can be sent to LCLdonations@shaw.ca using electronic transfer. Kindly include “Ziggy” in the remarks. By making a donation to the Little Cats Lost Society’s Amazon wish list, which can be accessed here, supporters can further assist Ziggy and other cats just like him.
