*Update" 10/24/09 from foster mom: Sweet Nala is almost fully recovered. The nasty internal parasites are gone, she has put on over 2 lbs, and her fur is growing in nicely. The fur growth will take a couple of months to fully come in, but it is on its way! She still looks bald around the belly and sides, but there is a nice downey fuzz growing in.
Nala is a sweet, sweet cat. Nala a great "starter" Savannah for those who have been interested in the breed, but were unsure if they could handle the high energy that comes along with them. She is very curious, talkative, loving and playful. But she doesn't have the intense, spaz-type energy that is sometimes too crazy to handle. Those that have helped me with her recovery and those that have come over just to play with the kitties, have all taking a liking to Nala. She is an active cat, not just pretty decoration for your sofa or chair. Nala needs playtime, love, and mental stimulation. She will do very well with another young, active and friendly cat, and a family that interacts with their pets.
Nala should be ready for her new home in 2-3 weeks.
*Update* 10/9/09 from foster mom: Nala's health is continuing to improve. She is still on lots of medication for internal parasites, upper respiratory infection and skin conditions. Nala's diarrhea is now self controlled and subsiding. Nala had a thorough sponge bath and nail trim to get the superficial germs and grime off. With the sponge bath, I was able to look closer at how her fur and skin are doing. Nala's sides around her belly are still almost bald, but at least she isn't losing any more hair. What little she does have there feels bristly and short. Nala is enjoying having her skin massaged with a conditioning oil. She lays on her sides and is kneading air biscuits while getting massaged. She talks to me the whole time. She really gets into it!
Nala has a sweet deposition. Aways the first one to greet me at the door when I come in to see them. She is always talking and telling me about what has been going on while I've been away. Nala has a soft, but deep meow. It's never annoying, considering how much she has to say. Nala is the Leader. She is the one first into everything, needing to see what is going on. Nala is very affectionate and enjoys splaying open her legs for belly rubs. She is very playful and lightning-quick with her feet! She is still too underweight to have powerful strength in her legs for jumping high, but she uses her claws to climb really well.
All in all, she and Coco are doing much better, considering how they came into our Rescue. Nala and Coco are very bonded, which makes sense after all of what they have gone through. Things are definitely looking up for these two girls!
Updated photos will soon follow. Keep checking back.
* * * * *
This darling girl weighed only 4 lbs when we got her. She is currently in a safe foster home where she can get some one-on-one TLC. It turns out she's a social butterfly and she only wants to eat if she's got someone to tell her how pretty she is. When she was with the larger group of cats we would hear a loud buzzing noise as we were cleaning anywhere in the vicinity of her cage. When we checked it out it turned out to be her purring.
The person that surrendered her listed her age as 7-10 months. Our vet thought she might be a bit older but he was judging somewhat on body condition. And her body condition is pretty poor right now. She is very thin, has raging diarrhea, ear mites, and has lost quite a bit of hair.
We assume hair loss is more from diet than from allergies or other conditions. Currently in addition to R&R and TLC (all of the best initials, don't you think?), Nala is getting a medication cocktail for the diarrhea and is being treated for skin conditions that all of these cats have had. We expect her to be rested and ready to go in several weeks, hope hope!
If you would like to sponsor Nala's vet care please send a check or make a paypal donation in her name.
(Note: sponsoring a cat does not guarantee you will be first in line when the time comes for adoption)
