Einstein
EINSTEIN
Einstein - DOB 5/27/02 - Permanent brain damage, litter box problems, dominance issues, and skeletal problems
Einstein - DOB 5/27/02 - Permanent brain damage, litter box problems, dominance issues, and skeletal problems
A VERY LUCKY SANCTUARY CAT
In May 2002, A.C.A.T. received a call from the Albuquerque Emergency Clinic asking us to take a 6-7 week old kitten who had been abused and had just emerged from a four-day coma—he was truly lucky to have survived. A family had taken the tiny gray and white kitten to the clinic because one of their children had thrown him against a wall and caused multiple injuries including brain swelling and structural injuries. The family couldn’t afford the care so they relinquished the kitten to the clinic with the hope that a rescue group would take him.
After emerging from the coma, he received a thorough exam and the only thing wrong seemed to be the residual soreness from the impact and the remaining mild concussion. The clinic called A.C.A.T. and we immediately went to get the kitten and place it in one of our foster homes. Instead of being like most kittens, Einstein slept for at least four months. He did not play or interact with the other cats in the house. He just ate, did his business, and went back to sleep. This was because his brain was still swollen from the accident and his body was instinctively having him rest to heal his brain and other injuries.
Months went by and Einstein healed more. But his lasting injuries were a problem and A.C.A.T decided that he would be best as a sanctuary cat because of his residual brain damage, structural problems, and questionable eyesight. He had the most beautiful light green eyes but his eyesight was impaired and, along with the structural injuries that caused structural misalignments, he had trouble jumping. Eventually, he practiced enough so he could jump up on one of the window perches his foster family had for their cats. Many of the resident cats and foster cats took Einstein under their wing. They would mother him, washing his face and grooming him, and they seemed to realize he needed their help. There are a lot of photos of him sleeping with many of the cats with arms wrapped around him. He didn’t play much but he did like little aluminum balls–he would carry one around the house with him and try to chase it. He was a loving cat for many years, but then after about four years he became very disagreeable and aggressive towards the other cats, and he stopped using the litter box. All physical causes were ruled out and A.C.A.T. decided to move him to another sanctuary foster home where his behavioral problems could be better accommodated.
After the move he was shy and withdrawn, but one of the resident cats took him as her own: she cuddled and snuggled him and he came out of his shell. He doesn’t like to be held but he does enjoy being petted—he always lets you know when to stop with a little nip! He lives in a separate area with access to a large outdoor run (he has to be alone to control his diet—he has a tendency to overeat and is quite chubby!). He loves the outdoors and especially enjoys it when one brave squirrel brings her “find” up to the outside edge of the run and then scurries up a tree, providing great enjoyment. He has been seeing a chiropractor vet and his structural problems were corrected through adjustments and he now can stretch out and enjoy much more of his life and now uses the litter box. Einstein is truly a happy nine-year-old sanctuary cat!
