Vets near Newmarket helps save kitten’s life in early Christmas present for Attleborough family

A much-loved kitten has cheated death after vets at an animal hospital just outside Newmarket performed complex life-saving surgery.

Family pet Melon was suffering from a very serious peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia, as a result of which her intestines and liver had moved, meaning a complex operation at Linnaeus-owned DWR Veterinary Specialists at Six Mile Bottom, was her best chance of survival.

Vets believed Melon’s poor health was most likely due to a birth defect, as she had always breathed quickly and was smaller than her sister.

It was when the pair were taken to be spayed at another vets that a nurse discussed her concerns, leading to a referral to the specialist hospital.

Melon’s anxious owner, Claire Ives, from Attleborough, in Norfolk, said: “There was a lot of shock, especially as we have two young girls so there is the extra worry about them losing one of their kittens at such a young age. Plus, Melon had already become part of the family.

“Of course, we were extremely concerned as we also knew it was possible Melon wouldn’t survive the procedure due to her age.

“However, DWR Veterinary Specialists and the vets who spayed Melon were amazing. We had regular phone calls from DWR explaining how Melon was and what needed to happen next or the risks she faced”.

“For example, when she was being operated on she lost a lot of blood, so they rang me to discuss a blood transfusion.

“Melon’s quality of life is now perfect. You wouldn’t know she’s had life-saving surgery and is back to being a kitten. She is so loving and regularly cleans her sister and our older cat Jack, although he isn’t too impressed.”

Dr Heidi Kaniok, resident in small animal surgery, and Dr Hannah Reeves, clinical fellow in small animal surgery, performed Melon’s operation.

“The operation went as planned and it’s great to hear young Melon is behaving like a kitten, even though this does appear to be a bit much for their older cat Jack,” said Dr Kaniok.

DWR Veterinary Specialists offers specialist-led care in anaesthesia and analgesia, and other specialties including cardiothoracic surgery, dentistry, cardiology, dermatology, diagnostic imaging, diagnostic pathology, and critical care.