A precious kitten was discovered by a kind-hearted individual in Massachusetts, near a dumpster, looking thin and lost. The kitten, named Nigel, was only about six weeks old when he was found back in July. He was quickly taken to the MSPCA in Dorchester, where staff members were shocked when his nose suddenly fell off a week later.
Nigel had to endure a waiting period before undergoing surgery to repair his little face. Despite this setback, the young cat has garnered a large following on the shelter’s Instagram account, @NoNoseNigel, with over 2,000 people and counting. Nigel’s endearing antics and charming personality have captured the hearts of many.
Cute Story: Nigel, a sweet little kitten, was discovered malnourished and wandering near a dumpster in Massachusetts before being rescued by a kind-hearted individual. Nigel recently underwent surgery to repair his tiny face after his nose fell off.
When they discovered him in July, Nigel, the adorable six-week-old kitten, was brought to the MSPCA in Dorchester. However, staff members were taken aback when his nose unexpectedly detached a week later.
The young cat, who had to wait for surgery to repair his face, has gained a large following on the Instagram account @NoNoseNigel, which was created by shelter staff. His entertaining antics are now followed by over 2,000 people and the number keeps increasing.
Staff at the MSPCA initially believed he was suffering from a common upper respiratory infection when he was first brought in. “His nose and part of his face appeared discolored, so we started him on pain medication and antibiotics thinking it was a typical infection,” said adoption center manager Alyssa Krieger in a statement from July. “We were stunned to later discover the extent of Nigel’s injuries.”
Mike Pavletic, the head of surgery at MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center, performed the cat’s reconstructive surgery on Thursday. The exact cause of Nigel’s nose falling off remains unclear.
According to MSPCA-Angell representative Rob Halpin, the dog in question is truly remarkable and a real fighter.
Mike Pavletic, the head of surgery at MSPCA’s Angell Animal Medical Center, recently performed reconstructive surgery on a cat whose nose had fallen off. He mentioned that it is still a mystery as to what exactly caused this unusual situation. Pavletic speculated that the cat might have gotten its nose caught in something like a can of tuna.
Pavletic noted that based on previous cases he has encountered, it seems likely that Nigel, the cat in question, experienced some type of trauma rather than being born with a defect. He shared an instance where a similar injury was observed in a cat brought from Iran to New England, emphasizing the risks associated with leaving partially attached lids on cans of food.
According to Pavletic, whatever incident led to Nigel’s injury was significant. He expressed sadness that this stray cat had to endure such a painful experience.
The vet confirmed that poor Nigel had suffered severe damage to his upper lip, with the area from his right to left canine teeth practically missing. Additionally, part of his lower nose was also affected.
It is believed that Nigel may have been bitten on the face, resulting in serious injuries that later became infected, causing the deterioration of his lip and nose.
Despite his injuries, Nigel seems unfazed and continues to exhibit typical kitten behavior. He is affectionate, enjoys cuddling up on laps or sitting on shoulders, and is always up for playtime. Nigel loves chasing toy mice and playing with string toys for hours on end.
In terms of his ability to eat, his injury poses a challenge as he often spills food or water from his mouth, according to Pavletic.
Despite this difficulty, Pavletic mentioned that he is an otherwise healthy cat with a unique personality, displaying a playful and mischievous nature typical of a kitten.
The vet believes that once the issue is corrected, the cat will be able to lead a relatively normal life. Pavletic also noted that he prefers to wait until the cat reaches at least five months old before considering surgery, as older kittens have stronger tissues that can better hold sutures.
Fortunately, Nigel is set to find a loving home after his surgery, with over 50 individuals expressing interest in adopting the charming kitten. If you’re keen on giving Nigel a forever home, you can reach out to [email protected].
Halpin mentioned that prior to his surgery, Nigel had been staying in both foster homes and the shelter. With the overwhelming response from potential adopters, Nigel is sure to find a perfect match soon.
According to Halpin, Nigel is adaptable to any type of household, whether with or without kids. Due to his young age and the socialization he has received while in foster care, Nigel is expected to get along well with both cats and dogs in his new home.
