Blog

Kitten tangled in yarn suffers nerve damage, Austin Pets Alive! performs lifesaving surgery | KEYE

AUSTIN, Texas — Three-month-old kitten Galilea has had a rough start to life, getting entangled in yarn and nearly dying as a result.

She was brought into Austin Pets Alive! with strangulation lacerations across her chest. She was also anemic and covered in fleas. Paint Color Wheel

Kitten tangled in yarn suffers nerve damage, Austin Pets Alive! performs lifesaving surgery | KEYE

According to the shelter, the injuries caused by the yarn were severe. The deep wounds across her neck and front left leg caused nerve damage, swelling and the inability to walk.

APA!’s medical team performed debridement surgery to remove the yarn that was embedded deep in her tissue.

ALSO | Recycle your Christmas tree at Travis County's free drop-off spots for a greener holiday

Her foster has been working hard to take care of Galilea. She needs time to heal from both her physical and mental injuries.

“A big component of her care was also helping her learn to trust humans,” says Amanda Villarreal, a Neonatal Kitten Nursery Veterinary Assistant at APA!. “ We don't know how she got stuck in the yarn, but she was scared and wary at first, didn't like to be pet too much, and was very scared when getting picked up.”

Throughout her treatment, Galilea learned that the humans were there to help her. She is now “social with people, loves to investigate, and enjoys playing like she doesn’t have an injury.

Her treatment is ongoing. She still needs antibiotics and pain medications, and her wounds need to be cleaned twice a day. APA! said her front left leg might need to be amputated if it does not show signs of improvement over the next month.

Kitten tangled in yarn suffers nerve damage, Austin Pets Alive! performs lifesaving surgery | KEYE

Easy Paper Crafts Galilea is up for adoption. Anyone who wants to help out but is not able to adopt can donate by clicking here or look into fostering opportunities.