Cat With 'Rare' Form Of Dwarfism Will Stay Kitten-Sized Forever
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This adorable cat still looks like a kitten and will never grow any bigger due to an extremely rare condition which has currently only been documented in one other feline.
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Munchie is a seven-month-old cat who was taken into the Wolverhampton veterinary practice where his owner Emily Tomlinson works, back in September 2019.
It was suspected that he had been dumped when he was around three or four weeks old, with Emily believing that he was abandoned due to having cloudy eyes - a condition which does not alter his sight in any way.
Speaking to LADbible, 29-year-old Emily explained: "We have only in the last couple of weeks discovered he has hypoparathyroidism after he collapsed on Boxing Day and spent four nights in the vets on intravenous fluid therapy.
"His calcium levels were 0.52 when normal range is at least 1.9, it was a miracle he didn't have a seizure. We have found only one other cat diagnosed with hypoparathyroidism as a kitten, which isn't in the UK. It's so rare.
"We believe he will have a normal life span but due to there being so little information available, due to it being so rare, we don't know for sure.
"He's just like a normal kitten, he can climb but he can't jump because he has to have calcium and Vitamin D supplemented to keep him stable. He weighs a tiny 1.7kg."
After Munchie spent four days with the vet following his Boxing Day scare, Emily forked out £2,500 which she says was 'worthwhile', adding that she 'will do everything' she can to make sure Munchie has 'the best life possible'.
Emily, who also has a horse, a Romanian rescue dog and two other cats, added: "I feel very lucky to have Munchie, he's got the cheekiest little character and loves having lots of attention and cuddles. He loves to play with his kitten toys."
Emily went on to explain that looking after Munchie hasn't been easy, saying: "I feed him four times a day and he has no more then 15 grams per feed, he eats like a kitten. When he was really poorly I would feed him 6-8 times per day - including getting up several times through the night for weeks on end.
"It was exhausting but worthwhile as, after a few close calls and being close to losing him, he's pulled through and is on the road to recovery.
"He has a lifelong condition so will need regular blood tests to check his calcium levels and will be on medication for the rest of his life."
You can follow Munchie's journey on his Instagram account: @minature_munchie.
