One-Year-Old cat With Life-Threatening Postpartum Complications Receives Critical Care at Local Humane Society

On July 8, a 1-year-old female cat was brought to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County after being discovered by a community member near an apartment complex dumpster. The cat, now named Marzipan, was lethargic and unable to move, suffering from severe mastitis, a painful infection of the mammary glands that can lead to life-threatening sepsis.

Upon arrival, Marzipan had a temperature of over 105 degrees and inflamed mammary glands. The shelter’s veterinary team immediately administered injectable antibiotics. Despite their efforts, the infection ruptured, leaving a large open wound on her abdomen.

A shelter veterinarian performed surgery to address the infection before suturing the wound closed, placing a drain, and administering additional antibiotics and pain medication. Marzipan is expected to continue her recovery in a foster home before she may become available for adoption.

“The number one way to prevent medical complications like mastitis is through spaying and neutering,” said Dr. Christina Avelar, associate veterinarian at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. “Her condition was secondary to lactating after having kittens. If she hadn’t had kittens, she would have avoided this painful mastitis wound.”

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is raising funds for a Mobile Veterinary Unit to increase access to preventative veterinary care, including spay and neuter surgeries. This vehicle will provide spay/neuter surgeries and vaccination clinics to local cat colonies through a targeted trap-neuter-return (TNR) program, helping to prevent overpopulation and help prevent medical emergencies like Marzipan’s.

“An estimated 130,000 unowned cats live in Pierce County,” adds Avelar. “With our community’s support, we can get this new Mobile Veterinary Unit on the road to reach communities that desperately need our support to prevent unnecessary litters and prevent the spread of deadly diseases.”

Donations to support the Mobile Veterinary Unit and to help pets like Marzipan can be made on the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County’s website at www.thehumanesociety.org/mvu.