This Tiny Black Cat Proves Bad Luck Can Turn Around
Some tiny cats arrive with big personalities, and Shuri turned out to be one of them. She was so small she could fit in one hand, but her story quickly became much bigger than her size.
After being adopted, the kitten faced serious health problems that left her family worried and unsure what would happen next. What started as a fragile beginning turned into a long stretch of treatment, patience, and hope.
Now Shuri is all grown up, fungus free, and living proof that a rough start does not always mean a bad ending. Read on.
Meet Shuri!
Shuri was named after her new parents had just watched Marvel's Black Panther, and they wanted a strong female name for their new kitten.
Little did they know how appropriate the title of Warrior Princess would be.
This is one of the first pictures of Shuri.
Simona Serban finally decided it was time to adopt a cat. She managed to convince her husband, and they began looking for a kitten.
Simona wanted a black cat. Black cats are often the last to be adopted because they are still seen as unlucky.
They found an ad online advertising the last black kitten from its litter. They knew that was exactly what they were looking for.
She was so small she could fit in one hand and only weighed 500 grams (1.1 pounds)
After having her for a day, they decided to take her to the vet to ensure Shuri was okay.
The vet discovered that Shuri had a fever. She was given injections to try to treat the cause and lower her fever.
This was just the beginning of Shuri's health problems.
Two weeks later, Shuri was hospitalized because her fever increased, and her eyes and nose became badly infected. She was diagnosed with Feline Herpesvirus infection, or Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis. The vets guessed she contracted the infection either when she was born or shortly thereafter from one of the other cats in the litter or her mother.
Shuri was very fragile and weak; she had to be given an IV.
While at the vet, they discovered some other problems. Shuri had a fungus on her skin that was causing hair loss. Shuri's parents also became infected with this fungus, so they were all under treatment!
Three months later, the treatments were complete. Amid visits to the vet and dermatologist, countless medications, and a few scares, they thought Shuri was finally happy and healthy.
Sadly, this was not the case.
When Shuri was about six months old, her parents noticed some unusual blood spots on the poor cat's ears and eyes. So back to the vet they went.
Blood tests revealed that Shuri was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia. This condition occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys blood platelets. If Shuri had had a severe accident, such as a fall or blow, she could have bled out.
She underwent surgery and was treated for six months. The treatment affected her immune system, and Shuri contracted the fungus again.
Shuri is now one year old and fungus free!
This kind of fighter spirit is like a cat who lost a leg but still charges each day with unstoppable enthusiasm.
Shuri is about half the size of a regular full-grown adult cat.
She stopped growing at about six months old. Her parents suspect this is due to all her treatments and health issues.
She now weighs around 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds).
Shuri is now a very happy and playful cat!
She's cheeky and loves to poke her tongue out
She loves to play
What's more: she loves cuddles!
Her parents love to dress her up!
As a bat for Halloween
A piece of candy!
Channelling her inner Toothless
After a year of health problems, Shuri is finally enjoying her life as she was meant to!
Proving that even black cats can overcome being unlucky!
Want more “bad luck to good” energy? See how an ailing cat in a medical ward radiated joy after rescue.
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