Our sweet 10 month old kitten, Dewey, was recently diagnosed with a painful condition called bilateral luxating patellas: a knee disorder where the kneecaps slip in and out of place with every step he takes. At just 7 months old, Dewey received his initial diagnosis, but we were told he was too young for surgery. We were instructed to wait and return in three months to reassess. Since his diagnosis, Dewey has had to take gabapentin every day to manage his pain.

Yesterday, we returned for his follow-up X-rays, and unfortunately the news wasn’t what we had hoped for. Dewey’s left knee has worsened significantly, and he’s already showing early signs of arthritis. At only 10 months old, his mobility is being significantly impacted, and his future quality of life is at risk. Our vet advised that surgery is urgently needed to correct the damage before it progresses further.

Dewey is scheduled to have orthopedic surgery next week on his back left knee. This is an intensive procedure that involves deepening the groove of his knee joint and repositioning the tendon to keep the kneecap in place. The surgery is complicated, but the recovery will be even more challenging. Dewey will require three months of strict crate rest, where he won't be able to jump, run, or explore.

If you know Dewey, you know he’s not your typical cat. Since we adopted him, he’s become our little adventure buddy. He goes to the beach, the park, hiking trails, friends’ houses, and even flew on a plane to New York. He rides in a stroller, walks on a leash, and greets every person like they’re his best friend. His curiosity, confidence, and pure joy have made him loved by everyone who meets him (even proclaimed "cat haters").

Keeping Dewey crated will be tough, but we’re committed to giving him the best shot at a full and active life, even if that means hitting pause on adventures for now.

This is the first of two surgeries Dewey will need, one for each leg. In addition to the emotional and logistical challenges, the financial burden is heavy. We are doing everything we can to cover the costs ourselves, but it’s certainly a lot to take on.

We are deeply grateful for any support you’re able to give, whether that’s financial, emotional, or by simply sharing Dewey’s story.

Because this condition is so rare in cats (much more common in dogs), we've had a difficult time finding other people who have gone through this same experience. We're going to try to document Dewey’s surgery and recovery journey to help anyone who might be facing the same situation. We’ll be sharing updates on Instagram and TikTok (@Claire_Montanari/@Claire.Montanari) both to raise awareness and to show how cool Dewey is.

Thank you to everyone who has ever shown love for Dewey! And apologies to everyone I made fun of for being too emotionally attached to their pets before we got Dewey.... I get it now.

With love,

Claire & David (and Dewey)