Lifesaving Treatment for Duncan the Scottish Fold
Donation protected
Meet Duncan. He's had a hard life and sadly without treatment, it will continue getting harder. Duncan has a hereditary bone and cartilage disorder called Osteochondrodysplasia and shockingly-- he doesn't have it by accident. More on that later.
So you might be wondering how we came to have Duncan in our home. Like our last medical foster, Harriet the French Bulldog puppy*, I found Duncan via craigslist. He was being offered for free because his current owners were moving AND having a baby AND couldn't afford him *insert eye roll here*. They admitted that this was at least his 3rd rehoming and he had NEVER been to the vet despite his obvious medical issues. Yikes.
The craigslist ad mentioned that he had a problem with his back legs, but that it "didn't seem to bother him." A quick google search of Scottish Fold cats with leg problems informed me that the nasty condition osteochondrodysplasia was likely the culprit. I call it a nasty disease, not just because of how painful and serious it is, but also because it is a 100% preventable condition that is PURPOSEFULLY bred into cats to create those "cute" folded ears popularized by celebrities and pop culture. The gene that causes the cartilage to fold also results in varying degrees of devastating osteoarthritis elsewhere in the body. All fold-ear cats have this condition, but some worse than others. Poor Duncan is severely affected. Probably because his breeder was extra greedy or extra ignorant and bred two fold-ear cats which means he has two copies of the offending gene. This devastating condition would be eliminated if people stopped breeding fold-ear cats.
More info on Osteochondrodysplasia
Alright enough about his condition, because I could talk about that all day (but isn't that wild though?! What an incredibly selfish and indefensible thing for humans to create this breed where EVERY cat will eventually suffer?!) Ok back to Duncan... Despite learning about what his condition might be, I was undeterred and followed through with picking him up. I guess I figured that other people would only be interested in him for breeding or for those damn "cute" folded ears, when really this poor guy needed to get to a veterinarian as soon as possible. And boy oh boy did we go to the vet. I think Duncan has been to the vet at least 6 times since I brought him home on December 20, 2019. Oh and by the way, he didn't have a name... So while I held him close at his first vet appointment and we discussed his grave prognosis and the possibility of euthanasia to end his suffering--I decided to call him Duncan, a Scottish name meaning dark-haired warrior. But at the time, I had no idea what a warrior he would turn out to be!
X-rays showed he was severely affected by Osteochondrodysplasia. His hind legs and feet are the worst, but his tail and elbows have lesions as well. You don't need to have a veterinary degree to recognize the problem on his x-rays. Where there should be clear, smooth, long bones--Duncan has wide, thick, and crowded bones. His joints are fusing. His vet was understandably pessimistic. At just 9 months old, Duncan was already experiencing serious pain and this would progress until eventually he wouldn't have any quality of life at all. I promised Duncan that I wouldn't let him suffer, but then I respectfully told his vet that we were going to give him a chance. Since he had never been treated, I was hopeful that he would improve with pain management and arthritis treatment. And improve he did! Our little warrior started playing, running, and sometimes even jumping! The vets were shocked. He even overcame Feline Leukemia Virus--which if you aren't familiar, is another devastating disease. And if you are familiar--Duncan was initially weakly FeLV positive on a snap test, but we got him healthy and he retested negative on snap and PCR 6 weeks later. Some cats are able to abort the virus and Duncan is one of them! He got all his vaccines, gained weight, and was neutered. This is usually the point when we'd be trying to get our foster into their forever home. But to my dismay, he had no serious interest. Tons of "if I lived closer"s and "I wish"s and of course the inevitable "why don't you just keep him?"s. But no one wanted to adopt Duncan...
I can't say he's perfect. He limps. He needs medication. Sometimes he snores. He needs pet stairs to get up on the bed. He gets tired after just 15 minutes of playtime. But oh man is he sweet! He lives for belly rubs. He stretches alllll the way out to give you belly access. He is chatty. He will announce himself when he enters a room or when he goes out to the catio. We joke that he's saying "Hello World! It's me, Duncan. I'm still here!" He's still here. Still here. But we don't know for how much longer. When I saw his x-rays I accepted that Duncan would live a short life. Short and difficult. Painful even. The anti-inflammatory medication that is keeping his pain at bay is not recommended in cats. It's very likely that it will cause fatal damage to his kidneys. And it isn't working very well. He limps with every step. He cries out if you touch his back feet. They're twisted and swollen. New, arthritic bone is growing in them and he feels every bit of it. But he still plays! Still cuddles. Still tries to do all the cat things. And his little kitten brain is constantly fighting against the limits of his damaged body. So is this when we give up on him? Put him down? Maybe.
But here's the thing. Duncan has a chance at a pain-free life! I came across a paper from a vet school in Japan. Doctors successfully eliminated pain in 3 Scottish Fold cats with Duncan's condition. Using radiation therapy, these cats now live pain-free and are no longer on dangerous pain medications. The cats were followed for 5 years and experience no side effects. It's still considered an experimental procedure. It hasn't been done many times, most likely due to cost...
I shared this paper with Duncan's vet and he was excited to move forward. We were referred to the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Oncology Service. Fortunately, I work at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and I get a 20% discount (which is why I am able to take on medical fosters like this). Duncan had his consult last week. We repeated his x-rays and bloodwork. And the doctors at the VMTH are excited to take his case on. It's the best vet school in the country and I'm thrilled that Duncan has a chance to be treated there.
Japanese Case Report: Efficacy and Complications of Palliative Irradiation in Three Scottish Fold Cats with Osteochondrodysplasia
Duncan will need a series of 6 radiation treatments. They would treat his hind legs, feet, tail, and elbows. He would be anesthetized for this. The total treatment series takes place over two weeks. We would expect to see results in a month. With his pain managed, he could come off the dangerous anti-inflammatory medication. He could run, jump, and just be a cat! Pain-free. He probably hasn't been pain-free since he was a tiny kitten. Looking at my family's healthy, able-bodied cats, I find it even harder to watch Duncan struggle. We are beyond excited about this treatment possibility for our little warrior. With the treatment, we would expect him to live comfortably for AT LEAST 5 years (the study only followed the treated cats for this duration). He could run and play without pain. It is very likely that he could have a normal life span. Without the treatment, we think Duncan may have a few more months, maybe a year. We just don't know. Some of his toes are twisting and becoming more painful. And even though I've fallen in love with him and want him to live a long, happy life--I haven't forgotten the promise I made to him at that first vet appointment: "I won't let you suffer."
$4000 is the largest sum that I've ever tried to raise. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried or intimidated. But I know that YEARS of a happy life for Duncan is worth it. He is worth it. And his treatment will be documented in order to help other cats!
If 200 people each donated $20, Duncan could start radiation treatment tomorrow. If you can't afford $20, I completely understand and please know that we still appreciate any contribution or just sharing of his story. Donations of $250 or more will get a special thank you from Duncan and I in the mail (details to follow).
Duncan has amassed quite a fan club on my Instagram (@littlecat_bigisland). Generous donors from around the country have provided food, treats, and money for his previous vet bills. I'm only one person, but with social media I've been connected with caring people all over the world and together we have made a difference. We saved Harriet's life. And Blue's. And countless other fosters. We've fundraised for animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centers. We might not be able to make a difference for every animal in the world, but we CAN make a world of difference to some. Thank you for reading Duncan's story. If nothing else, I hope you have learned something and feel compelled to act for an animal in need that you encounter in the future.
But if you do feel moved to donate, please know that the next time this little warrior says "Hello World! It's me, Duncan. I'm still here!" it will be because of YOU.
Thank you.
You can follow Duncan on Instagram (@littlecat_bigisland) for daily updates. And you are welcome to message me there with questions about him, his condition, and his possible treatment. He is still looking for a forever home in the Davis, California area, but if he gets this treatment we will wait 2 months to document his improvement and update his care routine. Aside from this one-time radiation series, Duncan's special needs care is inexpensive and easy, but we are looking for an adopter who has experience with special needs animals or someone who works in veterinary medicine.
*Harriet the French Bulldog puppy was our last medical foster/Craigslist rescue. She was being given away, because she had a severe rectal prolapse and needed emergency treatment. Donors like you provided the lifesaving funds to treat her! Harriet ended up needing various surgeries and procedures, but she ultimately made a full recovery and was adopted through the NorCal Bully Breed Rescue in December. Thank you to all of Harriet's lifesavers!
So you might be wondering how we came to have Duncan in our home. Like our last medical foster, Harriet the French Bulldog puppy*, I found Duncan via craigslist. He was being offered for free because his current owners were moving AND having a baby AND couldn't afford him *insert eye roll here*. They admitted that this was at least his 3rd rehoming and he had NEVER been to the vet despite his obvious medical issues. Yikes.
The craigslist ad mentioned that he had a problem with his back legs, but that it "didn't seem to bother him." A quick google search of Scottish Fold cats with leg problems informed me that the nasty condition osteochondrodysplasia was likely the culprit. I call it a nasty disease, not just because of how painful and serious it is, but also because it is a 100% preventable condition that is PURPOSEFULLY bred into cats to create those "cute" folded ears popularized by celebrities and pop culture. The gene that causes the cartilage to fold also results in varying degrees of devastating osteoarthritis elsewhere in the body. All fold-ear cats have this condition, but some worse than others. Poor Duncan is severely affected. Probably because his breeder was extra greedy or extra ignorant and bred two fold-ear cats which means he has two copies of the offending gene. This devastating condition would be eliminated if people stopped breeding fold-ear cats.
More info on Osteochondrodysplasia
Alright enough about his condition, because I could talk about that all day (but isn't that wild though?! What an incredibly selfish and indefensible thing for humans to create this breed where EVERY cat will eventually suffer?!) Ok back to Duncan... Despite learning about what his condition might be, I was undeterred and followed through with picking him up. I guess I figured that other people would only be interested in him for breeding or for those damn "cute" folded ears, when really this poor guy needed to get to a veterinarian as soon as possible. And boy oh boy did we go to the vet. I think Duncan has been to the vet at least 6 times since I brought him home on December 20, 2019. Oh and by the way, he didn't have a name... So while I held him close at his first vet appointment and we discussed his grave prognosis and the possibility of euthanasia to end his suffering--I decided to call him Duncan, a Scottish name meaning dark-haired warrior. But at the time, I had no idea what a warrior he would turn out to be!
X-rays showed he was severely affected by Osteochondrodysplasia. His hind legs and feet are the worst, but his tail and elbows have lesions as well. You don't need to have a veterinary degree to recognize the problem on his x-rays. Where there should be clear, smooth, long bones--Duncan has wide, thick, and crowded bones. His joints are fusing. His vet was understandably pessimistic. At just 9 months old, Duncan was already experiencing serious pain and this would progress until eventually he wouldn't have any quality of life at all. I promised Duncan that I wouldn't let him suffer, but then I respectfully told his vet that we were going to give him a chance. Since he had never been treated, I was hopeful that he would improve with pain management and arthritis treatment. And improve he did! Our little warrior started playing, running, and sometimes even jumping! The vets were shocked. He even overcame Feline Leukemia Virus--which if you aren't familiar, is another devastating disease. And if you are familiar--Duncan was initially weakly FeLV positive on a snap test, but we got him healthy and he retested negative on snap and PCR 6 weeks later. Some cats are able to abort the virus and Duncan is one of them! He got all his vaccines, gained weight, and was neutered. This is usually the point when we'd be trying to get our foster into their forever home. But to my dismay, he had no serious interest. Tons of "if I lived closer"s and "I wish"s and of course the inevitable "why don't you just keep him?"s. But no one wanted to adopt Duncan...
I can't say he's perfect. He limps. He needs medication. Sometimes he snores. He needs pet stairs to get up on the bed. He gets tired after just 15 minutes of playtime. But oh man is he sweet! He lives for belly rubs. He stretches alllll the way out to give you belly access. He is chatty. He will announce himself when he enters a room or when he goes out to the catio. We joke that he's saying "Hello World! It's me, Duncan. I'm still here!" He's still here. Still here. But we don't know for how much longer. When I saw his x-rays I accepted that Duncan would live a short life. Short and difficult. Painful even. The anti-inflammatory medication that is keeping his pain at bay is not recommended in cats. It's very likely that it will cause fatal damage to his kidneys. And it isn't working very well. He limps with every step. He cries out if you touch his back feet. They're twisted and swollen. New, arthritic bone is growing in them and he feels every bit of it. But he still plays! Still cuddles. Still tries to do all the cat things. And his little kitten brain is constantly fighting against the limits of his damaged body. So is this when we give up on him? Put him down? Maybe.
But here's the thing. Duncan has a chance at a pain-free life! I came across a paper from a vet school in Japan. Doctors successfully eliminated pain in 3 Scottish Fold cats with Duncan's condition. Using radiation therapy, these cats now live pain-free and are no longer on dangerous pain medications. The cats were followed for 5 years and experience no side effects. It's still considered an experimental procedure. It hasn't been done many times, most likely due to cost...
I shared this paper with Duncan's vet and he was excited to move forward. We were referred to the UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Oncology Service. Fortunately, I work at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and I get a 20% discount (which is why I am able to take on medical fosters like this). Duncan had his consult last week. We repeated his x-rays and bloodwork. And the doctors at the VMTH are excited to take his case on. It's the best vet school in the country and I'm thrilled that Duncan has a chance to be treated there.
Japanese Case Report: Efficacy and Complications of Palliative Irradiation in Three Scottish Fold Cats with Osteochondrodysplasia
Duncan will need a series of 6 radiation treatments. They would treat his hind legs, feet, tail, and elbows. He would be anesthetized for this. The total treatment series takes place over two weeks. We would expect to see results in a month. With his pain managed, he could come off the dangerous anti-inflammatory medication. He could run, jump, and just be a cat! Pain-free. He probably hasn't been pain-free since he was a tiny kitten. Looking at my family's healthy, able-bodied cats, I find it even harder to watch Duncan struggle. We are beyond excited about this treatment possibility for our little warrior. With the treatment, we would expect him to live comfortably for AT LEAST 5 years (the study only followed the treated cats for this duration). He could run and play without pain. It is very likely that he could have a normal life span. Without the treatment, we think Duncan may have a few more months, maybe a year. We just don't know. Some of his toes are twisting and becoming more painful. And even though I've fallen in love with him and want him to live a long, happy life--I haven't forgotten the promise I made to him at that first vet appointment: "I won't let you suffer."
$4000 is the largest sum that I've ever tried to raise. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried or intimidated. But I know that YEARS of a happy life for Duncan is worth it. He is worth it. And his treatment will be documented in order to help other cats!
If 200 people each donated $20, Duncan could start radiation treatment tomorrow. If you can't afford $20, I completely understand and please know that we still appreciate any contribution or just sharing of his story. Donations of $250 or more will get a special thank you from Duncan and I in the mail (details to follow).
Duncan has amassed quite a fan club on my Instagram (@littlecat_bigisland). Generous donors from around the country have provided food, treats, and money for his previous vet bills. I'm only one person, but with social media I've been connected with caring people all over the world and together we have made a difference. We saved Harriet's life. And Blue's. And countless other fosters. We've fundraised for animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centers. We might not be able to make a difference for every animal in the world, but we CAN make a world of difference to some. Thank you for reading Duncan's story. If nothing else, I hope you have learned something and feel compelled to act for an animal in need that you encounter in the future.
But if you do feel moved to donate, please know that the next time this little warrior says "Hello World! It's me, Duncan. I'm still here!" it will be because of YOU.
Thank you.
You can follow Duncan on Instagram (@littlecat_bigisland) for daily updates. And you are welcome to message me there with questions about him, his condition, and his possible treatment. He is still looking for a forever home in the Davis, California area, but if he gets this treatment we will wait 2 months to document his improvement and update his care routine. Aside from this one-time radiation series, Duncan's special needs care is inexpensive and easy, but we are looking for an adopter who has experience with special needs animals or someone who works in veterinary medicine.
*Harriet the French Bulldog puppy was our last medical foster/Craigslist rescue. She was being given away, because she had a severe rectal prolapse and needed emergency treatment. Donors like you provided the lifesaving funds to treat her! Harriet ended up needing various surgeries and procedures, but she ultimately made a full recovery and was adopted through the NorCal Bully Breed Rescue in December. Thank you to all of Harriet's lifesavers!
Organizer
Sam Christie
Organizer
Davis, CA