Last January, a Virginia-based animal shelter called Winchester SPCA helped one of their resident pregnant dogs deliver her babies. The mama dog was particularly small, so she needed extra vet assistance to ensure that her 11 pups were safe.
However, while the delivery was a success, the shelter staff discovered that one of the puppies, Tilly, was different from the rest of the pack. She had an unusually oversized head, making it difficult for her to keep up with her littermates. Because of this, the mama dog decided to reject the poor newborn and refuse to nurse her.
The shelter staff was devastated for little Tilly, but they willingly took on her mom’s role and cared for her right away. When she was strong enough, they transferred her to the Animal Rescue League of Arlington, another animal shelter in Virginia, where they believed she would get the best care for her condition.
There, she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition caused by the buildup of fluids in the brain. Unfortunately, it was incurable, but with specialized care and surgery, Tilly could live a somewhat normal life. However, since she wasn’t old enough for surgery, the vets put her on medication and suggested special protection for her head, too.
That was when Bionic Pets, an animal prosthetics company, came into the picture. They offered Tilly an adjustable helmet that would prevent her head from unwanted injuries until she was ready for surgery. The shelter also partnered with The Cat LVT, a feline medical clinic dedicated to helping animals with risky and complicated medical conditions.
When the vets deemed her healthy enough, they sent her over to a loving foster home, where she met her now best friend, Eggbert, a two-year-old partially paralyzed cat. Tilly still has a long way to go before she can finally live the life she deserved. But with the help of her medical care team and foster family, she is well on her way there. Look at the adorable Tilly here.
Courtesy of somdkittenfosters