Winnie, the tiny stray cat who surprised us all

Sterilization programs are one of the surest, most efficient ways of managing strays in the long term. As the number of homeless animals continues to rise, the challenge of protecting them becomes even more urgent. But, finding time to sterilize is still a priority. Winnie was a stray, taken to be sterilized at ROLDA partner shelter ‘The Great Catsby’, from a small village in Tulcea, Romania.

At first glance, we assumed little Winnie was a kitten, no older than a few months. But after a closer inspection, we were shocked to discover that she wasn’t a kitten at all. This poor fur baby was a malnourished elderly cat, likely between 10 and 12 years old.

Winnie was incredibly frightened at the beginning after a lifetime of fighting for survival on the streets. Her fragile body was under so much strain, and while examining her, we began to discover an alarming variety of health problems.

The first concern we noticed was an aggressive abscess under her left eye. We immediately provided the necessary treatment, but this was just the beginning of Winnie’s troubles. We knew she was too sick to go back to the streets, where she wouldn’t stand a chance.

While Winnie was in care, we noticed that she had started to show very worrying neurological symptoms. Winnie frequently lost her balance, became disoriented, and struggled greatly to stand, often collapsing onto her side.

We quickly arranged an emergency appointment for Winnie with a vet in Bucharest, where she underwent a series of neurological exams and tests. The results revealed an infection in her left ear, which we hope is the cause of her balance issues. Additionally, Winnie was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. As she receives treatment for these conditions, we are hopeful her health will begin to improve.

But that is not all; Winnie also has some serious dental problems and will need multiple teeth extractions. However, this procedure can only be done once she fully recovers, as we don’t want to add any additional strain to her already fragile body.

We’re optimistic that the current treatment will help her get back on her feet. If not, we will take further steps to investigate her neurological symptoms, including a CT scan or MRI.

Winnie is a prime example of the hardships faced by stray cats. Her health issues were caused and worsened by years of living on the streets. Exposure to harsh weather, a lack of food, and no shelter have all taken their toll on her underdeveloped body.

At ROLDA, we aim to offer these vulnerable animals the medical care, love, and shelter they desperately need, giving them a chance at a better life. With your support, we can continue our efforts and ensure more animals like Winnie receive the care they deserve.