Jessica Ruf, a mother and student who volunteers for an Australian kitten rescue, recently shared the heartwarming story of Hildy. This adorable gray and white kitten was born with atelectasis and swimmer syndrome, making her life truly challenging from the very beginning. Despite all her struggles, the rescuers gave her a special name – Hildy.

Hildy came into the world in late February as a 3-week-old kitten. The rescuers suspected that she had flat-chested kitten syndrome (FCKS), which is characterized by a collapsed lung. Kittens with FCKS experience chest collapse, shortness of breath, and swimming difficulties.

Did you know that kittens are capable of swimming? It may sound surprising, but it just means that they crawl with their legs spread out to the sides, which makes them appear as if they were swimming across a surface. One adorable example is Hildy, whose hind legs were slightly affected while crawling.

Ruf recalls that the first time they took care of her, she looked like a starfish. The next step is to take her to the veterinary for an X-ray to confirm their suspicions. The rescue operation was a success.
As per Jessica’s writing, their lovely girl will need to wear splints every 3 days as she grows up to put pressure on her ribcage, creating a positive air pressure effect, and gradually re-pumping her lungs by opening them up instead of pushing them out. Additionally, the cute baby also has splints on her forelegs and hind legs to correct swimmer’s syndrome (split legs). These splints will be required continuously so that her legs can adjust slowly.

Rescuers are always in need of veterinary care for their animals, and they rely on the help of advocates to cover the costs. For Hildy, the cost was estimated to be over a thousand dollars for intensive care and regular vet checkups, which was a huge amount. Fortunately, Hildy survived the week and even started eating wet food along with the formula. Thanks to a successful lottery, enough funds were raised to purchase a “Dehumidifier” to aid Hildy’s recovery.

In March, Hildy showed significant signs of improvement, even though her recovery outcome was still uncertain. Her swimmer’s syndrome has vastly gotten better, and she can now walk around without having to wear a bandage on her leg. She will continue to be under the care of a specialist to keep track of her progress.

As Hildy reached a more mature age, she developed an assured demeanor and developed a hearty appetite, especially at the start of each day. Ruf brought some excellent news in mid-March after consulting with a specialist. Thanks to the assistance of Humidicrib, Hildy was able to overcome any health issues that arose when her lungs began to expand again. Through consistent workouts on soft surfaces, they are optimistic that her feet will become robust and healthy.

Hildy has a scheduled visit with a specialist veterinarian who brought to her attention that her collapsed lung is starting to re-inflate. Despite the abnormality of her rib cage, the vet ensured that this isn’t a cause for concern unless Hildy experiences coughing or breathing difficulty. On the bright side, her legs are showing positive progress and will receive daily exercise. The vet also mentioned that the use of a Humidicrib played a significant role in Hildy’s survival, which amazed her caretaker. Hildy truly is a miracle!

Jessica Ruf and her team of supporters have worked tirelessly to transform Hildy into a beautiful cat. Despite the challenges of being a student and a mother, she has managed to provide full-time care for foster cats. Those who know her have praised her dedication, calling her an “earth angel” for everything she does for animals. Hildy’s journey is a testament to the power of rescue and the impact that one person can make. Her name, inspired by courageous women, is a symbol of strength and resilience.