Starving Kitten Saved by Life-Saving Procedure at UC Davis Veterinary Hospital
When Ginger, an abandoned newborn kitten, was found with his three siblings by a Good Samaritan, no one could have imagined the uphill battle he would face. Brought to FieldHaven Feline Center and fostered by volunteer Kendra, Ginger grew stronger with bottle feedings every few hours—until at five weeks old, he began to regurgitate his food.
Despite multiple veterinary exams, his condition worsened, and Ginger was referred to the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH), a long-time partner of FieldHaven. There, Dr. Karen Vernau and the Small Animal Internal Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging Services identified the culprit: an esophageal stricture so severe that Ginger’s esophagus was less than 1 millimeter wide—compared to the normal 8 mm for a kitten his age. He also had pneumonia, likely from aspirating food.
Recognizing the urgency, faculty internist Dr. Sean Hulsebosch performed a delicate endoscopic balloon dilation to expand Ginger’s esophagus. Immediately afterward, Ginger was able to take his bottle without regurgitation.
But the journey wasn’t over. Esophageal strictures often recur, and Ginger required a series of weekly procedures. Each time, his esophagus stayed open a bit more—first 2–3 mm, then 4–5 mm, and finally 7 mm after the last treatment.
“Since his final surgery three months ago, Ginger has had no recurring regurgitation issues,” said Kendra. “He’s energetic, playful, and truly the most personable kitten imaginable.”
While Ginger will need to eat soft food for the rest of his life, his prognosis is excellent. Best of all, he has found his forever home with Kendra and her husband, who couldn’t imagine life without him.
“We are so thankful for UC Davis and the care they provided Ginger when his life was in a critical state,” Kendra said.
Ginger’s story highlights the power of collaboration between rescue organizations and veterinary teaching hospitals—not only saving lives but also providing invaluable training for future veterinarians.
