Domestic Short Hair-black [Mix]

7/19/09 Update on Gus's ear polyp surgery: We received donations towards Gus's surgery at the Cat Show in February and after treatment with antibiotics Gus underwent surgery to remove the polyps in both ears. The antibiotics had not cleared up the inner ear infection, but this resolved completely after the surgery, which made Gus and us very happy! (See paragraph 3 for more about Gus's ear problems). Gus is a small, black kitty with a corkscrew tail, an overbite, and the misfortune of having been born with a very rare condition called cutaneous asthenia, which causes the skin to tear or rip easily. Fortunately he makes up for lack of looks by being extremely personable - he is very touchy-feely and loves to rub on you and reach out and touch you. He does not have the most severe version of the malady (we lost his brother to a the condition when it caused him to have a massive intestinal hernia that couldn't be repaired). Gus's condition has been managed very well because he wears clothes to protect his skin. Gus is one of our "permanent residents" - kitties we maintain on a permanent basis because, due to age, health or behavioral problems or being feral/scared they are not very adoptable. However, we are always willing to consider adopting any of them out to the right adopter if that very special person comes along and offers to take a kitty with a special condition - we don't call it "special needs" because often, they don't need anything special from their adopter except perhaps a little extra love and commitment. Recently Gus developed a bad infection in his left ear. He also has had several polyps in each ear that remained small for some time but began to grow long and curly, and the one in the left ear occludes the ear and is now bleeding a lot and prevents us easily treating the infection in the inner part of the ear. It bothers him a lot and he scratches it, making it bleed more, so he has to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from scratching. He is having the infection cultured and if it is not resistant to antibiotics (so far it has been) we hope to have the polyps removed by the regular vet. He will need bloodwork, of course, so the whole thing will probably be at least $250. Please help Gus by making a donation towards his vet expenses. You can click Paypal for a secure donation or mail a check to Carolina Cats at P. O. Box 210705, Columbia, SC 29221. Thank you.