Pukini is a sweet, spunky 6-year-old cat who has been through a lot, but has never given up!

For over a year, Pukini had intermittent weakness in her left hind leg.  During this year, she also underwent two separate surgeries to remove each of her eyes due to unrelated ocular issues. After each surgery, she experienced sudden paralysis in her back legs. Thankfully, each of those episodes passed in a few days — but then things took a tougher turn. 

Pukini developed another sudden episode of hind-end paralysis. This time, there was no clear cause and the paralysis did not go away.  

A visit to a veterinary neurologist revealed a T3-L3 myelopathy - a spinal cord issue affecting the middle-to-lower part of her back and causing her mobility issues.  After considering options for further diagnostics (ie MRI), Pukini’s owner elected to try medical management and rehabilitation therapy first. 

When Pukini arrived at VRSVA two weeks later, she still could not use her hind legs but could use her front legs to scoot herself around the office.  She had difficulty urinating, but was not in pain and did have some sensation in her back legs.

This is when her comeback story really began. Pukini was treated regularly with laser acupuncture, laser therapy, and a great deal of TLC at home.  Slowly, she started to regain strength. Week by week, she began using her back legs and after a few months—she was walking again!  She also gradually regained control of her bladder. 

Today, Pukini is thriving—and we couldn’t be more proud of her and the entire team she had behind her. We owe a huge ‘thank you’ to her amazing owner for never giving up and to Henrico Humane for providing financial support, which made Pukini’s care possible. Together, we have helped this little fighter walk again!