Goose recovering post-surgery! Thank you to everyone who has supported Goose the Kitten! Without you, we would have been unable to save him and provide him with surgery that was critical to keeping him alive. Currently Goose has completed his second surgery to repair the hole in his palate and is recovering in foster care. We are extremely hopeful he continues to heal well and will soon be able to eat on his own (as opposed to being handfed by his foster mom) and can finally be available for adoption.
We would also like to thank VSEC and Dr. Jennings for their incredible work and care of our little Goose Muppet!
We are still raising the final funds for Goose' veterinary care and surgery! Please consider making a donation!
http://www.gofundme.com/savegoosethekitten
Full a full history and update on Goose read more...
In June of 2014, we pulled a pair of small, black kittens from Philadelphia’s Animal Care & Control Team (ACCT), named Goose and Clara. Goose and his sister Clara were brought into ACCT as stray kittens found in a yard. Clara, while underweight, was in good shape and later adopted. Goose, however, had severe burns and bone damage to his mouth from biting into a live electrical wire, and was slated for euthanasia by the end of the business day if he did not find a rescue. Over his first week in foster care, as the extent of the injuries declared itself, Goose lost all of the intraoral mucosa and gingiva covering his rostral upper and lower jaws. On his maxilla, he had a deep V-defect that started at the distal aspects of the deciduous 3rd premolars and extended back along the midline of the palate to the distal aspect of the deciduous 4th premolars. The entire rostral palate was exposed, including both incisive bones/palatine fissures and a portion of the maxilla bones, and Goose had no tissue surrounding his canine or incisor teeth. In addition, he had sustained burns to his lips and 1/3 of his tongue.
It was recommended by our veterinarian, Dr. Michael Jennings at Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (VSEC) to wait until at least 4 months of age to fix a palatal defect to take advantage of further growth of the maxilla/skull, and Goose’s foster mom maintained his care at home. He continued to eat and gain weight, but did have some issues due to his palatal defect such as sneezing after eating and drinking. Intermittent bouts of infectious rhinitis were treated successfully with antibiotics and feeding methods were adjusted to avoid his defect. Throughout his time in foster care, he has had to be handfed due to the hole in his mouth and lack of teeth.
In October 2014, Goose's first surgery was performed. The surgery included a complete oral exam and radiographs were performed, and the permanent upper canine teeth and 3rd premolars were extracted in a closed manner to minimize tissue disruption. Once these extraction sites heal and the sockets remodel into bone, there will be a better chance to use mucosa from the overlying bone and remaining lip vestibule to create flaps to close the defect. No permanent incisor teeth developed following the trauma. Goose’s lower canines were also extracted as they had erupted abnormally through the scarred lip mucosa that replaced the burned gingival tissue. Additionally, he was neutered at this time.
In December 2014, Goose had his second and what we hope is his final surgery to repair the hole in his palate. 2 flaps were made from his gum tissue on either side of his palate hole. These were used to close the gap between his sinuses and his mouth. There was a lot of good bleeding, which indicates a healthy blood supply to the area (that was a large concern as a low blood supply would hinder healing). Due to those flaps being made of existing tissue, he has some exposed bone on either side of his mouth.
Despite everything Goose has been through, he remains a happy, silly, playful kitten that captures hearts wherever he goes. He travels on a leash and harness, much like a dog, and adores attention and love.
We would also like to thank VSEC and Dr. Jennings for their incredible work and care of our little Goose Muppet!
We are still raising the final funds for Goose' veterinary care and surgery! Please consider making a donation!
http://www.gofundme.com/savegoosethekitten
Full a full history and update on Goose read more...
In June of 2014, we pulled a pair of small, black kittens from Philadelphia’s Animal Care & Control Team (ACCT), named Goose and Clara. Goose and his sister Clara were brought into ACCT as stray kittens found in a yard. Clara, while underweight, was in good shape and later adopted. Goose, however, had severe burns and bone damage to his mouth from biting into a live electrical wire, and was slated for euthanasia by the end of the business day if he did not find a rescue. Over his first week in foster care, as the extent of the injuries declared itself, Goose lost all of the intraoral mucosa and gingiva covering his rostral upper and lower jaws. On his maxilla, he had a deep V-defect that started at the distal aspects of the deciduous 3rd premolars and extended back along the midline of the palate to the distal aspect of the deciduous 4th premolars. The entire rostral palate was exposed, including both incisive bones/palatine fissures and a portion of the maxilla bones, and Goose had no tissue surrounding his canine or incisor teeth. In addition, he had sustained burns to his lips and 1/3 of his tongue.
It was recommended by our veterinarian, Dr. Michael Jennings at Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (VSEC) to wait until at least 4 months of age to fix a palatal defect to take advantage of further growth of the maxilla/skull, and Goose’s foster mom maintained his care at home. He continued to eat and gain weight, but did have some issues due to his palatal defect such as sneezing after eating and drinking. Intermittent bouts of infectious rhinitis were treated successfully with antibiotics and feeding methods were adjusted to avoid his defect. Throughout his time in foster care, he has had to be handfed due to the hole in his mouth and lack of teeth.
In October 2014, Goose's first surgery was performed. The surgery included a complete oral exam and radiographs were performed, and the permanent upper canine teeth and 3rd premolars were extracted in a closed manner to minimize tissue disruption. Once these extraction sites heal and the sockets remodel into bone, there will be a better chance to use mucosa from the overlying bone and remaining lip vestibule to create flaps to close the defect. No permanent incisor teeth developed following the trauma. Goose’s lower canines were also extracted as they had erupted abnormally through the scarred lip mucosa that replaced the burned gingival tissue. Additionally, he was neutered at this time.
In December 2014, Goose had his second and what we hope is his final surgery to repair the hole in his palate. 2 flaps were made from his gum tissue on either side of his palate hole. These were used to close the gap between his sinuses and his mouth. There was a lot of good bleeding, which indicates a healthy blood supply to the area (that was a large concern as a low blood supply would hinder healing). Due to those flaps being made of existing tissue, he has some exposed bone on either side of his mouth.
Despite everything Goose has been through, he remains a happy, silly, playful kitten that captures hearts wherever he goes. He travels on a leash and harness, much like a dog, and adores attention and love.
 Goose immediately after his second surgery |  Goose attempting to thank his fans for all their support! |
 | Show your support with a limited edition Goose tee! http://www.thephillykitty.org/shop.html |
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