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As reported by Love Meow, Teddy the kitten has a really distinct face that makes him look well beyond his years. He was born to an animal rescuer as part of a litter of kittens, and the rescuer immediately noticed that he stood out. His skin was strangely stretchy and droopy even though he was only a few week old. So, this rescuer contacted the Odd Cat Sanctuary in Salem, Massachusetts, in the hopes of giving the kitten a better life.
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"She knew he was special, and reached out and asked us to take him on. We agreed," said Tara Kay, the founder of the Odd Cat Sanctuary which specializes in cats and kittens with special needs. It seems that the kitten knew he came to a good place, because when he arrived at the sanctuary and met one of the volunteers, he immediately started purring loudly. "He was purring nonstop. He gave hugs, rolled over for belly rubs and just loved people."
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Teddy was born with a rare condition: Feline cutaneous asthenia, also known as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). It's a genetic condition that causes collagen deficiency in the body, and affects the strength and elasticity to the skin and ligaments. "His skin is paper thin and can tear with no warning. He needs lots of special care for him, and we are ready to get him healthy," Tara explained.
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Currently, Teddy is the youngest cat with EDS at the rescue, and he has already started treatment to help improve his skin quality and strength. His wounds, thankfully, are healing well, and he turns into a total cuddle monster every time he is catered to. "We plan to put nail caps on his nails and keep a sweater on him (to prevent tears). He has started a collagen supplement, and he is en route to recovery," Tara added.
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Adorably, Teddy insists on getting attention whenever he can - between naps and play sessions. He's a total cuddle-bug, and he purrs all the time. It seems that being doted on and taken care of makes him the happiest kitten in the world. And that makes us happy.
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He may look sad, but don't let that fool you. He is as happy as can be. Absolutely nothing bothers him, and he runs around the room, zooming just like any other kitten would. And it's enough for there to be a human friend in the room with him for him to turn his purr machine onto the highest volume. Teddy is a people-cat. "He loves to play, snuggle, and he loves his food. He has the best spirit through it all, and is so happy, thankful and purring nonstop," Tara told Love Meow.
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