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After island hopping on a plane and assistance from volunteers found through the Facebook page Catopia Hawai'i, Rescue Kitties of Hawai'i (RKH), the Aloha Affordable Veterinary Services, and the flight crew and passengers on Southwest Airlines, Kona the kitten was just beginning her journey toward rehabilitation.
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Clowder House Feline Rescue, a place where spinal-injury kittens and cats go to hopefully regain their mobility, got in touch with RKH when they saw their plea for help. When Kona reached Aloha Affordable Veterinary Services, Dr. Dion Regelson determined through a battery of X-rays that she had nerve damage to both hind legs, which left her paralyzed. Dr. Regelson explained the kitty's issues may have originated from a congenital disability or a severe injury in her first few weeks because the broken bones were already healing.
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It's unclear if her legs will heal entirely, and it's unlikely she will ever walk, but that hasn't stopped Skyla and Donald Hammond of Clowder House Feline Rescue from doing everything they can to give her a bright future. First, though, came a name change.
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Skyla said "Kona" is actually a boy's name, so they went with "Lilo," which means "to overcome." They also gave her the middle name "Ahonui," Hawaiian for patience or perseverance, perfectly describing the sweet and energetic kitty.
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Lilo has reached a point where she has gained almost enough weight to stop sliding out of her XS-size washable baby diapers, and she surely doesn't let her condition get in the way of growing into "the spazzy kitten age."
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Lilo loves all the toys she can now play with, including the occasional diaper that comes off. From the time she wakes, Lilo can't get enough of skating around on blankets and putting her paws on anything and anyone she can, including Nyla, who got what she hoped for in a perfect playmate.
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Lilo has a long road ahead of her to either fix her legs or undergo an amputation. Next month, she has an important doctor's appointment that will determine what path she may take. Still, whatever may happen, the dedicated team at Clowder House Feline Rescue will be there to support anything that to give her the best quality of life.
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"Skyla and Donald have huge, beautiful hearts, and they take incredible care of every special needs kitty they take in," said RKH founder Maraya. "We are so full of love and gratitude to Clowder House for everything they do to help the kitties who need us the most."
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