Hello I'm Maxie!

Maxie came to us in 2021 during a trap-neuter-return (TNR) project on a farm. The family of an elderly farmer had asked for help with a group of feral cats living on the property. Among them was a tiny kitten who wasn't behaving like a typical feral - instead of being scared and feisty, he was quiet and strangely calm.

That little kitten was Maxie.

We quickly realised something wasn't right. Maxie's eyes were in poor condition, his breathing was laboured, and he just didn't seem well. He was rushed to the vet, where he was diagnosed with cat flu, a bacterial upper respiratory infection, and conjunctivitis. He spent the night at the clinic for treatment and monitoring, then came home with us to recover in a safe, quiet space.

The medication worked - Maxie responded well to antibiotics and eye drops, and the flu symptoms began to ease. But even after recovery, his breathing remained loud and heavy, as though something else was going on.

We booked further tests, including chest X-rays and blood work. The X-rays showed his lungs were clear, but the breathing issues continued. It was time for a deeper investigation. Maxie was referred for a scope procedure, where a tiny camera was used to look inside his airways and digestive tract. That's when we found the root of the problem.

Maxie has a rare deformity: although his trachea (windpipe) splits normally into two bronchi, both bronchi are malformed. This deformity causes constant noisy breathing and makes him vulnerable to breathing difficulties, especially during changes in weather or temperature, which can trigger inflammation and partial blockages in his airways.

While this condition can't be cured, it doesn't cause Maxie pain when managed properly. He's treated with on-hand steroids at the first sign of difficulty, which helps reduce swelling and ease his breathing. Despite our best efforts, Maxie has had two life-threatening episodes over the years where he stopped breathing and required emergency CPR to revive him.

But Maxie's challenges don't end there. Over time, we noticed he didn't seem to react to movement unless it was directly in front of him. After further testing, we discovered that Maxie only has central vision - he can't see things to the side unless he turns his head. He's also partially deaf, which makes his world a little smaller and slower, but he's learned to navigate it with incredible confidence.

Maxie's complex health issues are most likely the result of inbreeding within the feral colony he came from. But despite everything, he's one of the most affectionate, gentle, and resilient cats we've ever met.

He lives a safe and happy life with his forever sanctuary family, who know his needs inside out and give him the loving, low-stress environment he deserves. Maxie may have had a tough start, but he's now surrounded by warmth, care, and everything he needs to thrive.