When Simone first arrived at the San Francisco SPCA, she was just three months old and a soft, gray bundle of kitten curiosity. She came in as part of an intake during a series of fires in Southern California. At first glance, Simone seemed like any other young cat waiting for her chance at a loving home. During her spay surgery, Simone’s story took an unexpected turn.
An unexpected discovery
While under anesthesia, Simone began having trouble breathing—something our Shelter Medicine team knows never to ignore. With quick thinking and careful attention, our team paused and took X-rays to understand what was happening inside her tiny body. They found that Simone had a peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH), a rare congenital defect.
PPDH is where a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs, like the liver or intestines, to slip into the chest cavity within the sack that surrounds the heart. This displacement can crowd the heart and lungs, leading to breathing issues, reduced energy, and digestive problems if left untreated.
For a kitten so young, it was a serious diagnosis, but also one our experienced Shelter Medicine team was prepared to take on.
A complex surgery, expertly handled
A week later, Simone underwent a second, more complex surgery to repair the defect. This delicate procedure required carefully moving her organs back where they belonged and closing the hole in her diaphragm—all while ensuring her safety under anesthesia.
It was a team effort that combined surgical precision, anesthesia expertise, and constant monitoring. Simone came out of the procedure smoothly, a testament to her care team’s skill and coordination.
The road to recovery
In the days that followed, Simone received intensive post-operative care. She needed oxygen support, close observation, and plenty of encouragement as she healed. Slowly but surely, her strength returned, and before long, her playful kitten energy came bubbling back. Thanks to the dedication and expertise of our Shelter Medicine team, Simone made a full recovery.
A healthy new chapter
Not long after, Simone was adopted into a loving home, where she now has the space to grow, play, and thrive without the burden of her condition. With the support of our community, we can keep making stories like hers possible, one small, resilient life at a time. Looking to adopt your own cat or kitten? Meet our adoptable kitties today!