Stray animals with serious health problems can often be seen wandering the streets, fearfully paying attention to every sound that comes along, and running away from everyone. That was Smush a few years ago. Born with facial deformities, and suffering from a severe case of a skin infection, this brave kitten survived thanks to Lindsey Hidenrite, a kind-hearted student at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

The smushy face is what determined the kitten’s name, and everyone kept calling her smush. The adorable ginger kitten proved to be feisty and curious as she grew stronger. Today, Smush is happily part of .a big, loving family – and her days are filled with adventures with her cat, doggy, and hedgehog siblings!

If it wasn’t for Lindsey, Smush would have probably been euthanized because she couldn’t eat on her own and seemed too weak to survive.

Because the kitty was born with facial deformities and had a severe infection, the kitten’s mother abandoned her. This isn’t totally unusual. Mother cats are known to abandon their babies if they don’t think they’re healthy enough to survive. Smush had a very weak immune system and, like her mother, most people simply didn’t think that she was going to make it.

Lindsey, on the other hand, decided to fight for Smush and see what happened.

The caring student tirelessly provided syringe-feedings for Smush every four hours for a whole month.

Lindsey also made sure that the ginger furball took the medications needed to cure her upper respiratory system infection, and she was persistent in giving Smush medicated baths to deal with the ringworm.

Ringworm is an itchy fungal infection, and it’s very common among cats who have a weak immune system. Smush had a hard time dealing with it, but Lindsey’s numerous medicated baths paid off.

It wasn’t easy – but Hidenrite was dedicated and Smush ended up winning her battle for life.

The final victory was seeing Smush’s shiny and soft coat free of ringworm. The precious baby was cured.

When Smush was no longer dependant on Lindsey’s help, she was placed in foster care.

The little four-legged kitty continued to grow and heal in foster care. Despite all expectations, Smush became stronger and very feisty.

Who would have thought that a little whisker who was only ten days old and so close to death would become so playful and curious?! Her foster mom, Laura Braden, says:

“Smush was a handful from day one!”

Shannon Jackson, Lindsey’s friend who helps photograph adoptable animals at the Helping Hands Pet Rescue, quickly fell in love with Smush.

Jackson’s wife, Sarah Jenne, couldn’t stop thinking about Smush after she saw the little kitten on Lindsey’s Facebook page. Sarah was very sad because her beloved cat, Poot, had recently passed away. That’s when her wife came up with the idea to adopt Smush.

There was enough space at their home, and Sarah was eager to give love to as many animals as she could.

But when Shannon and Lindsey discussed the idea, Lindsey was a bit concerned.

Instead of adopting Smush right away, Lindsey suggested that Shannon and Sarah take the kitten to their home for a week or so to see if things would work out.

The reason behind such precautious advice was because Smush was extremely feisty. In an interview with The Dodo, Jackson said that “Smush growled at Sarah and me for probably 24 hours until she would even come out of her little carrier.” However, it was love at first sight, and Smush got used to living with her new moms and five other pet siblings.

“She purrs more and bites less these days,” commented Jackson.

Well, we’re glad that the little fighter survived and found a family who would love her just the way she is.

Visit Smush’s Instagram page and enjoy her full recovery, because a picture’s worth a thousand words.

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Source: TheDodo; HaartWarming; People; Smush; Facebook