Getting a new pet can be an exciting time for a family. Checking out different animals to see which is the right fit for you is a fun adventure.
Simona and her husband, Alexandru, set out to adopt a kitten after some thought and discussion. Simona knew she wanted a black cat after reading that they are the least likely to be adopted due to people's superstitions. She looked online for a few weeks until she came across a litter of cats born in her area. The only cat left from the litter was a black cat, and Simona felt it was fate.
Simona and Alexandru picked up their little kitten one night last May. She was extremely tiny and scrawny with piercing green eyes. The little black kitten looked fragile but also fierce. She was so tiny she could fit in the palm of Simona's hand. They fell in love with their little girl instantly, but they had no idea how hard the road ahead would be.
When Simona and Alexandru first answered an ad to adopt a black kitten, they were excited for the new addition to their family. They named her Shuri, after a character in Marvel's Black Panther.
__
More from LittleThings:__ Parents Are Confused As To Why Their Young Son Brings A Bag Of Diapers To School Every Day
The character Shuri was the warrior princess of Wakanda. The kitten Shuri would need some of her namesake's fighting spirit to get through the troubles she faced in her first year of life.
Shuri weighed just over 1 lb. when she was adopted. Her new owners took her to her first vet's visit after one day in her new home to make sure she was in good shape.
The vet discovered that Shuri had a fever. She was given some injections to lower her fever and treat the infection causing it.
Just two weeks later, the fever came back worse than before. Shuri needed to be hospitalized, where they discovered that her eyes and nose were infected.
Shuri was diagnosed with feline viral rhinotracheitis, caused by a feline herpesvirus infection. They suspected she contracted it from another member of her litter or from her mother. She was placed on an IV.
As vets treated the infection, they discovered some other problems with Shuri. She had a fungus that was causing her to lose her fur. She had even infected her humans with the fungus in her short time with them.
It took three months, lots of trips to the vet, and a host of medications before it seemed Shuri was in the clear. The relief was sadly short-lived.
At 6 months old, Shuri started getting blood spots on her eyes and ears. Blood tests found she had immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, which meant her immune system was attacking and destroying blood platelets.
It took six difficult months to battle the illness. The treatment led to some serious side effects, which meant having to be extra careful with the fragile kitten. Due to her condition, a fall could be enough for her to bleed out.
With her immune system compromised, the fungus returned. Simona and Alexandru battled both at once and were extremely nervous for Shuri.
Due to her various illnesses, Shuri stopped growing at 6 months old. Today, she weighs just under 6 lbs. But luckily, that doesn't put her in any further danger.
At a year old, Shuri finally seems healthy. Of course, her owners still have to be cautious, as the causes of her many issues haven't been fully determined.
Despite all her health struggles, Shuri is still a playful kitten. She loves to cuddle and play with her humans when she isn't lounging by the window bird-watching. Shuri seems to have channeled some of her namesake's strength and has come out the other side of her ordeal relatively unscathed!
