“Kimi, in the Beach Girl Pose”
Kimi in her rare Beach Girl pose. Image edited to replace the original background.
Photograph © CatsHope™
When Kimi Became Ill
As told by Kimi
My Furmilies
I can still remember arriving at CatsHope™ in 2021. I was a three-month-old kitten, eager to play. I missed my brother, my mother, the home I once had, and the two-legs who once kept us. But life had moved on. I found a new furmily of cats and two-legs who loved me. Cougar was my best friend and sister.
“Kimi, the Golden Fireball” Kimi, a ginger cat with a short pom-pom tail, sitting against a dark background. Photograph © CatsHope™
Kimi and Mimi Saga: My Nemesis
Only one cat was difficult to get to know: Mimi. I wanted to be her friend, so I followed her everywhere, searching for her in every room. For some reason, that annoyed her. I have never understood why.
Mimi was the top cat, the one every feline knew they had to impress. I wanted to be like her. I tried to sleep with her and play with her. I peed where she peed and peeked through the windows of the carrier when she hid inside. I only wanted to see what she was doing and be close to her.
Mimi did not appreciate my attention. Sometimes I had to be kept apart from her. Once, I tore at the cage and broke a front fang. When I was about eight months old, we were all sterilised and kept apart while we recovered.
Mimi grew quieter after Tami and her babies arrived. I was always running, jumping or climbing. While she sat and watched, I could hardly stay still—and sooner or later, I would come looking for her.
Across the room, Mimi and I watch each other. She sits perfectly still, looking beautiful and unbothered. I want to be her friend, so I sneak closer for a better look. Sometimes I hide and tremble as I peek at her; when I get too close, she tries to escape. Then we take our places across the room and begin watching each other all over again.
Angel Mum calls Mimi the movie star and me her crazy fan. Sometimes, when Mimi heads for the litter tray, I jump down and race after her. She dashes into the bathroom, and Angel Mum has to follow and put us both in our places. I just want to see where she is going and what she is going to do.
“When Kimi Became Ill”
Kimi being comforted while she needed care.
Photograph © CatsHope™
When I became ill
Years after I first came to CatsHope™, in 2025, something painful happened near my tail. I had been eating less wet food for a while. Angel Mum noticed that I was dehydrated and having trouble passing stool. Then one of my anal sacs ruptured.
Angel Mum recognised what she was seeing. Tara had been through ruptures before. That did not make mine hurt any less, but it meant Angel Mum knew I needed care.
I was in a lot of pain and needed her attention. She wrapped me in a towel to keep me warm and calm. An image in this story shows me tucked against her, with only my ginger head peeping out.
Tara needed help too. Both of her anal sacs had recently ruptured, one after the other, and she was recovering with a scar still visible. Angel Mum had taken her to our regular vet and asked whether repeated ruptures meant the sacs should be removed. The vet referred her to a veterinary surgical clinic, and Angel Mum brought me along because my rupture had just happened.
The specialist advised against removing Tara’s anal sacs. For our ruptured areas, Tara and I were given antibiotics, cream and fluid for cleaning the wounds. Angel Mum went home with two cats who needed careful attention.
I was the cat who usually climbed grilles, leapt across the sanctuary and grumbled when she picked me up. Now I needed to be held gently. Angel Mum wrapped me close and cared for me while I was hurting.
Recovery
With oral antibiotics, topical creams and special washes, and more wet food, I got better. Gradually, the crater grew smaller and dried. The scar healed, and my fur grew back. As the pain eased, I returned to running and jumping, racing up surfaces in rapid climbs, making my Spiderman moves and sliding down walls and windows like a fireman. My short tail came along for every sprint and leap, its little pom-pom bobbing behind me and making Angel Mum laugh.
Before long, I was following Mimi everywhere again. I still wanted to be near her; she still grew nervous when I trailed her. I was back to being myself.
“Kimi’s Ruptured Anal Sac”
Kimi’s ruptured anal sac, photographed in November 2025. Graphic medical image.
Photograph © CatsHope™
What cat carers should know
Cats have two anal sacs beside the anus. They normally release fluid during bowel movements. If a sac does not empty properly, it can become impacted or infected; an abscess may form and rupture through the skin. Possible signs include excessive licking, scooting, swelling, pain when passing stool, or discharge beside the anus. A cat with these signs needs veterinary assessment. Treatment depends on the examination and the cat’s condition. Merck Veterinary Manual; VCA Animal Hospitals.
Article by Tiffany Argent, CatsHope™ Ambassador.
