10/20/2026
A very special baby will officially become a part of TCAL on Thursday and we could REALLY use your help to make sure that we’re ready for her 🙏
https://givebutter.com/a-little-nutmeg-and-a-lot-of-heart-xmd6ud
This is Nutmeg. She’s just 5 months old, full of life, and living with a heart defect that makes her future uncertain. But if this sweet girl has taught us anything, it’s that she isn’t ready to give up. ❤️
Nutmeg came into foster care at just 3 weeks old with her mama and littermates. She was growing up just like any other kitten until July, when she went in for her spay appointment. That’s when a grade 4 heart murmur was discovered, prompting a referral to a veterinary cardiologist.
The diagnosis? A large ventricular septal defect (VSD) and pulmonic valve stenosis. These are significant congenital heart abnormalities that require specialized care, close monitoring, and a treatment plan tailored to her needs.
When Nutmeg’s future became uncertain, as her original rescue decided not to pursue treatment, her foster family didn’t want to give up on her. They stepped up to give her a safe place to land while asking TCAL for help.
When we heard Nutmeg’s story it reminded us of our Aggie. Also a fospice cat with a congenital heart defect, Aggie continues to defy the odds by blowing past her original life expectancy of one year and continuing to thrive to this day- over 5 years later. We wondered if the same thing could be true for Nutmeg.
Since July, Nutmeg has continued to grow, play, befriend her foster family’s dogs and cats, and even make friends with other foster animals. She is still doing all the wonderful things kittens should do. Her diagnosis hasn’t stopped her from enjoying the world around her, and despite the odds, she continues to thrive.
Now, she needs another echocardiogram now to reassess her heart condition and help guide her care. Each echocardiogram costs $800. She will need ongoing veterinary cardiology appointments, at least annual echocardiograms, and a treatment plan that is expected to include 2–3 medications.
We can’t do this without you. Can you help us get Nutmeg the specialized care she deserves? She’s counting on us ❤️