A Very Bloated Kitten is Receiveing Care at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

A kitten named Zoe, known online now as "Puff Kitty," arrived at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter about a week ago looking, as you might put it, like a balloon. And that's almost exactly how the medical team felt taking care of her went.

Dr. Philip Caldwell, the shelter's medical director, says Zoe was suffering from a rare condition involving what appears to be a damaged windpipe, causing air to escape into the tissues just beneath her skin. The result was a visibly bloated appearance that, while alarming to look at, was treatable.

To relieve the pressure, Caldwell shaved areas on her back and neck, inserted a needle, and withdrew the trapped air. "It was simply like deflating a balloon," he said. Zoe looks markedly different now.

The veterinary team is keeping a close watch on her recovery. Caldwell says it could be about three months before Zoe is ready for adoption, as the shelter wants to make sure she's fully healed before moving forward with spaying her.

Her story has drawn attention on social media, and Caldwell says she's a good reminder of what shelter medicine looks like day to day. "Zoe is just one example of many animals we see here at the shelter," he said. "As anyone who has gone to a veterinarian knows, veterinary care is very, very expensive."

For those who want to help animals like Zoe, the Palm Springs Animal Shelter's Love Fund covers urgent medical treatment for shelter animals in critical condition, particularly those brought in by Animal Control or surrendered during emergencies. Donations can be made at secure.qgiv.com/for/lovefund.