Teaspoon

### Relatives

Nibbles - Mother, Ramekin - Sister, Spatula - Sister, Goblet - Sister, Spork - Sister

### Weight

7.03 lbs

Teaspoon is the newest member of the Kitten Academy Faculty! He is the only member of the faculty born at Kitten Academy, on February 11th 2023, to momcat Nibbles. Teaspoon was the smallest in his family, and the only boy. His big eyes and small body gave him a bit of an "alien" look as he started to grow, and because of his smallness, got some supplemental feedings from Mr A.

As Teaspoon continued to grow, it was also found that he has various congenital health issues that are being addressed. At a little over a month old, he started to have some constipation issues, and went to their usual vet clinic Aristokatz for an extra check-up and an enema. During this exam the enema was successful, however he was also diagnosed with a larger then normal heart murmur. Mr A and DJ made an appointment for Teaspoon to see a cardiologist, for a more thorough exam of his heart, where it was found the murmur was called by a thicker then normal heart valve, (pulmonic stenosis). Teaspoon was still growing, so the cardiologist asked to see him in a couple months to see if Teaspoon would grow out of it.

In the meantime, Teaspoon still struggled with occasional constipation, and got another enema at Aristokatz, where Mr A learned the procedure to perform them at home as well when Teaspoon needed. Teaspoon was also given a prescription laxative, and started a chicken-only diet. Because of all the extra attention needed for Teaspoon, Mr A and DJ spent a lot of extra time with him in the Spa, and already started to bond with him more then usual for their foster kittens, especially with DJ. Teaspoon had beautiful blue eyes as a kitten, which stayed blue longer then the rest of his siblings. In an off-handed joke, Mr A told DJ they could keep Teaspoon if his eyes stayed blue! Teaspoon's eyes did stay blue longer then usual, however, eventually they did change to his adult eye color.

At the end of May, Teaspoon went for a re-check with the cardiologist, where it was determined that his thicker heart valve (pulmonic stenosis) was considered severe, and would require surgery (a balloon valvuloplasty) to correct. However, his surgery would not be able to take place until Teaspoon had grown bigger, so the cardiologist suggested another re-check in early October. Until then, Teaspoon would be given beta blocker medication, which would help decrease the stress on his heart.

In July, Teaspoon's siblings had their graduation spay surgeries, however when examining Teaspoon at Aristokatz, they found his testicles had not descended like normal for a kitten his age (Cryptorchidism). This is not entirely uncommon in kittens, however it makes the neuter surgery more complicated. So because of that in combination with his heart condition, it was determined that Teaspoon's neuter surgery would be performed at the animal hospital where his cardiologist was located. After consulting with his cardiologist and another surgeon at the same location, They decided Teaspoon's neuter should be postponed until after his heart valve procedure. It was not a problem to postpone, because Teaspoon's Cryptorchidism made him unable to reproduce.

Teaspoon's siblings and mother were adopted soon after their graduation, and so Teaspoon began to spend more time with the Faculty, and also the younger foster kittens of the April Meowers, and eventually Till's Petty Cash. He gets along with every cat and kitten he ever met, and DJ once even commented she didn't think Teaspoon even knew how to hiss, because he hardly ever does! Teaspoon is a little nervous around people he hadn't met before, however can be convinced to meet new people in a calm environment, and with treats. He continued his chicken-only diet, which over time, greatly improved his poop issues! His meals is most often served in the spa bedroom closet, which has become known as "the chicken closet". While he is ment to stay on his diet of chicken, Teaspoon loves food of all kind, especially fish, and occasionally gets other food as treats.

After some scheduling issues, Teaspoon again went to visit the cardiologist in early November, to determine if he was ready for his heart surgery. However, the cardiologist decided Teaspoon's heart valve was still too narrow to perform the procedure at that time, and the next step would be to re-assess his heart when he had grown even more, at about 12 months old. So Teaspoon continues his beta blocker treatment, and his next appointment is scheduled for February 27th. This also means that his neuter surgery is also again postponed until sometime after his heart valve procedure, hopefully in March.

It was after that appointment that Mr A and DJ decided to keep Teaspoon as faculty. DJ had wanted to keep Teaspoon for a few months before that, however Mr A took a little time to agree. A plan was formed, to announce the news around Christmas. First it was gradually revealed to members of the Kitten Academy Discord, then officially announced to all of the Discord community at the end of the 2023 KA Supurrlative awards show. At the Supurrlatives, Teaspoon also won the majority of awards, including "Most Purrsonality", "Class Clown", "Most Likely to Be Where They Shouldn't", "Most Improved", and "Prettiest Eyes". The next morning, Mr A announced the news himself on the 24/7 KA livestream, before mailbag that morning. On Christmas Day 2023, Teaspoon was officially added to the list of Faculty on the KA website, and given the title of "Lecturer in Feline Health and Nutrition Sciences", since he cannot be a professor before he officially graduates!