"Precious", a 1 lb. 5 oz., 8 week-old kitten was brought into AAC-S with severe chest injuries caused by a dog bite.  She sustained a large tear that created a condition called "flail chest".  Every time she took a breath, air would escape through the perforations causing the skin to balloon.  This made breathing very difficult and is potentially fatal.

The kitten is anesthetized, clipped, and scrubbed for the dangerous, high risk surgery.

The puctures are now obvious.  Once the chest is opened, "Precious" will require the anesthetist to literally breath for her.

Dr. Nelson is breaking down the "adhesions" or attachments to the lungs formed by the wound.  The defective torn ribs are repaired, the chest closed, and evacuated so that "Precious" will be able to breath on her own.

She is shown here immediately after surgery resting comfortably in the incubator.

Two hours post surgery, "Precious" is up and eating food, oblivious to the drastic event that has just taken place.  Cat's definitely DO have nine lives.