A recent donation of a machine called the Brooder 90 incubator system is already making a big difference to a Saskatoon cat rescue. “The Brooder 90 is an incubator that’s also equipped with an oxygen concentrator and a nebulizer so that we can support neonatal kittens, as well as some more intensive, supportive care required for cats that come in,” said Ashlyn Weninger president of SOS Prairie Rescue said. Weninger shared that the rescue was contacted by two pet parents named Angeline and John, who had previously adopted a cat from SOS Prairie. The two wanted to gift the volunteer-run organization with the machine. “Oftentimes we don’t have, such a high-end pieces of equipment. We make do with other tools that are less expensive,” Weninger said. “So much of the time [and] resources are dedicated to going right to the animal care versus having some of these expensive tools. So it just really changes outcomes and supports us.” The dual uses of the Brooder 90 were recently highlighted after a litter of kittens were rescued from an apartment fire in Saskatoon on Thursday. Many of the kittens suffered from issues related to smoke inhalation exposure. “For cats that have had smoke inhalation exposure, it’s really important that they get oxygen therapy for at least a first initial period following the exposure. And then as long as they need to help, support their respiratory system,” said Dr. Jaymee Gencher, a veterinarian who also volunteers with SOS Prairie Rescue. Gencher added that while many of the cats with serious medical issues go directly to a veterinarian’s office, this machine allows for the animals to go to a foster home earlier, and lightens the load for veterinarians. “This is an incubator which has the ability to also be used as an oxygen tank and so [it] allows for oxygen dependent small animals [like] kittens to be discharged from hospital when they are still in need of oxygen support rather than having to continue to stay in the ICU,” Gencher said. She believes the kittens wouldn’t have been discharged as early as they had if not for their access to the incubator outside the hospital. Gencher added that potential life-threatening scenarios might have also been in store for the kittens without the machine. While the oxygen feature of the machine has already made a big difference, those at SOS Prairie believe the incubator function will see the most use. She explained that in a rescue setting, the main use of the machine is to provide warmth. “Teeny tiny neonate kittens are not able to maintain their own warmth, and they rely on their mother for that. But when they’re not with their mom, they don’t have the ability to maintain their own body heat,” she said. “So this is really instrumental in making sure that neonate kittens are kept warmth so they can survive.” Weninger echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the rescue sees a lot of extremely young kittens that often come along with health challenges. “They’re so susceptible to those drops and temperature changes in their environment. Especially when they’re sick,” Weninger said. “We often see them coming in ... not always in the best of shape. So just having those basic, environmental controlled supports available is just so great.” The rescue’s president emphasized the organization’s entirely volunteer-run status and reliance on donations. “We’re all volunteers and we do this in between our full-time jobs and our own pets and responsibility ... We’re very fortunate to have this, piece of equipment in our arsenal,” Weninger said. “It’s definitely a gift that we were going to cherish, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving because it will support cats for years to come ... It’s a really a blessing.”
