Samantha Sampson’s affection for a little orange kitten named Hash Brown blossomed from the moment she took him in along with his brother, Tater Tot. Despite their shared upbringing, Tater Tot quickly outpaced Hash Brown, who faced many struggles early on.
A visit to the veterinarian revealed a critical heart condition that needed attention. Sampson was referred to Dr. Randolph Winter at Auburn University’s Veterinary Medicine for specialized care.
Winter was set to perform an intricate surgery to address Hash Brown’s heart issues.
Devoted pet owner
Sampson and her husband had also been caring for a stray cat in their area, but this led them down an unexpected path filled with medical challenges.
“Hash Brown’s mom was a feral cat. I spent months trying to catch her, and when I finally did, I found out she was pregnant,” Sampson shared. “Only Hash Brown and Tater Tot survived.”
At six weeks old, Sampson took the kittens to Dr. Cody Bryan at East Side Animal Hospital. During the check-up, he detected heart murmurs and noted that Hash Brown’s lungs were filled with fluid, recommending a follow-up with Winter for more specialized care.
Hash Brown was diagnosed with superior suprathyroid spinal stenosis, a condition causing a tissue ridge above the mitral valve that disrupted proper blood flow.
“Hash Brown understood he couldn’t keep pace with Tater Tot, but he remained a brave little guy. I simply had to help him,” Sampson explained.
Working as a team
Last fall, when Winter took on Hash Brown, the kitten was four months old, reliant on medication just to breathe comfortably. Regular kitten antics were out of reach for him. Winter noted that he hadn’t encountered a case as severe and young as Hash Brown’s before.
Usually, Winter prefers minimally invasive surgeries, but in this instance, he needed assistance from Dr. Michael Tilson to reach the heart for the procedure.
“This required a collaborative surgical approach,” he remarked. “While we’ve worked together on many cases, Hash Brown is particularly unique.”
Confidence in care
Sampson appreciated Winter’s clear communication throughout the process.
“Dr. Winter explained everything thoroughly. His confidence put me at ease,” Sampson said. “He told me, ‘I know I can handle this, and I’ll fight for Hash Brown’s recovery.'”
Deep down, Sampson believed Hash Brown would give it his all.
She felt reassured, knowing that the cardiac surgery team had detailed plans for a successful outcome. She acknowledged that hybrid procedures are rare, but felt optimistic due to the collaboration between their specialties.
“It’s part of what we do at Auburn,” he noted. “Our surgical teams partner and collaborate effectively.”
Pioneering surgery
The surgery involved valvuloplasty with a hybrid balloon, where Winter inflated the balloon in the obstructed area of Hash Brown’s heart to create a larger opening. After deflation, blood could flow more freely.
While Sampson had initial concerns about the operation, Winter’s bedside manner helped ease her anxiety.
“He broke down the procedure in simple terms,” she recounted. “There was even a whiteboard in the exam room where he drew diagrams, which helped clarify what would happen. The level of care from the Auburn team was extraordinary from the surgeons to the support staff.”
Making up for lost time
Post-surgery, it seemed as though Hash Brown instinctively knew he was on the mend.
“As soon as he recovered, he made up for lost time,” Sampson said. “He’s such a fighter, full of life.”
After a follow-up appointment in March, it was confirmed that Hash Brown had a positive prognosis.
“He runs and plays like any healthy cat should, climbs everything, and is full of energy,” Winter remarked.
Doctors are hopeful that the opening in Hash Brown’s heart will remain unobstructed for the duration of his life.
Sampson expresses immense gratitude to Auburn and feels hopeful.
“The Auburn team really gave us hope, and honestly, I believe not many places could have done what they achieved for us,” she said.
courtesy Auburn University
