Mischief Meets Medicine: Trunks’ Incredible Second (and Third) Chance

Trunks is a three‑year‑old indoor cat with a gentle personality and a mischievous streak to match his brother, Goten. The two troublemakers seem to compete over who can surprise their family the most. As a kitten, Trunks got caught in a recliner and nearly suffocated.  Last year, Goten needed surgery at Mission after swallowing a Nerf bullet. This time, it was Trunks who lived up to his reputation when a needle became lodged deep in the tissues of his neck.

“Our cats are our family,” said Allison, Trunk’s and Goten’s mom. “They remind us every day that it’s a good day — to bask in the sun, ambush your brother, or take a nap like a sea lion.”

Both cats were adopted and named after anime characters who “fuse together to become even stronger.” Over the years, their adventures have led to more than $10,000 in emergency care, but their family’s love and commitment has never wavered. Though their budget certainly has.

Most recently, Trunks suddenly became ill just before Thanksgiving. After an initial vet visit, he was a medical mystery. At first, he seemed to improve — until a fever and a large swelling appeared on the right side of his neck. The swelling was treated as an abscess, but days later, a new mass appeared on the opposite side. His family knew something else was going on. 

More tests followed: a fine needle aspiration, bloodwork, and X‑rays. That’s when the truth finally emerged — a needle was present deep in Trunks’ neck. It’s likely that the curious Trunks got into the sewing supplies and ingested a sewing needle. With time, the needle migrated, wreaking havoc as it moved, and became lodged adjacent to the cervical spinal bones in the neck.

While surgery was attempted with Trunks’ veterinarian, the location of the needle was found to be too challenging. His family was told they would need a surgical specialist. “Mission has treated our pets before, and we trusted Mission,” said Allison.

Mission’s Advanced Surgery Practice team, comprised of a board-certified veterinary surgeon and experienced technicians, performed a delicate cervical exploration and successfully removed the needle and infected tissue.

Today, Trunks is healing well at home. He’s eating, drinking, and back to his usual routines — even becoming attached to his little “supersuit”, the protective garment meant to keep him from scratching his incision.

Stories like Trunks’ remind us why Mission exists: to make sure pets and the people who love them never have to face moments like this alone.