Ashley Alleman, 31, had to rush her five-year-old cat, Kuzco, to a veterinary hospital when he suddenly developed a very high fever. The feline spent two nights in intensive care before vets diagnosed a Bartonella infection, better known as cat scratch disease, requiring immediate treatment.
Relieved but shaken by the hospitalisation, the young woman discovered the cost of the care: nearly $4,000. She thought the ordeal was behind her... until she received a follow-up message the next day from the practice's pharmacist, which completely changed the mood.
An unexpected text that turns everything around
The pharmacy supervisor, tasked with updating her on Kuzco's prescription, sent her a message whose wording playfully referenced a famous line from the animated film The Emperor's New Groove, after which her cat is named. Without quoting the text word for word, the nod referred to an iconic scene from the film, where a character dramatically lists ingredients "specially chosen for Kuzco".
The reference didn't escape Ashley, who immediately burst out laughing. After days of stress, this touch of humour came as a welcome breath of fresh air. She shared the message with her loved ones, who were delighted to see her finally smiling after her cat's hospitalisation.
The illness Kuzco suffered from, transmitted mainly by fleas, can cause high fevers in infected cats. Thanks to the treatment started quickly, the feline was well on the road to recovery by the time the hospital sent her the message. Encouraged by her friends, Ashley eventually posted the exchange on TikTok. The video went viral, surpassing three million views, proof that this little touch of humour brought smiles far beyond her close circle.
