Spikey's Gift from the Heart HCM Screen
Donation protected
On March 13, 2014, our dear cat, Spike, went into congestive heart failure due to a heart defect called Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy, also known as HCM. This is an enlargement and thickening of the heart, causing the heart to not pump blood effectively. We took every measure to save his life, and being a fighter, Spike rallied and came home on lucky St. Patricks Day. Unfortunately, his heart was not strong enough and could not keep up...the defect was too far advanced. We lost Spikey on March 20.
Had we known about screening and the prevalance of HCM in the Sphynx breed, perhaps Spike could have been with us a while longer. As a result, Spikes brother, Gizmo, was screened immediately, and sadly has the early stages of HCM, but is now on a plan and medication to help him live a much longer life. His sister, Jinxie, was thankfully clear. Screenings average $300-$600 - but that investment up front could potentially save a pet owner MANY times that amount in emergency fees, if a problem is caught early on. However, many pet owners cannot justify that cost when a pet isnt showing signs of being sick.
During the week I spent at the Emergency Care Center watching over Spike, I saw too many pet owners struggling to pay to keep their best friends with them, or having to delay getting medicines or tests for weeks or a month in order to afford the treatments. We are fortunate enough to have been able to pay for Spike's care ourselves.
This is NOT asking for money for our pets.
We want to do what we can to help other people who are devoted to their pets proactively care for them. We do not want Spike's death to simply be the end. We are starting a charity to subsidize screenings for high risk cat and dog breeds, like the Sphynx, Rag Doll and Maine Coon, as well as any pets owners who just want to be sure. We don't want to wait for the paperwork to clear,which can take months to be approved, to begin helping pets. We believe this is worthwhile.
These funds would be used to support a day of free cardiac screenings at the Emergency Care Center in Cincinnati OH for approximately 10-20 animals. If we are successful with this campaign, we try to provide these screening days once a month or once every other month, depending on the level of support. Ideally we would love to be able to provide cardiac emergency funds as well, but for now, prevention will be the cure!
Had we known about screening and the prevalance of HCM in the Sphynx breed, perhaps Spike could have been with us a while longer. As a result, Spikes brother, Gizmo, was screened immediately, and sadly has the early stages of HCM, but is now on a plan and medication to help him live a much longer life. His sister, Jinxie, was thankfully clear. Screenings average $300-$600 - but that investment up front could potentially save a pet owner MANY times that amount in emergency fees, if a problem is caught early on. However, many pet owners cannot justify that cost when a pet isnt showing signs of being sick.
During the week I spent at the Emergency Care Center watching over Spike, I saw too many pet owners struggling to pay to keep their best friends with them, or having to delay getting medicines or tests for weeks or a month in order to afford the treatments. We are fortunate enough to have been able to pay for Spike's care ourselves.
This is NOT asking for money for our pets.
We want to do what we can to help other people who are devoted to their pets proactively care for them. We do not want Spike's death to simply be the end. We are starting a charity to subsidize screenings for high risk cat and dog breeds, like the Sphynx, Rag Doll and Maine Coon, as well as any pets owners who just want to be sure. We don't want to wait for the paperwork to clear,which can take months to be approved, to begin helping pets. We believe this is worthwhile.
These funds would be used to support a day of free cardiac screenings at the Emergency Care Center in Cincinnati OH for approximately 10-20 animals. If we are successful with this campaign, we try to provide these screening days once a month or once every other month, depending on the level of support. Ideally we would love to be able to provide cardiac emergency funds as well, but for now, prevention will be the cure!
Organizer
Lynn Ford Kukanza
Organizer
Landen, OH
