Copper's Emergency Surgery and Treatment

Just over a year and a half ago, my partner and I had our lives touched by a rascal that we never anticipated at the time would become part of our family. At the time he was known only as 'The Ginger Menace' for how he would show up in my partner's backyard to the utter dismay of their two cats. There he would often stop, lick himself and move on. For a long time, we thought he belonged to someone - that is, until he started showing up late at night in the middle of the winter in -20 degree weather. That's when we decided to create a battle plan and scoop him if he showed up again. This ended up being fairly easy, as the next time he appeared, the back door was opened with catnip in hand, and he practically walked into our arms. That night he stayed in the bathroom, often loafing on the heat supply grate in the corner to warm himself up, and the next morning we took him to a rescue where we learned he wasn't neutered or microchipped and was most likely a stray.

It was on the ride to the rescue that I named him Copper (although we still lovingly call him The Ginger Menace frequently). He got all his shots/neutered, and, a week later, I took him home as a foster which became adoption. Those of you who know me well might have noticed that I'm slightly less grumpy these days. You can thank Copper for that!

Fast forward to two weeks ago, we encountered our first big scare when Copper started showing signs of strained urination, producing very little urine, urinating outside the litterbox, and experiencing fatigue and pain from trying; the tell-tale signs of ureathral blockage in cats. We rushed him to an emergency clinic where they gave him a catheter flush and sent him home early the next morning. He became reblocked on Monday and we took him back where he was given another catheterization , this time for 36 hours in an attempt to flush him more thoroughly. He seemed to be improving after returning home but then his urine production tapered off again. We've been to Emergency five times in the past 2 weeks and Copper is currently undergoing a second 36 hour catheterization , his third overall since this all began. We're exhausted and scared of losing him. He's brought us so much joy. Even with everything going on, every time he comes home he's quick to forgive, and just wants cuddles and to have his big chubby cheeks skritched.

At this point the doctors are recommending a surgery called perineal urethrostomy ; a procedure in which the narrow endpoint of his urethra is removed to allow any future debris to pass without blocking him up. Every blockage is a life threatening emergency for cats, and after numerous attempts at treating Copper with catheters and medication, diet, and anxiety releif, we have arrived at a point where the surgical risk is one we're willing to take to better his quality of life in the long-term.

The problem is that we've exhausted Copper's pet insurance in the past two weeks of treatment - and so we're humbly asking for support to keep our beloved Menace chirping at his window birds and smacking his toys under the couch for a good loooooong time.

Any and all donations would be deeply, deeply appreciated by all three of us and the quote for Copper's upcoming surgery will be posted once we have it!

Bestest,

Copper, Cam, and Rena <3