We are asking anyone who is financially able to assist us with Iris' Inflammatory Ear Polyp diagnosis.

Usually, we would be able to find the funds to cover an unexpected expense such as this one. However, this has occurred at a time that we have already been dealing with unexpected medical expenses. Both my husband Michael and I have been to the ER in the last month for separate issues. Every little bit contributed to this fund will help us help our girl.

What's going on?:

Our 5-year-old FIV+ cat Iris started experiencing seasonal allergy and ear infection symptoms about a month and a half ago. We first took her to the vet on 5/14; they flushed her ear and gave us medications to help treat things at home. She showed marked improvement for a few weeks. Things weren't completely resolved, though. She slowly became more lethargic, and we soon realized her ear was still bothersome and that the infection had spread to the other ear. A follow-up appointment to the vet was scheduled.

Before we could get to that appointment, things took a fast turn this past Saturday (6/21) when we saw that she was unable to walk to her food bowl. Michael and I rushed her to the animal hospital that night where they prescribed antibiotics and referred us to a dermatology specialist.

After consulting with the specialist, we discovered that Iris has something called an Inflammatory Ear Polyp in her right ear. This is likely the culprit for her infection. These growths can be cancerous but are typically benign. We were given two options for treatment: Traction Avulsion (lower cost procedure but higher recurrence rate) or Ventral Bulla Osteotomy (more complex surgery). Given our current resources, we opted for the simpler procedure for now. Since there is about a 50% chance for recurrence with that procedure, we are making plans to put funds aside for the possibility that she will need the more invasive surgery in the future.

Updates:

6/23 - We are providing supportive care with steroids, antibiotics, anti-nausea medication, and assisted feedings in anticipation for her procedure. She has a "drunken sailor" walk where she stumbles to her right side and has trouble using her facial muscles to blink with her right eye, bathe, and sometimes eat. She is spending most of her time sleeping. Prognosis is good, but seeing her in this condition has been scary.

6/25 - Iris’ Traction Avulsion procedure was today. Unfortunately, not all of her polyp was able to be extracted since it was so deep in the ear canal. It came apart in pieces when typically they are able to be extracted all at once, which, we were warned, may be indicative of something more malignant. They sent a sample off to the lab to test, and we will plan the next steps depending on the results.

Since she has been unable to blink with her right eye, it has also formed an ulcer even though we have been keeping it treated and lubricated. Her neurological/balance problems have not resolved. We are continuing with supportive care until we hear anything else, and are hoping for healing.

How much has/will this cost?:

Initial Vet Consult 5/14: $398.31

Emergency Visit 6/21: $314.42

Specialist Consult 6/23: $284.27

Traction Avulsion Procecure 6/25: $711.57

Total: $1,708.57

Ventral Bulla Osteotomy Estimate: $4k-5k

Cost of Imaging Estimate: $3k-4k