Meet Eno — our stunning, spirited, and deeply loved 9 year old Bengal cat who has brought us his wild energy, enormous personality, and unconditional love for his entire life.

Then abruptly, his and our world turned upside down.

We first noticed something was wrong when Eno began having difficulty sitting normally. He kept arching his back and keeping his rear legs elevated. We knew immediately something was seriously wrong and rushed him to our ER veterinarian for emergency examination, various tests, and an initial treatment plan.

Despite medications for nerve pain, anti-inflammatory treatment, and muscle relaxants, Eno’s condition worsened over the next few days. He could not find a comfortable position to sleep. He loudly cried out in pain when he moved. He stopped grooming himself. We monitored him around the clock.

Then things began deteriorating rapidly.

Eno developed a limp in his hind legs. Then progressive weakness. Then he began walking on his hocks — the veterinary term for when a cat’s ankles drop to the ground because the nerves controlling his hind limb muscles were failing. We recognized this as a neurological emergency and rushed him back to the ER veterinary hospital immediately.

The race against paralysis had begun.

The emergency veterinary team assessed Eno immediately and referred us urgently to a veterinary neurologist. The neurologist performed an emergency MRI and the diagnosis was devastating — Eno had a severe L6-7 intervertebral disc herniation with significant spinal cord compression that was causing his rapid neurological deterioration. Without emergency spinal decompression surgery Eno faced permanent paralysis of his hind legs.

We made the decision without hesitation. The surgery was a success.

Our veterinary neurosurgeon extracted the pieces of herniated disc material that was compressing his spinal cord and nerve roots. Eno’s spinal cord was successfully decompressed, saving him from permanent paralysis.

Eno is currently hospitalized and recovering under the around the clock care of the veterinary neurology team. He is expected to be hospitalized for 3-5 days before coming home to begin his road to recovery. Nerve regeneration after spinal cord compression is a slow process that takes weeks to months. Eno will likely need dedicated physical therapy to help him relearn to walk and regain full function in his hind legs.

We saved Eno from paralysis — but the financial costs of saving Eno’s life have been significant and largely unexpected:

• Emergency veterinary visits: $2,198.20

(VEG Emergency Animal Hospital -

2707 Biscayne Blvd, Miami FL 33137)

• Veterinary neurologist costs including emergency exam, MRI, spinal surgery, and post surgical hospitalization: quoted estimate of $11,698.00

(Southeast Veterinary Neurology -

9300 SW 40th Street, Miami FL 33165)

• Follow up care / potential physical therapy and rehabilitation: estimated $1,000 - $3,000

• Total estimated costs: $15,000 - $17,000

• For full cost transparency, click below link to view actual invoices: https://canva.link/w7w3tb59zvhbsdm

We made the decision to save Eno without hesitation because he is family. Every donation no matter how small brings us closer to covering Eno’s medical costs and giving him the rehabilitation he needs for the best possible recovery.

Eno’s road to recovery is just beginning.

Eno is a fighter. He survived a devastating spinal injury, emergency surgery, and the most frightening week of his life with the resilience and spirit he has always shown. Now he needs time, dedicated rehabilitation, and support to walk again.

We will be sharing updates of Eno’s recovery journey right here on his road back to the wild spirited Bengal cat he has always been.

If Eno has touched your heart, please consider donating whatever you are able. Every single dollar goes directly toward Eno’s medical costs and rehabilitation. If you are unable to donate financially, sharing Eno’s story costs nothing and means everything — every share reaches potential donors who might never have found us otherwise.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading Eno’s story and for caring about his recovery. Eno — we are bringing you home and we are not giving up on you.

With profound gratitude,

Andrew and Patricia