Help for Iggy
Donation protected
UPDATE: On November 28th, I came home from work to find Iggy breathing heavier than normal but for the most part acting like his normal self. So I packed him up and we headed to Iggys regular vet, who thankfully was on that night. After some oxygen support and an examination, we decided the only way to know what’s wrong is with an X-ray. His X-ray showed fluid in this chest that was making it difficult for Iggy to breath.
Iggy was stable enough for me to rush him to Red Bank Vet hospital to have his chest drained of the fluid, around 120ml we’re drained from my 5 pound cat. He’d have to wait until morning to see a cardiologist to know what was causing the fluid to collect.
After an echocardiogram in the morning with the wonderful Dr Katie Pesce, she diagnosed Iggy with a rare congenital heart defect called Cor Triatriatum Sinister, sounds lovely right? Basically Iggy left atrium is divided into two compartments by a membrane, that said membrane obstructs the flow of blood, causing fluid to back up into his lungs. He was also diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension which is condition of increased blood pressure within the arteries of the lungs, also making it hard for him to breath. He was put on lasix, a diuretic, used to rid your pet's body of excess water and sodium through the urine, keeping the fluid from collecting in his lungs. He was also placed on sildenafil and enalapril to help with the hypertension.
Over the next 3 weeks Iggy was not himself and it pained me to see my 8 month old kitten so weak and dull. We were back to red Bank and Northstar vet to have fluid drained after noticing increased respitory rates and lethargy once a week. Each time getting more and more fluid off his lungs, until this last one that was close to 300mL of fluid after being drained 200mL two days prior.
Clearly his lasix wasnt helping, so we changed to a stronger diuretic, but with this one routine checks of his kidney valves was needed as it could have damaging effects on this kitten kidneys. That was started on 12/22 and for 3 weeks not once did have to go for a chest tap, he was as playful and bright as ever, not having to worry and stress about him for the first time in 2 months felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.
That brings us to 1/11/19, I noticed Iggy acting sluggish and not wanting to eat, his respitory effort was getting increasing more difficult. His cardiologist was off for the night, so I decided to take him to the critalists at NorthStar Vets. By this point on the drive there Iggy was looking worse, and I honestly thought I was going to lose him right there, 5 minutes from the hospital. When we finally arrived he seemed to perk up, okay I thought maybe it was in my head that he looked worse. They took him right back, took a look with ultrasound and to everyone’s surprise he barely had any fluid on his lungs. What’s causing him to be in such distress then?? They drained him, only getting 50mL out and ran bloodwork to check his organ valves, after that we were ready to leave. While waiting to pay my bill, I noticed Iggy was breathing heavier then he had been this entire time, to the point where we was open mouth breathing, which over these past two months he’d done once. They whisked him back, did an X-ray to make sure there was no trauma from doing the fluid tap, there wasn’t, so the only explaination was that he was in heart failure.
I got to say goodnight to Iggy on Friday while he sat in the O2 cage completely dull, I’m not even sure he was aware I was there. I prepared myself that this was the last memory I’ll get with my 9 month old kitten, that is could be goodbye. Today as I write this it’s now the 13th, and I’m waiting to hear from Northstar to see how Iggy is recovering, and if he can come out of oxygen and come home. That was the plan as of yesterday when we visited him, he was brighter and happy to see us, the doctor on Iggys case that day was very hopeful he’d be going home tomorrow, 1/13/19.
For those of you who know Iggys story or met him, you know what a fighter he is. All I want to be able to do is be able to help him fight, its all I should be able to do as his mom. He’s only 9 months old and although his condition isn’t going to allow him to have a normal full life, I want and need to be able to give him the chance to live for as long as he can. I fear with these growing expenses I won’t be able to do that, I’ll be forced to end his suffering if I can’t afford to hospitalize him or even tap his fluid when he’s in respitory distress again.
We all want what’s best for our pets and you can never prepare yourself for the worst, if you can donate any amount or help spread the word, it would be the world to Iggy and I so I can keep this little guy going.❤️ Thank you for all the support❤️
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6/18 Previous medical history:
(Radiograph of one of Igor’s effected bones)
Igor was found orphaned in the streets and taken to Ocean County Vet Hospital by a good samaritan along with his brothers at just 10 days old. That is when I fell in love with the little crew and decided to take them home and foster them until they were old enough to be adopted. At around 4 weeks of age, I noticed Iggy's joints seemed swollen and he was not nearly as playful and full of life as his brothers. An immediate visit to the vet and we discovered that he had been running a fever of 104. Multiple weeks of many different antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and his joint stiffness and fever continued to persist. It was obvious then that more tests needed to be run. A full blood chemistry, a CBC with a pathology review and pulling fluid from his affected joints to do a cytology all pointed towards SEPTIC ARTHRITIS. His condition worsened so I sought a second opinion with an orthopedic surgeon at North Star Veterinary Hospital. Radiographs of his elbow and hind limbs confirmed the diagnosis of SEPTIC ARTHRITIS. The damage to his joints so far is irreversible, but with physical therapy, he has a great chance of increased mobility. His doctors have placed him on a 6-week course of 2 different antibiotics and a joint supplement in hopes of stopping any progression of his infection, as well as help with any discomfort he may be having
Both of Iggy's brothers have now gone to a wonderful home (together!) and Iggy is left with his uphill battle for a normal life. We are confident with water therapy ($500 for the initial sessions) he will show improvement over time and can hopefully one day lead a normal cat life as he deserves. Unfortunately, all of this does not come without a cost. Iggy's medical bills have already totaled over $2000 with another $1000 easily on the horizon. I have started an Instagram page for little Iggy to show what a great little boy he is and how resilient and loving he is despite all disadvantages. I want to showcase his fighting spirit as well as show his progress through this whole process. Any amount will help with Iggy's evergrowing medical expenses, he’s an amazing little guy and we all just want to the very best for him! Thank you to all who help him!❤️
Iggy was stable enough for me to rush him to Red Bank Vet hospital to have his chest drained of the fluid, around 120ml we’re drained from my 5 pound cat. He’d have to wait until morning to see a cardiologist to know what was causing the fluid to collect. After an echocardiogram in the morning with the wonderful Dr Katie Pesce, she diagnosed Iggy with a rare congenital heart defect called Cor Triatriatum Sinister, sounds lovely right? Basically Iggy left atrium is divided into two compartments by a membrane, that said membrane obstructs the flow of blood, causing fluid to back up into his lungs. He was also diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension which is condition of increased blood pressure within the arteries of the lungs, also making it hard for him to breath. He was put on lasix, a diuretic, used to rid your pet's body of excess water and sodium through the urine, keeping the fluid from collecting in his lungs. He was also placed on sildenafil and enalapril to help with the hypertension.
Over the next 3 weeks Iggy was not himself and it pained me to see my 8 month old kitten so weak and dull. We were back to red Bank and Northstar vet to have fluid drained after noticing increased respitory rates and lethargy once a week. Each time getting more and more fluid off his lungs, until this last one that was close to 300mL of fluid after being drained 200mL two days prior.
Clearly his lasix wasnt helping, so we changed to a stronger diuretic, but with this one routine checks of his kidney valves was needed as it could have damaging effects on this kitten kidneys. That was started on 12/22 and for 3 weeks not once did have to go for a chest tap, he was as playful and bright as ever, not having to worry and stress about him for the first time in 2 months felt like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.
That brings us to 1/11/19, I noticed Iggy acting sluggish and not wanting to eat, his respitory effort was getting increasing more difficult. His cardiologist was off for the night, so I decided to take him to the critalists at NorthStar Vets. By this point on the drive there Iggy was looking worse, and I honestly thought I was going to lose him right there, 5 minutes from the hospital. When we finally arrived he seemed to perk up, okay I thought maybe it was in my head that he looked worse. They took him right back, took a look with ultrasound and to everyone’s surprise he barely had any fluid on his lungs. What’s causing him to be in such distress then?? They drained him, only getting 50mL out and ran bloodwork to check his organ valves, after that we were ready to leave. While waiting to pay my bill, I noticed Iggy was breathing heavier then he had been this entire time, to the point where we was open mouth breathing, which over these past two months he’d done once. They whisked him back, did an X-ray to make sure there was no trauma from doing the fluid tap, there wasn’t, so the only explaination was that he was in heart failure.
I got to say goodnight to Iggy on Friday while he sat in the O2 cage completely dull, I’m not even sure he was aware I was there. I prepared myself that this was the last memory I’ll get with my 9 month old kitten, that is could be goodbye. Today as I write this it’s now the 13th, and I’m waiting to hear from Northstar to see how Iggy is recovering, and if he can come out of oxygen and come home. That was the plan as of yesterday when we visited him, he was brighter and happy to see us, the doctor on Iggys case that day was very hopeful he’d be going home tomorrow, 1/13/19.
For those of you who know Iggys story or met him, you know what a fighter he is. All I want to be able to do is be able to help him fight, its all I should be able to do as his mom. He’s only 9 months old and although his condition isn’t going to allow him to have a normal full life, I want and need to be able to give him the chance to live for as long as he can. I fear with these growing expenses I won’t be able to do that, I’ll be forced to end his suffering if I can’t afford to hospitalize him or even tap his fluid when he’s in respitory distress again.
We all want what’s best for our pets and you can never prepare yourself for the worst, if you can donate any amount or help spread the word, it would be the world to Iggy and I so I can keep this little guy going.❤️ Thank you for all the support❤️
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
6/18 Previous medical history:
(Radiograph of one of Igor’s effected bones)Igor was found orphaned in the streets and taken to Ocean County Vet Hospital by a good samaritan along with his brothers at just 10 days old. That is when I fell in love with the little crew and decided to take them home and foster them until they were old enough to be adopted. At around 4 weeks of age, I noticed Iggy's joints seemed swollen and he was not nearly as playful and full of life as his brothers. An immediate visit to the vet and we discovered that he had been running a fever of 104. Multiple weeks of many different antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and his joint stiffness and fever continued to persist. It was obvious then that more tests needed to be run. A full blood chemistry, a CBC with a pathology review and pulling fluid from his affected joints to do a cytology all pointed towards SEPTIC ARTHRITIS. His condition worsened so I sought a second opinion with an orthopedic surgeon at North Star Veterinary Hospital. Radiographs of his elbow and hind limbs confirmed the diagnosis of SEPTIC ARTHRITIS. The damage to his joints so far is irreversible, but with physical therapy, he has a great chance of increased mobility. His doctors have placed him on a 6-week course of 2 different antibiotics and a joint supplement in hopes of stopping any progression of his infection, as well as help with any discomfort he may be having
Both of Iggy's brothers have now gone to a wonderful home (together!) and Iggy is left with his uphill battle for a normal life. We are confident with water therapy ($500 for the initial sessions) he will show improvement over time and can hopefully one day lead a normal cat life as he deserves. Unfortunately, all of this does not come without a cost. Iggy's medical bills have already totaled over $2000 with another $1000 easily on the horizon. I have started an Instagram page for little Iggy to show what a great little boy he is and how resilient and loving he is despite all disadvantages. I want to showcase his fighting spirit as well as show his progress through this whole process. Any amount will help with Iggy's evergrowing medical expenses, he’s an amazing little guy and we all just want to the very best for him! Thank you to all who help him!❤️
Organizer
Caitlin McNamara
Organizer
Howell, NJ