Help me help Gus!

Ask anyone who's ever met Gus, and they'll tell you just how special of a soul he is. I met Gus when he was the size of a hampster, just 4 years ago, and he has been with me through it all. Truly. The ups and the downs and the wins and the losses, and this past year with covid, Gus and I have spent so many entire days and weeks and months together... He's just a kind kind kitty, always loving up on whoever is around. He's like my son! He's my best friend.

This morning, February 12th, was completely normal. A meowing happy Gus woke me up, he was fed and ate as usual, and all was well... but then as evening came, Gus grew reclusive after vomiting multiple times, very out of the norm for him. It was mostly water, he couldn't keep any fluids down. Thinking he must have eaten something, pets were given, vets were called,  and the next few hours went by... and Gus got stranger and stranger, and I got more and more scared.

His usually curious and silly self became all but lifeless in my arms. He couldn't stand or walk. All so suddenly! A vet appointment was made for the morning, but it became clear how wrong things were and we rushed to Blue Pearl emergency animal hospital here in Manhattan. 

Because of Covid, I had to say bye to Gussie in the vestibule of the hospital, where a nurse picked up his carrier and brought him away to get the care he so desperately needed. A freezing and stressful hour passed waiting by that door for a phone call with any updates or information... it turns out we got to the hospital just in time to have a shot to save him.



Gus' urinary gland is blocked - a condition that is not entirely uncommon in younger male cats - which has resulted in him being unable to pass urine, hence the vomiting up of any liquids he tried to eat today. Also, Gus has extremely elevated levels of potassium which can threaten his heart. Needless to say, in just one day, Gus has become a very sick kitty...

The doctors have a plan for a procedure to unblock his urinary gland, and he will require at least two nights of hospitalization. They believe he will be okay, but he needs level-3 hospitalization and monitoring, and I had to leave him in their care without getting to say a 'see you later'.

This health care, specifically the testing and diagnosis, hospitalization, and ultimate procedure, have been charged to my credit card because I know damn well that saving Gus is worth every penny necessary, and he's a young happy cat with so many awesome years left... I need him in my life for a long time to come... 

The two totals are from the estimates given by the doctor as a range for the services he expects. If by any chance this fundraiser covers Gus' bill and then some, I will donate the difference to ANIMAL HAVEN, a wonderful Animal rescue service here in NYC that I have volunteered for in the past.

COVID has made things difficult for all of us, and this huge vet bill is anything but an expected expense. Anything you can give means the absolute world to me, and to Gus, and to everyone and anyone who knows him. It's crazy to me just how much our pets can mean to us. Gus is literally my family.

Thanks for reading and sorry if it's all over the place. I'm teary and tired and frozen and just thankful that Gus made it to the doctors in time.