Yesterday, December 26, 2025, my 26th birthday took an unexpected and terrifying turn.

When my partner and I arrived home, we noticed our cat Sam was straining severely to urinate. His stomach was rigid, and despite repeatedly trying, nothing was coming out. We checked his litter box and saw no urine or stool. Prior to this, we had noticed Sam excessively licking his privates, which concerned us enough to call our regular vet. Unfortunately, due to the holidays, they had no availability, so we took him to a different veterinarian.

At that visit, Sam underwent a urinalysis and ultrasound and was diagnosed with Feline Idiopathic Cystitis (FIC), a form of feline lower urinary tract disease that causes painful bladder inflammation. Crystals were already appearing in his urine. We were advised to give him gabapentin and were sent home after paying $288.75, hoping his condition would improve.

This past Friday, Sam’s condition rapidly worsened. He became extremely uncomfortable and began vomiting what appeared to be brown bile with a foul smell. We immediately rushed him to the emergency veterinary hospital (VEG) in New Jersey. After another ultrasound, the veterinarians determined that Sam’s bladder had become dangerously inflamed, about the size of a clementine, causing a complete urinary blockage.

We were told that if we had waited any longer, Sam could have gone into cardiac arrest due to the buildup of toxins and fluids in his body.

Sam was admitted immediately. A urinary catheter was placed to relieve the blockage, and he is currently hospitalized, receiving pain management, IV fluids, X-rays, and ongoing treatment to flush out the crystals and stabilize his body. This care is lifesaving but it comes at a heavy cost.

The total for a 24-hour hospitalization is $3,845.59, and if Sam requires an additional 24 hours of care, the cost could rise to $6,646.12. This sudden emergency has put my partner and me in a very difficult financial position.

We adopted Sam in April 2024 from an NYC shelter when he was just 9 months old. He had been surrendered after surviving a house fire. Since then, he’s become an irreplaceable part of our family and the beloved companion of our 14-year-old dog, Marshmallow. Sam is gentle, loving, and full of personality, he chatters at birds, loves head scratches, and is a perfect little loaf.

Shortly after adoption, Sam was diagnosed with Feline Herpesvirus (FHV-1) and has been monitored for FIV. We have done everything in our power to keep him healthy and safe, but this bladder emergency was sudden and completely unexpected.

We are asking for help to cover Sam’s medical expenses so we can focus on his recovery without the overwhelming financial strain. Any amount helps, and even sharing this page means the world to us.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Sam’s story and for supporting us during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude,

Paola, Dishant and Sam