I have been rescuing cats since 1996. Over the years they have obviously needed vet care. Nothing I couldn't handle, for the most part. But today, I find myself in the unique position of an escalated kind of care.

Willow is one of my younger rescues and she has severe stomatitis. Her breath is horrible, and her gums are bright red. If I try to touch her anywhere near her mouth, she paws my hand, and I can tell she is super uncomfortable.

Willow's bloodwork shows some of her levels are mildly elevated, but her proBNP is moderately elevated, which is compatible with increased stretch and stress on the myocardium (a heart murmur). Back in the day, this wasn't a huge deal. Now, unless I get her an echocardiogram, the vet will not do the dental.

To obtain the most accurate information regarding her cardiac structure and function, an echocardiography is recommended. That is going to cost an additional $600-$800 on top of the dental, which is estimated to be between $2,026-$2,955.

Please share and help if you are able. In the past two weeks, I have lost three cats and have spent over $2,000 on Poe, Pringles, and Connor.