Save baby Chiko
Donation protected
Chiko, our beloved companion, had a blockage in his bladder on Thursday February 21, 2019, which caused a life-threatening emergency that had to be urgently treated at the ER. He was treated with a urinary catheterization and IV fluids, requiring general anesthesia. After 36 hr in hospital (~$3,000), his medical team removed his catheter, and sent him home with us. He made it through the night, but his bladder re-blocked by morning, as he had inflammation and spasm. Meanwhile, he was experiencing a great deal of distress, pain, and nausea, and was unable to eat or drink. Lindsay terminated a family visit in Portland 2 days early to return home early Saturday to be with Chiko and Jordan (we incurred $600 for last-minute airfare). We returned with Chiko to the hospital on Saturday morning, where they repeated the procedure, and where he now remains under close observation (~$2,000). Our hope is that he'll be released by Wednesday, February 27th (see latest updates below and on Update Page).
Because his treatments have been through the emergency hospital, they have been very expensive, and we have quickly incurred some very large hospital bills (see photos with breakdown of costs). Any help to us towards paying his vet bills would be most appreciated! He is priceless to us, and we will do what it takes to preserve his life, because we adore him and he deserves the best care.
** Some updated photos as of 6pm 2/24/2018 -- Chiko seems to be feeling so much better with the right treatments, and some anti-nausea meds. Urinary catheter still in. Kidney values are normalizing, but still a little out of range. Treating his UTI with antibiotics, but will have results of bacterial culture to more specifically target the pathogen. Finally is eating and drinking again! **
** Update #2: 2/25/19 10:00am-- Chiko continues to be feeling better and was loving getting pets from Jordan and Lindsay. He was purring and up and moving around his little enclosure a bit. Still waiting on his kidney values to return to normal and stabilize, then they can remove the catheter, and we will be praying that he remains unblocked this time!! **
** Update #3: 2/26/19: Chiko had his catheter out, but still struggles to void. Not good news :(. He will likely need surgery to widen/shorten his urethra, making it less likely that a urethral spasm can block urine from passing. His care team has been between a rock and a hard place, because they need to catheterize him to save his life (because a bladder that can't empty is an emergency!), but the catheterization itself makes him more prone to urethral spasm when it's removed. We've feeling disheartened by the continued struggles he's having, but are feeling very grateful to all our dear friends and family (and some benevolent strangers) for helping us care for Chiko. **
(trying but failing to pee :()
Update #4: 2/27/19: Chiko is still unable to fully void and will undergo a surgical procedure (perineal urethrostomy ) this afternoon. See Update Page for further details and anticipated costs below.
** Here are some pictures of a happier/healthier Chiko **
Because his treatments have been through the emergency hospital, they have been very expensive, and we have quickly incurred some very large hospital bills (see photos with breakdown of costs). Any help to us towards paying his vet bills would be most appreciated! He is priceless to us, and we will do what it takes to preserve his life, because we adore him and he deserves the best care.
** Some updated photos as of 6pm 2/24/2018 -- Chiko seems to be feeling so much better with the right treatments, and some anti-nausea meds. Urinary catheter still in. Kidney values are normalizing, but still a little out of range. Treating his UTI with antibiotics, but will have results of bacterial culture to more specifically target the pathogen. Finally is eating and drinking again! **** Update #2: 2/25/19 10:00am-- Chiko continues to be feeling better and was loving getting pets from Jordan and Lindsay. He was purring and up and moving around his little enclosure a bit. Still waiting on his kidney values to return to normal and stabilize, then they can remove the catheter, and we will be praying that he remains unblocked this time!! **
** Update #3: 2/26/19: Chiko had his catheter out, but still struggles to void. Not good news :(. He will likely need surgery to widen/shorten his urethra, making it less likely that a urethral spasm can block urine from passing. His care team has been between a rock and a hard place, because they need to catheterize him to save his life (because a bladder that can't empty is an emergency!), but the catheterization itself makes him more prone to urethral spasm when it's removed. We've feeling disheartened by the continued struggles he's having, but are feeling very grateful to all our dear friends and family (and some benevolent strangers) for helping us care for Chiko. **
(trying but failing to pee :()Update #4: 2/27/19: Chiko is still unable to fully void and will undergo a surgical procedure (perineal urethrostomy ) this afternoon. See Update Page for further details and anticipated costs below.
** Here are some pictures of a happier/healthier Chiko **
Organizer
Lindsay Olson
Organizer
San Diego, CA