Hi All,

As many of you know, my Frankie has recurring urinary tract problems. It started in 2021 and came back, starting at the end of April. 6 weeks ago, he had to go to the emergency vet, Charleston Veterinary Referral Center, with a fully blocked bladder due to urinary crystals, a bladder infection, and a UTI.

He was there for 3 nights, and had to be catheterized, undergo blood work, urinalysis, etc. Then, also starting in April, he had an ulceration on his right cornea, so from the hospital, he had to go to the veterinary eye specialist.

After getting all of this treated, I thought he was on the mend. Now this past Friday night, he started the same symptoms and by Sunday, had to go back to the hospital (why do they always get sick on the weekend???). Fully blocked once again and this time, spent one night, all the same treatments. The vet at CVRC and my vet, (Dr Melanie Mokos at Best Friends Animal Clinic, so wonderful, but more about that in a minute) concur that he can’t have another catheter due to scar tissue buildup.

The answer is to do a Penectomy, taking off his penis, opening up the whole area, so he can pass any crystals that form in the future.

I was considering euthanasia, but heard from several folks that they had done this surgery for their cats with great results. Then Dr Mokos told me that she felt the same way, and that if he showed a blockage that was too high up in the area to surgically get to, then they would stop and we would put him down.

As many of you know from your experience with your fur babies, these vet bills are astronomical. Before the surgery, which is scheduled for Thursday, we’re at $7800, with another $3000 coming due. And I need help. I have no judgments or expectations, but if you are in a position to donate, that would be magnificent. I promise, somehow, someday, I’ll pay it forward. Two good friends didn’t even wait for this, but did Venmo, and I’m so very grateful for their kind offering.

Thank you in advance for all the blessings, good energy, love, support, and financial gifts. Whether you can or not, it’s all good and once again I’m grateful beyond words.

Barbara