Support Jean's Cat Lukey's Recovery

Aug 25, 2024

I am a Cat Lady! And proud of it! This 68 years old women lives by herself with her 2 adorable Catboys, Lukey and Paul. They are not blood brothers but they sure are very close as I am to them.

My name is Jean. I am a widower since 2004.

I am a retired Teacher Librarian with experience in school libraries in the elementary, middle and high school setting. I have worked at the public library and as a classroom teacher. I left education in January, 2012 because of severe panic attacks while driving to school. When the district did away with Teacher Librarians, I was put in an K-5 school with English Language Learners. The classes had Kinder to 5th grade students everyday. 6 different lesson plans. I was not qualified even though the State gave me a second language certificate. At this point in my life, the Catboys were like therapy. It began true during Covid and the year following. The Cat boys were cuddly, loving and in whatever room I was in. The cats really improved my mental health. I am a Cat Lady!

Lukey had to be taken to the Emergency Veterinarian hospital in early August, 2024 for continuous vomiting, wheezing and trouble breathing. It turned out to be serious pneumonia after blood work, x-rays, medicines, shots and fluids. For the rest of his life Lukey will be on a special canned diet. Plus for pain and swollen paws a once a month shot of Solensia an FDA approved for Osteoarthritis. I am glad I took Lukey into the Emergency Vet Hospital and now starting Solensia. He will be able to jump up on the bed without pain.

I am on a "fixed income" where my retirement salaries like Social Security do not increase in any way substantially. But everything else such as rents, water, electricity, and food has doubled. Visa was the card I used for Lukey's medical treatment, shots medicine, and food. (Visa card at 22% interest. The Visa Corporation should be ashamed.) I moved from the Southwest to the Northwest to be close to my daughter and her husband.

I would like some help with Lukey's bills.

Please read Dr. Herman's email. It discusses the other tests to compare after the antibiotics were given. Also, how Lukey's treatment turned out. Lukey is happier and I am too.

Thank you for listening and your consideration.

Jean

The email from the vet about Lukey.

Hi Jean,

How are you? How is Lukey? I spoke with Dr. Hardesty who saw Lukey on Tuesday and she asked me to follow-up on Lukey's radiology report from his x-rays.

I have good news in that the previous area that looked like pneumonia in his lungs seems to have resolved. He has evidence of bronchial disease (bronchitis or asthma) but the rest of his chest x-rays looked normal including his heart size.

Lukey's abdominal x-rays were also mostly normal. They did comment that he has an enlarged liver and they noted the cystic mass in his liver that has been there along time (it was seen in his previous ultrasounds and thought to be benign). Finally, Lukey has some evidence of disc degeneration in his lower back.

Lukey has the Convenia antibiotic injection on board that will treat any bacterial bronchitis over the next couple of weeks. Have you seen any coughing? Feline asthma will often look like coughing or hacking or like a cat is trying to hack up a hairball but nothing comes up.

I hope the Solensia is making Lukey more comfortable.

Please give us another update when you have a moment. I am not in the clinic this weekend but will be back in Monday through Wednesday next week. I hope Lukey is doing better!

Warmly,

Dr. Herman

Update: 10/172024

I would like to thank you with all my heart all who have helped me with Lukey’s expenses. Great appreciation. Lukey is getting a monthly shot of Solensia which has worked with paw pain tremendously. A veterinary technician will come to my home to administer the shot once a month. Because of the Solensia, Lukey is now able to jump up on my bed. Lukey is a beautiful sweet happy Catboy who brings me much pleasure and companionship each day. I am grateful and send lots of love from me to you. ♥️