<div><strong>In the past three months our younger cat Mouth has had two trips to the emergency vet hospital, both for urethra blockages. A feline urethra blockage is a serious and potentially deadly medical emergency, but luckily if treated has an over 90% discharge rate. </strong>Unfortunately this issue is very common in male cats. Several factors can cause a blockage, the most often being bladder crystals. This was the case for Mouth's first blockage in April. We were not aware of this condition, and terrifyingly, it is always acute without any warning. Both our boy cats are like dogs and are always waiting at the door for us, Mouth usually meowing and chirping his precious head off. We came home to find him silent and hiding under the record player. When we went to touch him he let out the most horrendous and loud howl we've never heard from any other pet either of us have had. Mouth lived up to his namesake and his flare for drama saved his life. At the hospital his urethra was unblocked without difficulty, but because his kidney levels were abnormal he required 24 hour observation for several days to make sure his kidneys didn't fail and to make sure another blockage didn't occur. Mouth received extraordinary care from his vet team that saved his life, and we owe our whole hearts to them. Following this episode Mouth began a strict urinary health diet that we prayed would prevent another blockage from happening again. However, this past week, Mouth obstructed again. Fortunately we were home when the first, subtle warning sign occurred and we brought him in immediately. The good news was Mouth had not been obstructed long so the procedure went well and he was unblocked before his kidney levels ever elevated. Also, testing showed no signs of bladder crystals, bladder stones, kidney stones, or a UTI. This meant his diet has been working. Unfortunately, his testing showed elevated levels of white blood cells in his bladder. It was a blockage caused by "Sterile Inflammation" and is pointing to <strong>Feline Idiopathic Cystitis</strong>.
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<div><strong>What can be done and why we are asking for your help?</strong>
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<div>Feline Idiopathic Cystitis is a common condition and with proper management, cats can expect to enjoy a normal lifespan and the exact same quality of life as a healthy cat without the condition. Mouth is 4 years old (the average age of onset for FIC). Mouth is a young cat. Because these episodes are acute and the treatment only lasts 3-7 days, Mouth's quality of life outside of these episodes is excellent. If you know us and our cats well, especially if you've been to our home, you know that not only do we adore our boys, they adore us. We are incredibly lucky to have atypical felines who greet us at the door every time we come home, sit on our laps while we eat, lay on our heads while we sleep, sit on our feet while we pee, and follow us around everywhere we go in the house. Both cats, especially Mouth, are sweet, gentle, extremely affectionate, and completely emotionally imprinted onto Angie and I. Mouth is not a cat that simply decorates the furniture and only comes around for his meals. Mouth is not an elderly cat nor does he have any other minor or major health issues that would cause us to deliberate, for a second, euthanasia as a possibility for the sake of quality of life. Mouth's existence is all love and play and happiness. With your support and with management of this condition, Mouth will have a long and wonderful life.
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<div>The amount of support Angie and I are graciously seeking has been reached with a lot of thought and inner turmoil. Both of Mouth's episodes occurred late at night after normal veterinary office hours so we were forced to bring him to a 24 hr emergency vet hospital. If you care for animals you know these facilities and their emergency services rack up nauseating bills. You may know that in the capital region there are only two 24 hr vet hospitals (1 in Queensbury, 1 in Latham) that could give a cat in Mouth's situation life-saving care in the middle of the night. The same is true for the area surrounding our home in Brooklyn. Vet hospitals like these are few and have a monopoly, so they charge predatory rates. Brooklyn is also obviously more expensive than the Capital Region which is why we're not asking for help covering 100% of the costs Angie and I have incurred. It's been our decision to live in NYC, and while no one is at fault for living where they would like to live, most of our community we're reaching out to for help lives Upstate. We care about keeping this huge and heartfelt request from the perspective of our support system. We were still recovering from the financial blow of Mouth's first episode when the second episode hit. It is crucial that while we do everything in our power to manage this FIC to prevent another blockage, we must also prepare for a possible third blockage and subsequent corrective surgery (Perineal Urethrostomy) at any moment. It could be next week, next month, or next year. There is no way for us to know if or when this outcome may occur. Mouth's episodes were exactly 3 months apart. Angie and I are having serious talks of relocating Mouth back Upstate with family where the worst case scenario (blockage and surgery) will be infinitely more affordable, should that be necessary.
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<div>Angie and I feel absolutely sick reaching out for help during these horrendous economic times. As we begin to sell personal items and pick up overtime work, this request is a last resort. You may know Angie and I have some big life plans coming up next year. We are prepared to delay milestones, cancel much needed time off work, do anything for our boy. Mouth is simply too young, too healthy, and too happy to end his life because of money. We unapologetically refuse that option.
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<div><strong>As Mouth gears up for "Most Expensive Cat Award 2024", we humbly reach out to our friends and families to donate anything you comfortably can to help us recover from these procedures and prepare for Mouth's relocation Upstate and impending, costly care.</strong>
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<div>Lastly, let us now encourage anyone reading this with male cats to PLEASE tell their vet to write them a prescription for a urinary health diet as a precaution. We have spoken to countless veterinary staff who have had all their male cats on a urinary prescription diet from day one as a preventative measure, because they've seen too many cats suffer. Again, urethra blockages are very common in males, and vets will happily write the prescription for you. Both our cats are now on this diet and it is only marginally more expensive. Please look into switching your male cat's diet as soon as possible.
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<div>With all our love we thank you for your support.
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<div>Jon &amp; Angie
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