Last week, my recently adopted rescue kitty, Syrus, ingested a cotton ball from the garbage that had dried minoxidil on it. I rushed him to Shoreline Animal Hospital, where they monitored and administered charcoal to flush his system. While he initially seemed fine, he displayed concerning symptoms the following evening, requiring another urgent visit, this time to the Animal Medical Center ER in Shoreline. The vet suspected an intestinal obstruction and recommended surgery, estimated to cost $8,000 - $10,000, which I couldn't afford. They referred me to South Seattle Veterinary, where they quoted the surgery to be $3,000 - $5,000, still beyond my means.

We opted for overnight monitoring as a third option, hoping for improvement. Still, his condition stayed the same, so I contacted South Seattle Vet, who quoted me slightly less for the surgery than AMC initially told me, which was $2,500 - $3,500. I took Syrus there last Sunday, and the vet quickly concluded that the cotton ball ingestion mixed with the charcoal was causing the obstruction. As such, they attempted to resolve the issue without surgery. He seemed better when I picked him up on Monday, but his condition has since deteriorated. I had to take Syrus back to South Seattle Vet Thursday night, where they performed another X-ray and exam. If there is no improvement soon, he will need the surgery to survive.

Complicating matters, my older dog has been battling cancer for almost three years and has been showing obvious signs over the last few weeks that he is losing the battle. Additionally, my younger dog was diagnosed with a serious autoimmune disorder on the same day that Syrus ate the cotton ball.

The mounting expenses and the critical issues my pets are experiencing have put me in a tough spot. My main concern is saving Syrus's life, but the financial strain is becoming overwhelming. I hope to find a solution that ensures his well-being while also managing the ongoing care for my dogs.

If I am not able to afford his care, I will have to consider surrendering him to a rescue that can provide the necessary surgery. This is not my first choice, as my dog, Mister, and I have fallen hard for this wonderful kitty. One of the reasons I adopted him, to begin with, is to provide Mister with a companion when my older dog passes away.