Juno’s Recovery Fundraiser
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This….is Juno.
We had a scary health week. She is home now and doing better; we still don't have a diagnosis but I am positively minded, and all outcomes would have a treatment course.
For all details on the journey thus far, please continue reading to "Story Time".
Cutting to the chase: Now that she's home, I have time to look at the hospital damage. It is not the end of the world, but it will be difficult.
I am asking for help if you can and are willing and able.
Things I am doing: I have care credit to pay the bill over time. I am moving into a lower-rent apartment at the end of May. I am selling personal items (links at the end of this story). I am getting Pet insurance so this never ever happens again.
Please use this as a learning experience! If you have a fur baby, get that insurance. It had been on my to-do list and I had been researching a few. Was not quick enough.
STORY TIME
February 1st- I adopted Juno and her sister from another mister, Artemis. I successfully weaned off all of my own mental health medication; my kids help me stick to a routine and I can say I’ve never been healthier mentally and physically thanks to their presence.
Thursday, March 30th- Juno gets spayed! Here she is on display with her post-surgery uniform.
Sunday, April 2nd- Juno didn't get up for breakfast. She was trembling and wanted to hide in the bed sheets.
I called ASPCA, where she got spayed, who then sent us to an animal hospital. She had a fever of 104 and pale gums. She was treated with an anti-inflammatory shot, an anti-nausea shot and pain medication. I went home with antibiotics to use just in case.
When we got home, Juno was a purr machine. She didn't eat all her dinner and wasn't playing as she usually did, but she was purring and wanting all the snuggles.
Monday, April 3rd- was just ok. I noticed Juno was more tired than usual, but she'd had a long couple of days what with surgery and a hospital visit. I got her a big fluffy bed to make her extra comfy. She was picky eating dinner, but that was normal for her.
Tuesday, April 4th- I noticed she was looking thinner and was more lethargic. She didn't eat any dinner-so I went out and got a bunch of different brands. She'd always been a picky eater, but maybe something would entice her. When she refused dinner, I started her on antibiotics.
That night my baby was very tired :( She didn't play with her favorite toys and was not jumping onto furniture anymore. I decided that if the antibiotic did not help, I'd take her to the ASPCA hospital in the morning.
Wednesday, April 5th- not looking better or eating, and around this time I noticed her breathing was more labored. We made our way to the ASPCA hospital.
She was put in an oxygen tank and X-rays were taken. X-rays indicated that they needed to do another test.
Doc= "I don't have good news for you".
Juno's chest cavity was full of liquid which indicated an infection or "most likely, FIP" which affects 7-10% of kittens and is "100% fatal".
I was given the option to euthanize or go to another hospital. I chose the latter. I needed more information and Juno trusted me to do the best for her.
Here's that initial report:
We made our way to the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center. The doctors there have been phenomenal, providing all information, diagnosis possibilities, and treatment possibilities. I left her there overnight, where she stayed in an oxygen tank and underwent a chest tap to remove the fluid.
I cried more than I've ever cried. I was extremely lucky that my family, knowing how immense my grief and fear was, came to be with me. Mom and dad and sister Christa. Thank you also to everyone who reached out during this time-when nothing can be done, emotional support goes a long long long way <3
Thursday, April 6th- Tough to be home without Juno! Took the time to read up on the possible diagnoses-FIP or Pyothorax. Or both! we still don't know.
Pyothorax in a google nutshell: Pyothorax, which is a fancy way of saying that pus is in the chest cavity, is a life-threatening, severe infection that can be seen in both dogs and cats. While rare, it can be devastating, as it requires aggressive treatment (including chest tube placement, surgery, etc.).
FIP in a google nutshell: FIP is a viral disease caused by a mutated form of the feline coronavirus. Feline coronavirus is very common in the cat population, infecting 80 to 90 percent of cats at some point in their lives. However, only about 5 to 10 percent of cats with a feline coronavirus infection will develop FIP.
Her illness is not because of the spay, rather the spay made the sickness present itself faster.
Dr. Fusco called to let me know she got another chest tap. That it was looking more and more like FIP. Because the medication is not readily available in America (as the injections also help treat Ebola), Dr. Fusco set me up with a group that would help me gain access to the injections.
We visited Juno that evening. Here is the exact moment Dr. Fusco told me it is now… LESS LIKELY TO BE FIP.
“Really ...? ”
She stayed another night at the hospital to stabilize.
I brought her home on Friday, April 7th.
We still don't have test results for FIP, but the antibiotic seems to be working its magic.
Juno is eating better than she ever has, most likely due to the fluid being removed. She is peeping, she is pooping, she's playful, she's purring, she watches her doves.
She's getting all the kisses from her sister, Artemis.
I am hesitantly happy.
On Monday, April 10th, Juno had a checkup appointment to check if the fluids came back. She did not need a chest tap at that time. [ :) ] Still no results! The next appointment is on the 21st unless the results come back positive.
Here are all of the bills from the AMC thus far:
Thank you for reading and considering support. No matter how small, it will help. That said, there are no expectations we are all going through SOMETHING.
Alternate ways to donate (this cuts through the service fee of GoFundMe)
Venmo: @VisforVania
Zelle: please message me for email address and phone number
If I receive anything there I will reflect it here.
Things for Sale!! Please message me if interested. I am willing to negotiate on price.
Vocal Booth SOLD!!
Vocal Booth Noise Canceling Sheets (I have 4)
Vocal Pedal $200 (bought for 400) as seen used here
Please remember to stop and smell the flowers. Or the flower water as exhibited below by Juno.
lots of love from Artemis, Juno and I
Organizer
Vania Sousa
Organizer
Sunnyside, NY