Teo's Battle with Illness: Lend a Hand

Everyone, meet Teostra, a very unique and sweet 5 year old boy.

April, 2019-- We chanced upon Teo when a coworker was forced to give him up due to allergies. He was only a month old.

It was love at first sight on both ends. Without hesitation he courageously approached us and instantly accepted us into his life.

Not once did he ever let out a single mew on the ride home.

He grew up so fast as they all do! But as he grew up, a bumpy road ahead was beginning to show itself...

When he was about a year old, he began to show signs of a rare condition called Feline Plasma Cell Pododermatitis, or "Pillow Foot".

Vets in the area were not quite sure how to approach this new diagnosis, and recommended to simply keep a close eye on the progression.

As the years went by, we tested many things to see if his Pillow Foot would improve. Maybe Prednisolone will help? Maybe it's an allergy? We could never quite pinpoint the solution, however eventually his little beans seemed to improve over time! What a relief! Maybe it was just an allergy. He could finally play, jump and run around as he wanted without pain.

He continued to live the happiest, most carefree life. Enjoying his daily zoomies, afternoon birdwatching, and goofy conversation sessions with Mom and Dad. He grew up to be such a strong and chunky boy! 16 lbs! It was always a joy looking forward to being greeted at the door when we came home every time. Nothing was better than the comfort of being able to wrap our arms around him and sleep next to him every night. And any time we needed a third opinion in a conversation, he was always willing to give us a meow or ten! Every waking moment, he would happily spend it by our side.

March, 2025-- It's almost Teo's 6th birthday... happy talks of what kind of gifts and snacks he would get came to an abrupt halt.

It all seemed so sudden, but he fell extremely ill. He knew something was wrong, insisting on sitting on Mom's lap at all hours of the day to sleep. He wouldn't eat. Soon he could no longer hold down any food he did get, constantly vomiting everything within hours of eating. Nonstop, dark diarrhea. His once vibrant pink lips became dull and pale. His soft, thick coat became sparse and straggly. He lost half of his bodyweight, ending up at only 8 lbs.

There was no choice but to take him to the Emergency room immediately.

After a very scary stressful Monday, he was required to stay in the Emergency Clinic where they could closely monitor and care for him while they tried to find a diagnosis. Blood tests... Urine analyses... X-rays... this anxious boy did his best and endured it all. I'm so proud of him.

After a few days Mom and Dad were called back in to hear the news. Hopefully it's good! Maybe he just caught a stomach bug? Ate something he wasn't supposed to? No... it was Chronic kidney disease . Despite this disease mainly affecting older cats, and not showing any previous signs, the disease had progressed to dangerous levels. He was also diagnosed with clinical dehydration, anemia, G.I. bleeding, and a heart murmur. Through close monitoring in the ICU he became stable.

The veterinary staff felt comfortable sending him home. Although not quite himself, he seemed to be recovering. However, things took a turn for the worst. After administering the SubQ fluids they prescribed, his health took a turn for the worst. Rapid and labored breathing. His little nostrils flaring out as much as they physically could. His wheezing had faint sounds of liquid. There was no choice but to rush him back to the ER.

He was immediately placed on oxygen for his respiratory distress. Once again, more tests were ordered, this time with an Echocardiogram . His anemia has worsened, and this time he was in need of an IV blood transfusion. He stayed a few more days in the ICU.

The next diagnosis revealed itself... Azotemia, Anemia , and the worst of all Stage B2 Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy .

Now alongside his autoimmune disease... he has kidney disease... and heart disease?

My heart was broken.

The vet sternly informed us these diseases do not play well with each other.

The medication to treat the heart, damages the kidneys.

The medication for the kidneys, damages the heart.

With his current condition they had no choice but to administer LASIX, a medication to reduce the amount of excess fluid in his lungs. The result of this was even more damage to his kidneys, now placing them at an elevated, extremely dangerous level. He had even less energy than before, but they were able to get him "stable" and discharged him home.

These past two weeks have been a wild ride for this little boy, and his whole world has been turned upside down. He's been back home with Mom and Dad, trying his very best to recover as much as he can. He's been prescribed a laundry list of medication, including Plavix for life to help prevent deadly blood clots from forming, and a special prescription Renal diet he must stay on to prevent his kidneys from getting damaged any further. He'll have to get frequent blood tests, X-rays, and Echocardiograms to monitor his health.

I've been very hesitant to do so but I'm creating this Gofundme to help pay for the ER costs and the continued care of this special little guy. Without hesitation I've exhausted my savings to pay for his two ER stays, and I'm terrified of the possibility of him having another complication. With his continued care requiring these daily medications and new diet, things are going to get increasingly more costly.

He's such a young boy, going through problems cats more than twice his age experience.

Please help me let Teo live a full life.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read his story. I know it's a lot.

From the bottom of my heart, myself and Teo appreciate any small assistance you're able to give.

This guy gave me a reason to live my life, and so I owe him his.