Help Cover Muñeco's Hospital Bills
Donation protected
My cat Muñeco's been dealing with intermittent urinary issues for the past year and a half. However, any flare-ups had been kept under control until this past month.
Last week (Thursday, April 26), he woke up lethargic & inflamed, so he was taken to his primary vet for a check-up, had his bladder expressed, and was sent home with anti-sposmatic medication to help his bladder. However, he flared up again that same night and had to be taken to the emergency vet at Westbury Animal Hospital. His emergency vet was unable to express him, stating he was too inflamed to do so, so we left him overnight in the ICU for catheterization.
They gave him to us the following night after he allegedly peed on his own a little. He seemed fine that Saturday, eating & relaxing as he usually does, but because he still hadn't peed (which he was supposed to), he was taken to the vet again, and it turned out he was inflamed once more and had to spend another night in the ICU, where he stayed until Monday morning and gathered a roughly $2800 bill. 
(Taken Saturday, April 28th, before he returned to Westbury AH's ICU)
Due to his condition, the plan was to transfer him to his primary vet at All Cats Clinic Monday morning and have a perineal urethrostomy performed on him, where the inflamed urinary passage would be bypassed, widening it in the process & greatly reducing the risk of future blockages. However, Sunday afternoon, Westbury AH found loose fluid in his abdomen, further complicating matters, as they thought it could be urine from a potentially compromised bladder. Unfortunately, his primary vet no longer performed the surgery needed and she didn't have the equipment necessary to continue treating him. 
(Taken Friday April 27, when he came home from his first trip to the ICU)
Based on recommendations from both All Cats & Westbury AH, we transferred him to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, as they would be able to properly perform exams on the mystery fluid, as well as the perineal urethrostomy. After initial exams, Dr. Willms at Gulf Coast found mystery fluid in his chest cavity as well, potentially attributing it to the consecutive doses of anesthetics he was given over the weekend due to his separate visits to the ICU. In addition to his, she was afraid that his bloodwork might have changed over the weekend, and that the consecutive anesthetics might have weakened his heart, thus risking his eligibility for surgery. After leaving a hefty deposit of another $2800, exams began.
Monday evening, Dr. Willms called with an update on his exams, stating that the fluids in his abdomen & chest were thankfully not urine, meaning his bladder has stayed in tact. Despite the stress he's been under, his bloodwork, xrays, and kidney exams came back fine. She let me know that she sent the mystery fluid for analysis, and if they came back fine, he would be prepped for surgery. Her concern with it, since it's not urine, is that could be caused by a previously undetected cancer, which would need be prioritized over his P.U. operation, and obviously complicate matters further.
(Taken Tuesday May 1st during his morning visit; He hadn't eaten in case he was to be prepped for surgery, but he remained responsive & as active as he currently can)
As of this afternoon (Tuesday, May 1st), he has remained stable, with his mystery fluid exams coming back clear, allowing us to proceed with his surgery.
Despite his condition, he's continued to stay responsive & affectionate with every visit. When he doesn't want to eat for the vet techs, he eats for us, and during each visit, he purrs and wants his pets & scritches. His eyes continue to shine brightly and he wants to come home & meow at birds out the window.
The matter at hand currently is paying for his medical services. While we've currently been able to take from our small savings & borrow cash for his expenses so far (an estimated $5400), Gulf Coast estimates the total expenses with them to be roughly $10,000. Our bill with them currently is roughly around $3000, but his surgery is estimated to be $3500-3800, though we won't have a more accurate quote until the surgeons give us one. Along with this, Gulf Coast also charges $1000 per day in their ICU, which is currently estimated to be four days. He's my baby boy of nearly 18 years, and despite his age, he's continued to be a very healthy & active cat, surprising everyone who meets him, since he looks & acts a lot younger than his age. 
(Lovely boy being offered a French pastry sometime in March)
Since the hospitals have requested the deposits/bills to be paid near-in full, donations given will be used to pay off any remaining balances with the hospitals, as well and go towards paying the money we've had to borrow in advance to pay for said expenses.
(His first trip to the ICU on April 26 totaled $1129.47)
(His second trip to the ICU at Westbury AH was $1543)
(The estimates from Gulf Coast on Monday for further exams)
Update 5/3/18: With Muñeco almost ready to go home, Gulf Coast has finally been able to give me the final balance due on their account. It is subject to change, but hopefully it doesn't increase. Payment is due at time of discharge, so we're looking to get the money right now
Last week (Thursday, April 26), he woke up lethargic & inflamed, so he was taken to his primary vet for a check-up, had his bladder expressed, and was sent home with anti-sposmatic medication to help his bladder. However, he flared up again that same night and had to be taken to the emergency vet at Westbury Animal Hospital. His emergency vet was unable to express him, stating he was too inflamed to do so, so we left him overnight in the ICU for catheterization.
They gave him to us the following night after he allegedly peed on his own a little. He seemed fine that Saturday, eating & relaxing as he usually does, but because he still hadn't peed (which he was supposed to), he was taken to the vet again, and it turned out he was inflamed once more and had to spend another night in the ICU, where he stayed until Monday morning and gathered a roughly $2800 bill. 
(Taken Saturday, April 28th, before he returned to Westbury AH's ICU) Due to his condition, the plan was to transfer him to his primary vet at All Cats Clinic Monday morning and have a perineal urethrostomy performed on him, where the inflamed urinary passage would be bypassed, widening it in the process & greatly reducing the risk of future blockages. However, Sunday afternoon, Westbury AH found loose fluid in his abdomen, further complicating matters, as they thought it could be urine from a potentially compromised bladder. Unfortunately, his primary vet no longer performed the surgery needed and she didn't have the equipment necessary to continue treating him. 
(Taken Friday April 27, when he came home from his first trip to the ICU)Based on recommendations from both All Cats & Westbury AH, we transferred him to Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, as they would be able to properly perform exams on the mystery fluid, as well as the perineal urethrostomy. After initial exams, Dr. Willms at Gulf Coast found mystery fluid in his chest cavity as well, potentially attributing it to the consecutive doses of anesthetics he was given over the weekend due to his separate visits to the ICU. In addition to his, she was afraid that his bloodwork might have changed over the weekend, and that the consecutive anesthetics might have weakened his heart, thus risking his eligibility for surgery. After leaving a hefty deposit of another $2800, exams began.
Monday evening, Dr. Willms called with an update on his exams, stating that the fluids in his abdomen & chest were thankfully not urine, meaning his bladder has stayed in tact. Despite the stress he's been under, his bloodwork, xrays, and kidney exams came back fine. She let me know that she sent the mystery fluid for analysis, and if they came back fine, he would be prepped for surgery. Her concern with it, since it's not urine, is that could be caused by a previously undetected cancer, which would need be prioritized over his P.U. operation, and obviously complicate matters further.
(Taken Tuesday May 1st during his morning visit; He hadn't eaten in case he was to be prepped for surgery, but he remained responsive & as active as he currently can)
As of this afternoon (Tuesday, May 1st), he has remained stable, with his mystery fluid exams coming back clear, allowing us to proceed with his surgery.
Despite his condition, he's continued to stay responsive & affectionate with every visit. When he doesn't want to eat for the vet techs, he eats for us, and during each visit, he purrs and wants his pets & scritches. His eyes continue to shine brightly and he wants to come home & meow at birds out the window.
The matter at hand currently is paying for his medical services. While we've currently been able to take from our small savings & borrow cash for his expenses so far (an estimated $5400), Gulf Coast estimates the total expenses with them to be roughly $10,000. Our bill with them currently is roughly around $3000, but his surgery is estimated to be $3500-3800, though we won't have a more accurate quote until the surgeons give us one. Along with this, Gulf Coast also charges $1000 per day in their ICU, which is currently estimated to be four days. He's my baby boy of nearly 18 years, and despite his age, he's continued to be a very healthy & active cat, surprising everyone who meets him, since he looks & acts a lot younger than his age. 
(Lovely boy being offered a French pastry sometime in March)Since the hospitals have requested the deposits/bills to be paid near-in full, donations given will be used to pay off any remaining balances with the hospitals, as well and go towards paying the money we've had to borrow in advance to pay for said expenses.
(His first trip to the ICU on April 26 totaled $1129.47)(His second trip to the ICU at Westbury AH was $1543)
(The estimates from Gulf Coast on Monday for further exams)
Update 5/3/18: With Muñeco almost ready to go home, Gulf Coast has finally been able to give me the final balance due on their account. It is subject to change, but hopefully it doesn't increase. Payment is due at time of discharge, so we're looking to get the money right now
Organizer
Audel Acosta
Organizer
Houston, TX
