Save Big Sam!

This is Samson and he needs your help.
Samson was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Renal Hematuria after weeks of tests, misdiagnosis and supportive treatments. He needs a specialized procedure to live a full and happy life.  If he doesn't get the treatment in the next few days, I will have to euthanize him.

Here's his story...

Starting off 2019 on the wrong foot
Samson has had a lousy 2019.  In January he had a bladder infection and bloody urine.  It cleared with antibiotics, but within days it was back with a vengeance.  The hematuria was so bad he became anemic.  An ultrasound was done and showed blood clots, a large mass in his bladder and an enlarged prostate.  With his anaemia only getting worse and the troubling ultrasound we went to a veterinary hospital for further help. The doc at the hospital said the mass was a large blood clot and not a tumor, so there was one piece of good news. However, she also felt the clues pointed to prostate cancer.  To get the definitive answer the costs for the entire series of tests, a transfusion to combat the anemia, plus hospitalization was going to be astronomical.  And then the kicker...if  Sam did have prostate cancer I would not be considered for any financial aid consideration.  They referred us to the ASPCA here in NYC, but unfortunately they could not do the specific tests needed to confirm. 

So there we were, Sam was going downhill by the day and still no answers. I was beside myself. I didn't want him to suffer, but I couldn't justify putting him down without knowing if it was cancer or if there was something going on that might be treatable.

Off to New Jersey
Another referral to sent us to the fine folks at Oradell Animal Hospital in early February.  Sam had a traumatic catheterization and prostate wash to check for cancerous cells. Unfortunately, this procedure was indeterminate and caused Sam's hematuria to get even worse. He was in pain, bleeding and I STILL had no diagnosis. 

Back for a retest. Sam was in big trouble with his anemia and needed two transfusions. Again the test came back indeterminate.  A CT was recommended and to my great happiness the CT showed NO CANCER! He had a prostate cyst and benign prostatic hyperplasia. All he needed was to be neutered and the hematuria should clear up.  Neutered him that evening and took him home two days later elated that my beautiful boy was going to be ok.



Short lived relief
 While Sam's prostate has responded well, the hematuria didn't slow down much. Sam has been in and out for transfusions and supportive care the last few weeks.  On March 10th a blood clot obstructed Sam's bladder and he had to be rushed to back to the hospital. The consensus of the docs at Oradell is the continued bleeding is caused by a rare condition known as Idiopathic Renal Hematuria. Sam needs a specialized  procedure known as sclerotherapy via cystoscopy . It's minimally invasive, saves the kidney, resolves the issue in hours, has an excellent success rate and is readily available here in NYC. The downside? It is expensive and well beyond our means at this point. We are reaching out here to help cover costs and save Sam's life.  

How donations will be used
Procedure/hospitalization - $10,000
Transfusions & other supportive care - $4500
Travel and incidental expenses - $500


With a little help from our internet friends
Sam is a big, goofy, lovable boy. He will have many more healthy years ahead of him with a little help.

He is the absolute love of my life and I can't imagine losing him to this. I would be truly devastated.

And his girlfriend would be lost without him too....

Thank you so much for reading. Sam and I appreciate any amount you can donate and/or any amplification you can give his story.