Lauren Kowalski

This is Poe. Poe is a 6 year old flame point Siamese and my closest friend. He is my pandemic baby and grew up with my souldog Miikka - the two were best buddies before her passing August before last. Last year in the fall, Poe experienced his first urinary blockage. He was medically unblocked, and spent 3 days in the vet with a catheter and medication at a cost of around $3,500. Since then, he has experienced another further 2 blockages, with similar circumstances and cost. He was diagnosed with Feline Idiopathic Cystitis and Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. Further testing has also revealed elevated levels in his liver, leading us to get a referral to the WCVM Small Animal Clinic Veterinary Medical Centre in Saskatoon in July. In the meantime the bladder issues are persisting, with me spending $2,374.63 on vet visits and medications in the past week alone. I have tried everything to help Poe. He is on a costly, specific urinary diet, he takes medications, has a feline pheromone diffuser, 3 litter boxes, a drinking fountain, and countless toys, hidey holes, scratching posts and treats for enrichment. I have exhausted all of the options to try. Our team of vets have suggested Perineal Urethrostomy surgery, however we cannot proceed with the surgery until our appointment in Saskatoon to determine whether or not Poe has liver disease, which could be causing the pain and subsequent stress that are in turn causing his urinary issues. After our specialist appointment in Saskatoon we will be booking Poe’s surgery, which typically costs between $3,000–$4,500. That’s after the cost of the internal medicine appointment, as well as the cost of travel to Saskatoon and accommodation there. I am a proud person. I work hard and I take care of myself and my babies well. But at this time, I’m afraid I have to ask for help. I have completely depleted my savings trying to help my boy. Poe deserves a happy life, free of pain. He deserves so many more years, not inside a vets office, but by my side receiving pets and eating all the freeze dried minnows he wants. I am humbly asking for your aid so that I can give Poe the best fighting chance that I can. The love that I have for him outweighs the shame I feel in asking for your help today. Please, please consider helping me help my boy. He is all I have and I love him so much. Thanks for reading, love y’all, and take care out there.