Blue's ER Visit (New)

02/21/14: Blue went to the ER for breathing issues. While we saved the home, now we need to save the cat, so the fundraiser is active again to bridge the gap. Because the ER is "pay at time of visit", I paid with cash and need to replenish (again) because I used the "get through the week" money. The bill was $166 for visit, oxygen, x-rays, fluids and blood tests, and we need to see the regular vet in the morning. 

He's doing OK, breathing better but not great. The bad news is, he's still uncomfortable and we don't know why--but the good news is, the ER vet did NOT see what he expected to see on the x-rays. Everything is clear! Nothing pointing to difficulty breathing. In fact, he was stumped. He has no idea what the problem is. It could be an infection or inflammation. He still has elevated levels (BUN/Creatinine) and anemia but that doesn't explain breathing problems. No fluid on the lungs or heart, no signs of CHF, no masses or obstructions, heart is in normal position. liver is fine, no fluid or air in the stomach.

My uneducated guess is that it's his sinuses. I would bet good money that it's another dental abscess, but it is draining in his sinuses rather than through his mouth. That to me would explain the challenge of taking air into his nose, the nausea (think of when you swallow snot) and the general malaise. I'll bet one good antibiotic shot and he'll be fine. With God's Mercy, it will be.

We don't need much this time, just enough to cover the bill, and so far $40 has been collected so another $120 should do it. It would give us both some breathing room. Please consider, and thank you. I applied for CareCredit and was denied, so your donations are my only hope until payday.

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January 2014: URGENT!!! Blue became gravely ill last fall. To cover his care, I used money intended for a crucial property tax payment due in February. It is urgent that the money be replaced ASAP to avoid losing our home.

Blue's Story:
Blue's condition came on suddenly. I suspected a tooth abscess, but I wasn't expecting the serious infection, severe dehydration, and potentially-fatal kidney issues.

He was so sick at first after diagnosis that he wasn't eating more than 5ml of force-fed food every other day. His personality disappeared. He lost a pound between diagnosis and surgery despite forcing him to eat and giving 100cc LRS every other day, and I watched, helpless, as my vibrant companion withered up before my eyes.

He got a powerful antibiotic shot, and within a few days he was taking in more "cat smoothie" (puree of Purina NF prescription food) and looking a bit better. I still worried that I'd wake up to a dead cat every morning, and every little twitch or symptom sent me reeling.

After 10 days on antibiotics, he'd recovered well enough to have the surgery to remove his tooth. I saw immediate improvement. He came home groggy but wildly energetic and ravenous. It was all I could do to keep him from lunging at the food dish.

Since then, his recovery from the kidney insufficiency has included a round-the-clock bottle-feeding regimen of Cat Smoothie; at-home IV fluids with electrolytes, 100cc every other day (lactated ringers solution); and three daily kidney support supplements (Azodyl, Epakitin, RenAvast).

Blue has gone from near-death to almost fully recovered. He's beginning to eat nightly meals of high-quality canned grain-free cat food in addition to the bottle feeding, and is nibbling at the kibble. He's filling out, behaving like his vibrant self again, and though it's not yet confirmed if the kidneys have been permanently compromised (requiring lifelong treatment) or if it's the reversible form, the prognosis is good.

The Urgent Matter:
I went through a rough patch financially, then finally got my current job 14 months ago. It pays the bills, and we've been doing all right so far. But I'd gotten a bit behind on the property tax during the rough patch, and held off as long as I could addressing the small delinquency.

When I paid the regular half-year taxes in July 2013, I was told that to avoid being foreclosed upon, I needed to agree to go on a payback plan by mid-October, where the delinquent amount is divided into five installments to be paid with the regular half year taxes over the next two years.

In three months' time, I managed to scrape together the first installment amount, paid it on time and got on the plan. This left me with three months to come up with the second installment (due in February) PLUS the regular half-year taxes ($2,200 total, roughly two months' wages). I have a longer timeframe in which to assemble the last three payment amounts, but the timeframe for this one was crazy! I was budgeting carefully and had some saved, but the unexpected expenses for Blue's vet visits, surgery, supplements, special food and IV supplies have eaten it up.

It is crucial that this payment be made in full and on time, as failure to do so will result in the County immediately putting the house into foreclosure"”and I'd be losing my childhood home over an amount less than $2,500. This is just a bump in the road, but it's a huge bump. As I have no other sources of income except my job, despite how it feels to be in this position, I am asking for your kindness and compassion to help us get over this bump and on to brighter days. We need a miracle to make it.

Please know that no amount is too small; it all adds up. Give within your comfort level, and if you're not in a position to give, please share this to reach those who are.

Thank you so much for your kind generosity and thoughts: Blue and I and the rest of the Mew Crew (Tyler, Jake, Ophelia and Zander) are more grateful than you will ever know.

*****UPDATED PAYPAL/MAILING ADDRESS INFO*****
If you are more comfortable contributing via PayPal, my email address is below (change the AT to @ and the DOT to a dot):

jrberry63 AT gmail DOT com

My mailing address is available by messaging me through the button above. :-)


I will post updates and photos of Blue. I have all of the documentation on both cat and house and will gladly share it. There is a duplicate fundraiser (mine) on another site, and I hope that by expanding the reach, the combined funds will help us meet our goal.

Our vet:
Dr. Beau Holley, DVM
Animal Hospital at West Ridge
1244 Ridgewood Drive, Suite 1
Bowling Green, OH 43402
419-354-7387
http://www.animalhospitalatwestridge.com/