Saving Imogen the Kitten

Last night when I got home from work, Imogen suddenly became paralyzed.  I greeted her and petted her as usual and she walked into the other room where I couldn't see her.  Less than a minute later, she started scooting around the apartment and screaming. She tried to get onto the bed and couldn't use her back legs. She was dragging them.  I thought she had injured her leg somehow. She was SCREAMING uncontrollably and limping around.

I rushed her to the emergency vet and they told me she has Saddle Thrombus, which is a blood clot in her pelvis that caused a lack of blood flow to her legs, paralyzing her. They recommended euthanasia and I refused.

This morning I took Imogen to a second vet, who agreed with the diagnosis as well as the poor prognosis. Imogen does not look like she is ready to give up so I will try as hard as I can to save her. She is currently at the vet on sedatives and blood thinners and we will see how she does over the next few days and if she regains the use of her legs. There is a risk she will go into heart failure and a 25% chance she will recover.

If she gets well enough to leave this vet, Immy will need to see a cardiologist about an underlying heart issue that cause the blood clots in the first place. She will need a consult, an echocardiogram, and heart medicine. 

Imogen is my best friend and my inspiration and motivation for my career in animal rescue and cat photography. She is my entire world. As long as she shows me that she still wants to live, I will do anything and everything it takes to save her and bring her home to me.

I adopted her five years ago from an animal shelter when she was three months old. Because of her, I started volunteering at the shelter and fostering kittens. I began working with animal rescues in and around Los Angeles and photographing cats to help them get adopted and to raise money for cats in need. I have learned a ton about animals and I began specifically focusing on medical and special needs cats and kittens. Yet I have never encountered this disease, Saddle Thrombus. I wish I were more familiar with it. Last year I left my job in the entertainment industry to pursue cat and kitten rescue full-time. Everything I do is because of Imogen. I would not be here without her. I do not want to remain here without her.

I know this is a crazy time and money is tight and everyone is anxious and everything is uncertain, but if you can help me save my favorite little creature,  I would be endlessly and eternally grateful.