TEDDY'S LIFE-SAVING TREATMENT FOR BLADDER BLOCKAGE

When we thought 2023 had dished out all the bad luck it could, poor Teddy was hospitalised last night with a life-threatening urinary blockage. Please, if you can, donate towards his emergency treatment.

Young boy Teddy (was BB) was rescued from life in a stray colony on a busy roadside with multiple road fatalities a few months ago. Fostered by Sian and Liam, the whole family fell in love with this big cuddly bear cat and just one week ago BB was adopted by Kerry and Lea, Sian's mum and sister, who renamed him Teddy.

Kerry and Lea contacted us last night (30/12/23), extremely worried about Teddy, who had been fine until yesterday afternoon. He was weak and lethargic, uninterested in food, crying and not himself at all. Teddy had a full vet check just 10 days ago when at the vets for his first vaccination course and apart from a broken tooth all was ok. We were incredibly worried at his sudden deterioration, thankfully went with our gut and got him to the nearest out of hours vets in Stevenage.

He was quickly diagnosed with a bladder blockage, which the vet said would likely have been fatal within 12 hours if untreated. His bloods showed he had hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels), putting him at risk of cardiac arrhythmia and his kidney function has also been affected by the obstruction.

Teddy had to undergo an emergency procedure, to clear the blockage with a urinary catheter and flush under sedation. He is now on IV fluids and will have to remain in hospital for a few days. The vet said they managed to remove a large crystal from his urethra and that there was quite a lot of blood in his urine when they emptied his bladder. They are also concerned he may have a small tear in the bladder wall and plan to rescan later.

We are devastated that, after all he has been through, this beautiful boy should have to endure any more trauma. Kerry and Lea contacting us for advice so quickly at the first sign of him seeming a little off undoubtedly saved his life, as we were able to assess the situation and seek immediate treatment. At the moment we do not know if the acute kidney injury will have any longlasting effects but are hoping for the very best.

Unfortunately, his insurance policy is still within the 14-day no claim period and so will not be covered. We have been quoted an initial estimate of costs incurred so far of £1253 although have been informed the final amount is likely to be higher with his send home meds and prescription diet. Understandably, his new family were not prepared for a sudden emergency so soon and just aren't financially able to cover this. Despite having extensive veterinary bills ourselves and not having the financial resources that larger rescues do, we are no less committed to saving lives and doing nothing was not an option for us. His life means just as much as any other. If you are able to donate at all towards his emergency treatment we would be incredibly grateful and it would help ease the immense financial worry at a time when we are emotionally and physically drained through the worry of potentially losing him.

Thank you.