My husband and I brought Hunter into our homes off of the streets just over a year ago. He was diagnosed with iris melanosis/melanoma on January 8 of this year.  It is an idiopathic growth of the eye. There is no way to provide a confirmed diagnosis of cancer until the eye has been removed, but the size, shape, and height of the changes on the iris are consistent with melanoma.  

He will need pre-op x-rays and blood work to make sure that it hasn't spread if it is cancer. If it has spread he will come home and we will provide palliative care for as long as he has a good quality of life. Once this type of cancer has spread, the prognosis is grim and survival is normally less than 1 year. This pre-op testing will cost approximately $650. We have already spent close to $250 in consultations with our primary veterinarian and a veterinary opthalmologist.

If it has not spread, we will need to have the eye removed. This surgery will cost approximately $1200, but the good news is that as long as it's done ASAP,he will have a good chance of having a normal life span- which means he would easily be with us another 10-15 years! After his surgery, he will need monitoring every 6 months for the next 36 months to ensure the cancer has not come back.

This bill is beyond our current financial ability, as my husband has been searching for work for the better part of the last year. We have applied for pet assistance grants, but in the current economic climate, many foundations have either dissolved or are currently freezing all funding until financial reserves are built back up.

Would you please consider making a small gift to help ensure that we can give Hunter the best care possible? Any money raised above and beyond the cost of his care will be donated to grant-making organizations that provide emergency funding for pet owners who cannot pay vet bills!

Chip In: http://helphunterkitty.chipin.com

Treating Vet Contact Information 
Dr. Amy Hoss

Cascade Hospital for Animals 

6730 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49546

(616) 949-0960

The office staff at Cascade is aware of our case and I have let them know that supporters may call and ask for verification or to make a contribution toward Hunter's vet bills. Just let them know you are calling on behalf of Dr. Hoss's patient Hunter who is having his eye removed due to melanosis. 

 

From the Mod Team Regarding Pleas for money:

Cats are a huge responsibility. Anyone who thinks otherwise, should not have one in their life. They are dependent on us for everything from providing a place to eat, to also providing vet care.

Anyone who has cats knows that they can and do get ill. Your best defense is to plan for that to happen before it does, and store monies away in preparation.

If you read about a plight of an animal on the internet and your heart is drawn to help. Check out the story thoroughly. Google the vet's name or call Directory Assistance in the city and be sure this is a legitimate claim.

Do not blindly send money into a paypal account no matter how heart-wrenching the story. Instead reach out to the member and ask for the vet's name and phone number, and arrange to send the money there for the specific needs of the cat in question.

If that information cannot be provided- you have your answer. Report the post to a moderator so that it can be removed for not being on the level.

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