Update 6/17/11




Dropping Josie off for her surgery was bittersweet. We were so worried but knew she was in good hands. We gave her extra love while Dr. Kadlec was examining her.







After surgery she was staying over night, but we just HAD to go see her! As soon as she saw us she was purring. She couldn't move much but we knew she was happy to see us. She purred so incredibly loud! The following day when we picked her up Dr. Kadlec told us how lovey she had been and was purring and loving on everyone.



We took her home and immediately she ran right to her food as if she didn't realize she was missing a limb. She was talking to us, walking around, reuniting with the other fosters, etc. We realized that night how much the surgery had already improved her spirit. Since then, her mood is so much happier, she jumps on and off the bed, has been enjoying the cat trees and loving life.







We are still waiting to hear back about the pathology of her shoulder, but we are hopeful that she will be okay now. I will update this as soon as I know the results. Until then, she is in loving hands and good kitty company while she heals. Her stitches come out next week! Please continue to pray for Josie, and if you can, help us pay for her large bill.



I know it may be hard to truly realize how difficult it is to afford these surgeries, but it is. We are lucky to have Seneca Animal Hospital to allow us to make payments when needed, but this is only one bill and one clinic. There are so many medical expenses, and the more we get help with, the more lives we can save....the next life we save may even end up being your new family member!





Update 6/7/11
Ok, so this update is a long time coming. I'm sorry, but it has been an emotional roller-coaster with her health and I wasn't sure I could write this. However, here I go...



On 4/7/11 Josie went to Seneca and saw Dr. Kadlec again because her limping was getting worse. We decided it was best to have x-rays taken. Josie was sedated and had her front legs x-rayed. It appeared that Josie had a bone tumor, or osteosarcoma, in her right front shoulder. We were devastated. She received Tramadol for the pain.



The Dr's had a radiology meeting and discussed Josie's condition. It was decided that it was to Josie's benefit to give her pain management and love until she was in too much pain to live a comfortable life. We took her off the adoptable list and I decided that she would stay with me, where she has been more the most of 2 years and is comfortable. My husband and I give her pain medication twice a day, which she hates, and shower her with love.



Josie appeared to be doing well until a couple weeks ago, when she began to appear depressed. She went back to see Dr. Kadlec 5/25/11. She had a slight fever and a cytology of her shoulder. It revealed the cancer cells as well as inflammatory cells. We discussed at length the possibility of removing her cancerous arm. Months back they didn't think this was a good idea. However now, after having more time to discuss and research, it is very uncommon for bone cancer in cats to spread. So, in case we decided to go forward with this, we had routine blood work performed, which was unremarkable. We decided to schedule her amputation.



6/6/11 she went in for an antibiotic injection of Convenia to help with her fever and help ward off infection after surgery. Her surgery is scheduled for Thursday, 6/9/11. After putting her under, they will do chest x-rays on Josie..this should show if the cancer has spread. If it has spread, the surgery will NOT be performed. If not, they will remove her arm and shoulder. That will be sent out for cytology to determine exactly what is going in that arm. We are hoping for the best, and if we get it, Josie will be placed back up for adoption once she is healed.



We love Josie as our own. To know this cat is to love her. Some of you may have met her at PetCo during an adoption event. If you have gotten to meet her, you are very lucky. This sweet girl loves everyone and anyone unconditionally. She is always in her best spirits and is so affectionate. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body. Josie is the poster cat for amazing cats. She is just plain AMAZING!



Josie's recent care has come to $428 and the estimate for surgery is approximately $1200. Please, please, please help us try to save this beautiful girls life. Please forward to your friends, family, co-workers, etc. Every dollar helps! And if you cannot help financially, please have Josie in your prayers, especially on the date of her surgery. Thank you, Dawn & Chris Galvin (VP & husband)

Update 3/15/11


We tried a medication called Itraconazole to minimize the size of Josie's growth. It cost $70, but unfortunately it didn't make a difference. Josie had begun limping so we took her to the vet. Dr. Kadlek stated that she was fine but most likely injured it jumping. We got Prednisone for the pain and inflammation. We also figured it may possibly help her growth.



Josie is the sweetest girl. She is the best patient. She even comes to out PetCo adoption events each month and just lays in the bed on our table, greeting everyone and soaking up the attention. Why no one wants this beautiful girl we don't understand; but she is a pleasure to still have. Please help us to continue caring for sweet Josie! Thank you :)



Update 2/13/11:
Good News!!! Josie's tumor is NOT CANCER!! The pathology came back negative, and the secondary as well. So the vets are stumped as to what has caused her growth. It seems to have stopped growing, she is happy and healthy! Since her diarrhea is gone after being treated for the lungworm in December, she has found a new-found love in food. Subsequently she has gotten a bit chunky in a short time, causing a slight limp. She is now on a better diet, and is kept where she cannot jump off anything high to further hurt herself. She is on Simplicef, to see if the cause of her growth is a deep tissue bacterial infection. If this doesn't reduce the size we will try an anti-fungal medication. In the meantime, she is otherwise happy, healthy and as sweet as ever. She is now being taken off hold to be available for adoption. Please don't let Josie's appearance hinder you from adopting. This is possibly the sweetest, most lovable, affectionate cat ever born. She deserves a chance at a stable, forever home.

Update 1/19/11:
Josie had her biopsies on Monday. She was brave and did very well. The tumor on her neck was on her lymph node and was removed instead of biopsied. The vet said that was best for her. They biopsied her main tumor on her head and we should know the results by next week. Please cross your fingers for the best news possible for Josie...whatever that may be. Josie is already back to her sweet self, just wanting love and attention, just one day later. Her surgery was $45 more than estimated so we added this to the total needed. When we hear the results of her biopsy and have a plan of treatment we will update again. Thank you for anything you can give to help!









Update 1/11/11:
Josie is scheduled to have her tumors biopsied Monday, January 17th. The estimated cost is $300 so we have added that to the chipin total. If this should change come Monday, we will change her total to reflect the corrected amount. We will also update, after her appointment, the results and plan for treatment. Please support this sweet angel by donating today!



Update 1/6/11:
Josie went to see a surgeon 1/5/10 at Sheridan Animal Clinic to discuss removal of her tumor. While there we noticed a second tumor had devoloped on her neck. In light of this, the surgeon urged us to go back to Seneca and have the masses biopsied before considering removal. Depending on the results, we will make the decision on what is in Josie's best interests on what path we will take with her medically. Rest assured we will be doing everything possible to help her. Everyone at the vets office commented on how amazingly sweet and calm she was. They could not believe that she has been with us for almost 2 years. The visit to the surgeon was added the chipin and when we know the cost of the biopsy we will adjust the total accordingly. Please help us pay for Josie's care. Thank you.

Update 12/20/10:
Josie went to Seneca Animal Hospital again today for the bumps on her head. Dr. Beyer took a couple samples and found that her tumor has returned. It appears to be benign, however we will not know until it is removed. Due to the location of the tumor, Dr. Beyer advises us to take her to Veterinary Specialists of WNY, as they have a Board Certified Surgeon that will be able to better assess the likelihood of save and total removal. We know this will probably NOT be cheap, but we cannot put a price on a life. We will update the chip in total needed as well as on her status once she sees her specialist. Josie thanks you for all of your support!













Josie was taken to the vet for diarrhea and a cough. She was found to have lungworms. Lungworms are parasitic nematode worms of the order Strongylida that infest the lungs of vertebrates. They migrate to their hosts' lungs or respiratory tracts, and cause bronchitis or pneumonia. The lungworm will gradually damage the airways or lung tissue by inciting an inflammatory reaction inside the tissue. Ultimately, the parasite survives and reproduces in the respiratory tissues.

Josie also developed some bumps on her forehead that needed to be aspirated to look at under the microscope. Fortunately nothing bad was seen at that time. However, it has been a week since her appointment and her bumps are already larger. They are in the area that she had cancer removed from a couple years ago, so we will go back to the vet this week.






We will update this sweet girls chip in once we know what is going on with her forehead. She is still having diarrhea and is on special food now to try and help clear that up. Please help us continue to care for Josie’s extra needs. Every dollar helps! Thank you!