What’s the real cost of enjoying a healthy, pain-free life? Ultimately, we go to great lengths for it, including for our pets. But as we know, the costs for health care in the States are prohibitively high, including veterinary care. Even so, we’d do whatever it takes for our loved ones. Such is the case for a second-grade teacher who loves her cat named Ava, diagnosed with a chronic disease. The woman who gives so much to her community reached out for help to save Ava, knowing she deserved to live a pain-free life.
Ava Deserves a Pain-Free Life
Ava is an eight-year-old tabby and white kitty from Minnesota. She’s a sweet and beautiful companion and has many years ahead of her. Her mama loves her very much, but caring for the kitty was severely stretching her finances as a teacher in an impoverished district of Minnesota.
Images via Facebook/For the Love of Alex, Inc.
Idiopathic Megacolon
Most of us take for granted that our cats use the litter box. But Ava developed a condition that caused her frequent, painful constipation called Idiopathic Megacolon. To put it simply, it means her large intestine is enlarged and won’t work correctly.
“Megacolon is the most common cause of obstipation in cats. Ava’s condition has deteriorated to where she has lost normal nerve function in the large intestine, and Ava has lost the ability to pass feces regularly,” shared the nonprofit For the Love of Alex, Inc.
For a time, Ava’a’s mom, who had pet insurance, paid for a special low-fiber, highly digestible prescription diet, fluids, and medications. And she returned to the vet repeatedly when the kitty required intervention for bowel obstructions. What a nightmare for any pet and their guardians!
After all the expenses, she was going to lose Ava without paying for surgery. Yet the cost was sadly out of reach in the thousands. Would Ava have to suffer until the end of her life ? It broke her mom’s heart to even consider it.
But just when everything looked bleak, she found help so Ava can live pain-free.
Rescuers From Another State Intervened to Save Her Life
Left with the prospect of going thousands of dollars in debt or losing her cat, Ava’s mom found help with a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania nonprofit, For the Love of Alex, Inc. Wonderfully, they took on the costs for the Colectomy surgery even before supporters raised the full amount of funds for Ava’s surgery.
“Most cats do reasonably well after this procedure, with few permanent side effects,” they explained.
Like Ava’s mom, they knew she deserved to live a pain-free life. They also knew the teacher deserved help after giving so much to her community to improve the lives of young people.
“Ava’s condition is critical, and her mom is financially stretched. She is unable to afford Ava’’s much-needed surgery as her care credit account was maxed out due to taking Ava multiple times to the veterinary hospital to temporarily relieve her painful condition. It breaks her heart to see Ava struggling. Ava is only eight years old and this surgery will be life-changing for her!” shared the rescue.
Ava Recovers from Surgery!
To save her life, the heroic rescue had to use emergency funds for immediate surgery. It’s always risky, but Ava made it and is free from the nonfunctioning part of her colon forever.
“The surgery went well with no complications. Ava is home a resting comfortably; she is confined to a small area for two weeks to limit her ability to jump, climb, or do anything else strenuous,” they shared.
As the kitty recovered, she wore a special ‘Super Suit’ to prevent licking at her incision. Her recovery will take weeks, but for the first time in years, she’ll experience life without chronic pain inside her body.
“She looks so cute! Ava will have a check-up in two weeks. We will have more updates on this beautiful girl soon!”
“Thank you to everyone who donated to Ava’s surgery cost. She will no longer be in pain and have a good quality of life because of your kindness and generosity,” they shared.
To help Ava, you can share this article and follow and support For the Love of Alex Inc. on Facebook and Instagram. They’re also on YouTube.
Video by For the Love of Alex, Inc:
