I’ve had Nico since he was a tiny kitten, he’s my family.
— Alexandria —
A year and a half ago, this tiny kitten came found a loving human and fur family, and he was home at last! Alexandria and her partner were thrilled to bring this fluffy new family member home and gave him the name Nico. Being in the military and recently relocating to the area, the family has been finding their grounding as they adjust to a new location. Even Nico and the other furry companions have taken some time adjusting to a new environment this year.
As aware pet owners, Alexandria noticed when Nico began showing signs of lethargy, lack of appetite and urination troubles. As the signs and symptoms continued to shift from sporadic to often, Alexandria did the next best thing and contacted the Pet Specialists of Monterey before Nico became too uncomfortable. After diagnostics, the vet determined that there was a urethral obstruction which was causing all of Nico’s trouble. The treatment to clear the obstruction would include hospital nights as well as many medications for Nico, which meant a rather large veterinary bill.
When Alexandria realized the cost of treatment, she reached out to Max’s Helping Paws for assistance. She shared with us, “I was laid off due to COVID and my husband is military. We can not afford the estimated charges. We’re scrambling for assistance from friends and family but it is limited. We are asking friends and family for help but it is hard.”
With such an intense year between the family’s relocation and COVID, Max’s Helping Paws understands that pet crisis can sometimes happen at the most difficult financial moments. Our Chestnut’s Crisis Fund was established for situations exactly like Nico’s, and we were able to extend assistance for the treatment needed. It was thanks to the support of donors and The Doris Day Foundation that this fund has assisted so many families in Monterey County during an extra challenging year. Luckily, Nico was able to receive care while staying overnight in the hospital and then returned home to heal with his human and fur family once again.
About Our Veterinary Partner:
Pet Specialists of Monterey is the first to offer 24-hour emergency service and a surgical-referral clinic specializing in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery and internal medicine in this area. As a referral practice, Pet Specialists collaborates with other veterinarians – from San Luis Obispo to Santa Cruz County – to ensure the very best medical care for pets. The emergency facility accepts patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.