Icarus
Phoenix, AZ--
One day after one of it's staffer's was rushed to the hospital for a urinary tract blockage, Cat Galaxy reports it was a very serious situation for the feline. Icarus, the Program Director for the radio and TV station for cats which is based in Phoenix underwent surgery to remove a urinary blockage but is expected to recover. He'll be closely watched at Four Peaks Animal Clinic in Scottsdale for the next couple of days. Icarus was receiving medication previously for a urinary tract infection (UTI) which happens more often in male cats than females.
"His situation was indeed serious and we're told that if the blockage continued for another 8 hours he might not have made it and that would have been heartbraking for us. He was brought to Four Peaks as soon as the blockage was discovered. If you suspect a UTI or a blockage in your own cat, then get them to the vet right away so they can be treated. This isn't something that you wait on" said Nohl Rosen, Icarus's human and spokesperson for the station.
Signs of UTI in cats include straining to use the litterbox, urinating in places other than the litterbox, and crying while using it. Signs of a urinary blockage in a cat include trying to use the litterbox and no urine being produced, vomiting, and lethargy. If left untreated it could damge the kidneys because it stops producing urine and as a result toxins build up in the blood stream resulting in uremic poisoning. Death often occurs within 48-72 hours.
While surgery is often expensive in these cases, some humans elect to have their cats euthanized because of the lack of money. Rosen wants to remind humans them that you can't worry about the financial end of things.
"I couldn't see myself doing this with Icarus or any of my other cats for that matter. Sure, it's an added and unexpected expense and it's very easy to be caught off guard when these things happen, but how can you put a price on a life? It'd be heartbreaking to lose Icarus and I can't see myself having him euthanized simply because of the money end of things. I'm willing to do whatever I can to save him. Luckily, his condition is treatable and I'll deal with the financial issues later. We just want him to get better. Right now he's getting the best of care and the staff at Four Peaks has been wonderful and patient with him. Our holiday wish is to have him home as we all miss him," Rosen added.
There is a special fundraiser being held to help pay for Icarus's medical expenses. Rosen who is also a computer tech and owner of company called Panther TEK that fixes and installs computers for residential and small businesses says that a portion of the money he makes will go toward's paying Icarus's medical bill. He hopes to fix 20 computers by December 31st. Cat Galaxy is hoping to also raise funds by selling advertising on the station as well with a majority of the proceeds to go towards Icarus's care.
For more information about Cat Galaxy and Panther TEK call 480-980-8541 or log on to the station's web site at www.catgalaxymedia.com which is also posting regular updates on Icarus's progress. If you wish to know more about Four Peaks Animal Clinic for your own cat's needs call 480-778-1770. Four Peaks Animal Clinic is located at 8776 E. Shea Blvd, suite B7 in the Pima Crossing Shopping Plaza.
Photo:
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