$25,000 Medical Miracle

[corrie]

LINK

Couple spend $25,000 on sick pet

II Gato described as a "moggy miracle"

Survives brain surgery, two heart attacks

A MELBOURNE moggy is a $25,000 medical miracle.

Il Gato has twice died on the operating table - and twice been brought back to life by a desperate vet who massaged his heart until it began beating again.

The cat has survived delicate brain surgery and life-threatening encephalitis, meningitis and two apparently fatal heart attacks.

Yet he remains purring proof that some cats really can have nine lives.

The former street stray's devoted owners drew on their house deposit savings, cancelled plans for an overseas holiday and have delayed parenthood to pay their pampered pet's vet bills.

Charmion Phillips, 35, has given up her job as a scientific photographer to stay at home to be a full-time carer to the five-year-old tabby.

Relaxing at home in Preston, Il Gato sports the scars that show his indomitable will to live.

Staples stretch the length of his nose where specialist vet Charles Kuntz entered the cat's nasal cavities to cut out the infection. Unfortunately, that became brain surgery.

"He's had a nasal fungal condition for so long that we discovered during surgery that it had spread up into his skull where it had penetrated and eaten away the bone," Dr Kuntz said.

"We had no option but to remove a section of the skull."

Il Gato has been plagued by breathing problems usually treated easily by medication.

But his situation became so dire, his owners attended the Southpaws specialist veterinary centre in Moorabbin to say their last goodbyes and collect him for a home burial.

"Even though he had twice died and twice been brought back to life by Dr Kuntz, he somehow seemed to rally again when he heard our voices," Ms Phillips said.

"He had been on life support overnight and when staff removed it so we could take him home, he started breathing on his own for the first time."

Dr Kuntz, no stranger to extraordinary feats of veterinary surgery, described Il Gato as a "moggy miracle".

"To survive one fatal attack is pretty good but to come back after a second is nothing short of a miracle," he said.

"To start breathing after his life support was turned off was just amazing."

Multiple scans that showed the shocking extent of Il Gato's infection, the surgery, around-the-clock care in a humidicrib, life support, medication and anaesthesia have taken Charmion and Mark Phillip's vet bill to over $25,000.

But the pair, who live in a rental property, could and would not put a price on their pet's life.

"It's a lot of money we have spent but we have spent a lot of money before on overseas holidays that last a week and Il Gato has given us six years so far."

I also saw this on TV this morning. The couple actually spent the $25000 over 6 months for treatment and different vets and specialists.

Koshy seemed to have a jugemental tone regarding the cost. There is one comment attatched to the article saying, "It's a cat!".

It seems that there is a perception among many that to spend over a certain amount on a pet for medical attention is somehow crass and the media always seem to jump on the monetary figure.

If someone spent $25000 on a jetski, boat, car or a million other things (not that I could offord it) there would hardly be a raised eyebrow but somehow spending a large amount on a sick companion is somehow offensive and I have actually heard people say in response to similar media beat ups in the past that the money could have been used for homeless people or other such charities.

What do others think?

BTW, Glad the cat survived. Charles Kuntz is a member here. Nice work Charles.

Edited September 10, 2010 by corrie

[Dog_Horse_Girl]

I think this shows not only the owner's devotion, but that of the vet and associated staff.

I wouldn't hesitate to spend whatever I could afford, beg or borrow, to save my dogs' lives if need be. We spent quite a bit on Ruby at Christmas to remove her spleen and tumor and then a few months later, she had the cruciate surgery which was supposed to happen at Christmas.

I really don't understand why people think spending money on a pet is wrong...to me that way of thinking is wrong...would these people spend that sort of money on a child, spouse or other loved one? Would they begrudge the same money if it was for a human companion rather than a non-human one?

[Miss B]

Personally I would not spend $25,000 on a pet, but hey - it's their money, their cat, their decision. If they are happy then good for them

[Freshstart16]

I loved this story!!! such devotion and as long as the cat is now well and not suffering then why not?? It would never happen to me though because I would never be able to come up with $25k.

Its nice to see a good animal story in the news for a change, i wish there was more like these instead the sick fools who bloody hurt animals for kicks

[Bundyburger]

Quit work to be a full time carer to a cat? eek.. I couldn't do that.

Lucky cat

[megan_]

People can pay what the like, but it is pretty crass to give the story to the paper.

I also don't equate teh amount of money you spend on your pet to devotion. I love my dogs but I don't have $25k to spare.

[ravenau1]

Love the name lol. Il Gato, The Cat (according to my dodgy Spanish)

[corrie]

People can pay what the like, but it is pretty crass to give the story to the paper.

I also don't equate teh amount of money you spend on your pet to devotion. I love my dogs but I don't have $25k to spare.

I agree, megan.

It just seems that there is a perception that spending that kind of money on a pet is a waste.

Edited September 10, 2010 by corrie

[Staranais]

It seems that there is a perception among many that to spend over a certain amount on a pet for medical attention is somehow crass and the media always seem to jump on the monetary figure.

If someone spent $25000 on a jetski, boat, car or a million other things (not that I could offord it) there would hardly be a raised eyebrow but somehow spending a large amount on a sick companion is somehow offensive and I have actually heard people say in response to similar media beat ups in the past that the money could have been used for homeless people or other such charities.

What do others think?

I completely agree with you.

So long as the animal has quality of life, I have no argument with it.

[silentchild]

I saw this story on TV last night! When they interviewed Charles Kuntz (they didn't show his name for some reason) I couldn't help thinking I've met him before somewhere.. then I realized he had operated on my dog not too long ago! Hoorah for Dr Kuntz!

So long as the animal has quality of life, I have no argument with it.

I agree, to each his own.

[Linda K]

would hesitate before spending $25000 on anything, as I know how long it would take me to make that, and given that the woman has had to give up the job to look after him full time, not sure about the quality of life for the cat. Would not spend that much myself, but that is me

[Guest]

A lovely story witha happy ending, but hey wouldn't it be lovely if we could all have that sort of money, to spend on our pets, and for some people having to put their beloved pet to sleep because they can't afford to pay for vet bills, is devastating, not every one has that sort of money to pay a vet upfront.

lablove

[Loving my Oldies]

I think this shows not only the owner's devotion, but that of the vet and associated staff.

I wouldn't hesitate to spend whatever I could afford, beg or borrow, to save my dogs' lives if need be. We spent quite a bit on Ruby at Christmas to remove her spleen and tumor and then a few months later, she had the cruciate surgery which was supposed to happen at Christmas.

I really don't understand why people think spending money on a pet is wrong...to me that way of thinking is wrong...would these people spend that sort of money on a child, spouse or other loved one? Would they begrudge the same money if it was for a human companion rather than a non-human one?

Agree totally with this post especially emboldened part.

Personally I would not spend $25,000 on a pet, but hey - it's their money, their cat, their decision. If they are happy then good for them

True and they should not be judged in a negative way.

It just seems that there is a perception that spending that kind of money on a pet is a waste.

Yes, too true, and it annoys me intensely when judgement is passed on people because they spend huge sums on their pets - who are obviously members of their families.

I wonder how many of the people who write these stories and then finish off with "it's just a cat/dog" have had their pets' lives saved by the expertise of the veterinary establishment.

I wonder how many lives of much loved animals are now going to be saved because of the devotion of the owners of Il Gato and his vets?

Edited September 13, 2010 by Mother Moocher