Help Bezinka get a chance to recover
Bezinka is a three year old European cat who has been struggling with recurring inflammatory masses on her neck since March this year. The first one had to be surgically removed. A few months later another mass appeared on the opposite side of her neck, this time very close to major blood vessels and important nerves.
Since then, she has undergone extensive diagnostic testing. Cytology and histopathology ruled out cancer, which was an enormous relief. Unfortunately, despite bacterial cultures, testing for Cryptococcus, mycobacteria and several other examinations, the underlying cause of the inflammation has still not been identified. We are currently waiting for the final special staining of the biopsy sample.
Thanks to ongoing antibiotic treatment, Bezinka's condition has improved significantly. She is eating again, has gained weight and is acting almost like herself. However, the mass is still present, and there is a possibility that it will start growing again once the antibiotics are discontinued.
After consultation with MVDr. Vlach at VetPark, it was recommended that Bezinka undergo both a CT scan and an MRI. These examinations will allow the surgeons to precisely determine the relationship between the mass and the surrounding blood vessels and nerves. If nothing prevents surgery, the operation will follow. According to her veterinarians, this is currently the safest time to perform it while she is stable and in good overall condition.
The underlying cause of the inflammation is still unknown. One possibility is a foreign body or another local cause, such as a retained tooth root from previous dental extractions. This may only become clear during advanced imaging or surgery. If no cause is found, further testing will continue, although virtually all currently available diagnostic tests have already been performed.
Who are you helping?
I rescued Bezinka as a tiny kitten in Spišská Nová Ves, where she lived in an allotment garden colony with many other cats. Although the local people cared for the colony, Bezinka was the smallest and sickest of them all. I brought her and her sibling Polárka to the Czech Republic, and she has been my daily companion ever since.
She has struggled with health problems for most of her life. Despite everything she has gone through, she remains an incredibly affectionate and gentle cat who still comes to cuddle with me after every examination and every procedure.
Until now, I have covered the cost of her treatment myself, with help from my family and friends. Only after the expenses grew beyond what I could realistically manage did I decide to ask the public for help.
Since this current health issue began, our wonderful community has already raised approximately 19,250 CZK, which allowed us to pay for further diagnostic tests and treatment. Most of those funds have already been spent on Bezinka's care. At the moment, around 5,259 CZK remains, although some recent expenses, such as the additional histopathological staining have not yet been invoiced. I am now asking for help with the costs of her upcoming imaging examinations and surgery.
What will the funds be used for?
The funds raised will primarily cover Bezinka's further diagnostic examinations and surgical treatment.
Following the recommendation of a specialist surgeon, she is expected to undergo:
- a contrast-enhanced CT scan and MRI (estimated cost: 20,000–25,000 CZK),
- surgical removal of the lesion using an operating microscope (approximately 20,000 CZK),
- postoperative hospitalisation, follow-up examinations, histopathology and any additional treatment required after surgery.
The purpose of this fundraiser is not to reimburse treatment that has already been paid for, but to secure funding for Bezinka's upcoming CT scan, MRI, surgery and postoperative care. I include the previous expenses to provide a transparent overview of the diagnostic process and how the donations from the previous Instagram fundraiser have already been used.
If the full target amount is not reached, all donated funds will still be used for Bezinka's diagnostics and treatment. I will cover the remaining costs myself or with the help of my family and friends.
If more money is raised than is ultimately needed for Bezinka's treatment, the remaining funds will be kept as a reserve should the disease recur. If that reserve is ultimately not needed, the remaining funds will be donated to an organisation caring for abandoned animals. I will provide transparent updates about how every donation is used.
Complete medical records, invoices and veterinary reports are available here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hBa7QBBEtnuMHIoezhwMjhfwqlH6k3Zq
