Spokane cat’s rare diagnosis leads to lifesaving care at WSU

An ultrasound confirmed Nelson’s suspicion, and Spot was referred to WSU for specialized surgical care from a team that included board certified surgeon Dr.

For more than a year, Spokane resident Darren Bass searched for answers as a stray kitten that had worked its way into his heart struggled with puzzling symptoms that stumped veterinarians.

The kitten, later named Spot, was eventually diagnosed with a rare congenital liver defect known as a portosystemic shunt, which causes blood to bypass the liver instead of being filtered.

Referred to Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital for specialized care, Spot underwent a complex and risky surgery to correct the defect, with assistance from the hospital’s Good Samaritan Fund helping Bass manage the cost of treatment.

“It’s just been a wonderful experience for me at WSU because I was so frustrated not being able to figure out what was going on with Spot,” Bass said.

“Without surgery, they said she probably would have lived only a few more years.

But now she’s doing great, and I’m excited to see how much she continues to improve.” Bass discovered Spot outside his home on a cold October night in 2024.

Concerned the tiny and sickly-appearing kitten would not survive the night outdoors, he brought her inside with the intention of finding her a permanent home.

“At the time, I was struggling to find employment and wasn’t sure if I was going to be homeless,” Bass said.

“I kind of look at it as divine intervention.

When I was down, here was this little kitten that needed someone to take care of, and in a lot of ways she ended up helping me too.

The report adds to ongoing university-led research relevant to veterinary medicine, animal health, and clinical decision-making.

Source university website: Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine

https://vetmed.wsu.edu/spokane-cats-rare-diagnosis-leads-to-lifesaving-care-at-wsu/