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…