10/17/2025
**Herman Update**
It has taken a couple days to process everything that has happened over not just the past 2 weeks but the past 7 months, so lets start at the beginning.
March 20th: We pulled Herman from a local animal control where he was surrendered. The information that we received was that the person surrendering stated that a friend left him with them and after 6 months, they stated they didn't want him back. He was said to be about 4 years old. Upon intake into animal control, they noticed he seemed sluggish and had an enlarged head. Due to the likelihood that he had some more serious medical issues, they put a euthanasia date on him if rescue was not found. Being a rescue that focuses on the major medical cases we offered to take him in!
April 5th: Once Herman settled in to our Wellness Center and we could get a better idea of what was going on with him, we set up a CT scan with a Mobile CT service. The results were inconclusive unfortunately but it was certain that his skull was extremely deformed. To know the extent of his issues, we would need and MRI to give us a more detailed picture.
(CT scan: $1500)
May 12th: After his CT scan determined that he would need more extensive imaging to determine his issues, we set up an appointment with Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota to have him undergo an MRI. Once complete, it determined that he had a condition called Hydrocephalus, which is where spinal fluid accumulates around the brain and puts pressure on it.
(MRI scan: $2291.37)
Days after his MRI we consulted with our neurology team at Minnesota Veterinary Neurology to figure out what the next steps would look like. After evaluating everything, it was determined that he should undergo a procedure to place a shunt in his skull that would drain the fluid slowly into his abdomen. This would ideally give him the best chance of a long life with minimal issues that could be caused by the hydrocephalus. Our rescue made the collective decision to proceed with surgery when Minnesota Veterinary Neurology opened their new facility in October. We monitored him closely over the summer and spent as much time with him as we could making sure his accommodations were acceptable to him.
October 7th: Herman underwent surgery to place the shunt. The procedure itself went off without issue. As with any brain surgery, he stayed hospitalized for the next couple of days in the ICU to monitor him round the clock for any post op issues. He was able to be discharged on 10/9.
(Shunt surgery and hospitalization: $6586.95)
October 11th: Herman came back to our Wellness Center after surgery and was understandably tired but doing well. Unfortunately on Saturday night he became very lethargic and sluggish. We questioned whether his pain was being controlled enough or if he was havinng other post op complications. Thankfully, the neurology clinic is just across the road from our Wellness Center so we got him there right away. It was decided that he needed to have more extensive supportive care so we checked him back in for a couple days. At the hospital Herman was placed on IV fluids and other IV medications to control any pain or discomfort he was experiencing. They were able to get things back under control and he was discharged back to us on 10/14.
(Hospitalization: $3625.89)
October 15th: We arrived very early in the morning to check on Herman and found him having a seizure. We immediately administered IV medications at the Wellness Center to stop the seizures. We contacted the neurology team once again and were given instructions on how to care for him at our clinic. We monitored him closely all day and provided him the supportive care he needed. We also explained to everyone involved that we were at a financial point where we could not continue extensive care of diagnostics. Our neurology team was extremely understanding, as they have been through his entire journey, and we decided to take things one step at a time. Getting his seizures under control was the first step.
Our director, Liz, brought him home with her that night to monitor him, keep him on IV fluids and give him medications every 6 and 8 hours. He was aware and conscious but he was on a lot of sedating medications. When it was time for his 11:30pm meds, Liz when to administer them and notices that Herman was unfortunately actively passing away. She wrapped him in a blanket and held him as his breathing slowed and he slowly but peacefully left us.
Herman's time with us was all of 7 months and his medical expenses totaled $14,004.21 and many people will be offended, upset or just in disagreement of this care plan. How could you spend so much on a single cat? Think of all the animals that could have been saved with that money! It is irresponsible for a rescue organization to spend so much on an animal.
As a small organization (contrary to popular belief), we are absolutely feeling all of those questions and statements at the same time. Liz is reeling with the facts and outcomes of this situation. If he had lived, would we still be asking those questions? Probably, but it would hurt nearly as bad. Over 7 months we were able to raise about $1000 for Herman's care. At the end of the day this is the shocking reality of being a rescue that supports the major medical cases. THIS is where your donation dollar goes to. Every organization we worked with along the way provided generous discounts of their services and we are so appreciative of them as well!
Personal message from Liz:
"As the director of RPAW, it is my job to make the dough decisions and guide this organization to success. Success is measured in numerous ways. Every decision we make, every case we take on, every dollar we spend means something to the large picture. Herman was one cat, once case, one surgery, one total bill... but he was also a piece of the giant puzzle that we are trying to put together to help the general public have the opportunities to care for cases just like his. Every time we take in a medical case, we add to the unknown knowledge. Parvo treatment had to start somewhere. It once was a certain death sentence for dogs and now it can be treated at home as an outpatient. FIP was once a certain death sentence for cats and now there is a treatment that has an almost certain success rate. Animals, like people, can live long and happy lives with medical conditions or injuries but it takes time and research and knowledge. Herman is exactly that. We have learned so much from him in just this short time. His loss is extremely painful to all of those involved, even the community that never met him. His legacy, like Gilbert's will live on. RPAW stands by every decision made in this case and we know that it will influence cases in the future."
Herman, YOU MATTERED!
(If you would like to donate to help off set the expenses occurred you can do so a few ways:
Here on this post
Venmo:
Our website: www.rpaw.org
By check: Made out to RPAW and mailed to PO Box 490201 Blaine, MN 55449
