In addition, we provide education, resources, and limited financial support to the veterinary community, rescues, shelters and the general public. Super Hero's Animal Hydrocephalus Society (SHAHS) is a non-profit 501c3 animal rescue society and sanctuary that specializes in Hydrocephalus, commonly known as water on the brain, and other special needs in cats. Hydrocephalus is caused when the cerebr
ospinal fluid that is present surrounding the spinal cord, as well as inside and outside our brain, does not drain out of the head or circulate as it should, and instead accumulates beneath the skull causing an enlarged domed presentation with a very pronounced forehead and brow. Hydrocephalus causes extreme pressure on the brain which in turn can cause damage and/or death to the brain tissue, migraines, seizures, blindness, extreme pain and eventually death in most, if left untreated. The mission of SHAHS is multifaceted in that we rescue cats with Hydrocephalus and other concomitant disorders, in addition to providing education, networking with the top veterinary neurosurgeons in North America and limited financial assistance to families and animal rescues with animals that are currently diagnosed with hydro, or have a suspected diagnosis of hydrocephalus. We were awarded non-profit 501c3 status on July 20, 2015. Our rescue was formed and inspired by a very special cat, Super Hero The Hydrocephalic Cat (www.facebook.com/SuperHeroTheHydrocephalicCat), who on 2/26/15 under went a 3.5 hour brain surgery to implant a human pediatric Ventriculoperitoneal Programmable Shunt (VP Shunt for short) to help drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid from his head into his abdomen, in an attempt to save his life. Super Hero suffered "many" life threatening complications but also experienced an extraordinary number of successes and on June 9, 2015, turned 2 years old! Hero has one of the worst documented cases of Hydrocephalus in animals and only has a very small live and functional part of his brain left intact. Yet, he is a very normal cat though who runs, plays, meows and chirps and commands a room, demanding everyone's undivided attention at all times!! He is truly a one of a kind, miracle cat that has crossed the lines of veterinary and human medicine and has a medical team comprised of both the top veterinary neurosurgeons in North America, in addition to numerous pediatric neurosurgeons that consult on his case. In the 6 and a half month since surgery, Hero has undergone 2 shunt revisions in which the pressure setting on the shunt valve was adjusted, 2 MRIs, 2 CT scans, a spinal tap, countless xrays and blood work panels, and greater than 30 days in the hospital. He is currently managed in addition to the shunt, with only 2 medications, Prednisone which helps keep the inflammation in his head caused by the pressure of the hydrocephalus to a minimum, and Phenobarbital, to help control and prevent seizures. As of 7/17/15, we have provided financial assistance to 8 cats and dogs, in the form of paid consultations to top neurosurgeons within our established network, some limited diagnostic testing in the form of ultrasounds, and some medications that help manage Hydrocephalus in animals, specifically, Omeprazole which helps re**rd the excess production of Cerebrospinal Fluid. All of that assistance was made possible through money that was gifted to Super Hero or Smidge, another hydro kitten that sadly lost her battle with this disorder. Our goal is to eventually one day not just support and provide top medical intervention and diagnostic testing to the animals rescued and in our care, but also provide financial assistance for advanced imaging like MRIs or CT scans to credible rescues and families who have courageously taken in, rescued or adopted animals with hydrocephalus. On, 7/16/15, we officially accepted our first rescue cat, Zeke, who was flown to NJ from Dallas-Fort Worth Texas, by Delta Airlines' Animal Rescue and Transport team (DART), from a special needs Manx Rescue (Kaley's Place) that pulled him from the Dallas shelter. Zeke is a tiny 14 oz, 13 week old tuxedo kitten, who not only has Hydrocephalus, but also a host of other skeletal and genetic disorders including being a Twisty Cat and multiple spinal abnormalities. Twisty cats have what is known as Radial Agenesis, meaning they are missing entirely the long bones in their limbs causing them to dramatically turn inward and be significantly bent creating physical deformities and loss of typical function of that extremity. Their long bones can also be shortened or twisted in addition to missing entirely, which also prevents typical function and use of the limb. Zeke has also been recently diagnosed with severe Gastroesophageal Reflux and Megaesophagus. Essentially, the smooth muscle that lines the entire gastrointestinal tract does not work, so food cannot pass down his throat or through his GI tract as it would typically, and the esophagus and intestines dilate because there is no muscle rigidity and pockets are created that food and liquids get stuck in. One of the most serious complications of Meg E is aspiration, when the food and drink that gets stuck in the esophagus is inhaled into the lungs which can cause suffocation, pneumonia and/or death. Zeke is on multiple medications including Omeprazole, Reglan, Lactulose, Simethicone, Miralax and Lysine. Caring for special needs cats with Hydrocephalus, and other special needs like Zeke has, is extremely expensive, accumulating vet bills in excess of tens of thousands of dollars, especially if shunt surgery is determined to be the best life-saving intervention. Most of these cats will remain on medications for life, whether surgery is conducted or not, and consultations, regular followups and imaging like ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs, are necessary, which also cost thousands of dollars. In addition, most hospitalizations require specialized care that can only be rendered in the Critical Care Neurological Units of specialty hospitals, and can cost upwards of thousands of dollars a couple day admission, depending on the extent of care needed. We exclusively employ the medical expertise of Dr. Eric Glass and staff at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Tinton Falls, NJ, one of the top rated Neurosurgeons as well as private specialty hospitals in North America. Please help us provide the necessary medical and neurosurgical care for these animals like Super Hero and Zeke, and help them achieve the best quality of life possible! "FIGHTING HYDROCEPHALUS IN ANIMALS.....4 PAWS AT A TIME"
*** all donations are tax deductible
*** YOU CAN ALSO DONATE FREE OF CHARGES THROUGH OUR PAY PAL ACCOUNT @ [email protected]
