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Fern the Cat Recovers From Kidney Stones

By Christy True
published: August 16, 2021 - updated: March 6, 2024 • 2 min. read
Fern the cat

Diagnosis: Kidney stones
Claims covered: $16,628 | Reimbursement: $12,846
Coverage options: $250 deductible| 80 percent

Fern at the shelter
Fern, showing her personality, at the shelter.

Stephanie likes to say that her 11-year-old cat Fern adopted her. Stephanie was volunteering at the local shelter in Durham, Connecticut when she felt a little tap on her shoulder.

“When I turned around, I saw this cute grey tiger cat, trying to get my attention. Fern and I have been mutually obsessed with each other since that day,” she says.

At the shelter, Fern was called Smarty, which perfectly encapsulates her, since she can be too smart for her own good sometimes, Stephanie said.

It’s not just Stephanie who is smitten with the kitten. Everyone who meets Fern falls in love with her, and she has turned many of Stephanie’s friends into “cat people” inspiring a number of adoptions, she said.

Weight loss signals trouble

In June, Fern started to lose weight. At first, Stephanie didn’t think anything of it since the weight loss was gradual, and she was on a new diet.

Fern admiring her reflection
Fern likes to admire her own reflection.
At her yearly checkup, the vet was concerned about the weight loss and recommended an ultrasound that revealed a kidney stone blockage. To fix the issue, Fern would need emergency surgery that required a five-day hospital stay.

The surgery involved inserting a catheter into the kidney to transport urine to the bladder while sidestepping the kidney stone. The surgery was successful with no complications.

After the surgery, Fern was connected to an intravenous feeding tube for two weeks and given pain medication. Stephanie had to feed Fern a special liquid food with a syringe during that time.

“Fern is a bundle of energy, so attempting to keep her from jumping for 14 days was a full-time job,” Stephanie said.

Protect your pet

Back to kitty antics

Now Fern is doing great, eating like a champ, and is enjoying looking at her own reflection again – one of her favorite pastimes, Stephanie said.

Stephanie is glad she signed up Fern for a Healthy Paws pet insurance plan when Fern was young.

“I wanted the security of knowing Fern would get the treatment she needed during an emergency, and it was a relief to make a decision based on what was best for Fern rather than what it might financially cost when this life-or-death emergency happened,” she said. “I am eternally grateful. Every pet owner should have Healthy Paws.”

The claim scenarios described here are intended to show the types of situations that may result in claims. These scenarios should not be compared to any other claim. Whether or to what extent a particular loss is covered depends on the facts and circumstances of the loss, the terms and conditions of the policy as issued and applicable law.

Insured people providing testimonials in this report have not received compensation for their statements.

Protect your pets from those unexpected illnesses with no limits on payouts. Get a quote and make sure you’re covered for those cat and kitten mishaps and unpleasant surprises.

Christy True and Tomas
By Christy True

Christy has been writing about pets for Healthy Paws for 28 dog years. She also coordinates media requests and manages the Healthy Paws Foundation. A background in journalism may be why she enjoys writing about offbeat animal studies and the latest viral pet trends. She has been owned by several dogs, and she volunteers with a local dog rescue. Outside of work, she can usually be found sliding down a mountain near her home in Bend, Ore.

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