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

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. Instead, she found one with him.

"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. I feel like it was part of God's plan."

A week later, Bass took Spot to a veterinarian for vaccinations and treatment for what appeared to be an upper respiratory infection. Although she initially improved, the symptoms never fully went away and eventually worsened. Over the following months, repeated visits to veterinary and urgent care clinics brought no answers as her condition worsened.

That changed when Spot was seen by Dr. Whitney Nelson ('08 DVM), an internal medicine specialist at Pet Emergency Clinic and Referral Center in Spokane. After reviewing her medical history and symptoms - including Spot's distinctive copper-colored eyes, a trait sometimes associated with the condition in cats - Nelson suspected a portosystemic shunt.

The rare condition, which occurs in both dogs and cats, leads to toxins building up in the bloodstream, resulting in poor growth, weight loss, appetite changes, neurological problems and other health issues.

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. Boel Fransson.

Fransson said portosystemic shunts are uncommon in cats and can be difficult to diagnose because they often affect multiple organ systems and present with a wide range of symptoms. While some pets can be managed with specialized diets and medication, surgery offers the best chance for a normal life.

The procedure, which involves the careful placement of a cellophane band around the abnormal blood vessel, requires extensive training and experience. The band gradually closes the vessel over time, allowing the liver to adjust to increased blood flow.

"If the vessel fully attenuates, the goal is for them to live a normal lifespan with good quality of life," Fransson said. "If they're young and otherwise healthy, our experience is cats can do quite well with surgery."

Fortunately, Spot's surgery appears to have been successful, and today she is gaining weight, growing stronger and enjoying life.

Bass said he is thankful for support from WSU's veterinarians and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital's Good Samaritan Fund, which provides financial assistance to clients facing unexpected hardship while their animals receive care at WSU.

"I am so very grateful for the Good Samaritan Fund for helping with the costs of Spot's surgery," he said. "My hope is I can someday repay the kindness shown to me and Spot by helping someone else in the future."