Dear wonderful Bialy-adorers,

Since you are Bialy’s true, wonderful sponsors, I wanted you to be the very first to know now that we have the results of his MRI. (Normally I don’t post news about sponsored Special Needs cats publicly on the blog, but since Bialy has such a huge following, I will be doing a brief update there for all the folks who have been praying for him.)

It turns out that Bialy does, in fact, have hydrocephalus – and a rather severe case at that. This is not the news we’d hoped for. Apparently, the reason Bialy seems to have the symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia (wobbling and bobbling around) is that there’s so much fluid sitting on his brain, it’s putting pressure on his cerebellum and mimicking CH.

But, I hasten to add, this is not necessarily grim news. There are a few possibilities. Bialy may be able to simply remain stable as he is, wobbling but happy and healthy, with no need of any medical intervention. If his motor skills get worse or he seems to be in any discomfort, we will need to put him on medication and/or have a shunt surgically placed to attempt to drain the excess fluid. The surgery would be a risk, of course, but we will do whatever is necessary for our little love-bug.

The neurologist was honest about the worst-case scenario. It is possible that Bialy has a very mean disease called feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which is always fatal. It’s a very tricky disease to diagnose, and can manifest in a variety of ways. But, here’s the hopeful thing: the longer Bialy goes on without getting any worse or developing additional symptoms, the less likely it is that he has this terrible condition. (It tends to move quickly and brutally, as it did with little Marley last year.)

For now, the neurologist recommends that we take a “wait and see” approach. Our hope and prayer is that Bialy will remain stable, or even – and this is quite possible – begin to improve as he grows. But, whatever the coming days and weeks hold, Bialy is in good hands and will always have everything he needs, especially love.

Words can’t fully express my thanks for all your love and caring for this very lucky, tiny boy. He is just a baby, but, because of you, Bialy has already known more grace than many beings (furry, human or otherwise) find in a lifetime. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

With affection,