Lifesaving Purdue Veterinary Care for Oliver the Cat Leads Grateful Client to Give Back

It was 2023 when Sam Elomar, of Hobart, Indiana, brought his six-year-old cat Oliver to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital for care that he now believes saved Oliver’s life.

A few years earlier, Oliver had been diagnosed with a heart murmur and was referred to a local clinic for an echocardiogram. But when they returned home after the test was done, Sam noticed Oliver was having trouble breathing. Concerned, he called his sister, a registered nurse, who confirmed that something was seriously wrong.

Sam rushed Oliver to an urgent care clinic near his home, where veterinarians determined that Oliver was in cardiac failure. After being stabilized and transferred to another clinic for observation, Oliver was eventually well enough to return home.

Sam knew about the Purdue Veterinary Hospital through a previous experience with his dog. In 2023, he turned to Purdue again and was able to have Oliver examined by the Purdue cardiology team, after which he saw immediate improvement. Sam credits the care Oliver received at Purdue with saving his life.

Since follow-up visits proved difficult due to the stress that the travel caused Oliver, Sam has remained in regular contact with the Purdue cardiology team by phone and email. The team’s consistent support and guidance, freely given, has helped him manage Oliver’s care from home.

In appreciation, Sam chose to give back by making a gift to the hospital, sharing his gratitude in a meaningful way that reflects the care, compassion, and expertise he and Oliver received at Purdue.

Writer(s): Mackenzie Martin, Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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