Help Randi Get Well
Donation protected
Randi (short for Mithrandir) was born on approximately July 2, 2013. He came into my life a short 9 weeks later. He has always been the most healthy, snuggly, cuddly cat you could ever hope for--doesn't scratch or bite, just wants a warm lap and a scratch on the head. And some salmon treats, if you have any.
About a month ago, not too long after he turned one (and shortly after I moved to Cincinnati), I took him to a local vet for a nose-to-tail wellness exam, just to make sure everything was well. After all, he was a rescue with his litter at 2 weeks old, so there's no way to tell the health of his parents.
The vet looked him over and pointed out to me something I hadn't noticed, and something Randi hadn't indicated to me: the gum tissue around his back teeth was so red and swollen that it almost completely covered his teeth. The diagnosis was Feline Stomatitis, an autoimmune or viral overreaction to normal tartar on the teeth, and surgery to remove the excess gum tissue was scheduled for the next week.
The surgery went well, and he was given an antibiotic and a long-acting steroid to keep the gum inflammation from coming back. Two days later, he started sneezing. A lot. Coughing, runny eyes, runny nose, lethargic, the works. I called the vet, and they couldn't see him until the next Wednesday. And upon seeing the vet, the vet said... he's allergic to his antibiotic, wait a couple of days and it'll get better. The vet refused to run any more tests, even those for viruses that could cause both stomatitis and his cold-like symptoms, instead giving him a shot of banamine for a 'fever' of 102 degrees (101.5-102.5 are normal for cats) and a different antibiotic ointment for his eyes. Neither of these treatments has had any effect whatsoever. He wants Randi to come in for at least three more office visits. I will not be bringing Randi back into that particular vet, but will be taking him to another clinic ASAP.
My little guy is still sick, and still needs medical care. Feline Stomatitis, whether autoimmune or viral, requires lifelong care, but he can live a long and happy life in no pain or discomfort with the right care. Between the surgery, the medication, and the office visits, his vet bills have been roughly $950 so far, and counting. For those who don't know me, I moved to Cincinnati so I could go back to graduate school--meaning I have no income, and won't for quite some time.
I'm asking for $1500 to cover the current and near-future vet bills. Anything raised in excess of what the vet bills actually cost will be donated to Blue's Mews Siamese Cat Rescue, the foster agency that rescued Randi as a kitten and adopted him out to me. Their Facebook can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blues-Mews-Cat-Rescue/336450056439600 .
Anything, and everything, helps, including prayers and hugs. Thank you.
About a month ago, not too long after he turned one (and shortly after I moved to Cincinnati), I took him to a local vet for a nose-to-tail wellness exam, just to make sure everything was well. After all, he was a rescue with his litter at 2 weeks old, so there's no way to tell the health of his parents.
The vet looked him over and pointed out to me something I hadn't noticed, and something Randi hadn't indicated to me: the gum tissue around his back teeth was so red and swollen that it almost completely covered his teeth. The diagnosis was Feline Stomatitis, an autoimmune or viral overreaction to normal tartar on the teeth, and surgery to remove the excess gum tissue was scheduled for the next week.
The surgery went well, and he was given an antibiotic and a long-acting steroid to keep the gum inflammation from coming back. Two days later, he started sneezing. A lot. Coughing, runny eyes, runny nose, lethargic, the works. I called the vet, and they couldn't see him until the next Wednesday. And upon seeing the vet, the vet said... he's allergic to his antibiotic, wait a couple of days and it'll get better. The vet refused to run any more tests, even those for viruses that could cause both stomatitis and his cold-like symptoms, instead giving him a shot of banamine for a 'fever' of 102 degrees (101.5-102.5 are normal for cats) and a different antibiotic ointment for his eyes. Neither of these treatments has had any effect whatsoever. He wants Randi to come in for at least three more office visits. I will not be bringing Randi back into that particular vet, but will be taking him to another clinic ASAP.
My little guy is still sick, and still needs medical care. Feline Stomatitis, whether autoimmune or viral, requires lifelong care, but he can live a long and happy life in no pain or discomfort with the right care. Between the surgery, the medication, and the office visits, his vet bills have been roughly $950 so far, and counting. For those who don't know me, I moved to Cincinnati so I could go back to graduate school--meaning I have no income, and won't for quite some time.
I'm asking for $1500 to cover the current and near-future vet bills. Anything raised in excess of what the vet bills actually cost will be donated to Blue's Mews Siamese Cat Rescue, the foster agency that rescued Randi as a kitten and adopted him out to me. Their Facebook can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blues-Mews-Cat-Rescue/336450056439600 .
Anything, and everything, helps, including prayers and hugs. Thank you.
Organizer
Erin Fortner
Organizer
