Let's Save Bitt
Donation protected
On Sunday, June 21st we woke like normal to go to work. Everything was routine - feedng the animals, getting dressed, all of that. The only change was Bitty hadn't come to get breakfast which is highly uncommon. We noticed a recent lack of appetite and assumed it was due to the Florida heat - all of our animals weren't as hungry. I went on a search and found he was in the exact same spot as the day before and didn't move to greet me. Panicking I ran over and touched his head and then his leg. It was sunken in and his hips felt boney although he looked as plump as ever visually due to his extreme fluff.
After the initial panic attack and tears I called work to inform them I would be late and we rushed Bitty to the University of Florida Emergency Care Clinic. They took him to the back and collected vitals while we filled out paperwork. When the vet came back they informed us that he was extremely anemic, his heart rate was elevated, his gums were pale, and he had a fever. They immeidiately set him up for a blood transfusion. At this point we had no clue if he would survive it, whatever "it" is. I went to work for a few hours and when I just couldn't handle it anymore I left and waited for the verdict. If he did poorly with the transfusion we would have to put him down.
Thankfully we received a little bit of luck and he responded well. We opted for further testing and to keep him over night and see how things looked in the morning. He had to get another blood transfusion overnight but was able to go home with us Monday since he would eat on his own and we would have no results until later in the week. Thursday June 25th should be the day we find out what has caused this in our boy and what we need to do to help.
Unfortuantely all of this is costing our little family an incredible amount of money. His current vet bill is $2,100 and he goes in for more testing Thursday and procedure to test his bone marrow Friday that is estimated between $800-$1,000 additional. We don't even know if he will require more testing or if what he has is treatable or curable.
He is our family though, and we would do anything for our family. If anyone would care to donate any amount would greatly help us - even $1!
I'm also trying to help raise money for our little guy through art commissions, so if anyone wants to go that route vs donating just look up "TrippinDippy" on facebook pages and send me a message.
Thank you to everyone so far who has donated, commissioned, shared and sent us kind thoughts. I feel so touched to have such an amazing support system and there are no words to how much it means. Please continue to keep our little guy in your thoughts and well wishes.
After the initial panic attack and tears I called work to inform them I would be late and we rushed Bitty to the University of Florida Emergency Care Clinic. They took him to the back and collected vitals while we filled out paperwork. When the vet came back they informed us that he was extremely anemic, his heart rate was elevated, his gums were pale, and he had a fever. They immeidiately set him up for a blood transfusion. At this point we had no clue if he would survive it, whatever "it" is. I went to work for a few hours and when I just couldn't handle it anymore I left and waited for the verdict. If he did poorly with the transfusion we would have to put him down.
Thankfully we received a little bit of luck and he responded well. We opted for further testing and to keep him over night and see how things looked in the morning. He had to get another blood transfusion overnight but was able to go home with us Monday since he would eat on his own and we would have no results until later in the week. Thursday June 25th should be the day we find out what has caused this in our boy and what we need to do to help.
Unfortuantely all of this is costing our little family an incredible amount of money. His current vet bill is $2,100 and he goes in for more testing Thursday and procedure to test his bone marrow Friday that is estimated between $800-$1,000 additional. We don't even know if he will require more testing or if what he has is treatable or curable.
He is our family though, and we would do anything for our family. If anyone would care to donate any amount would greatly help us - even $1!
I'm also trying to help raise money for our little guy through art commissions, so if anyone wants to go that route vs donating just look up "TrippinDippy" on facebook pages and send me a message.
Thank you to everyone so far who has donated, commissioned, shared and sent us kind thoughts. I feel so touched to have such an amazing support system and there are no words to how much it means. Please continue to keep our little guy in your thoughts and well wishes.
Organizer
Devin Amber Churchill
Organizer
Gainesville, FL
