Feline Lifeline

On October 17, we rescued Matzo, an 8-week old Siamese kitten, from the euthanasia list at the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA), a notoriously high-kill shelter in Downey, CA. Upon intake, this poor baby was in a world of hurt. Not only was he malnourished, flea-infested, and parasite-ridden, but, thanks to a bad upper respiratory infection, his eyes were oozing with pus.

Right away, we set about fixing him up, clearing the URI, fleas, and parasites, and syringe-feeding him high quality nutrition. But just as he started to perk up and show signs of improvement, he developed horrible diarrhea and shortness of breath.

During the 48-hour ER stay and speciality follow-up visits that ensued, we learned two things: first, that Matzo had panleukopenia, a GI virus that claims the lives of the vast majority of kittens it afflicts, and second, that he was born with a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). A congenital heart defect, a PDA occurs when a vessel that connects the aorta to the pulmonary artery in utero fails to close at birth. Left untreated, a PDA causes right-sided heart enlargement, congestive heart failure, and ultimately, premature death. While some PDAs can be corrected non-surgically by inserting a coil into the vessel to block the flow of blood, because of the shape and severity of Matzo's PDA and the impossibly small diameter of his vessels, the only fix is surgical intervention. And it has to happen soon. The longer we wait, the greater the likelihood of irreversible cardiac and pulmonary damage that will adversely impact his post-operative longevity.

We have already saved Matzo's life twice: first when we rescued him from euthanasia at the shelter, and second when we helped him survive panleukopenia. But in order to do it once more, we desperately need your help.

Matzo's life-saving cardiac surgery is currently scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th at ACCESS Los Angeles, and is estimated to cost between $14,000 and $19,000.

Our sweet little matzo ball has overcome so much that we simply cannot give up on him now. Please, help us help him just one more time. All monies raised will go directly toward giving Matzo a chance at the future this little fighter deserves.