Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out because my sweet boy, Liam, is going to have unexpected emergent surgery and I'm asking for help.

From the moment I first saw Liam, I fell for him. I adopted him before I even met him in person. There was just something so angelic about him. And when I finally brought him home 2.5 years ago, that feeling only deepened. He is my little companion, my comfort, my family, my joy.

Liam turns three this month and is full of life—he wants to play all the time. He is gentle, loving, and truly the sweetest soul. He plays hide and seek, watches squirrels from the deck like it’s his job, hunts buggies with great determination, and lovingly bites my nose.

He is deeply woven into my everyday life—and my heart. So watching what’s been happening to him over the past several weeks has been incredibly hard.

Out of nowhere, Liam will yelp in pain and run away. A few times, it even happened when he simply tried to yawn. Now he only half-yawns, as if he’s afraid. Seeing him confused and hurting—and not being able to help him right away—has been heartbreaking.

I knew something was very wrong.

After visits to two different vets and still no clear answers, I trusted my instincts and brought Liam to Bassler Animal Hospital, an AAHA-accredited veterinary hospital with a dental specialty. With the help of the doctor and her team, we were finally able to get a much closer look at his mouth—and what they found broke my heart even more.

Liam has stomatitis, a severe inflammatory disease where his immune system reacts aggressively to plaque. His mouth is fire-engine red, swollen, and even his throat is affected. Several of his teeth are infected. He has been living with far more pain than I realized.

The good news is: this can be treated. The bad news is: the recommended treatment is the extraction of most—possibly all—of his teeth. It feels extreme, but cats adapt well and often feel so much better afterward—finally free from constant pain. His overall health is expected to improve as well.

The Costs

Initial exam and pre-op care: $888

Comprehensive dental exam (with anesthesia, X-rays, monitoring, etc.): $1,130

Surgery (estimated 14 extractions, possibly more depending on infection and root structure): $3,729

Total estimated cost: ~$5,700+

(There may be additional costs depending on what is found during surgery.)

This is a complex, approximately four+ hour procedure, and Liam will have a dedicated technician caring for him during recovery.

Why I’m Asking for Help

I’ll be honest—this is hard for me to ask.

I know that in so many ways, my life is abundant, and I don’t take that for granted. There’s a part of me that feels uncomfortable reaching out for help- but the timing and severity of this situation has been unexpected, and the cost of Liam’s care is more than I can easily absorb right now.

What I do know is how much I love him and want to give him the very best care—and how much he deserves to live a life without pain.

If you feel moved to help Liam heal, I would be so grateful. And if not, your kind thoughts and care mean just as much. Whether you donate, share, or simply send love—thank you! Please hold Liam in healing, miraculous light on Wednesday.

With so much gratitude,

Corinne

All will receive updates on Liam’s journey and my heartfelt thanks. Your kindness is part of what will carry us through this.

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