Hi, we’re Allison and Vic, and we’re raising funds for our minskin, Romeo.
Romeo has been part of our family for nearly a decade, and loving him has meant committing, fully and fiercely, to his care. In 2020, Romeo became critically ill and was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease after extensive testing, countless blood draws, and months of uncertainty. An internal medicine specialist helped nurse him back to health through careful medication management and relentless monitoring. Since then, Romeo has lived a full, happy life, chatty, expressive, affectionate, and deeply bonded to us, while managing a heart murmur through annual echocardiograms.
This past week, everything shifted.
Romeo stopped eating and rapidly declined, requiring emergency hospitalization and a blood transfusion.
It now appears that his autoimmune disease has returned, and this time it’s far more complicated due to his existing heart condition, something that was not a factor during his original diagnosis. His care team is working to stabilize him while balancing both conditions, which has required urgent diagnostics, inpatient monitoring, transfusions, and specialized treatment. As you can imagine, the costs have added up quickly, and the financial strain has become overwhelming, on top of the emotional toll of watching our boy fight once again.
How the funds raised will be used:
Based on the current hospital estimates from Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, Romeo’s care includes:
$4,500 — Hospitalization and intensive IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia) care for up to 48 hours, including ER evaluation, imaging, bloodwork, monitoring, IV fluids, and medications
$1,200 — One blood transfusion
$800 — Ultrasound (including sedation if needed)
$500 — Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA) and cytology
$136 — Pathology review of Complete Blood Count
Total Hospital bill: $6834.54, with a follow up appointments to come.
These numbers reflect only the current phase of care. Additional diagnostics or extended hospitalization may be required depending on how Romeo responds to treatment. He has already undergone one blood transfusion and may need another.
Romeo is not “just a cat.”
He is our hot water bottle, our snuggliest bug, our sassiest conversationalist, and the quiet comfort that lives between us on the hardest days. He is sweet, funny, deeply intuitive, and endlessly loving. We are doing everything we can to give him a fighting chance, but we cannot do it alone. We are hoping and praying for a Christmas miracle, and that Romeo will be home with us again soon.
If you’re able to donate, share, or simply send love, we are endlessly grateful. Thank you for reading Romeo’s story, for caring about him, and for helping us keep showing up for the little life that means everything to us.
Why GoFundMe?
The required hospital deposit and ongoing care costs are more than we can manage alone. This fund helps us focus on Romeo’s recovery rather than choosing between care options.
Will funds be updated if costs change?
Yes. We will continue to provide updates as Romeo’s treatment progresses and as estimates evolve.
Can I help if I can’t donate?
Absolutely. Sharing Romeo’s story and sending positive thoughts means more than you know.