My name is Ryan and I'm fundraising for my cat Amber's emergency medical and recovery bills! She is the sweetest 4 year old Orange Tabby I adopted two years ago.

She has always been a happy, healthy, energetic cat but on the evening of Thursday June 29, 2023, Amber was admitted to VCA Animal Medical Center with symptoms of labored breathing and balance issues. I came home from work and wasn't greeted at the door by Amber like I normally was and she hadn't eaten dinner for the second day in a row. I rushed her to the VCA's Urgent Care Center and immediately the nurses were concerned by her labored breathing and low pulse. They had her placed into an oxygen cage and requested chest and abdominal X-rays along with an EKG and multiple tests.

We were notified she had feline asthma and that her irritated and inflamed trachea could be the reason for her labored breathing and lack of desire to eat. She would be given fluids and steroids for the next 7-10 days but overall the prognosis sounded good. However, shortly after I received a second call saying things had taken a turn for the worse.

After receiving a mild opioid, she started to exhibit seizure-like activity leading the nurses and doctors to think it could instead be a bacterial or fungal infection or possibly lesions or tumors in her brain. They advised a full panel blood test along with an MRI and testing for a possible Toxoplasmosis or Cryptococcal infection. There was extreme concern after this development and she was to be sent to Neurology the next morning.

At 3:00am I received a call that she was still neurologically inappropriate to be sent home. Around 9:00am the nurse gave her 3 sets of medication and an additional steroid. Her blood work showed she was negative for Toxoplasmosis and FIV/FELV. She would continue to be on oxygen, fluids, and anti-seizure medication until she could receive tests for Cryptococcal and Neospora. There was still a lot of concern regarding her abnormal heart beats on her EKG readings but Cardiology said her heart is normal. However, they did locate the issue near her brain stem due to her poor eye and facial responses.

Following Friday's expenses, I knew I would need to make a GoFundMe as the MRI alone was estimated to be between $6,000-$7,000. Post MRI, it was believed that a thiamine deficiency was the reason for the lesions observed in her brain. A new challenge and concern is what her lasting impacts would be like. Without knowing the extent of the damage to her brain, she could have lasting impacts to her coordination and walking. It was heart breaking to hear this.

We had hoped to bring her home but she was having diarrhea every 20 minutes. With concerns over dehydration and her willingness to eat, it was best to keep her at urgent care until it dissipated. She was very uncomfortable, requiring a cone to stop her from trying to pull out her IV’s while she was receiving a probiotic, B12, and her daily medication. She would go on to have diarrhea for the next two days.

Amber was able to come home the following day. The apartment was wobble-proofed to make sure there weren’t any sharp corners, high surfaces, or hard flooring. The medication for her discharge included Prednisolone (orally once every 24 hours), Thiamine supplements (once every 24 hours), Phenobarbital (once every 12 hours) and Metronidazole (orally once every 12 hours). With the timing of her medication, I often have to leave work to give it to her.

I want to thank everyone who has been supporting me and Amber throughout this tough journey. She’s such a strong girl and despite the long road to recovery she still has, I know that with help she’ll recover well. Any donation and every share are greatly appreciated. It has taken everything I have and all money will be used to cover her medical expenses. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!