Hi, my name is Aaila and I’m reaching out with a very heavy heart to ask for help saving the life of my beloved pet rat, Billy.

Billy is not “just a rat,” he’s my heart rat. He's sweet, smart, funny, and full of personality. He loves having his head rubbed, munching on his favourite snacks, and his brothers, Merlin and Laurie. He was adopted as a rescue rat and he's brought me so much love and joy in such a small package.

A few weeks ago, Billy underwent major surgery to remove a tumour and was also neutered at the same time. He recovered beautifully, and everything seemed to be going well, until suddenly, he stopped pooping. I knew something wasn’t right.

This afternoon I took him to our family vet. They ran X-rays and confirmed the worst, Billy has a gastrointestinal obstruction. This is life-threatening and requires surgery to remove.

Tomorrow, he’s going back for a Barium Test to help the vet locate the blockage more precisely before going into surgery. Without this surgery, Billy’s chances of survival are slim. I can’t imagine losing him when he still has so much life left to live.

Unfortunately, vet care for exotic animals in Canada is not covered by pet insurance, and I’ve already spent over $700 on diagnostics, X-rays, and medication — and that’s before the surgery, which is estimated to cost $2,000 – $3,000 or more depending on what they find. The Barium Test itself is going to be approximately $800.

I never expected to be in this situation, and I feel incredibly vulnerable asking for help — but I can’t do this alone. If you’re able to donate anything, even just a few dollars, it would go directly to covering Billy’s medical bills. If you’re not in a position to give, please consider sharing this post to help us reach more people.

Billy means the world to me. With your help, I’m hoping he gets the second chance he deserves.

Thank you so much for reading, supporting, and caring about a little rat with a big heart.

With Love,

Aaila and Billy <3