Save Sterling

Kristina Smirnoffa is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, I'm Sterling! If any of you have been fortunate enough to meet me, you will know that I am a shy chonky boy who loves treats, naps and my pawrents (especially my dad)!

Every night I sleep with my humans - right in the middle to provide them with that extra warmth - gas bills are high at the moment, so I am just doing my bit for society! (not sure why they complain that I take up all the room - liars!)

This June, I will be turning 2 years old, and I have been with my family since day 1. I even hear rumours that apparently I was so blessed with a large booty that it got stuck during labour giving my human mother a bit of a scare. You will not be surprised to hear that the humans kept me and only me as I am so damn special!

Unfortunately, last week my belly started swelling, and I have been feeling quite depressed and lethargic... I have even refused salmon treats!!! Turns out, I am suffering from a wet form of FIP (Feline infectious peritonitis). This disease predominantly affects young cats and is essentially a coronavirus (NOT CORONAVIRUS AGAIN) which multiplies in the intestines and mutates altering the tissue tropism from enterocytes to macrophages. FIP virus is described as "the Trojan horse". The infection spreads and causes the development of a fibrinoid necrotising vasculitis and serositis.

My humans have taken me to the vet (where I climbed onto the keyboard - I was only trying to prescribe myself some very necessary, life-dependent even, treats!), and they did many scans and took samples of the fluid in my belly and lots of blood.

Until recently, a diagnosis of feline infectious peritonitis was a death sentence for a feline patient, and the vets have said that it's a matter of weeks. There is no way I am going without a fight!

(look how cute I was as a baby!)

Remdesivir is an antiviral drug which has just last year became licensed in the UK. The treatment must be given once a day for 84 days. First, it starts with injections that can be painful (but I am prepared to scream and demand treats in return) and then tablets (which, to be honest, I am not too happy about, but if they are wrapped in chicken, I will make that sacrifice!). The response rates for this medication are 85-90%, which is really optimistic! This drug is also very safe and has been tested and researched for years. It is also important to note that the improvements are seen within just a few days.

Unfortunately, the cost of treatment for FIP is high, in the region of £2,500 for the FIP drugs alone in a 2kg cat. I currently weigh 8kg. My parents have already spent hundreds of pounds on the tests and are prepared to spend a lot more (again, because I am that special). Of course, my pawrents are very responsible, and the insurance will pay £3,000 towards the treatment. As I mentioned above, this virus spreads quickly, and I need this medication as a matter of urgency. Please, please help my humans as they would die without me!