Help cover Wilbur's vet bills

Hi, my name is Juliet and I'm fundraising to see if anybody can help to cover the costs of Wilbur's unexpected vet bills.

I adopted Wilbur from Cats Protection Derby in 2021. He was found as a stray, and had some mild health issues: dermatitis from a flea infestation, a heart murmur, and ear mites, which were clear by the time he came to me. He was estimated at around 3 years old. I had him insured straight away with Pet Plan.

Within the year, he'd developed a polyp in his ear which needed to be operated on. When I claimed on his insurance, to my shock, the claim was rejected. As he'd had ear mites, the policy would not cover ANYTHING to do with his ears. This was also true for the heart (would not cover anything cardiovascular) and his skin. After a number of separate claims were rejected leaving me to cover the cost AND pay the insurance, I cancelled the policy and did my best to put money aside each month instead.

We've trotted along quite happily for the next few years. Wilbur is generally a very happy, affectionate cat and a total cuddle bug, and I have a bond with him like no other. Anybody who knows me knows how obsessed I am with him.

He hasn't really had any health issues until presenting with some constipation at the end of May this year. I was told he had lost weight since his last appointment, but when I asked what he weighed, it was the same weight as before, which I'd been told was a healthy weight for his frame. I asked about laxative treatment such as Lactulose, and was instead given Katalax which is a stool softener, and some painkillers (Buprenorphine). He was also given subcutaneous fluids at that appointment. This totalled around £250.00.

He showed some improvement and I took him for a follow-up the next week, at which point he was recommended Ultrasound scans, X-Rays and screening blood tests. As he seemed back to his usual self, I declined as I could not afford this.

Last week, Wilbur started being off his food again, and by Monday 16th June he was eating next to nothing and was presenting with the same constipation symptoms as before. I took him to the vets for an emergency appointment, and was again told to have Ultrasound scans, X-rays and blood tests. My mum kindly paid for the blood tests, but we could not stretch to the imaging. He was given a painkiller again, and I asked again about Lactulose but was told they wouldn't be able to prescribe it and I'd need to source it myself. I asked what the screening blood tests would be looking for, and was told kidney and thyroid problems, pancreatitis and "things like that", which wasn't hugely reassuring but I put my trust in them anyway.

The blood tests came back the next day and were essentially "unremarkable" except for raised white blood cells indicating an infection, and he was prescribed antibiotics called Noroclav. He started these on Wednesday evening, and showed some initial improvement, but by Friday night, he'd started refusing food and although he seemed alert and calm in his temperament, he was very weak and doddery.

This morning (Saturday 21st June), I've taken him in for an emergency appointment and he was again recommended Ultrasounds and X-rays, which I accepted. I was also asked if he'd started Lactulose, and when I answered no, I was told that they would now prescribe it (despite being told last time they couldn't prescribe it and therefore would not recommend it). I also asked whether the screening blood test would have picked up on something sinister like a tumour, and was told "not always" which didn't instil much confidence in me.

They originally told me the next scan availability would be Tuesday (3 days from now) but after some back and forth, they said they actually had a free diary that afternoon and "might" be able to scan him today provided nothing more urgent comes in. They then gave me the estimate, which was in excess of £1,200.00 that would need to be paid before I left the premises. This was after I'd already enquired about making payment for the appointment when I first got to the practice, and was told I could be given an invoice along with bank details to make payment at my next convenience. After what probably sounded like an awkward conversation on the phone with my dad to ask for help with the payment, I was then told that I could pay when I collected Wilbur later, after he'd hopefully had the scans, if they'd been able to squeeze him in.

I'm not a wealthy person, and I don't have thousands of pounds lying around doing nothing. I've enquired about payment plans before, which they do not accommodate. I've even emailed Cats Protection to find out if they can provide any help with his vets fees, which are now creeping up to the £2k mark.

I feel like I've asked all the right questions and taken all the right actions at the right time, and the only thing that seems to be adding up is the bill. I'm embarrassed to be making myself a charity case, but I'll do anything I can to do right by my little cat and find out what's making him so poorly, even if it means discovering that something is terribly wrong and crossing that bridge when we come to it.

I know money is so tight for everybody right now, and I'm by no means on my own by being strapped for cash. But if any of my friends or family are at all willing and able to donate even the smallest amount towards today's bill, I'd be forever grateful.