Dexter wandered into my friend's barn 6 years ago, and I immediately knew that he had to be mine. After his initial vet visit, it was determined that he had mild asthma. But otherwise, he was a happy, healthy 12 pound kitty. Over the next few years, he began to lose fur due to consistent scratching. His skin became extremely inflamed, his ears were always irritated, and his nails thickened. Eventually, he began losing weight; dropping down to just 8 pounds. Watching him suffer, without answers, was heartbreaking. I took him to three different veterinarians, where he tested negative every time for FELV/FIV/FIP, fungal infections, and fleas. Each veterinarian had the same response: "we don't have an answer".

After extensive research, I finally found a wonderful animal dermatologist! Under his care, Dexter has been receiving allergy injections. These injections have made a significant difference in his quality of life. He has gained a little weight back, and I'm catching more and more glimpses of his happy self. Sadly, this relief is only temporary after the injections are given. Dexter still has severe discomfort, compounded with an ongoing skin infection. He has to wear medical garments 24/7 to prevent him from tearing his skin, causing wounds or potential eye injuries. Unfortunately, he is not able to take steroids as he was previously diagnosed with a heart murmur. This diagnosis also limits treatment options, making his condition more challenging to manage.

Dexter's dermatologist believes the only way to properly treat him is through comprehensive allergy testing. This will determine if the root cause of his skin issues is environmental or food-related. Unfortunately, these tests cost $900, which I no longer have in savings since spending so much on his recent medical care. If you are able to donate even a little, or just share Dexter's story, I would be incredibly grateful. He is my world, my best friend, and the best part of my days. I just want to be able to give him the pain-free life he deserves.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for supporting my sweet little boy.