Help Fund Sadie's FIP Treatment

Shannon Massey is organizing this fundraiser.

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Sadie was rescued by Spirit's Place in May 2021, from the Denny Dr. hoarding case in Dexter, ME. She survived living in horrid conditions with 40+ other cats, all survivors were in need of medical rehabilitation before receiving vaccinations and getting spayed and neutered. While Sadie has always been affectionate, she was never quite healthy and spent many hours sleeping. After two months of rehabilitating with Spirits' Place, I took her in to get a further work-up as she just wasn't thriving while others from the home were.

Sadie's initial bloodwork in mid-July was pretty vague - she had slight anemia, an increase in kidney values, and a little extra protein - especially in her urine. Despite the diagnostics run, we still weren't sure what Sadie was fighting. We provided supportive care in the form of fluids, anti-emetics, antibiotics, and steroids while running additional diagnostics. Despite all of this nursing care, Sadie continued to become more lethargic and stopped eating. On July 20th, we decided to put in an esophagostomy tube to give Sadie more time while we awaited re-check bloodwork. This bloodwork confirmed a suspicion of dry FIP - Sadie was more anemic, her body was no longer creating new red blood cells, and her albumin:globulin ratio was steadily decreasing.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a viral disease of cats caused by unknown mutations of the feline coronavirus. Until recently, this diagnosis was a death sentence, with most cats surviving only 2-3 months after diagnosing. There are currently two different drugs pending FDA approval in the US, but other formulas are available for purchase from China. Sadie is undergoing treatment with the antiviral Mutian, a drug that has claimed to cure thousands of cats at this point in time, with at least 70% efficacy. The expected cost of her treatment is around $2,500 and it lasts for 84 days. We have already purchased 20 days' worth of treatment and if any extra funds are raised, they will go directly to Spirit's Place and the other cats from Denny Dr.

We will happily keep everyone posted on Sadie's journey. She started treatment on July 24th at 3.1 pounds, lethargic, but did engage with us when we spoke to her and rubbed her head. After only 5 days of treatment, Sadie has gained weight (now 3.6 pounds) and is constantly greeting us at her kennel with an adorable meow while dancing and kneading. She has the will to fight and deserves the chance at a long and healthy life!

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