Help Melissa pay for Bonkerz vet care

Hi, my name is Stephanie, and this is a shout for help for my sister. My sister, Melissa, took Bonkerz into the vet on Wednesday 1/12/22, for some minor procedures. Bonkerz had been chronically fighting an upper respiratory infection, that would go away, and come back, over and over. The regular vet couldn't solve the mystery of Bonkerz chronic issues, and he was a very healthy cat aside from this. She pointed Mel in the direction of a specialist. This specialist after initial consult knew Bonkerz would be a good candidate for some minor biopsies and scoping to see what the problem was. Mel researched the procedure, spent countless hours chatting with the vet and specialist before she decide this would be the best course of treatment for Bonkerz.

He underwent anesthesia on Wednesday 1/12/22, and while under, the vet took 20 biopsies. He had some inflammation in his intestines, sinuses, and the vet wanted to be sure she checked everything out. Bonkerz, did AMAZING and came out of the procedure, passing with flying colors. He got to come home, eat, play, sleep, and eat some more. He was almost back to his normal self that evening and the next morning. When Mel came home from work Thursday night, he had rapidly declined. He was lethargic, labored breathing, and drooling. The drool was bloody, but this was slightly to be expected, as the biopsies healed. Mel called the ER vet, and they wanted to see him. He went in, kidney numbers were higher than expected, but could be a result of the anesthesia. All other numbers checked out, and he came home.

The night was rough. But he was OK. The next day Mel worked from home to monitor him, and he was OK. Later that night, he slowly declined again. He wasn't eating, but drinking lots and lots of water. He ended up back at the ER vet. Kidney numbers still high, and breathing labored, clearly in pain. He had an extended stay at the ER vet... for IV fluids, meds, antibiotics, pain meds, etc. It took a day or 2, but they saw LOTS of improvement. He was EATING on his own, drinking, meowing, and moving about asking for attention!! He was ready to go home, and seemed to be over the hump! Mel was instructed to get him between 5-6pm on Monday night... she got the call to come in, but unfortunately that he was declining again. When she got there, he was not himself. They were convinced he just came off all the liquid meds, etc too fast, and maybe another night of treatments, and a slower ween would do the trick. So, after carefully considering the financial burden, but that he was doing well, Mel agreed.

Fast forward, another night, he wasn't well. He rapidly declined. He was showing lots of signs of pain, there was liquid in his abdomin (this has previously been pumped, 2 other times), and he needed oxygen support. They had no answers. Meanwhile the biopsies hadn't come back yet, blood work was still inconclusive, and they weren't sure why he was failing. Mel had them run another test, and finally an answer or two. Bonkerz had a GI bleed and now had pneumonia, he was struggling. His kidney numbers still weren't right. Mel had to make a decision, with no warning or time.

She went to visit him, he had just come off oxygen and had his stomach pumped. He seemed well, almost normal. She was so torn what to do. After hanging with him for a while, she saw him rapidly decline, he couldn't function without IV meds, fluids, etc, and oxygen. He started to struggle to move, breath, etc. Mel had to decide. She could dish out ANOTHER $5000 to try and stop the GI bleed and treat the pneumonia, but it wasn't a guarantee. Bonkerz had lots of odds against him... kidney numbers, GI bleed, pneumonia, not to mention he already had a thyroid issue and very minor heart issue, which were completely under control before this. It was time... the vet said it would be unlikely he would survive the treatment, if the treatment would even work. Mel made the very tough decision to put him to rest.

Every test, every ounce of hope, every step was more and more money Mel spent. Every decision surrounding his treatment was so tough, because money was involved. Mel did the very best she could. She had planned on the initial cost of the first set of test and biopsies, but the rest of the medical expenses were unexpected, and very expensive. She only wanted the best for him. The hardest part is, this was all supposed to be routine, easy, and not a worry. Nowhere was there the risk of it being this, making this decision, and inevitably saying goodbye. Mel wasn't prepared, we cried together, we talked many many times every day. I tried to help guide her the best I could. It was an impossible decision, but she had to make it. All of this stress was enough without the monetary burden. Now the medical bills piled up, and the financial burden is a whole different level of stress. I know it is a lot to ask, but anything helps. If we can help ease the monetary burden just a little, maybe she can heal a little faster. If you have a little to spare, it would help immensely. Please consider donating.

Melissa is finding ways to move through this, but the unexpected passing of Bonkerz has left a huge hole in her heart. He was a lonely stray kitten, found in a busy bank parking lot (where Mel worked) in Orlando FL. She took him in, raised him, moved him across the country, and loved him. He gave her snuggles, laughs, and the best company. Bonkerz will be greatly missed. Please consider helping Mel ease the burden of these medical bills. Thank you!