Our 6 year old orange tabby, Turbo, was the runt of the litter. As such he wasn’t able to nurse with his siblings due to lack of room, but his amazing young mama would take him separately after the other kittens had fed and nurse him by himself which is what gave him a shot at life. He’s always been a survivor!

We adopted him and his sister, Twiggy, 6 years ago and since then we have enjoyed his companionship and quirky personality. I often tell him he must think he’s a dog because he will hop up on the counter and sneak bites of meat whenever he can. He’s ripped through foil to grab a spare rib and tries to nibble on turkey as I pack school lunches. He is a huge cuddler and loves to sleep on our chest.

Recently Turbo became very sick; not eating, vomiting, very lethargic and began having trouble getting around. We rushed him to the vet hospital where blood tests showed Turbo has diabetes and DKA, a dangerous complication of diabetes. Despite overnight fluids at the hospital and feeding tube, Turbo’s kidneys are still struggling. We’re awaiting ultrasound results to diagnose possible pancreatitis or kidney stones. Without immediate care, he may not survive.

The hospital stay and diagnostics have already cost $5,400 and surgery plus additional time in ICU could add $3,000–$5,000. I’m aiming to raise $10,000 to cover his care.

I am not only a pet parent to three cats (including Turbo’s sister, Twiggy and a brown tabby rescue named Lucky), I am also a mother to 5 children. 3 girls ages 19, 17 and 15 plus two boys ages 12 and 10. These unexpected emergency bills are beyond my means and your support can give Turbo a fighting chance.

**Update 5/12 5:30pm: the ultrasound showed severe pancreatitis. Turbo is very out of it. I visited with him today. When I went into ICU three doctors were working on him. They had given him fentanyl and mild sedation but when he became unresponsive they reversed the sedation. I asked if I could speak to him and they allowed me to talk to him while they worked on him. He began to come back and he looked for me and turned his head when he heard my voice. I told him I love him and sang to him. Then I let the doctors work. Turbo is not improving yet. The doctors are putting in a catheter for his comfort and will update me tonight and tomorrow morning. We are praying Turbo begins to improve by tomorrow morning. Xoxo

**Update 5/12 8pm The Dr called and said Turbo was about the same if not a little better. He is able to sit now and is much more comfortable with his catheter in. We will get another update in the morning.