Help with Skrimble's Emergency Vet Costs

My name is Mike, and I'm raising funds to cover my cat Skrimble's unexpected emergency vet bills. Her treatments and overnight hospital stay ended up costing a total of $5466. I paid for all of her vet bills up front, using two different high interest rate credit cards. We are fortunate that she is back home and doing well again, but the strain of the financial burden has caused a lot of stress and uncertainty. I recognize that if there's ever a time to ask for help, it's now. Your donation will go directly toward paying off these bills and reducing the financial strain this has caused.

From trash cat to house cat...

Skrimble strolled up onto my porch and into my life two and a half years ago, at a time when I truly needed her. I have a soft spot for street cats, having helped find homes and fix dozens of strays in West Philly. But something was different about Skrimble – she instantly won me over with her charm and charisma, and showed an affectionate and loving personality like no other. I scooped her off the street and quickly went through the proper adoption process to become her permanent cat dad. And since taking Skrimble in, she has proven to be the most easy going and adaptable kitty ever. She's never met a person she didn't love, eagerly climbing into the arms of anyone who will have her. She can be mischievous, but never takes it too far*

The missing pieces...

*Last week something changed. She had torn up a small portion of a fully completed puzzle, and when I put the area back together I noticed two pieces were missing. Soon after, she stopped eating, her demeanor changed (she ignored attention and started hiding), and she started vomiting foamy clear fluid, occasionally with blood in it. I questioned if the missing puzzle pieces were tied to these changes... On Thursday, when it was clear she wasn't improving, I took her to the vet where they gave her an x-ray and administered hydration fluids. Her x-ray showed a lot of inflammation and a potential blockage, but they recommended getting an ultrasound at the emergency vet for more conclusive answers.

A scary 24 hours...

I checked her into Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Center City on Friday afternoon, for what would end up being an overnight stay. Her intestinal inflammation and severe dehydration had grown much worse; she was a very sick kitty. They gave her an ultrasound which indeed showed foreign masses in her stomach and small intestines which had been the cause of all this distress, and they started her on more intensive rounds of hydrating fluids and a drug which would help get things moving through her GI tract, as well as an appetite stimulant. Luckily no surgery was needed - a best case scenario. She did well overnight and on Saturday they gave the good news that she was in high spirits and was eating again! They also said she won over all the overnight techs with her demands for cuddles and attention. :)

Homeward bound...

They discharged her back into my care that afternoon. She seemed to be back to normal, but we are monitoring her conditions and food intake. She's slurping down Churus and begging for attention and riding on my shoulders again, so fingers crossed we are in the clear.

The high costs from this vet care were much more than expected, but they were non-negotiable. Any parent of a pet knows they will do what it takes to get their furry companion the care they need. She has been a stable, loving presence in an otherwise rocky transitional period these past few years. I would shoulder the cost of her care alone if it meant she gets to keep Skrimblin' around for many more years, but knowing that I have people in my corner willing to help means so much to me. I am so grateful to you - my friends, family and community - for your support.

All we got is each other.

(and our furry friends)

Love, Mike and Skrimble.