My name is Peleiake, and this fundraiser is for my baby, Smokey. He was recently diagnosed with advanced cancer (malignant effusion carcinoma: lung, metastatic). I noticed symptoms that caused concern last Thursday, 7/31, and took him to our primary vet. He received blood work, and X-rays that disclosed a pleural effusion (liquid around his lungs), as well as a mass. The vet performed a diagnostic thoracocentesis - she drained 300ml liquid, and sent some to be lab tested.

She thought it was likely heart disease, and suggested taking him to an ER with a cardiologist. I did exactly that. He had echocardiogram, bloodwork, and imagining. Heart disease was ruled out. The emergency vet said Smokey was oxygen dependent, and suggested keeping him at the hospital, in an oxygen cage, while waiting for the lab results. However, at $3,000/day, I was unable to do that. I rented an oxygen tank, and created an at home oxygen chamber for him.

I did take him Sunday 8/3 to spend a few hours in our primary vets oxygen cage, because he was having a hard time breathing. The results came in Monday 8/4. Cancer. The vet suggested humane euthanasia. The same vet, 24 hours prior, told me he thought he looked good and wouldn’t have known anything was wrong had he not read his chart. Treatment was not presented as an option. They said I could take him to another emergency hospital, give him a CT scan to see if the Mass can be removed, however it would not be a guarantee, and the prognosis is poor. He may not even be able to handle the CT scan, as anesthesia is needed, and he is not stable. I was quoted $8-10,000 for the CT scan and hospital stay alone, not including surgery. I do not want to put him through more poking, prodding, emergency room visits, etc. especially when the prognosis is poor.

He experienced a loss of appetite, and mobility. I could get him to eat, but very little compared to what he normally eats. He is interested in food, but I think it’s just uncomfortable due to the liquid around his lungs.

Yesterday, 8/5, I took him to our primary vet to have a therapeutic thoracocentesis, and steroid injection. After removing another 250 ml of liquid, and the steroids, he meowed the whole way home (which was great to hear, because he has been too ill to even meow, and he’s normally very talkative). He came home and pooped (for the second time in 1 week), ate, cuddled, and slept in bed with me. Today, he has eaten multiple times, cuddled, and used his litter box.

I am taking it day by day, but I know what’s coming - it’s just a matter of when. My goal is to keep him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. We are going in again in a couple days for an ultrasound to see how rapidly the fluid is accumulating.

All funds raised will go towards medical bills. I have already spent $3,500 this past week, and it will continue to increase. Estimated cost for at home euthanasia is $1,200+

ABOUT SMOKEY:

Smokey is a 14 year old Norwegian Forest cat from a farm in the middle of nowhere Iceland. My late husband was from Iceland. I was living there with him when he asked if we could get a cat. He found an ad saying there was a farm cat who had kittens who needed to be adopted. We drove to the farm. There was a mama cat with a bunch of cute kittens nursing. Then, one orange and white lunatic came running down a tree, sprinting around the farm. And I said, “that one”

For personal reasons, my late husband and I did not want human children. We wanted animal children. Smokey was our first baby. I moved back to California, and he moved with me. Followed by my late husband.

Smokey is a lover boy. He loves snuggling and cuddling. Every single night he either lays on my chest, purring, rubbing noses until he falls asleep. Or, we spoon (he likes being my little spoon) under the covers. He’s a very vocal talkative cat. And I know which meow means what. He has a different meow when he’s hungry, wants cuddles, greets me at the door, has to use the litter box, or when he’s about to vomit. He’s a hunter, who used to bring us mice and lizard tails. He loves sitting in the window and watching the birds. And he loves all things meat and dairy. He loves raw chicken, steak, salmon, shrimp, and tuna. He loves milk, cream, cheese, and whipped cream. He’s my baby. I love him and he loves me. It breaks my heart that our time together on this earth is coming to an end.