Hello, my name is Alissa, and this September I had the wonderful opportunity to adopt a sweet, playful 3-month-old kitten named Blossom. Blossom has been an incredible little companion and a bright spot in my life as I began my PhD (rest assured, she’ll have her rightful acknowledgment in my final thesis!) and has also been a tremendous support for my mental health, bringing needed joy and comfort during some challenging times. Blossom is like no other wee cat I’ve ever met - she’s super friendly, follows me everywhere about the flat, curiously watches as I cook or do my makeup, curls up beside me at night, and is loved by everyone who is lucky to meet her!

Unfortunately, just a few weeks after she came home with me, Blossom started showing symptoms of vomiting and fatigue. Like any concerned pet parent, I took her to the vet, and while anti-nausea medication helped briefly, the symptoms kept returning every two weeks. After three months of uncertainty, Blossom was referred to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies here in Edinburgh at the start of December. There, she underwent a rigorous set of tests and scans, which revealed a fluid-filled mass in her upper small intestine and abnormal thickening in her lower intestine. It is suspected that she has congenital malformation of the small intestines, but cancer (lymphoma) or an infectious disease can’t be ruled out without surgery. This surgery is not only critical for diagnosing her condition, but also for removing the mass causing her pain and vomiting.

Thankfully my pet insurance has been able to cover all of the tests up until now; however, as the surgery has been estimated to cost £4000, they will not cover this expense. Without it, Blossom will continue to suffer, and I may have to face the heart-breaking decision of putting her to sleep as her condition worsens. Therefore, I am reaching out for your help to raise funds for this life-saving surgery and to give Blossom the fighting chance she deserves. Every donation will be tremendously appreciated and will go directly towards her surgery. Another way I hope to raise some money is by selling some custom art – if you are interested in a pet or human portrait, please get in touch with me to discuss this further!

Blossom means the absolute world to me, and I’m extremely grateful for your consideration and support. With your help, she can get the treatment she needs and hopefully recover quickly. Thank you for reading her story and for your kindness!