Hello, my name is Aaron and I am raising funds to help my cat Maya (she also goes by Misty and Chicken/Nugget)

Maya was a very small street kitten (2-4m old) who came on our porch during a very cold spell in February 2025. We enticed her with wet food and treats and she would happily plop down on her side for pets. Between us and the neighbours across the road, we all fell in love.

It was up in the air as to who would take her in, but it was decided she would come in from the cold and live with us until we found her owner.

We brought her in to be checked for a microchip, and were surprised to see there wasn’t one. We were so excited that this sweet baby would join our family with our elderly cat Bella.

We then brought her to a spay clinic, got her microchipped, and vaccinated. We got news this tiny kitten was also pregnant at the time.

After eight months of living as a happy family, we noticed Maya was staying in bed for much longer stretches throughout the day, and much quieter. We were concerned that she was quite lethargic, but decided to keep an eye for a few days. We knew something was very wrong when we saw the colour of her urine in the litter box.

(I spread the concentrated urine to show the colour and quantity to the veterinarian)

In a small town on a Saturday night, there were no options for advice except (thank goodness) for a 24h Emergency Vet Clinic one hour away. After speaking to them on the phone, we brought Maya in right away.

Veterinarian

Initial Observations

- Underweight (BCS 2/3)

- Very lethargic

- Severely dehydrated, sunken eyes

- X-ray shows no blockage

- Starting IV Fluids

- Starting Antibiotics Medications

- Mini Ultrasound (AFAST Scan) did not show extra fluid

First Updates

- Chemistry panel showed elevated blood nitrogen levels

- ALD and ALDGG elevated

- Urinalysis showed protein, ketones, blood, and bacteria in her urine

- FIV/FeLV test negative

Second Updates

- Full Abdominal Ultrasound: Enlarged liver, “dents” in liver, free fluid in abdomen, no obstructions, no growths

- Free fluid found in the abdomen

- No obstructions

- No Growths

Third Updates

- Not anemic

- B1 Low

- High Bilirubin

- Jaundice observed

- Needs FIP testing

- Free fluid was tested

- Colour: Hay Yellow

- Protein level: Too low to register

- Nucleated Cell Count: 90

- She is peeing, no blockages

DDx (working list of current possible diagnoses)

- FIP (next step testing, results expected EOW (Nov 29)

- Hepatic Lipidosis

- Lymphoma (if FIP neg, ultrasound biopsy required)

To determine if Maya's severe illness is aggressive Lymphoma (cancer) or treatable Cholangiohepatitis, a critical, specialized Ultrasonic Biopsy is required, and its high cost is currently a major barrier to her definitive diagnosis.

The doctors have been working hard to provide diagnostics that will pinpoint Maya’s health issue, and what next steps, and treatment options will be. The bills have already racked up, and we need support for the bills from her hospitalization and upcoming diagnostics and treatments.

Since Maya’s hospitalization (Nov 22,23,24) we brought her home, and have her on many medications to support her infection, her liver function, managing her bile, and steroids to reduce inflammation. The vet had a hard time getting her to eat. She’s now set up in our upstairs bedrooms with a sunshiney window, a big comfy bed, lots of soft blankets, and her litter in the room next door.

Since being home she has been cuddling on a heating pad, nibbling at her new medicated food (Hill’s Prescription Diet C/D Urinary Support) with Churu on top.