Please Help Oakland, My Beloved Kitty, on Road to Recovery

This is my kitty, Oakland, who i adopted from the Oakland Animal Shelter as a kitten with his sister Berkeley. He's just over 1 year old.

When i got home Sat. he was up on fence crying. I carried him in and sat down, then saw a huge wound on his leg, size of a saucer. I took him to 24 hr. Vet Hospital, where he was hospitalized over night. The bill was over $5,500.00. I put in on credit card.

Apparently his skin was ripped off by wire on the fence which was there to stop them from jumping over & roaming the streets. What was supposed to keep them safe ended up hurting him very badly.

I was instructed to bring him back in 3 days to have drain removed. That was yesterday. I was told he’s very sick. He hasn’t eaten anything in the 3 days, only drinking water. I hold the container under his mouth as it’s hard to drink with plastic collar on neck. Last day he would not drink anything. I was very worried. He had septic infection, problems with bilirubin, too many problems to list here.

Right after this tragedy i got pet insurance for Berkeley, my other cat, but was undecided on how to get it for Oakland, since he has pre-existing condition. Now, it may be too late. I already have the bill, which is over $11,000.00.

To put the icing on the cake, my house caught fire 3 weeks ago. Two rooms burned down, and the place is extensively damaged and the interior is being demolished. I’m dealing with having nearly everything i own trucked up to Benicia to be cleaned from toxic smoke, or else thrown out as “total loss” (or burned up). I’m staying in a hotel, and my neighbor was cat sitting them both (the house is too toxic to stay in). After the accident, i had to bring Oakland to the hotel with me. He wouldn't go to litter box. He would barely walk at all, only moving when housekeeping came in to get away. Berkeley is continually meowing, missing her brother who she’s been with all her life. I am heartbroken.

The vet said the bill would be in the multi thousands, and asked if i want to have him euthanized. He said he may not live in spite of everything. I started crying. “No, please don’t do that. Save my kitty. I’ll pay you.” But my credit card was declined for charging over the limit. The receptionist put $3,200.00 on the card, which was almost my limit. I’m stuck with the rest of the bill, and likely it’ll be much more as care continues.

Update Oct. 12:

He's at the hotel with me doing better. He mostly sleeps but eats and goes to litter box. I had to take him for daily bandage changes a t $425.00- 525.00 each visit. Now it is every 3 days, at $425.00--$525.00, depending on what they need to do, per visit. His sister Berkeley was being cat sit by my neighbor but she had to go away so i brought her to the hotel. When she got out of carrier she started hissing aggressively at her brother. Wow. These kitties have been together all their lives. She doesn't recognize him due to strange smells from the vet. So they avoid each other.

I'm working again, but won't be paid for 2 weeks and it was minimal days due to being at the house sorting every last thing i own to either be trucked up to Benicia to be cleaned (smoke is toxic) or be tossed as total loss. I'm at hotel looking for apt. It may be one and a half years before the house is fixed up.

Please help. Please give to save Oakland. I’m already in a lot of debt and haven’t been able to work during Sept. due to having to be at the house dealing the aftermath of the fire. I want Oakland to live. He survived the big fire (i grabbed him & threw him out the door), and now this. I don’t want to lose my beloved kitty, my purr box, Berkeley’s brother & constant companion. Any amount, no matter the size, will be greatly appreciated.

Hugs and thanks.

UPDATE NOV. 9, 2024

Oakland is doing better now but he has a new problem: discoloration around his eyes, very strange. The vet checked him and said it looks like irritation at the medial canthus. I had to get another medicine for that (they are all very expensive).

Once or twice a day i take the cone off of him, so he can give himself a cat bath. He licks himself all over to clean himself except i cover his wounds with my hands as he cannot lick them, or they will get infected (that's what the cone is for). I wonder if the eye problem is a result of not being able to bathe himself so many weeks.

Berkeley recognizes her brother once again and no longer hits him, unless they are playing. This is a big relief.

Fortunately i am working again, so got some paychecks. I still owe the IRS from 2022 (!!!) and credit card has been maxxed out. I am paying it off as i can. Any donations, any amount, help a lot and are appreciated so much.

Hugs and Axé,

Linda