Ollie's Emergency Vet Bill
Donation protected
On the 1st of December, we took in this lil' chunky monkey and his big sister Violet as our foster cats for Selina, a friend of mine I went to high school with. She wasn't able to keep them with her because of her renting situation, and the people who had been housing them for her were told by their landlord that they couldn't have them living with them anymore. We didn't want her to have to surrender these sweet babies to a shelter when she was so close to getting them back to live with her and her son. Since Sam and I own our own home, have a spare room, and already are big cat people, I wanted to take them in for a little while to buy their human mom some more time. We were so, so happy to be able to help out and welcome these nuggets into our home and Sam forged a special bond with Ollie and his happy-go-lucky, loving personality.Unfortunately, starting on Monday (12/16), Ollie's health drastically plummeted. He was lethargic, spending most of his time in the litter box, had diarrhea, began throwing up, and was yowling in pain. When he threw up all over himself and could barely move on Tuesday morning, we knew we needed to take swift action. Our best option was to rush him to PETS (Pet Emergency Treatment and Specialities), our local 24/7 emergency animal hospital. And we're so glad we did. They immediately rushed him backed and found that he had a terrible urinary obstruction and had a very depressed system - he was dying.
They were able to remove the blockage and catheterize him after giving him an epidural (because his condition was critical and it wasn't safe to put him under anesthesia). His bloodwork came back and his numbers were outrageously high (potassium, creatine, etc. were in the hundreds when they're normally in the double digits!). His condition remained critical but he was showing signs of life. They found several bladder stones and his urine had a lot of blood in it and told us he would need surgery to remove them.
Today (12/18) three of us (Sam, myself, and Selina) have been feverishly researching ways to finance his medical expenses and places that could take on his care at a more affordable rate. Things were not looking good today, his condition was still critical and they were quoting surgery in the thousands, which is not doable for any of us. Luckily this evening his condition has stabilized and it looks like we should be able to bring him home. However, we still have a high balance for the treatment he's received so far (about $1500, and a few hundred more for his surgery he'll need soon). Thankfully we were able to cover the deposit for his care, but we're tapped out at this point.
So, we're reaching out to all of you for help. If I've learned anything through my own health struggles, it's when to ask for the help you need - and we sure need it right now. Ollie is a happy, vivacious boy, and he's only 4 years old! If you are financially able, ANYTHING would be so, so appreciated.
SHORT VERSION: We're sending out the Cat People Signal! If you can't financially donate, please share this anywhere and everywhere! We're eternally grateful to everyone out there who helps Ollie get well and come home. All we need is to cover the outstanding balance (max ~$1500), and our ~extra~ goal is to be able to also cover his surgery (another $350).
All my crazy kitty love,
Livie (and Sam, and Selina) (and also Violet, Figaro, Pawl, Reese, and Clawdia!)
***Sam's note: Ollie is the most loving cat you'll ever meet. He is the type of cat that will not leave you alone until he gets attention and purrs up a storm immediately upon being pet. He's only 4 years old and is one of the most affectionate and loving cats I have ever met. He went from one of the most curious and happy cats I'd met to barely able to walk in the course over the course of 24 hours. He wasn't even able to clean himself and when I moved him into the carrier to take him to the vet he barely moved. I am so thankful that he has a shot at living.***
Organizer
Livie Pollock
Organizer
Lancaster, PA
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