- M
- S
Hello everyone,
We (Anne Ju and Zach) are reaching out with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits to ask for help for our little cat, Mulan.
Mulan is a four-year-old Cornish Rex, but because of the horrific conditions she survived before we adopted her, she remains the size of a tiny kitten. She was rescued from an unethical breeder who abandoned her at a cat refuge when she was on the brink of death. Despite her rough start, she grew into the most affectionate, lively, and loving companion we could ever hope for. She is cuddly, endlessly playful, and so full of personality that we always say she’s a (loud) dog trapped in a cat’s body. She is our little shadow, our comfort, our joy.
Over the past few months, Mulan has faced a series of serious medical issues potentially link to her difficult early life:
- In September, she developed severe eye and kidney infections (1,000 CHF).
- During treatment, vets discovered that all her teeth are infected and will need to be removed (estimated 2,000 CHF).
- In late October, she had a seizure-like episode requiring emergency care and blood work (405 CHF). Her results were clean, but she was suspected to be epileptic.
- After briefly returning to her usual loving self, she suffered a second, far more serious episode last week. She fell into a semi-conscious state and began losing neurological function.
We rushed her to the clinic (106 CHF) and were transferred to the university veterinary hospital for intensive care. There, after extensive testing including blood tests and an MRI, we received devastating news: The initial infection had not only persisted, but it had spread to her ears, sinuses, and more importantly brain, causing severe inflammation of the brain stem. Because of this, Mulan suffered:
- Lesions on her brain stem
- Loss of vision in her left eye
- Loss of sensation in the left side of her body
- Loss of feeling in her tail (which caused her to bite herself in confusion and fear)
- She was immediately admitted to the ICU, placed on strong antibiotics and corticosteroids, and closely monitored.
Even after all of this, our tiny warrior is responding to treatment. Her neurological functions are slowly improving. The vets are cautiously optimistic, but she must remain hospitalized for several more days to ensure her brain stabilizes and the infection is under control.
The financial reality is that her current hospitalization and treatment will cost at least 6,000 CHF.
Added to the previous bills, we are now facing over 9,500 CHF in vet expenses...
We (Anne Ju and Zach) are both Canadian. Anne Ju is currently volunteering in Kenya for the past 11 months as a research assistant studying spotted hyenas until Christmas. Zach is a PhD student in Zurich researching meerkats. We do not have high incomes, but we have been paying everything we can. Mulan is our daughter, and we cannot imagine giving up on her.
Why We Are Asking for Help
We never expected to start a GoFundMe, but the situation has become overwhelming. Any contribution, no matter how small, will go directly toward Mulan’s medical bills and her continued treatment. Your help would give her the chance she deserves, a chance at a pain-free, joyful life with the two humans who adore her beyond words.
Mulan survived neglect and cruelty once. She fought her way back to life before, and she’s fighting again now.
If you can help give her that second chance, we will be forever grateful.
Thank you so much for reading, sharing, or donating.
With love,
Anne Ju and Zach
