venmo: @Gcruzzi

We adopted Rizzo on 8/29/2024. Since then he has made our lives so much brighter and we can’t imagine a world without him. He has helped us through mental health struggles, and has been my companion during chronic illness and chemotherapy.

He was born with Cerebellar hypoplasia; a neurological condition where the cerebellum (the part of the brain responsible for coordination, balance, and fine motor control) does not fully develop. It is not painful and does not get worse. He wobbles when he walks and struggles with coordination. He has not known a life without it, and lives happy and spunky despite it.

On December 7th, 2025, he started having seizures. This is unrelated to his existing medical condition, cats with CH are not known to suffer from seizures.

These seizures happened intermittently, multiple times a month.

He was started on an anti seizure medication and has not had one since. (Fingers crossed)

On February 7th, 2026, he lost mobility in his back left leg. At first we thought he injured it, but after several vet appointments they concluded it was neurological.

This impairment has made his ability to walk even more strenuous than it already is.

August 30th 2024 vs April 7th 2026

The leading theories include epilepsy, stroke, brain fluid, and tumor. But without further diagnostic, we are left in the dark. Unfortunately we do not have the financial means to do these tests, as they are incredibly expensive and need to be payed upfront.

(We were told a CT would be $5,000 on the low estimate)

My chronic illness is also very finically taxing, and my husband Aidan is currently Pre-med at UNR, he works two jobs, one as a school nurse, another as an EMT. Most of our expenses go toward rent, medical, and school. We have already eaten into our savings to support Rizzo’s veterinary bills.

Please help our little family in anyway you can.

Much love,

Grace and Aidan Cruz