Robert and Benny Need a Little Hope Right Now
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My name is Robert Burdick a retired Firefighter/EMT.
I am asking for assistance for emergency veterinarian care for my cat Benny. He is now vomiting which means he is
not getting nutrition or hydration.
About Benny. He is a 4 year old tuxedo cat whom I call my “Tough Little Bastard”.
He sits on my lap, follows me around, sleeps in my bed,
and looks for me when I am not home. Benny is very loving and we support each other emotionally.
About me. Worked as a firefighter for 47 years. I am under treatment for PTSD related to repetitive traumatic events and one specific large scale event. I can only admit this due to years of mental health care. I advocate for the mental health of other first responders and to Never Forget September 11.
Benny was born with a rare condition called aortic arch.
Basically aortic tissue grows around the esophagus causing a restriction. We did not know this before getting him. He also was born with a special, loving personality. He survived outstandingly two surgeries in early kitten hood that removed the restriction. Immediately after surgery his personality was undeterred and he won the hearts of the animal hospital staff. Thus the nickname of TLB.
A side effect is he has a pouch on his esophagus which food collects in. As such we have been feeding him small
amounts of special food first through a syringe and now with a raised cat dish. After feeding we must hold him upright for 20 minutes so the food will go down. This occurs 4 times a day. He responded well but occasionally he vomits. His vomiting this time has gone on for 2.5 days. Aside from nutrition and hydration we are afraid of aspiration pneumonia. Otherwise he lives a normal cat life. I just got back from the vet and they recommended an endoscopy or end of life care.
Financial situation for me is not good right now. I have spent the last year having and recovering from 2 surgeries. I cannot work yet and am living on a pension.
We have given Benny much more than he would have had, if there is a chance we would like to give him more.