Hi, my name is Madison, and I’m scared that I’m going to lose my baby boy Brisket. He is only a baby with much more life to experience and enjoy. He is a sweet and happy baby boy who completes my and his older cat sister’s life. He was never supposed to be mine, yet he came into my life, and I’m not ready to let him leave so soon. He is barely over a year old, and I’ve raised him since he was a teeny baby. I agreed to keep him after he bonded with me and my 5-year-old cat, who has been reluctant to accept any other animal outside my family’s dogs. Watching my cat finally have someone to play with and mutually groom has been so perfect that I can’t imagine all the rituals we have all formed together stopping.

He most likely has a neurotic dry form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), along with potentially fighting something else unknown. FIP is extremely aggressive and is a near-guaranteed death without proper treatment. He has gone from relatively normal to declining within days, and I’m distraught. He was immediately admitted to the veterinary ER and has been there since Thursday. His bill is already looking pricey (around USD 500+), and we haven’t even begun possible FIP treatment, only treatment for the unknown illness with the use of Antibiotics, a short-term steroid, and IVS.

His current symptoms have been progressively worsening by the day. He has neurotic symptoms such as wobbling, imbalance, bowlegging, loss of vision, and has experienced a seizure. Alongside these symptoms, he also is anemic, has high protein in the blood, high white blood cell count, and jaundice. He also seems to be not grooming himself, is lethargic, and has lost much weight. He also has had a reduced food drive.

I don’t think I have much time as he is deteriorating quickly; however, the only known cure for his condition is an experimental drug known as GS-441524. It is not currently approved for use within the US by the FDA. However, it is readily used in other countries such as the UK. It is reportedly incredibly successful, with improvements made within days of administration. I have already begun to reach out to FIP survivor groups to gain access to this medication.

The treatment is costly and long-term, with a minimum cost of $1,152 for one of my cheapest options and potentially reaching over $2,000 if I had to switch to more expensive brands. It’s incredibly crucial to start the treatment process immediately, mainly due to the severity of his decline.

Thankfully, I do not have to pay for his treatment in full immediately as I would be paying per vial instead. However, the amount of medicine per vial is small yet highly expensive and requires daily administration for 84 days. Each vial would last an estimated 2-3 days. He will also require blood work at least every four weeks for monitoring, and then after his 84 days of treatment is up, he must be observed for another 84 days.

This all totals up fast.

I am a senior in college, and this was supposed to be my last semester. I can’t have it end in grief. I am entirely dependent on my parents, who are helping pay off my and my brother’s college tuition. I assist with a scholarship, but my parents are hesitant to pour even more money into this as it will be long-term. Any donation will help me afford his medication throughout his treatment. Every dollar helps.

Please help me save his life. I would greatly appreciate any contributions or shares. Thank you so much for your time.

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