Save Onyx's Precious Life

Camille Winkel is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hello, my name is Onyx! I am a sweet, loving, mature, emotional support Egyptian Mau cat who is going through an extremely difficult battle to remain on this planet. I’m simply not ready to leave my human mom yet as well as my best friend who is currently out of the country but coming back soon. I have many fond memories of sleeping on her pillow next to her every night from grade school to her mid 20’s. We spent a lot of time together as she was predominantly bedridden with her own chronic illness and I was there to give her all the love and comfort I could give her.

My mom noticed something wasn’t normal with me just recently. I’ve rapidly declined. I’m sleeping more hours than not, throughout the day and night. When awake, I have to work very hard to try to get enough air in order to breathe. I have no energy left for anything else. I can't play, go for a walk or cuddle with my brother Leo “DiCatrio” or even purr which I so love to do. She took me to an urgent care clinic that then immediately referred us to a cardiologist. I had some tests run, an initial intense treatment and unfortunately received the bad news that my conditions are so serious that more interventions need to be done to keep me alive. The doctor found out that I have congestive heart failure and heart disease and I'm in dire need of procedures/ treatments, tests and medications to help me survive and be comfortable (until it's time for me to go at some point hopefully later down the road.) My diagnosis are: Unclassified/Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (UCM/RCM), Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) manifesting as ascites and pleural fluid, Mitral Valve Prolapse with regurgitation, severe hyperthyroidism with accompanying nodules, and significant muscle wasting, weight loss. I am currently half my normal body weight.

(recent picture)

Unfortunately, my family doesn't have the financial means to be able to support this extensive process as they have chronic illnesses that require much out of pocket medical expenses of their own and are unable to work at this time due to this. We don’t want to lose hope or stop trying to get me well just because of a lack of funds. My mom was able to use her last credit card for the last couple visits but doesn’t have credit available to put more on credit cards. She doesn’t know how she is ever going to pay off these initial expenses let alone all the upcoming ongoing care that is needed; we are a family of very little means. Upcoming treatments involve more EKG’s guided ultrasounds to drain fluid build up in my lungs and abdomen which significantly restrict my breathing, ongoing blood work to check my liver and kidney values, oxygen treatments, and ongoing multiple medications for the rest of my life.

My mom is heartbroken that my life is on the line but she is staying strong and fighting this battle with me. She is hand feeding me to get me to eat and is at home with me everyday; afraid to leave me unattended. I am too weak to do much for myself these days, something that is difficult for me since I am so used to being very independent and self-sufficient like my brother Leo who is very depressed over my decline. He is not ready for me to die yet and is vigilantly checking on me throughout the day.

(old pic of me and Leo:))

Can I be so bold as to ask if you could join me in this courageous battle of mine and financially support me and my humans? We desperately need your help and can’t fight this battle alone. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!! It's just my mom and my best friend (moms daughter) left no other immediate family members here to help us.

Any amount big or small would really make a difference, really anything. We know what it is like not to have much so any gift is huge for us. We would be so very grateful to you for this help. I can make a promise to you that when I get better, I will pay it forward; that is just the kind of cat I am! I have so much love left to give and know that my purpose in life has always been to bless others with my sweet presence;) Not boasting here but I am a cat ya know!