Smudge's Seizures: Seeking Urgent Aid

This Valentine’s Day, my sweet 3-year-old cat Smudge started having seizures. After multiple vet visits, blood work, and urine analysis, we still don’t have answers. So far, I've spent $900 on vet bills, and while he's on medication, his seizures are getting worse and more frequent. I was advised to take him to urgent care, but I simply can’t afford it. Smudge is my whole world, and I just want to get him the care he needs. Any donation, big or small, would mean everything to us. If you can’t donate, please share. Every bit of support helps. Thank you!

Scroll down to dated edits for recent updates!

Edit: On 2/19

I rushed Smudge to urgent care, where he stayed for a day and a half. When we first arrived, every vet who saw him feared he wouldn’t make it through the night. He had gone blind and suffered seizures every time he moved. To stabilize him, they heavily sedated him with four different seizure medications and placed him on an IV.

I stayed by his side all night, holding his head up and trying to ease his neck when it went stiff. By noon the next day, as the medication started wearing off, he showed signs of improvement, more aware and more present. To be safe, I kept him at the vet for another 10 hours to ensure he could go 24 hours without a seizure before bringing him home.

Smudgen just spent his first night back home, and so far no seizures. He’s still heavily sedated as we wait for our MRI appointment with a neurologist on Monday. The MRI alone will cost around $5,000, on top of the $5,000 I’ve already spent. That puts the total at over $10,000, and we still don’t have answers.

I would do anything to make sure Smudgen gets the care he needs, but I’m financially tapped out. I’m reaching out for help. Every dollar, share, and kind word means the world to us. I’m holding onto hope that with perseverance and support, Smudgen will pull through.

Thank you all so much your support means the world to me!

edit:2/22/25

Smudge has been having facial tremors (seizures in the face) for over 24 hours now. I really need to get him into urgent care but cannot afford to dip into what I’ve already made for this $5k MRI on Monday!

edit: 2/23

We did it! We reached our $5K MRI goal, and I cannot thank everyone enough for your generosity and support in helping Smudge get the medical care he needs. I’m beyond grateful for every single donation, share, and kind message.

That said, we’re not out of the woods yet. I received a call today from one of the vets collaborating on Smudge’s case, and they’ve recommended a spinal tap tomorrow to test for feline HIV and FeLV. These viruses can hide dormant in the spine, undetectable by regular blood tests. The good news? If properly treated, Smudge could make a full recovery and live a completely normal life!

To move forward with this next step, I will need to raise another $1,000. I haven’t been able to get an exact quote yet, but based on general estimates, this should help cover the cost. If you’re able to donate or share this fundraiser, it would mean the world to me and Smudge. Thank you all for standing by us—we wouldn’t be here without you! I’ll keep you posted as we move forward.