Hi, I'm Ethan, a trans guy with a very cute cat named Meatball. Over the past year, I've been saving aggressively for top surgery, which is scheduled to take place in August. I'm paying for it entirely out of my own pocket (about 10k), and have been quite determined to use only my own money. Unfortunately, for the past few months, my sweet cat has been having expensive medical issues that are starting to jeopardize my ability to pay for the surgery.

Meatball has been to the vet four times since October for mystery abscesses. He has been tested for FIV, leukemia, had biopsies, surgical removal, the whole deal. Everything came back negative. While this is good news, the problem is that these abscesses are quite large (between gumball and ping pong ball size). Every time he gets one, it usually ruptures even though he's just chilling and trying to recover. Whenever this happens, the vet admits him to the animal hospital to clean the wound while it heals, which takes about 1-2 weeks. He is, in fact, in the animal hospital right now recovering from his 4th abscess. The vet doesn't currently have a theory as to why this is happening since Meatball has tested negative for all the usual serious causes.

It's been quite expensive to do this—we've spent $1466 from my surgery savings and have another vet bill on the way once he gets out of the hospital. I am worried now that I'm not going to have enough money to pay for my surgery in August. I'm already saving as much as I can every month. I don't know if I can make up this money in time.

I am currently looking to raise $2000 to cover the money we've spent on Meatball's care so far and hopefully enough to cover this upcoming vet bill. My wife and I have been worried sick about him and have been happy to make sure he gets the care he needs. But if I am unable to pay for my surgery in August, I will have to wait another year before I can try again (a pretty demoralizing prospect). I am supremely grateful for any help that you're able to give (as is Meatball!)