Please Help Save Gilbert’s Life

My sweet kitten, Gilbert, is only 9 months old, and right now he is fighting for his life.

Gilbert has been diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), a cruel and often fatal disease. Without treatment, FIP takes everything. With treatment, there is hope—but it requires months of intensive care, daily medication, monitoring, and recovery.

In August, I brought home a four-month-old Gilbert. He was sweet, curious, and full of life. His rescue paperwork showed a healthy kitten, up to date on boosters, though shortly after coming home he needed antibiotics for a respiratory infection.

At the time, it seemed like a small bump in the road.

Over the next few months, that bump turned into a nightmare. Gilbert began suffering from a confusing and relentless series of severe bacterial infections.

Each time, treatment would help briefly—but he never truly bounced back. Instead, he slowly declined, losing strength and energy, so I paid for expanded PCR panels to check for every infectious disease.

Eventually, I learned that Gilbert had been exposed to cats sick with FIP at his foster home.

By Christmas, my once playful kitten could barely walk. His decline became terrifyingly rapid. Now, he struggles to walk or eat at all.

A FIP diagnosis is challenging and is based on a combination of clinical signs, laboratory findings, imaging, and specialized testing.

So far, the unexpected emergency veterinary care, medications, and medical supplies have already surpassed $3,000, and this is only the beginning.

I am on a fixed disability income, and these costs are overwhelming—but giving up on Gilbert is not an option.

I care for Gilbert around the clock. He receives subcutaneous fluids and takes nine different prescriptions daily.

Every moment of my day revolves around keeping him comfortable, nourished, and safe. Friday, he finally started the FIP antiviral treatment—his only real chance at survival.

I miss the Gilbert who would cheerfully leap into my lap, gently meowing to ask for a hug, who wanted nothing more than to be picked up and cuddled. I miss holding him while he purrs. All I want is to comfort him and give him the chance to be that kitten again.

Gilbert isn’t just a pet—he is my medical companion animal, my only comfort in a world that has grown increasingly isolating.

I am a medically vulnerable person, and the pandemic has only deepened my isolation.

I manage complex medical needs on my own, on a fixed SSD income, with very limited support. In that reality, the presence of a companion animal isn’t a luxury—it is my lifeline.

Before Gilbert, I experienced the sudden and devastating loss of Cisco, my beloved companion kitty of 13 years. You all know losing Cisco was devastating and I still struggle to manage my grief.

It took a long time—emotionally and practically—to find another kitten who was truly compatible as a medical companion. When Gilbert came into my life he brought light, calm, and connection.

Now, I’m facing the terrifying reality of possibly losing him too.

Like many pet parents, I carry a deep sense of guilt that it took time to reach this diagnosis. I did everything I knew how to do, but the feeling that I should have caught it sooner weighs heavily on my heart.

Please, help me save Gilbert. This treatment is his only hope.

How You Can Help

FIP treatment is intensive, long-term, and incredibly expensive. Every donation—no matter the size—goes directly toward Gilbert’s antiviral medication, supportive care, and the ongoing treatments he needs to survive.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this GoFundMe means just as much and helps reach others who may be able to help.

Gilbert is fighting with everything he has. I’m fighting for him with everything I have.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping me fight for Gilbert after already losing so much.

With gratitude,

Robyn Ruth

(Gilbert's cat momma)