Help Save Waffle’s Life

Hi everyone, I’m a grad student who rescued Waffle about four months ago when his previous owner abandoned him. Waffle is only nine years old (not even a senior cat yet) but over the past week his health rapidly declined and he stopped eating. I have spent $5400 (update: now $7000) on vet bills so far to get him the treatment he needs to stay alive and get diagnostic testing. These expenses include anesthesia, an esophageal feeding tube, a bone marrow biopsy, 8 hours of IV fluids, x-rays, ultrasounds, an enema and fecal extraction, steroids, antibiotics, appetite stimulants, anti-nausea medication, and just about every blood test possible. I’ve included photos of my invoices for his care. He currently has non-regenerative anemia but the vets are not sure what is causing it. I have taken him to multiple locations already to try to find out what’s wrong and he is going to see an internal medicine specialist on Thursday. We are still awaiting the results of two tests: the biopsy and a blood test for a rare infectious disease. I will post updates on his condition here! 

 If you have the means, please consider donating to help get Waffle the care he needs to recover from his illness. Sharing this gofundme would also help! Thank you all so much for giving Waffle your love and support ❤️‍

Update: Waffle saw an internal medicine specialist yesterday. The PCR test for the infectious disease came back negative but the results of the bone marrow biopsy still haven't come in yet. He doesn't have his final diagnosis yet but some possibilities are fatty liver disease, IMHA, or bone marrow cancer. He is still on the feeding tube and all of his medication except for the doxycycline now that the infectious disease has been ruled out. I will keep you all updated!

Second update: The good news is that it doesn't seem to be cancer, but his bone marrow biopsy did reveal that he has bone marrow hypoplasia verging on aplastic anemia. The vets said that this is a mystery case and they can't find any explanation for what's causing it yet. They have boosted his prednisolone dose with the hope that this will get his anemia back into the normal range. We are continuing to give him food, water, and medicine through his feeding tube. Last night he got the strength to jump up on the couch and I'm so proud of him. Thank you all so much for donating and sharing this gofundme! I've attached his biopsy results below this update:

Third update: The good news is that Waffle's bilirubin levels are back to normal! So no more liver disease, yay!! However, his anemia got worse (PCV of 19% down from 22% just a few days before). But there are signs that it's becoming slightly more regenerative now so fingers crossed that he won't need a blood transfusion! His next vet appointment is in a week from now, I will post an update then! Thank you all for your support!!

A picture of Waffle from just one month ago: