My name is June Robinson, I'm legally blind and I'm asking for a gift of donations for my beloved cat Pepper. Pepper has been by my side for fourteen years, I've had her in my life since she was a newborn kitten.

Currently Pepper is facing a handful of (expensive) medical problems, on top of her previously diagnosed IBS. Pepper has been battling a reoccurring ear infection in her left ear for over a year.

In the beginning ear was filled with dark wax and debris, which was painful and itchy. She would constantly shake her head and scratch her ear. I took her to the vet who said she had a bad ear infection and prescribed a topical antibiotic to be applied daily. The antibiotic would work for a week or two, then Pepper's ear would go back to leaking and she would go back to shaking and scratching. The vet would then prescribe a different antibiotic, only to have the same outcome. After about a year of back and forth visits to the vet I knew something wasn't right.

After a recommendation from my friend Joanne, I took Pepper to Cat Tales Feline Health Center, and Dr. Julie Cole was able to find the cause of her ear problems - a polyp in her ear. Dr. Cole then prescribed a new antibiotic (this time administered orally) and gabapentin (for pain management) and sent a referral for Pepper to the surgery department at VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center.

I met with Dr. Katrina Castaneda at VCA who scheduled a CT scan, a biopsy of the polyp in Pepper's ear, and culture test of the bacteria causing the infection, which totaled to $3,368.50.

The surgery went well, and the biopsy revealed that the polyp is not cancerous. The culture results showed that the bacteria in her ear is resistant to the antibiotics we were giving her, and Pepper was prescribed yet another antibiotic. Dr. Castaneda shared with me the new treatment plan, which is to completely remove the polyp, which would cost $5,920.90 - $7,401.13. Before proceeding with the surgery, we're waiting to see if the new antibiotic would clear the infection.

Pepper did not react well to the new antibiotic, which caused vomiting. She would hide under my bed to avoid taking her medication. I took Pepper back to Cat Tales and met with Dr. Hack, who worked tirelessly and advised me to stop administering the new antibiotic, and after talking with VCA prescribed a different antibiotic.

The new antibiotic caused even more vomiting, and we are currently waiting to hear back from Cat Tales on how to proceed before the surgery - yet another new antibiotic? Shots?

I am writing this to ask for help in paying for the previous surgery, along with her upcoming surgery, so that my Pepper can finally feel happy, comfortable, and like her playful self again.

Thank you for your generous gift,

June Robinson, Pepper, and Mara Gervais (assistant cat mom)