This is my sweet boy Zander. I foster-failed (adopted) him a year and a half ago after rescuing him from an animal control shelter where his previous owners had dumped him.  Recently I noticed he had been drinking and urinating more frequently so I took him to the vet for what I thought would be a diagnosis of a UTI or possibly diabetes. Turns out, he’s in renal failure. After numerous vet visits, expensive blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound, diagnostics are pointing to dry FIP, otherwise known as Feline Infectious Peritonitis.   

Up until a couple of years ago, receiving an FIP diagnosis was a guaranteed fatal outcome as there was no known treatment.  This disease is absolutely horrific and basically causes them to suffer a slow, painful death as their health gradually declines over time.  I have personally dealt with it over the past 15 years with several of my foster cats, and not being able to do anything to help them was beyond devastating and heartbreaking  .  However, in the past few years, veterinary researchers have made amazing progress with identifying a new treatment that has proven to be an effective cure for thousands of cats with FIP!  In fact, one of my previous foster kittens completed treatment in February and she is now cured and doing better than ever!  The treatment consists of daily pills or shots every day for a total of 84 days, with a subsequent 84 monitoring period afterwards to rule out a relapse.

The downside is that this treatment is extremely expensive and will cost upwards of $5500 for Zander.  However, the medication that we have chosen also comes with a full guarantee that if he does relapse, the manufacturer will cover the second round of treatment at no cost to us.  My husband and I have already spent $1800 on his diagnostic tests and support treatments, and another $918 on his first 2 weeks of FIP medication.  This is on top of a $2000 bill for our epileptic kitty this month and a $1000 for our senior kitty with possible GI lymphoma.  Our cats mean the world to us and are truly like our children.  We will do whatever it takes to keep them safe, healthy and happy.  However, this is taking a tremendous toll on our funds and is putting us in a tough spot financially.  As much as I hate to ask for help for my own pets (I have never done this before), we are in a position where we have to do just that and put our pride aside in order to save Zander's life.

My sweet boy is only 2 years old and is the most silly, happy, affectionate and loving cat; I cannot just sit by and let him die knowing that there is a cure and seeing it work firsthand on another cat.  I have to do something!   I understand times are tight for everyone given the current situation, but if you can spare even just a few dollars, it would be deeply and sincerely appreciated.  Zander, my hubby and I thank you from the bottoms of our hearts!