Help Frida the Kitten!
Our kitten is losing the use of her back legs, vets are stumped, and we need a neurologist to help us.
As most pet owners will know, the prospect of any harm coming to your fur child is terrifying. Health problems aren’t always easy to identify, which can be a costly experience before you’ve even reached the point of treatment.
Our incredible 5-month kitten, Frida, is the happiest, most affectionate, chirpy feline we have ever met. Her big personality is so unique, and our bond is so tight.
Unfortunately Frida began to lose the use of her rear legs on New Year’s Eve, her spine quickly became very hunched and ever since she's been quite lethargic. After a physical examination and blood tests, the vet couldn’t identify the cause. Frida’s symptoms began to worsen and by that point she was unable to stick out her claws. She had even lost the strength to pass faeces without our assistance. Frida could no longer climb up steps and would often fall off of surfaces, landing flat on the floor. We visited Village Vet Hospital, who completed an even more extensive examination, ran more bloods, eye tests and so on. Again there were no signs of any abnormalities in her health which suggested that the issue might be neurological. Frida was then referred to Davies Veterinary Specialists, fast tracked ahead of the usual wait. A neurologist, orthopediatrician and emergency surgeon examined Frida. Again all three experts were stumped. They did identify that her left leg was particularly weak and that the back half of Frida's body had lost a considerable amount of muscle mass.
Frida is the same playful, happy, affectionate and inquisitive kitten but has limited use of her back legs.
Without an MRI and additional x-rays, Frida's problems cannot even be diagnosed, let alone treated. The vets are still unsure as to the exact cause of her issues. They believe it could vary from a spinal disorder to genetic diseases, brain tumour etc.
The costs of an MRI is £1800, and the other advised x-rays and spinal tap brings the initial cost to £2500. The vets hope a clear diagnosis will help us treat Frida as quickly as possible, and help her to live a normal, happy life.
So far the costs have been:
£163 at Vets for Pets Watford on bloods and consultation
£238.44 Village Pets St Albans on further bloods and consultation
£287.81 Davies Veterinary Hospital on consultation and Metacam medicine
Our pet insurance is the Bronze package with Healthy Pets, which only covers up to £1000 of veterinary costs. £500 of which is allocated to an MRI.
(SCROLL TO BOTTOM FOR INSURANCE INFO)
We're trying to manage Frida's condition at home. Every day we do physio on her legs, as well as exercises to help build up the muscle mass she has lost. We wash her back legs weekly, due to the weakness they are becoming stained with her urine. We're also feeding her additional protein sources and vitamins.
We anticipated a few a hundred for blood tests and medication, however we hadn’t considered the extent of the medical attention required. We are quickly trying to raise the funds through working and selling our belongings (eBay and Depop links to come). Asking for money isn’t really a comfortable request, however our love for Frida trumps any pride.
We're hoping to have the MRI done as soon as possible, as Frida's mobility isn't improving. We are desperate to have Frida's problem diagnosed, so we can begin to help her heal. We have set up this Go Fund Me so that any donations (no matter how small) can help us reach the total.
If for some reason surplus funds are raised, once Frida's medical expenses and potential treatment costs are covered, all money would be donated to a relevant cat charity.
Here's some links to how amazing Frida is!
And provide you with cute content.
Here's our insurance info and vet receipts:
