Flora is a rescue baby that I fostered through the Boston Animal Rescue League, and then adopted at 8 weeks old when she was ready for her spay procedure. She has been with me ever since, including moving to Chicago with her when she was just a year old. She has had some digestive challenges over the years, and she is a tough little cookie, and never complains, but she always lets me know when something is wrong.
On Monday of this week, I noticed that she was not excited about her food and not able to eat a lot even when she tried to. She also was sitting by her water bowl and actually drinking water from it, where normally she pretty much ignores her water dish and only wants "baby water" from the bathroom sink tap. And when she peed outside of the box more than once, I definitely knew something was wrong.
I took her in to the vet on Tuesday, and they did multiple tests for diabetes, all of which came back normal. Then I remembered she had chewed on some yarn over the weekend, and the vet and I were both concerned that she could have swallowed some yarn. Thankfully, it is also not that.
However, it does look like she has an acute case of pancreatitis creating a large amount of free fluid in the abdomen as well as suppressing her appetite. And since she has not been eating for several days, it is putting a very big strain on her liver, which is also very dangerous. She needs immediate treatment, and as of right now, $2,000 has already been spent on her care. The recommended treatments could cost another $3,000. And while I am a professional pet caregiver, unfortunately, it's hard not having a regular job that offers stability, or being able to afford pet insurance.
Flora's condition, untreated, would certainly be deadly. Already, she is not fully herself. As an eight-year-old queen, she has become more sedentary over the years, but she has always had a lovably weird and spunky personality. As a kitten, she would fall asleep in all kinds of odd places, and still loves sitting on a pillow or exploring a bag. She also loves to become a shrimp and request tummy rubs. In the last few days, she's barely been able to do a head-butt, but she still gives big purrs. I hate that she is going through this and I just want to help her!
And so, I am asking my friends, family, anyone who loves Flora or just loves animals, to help me help her, without going into huge debt myself. If you feel like you are in a position to do that, I would be so grateful, and so would she. Any additional amount that is raised beyond the goal will go toward her continuing care and any needs that may arise in case she needs further treatment.
She is really the best. The techs and veterinarians all love her. She knows they are taking good care of her. Please help my little sweetie!
I appreciate you so much 🙏
~ Taylor
