Gofundme: Medical Help For Skittles!

Skittles0414

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Skittles was a stray cat that I adopted because she was starving to death and pregnant when she came to me. When I first found this cat, she was freezing in the winter and came to me out of desperation just to sit by the fire (Skittles is named Skittles because of how incredibly skittish she is). She was far too emaciated to carry her kittens anymore, so she ended up running away to miscarry. After a week of searching, calling, listening, and staying up until 3 am to find her, I finally heard her meowing in the crawlspace, which I had already checked several times. She was on the brink of death, barely able to stand, and must've been screaming to get me to hear her. I had to feed her carefully and by hand because she couldn't even lift her head to eat or drink. She is the most grateful, respectful, sweetest cat I have ever met in my life. You can see in her eyes how grateful and content she is.

So you might imagine how much it breaks my heart right now that I can't afford treatment for her. Recently, she started with a drooling problem. It happened relatively quickly, and evolved into her bleeding from one of her teeth. She was bleeding so badly that she became weak and lethargic and started to develop a fever. It was so bad that every time I wiped it away, it was just pouring out of her mouth. So, in the morning, I took her straight to the vet. When i woke up, there were blood stains all over my sheets (she sleeps on my bed). He told me one of her small front teeth had been fractured, likely from jumping down from something high. He gave her an antibiotic shot and something to bring the fever down, and recommended that I return to have some of her front teeth removed. If I didn't, he said, the infection would just keep returning. I was barely able to afford the 98$ visit that day, despite how cheap that really is. Even 10$ is a lot to me right now, it pains me to say. The vet told me for her final treatment plan, I would only need about 270-300$. This would include dental surgery, another antibiotic shot, special food for her while she recovers, and some important testing that needs to be done to make sure there is not an underlying cause for her teeth breaking so easily, such as feline leukemia.

Please help me save my cat! I love her to death and her and I have battled so hard to keep her alive, happy and healthy!

Here is the link to the GOFUNDME: Click here to support Medical Help for Skittles organized by Mariah Lund
 

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Skittles0414

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Update 5-11-2019: Skittles is still somewhat okay after the antibiotic, but her appointment to get her teeth pulled was supposed to be on Tuesday, the 7th. Her symptoms are returning much faster this time. She is sneezing violently all the time, her fever is returning, and her appetite is quickly waning. I will be posting a picture of the original bill as proof that I am not making this up, sorry, I should have done that first thing but I was in a hurry to get the word out. If anyone has any picture requests, video requests, or other requests, please inbox me or leave a comment. Thank You!
P.S. The gofundme has already raised 70$! Thank you to all of those who have shared and donated!! Skittles appreciates it and so do I! That is already more than I was even expecting! You're all wonderful people!
 
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Skittles0414

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Gofundme update: I have posted the bill from the original visit. Toward the bottom, you can also see where the follow up for tooth removal was set on the 7th, Tuesday, which I believe I discussed previously. I will be posting all receipts and a video of the vet visit for all to see. So far, 70/320$ has been raised. I am so grateful to all of you for taking the time to read my posts, share, and donate. If you'd like to see the vet bill, please visit the GoFundMe page. Thank you all so much!!
 

Leomc123

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Have you posted your gofund me page on your face book ? How is skittles doing so far is she still bleeding ? And does she have pain meds ?
 
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Skittles0414

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Have you posted your gofund me page on your face book ? How is skittles doing so far is she still bleeding ? And does she have pain meds ?
Yes, it's on my Facebook. And no, she isn't bleeding, the antibiotic stopped it for now but her symptoms are returning. I asked about pain meds at the vets, but he said if she was eating they weren't necessary .
 
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Skittles0414

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Update 5-13-19 @7:48pm: Skittles is ok for now, but her symptoms are getting bad again. Her sneezing is getting worse, she has begun wheezing, and must breathe through her mouth. She hasn't started drooling again yet (thank goodness), but she is lethargic and sometimes refuses treats. She has vomited once and heaved a couple other times.

The Gofundme has raised 180/320$ so far!!! We are now 20 dollars over the halfway mark!! Share with your friends so I can save Skittles!!

I want to thank each and every person for helping me get this far. I am humbled and grateful to all of you. Thank you all for your generosity, kindness, and for your help getting the word out. You're saving a life, and it happens to be my best friend's. Thank you all so much!!!!! ♡♡♡
 
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Skittles0414

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Update 5-15-19: It pains me to say that Skittles has begun struggling to breathe. She is waking several times in the night because of it and coughing and wheezing very loudly. I have checked her mouth, and while she hasn't started drooling yet, I'm almost certain that's the next thing to come. She is drinking lots of water and not finishing her food or treats.

If I could get some more shares, even if they're just reposts, I would be incredibly grateful for each and every one of them! Thank you all so much!
 

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Do you know how to syringe feed her? Take a pate style cat food (no shreds or chunks), mix with water to form a loose slurry. Draw up into a syringe or medicine dropper. Insert the tip between Skittle's cheek and gum and slowly, a bit at a time, inject the food, allowing her to swallow between each bite. This will at least keep her from developing any liver issues while we share and share and share!
 
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Skittles0414

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5-15-19 SECOND UPDATE: A bubble of infection is forming again at the base of Skittles' tooth. She will be drooling any day now, and then I will have about 3 days or less before it becomes a life threatening emergency again.

The GoFundMe is currently at 235/320$. We are so close to the goal!! Because of fees and timing, I cannot even take Skittles to the vet until about 260$, for fear that if I get the antibiotic shot again, I want to make sure there's enough for the follow-up before I go so that I don't have to raise even more money. Again, I am extremely grateful to each and every person here for helping, donating and sharing for my little Skittles. I cannot express the depth of my gratitude!
 
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Skittles0414

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Do you know how to syringe feed her? Take a pate style cat food (no shreds or chunks), mix with water to form a loose slurry. Draw up into a syringe or medicine dropper. Insert the tip between Skittle's cheek and gum and slowly, a bit at a time, inject the food, allowing her to swallow between each bite. This will at least keep her from developing any liver issues while we share and share and share!
You dont think she will throw it up? If she does, should i stop?
 

Mamanyt1953

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Go slowly, don't rush it. She SHOULD keep it down. If she does not, call the vet and ask if you should continue. I don't feel comfortable with giving advice on that. Cats HAVE to eat. Perhaps he can prescribe an anit-nausea med without seeing her again, that won't set you back and arm and a leg.
 
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Skittles0414

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UPDATE 5-16-19: Skittles is going rough, but I think and hope she will hold out. Thanks to some good hearted people, to whom I thank each and every one of you for all your help, advice, and kind words, I have reached the goal, 320/320$, this morning at about 7:30. I cannot express the level of gratitude I feel for everything you've all done for me. Unfortunately, I could not make the vet appointment this morning. "We cannot treat without full payment. We don't offer payment plans either." So, even though the money is there, I will have to wait until the money clears to be able to take her to the vet.

As I said, I think Skittles will hold out. She sneezed a little blood this morning, but after a momentary freak out, I fully assessed the situation and decided, 1. She probably sneezed blood because she has been sneezing frequently and violently. And 2. She still has not started drooling yet, so I will take that as a sign that she has at least a week or so before it gets bad enough to be considered life threatening again.

The GoFundMe says the next withdrawal will be 86$ on the 24th. I will have to come up with the other 10$ somehow because I don't want to wait a single day longer than I have to. Fingers crossed it all works out!!!
 

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UPDATE 5-16-19: Skittles is going rough, but I think and hope she will hold out. Thanks to some good hearted people, to whom I thank each and every one of you for all your help, advice, and kind words, I have reached the goal, 320/320$, this morning at about 7:30. I cannot express the level of gratitude I feel for everything you've all done for me. Unfortunately, I could not make the vet appointment this morning. "We cannot treat without full payment. We don't offer payment plans either." So, even though the money is there, I will have to wait until the money clears to be able to take her to the vet.

As I said, I think Skittles will hold out. She sneezed a little blood this morning, but after a momentary freak out, I fully assessed the situation and decided, 1. She probably sneezed blood because she has been sneezing frequently and violently. And 2. She still has not started drooling yet, so I will take that as a sign that she has at least a week or so before it gets bad enough to be considered life threatening again.

The GoFundMe says the next withdrawal will be 86$ on the 24th. I will have to come up with the other 10$ somehow because I don't want to wait a single day longer than I have to. Fingers crossed it all works out!!!
I just donated $20
 

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Unfortunately, I could not make the vet appointment this morning. "We cannot treat without full payment. We don't offer payment plans either." So, even though the money is there, I will have to wait until the money clears to be able to take her to the vet.
I'm sorry to say but that is a sign of a bad vet, if they are more concerned with getting paid up front even knowing the rest of the money is coming soon then they do not have their priorities straight. If there are any other vets near you then please contact them and describe your situation and see if any of them will make arrangements so you can get her in right away. Do not wait unless there is absolutely no other option.
 
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Skittles0414

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I'm sorry to say but that is a sign of a bad vet, if they are more concerned with getting paid up front even knowing the rest of the money is coming soon then they do not have their priorities straight. If there are any other vets near you then please contact them and describe your situation and see if any of them will make arrangements so you can get her in right away. Do not wait unless there is absolutely no other option.
Unfortunately, the only other vet close enough (the vehicle I have can't drive for more than about 20 minutes) is an emergency vet and they will charge me double. I don't think they do payment plans either. I wouldn't care about the price if I had enough, but I don't think the fundraiser would be enough if I had to go anywhere else. Unfortunately for me, I live in a county in AL where people really don't care much about animals. The only two shelters here kill cats daily because no one adopts them. Cats and dogs are stray all over the city so not a lot of people care about them all that much (because there are so many). I will say this, though. The vet there really is a good vet. I've been to lots of vets in the past, when I was still able to work, and tbh I was impressed by this vet. But bias aside, it really is my only option right now. I might try and see if I can borrow the money for the first visit from a friend and pay them back with the fundraiser money. Either way, it's spent on Skittles. Just a way to get her in sooner, if I can make it happen. And as always, all receipts and evidence will be posted on the GoFundMe page.
 

Talien

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Unfortunately, the only other vet close enough (the vehicle I have can't drive for more than about 20 minutes) is an emergency vet and they will charge me double. I don't think they do payment plans either. I wouldn't care about the price if I had enough, but I don't think the fundraiser would be enough if I had to go anywhere else. Unfortunately for me, I live in a county in AL where people really don't care much about animals. The only two shelters here kill cats daily because no one adopts them. Cats and dogs are stray all over the city so not a lot of people care about them all that much (because there are so many). I will say this, though. The vet there really is a good vet. I've been to lots of vets in the past, when I was still able to work, and tbh I was impressed by this vet. But bias aside, it really is my only option right now. I might try and see if I can borrow the money for the first visit from a friend and pay them back with the fundraiser money. Either way, it's spent on Skittles. Just a way to get her in sooner, if I can make it happen. And as always, all receipts and evidence will be posted on the GoFundMe page.
Anything you can do to get her in sooner, do it, if your friend will loan you the money then God bless them, don't hesitate to take them up on it. Don't wait, especially not with an infected tooth, infections in the mouth are deceptively nasty and can spread quickly, making the problem even worse. A blood infection is a possibility and it can even cause organ damage if it goes on for too long.

I don't mean to scare you, it's just that I speak from personal experience. I waited too long to get an infected tooth treated (2 weeks) and ended up with permanent nerve damage on the left side of my face because of it. Quite honestly I was lucky, it could've been much worse.
 
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Skittles0414

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Anything you can do to get her in sooner, do it, if your friend will loan you the money then God bless them, don't hesitate to take them up on it. Don't wait, especially not with an infected tooth, infections in the mouth are deceptively nasty and can spread quickly, making the problem even worse. A blood infection is a possibility and it can even cause organ damage if it goes on for too long.

I don't mean to scare you, it's just that I speak from personal experience. I waited too long to get an infected tooth treated (2 weeks) and ended up with permanent nerve damage on the left side of my face because of it. Quite honestly I was lucky, it could've been much worse.
Oh, believe me, I am scared. I also know from experience how bad a tooth infection can be. But yes, I am going to try. I want my little Skittles to live, whatever it takes. That's why I started a GoFundMe, because it seemed like the only way I'd be able to help her in time. I've even contacted support to see if there's any possible way to get the money sooner, so we'll see about that one.
 
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