I'm starting this fundraiser for my dad, who is dealing with massive veterinary bills for his cat, who happens to also be his sole companion.
A few years ago, my dad rescued an adult female cat who had been abused. Eventually, she opened up to him and trusted him, and he has taken care of her ever since, including traveling with her to visit me.
Recently, she developed breathing difficulties and stopped eating. His primary vet was unable to examine her because she will not let anyone else touch her due to her trauma early in her life. His only recourse was to take her to an ER vet that had the ability to sedate her for examination while keeping their staff (and my dad's cat) safe.
The results are inconclusive. She has some kind of mass in her chest, and she has fluid building up around her lungs. She has additional issues that they believe are due to physical trauma--most likely much earlier in her life. He spent over $2000 to treat her on day one, but then had to bring her back the following day because she was showing signs of labored breathing again.
The second visit resulted in a two-day hospitalization and further exams. They now believe she has a tear in her trachea or lungs, and to further diagnose her would involve a CT scan and a trip to UF veterinary hospital in Gainesville. I honestly do not think he will--or could--take that next step. The costs are just too prohibitive. The ultimate prognosis is obviously not good.
He has amassed well over $6000 in vet bills so far trying to give her a fighting chance to recover. The final total will be even higher, most likely $7000-8000. But he told me he would always wonder what might have been, and he said he couldn't live with himself if he didn't do everything he possibly could for her.
I am asking for any help anyone can give to offset some of his costs. Medical expenses, even for a beloved pet, shouldn't bankrupt people. His cat is maybe 8 years old, so it wasn't as if she had already lived a long, full, happy life. Far from it.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Vet Bills
Fundraising for
Ed Shirkey
Fundraising forEd Shirkey
Jeff Shirkey
Winter Park, Florida
$120of $2,500 goal
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Monique Craft
$25 • Recent donation
Anonymous
$50 • Top donation
Jenifer Butler
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Organizer
Jeff Shirkey is the organizer of this fundraiser
Jeff Shirkey
Winter Park, Florida
Fundraising for
Ed Shirkey
Fundraising forEd Shirkey
Donation protected
👍 0% fee
I'm starting this fundraiser for my dad, who is dealing with massive veterinary bills for his cat, who happens to also be his sole companion.
A few years ago, my dad rescued an adult female cat who had been abused. Eventually, she opened up to him and trusted him, and he has taken care of her ever since, including traveling with her to visit me.
Recently, she developed breathing difficulties and stopped eating. His primary vet was unable to examine her because she will not let anyone else touch her due to her trauma early in her life. His only recourse was to take her to an ER vet that had the ability to sedate her for examination while keeping their staff (and my dad's cat) safe.
The results are inconclusive. She has some kind of mass in her chest, and she has fluid building up around her lungs. She has additional issues that they believe are due to physical trauma--most likely much earlier in her life. He spent over $2000 to treat her on day one, but then had to bring her back the following day because she was showing signs of labored breathing again.
The second visit resulted in a two-day hospitalization and further exams. They now believe she has a tear in her trachea or lungs, and to further diagnose her would involve a CT scan and a trip to UF veterinary hospital in Gainesville. I honestly do not think he will--or could--take that next step. The costs are just too prohibitive. The ultimate prognosis is obviously not good.
He has amassed well over $6000 in vet bills so far trying to give her a fighting chance to recover. The final total will be even higher, most likely $7000-8000. But he told me he would always wonder what might have been, and he said he couldn't live with himself if he didn't do everything he possibly could for her.
I am asking for any help anyone can give to offset some of his costs. Medical expenses, even for a beloved pet, shouldn't bankrupt people. His cat is maybe 8 years old, so it wasn't as if she had already lived a long, full, happy life. Far from it.
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Organizer
Jeff Shirkey is the organizer of this fundraiser
