Vet costs for Sal The Rescue Cat

My name is Keely, the owner of Sal, the rescue cat I adopted from a shelter in Salisbury, NC. I came across a Facebook post on the Rowan County Animal Shelter Facebook page and instantly I knew that this was meant to be my cat. With a date set for his euthanization, I was so worried about Sal. I couldn't sleep at night wondering if someone was going to adopt him. I applied to adopt him and made the journey down to NC to save him. I cried like a baby. Before I ever met Sal, I already loved him.

The photo posted on the Rowan County Facebook Page of Sal at the shelter.

4 days ago Sal stopped eating his food for 1-2 days and began vomiting suddenly. And, if you have seen his TikTok videos (@SalTheRescueCat), you know this is very unusual for such a food-motivated cat. His treats would go down and come right back up. When I took him to the vet initially, the vet told me he seemed pretty healthy and gave him some shots for nausea and sent me home with instructions to feed him a special I/D prescription wet food. Sal hated his food but was beginning to eat his usual Fancy Feast paté. He was still vomiting 24 hours after his initial vet visit and had begun breathing raggedly, so I rushed him back to the vet to get an X-ray to figure out what was happening. At this visit, the vet discovered a tumor that was compressing his trachea and his lungs, causing his vomiting, nausea, and breathing issues. In a matter of days, Sal went from a fashion-forward, food-motivated, distinguished gentleman to having trouble eating, breathing, being lethargic, and sickly. I am beyond devastated and I'm so angry at how unfair the circumstances are. Sal is the sweetest baby I've ever met and does not deserve this suffering. I am trying everything I can to prolong his life. Please help us.

The vet told me she is unaware if the tumor is cancerous or what kind of tumor it is. She referred me to a specialist in Charlottesville, VA to figure out if the tumor is cancerous and what kind of tumor we are dealing with specifically. I've had to take off work and take Sal to several vet appointments and upcoming specialist visits are estimated to cost several grand plus treatment costs. I am asking for any bit of help you can provide. It would mean everything even if you shared this on Facebook or with your friends. This sweet baby deserves the world. Please help us.

SalTheRescueCat on TikTok