Help Big Mac get the surgery he needs ❤️

Hi everyone -

The short version of the story is this:

My cat, Big Mac, has a terrible condition called Idiopathic Chylothorax which causes fluid to build up in his chest and prevents him from breathing normally. There is no known cause, and there are only two treatment options -

1. draining fluid (which ive had to do three times in the past month), and/or 2. a surgical procedure involving ligating a thoracic duct, and also parially removing his pericardium (the sack surrounding the heart). His condition has continued to get worse, with more and more fluid accumulating at an exponential rate, and I've run out of options.

The tests and treatments thus far have already cost me over $8,000, and in order to afford the surgery, which is his best and only shot, I need as much help as I can get. The combined procedures dont have a 100% success rate, but draining the accumulated fluid in his lungs every week is not sustainable, nor a solution.

For those of you that have met Big Mac, I dont need to explain why he matters so much to me. He has been called "the nicest cat ive ever met" by many, and he has been my beloved companion for the past 5 years - some of the hardest years of my life. Truly the best little guy I could have ever hoped for.

For those of you that haven't met him - i can assure you he would love to meet you. He rubs up against nearly everyone he meets and absolutely loves attention from humans!

This goal feels fairly insurmountable at this time, but I'm desperate. Please, if you have anything you can spare, help me. I appreciate it more than you know

Love,

Rachel