Help Fredo the cat’s medical bills

Hello, my name is Denise and I volunteer with a very small cat rescue. Last week I was told about a cat in the local shelter named Fredo. His story is a sad one and he was very sick and stopped eating. I'm trying to fundraise to pay Fredo's medical bills.

A Tough Life so far….Fredo, is a 6 1/2 yr-old neutered and microchipped front-declawed I pulled from the shelter one Saturday.

His story is “hard luck” for such a beautiful and loving cat. His first owners declawed him. They kept him two years. Surrendered to the shelter because their new kitten and Fredo weren’t getting along. He was living in the shelter for about two years before another couple adopted and kept him for almost two years and due to the husband having health issues, back to the shelter Fredo went. Fredo stopped eating in the shelter on the morning that I picked him up; he had been there two days. He lost over a pound in one week, which is too much weight for a cat who used to be 14.4 lbs! I thought maybe the poor guy was depressed. I tried all kinds of food but he wouldn't eat.

On Tuesday I brought him to the vet. They did X-rays, IV fluids, anti-nausea meds. I was hopeful. But after the treatment, he only ate a few pieces of dry food. I brought him back to the vet on Thursday. They did a fecal test, urine test, major blood-work, IV fluids, anti-nausea medication and anti-acid meds. Friday, I brought him back to the vet, he was given sedation to look in his mouth and down his esophagus. Nothing was found.

An ultrasound is the required next step. He may have possible stomach/intestinal ulcers. Like humans, stress can bring on painful ulcers in the stomach and possibly the intestines if not caught soon or has been an ongoing undiagnosed issue. If the ulcers get very bad it will cause a perforation (holes) in his stomach/intestines.

The medication to treat this suspected condition to coat his stomach to at least get him to eat before further damage is done is very expensive. This poor cat has been under so much stress having such a terrible first 6+ years not having a forever, loving home. Stomach/intestinal ulcers if left untreated or if he has had them long, will cause perforation and require surgery. :-(

These medical visits are expensive. Those of you who know me, understand how hard this is for me. I continue to try to help the cats in need but not having the funding makes that impossible to continue to do. Feel free to look at my Facebook page under my name and look at all of the cats and kittens I rescue.

Sending Fredo back to the shelter is a death sentence for him. He is sick and with their limited budget and over 300 cats, they will not save one at the cost of using up a budget that is there to help many. Fredo was worth saving. He is a sweet cat and is very lovable. He's the cat everyone loves. He does the cutest thing when he wants someone's attention. He gently pats a person with his paw.

I know he understands when a human cares for him. That human is me and any of you who can spare any amount of money no matter how small to help pay his medical bills. In just a week's time I learned how gentle and graceful this big boy is and how affectionate and appreciative he is through his gentle disposition. He has caused me no trouble while in my home; for a cat, he has good manners. He barely vocalizes and I know he is hiding his pain. He may be fearful of further rejection.

Aside from Fredo being “bounced around” from home to shelter multiple times, he is a gentle giant (part Maine Coon) and so sweet. Knowing he was in pain, I let him sleep on my bed breaking my "no foster cat in my room" rule because I knew he needed extra love, acceptance and a sense of belonging. Even though he has kept me up most of the first nights, my sleep was limited anyway from worrying about him. Fredo just wants to be loved ❤️

I wanted to save his life but I just don't have the funds to pay these medical bills. I've rescued 100s of cats but the past year has almost caused me to stop helping more of them because of a lack of money. I need your help to make sure he gets the treatment he needs to soothe his pain.

Please help by donating towards Fredo’s medical bills so I can continue cat rescue.