Help Towards Jester's Treatment ♥

Shauni and Jack is organizing this fundraiser.

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♥ After two weeks of tears, on February 6th our beautiful baby bat Jester was diagnosed with neurological FIP. Anyone who knows us both, knows that we are huge animal lovers from animal-loving families, and that there aren't children in our future.

We saved up for her for over a year: She was so incredibly wanted, and has only proved to be the sweetest, gentlest, most talkative little halloween creature. The constant risk of losing her has been absolutely devastating. Jester is our baby.

It came out of nowhere, and what started as a common URI soon became thousands of pounds of antibiotics, tests, and hospitalisation for her fever and ataxia. Bloods showed her tiny body was reaching exhaustion, but she was fighting, so we couldn't give up on her.

Two years ago Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) was a death sentence; the only reason we now have treatment is thanks to the research that went into the COVID19 vaccine. FIP is a viral disease and type of coronavirus found in most cats, but is more likely to develop into its deadly form in kittens around 4-12 months old, and raised in groups or colonies (ie catteries, breeders). Jester has the 'dry' form of FIP which comes with inflammation and neurological issues, resulting in seizures and ataxia (lack of balance, inability to walk).

Seeing her so weak, uncoordinated, puffy-eyed, and malting has been heartbreaking. Thankfully, over the last 72 hours she has responded to the FIP treatment (a human antiviral!), so we are finally allowed to hope. It's going to be a long 16 week course of expensive medication and carefully monitoring her weight so we give her the correct dose, but we are grateful that this is even an option for us, unlike so many other cat parents worldwide facing FIP.

Despite our best efforts her insurance policy was VERY quickly spent. The amazing ICU/medicine team at Eastcott (Swindon) came to our rescue with her diagnosis and emergency treatment, saving us thousands in further tests and scans. However, hospitalisation, tests and medication to keep her strong until they could find out what was wrong has put us ~£5,000 in debt. Just 30 days of GS-441524 is in the region of £400...!

We will still love her as our Jelly-Jester even if she never recovers from her wobble. Anything anyone can donate to help us slowly climb out of this sinkhole is genuinely appreciated. ♡