Help Save Cleo’s Life

Hi, my name is Betty Mae Pascual, a nurse, a full-time student and mother of Cleo, whom this fundraiser is for.

Instagram: meeowcakes & cleothewildcat

Cleo, named after Queen Cleopatra, is my 5-year-old gray American Shorthair tabby cat. My family found her as a stray when she was very little; she was eating through our dog’s plastic of food in the garage. We started to feed her and she just kept coming back until I officially adopted her eventually members of my family also started to love her. Cleo, during her outdoor years, was very adventurous, going out for hours at a time. This past year, she’s been staying at our apartment and could only enjoy the outside on our patio. When she gets better I promise to take her out for walks so she can continue her adventures and enjoy nature. Cleo is the most gentle loving cat I have ever met. She is very friendly to people, even strangers. I used to live in a house and she loved going out and I always worried that she was too nice and people will just take her. Thankfully, that never happened.

 

Cleo started to vomit a few times Sunday night 3/20/22. I thought it was just a stomach upset since she seemed okay as her vomiting stopped, she was drinking water and she slept beside me that night. Sometimes she vomits and goes back to her playful self so it didn’t concern me at the time. The day after (3/21/22) I thought she was fine as she was moving around and was also spending time under the sun at the patio. I felt comfortable leaving her to go to work (I work 3 pm-12 am) and just asked my family members to watch her for me. As the day went by, we realized Cleo stopped eating and drinking, and she was also hiding inside my closet. I got off work at 12 midnight and took Cleo to Beacon Veterinary Specialists in Washington Ave, Fremont, CA as they had the most affordable consultation and a very short wait time. They took in Cleo right away and asked for a $1,000 deposit upfront(plus an additional $234.29 in the estimate) to have diagnostic tests done. I hesitated for a second because they were asking a lot when my pet hasn’t even been seen yet. Now, I appreciate the hospital’s urgency as Cleo’s blood tests were alarmingly critical. Despite her normal vital signs and healthy appearance, Cleo has been suffering from severe kidney failure. Her creatinine levels which measure kidney function were abnormally high at 11.9, almost 10x more than the normal range which is 0.8-2.4 and her BUN level which is also a marker for kidney function is abnormally high at 124, about 5x more than the normal range which is 16-36. The doctor stated that it is unlikely that her condition will be reversible due to the abnormally critical values she has, in addition, her liver and spleen have also been affected. The doctor stated it could be from a variety of reasons (cancer, ingestion of a toxin, or a kidney infection), but we don’t know for sure yet until more diagnostic tests are done.

 

The doctor’s plan was to keep Cleo hospitalized in the ICU for at least 3 days with further diagnostic tests, medications, and IV fluids to help treat and flush out the toxins in her kidneys. The lower end of the new estimate totaled an additional $6,350.05 and the higher end totaled to $10,610.05. I, unfortunately, do not have insurance for Cleo because I thought that she was still young… something I truly regret. I have signed up Cleo for insurance but it is too late to be covered. Hearing how much it will cost was painful but I wanted my baby to be saved. I chose to save her and paid the $6,350.05 with my credit card.. I don’t exactly have funds lying around. I am a full-time student who also works on-call (32hours a week) with an apartment I have to pay for. Although money is tight, not trying to save my baby was not an option.

 

Please do keep in mind that these total cost numbers are only estimates. I have paid a total of $7,350.05 as a deposit for the first 3 days and the total cost for Cleo’s stay can still increase depending on her findings and response to treatment.

 

The doctor also started talking about euthanasia as an option since other internal organs (spleen and liver) are involved. This broke down my heart. I couldn’t even imagine. My sweet 5-year-old cat that has been so playful, loving, and easygoing is now sick with her kidneys failing her. It’s still hard for me to accept everything that’s happening to her. She is such a good kitty and she doesn’t deserve this. Cleo has always been there for me. She’s the best thing that’s happened to me. She is both my best friend and my child. I would do anything for her and I cannot imagine not having her around. She is too young to be taken from this world. She has so much more to see and has so much more to enjoy in this lifetime. Doctors are hopeful that Cleo will make it as she’s still giving them “sass” when being treated. I actually visited my baby last night and she was lively, had started to eat, and wanted a lot of cuddles. Her lab values have not improved but it is still too early to tell. Please find it in your heart to help my Cleo and possibly give her more time… you will forever have a special place in our hearts…

 

All proceeds from this funding will go into Cleo’s medical expenses. Any extra proceeds will go to Cleo’s maintenance treatments, appointments, routine blood work, medications, new diet plan, etc.*

 

 

Please help Cleo. Thank you and God bless your soul...