Tippi's Life-Saving Surgery

My name is Jess (aka Watson), and I am incredibly fortunate to own two amazing kittens, Tippi and August. Unfortunately, last night at midnight, I found Tippi in distress and discovered she had swallowed a sewing needle and thread - something she has never shown any interest in before.

After being turned away from two Emergency clinics, we finally got her into radiology, where they discovered a worst-case scenario - the needle has perforated her oesophagus, and is protruding through into her chest cavity. This morning after a follow-up, they confirmed that due to the unusual angle and depth of penetration of the needle, she will require a complicated chest surgery, and as soon as possible. If left for too long, she stands the risk of the needle exiting her oesophagus completely and entering her chest cavity, where it could easily puncture a vital organ.

Her surgery will require a hospital stay of anywhere from 1-4 days depending on how her results are - she will require a chest tube for the first 24-hours after surgery.

Tippi is the friendliest kitten you'll ever meet; I met her on set when filming a TV series. At six weeks old, she ran right up to me and climbed onto my shoulder, and... that's just Tippi in a nutshell. She loves everyone she's ever met, is obsessed with dirt, and takes care of her much bigger but much more cautious brother, August, every day.

Despite the situation she's in, Tippi is still friendly and affectionate. Her surgeon told me that she begs for pets every time she's in the room. She's expected to make a full recovery with surgery, but she needs the procedure immediately to ensure the needle doesn't perforate any of her other organs.

Unfortunately, the surgery is quite complicated and the care she’ll require in recovery has been growing more extensive with every update. She has had a series of xrays, and will require a thoracotomy under general anaesthesia, as well as a series of medications, catheter, urethra, etc. I have some savings set aside, and my parents are helping as much as possible, but her entire procedure has exceeded what I can afford. She is only 10 months old, and I am desperate to provide her with a healthy, happy life beyond kittenhood. These funds will cover her entire outpatient process, including her hospital stay, pain medication, and drainage tube.

I am in a very privileged position to even be able to consider this surgery for Tippi, but she is a beloved addition to my life and home. From the second she clambered her way onto my shoulder, she’s been the best part of my day, and I want to give her the best life possible.

Thank you so much for reading, and for your incredible generosity at this scary time.