A Sweet Cat’s Dental Disease

In 2004, I was a struggling sixteen year old girl who had just moved from all my friends and didn't know anyone. On top of that I was diagnosed with anxiety and clinical depression. That year, I bought a kitten and that kitten grew up to be a sweet, loveable cat who loves attention and more importantly, has always been there through my struggles. Anyone who comes to our house knows Milo. He likes to steal chairs as soon as soon as you get up, but Its only because he knows when you come back, he'll get to love up on you.

For years my poor boy has been riddled with problems, and yet somehow still remains happy, cuddly and healthy. When he was seven, he had such a severe blockage, it required removing his penis and creating a new place to urinate. If he eats chicken, his eyes weep and swell and he's never had fur on the backs of his legs. I've done my very best in providing the greatest care for my little love bug, but as Christmas nears, I was dealt a heavy blow.

Milo was diagnosed with FORLs, or Feline Odontoclastic Reabsorption Lesions. I've always known he's had some problems with his teeth, and as a worried pet owner I tried brushing (he bit, now I know why! Poor guy!), water additives... anything to make it easier. He's now on a special (pricey) diet to prevent anymore pain.

There is no cure for FORLs, only extraction. As much as it saddens me to see an otherwise healthy boy lose his teeth, I would do anything to help him. Which is why I am swallowing my pride, for him, and asking for donations. The surgery will cost $1200-$2400 depending on how many teeth are affected. As of now, my trusted vet Dr. Sarah Fryer at Lac Ste Anne Vet Clinic, who has cared for Milo since he was a kitten and did the surgery to remove his blockage, has told me she can see three that must come out, however FORLs effects all the teeth and eventually, they will all need to be removed. If there are more effected, the cost of the surgery will increase.

While as long as he is on soft food, the pain is minimal, it is important to me to help my baby live a completely painfree life. As of now he has dropped weight, and it hurts my heart daily.

I know it is Christmas, and there are many causes more important than Milo. But Milo means the world to me and more, and any help towards Milo's dental surgery would be enormously appreciated.