Please help Dexter get the surgery he needs

Dexter is my gorgeous little kitten who has been diagnosed with megacolon.

I had never heard of this condition before and have had to do a lot of research as well as have lengthy conversations with the vet to properly understand it. In case you don't know much about it, megacolon is a serious condition that can affect cats of any age, although it is usually more common in middle-aged cats.

It bascially causes a very large, dilated colon and the cats lose their ability to be able to move stool through the large intestine. This obviously causes extreme constipation and unfortunately means that the colon will never work properly again.

There are several causes of megacolon which are either an obstruction in the intestines meaning that the stool can't pass through, it could also be a genetic condition where the nerves that supply the colon stop working, or it can be general constipation that has been left untreated for too long. In Dexter's case the vet said that they cannot find a cause so it is known as 'idiopathic'.

My vet has tried IV fluid therapy in the hope that this would help to rehydrate Dexter, along with adding fluid to the stool, to help it pass through. He has also tried warm water enemas, however both of these treatments have been unsuccessful.

I have now been advised that the only other solution is surgery, however it is an expensive option, costing several thousand pounds. This would involve removing the majority of the colon and he would have to have quite a lengthy stay to recover - I have been told it is a risky procedure, but cats who come out of the other side generally do very well. I have been advised that, as Dexter hasn't responded to the treatments, if he doesn't have the surgery he will need to be put to sleep.

I have pet insurance, however as this was a 'pre-existing' condition, they will not cover it. It would really break my heart to have to have him put to sleep just because I can't afford the surgery for him. If you too are a feline lover, or an animal lover in general, if you could donate anything at all I would be so so grateful - even anything as small as £1 - it all adds up and will help

And for any of you who have cats, please please please keep an eye on them if they appeear to be constipated as this is such an awful condition.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and please help if you can xxxx

***Please note - I'm not 100% sure of the total cost yet, I know that the surgery is several thousand pounds, however there will also be the cost of the trips back and forth after the vets, the cost of him staying there after the surgery while he recovers and also the medication afterwards. If I raise more money than what is needed the rest will be donated to a charity committed to helping animals and raising awareness of such conditions***