Help Squirrel beat FIP
Fundraising campaign by
David Pretorius
-
ZAR7,385.00raised of R40,000.00 goal goal
The campaign owner has stopped the page from accepting further donations. Please contact them if you'd still like to donate
Squirrel is the friendliest, sweetest cat in the world. Got belly rubs? Squirrel has a purr for you. Got a chin tickle? He has a louder purr and some kneading. He just loves love. He was found as a stray on the streets of Pretoria and never claimed, but has come to be the most beloved member of our little family.
At a mere 16 months however, on 16 April, Squirrel was diagnosed with Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). This is a mutated form of the feline corona virus, which is invariably fatal. We knew Corona virus was going to affect our family in 2020, we just didn't know it was going to happen like this.
Until recently, there has been no hope for cats with FIP. Even with the best of treatment and care, cats with a proven diagnosis die within days. Recently, however, a new medication has come out which is, for the first time in decades, offering hope at saving Squirrels life. Unluckily, this medication comes at a major cost. It is imported from the USA, and over the total course of 84 days, carries a price tag of approximately R65 000 ($3500) depending on the exchange rate.
How can we spend so much money on "just a cat"? Because he's family. Because he makes the world a bit brighter for his family. Because to come home to that little face, that purr and that pure love, makes our lives better and makes him worth fighting for.
We have started on this medication, buying in just a few vials to see Squirrels response. Within days, he was back to himself. He was running, playing, eating (fussily - only gourmet for Lord Squirrel) and being the little cat that's so special to us. This has given us hope, but now comes the hurdle of affording the full course of medication.
We know times are tough for everyone, but if anyone has anything they could spare to help our little family afford this life-saver medication, it would be so much appreciated.
Squirrel has paw-made little thank you gifts for his helpers - unfortunately the shipping costs are a problem. We Will happily ship anywhere in South Africa, but for international shipping, we will have to use the SA Post Office, which can't guarantee times or even arrival :(
Rewards
Organizer
- David Pretorius
- Campaign Owner
- Pretoria, ZA
Donors
- Rene Wolmarans
- Donated on Jul 31, 2020
- Justin Pretorius
- Donated on Jul 24, 2020
Get well soon!
- Yasmeen Mason-Domingo
- Donated on Jun 30, 2020
Go squirrel go!! 😻
Week 11 of observation
Update posted by David Pretorius at 02:20 pmOfficially one week of observation left for this fluff ball! It is nerve-wracking for us as one week from now would represent a significant milestone. Squirrel is marching ahead and emitting love every minute of every day! Thank you to everyone for your support!
Week 10 of observation completed
Update posted by David Pretorius at 09:49 amThis is Squirrel 10 weeks into his observation. He is taking it one day at a time and is very playful. In fact, he has become the naughtiest of all his siblings.He continues to be happy and loving and still has an amazing appetite. Thank you for all your support
Week 9 update
Update posted by David Pretorius at 04:56 amWe had a bit of scare with Squirrel towards the end of week 8 and into week 9. His left eye started troubling him and we were concerned about a relapse of his ocular FIP.We took him to his amazing vet and happy to report that his eye is back
Weeks 7 and 8
Update posted by David Pretorius at 03:26 pmCan you believe that 8 weeks have passed of Squirrel's 12 week observation? Look at how majestic he is.He continues to survive each day with all the love and energy he has to offer. We continue to have hope for him and thank everyone for their kind support!Keep an eye
Halfway through the 12 week observation...
Update posted by David Pretorius at 03:11 pmIt's officially halfway through Squirrel's observation. Today he soaked up the sun and rightfully took his place on his parent's desk.Squirrel is hanging in there and has really come out of his shell since treatment. He had a surprise visit from his vet at the weekend. At first he was. . . . .
4 weeks of post-treatment observation complete
Update posted by David Pretorius at 10:41 amSquirrel has now completed 4 weeks of his observation period. It's exactly a third of observation period and we are still taking it one day at a time. Squirrel is grateful to be alive each and every day and can't thank everyone enough for their moral and financial support.Squirrel is
Week 3 of observation...
Update posted by David Pretorius at 06:37 amSquirrel has now completed 3 weeks of observation. He continues to improve. He is now 4.44kg. He surprised his amazing vet with a visit this week and greeted all his fans. It's hard to believe that he only 3.25kg at the start of his treatment and almost didnt make it.Squirrel
Squirrel has made it through Week 2 of observation
Update posted by David Pretorius at 06:26 pmLook at this handsome lad! He is an absolute superstar. Squirrel has made it through Week 2 of observation.It's hard to imagine that FIP is a death sentence for these beautiful creatures. Squirrel is fighting this with everything he's got. He truly is the most ridiculous, but loving kitty! Thank
Week 1 of observation...
Update posted by David Pretorius at 09:22 amWeek 1 of Squirrel's observation is now complete. 11 more weeks of nail biting observation. Squirrel is a champion. He has endured so much, but has been so hopeful and positive during this intense treatment. Thank you to everyone for your donations and thoughts of Squirrel. His treatment has been
Donors & Comments
- Rene Wolmarans
- Donated on Jul 31, 2020
- Justin Pretorius
- Donated on Jul 24, 2020
Get well soon!
- Yasmeen Mason-Domingo
- Donated on Jun 30, 2020
Go squirrel go!! 😻
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 29, 2020
- Pinkman Wolmarans
- Donated on Jun 26, 2020
Keep on fighting Squirrel, we are rooting for you!
- Anonymous
- Donated on Jun 14, 2020
- J & E Wolmarans
- Donated on Jun 01, 2020
- Anonymous
- Donated on May 31, 2020
- Anonymous
- Donated on May 29, 2020
Get well Squirrel!
- Yasmeen Mason-Domingo
- Donated on May 29, 2020
