Urgent! i am desperate for advice, please help me!

My friend rescues neighborhood cats - gets adult cats spayed/neutered, and when kittens are old enough, they too get fixed and then adopted. Recently, she rescued a litter from someone's backyard. The kittens are no more than 8 weeks, could be just a tiny bit younger. One of the kittens in particular is smaller than the rest. When she rescued them, he was congested and wasn't breathing normally. Today, he stopped eating and has a swollen face so she has been feeding him with a syringe. She also took him to the vet, who found that the kitten has a fistula on his gum. The kitten is very tiny. I don't know how this problem occurred, but he needs help. The vet has estimated that the treatment might cost close to a thousand dollars. Tomorrow morning I am going to contact the humane society hospital of NY to inquire whether they treat such conditions there and how much surgery would cost me there.

Does anyone know of this problem? What is the prognosis? I would hate to put him down. Once he's all better, my friend would try to get him adopted.

I am not directly involved in my friend's rescue work, but I do help her financially when shes faced with challenging circumstances such as this one. This would be challenging even for me because i'm a student and I need to purchase many books for the fall semester. not only that, I have 6 cats of my own. I don't know what I can do and how much I can stretch my savings but I will try my best to help her. Does any one know if I can obtain financial help from somewhere if I needed it? seriously, I am desperate to help her but I don't know how.

I am going over her house as soon as I get home tonight and will take pictures of the kitten's fistula then post them here.

Thank you in advance!

I don't know about a fistula on the gum but can imagine it creates lots of problems eating. Hopefully others who have experience with this will pitch in. I just wanted to mention the possibility of using Care Credit which a lot of our members have used for large vet bills. As a student, you might not want to take on any debt though.

Also search for the article "What to do when you can't afford vet care" on this site. I am on my phone and can't link to it. Another source of info is The US Humane Society if you are in the U.S. Search on their website for "help with vet care". They mention a few charitable groups that sometimes help out with vet care.

Good luck. You and your friend are very kind to care for this little kitten.

Thank you. My friend is going to put him down today. We can't find any kind of help anywhere. I posted him on some other websites and people told me the vet has to start a 'go fund me' page and I can't find a vet who is willing to do that. everyone wants money up front and I'd pay at least half but where am I supposed to find the rest. He's suffering. No, I can't do this. I feel
So sorry for him. Life sucks. A lot.

I'm so sorry. I hate it that cats (or any animal) has to be put down for lack of funds. This could well happen to one of my dear kitties if they needed vet care in the thousands.

You are a good person to worry about this little cat.

I just talked to my friend and she said she didn't put him down. His fever has come down from 104 and he's doing better. I have started a 'Go-fund-me' account for him to collect donations for his surgery. I will put up half of my savings to help him but it's not enough. I have to find out if it's ok for me to post a link on this site. I don't have any vet bills as of yet, but I will tomorrow when I bring him in. Only then ill be able to post any bills.

thanks for your kind words.

Yes, you can post a request for funding in the SOS forum. The moderators will follow up with a generic post advising people to check out the request to make sure it's on the level. Don't take that personally- all requests get that post.

It will be helpful if you can post the vet bill so people can verify the surgery and expense. Also include a photo of the kitten. You could probably link to this thread, too.

I have to admit I'm glad you're doing this and giving this little guy a chance. And good news that his fever has come down!

I'm posting this, not just in response to this one cat, but because I think every pet owner needs to know about this: [NOTE: This only applies to the USA. I'm not aware of what resources exist in other countries] Most state veterinary associations/societies (they go by different titles) have funds any member vet may access to aid those who need vet services but cannot afford them due to legitimate causes. Because there is paper work involved, the vets in my area prefer the owner or, in our case an organization, take over that aspect of the work. But many vets will work with clients to access these funds. 

In my community, our local animal control officer (Who also happens to be a good friend) started a fund to aide pet owners who face the possibility of either having to re-home or euthanize a pet due to lack of financial resources. The program is now about four years old and has served many people. I do the pr for the program and also help develop grant resources. In researching available grants, I've found many states now have similar programs and many are operated by local animal control officers. Our program provides food and some vet services to pet owners. There is also another fund to help those who foster animals with special health needs. These type programs are becoming very popular across the country. I know of a few and am certainly happy to supply the names of the groups I know about. Anyway, if you or your friends need such help, I suggest looking into the existence of such programs in your area. 

I live in NY. can you give me a little more information? Tell me everything you can. where should I begin?  Right now, I am emailing someone at the Humane society of NY to see if she can help me. So far I have raised $155 online. I can't complain because more people are willing to donate but I don't have the vet bill to show them. I was also able to get $150 from family members. I have $300 of my own that I'll be putting in, so that's about $600, which should get us started on something. I hope more people open their hearts though. I am feeling absolutely heartbroken for him.

QueenOf3 said:

 
I live in NY. can you give me a little more information? Tell me everything you can. where should I begin?  Right now, I am emailing someone at the Humane society of NY to see if she can help me. So far I have raised $155 online. I can't complain because more people are willing to donate but I don't have the vet bill to show them. I was also able to get $150 from family members. I have $300 of my own that I'll be putting in, so that's about $600, which should get us started on something. I hope more people open their hearts though. I am feeling absolutely heartbroken for him.

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New York City or where? Keep in mind that the Humane Society -- at least is most places -- doesn't do direct service. Nationally, they lobby on behalf of animal rights and don't do direct care. State chapters differ greatly, so you have to check it out in your state. The ASPCA of NYC operates an animal hospital that has a very good reputation. They used to have a sliding scale program to assist pet owners in need. You might want to check them out to see what terms are offered. 424 East 92nd St. 212-876-7700; Another possible resource: www.lowcostvet.org/

And   http://www.nycferalcat.org/services-vetassistance.htm  Also check: http://members.petfinder.com/~NY190/safetynet.pdf

@MTGAL  Thank you so much! I am going to look through the links you've posted. Yes, I live in NYC, Brooklyn to be exact. So far, I've raised 705$.

God bless you and your friend for taking care of this kitten. If he pulls through, you should name him "Lucky." I hope you will raise the funds soon.  

@MsAimee, thank you! We are almost there!

QueenOf3 said:

@MsAimee, thank you! We are almost there!

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Great news!

I contacted the ASPCA but unfortunately could not get through. However, I got in touch with an animal hospital not too far from me, and actually got to speak to one of the vets. I explained the situation to her and she told me that if my friend brings in her TNR certificate, she'll offer us rescue prices. After speaking to my friend, we've decided to take him to the ASPCA because they are a bigger facility and capable of offering more services. They also have a more favorable reputation.

I have some more good news. My friend has informed me that the kitten no longer has a fever and is eating on his own. There's still bleeding and it can be seen on the plate when he eats. The discharge from the nostrils is still coming out, but he's alert, and even playing with his litter mates. I am hoping whatever problem he has in his gum is not so extensive and can be taken care of. we'll know for sure tomorrow. I will keep you guys updated and also post some pictures.

Thank you for your support and guidance.

@Margd  Thank you! yesterday I was so depressed but today I feel brand new. I am so happy that we're now going to be able to help him!

QueenOf3 said:

 
I contacted the ASPCA but unfortunately could not get through. However, I got in touch with an animal hospital not too far from me, and actually got to speak to one of the vets. I explained the situation to her and she told me that if my friend brings in her TNR certificate, she'll offer us rescue prices. After speaking to my friend, we've decided to take him to the ASPCA because they are a bigger facility and capable of offering more services. They also have a more favorable reputation.

I have some more good news. My friend has informed me that the kitten no longer has a fever and is eating on his own. There's still bleeding and it can be seen on the plate when he eats. The discharge from the nostrils is still coming out, but he's alert, and even playing with his litter mates. I am hoping whatever problem he has in his gum is not so extensive and can be taken care of. we'll know for sure tomorrow. I will keep you guys updated and also post some pictures.

Thank you for your support and guidance.

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A bit of up front warning: Obviously, I haven't seen the kitten, so this is pure speculation. However, when I spoke to my ACO friend about the kitten, she said that some kittens born with this issue only require a minor surgery instead of the more extensive remove and rebuild surgery. If the kitten hasn't already been seen by an experienced vet, don't assume the worst. 

Meanwhile: there is apparently a clinic in Brooklyn that is funded -- at least partially -- by the city. They offer vet services for low and moderate income folks and those who are attempting to help rescued animals. I was given this info by a friend who is involved in animal rescue. Unfortunately, she didn't have full information, but promised to get the info to me by tomorrow. But you may be able to find the information faster by calling City Hall or perhaps even in the phone book. I'll post the info as soon as I get it. 

omg, that gives me so much hope! i'm not sure if he's been seen by an experienced vet, but im accompanying my friend to the visit tomorrow so i'll get all the details myself. I will also try to find this city-funded animal clinic, and would appreciate it so much if you can post the information here whenever you receive it.

I have collected close to $800 in donations so things are looking good. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I cannot thank you enough!! I hope life treats you in the kindest of manners for all the kindness you impart to all others around you!! I wish you much love and happiness! Thank you again  

Bensonhurst Low Cost Animal Clinic: 1915 Bath Ave. 718-256-1900

Mayor's Alliance for Animals: 212-252-2350

Neighborhood Cats: 212-662-5761   http://www.neighborhoodcats.org/

I hope one or more of these can prove helpful. 

@MTGAL  Thank you so so much! I will pass along this information to my friend who requires regular help with her rescues. We have now raised a little over $800, and it's more than what we could ask for. The medicine he's on has helped him with the nasal discharge and he's no longer congested. The bleeding is minimal. He's due back tomorrow for an assessment of the opening. I am hoping it's nothing serious and can be taken care of. Please keep him in your well-wishes and good thoughts. I will see him later tonight when I visit my friend and I promise to bring back pictures of the little one.

You both were awesome! you lifted my spirits and gave me hope. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! ))