Special Needs Pets

Sherbert is almost two years old. He was rescued in 2008 when his owners moved from an apartment complex and left him behind. If you've met him, you know how special he is. He is the type of cat that makes a lasting impression. He is "the" typical sweet male orange tabby! He plays with the baby kittens at the Next Step Adoption Center and will roll around with the most energetic of puppies. He definitely has "special" written all over him.

In late fall of 2008, Sherbert developed some neurological problems that have kept him from being adopted. Dr. Mark Brigham, at Greensboro Veterinary Hospital, has been baffled by Sherbert. He has probed, x-rayed, and treated Sherbert as much as he feels his education taught him to.

Sherbert has been referred to the NC State School of Veterinary Medicine. On August 12, 2009, Sherbert went there for testing, more x-rays, and an MRI and a spinal tap. We hope to get a diagnosis for Sherbert so that he can one day be a healthy kitty but this comes with a high price tag. Approximately $3200.

We're sending out this appeal to ask for donations to help pay for Sherbert's medical care. Every donation, no matter how small, helps.

If you'd like to donate toward the cost of Sherbert's medical care, make checks payable to ARFP and mail to:

Update: August 17, 2009

Sherbert spent Wednesday through Friday at the vet. school and is under the care of two excellent doctors (a senior neurologist and an internal medicine doctor) and one very compassionate veterinary student. They all love Sherbie and are giving him lots of love while they have him.

Wednesday the neuro department gave him a full exam, chemistry panel, and other miscellaneous tests including a heartworm test. He was also tested for Toxoplasmosis. His blood work was pretty much normal except that he showed a little anemia which surprised us. They then x-rayed his spine and lumbar region. No abnormalities. At that point they had their head ortho doctor look at him. Nothing was found.

On Thursday, Sherbert had an MRI and a cerebrospinal tap. Again, no abnormalities. Rachel, the student, and Dr. Lennon, the internal med. doctor, were extremely good about calling us after each anesthesia and at the beginning and end of each day.

Sherbert was able to come home Friday afternoon, along with his bill of $2513.63. We were extremely fortunate to get $1000 donated towards Sherbert's bill by an anonymous donor to the vet school. We have collected about another $800 from individual donors. Thank you so much for your donations and words of encouragement! More donations are needed, though.

Tomorrow morning Sherbert goes back to State for further diagnostics. They will be performing nerve conduction tests on him while he is under anesthesia. Barring no problems, we'll go back to get him Wednesday morning and to have a consult with the doctors.

Send good thoughts and prayers his way. The testing tomorrow will be the roughest for him yet. Thanks to all of you!

Update: August 24, 2009

Sherbert went back to NC State on Tuesday for some more testing. His doctors have been able to rule a lot of things out but still have no definitive diagnosis.

Sherbert went through Neuro and was rechecked; they deemed him to be doing the same. They then anesthetized him and did an Electromyogram.

The neurosurgeon and ARFP Executive Director Sharon Gray had already discussed if they would take biopsies of the nerves and the muscle. Taking a biopsy of the nerves can often cause permanent damage and leave the animal worse off than before the biopsy. Taking muscle biopsies causes little to no problems. ARFP chose not to have nerve biopsies done, and the neurosurgeon seemed to be on the same page. Muscle biopsies were done once they got in there because Sherbert's muscles did look a little odd. Those biopsy results should be back later this week.

Sherbert spent Tuesday night after the procedure and surgery at State, and Sharon was able to pick him up late Wednesday. This little jaunt cost $709.08, bringing Sherbert's bill to $3710.00.

Where are we now? We just know what Sherbert does not have, which is a very long list of things. We may or may not know more when his doctor calls. For now, Sherbert is enjoying bathing in the sun at the adoption center and is accepting visitors! We have raised a little over $2200 towards his tests and treatment. YAY!!! Thank you for your prayers, donations, and support!

Sherbert sends his love!