Always on
This project successfully funded on 1st October 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Surgery to correct Pinto's Pectus Excavatum
St. Joseph, Michigan, United States
Aim
Pinto was diagnosed with Pectus Excavatum. Her case is severe with her lungs able to expand only 50%. She needs surgery to correct it.
Update 9/28/2026
Unfortunately, Pinto has passed away over the weekend. She fought till the very end to stay with us but tragically her heart gave out from the amount of pain she was in. She had trouble with constipation for the last week, and I believe the laxative that was given to her took her by surprise. She couldn't pass the stool with her small body, and her lungs and heart weren't able to keep up with her struggles. It was an extremely horrible way for her to pass and it will forever scar my mind. I stretched her fundraiser to accept donations after it has closed since we are still trying to raise enough to fund her costs from the surgery and emergency visits and x-rays. I will close it once we have reached our goal. I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has rallied for me and Pinto.
Update 8/27/2026
Pinto had gone into surgery on 8/26 because she was deemed an extreme case that needed intervention immediately. She came out of the procedure with some complications. She struggled to breathe under sedation and developed pneumothorax during the surgery. If was best for her to stay for overnight observation at that point. I received an update on her condition this morning and as of now she is struggling to come off oxygen. They will update further later but with all this information the final bill will most likely be on the high end. Below is a copy of the invoice with all her needs listed. Because the surgery was already done, we put down a deposit on a Care Credit card. We are asking for the funds to now pay that back during the interest free period the vet and card offer. Thank you.
Animal Aid- the organization I adopted her from is also accepting direct donations under Pintos name for his surgery. They are doing there best to help support us in this situation. If I am unable to fund her surgery fully, donations will cover his past bills and the rest will go directly to Animal Aid to help other pets in need.
My mom is a cat foster for Animal Aid and she regularly brings in kittens in need. Her foster home had been experiencing kitten sickness and loss. She wanted me to come meet the new bunch. I’m not much of a kitten person. I think they are cute but I don’t feel the need to take every one I see home. At first glance Pinto was different. She was the only grey tabby in a group of white and orange kittens and she was incredibly small. My mom explained that she was a runt and could benefit from individual care.
I held her siblings first not thinking much of them, but when I held Pinto to my chest, our hearts tied immediately. I didn’t want to set her down and I didn’t want to leave the house without her. My mom noticed the connection and encouraged me to take her.
I have a 7-year-old Torbie named Salem at home so I knew I needed to consult the boss first. I left my moms with a plan to foster through Animal Aid at first and adopt later. I set up a room for Pinto and I bought new supplies for a kitten-I knew she wasn’t leaving.
Normally when bringing a new pet into my home I get very anxious and I need to be a hover parent, but with Pinto I was so happy and at ease, it didn’t feel possible to harbor any negative emotion. I would cry whenever I looked at her too long just because I loved her so much it was hard to hold inside. Having Pinto around was already the highlight of my year but anyone in my circle knows my 2026 bad luck strikes without mercy.
My elation deflated when I noticed something was off about her breathing. Her ribs expanded a little to forcefully and with what seemed to be a large effort on her part. I set up her initial kitten exam and made a list of questions I had for the vet. The vet said it could be a heart defect, pneumonia, or hernia. It was noted that her prognosis was poor despite not knowing the final diagnosis. I left there completely devastated, knowing that Pinto would eventually suffer too much and I would have to let her go. I knew I had to fight more. All those possibilities and no final answer didn’t feel right.
I went to another vet where they gave me her final diagnosis. Pectus Excavatum. An extremely rare condition. Basically, her chest cavity is underdeveloped and cuts off the room needed for her lungs to fully expand. X-rays are required to see the severity of the condition and if treatment was applicable. In Pintos case, the sternum dysfunction cuts off up to 50% of her lung space.
Because we could see her struggling to breathe and the x-ray showed the extent of the deformation; surgery is needed to prolong her life. Since she is so young the best surgical option for her would be the external splinting technique. It is the ideal fix for her but depending on different factors other approaches may be needed.
According to PetMD “External splinting involves using stitches to attach a splint to the chest wall. The splint then applies gentle and constant force to the sternum to correct the deformity. The splint is worn for four to eight weeks.” Routine vet visits and x-rays are needed to track her progress. I have a few hospitals that I’m hoping to get information from, but it of course comes at a cost.
- first vet visit
- first x-rays
- travel fees
- consultation fee
- surgery cost - anesthesia, dressings, splint, etc.
- medications - pain management
- follow up vet visit
- regular checkups and x-rays to monitor progress
- final procedure to remove splint
In Pintos case is important to do the surgery between 8-12 weeks of age, which is exactly where her age falls. Completing the treatment during this time ensures she can tolerate the anesthesia and her bones are malleable enough to provide success for the surgery. I'm hoping to get her a consultation as soon as possible. I need to get her started to give him the best possible outcome.
I unfortunately can’t afford this on my own. I have my own disabilities which only allow me to work part time. I’m also on government assistance. I’ve been in and out of the hospital myself a few times so my sick days for work have all been used. All appointments for Pinto have been paid out of pocket by myself and I’m struggling with the amount I have left.
I’m asking for funds for her full treatment plan. I’m willing to find whatever path may lead to Pinto living a long and healthy life. She is such a sweet kitten, I want to know her at every age and every quirk she acquires. I want to know what her face looks like as a full grown cat and I’ll never forgive myself if I give up. I’m fighting for her and myself because we both deserve a life together.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made