One More Battle for Tangerine

Tangerine came to It's Meow or Never as a tiny two week old bottle baby and has faced one challenge after another. She spent her first year battling chronic upper respiratory infections and managing lifelong food allergies. Just as her immune system was finally getting stronger, her foster woke up one morning to find Tangerine running a 106°F fever. She wasn't eating, wasn't acting like herself, and was rushed to the vet, where bloodwork showed the signs of Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).

After 84 days of treatment, Tangerine beat FIP and is officially cured.

But during her FIP treatment, Tangerine began showing signs of another problem. She was drooling, pawing at her mouth, and clearly experiencing dental pain. She was diagnosed with Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a severe and extremely painful inflammatory disease that affects the tissues inside the mouth. Eating, grooming, and even opening her mouth can be painful, yet Tangerine continues to be her happy, playful self.

Because cats undergoing FIP treatment cannot undergo surgery, we had to wait until Tangerine was officially cured before treating her mouth. After consultations with multiple veterinarians, a full-mouth extraction is the best option to give her a chance at a pain free life.

This isn't a routine dental. FCGS can cause tooth resorption, making extractions more complicated and time-consuming than a standard dental. Tangerine's surgery is estimated to cost $1,400.

As a rescue, we never want finances to determine whether an animal receives the care they need. Tangerine has already overcome more than any cat should have to, and now she deserves the chance to enjoy the rest of her life without constant pain.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings Tangerine one step closer to relief. If you're unable to donate, sharing her story can make just as much of a difference.