Donate for Chester's lifesaving surgery

Little Chester was born on July 23. His mother was rescued from life on the streets just a week before. For the first few days of his life Chester appeared as normal as his two brothers, but by the end of day 3, it was obvious there was something off with this little kitten and we soon discovered how serious it was.

Under his tiny butt, there was a purple swelling and no matter how hard as he tried, he was unable to poop. On the next morning of day 4, the swollen purple area had opened and a fistula (hole) had formed under his butt and poop was coming out.

Chester was born with the birth defect, Atresia Ani. He had no anus. While rare, Atresia affects animals and humans; however animals born with it don't live more than a few days or weeks. Since we knew what was happening, and as long as he was doing well and not suffering, we would monitor the situation and go from there. He continued to poop through the fistula for the next week -- and then it closed up. During this time, Chester nursed and developed normally however, as he and his siblings grew, and he met milestones right along with his siblings, their foster mom began to describe Chester as "flat" compared to his brothers.

Unfortunately, a day before he turned 4 weeks old, Chester was began having trouble breathing and was lethargic. Fearing the worst and that his time with us was coming to an end, he was taken to the vet where X-rays were performed. Chester was diagnosed with a chest deformity, pectus excavatum. After a round of antibiotics, Chester was doing much better and once was again keeping up with his brothers. This little guy amazed us all and the veterinarians. Kittens with this aren't supposed to live past two weeks, they are usually smaller than their litter mates, experience failure to thrive, and just pass away. Clearly no one told Chester that!

Chester is now 7 weeks old. He is playing, growing and causing trouble like any normal kitten. But he's not like other kittens. He is still unable to poop and sits in the litter box trying and crying because he can't go.

We want this to change for Chester and surgery is required. Surgery to build him an anus so he poop is $1,200. We are asking for $1700 to cover the many vet visits in his future and to continue to monitor his pectus excavatum, which too, may require surgery.

Chester has beaten the odds and surprised us all up until this point, but now he needs our help. Without this surgery atresia ani will prove fatal for little Chester.

Your donations are needed to help us continue to fight right along side little Chester. Any amount gets us a little closer and Chester further away from not making it.

Please donate.