When She Adopted Her Kitten, She Was Told He Would Outgrow His Medical Problems, But He Hasn’t
Chicago, Illinois. MacKenzie Trexler is grateful for her two wonderful fur babies, Bean and Flynn, who always bring her tons of joy every day.
Especially for Bean with his cuddly and sweet personality. The kitty is currently 11-months-old and loves curling up on MacKenzie’s laps. Bean also bonds with Flynn, MacKenzie’s other cat. The two do everything together everywhere. They are just inseparable.
Unfortunately, MacKenzie found out last month that sweet little Bean has a liver shunt, which could be fatal if left untreated.
When MacKenzie first adopted Bean, she was informed about Bean’s liver issues. However, the staff at the rescue allegedly told her it wasn’t something too concerning, and Bean would eventually outgrow the problems with dietary supplements.
It turns out that wasn’t the case. With Bean’s vet’s careful examinations, the hospital told MacKenzie that Bean was born with this fatal condition, and testing was never done to rule out a liver shunt.
A liver shunt is an illness where the liver cannot filter out the toxicity of blood, so with this condition, Bean’s blood isn’t appropriately purified, which would slowly start poisoning him.
In addition, Bean would start experiencing painful neurological symptoms and even seizures if left untreated.
Cats with liver shunts also tend to have short lives. Two years is the average number for how long those cats could live.
GoFundMe; pictured above is Bean
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Still a student, MacKenzie does not have strong enough financial ability to save Bean solely, but she’s designated to do everything she can for her special boy.
She first created a GoFundMe post. The goal was set at $10,500 due to Bean’s diagnostic tests and CT scan costs, for which MacKenzie had already paid $3,000. In addition, Bean’s surgery was quoted as between $7,000 to $9,000.
MacKenzie had also turned to the rescue where she first adopted Bean for some financial help since the shelter hadn’t informed her about Bean’s possible liver shunt issue.
However, the shelter turned down her request. The exact reason wasn’t stated, but the only option they gave MacKenzie was to return Bean, which she refused to do.
“This (returning Bean) is not an option,” MacKenzie said.” He (Bean) is so bonded to my other cat, Flynn. I couldn’t separate them.”
As of April 20, MacKenzie shared some great news on her updates. She had received a grant from Northwestern Law’s STAR fund, which she could use for Bean’s surgery.
MacKenzie said she would still keep her GoFundMe page open for any future post-operational checkups Bean needs. And if there are any exceeding funds, she would donate them to Fox Foster Kittens, a nonprofit kitten rescue in Sarasota, Florida.
Please visit MacKenzie’s GoFundMe page, or follow @flynnandbean on Instagram to keep up with Bean’s recovery.
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