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Upon arriving at HHS in mid-July, Sugar immediately had blood work done to determine her medical status. Veterinarians also put Sugar under anesthesia to remove a damaged tooth and harvested samples of the sores on her face, conducting a biopsy to determine the cause.
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HHS confirmed that Sugar has eosinophilic ulcers, which are seen on her lips but also affect the roof of her mouth and tongue. A study from VCA animal hospitals explains that the emergence of eosinophilic ulcers may be linked to hypersensitivity in the region or a misdirected immune system response, which may have genetic origins. HHS states she has been put on medication to help improve her condition. Yet, Sugar is also dealing with a heart murmur, which needs additional testing, and is feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) positive.
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FIV attacks the immune system, leaving cats vulnerable to ordinarily harmless microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and others that can metastasize into potentially severe illnesses. Although there is no cure for FIV, cats routinely live average life spans if their health is closely monitored.
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Although Sugar is recovering from several ailments, she gets along great with humans, and everyone at HHS absolutely loves her. She's calm and collected around other animals and likes to lay on her back, putting her "happy paws" in the air.
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Five-year-old Sugar was recently transferred to a foster home but is ready to find herself a forever family. She's had enough of the streets of the Richmond metro area and has the scars to prove it.
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Potential owners who can spoil Sugar as she deserves must be aware of any changes in her conditions. Nevertheless, veterinarians at HHS say a healthy, canned-food diet will mitigate other conditions—upper respiratory infections, tissue inflammation, and others—that can become much more dire in cats with FIV.
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Nevertheless, Sugar is not available for adoption yet. She needs to gain strength through a strict diet and medications as she boards with her foster family before being tended to by a cardiologist to determine her heart condition.
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HHS veterinarians are "cautiously optimistic about her prognosis" and will move forward gently as Sugar needs much more medical care. Sugar's heart exam alone is $800, and HHS expects $1,500 to $2,000 in medical expenses to give her the health and life she deserves.
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The Richmond metro area non-profit is asking for donations to ensure Sugar is taken care of properly, which are received through their Facebook page or on their website. On August 1, donations reached $825 on HHS's Facebook page.
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