Young student faces $70,000 vet bill after her beloved cat ‘Mr Mayonnaise’ was bitten by a tick: ‘I know it’s a home deposit – but I just want him back’

An international student faces more than $70,000 in veterinary bills after a tick bit her beloved cat.

Josette Gu, a 22-year-old student from Brisbane, was at work when she received a phone call from an emergency animal hospital last Sunday, November 3.

Her cat, Mr Mayonnaise, was found unconscious under her neighbour’s car.

Veterinarians initially believed the three-year-old ragdoll had been hit by a vehicle, but could not find any broken bones.

Mr Mayonnaise was only discovered to have been bitten by a paralysis tick when he was transferred to a second hospital.

“It took vets so long to find the tick because they are normally found around the animals’ face or neck,” Ms Gu told Daily Mail Australia.

“The tick was actually on its belly, so it was hard to see because it has long fur.”

Mayonnaise has been dependent on a ventilator to breathe since he was first admitted. Ms. Gu said the ventilator and intensive care cost between $7,000 and $9,000 a day.

“I have already exhausted all my savings during the last five days he was hospitalized and managed to get a loan to cover some of the expenses as he might need another five days on the machine,” he said.

While most cats can recover within 10 days of a tick bite if treated early, Mr Mayonnaise’s small body, combined with strong life-saving medications, has made it difficult for him to function for yes alone.

Paralysis ticks are found on the east coast of Australia and have an oval, seed-shaped body.

They attack both animals and humans, and people tend to suffer from flu-like symptoms, rashes, unsteady gait, weak limbs, and partial facial paralysis.

Ms Gu adopted Mr Mayonnaise shortly after moving from China to Brisbane to attend university.

‘In my culture we like to name our pets after food because it is cuter than giving them a human name. “I liked Mr. Mayo because he’s white and looks like a mayonnaise jar,” Mrs. Gu said.

‘Also, mayonnaise sounds like “méi yǒu” in Chinese, which in a way means nothing. I felt like it was perfect because sometimes it’s like I have nothing on my brain.

‘He is the cutest, sweetest and gentlest cat. It breaks my heart to see him so weak.’

Ms. Gu, who works two jobs, has already depleted her savings and received loans from her parents and friends to help her pay off what she already owes.

A close friend, another international student, even donated part of her tuition for the next semester.

However, as Mr. Mayonnaise is slowly recovering, the number of bills will likely soon overwhelm Mrs. Gu.

Still, she is determined to stay on top of the payments, as her cat has an 80 percent chance of recovery.

‘The first hospital told me that Mr. Mayonnaise’s treatment would cost between $7,000 and $9,000 a day. Otherwise, I would die,” said Mrs. Gu.

“Of course, it was obvious that we would get treatment – I will always choose my cat.”

‘I know that a Tesla or the deposit on a first home is worth the money, but I prefer to rent for five more years with my cat.

“I just want my cat back.”

Mrs. Gu has created a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of Mr. Mayonnaise’s treatment.

He first heard about the fundraising platform after his coworker suffered liver failure.

“Our area manager set up a GoFundMe so we can get him a PlayStation to keep him busy during his recovery,” Ms Gu said.

“It’s a very positive thing.”

Mrs. Gu hopes to raise enough money to help cover some of Mr. Mayonnaise’s current medical bills.

With at least $7,000 in debt every day, the young student appreciates any help.

“Thank you so much for your support, love and compassion… Mr. Mayo and I will be forever grateful,” she said.