BODHI (formerly Big Boy) needs help!

Hi everyone!

My name is Christina and I am a pet sitter. For the past 5 years or so, a handsome big, grey cat roamed the streets of my client’s neighborhood. He knew they were cat people and would frequently hangout on their porch. After getting to know him, they named him Big Boy. Uncharacteristically Big Boy went missing for 2 years. When he showed up again, he wasn’t so big and not as healthy as he once was. Every time I saw him during my petsitting visits, I would make plans to catch him, but he always left after eating. Earlier this year I noticed he had a nickel sized neck wound and was flooded with fleas. I tended to his wound and applied a flea & tick topical. Shortly after that, he went missing again for 5 months. Miraculously he returned on the morning I was petsitting with my husband. His wound had gotten substantially worse and it was clear he wound need surgery. With my husband’s help, we tended to our petsitting kitties AND snagged Big Boy. FINALLY! One would think being a street cat for his estimated 7 years of life (he looks like he’s older than 10) would make him behaviorally rough around the edges. Not this guy. He is OTHERWORLDLY sweet and gentle.

Once we got him home we quarantined him from our kitties and called around to several vets in the area. After an extremely long wait at the ER, we got a bit of management care (pain meds and antibiotics) until being able to be seen from a regular vet. Once we got him in to Cary Street Vet, Dr. Russell worked some magic. On the same day, Big Boy got is wound cleaned, stitched up, his nuggets removed, ears cleaned, chest X-ray, blood work, all the bells and whistles so to speak. Since then he has been on the mend in his own little room. Unfortunately, it was discovered that Big Boy is FIV +, has flea anemia, an enlarged heart (heart disease), heart murmur, several broken teeth, severe dental disease, malnourished, and a substantial ear infection. His blood work results said his kidney and liver values are good! YAY for good news! His pro bnp results also said he is at high risk of heart failure when under anesthesia. Getting him taken care of was imperative and we knew the cards were stacked against him. We are super happy and lucky he made it through his brief surgery. Having a weak immune system makes Big Boy easily susceptible to getting sick, and making his wound heal at a slower pace.

While Big Boy will need a forever home still, we are trying to take care of all his needs. So far this sweet darling has racked up a bill of around $1,500. Being a pet sitter, you can imagine the weight on us financially, even though we did receive some assistance. To continue his care so he can live his best life possible from here on out, inside, safe, warm, as healthy as his now little body can be, we are humbly asking for help. He has a follow-up appointment soon to get his sutures checked. I also called the Cardiologist and got a quote. An initial appointment will range from $700 -$900. From there we can get a better idea of what is going on with his heart, and should he be able to get a dental/teeth pulled to help stave off any further infection in his mouth. We are initially asking for $1,000 simply so we can take the next steps for this guy, a cardiology appointment. Any amount will help and we are so extremely appreciative to those who have helped with his first round of treatment.

This boy. This Big Boy. He deserves all the love that he gives all the humans he trusts. Please help him be all he can be for the rest of his life, no matter it’s length. He deserves the world. I will be 100% transparent with all transactions and keep everyone updated with his healing progress and prognosis. Right now he is sleeping next to me sporting his post surgery e-collar after having a hearty meal. Stay tuned for more pictures and videos…. I take a lot of them! I just can’t get enough of this darling.

Thank you everyone & take care,

Christina ✌❤️