Help Biff the Cat get the surgery he needs
Donation protected
Biff is a 4-year-old Turkish Angora mix rescued from Oman in need of life-changing surgery after arriving in the UK with serious health issues.
Biff was dumped by his original owners in Muscat, Oman, left in a cage where he was found dehydrated, hungry and weak. As there are no animal charities in Oman, he was rescued by Lesley (@streetcatsofoman), who placed him with a local foster family, before eventually flying him to the UK, where I adopted him in August this year.
However, when we picked Biff up from Heathrow, it was clear that not all was well: he was coughing and struggling to eat, and most worryingly, breathe. Thinking he’d picked up something in transit after a 30-hour journey, we took him to the vet, where it was discovered that not only was he suffering from FHV-1, Calici Virus, an ear infection, and a parasite called Microplasma, but there was something more obviously troubling:
His jaw was broken, and had been for a long time.
Biff needed to have his airways drained of mucus, and was finding it difficult to eat or drink. He was likely in pain. He had urgent treatment to fight his infections and viruses, was put on a drip, and was then taken to surgery where his lower jaw was operated on, with a wire added.
The surgery was partially successful, however Biff’s mouth still would not close. More X-rays and specialists realised his top jaw is also broken and the part connecting the upper and lower jaw is broken too.
In time he will need further surgery, CT scans and specialists, which will cost up to £5000. This is on top of the £1150 that his initial treatment and medications have cost.
Day-to-day, Biff is happier, but still struggles to eat and drink properly (although he does have a ‘method’ to manage). The broken jaw means his mouth is always partially open, his tongue constantly hangs out and he salivates too much. It gives him his distinctive ‘look’ - but he needs to be groomed to stop his dribbled-on fur matting, and is constantly at risk of dehydration.
I did get pet insurance for Biff, but because his conditions are pre-existing, he isn’t covered, meaning I need to find the money for all his treatment myself. Finding the first lot was tough enough (although some people have kindly helped me already here with £600 towards his first vet bill), but paying another £5,000 feels almost impossible on my own :(
A few people have been asking how they can help, so I thought I’d put this out there. If you’re able and willing then feel free to send a little over, it all counts, and will all go directly towards Biff’s ongoing medical bills.
Alternatively, if you know of a vet or charity who might be able to help Biff pro-bono, then please let me know.
It’s not clear what has happened to Biff in his previous life, but he is the most loving, gentle and good natured cat, despite his difficulties. In exchange for your generosity I’ll be filling your feeds with this little snow leopard and you’re welcome round anytime for a cuddle. He really loves cuddles.
You can follow Biff’s story at www.instagram.com/bifftheblep.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped so far. It’s been a stressful and emotionally draining few weeks, but I’m so happy to have given him his furever home, and a road to recovery.
Kim
Biff The Cat’s mum
PS - Just to clarify - the rescuer in Oman is not to blame for this situation. Restrictions due to coronavirus meant Biff was housed and treated separately from Lesley’s usual rescues, and, for some reason, this vet only treated Biff for a tooth infection. We’re still trying to get answers, but, more importantly, we’ve finally got him the help he needs.
Biff was dumped by his original owners in Muscat, Oman, left in a cage where he was found dehydrated, hungry and weak. As there are no animal charities in Oman, he was rescued by Lesley (@streetcatsofoman), who placed him with a local foster family, before eventually flying him to the UK, where I adopted him in August this year.
However, when we picked Biff up from Heathrow, it was clear that not all was well: he was coughing and struggling to eat, and most worryingly, breathe. Thinking he’d picked up something in transit after a 30-hour journey, we took him to the vet, where it was discovered that not only was he suffering from FHV-1, Calici Virus, an ear infection, and a parasite called Microplasma, but there was something more obviously troubling:
His jaw was broken, and had been for a long time.
Biff needed to have his airways drained of mucus, and was finding it difficult to eat or drink. He was likely in pain. He had urgent treatment to fight his infections and viruses, was put on a drip, and was then taken to surgery where his lower jaw was operated on, with a wire added.
The surgery was partially successful, however Biff’s mouth still would not close. More X-rays and specialists realised his top jaw is also broken and the part connecting the upper and lower jaw is broken too.
In time he will need further surgery, CT scans and specialists, which will cost up to £5000. This is on top of the £1150 that his initial treatment and medications have cost.
Day-to-day, Biff is happier, but still struggles to eat and drink properly (although he does have a ‘method’ to manage). The broken jaw means his mouth is always partially open, his tongue constantly hangs out and he salivates too much. It gives him his distinctive ‘look’ - but he needs to be groomed to stop his dribbled-on fur matting, and is constantly at risk of dehydration.
I did get pet insurance for Biff, but because his conditions are pre-existing, he isn’t covered, meaning I need to find the money for all his treatment myself. Finding the first lot was tough enough (although some people have kindly helped me already here with £600 towards his first vet bill), but paying another £5,000 feels almost impossible on my own :(
A few people have been asking how they can help, so I thought I’d put this out there. If you’re able and willing then feel free to send a little over, it all counts, and will all go directly towards Biff’s ongoing medical bills.
Alternatively, if you know of a vet or charity who might be able to help Biff pro-bono, then please let me know.
It’s not clear what has happened to Biff in his previous life, but he is the most loving, gentle and good natured cat, despite his difficulties. In exchange for your generosity I’ll be filling your feeds with this little snow leopard and you’re welcome round anytime for a cuddle. He really loves cuddles.
You can follow Biff’s story at www.instagram.com/bifftheblep.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped so far. It’s been a stressful and emotionally draining few weeks, but I’m so happy to have given him his furever home, and a road to recovery.
Kim
Biff The Cat’s mum
PS - Just to clarify - the rescuer in Oman is not to blame for this situation. Restrictions due to coronavirus meant Biff was housed and treated separately from Lesley’s usual rescues, and, for some reason, this vet only treated Biff for a tooth infection. We’re still trying to get answers, but, more importantly, we’ve finally got him the help he needs.
Organizer
Kim Burrows
Organizer
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