EDITED 10/6: I am amazed he survived! Picture is of Bob Cat on the inside looking out as the weather changes. No more hiding against the weather for Bob. Thank you all for helping to give this stray in trouble a new life.

This stray boy has medical bills that came in over $20,000. Initial bill in the first posting. But he is alive and acclimating to indoors. Any gift you can give to Bob is appreciated very much.

_______

The friendliest stray cat (now dubbed "Bob Cat," or "Brother Bob") has been let down too often in his life and needs help.

August 7, editing to add that Bob has made it out of surgery for abscess/Pyothorax and is doing well. More info in updates.

I searched everywhere for his owners and no one came forward and local rescues could not find them. I was told that he likely belonged to an elderly lady that had passed away. Or the family that recently moved left him behind? But Bob is in even bigger trouble.

I knew something was "not right." I thought it was the heat and quickly ushered him inside. But something more was wrong.

Driving over an hour to the nearest veterinarian, they said his chest was filled with fluid crowding out his heart and lungs. They believed it was an infection from a fight with another cat. It was more than they could handle. They drained off the fluid so he could breathe a bit better and loaded him with antibiotics. I drove him over 4 hours to the Animal Emergency and Specialty Center in Reno.

What we know so far:

When we got to Reno, the ultrasound showed the fluid had built back up, once again crowding his heart and lungs.

What has been done for Bob Cat so far:

Brother Bob made it through the night. They said he is calm, friendly and quiet. The chest tube is draining small amounts and the fluid is no longer building up, the antibiotics are helping. Bob can fight through this.

Tests show there is a cyst. it is probably a foreign body, most likely a foxtail, that lodged in his chest wall. A CT scan is being done this morning.

I know it might seem crazy to some people to go to such lengths to save a stray cat. But Bob is a sweetheart that has been let down by his former humans. Too many animals suffer this fate. Bob asked for help and I just cannot turn away.

So far I have paid $8,023.72. in vet expenses; money I had been saving to buy a new camera and lens for work. New equipment will have to wait.

I am asking for help because costs are rising. The CT scan and ongoing hospital expenses are expected to cost more. About $12,000. more. His total bill will rise to about 18-20,000. (estimates in updates). Funds are all going to pay the vet bill.

I will be visiting Bob today after his CT scan. At that time they will let me know what surgery will entail.

I will update this page as I know more.

If you can help give Bob a fighting chance to begin a new life as a beloved house cat, it is appreciated more than you know.