4-year-old rescue Bengal Babou had a rough start in life, living in a small cage for his first 1.5 years until he and tens of other Bengals were seized by authorities from a backyard breeder. Babou has experienced chronic ear infections since his adoption 2.5 years ago. His vet finally found a mass growing down inside his ear canal that needed to be removed before his latest, aggressive infection became antibiotic-resistant. Removal of the growth required a total ear canal ablation, which means that his entire ear canal had to be surgically removed, including the eardrum and scraping out his inner ear. This had to be done by a specialist surgeon and cost over $5000. Unfortunately, Babou also experienced complications from the surgery and now has both Horner’s Syndrome, causing his pupil to be permanently contracted on that side, as well as facial paralysis on that side. The paralysis may go away in time if he’s lucky. He is eating well but can’t blink normally and requires eye lubricant to be applied multiple times a day. He’s such a little trooper, being so brave and holding his own through the beginning of his road to recovery.

Babou’s owners did not hesitate to put this expense on a credit card. Under normal circumstances, they would be able to pay this off with minimal difficulty, but Babou’s human mom has been extremely ill, in and out of the hospital and specialist’s offices for over a year. The medical bills wiped out the family’s savings and they were already struggling to pay the credit card bills while Babou’s mom is unable to work much due to her health and ongoing medical expense accrual.

Babou’s family has been reluctant to ask for help, citing that they agreed to take full responsibility for Babou when they adopted him, but family convinced them to reach out given their recent change in circumstances due to unforeseen medical expenses. If you are in a situation where you can afford to help, any amount will be put to good use and much appreciated.

Babou has many weeks of recovery and lots of medication ahead of him, but he’s doing well thus far (1 day in) and is expected to lead a full and happy life following this ordeal.