Old Bruisey Bum: The People’s Cat
ARTICLE BY: Stephanie Coe, Ten Lives
Bruiser was surrendered to us on the 15th of October 2020 as a senior cat living with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). During his time here he had a strenuous health journey due to his FIV+ status, reoccurring ear and dental concerns, low-grade heart murmur and early kidney disease.
Bruiser came to us with a chronic ear infection. He had already been on medication for the ear infection when the Vet Team made the decision to take a closer look at his inner ear on the 1st of December. This revealed signs of previous damage or rupturing, so he was swiftly put on new medication and the ear was cleaned of any residue from his previous issue.
Bruiser had dental surgery due to dental disease on arrival at the Centre. The teeth have been cleaned and removed as required, including the removal of a tooth that caused him problems via a hole that extended to his gumline and showed signs of infection. It is possible he will not require further dental treatment but monitoring of dental health by a vet annually is recommended.
Despite his health issues, Bruiser had a fabulous zest for life, and his friendly and social nature made him the perfect candidate for office cat. He became instantly loved around the office during his stay, often finding a sunny spot or an office chair to claim as his own. Often finding comfort in the Manager’s office (sometimes kicking the Manager out of his own chair!), Bruiser settled into his role beautifully.
Bruiser is FIV+ and therefore he needed to go to a home that will keep him as a strictly inside/ contained cat. Luckily, his perfect forever home was not too far away.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘Old Bruisey Bum’ by members of the Ten Lives team, Bruiser was first spotted by his soon-to-be owner, Margaret, in an Unwanted Wednesday post on the Ten Lives Facebook page. This is a type of post dedicated to boosting our long-term residents.
Margaret says she “couldn’t resist him”, and officially welcomed Bruiser to his forever home on the 4th of February 2021. Bruiser now spends his days finding sunny spots to snooze in, enjoying some time outside with the supervision of his new family, and in true Bruiser fashion, stealing Margaret’s favourite chair.
Bruiser loved, and in turn was loved, by all the hoomins he met at Ten Lives.
Bruiser enjoying some sunshine in the office kitty’s outdoor enclosure, and appealing to the Facebook fans after 100 days in care.
Stories such as Bruiser’s, a cat who required extensive medical care along with extended time at the shelter waiting to be adopted, highlights the urgency for improved facilities to address all the challenges we currently face to provide appropriate care for all the cats who come to us in need.
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