An Update on Bonjeck, the Stray Cat Rescued in Shocking Condition

We recently celebrated a small - and perhaps odd - milestone at Catcuddles.

Bonjeck did his first-ever solid poo!

This may seem like an unusual thing to celebrate, but those familiar with Bonjeck’s story will know that he arrived at Catcuddles with severe, chronic diarrhea as a result of inflammation of his digestive tract. A solid poo is therefore a sign that Bonjeck is recovering, slowly but steadily.

Prior to his rescue, Bonjeck was in an incredibly poor state. He had been struggling to survive as a stray, becoming increasingly emaciated due to his inability to properly digest food, and was filthy and matted due to his constant ‘leaking’ of excrement. He also had cat flu symptoms and a compromised immune system caused by FIV, which was likely exacerbating all of the above.

It was clear from the offset that Bonjeck would require months and months of rehabilitation should he have any chance of recovery, and there were no guarantees that a full recovery would even be possible. We are therefore extremely encouraged by his progress, the outcome of daily B12 injections, stool hardeners, antibiotics, a specialised diet, and a hygienic environment and proper care.

A recent ultrasound also showed no sinister cause for Bonjeck’s diarrhea, such as cancer, and revealed that whilst inflammation remains in his digestive system, it is lessening over time.

We are not only making breakthroughs in regards to Bonjeck’s health, however. When he arrived he was utterly terrified of humans, so scared of being touched that he had to be sedated for our vet to examine him. He was a sad sight to behold in his suite at CCHQ - a painfully thin cat huddled in one corner, hissing and growling, so fragile and yet determined to defend himself against people he was certain meant him harm.

After weeks of being shown nothing but kindness by our volunteer team, this defensive exterior has slowly begun to chip away. Day by day, we are breaking through, and Bonjeck is beginning to enjoy human company. Solid poo means less time is needed to clean his once messy suite, and more time for our volunteers to offer Bonjeck gentle strokes and attention, which he cautiously appreciates. He even comes out to cry for attention whilst our volunteers work, which is entirely contrary to his once withdrawn nature.

His recovery is a journey that is both physical and psychological, and we are overjoyed that Bonjeck is improving on both fronts.

Of course, we cannot fail to mention that none of this would be possible without your support. Bonjeck’s extensive and ongoing veterinary care was paid for by donations from our wonderful community, who responded swiftly generously to his fundraising appeal. So we hope that, like the Catcuddles Team, you can take some pleasure in the outcome of your generosity.

Bonjeck is a far happier and healthier cat today than when he was first rescued from the streets, and that is the result of a daisy chain of kind acts - the combined efforts of our veterinary team, volunteers, and our donors and supporters.