Alex – Life on the Run

 

 

For many days and many nights, Alex was a fugitive.

This majestic pure-bred Maine Coon cat was betrayed by the very people who paid a small fortune for him. They kept Alex as a status symbol until, for reasons we will never fathom, they mercilessly kicked him out. Abandoned in the unfamiliar and severely hostile environment of Jakarta streets, Alex turned wild, like his ancestors. Alex fought tooth and claw to survive and win his place among the feral cats, while avoiding human contact at all cost.

The day came, however, when Alex became so very sick that he could no longer fight for his life. His strong body grew weak, his eyesight dimmed, filthy crusts covered his lids. Dehydration, plus massive internal and external parasite infestations, exhausted him further. Alex was forced to surrender to the creature most feared and least trusted – people!

Alex was admitted to hospital where his anemia was treated, and the fleas, ticks, worms and mites which lived off his pitifully skinny body eliminated. Alex was diagnosed FIV-positive, however his overall health is great.

Alex is no longer a fugitive, no loner running, and we are making sure he is getting his food on a plate, his water fresh in a bowl, his sleep on a soft bed. Although he still looks upon us with suspicion, perhaps anticipating a smack, he is growing more used to human presence by the day.

What Alex needs most now is time — enough time to heal from the inside out. Do you have the patience to accept this beautiful cat in your life, and wait for the magic moment when Alex rediscovers his faith in humankind?

Will you help give Alex some time?

Please write to us on adoptions@myletsadopt.com if you will.

CRITICAL UPDATE | May 31, 2016

After his successful arrival to the USA, Alex was placed in a foster home. His FIV-positive status means his immune system is severely compromised and even small health issues can develop into life-threatening situations. Since we rescued him off the streets of Jakarta, Alex has been fighting a persistent infection, which prevented him from receiving eye surgery. After a culture targeted antibiotics were given in an effort to get the infection under control.

Suddenly last night the infection worsened and our baby was rushed to intensive care with a swollen face, eyes, and a congested nose with bloody discharge.

We are controlling his pain and he is successfully breathing through his mouth. The night team managed to stabilize him and we are awaiting more information.

UPDATE | June 2, 2016

Alex’s CT scan results answered some question and raised new ones.

During the scan the vet team discovered a mass in Alex’s nasal cavity so they did a biopsy as planned. They entered through his face via a small incision — an approach, kinder to Alex and less invasive than other options.

The presence of the mass could have been caused by a range of problems — from severe fungal infection to cancer, to name a few. The vets were surprised to also observe a section of disintegrated bone. There is no surface scar on Alex’s face so the damage to the bone structure was not caused by an impact. A possible explanation could again be a fungal infection, for example, strong enough to cause bone necrosis.

Alex did really good through the procedure and scan, recovered well and was able to be released home to his foster family. He’s eating, drinking, sleeping, cuddling, and generally back to his sweet self.

The biopsy results will be ready in a week. A week of waiting, praying and unanswered questions. It will be a tough fight but we are standing right by Alex every step of the way.

CRITICAL UPDATE | July 5, 2016

The results from the second biopsy have confirmed our worst fears.

Alex has cancer.

Will it be a his death sentence? Or a diagnosis he can beat? It is up to you.

We visited a specialist oncologist for a consultation on going forward. An initial examination, full blood panel and an ultrasound were performed on Alex. The cancer is likely a lymphoma so chemotherapy was recommended and started, since cats with this type of tumor respond almost immediately. The treatment will initially focus on the tumor, while further diagnostics will investigate for any metastases.

If the tumor has not spread Alex can have years. After full treatment is completed he can live a close to normal life.

This is how Alex looked before starting treatment.

The effect only one chemotherapy and steroid treatment session has had on Alex is miraculous. The terrible swelling, which had deformed Alex’s sweet furry face, has gone down and his eye has opened!

Cancer is evil.
Cancer took Kiera away.
But cancer can be beaten.

Will Alex’s cancer be a death sentence or a diagnosis he will beat?

All that stands between Alex and life is the cost of the long and expensive treatment — please donate so Alex can live:

Donate in US dollars:

Or become a sustaining member
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* Let’s Adopt! Global is a 501c3 charity and your donation is tax deductible. All funds will go towards the animal’s care. Any remaining funds will go to support our other rescues and mission.