Meet Mister Bruce Willis. Not the hard-edged badass one we used to see on the large display screen, however this one is unquestionably a fighter, too. Mister Willis is a cat who began his story as “the saddest cat.” He appeared as if the struggles of being a stray cat roaming the streets for years have been written in his eyes. It took him years to lastly discover a loving proprietor—Sandra, who, sarcastically, additionally needed to undergo fairly a number of obstacles to deliver him residence, writes

6-year-old Mister Willis had vital well being points: scars, an eye fixed damage, chipped enamel, examined optimistic for feline immunodeficiency virus, and finally caught a number of infections on the shelter. Regardless of his tough appears to be like and unlucky destiny, he was “the sweetest and probably the most affectionate boy round,” however he couldn’t discover a household who was prepared to maintain him. Sandra noticed a publish from Animal Humane Society in Minnesota about Mister Willis on Worldwide Cat Day, and her coronary heart dropped. Sandra had no intentions of getting a furry buddy, particularly when pets weren’t allowed in line with her lease, however she couldn’t go away him and saved visiting him usually on the shelter in hopes he’d discover his human. After a month, she was in a position to persuade the owner that Mister Willis deserved a loving residence. He was good due to his imperfections.

In only a 12 months with Sandra, the orange tabby modified unrecognizably—he went from the “saddest” to the “happiest” cat, who’s now warming hearts on Instagram with 94.4k followers.

Take a look at Mister Willis’ full story beneath!

Bruce Willis was wandering the streets for years till at round 6 years outdated, he was rescued by the native humane society

He had battle scars, an eye fixed damage, chipped enamel, and was FIV optimistic, which led to catching a chilly and higher respiratory an infection on the shelter

However probably the most heartbreaking factor about him was the saddest look in his eyes

The weeks handed by and he was nonetheless on the shelter, in order that they labeled him as a “overlook me not”

Till at some point, Sandra, who had no intentions of getting a cat, noticed him in an Instagram publish and her coronary heart sank

“I noticed Mister Willis the primary time in a publish that the Animal Humane Society in Minnesota uploaded in August final 12 months. There was one thing about his eyes that simply spoke to me. He appeared so unhappy. I knew I couldn’t do something about it since my lease didn’t enable pets and I used to be additionally not planning on getting a cat. Even so, I needed to go and go to him. He appeared even sadder in actual life and I needed to go away after solely a few minutes as a result of it was so heartbreaking. For some motive, I saved going again to go to him. He’s FIV optimistic, which isn’t a giant deal, however since he was at an animal shelter with a lot of different pets, he bought an higher respiratory an infection. He was actually sick for some time. I hoped that somebody would undertake him, however he was nonetheless there, week after week,” Sandra informed Bored Panda.

She satisfied her landlord with a “no pets” rule that Mister Willis was price making an exception, and their lives modified eternally

“Ultimately, I made a decision to ask my landlord for permission to get him, and I used to be actually shocked once I was granted an exception. I introduced him residence the next day. He went from being the saddest cat to the happiest cat I’ve seen in solely a few hours. He purred all evening lengthy and wouldn’t go away my facet.”

The primary evening at residence, he wouldn’t cease purring

“Mister Willis is FIV optimistic. It stands for feline immunodeficiency virus and it’s not as scary because it sounds. It mainly signifies that he has a weaker immune system than ‘regular’ cats. After I first bought him, he had a chilly, ear an infection, and eye an infection that he bought on the shelter. It was a bit of more durable for him to battle it off as a result of he’s FIV+ however he finally did, and proper now, I can’t discover his illness in any respect. I’m simply ensuring I’m doing what I can to maintain him glad and wholesome.”

It’s been a 12 months since Mister Willis discovered his furrever residence, and he’s remodeled unrecognizably

6 Most Widespread Cat Well being Issues

Cats are good at self-maintenance. However even your fastidious feline cannot stop a few of these extra frequent cat ailments and well being points.

1. Vomiting

Vomiting is a quite common drawback with cats with a mess of causes. They vary from consuming one thing toxic or inedible (like string), to an infection, urinary tract illness, or diabetes to hairballs.

Signs are normally apparent, and embody drooling and belly heaving. Vomiting can shortly go away your cat dehydrated, so if kitty continues vomiting or acts unwell, name your vet instantly. It could assist to gather a pattern of your cat’s vomit and take it with you to the vet.

2. Feline Decrease Urinary Tract Illnesses (FLUTD)

Some estimates say as many as 3% of cats seen by vets have feline decrease urinary tract illness ( FLUTD), which is definitely a gaggle of feline ailments with a number of causes.

Feminine and male cats can get FLUTD, and it usually happens in cats which might be obese or unfit or who eat dry meals. Stress, a multi-cat family, and sudden adjustments can all elevate a cat’s danger of FLUTD, and therapy is determined by the kind of FLUTD your cat has.

FLUTD signs embody:

Straining to urinate Bloody urine Urinating in uncommon locations Crying when urinating Licking across the urinary space (usually due to ache) Melancholy Dehydration Lack of urge for food Vomiting

It is at all times an emergency in case your cat cannot urinate. Name your vet instantly if you happen to suspect your cat has a urinary tract drawback.

3. Fleas

Fleas are a quite common exterior feline well being drawback. However it’s one you’ll be able to simply deal with. Indicators your cat has fleas embody:

Flea dust on its pores and skin (they appear to be tiny black dots) Fixed scratching Frequent licking Pink or irritated pores and skin Hair loss Pores and skin infections or scorching spots

Fleas can dwell for greater than a 12 months, and your cat dangers anemia if the issue turns into critical, so you’ll want to deal with your cat’s flea drawback and forestall future infestations.

Speak to your vet about which flea management can be finest to your cat. Remedies embody oral treatment, powders, foams, and topical treatment. Fleas are unusual in Utah. In the event you undertake a pet from a area exterior of Utah or are housing a pet that not too long ago got here from one other state, please concentrate on fleas.

4. Tapeworms

One of the crucial frequent feline well being issues inside your cat, tapeworms dwell in kitty’s small gut and generally develop so long as 2 ft.

Signs of a tapeworm an infection could be refined however might embody vomiting and weight reduction. The simplest solution to inform in case your cat has tapeworms is to have a look at its feces and round its anus. In the event you see small white worms or what appear to be grains of rice or sesame seeds, your cat seemingly has tapeworms.

Therapy choices embody injection, oral, or topical treatment. However as a result of cats nearly at all times get tapeworms because of swallowing a flea, you’ll want to deal with any flea issues your cat has earlier than tackling tapeworms.

5. Diarrhea

Many issues may cause diarrhea in cats, together with spoiled meals, allergic reactions, an infection, liver illness, most cancers, and extra.

Signs of diarrhea are unfastened, watery, or liquid stool. Relying on its trigger, diarrhea can final for a day, per week, or months.

In case your cat has diarrhea, supply kitty loads of contemporary, clear water to forestall  dehydration. Then take away kitty’s meals for not more than 12 to 24 hours. Take your cat to the vet if she or he nonetheless has diarrhea after a day or instantly if you happen to discover vomiting, darkish, or bloody stools, fever, lethargy, or lack of urge for food or in case your cat is straining to defecate.

6. Eye Issues

Eye issues in cats could be attributable to a lot of issues, together with  conjunctivitis, cataracts, glaucoma, trauma, viruses, irritation, and retinal illness.

Just a few signs which will imply your cat has eye issues embody watery eyes, tear-stained fur, cloudiness, pink or white eyelid linings, gunk within the corners of the attention, squinting, pawing on the eye, or a visual third eyelid.

Until you understand what’s inflicting your cat’s eye issues, there is not a lot you are able to do apart from wipe away any gunk with a moist cotton ball. After that, name your vet.