Freddie was left to die in Wick

The nine-week-old kitten was taken to Littlehampton’s Fitzalan Veterinary Practice two weeks ago, after being found by a member of the public, shut in a cardboard box in the stairwell of a Wick block of flats.

He was covered in faeces and had worms and fleas, but the nurses cleaned him up and treated him before noticing that he had a liver problem that was killing him.

Veterinary surgeon, Alison Livesey, said that the operation he needed, which she hoped would cure a portosystemic shunt, was too specialised to be done at the Fitzalan Road practice, and could cost in excess of £2,000.

“We are treating him at the 
moment, with antibiotics, but the bigger he gets, the more he will eat, and the worse this problem will become.

“It basically means that his blood is not going through his liver, which filters it before it goes into circulation.

“There is infected blood in his bloodstream, and if it continues, he will die.”

Cat nurse Sam Kennett said she hoped Freddie’s story would spur residents into action, to donate to a fund, or even offer him a home.

“He has had such a hard start in life, and we just want to give him a chance,” she said.

“He is a lovely little kitten, playful and affectionate, and we can’t believe that someone left him in a state like that.”

Alison added that dumping Freddie in such a way was “unacceptable” and was “animal cruelty”.

“If people are having trouble looking after animals, they should get advice on what to do next,” she said.

l Anyone who would like to help Freddie, should call the practice on 01903 713806.

For advice on what to do if you are unable to look after your pet, call WADARS on 01903 217788.