Abandoned kittens survive serious illness thanks to Sussex charity (From The Argus)

Abandoned kittens survive serious illness thanks to Sussex charity

9:10am Saturday 25th August 2012 in News

They are virtually blind but have helped each other get through their short lives.

Now kittens Kingfisher and Starling are in desperate need of a loving new home.

They were part of a litter of five kittens handed into Cats Protection, all suffering from a serious case of cat flu.

While their litter mates made a good recovery, the black and white kittens developed acute conjunctivitis which robbed them both of their sight.

Since then they have been recovering at the charity's national adoption centre in Chelwood Gate, near Haywards Heath.

Staff say they have helped each other adjust to losing their vision.

Centre deputy manager Joel Scott said: “When the kittens arrived they all had a very bad bout of cat flu which they had caught from their mother.

“Unfortunately for Kingfisher and Starling this resulted in permanent damage to their eyesight.

“Although they may have some vision left – we think one of them may be able to see shadows - it is very limited and they need to be treated as if they were completely blind.“

We kept them together throughout their recovery and they have become very close and have a great awareness and understanding of each other.

“Having each other has definitely helped them cope and they will need to be homed together where they will always be a support and comfort to each other.

“They play together, sleep together and follow each other about which helps with their confidence.

“Cat flu is a serious illness and as Kingfisher and Starling prove, it can cause irrecoverable damage.

“However, it is preventable by keeping cats up-to-date with their vaccinations. In the case of the kittens, had their mother been vaccinated she would not have been able to pass it on to them.”

The four-month-old kittens will soon be ready for rehoming and Mr Scott said they will need a loving home with an owner who will be able to give them the extra care and attention they need.

Mr Scott said: “They will need to be homed together as indoor cats, or have a very secure outside space, and will need an owner who has time to help them settle in and get to know their surroundings.

“They have each other and as long as they have a patient and loving owner they will be able to enjoy life to the full.”

Anyone able to offer the kittens to a home should call the centre on 01825 741330.