Meet Gina

Age: 18 months

Breed: Toxedo

Diagnosis: Effusive (wet) form

Gina is our rescue cat we got her from our local cat rescue centre last August. We first met her in June when she was looking after her four kittens. She had been given up by her previous owners when she became pregnant so she was a bit reserved but friendly.

Gina enjoyed her new home but desperately wanted to go outside so after her inoculations and a reasonable period to acclimatise she was allowed out in our garden which she loves.

Gina was a very playful cat who plays tig, runs away and then expects to be chased.

However in November she became lethargic and would stay in a bed that she never used before so she went to our local vets. Her belly then started to extend and she just looked like she had given up on life.

We have a three and a half year old granddaughter who Gina got on well with, and they both looked for each other when at our home.

Gina’s health did not improve so our local vet undertook an ultrasound to go with the previous blood test results. However when I arrived to collect her our vet said that she needed intensive treatment at the Royal Dick Veterinary Small Animal hospital, a few miles from us.

I took Gina on what I thought was her last journey and let my wife and granddaughter say their farewells before the short trip to the hospital.

The Dick Vet were great and put her on the tablet immediately. To my surprise we were able to bring home our poorly cat just 24 hours later. She was still very sick and receiving the tablet twice per day.

Gina took the tablet and it was almost as if she knew that it might make her better which isn’t bad given that we must have the only cat who doesn’t like fish and the batch of tablet we had was Tuna flavour.

Gina continued to receive the tablet twice per day and after about two weeks her distended belly reduced significantly and she was starting to play more and more.

That was the situation throughout December and in January she was back to normal and if anything was exploring and playing more than before.

Gina would however disappear for quite a while throughout the day so we now have a tracker on her and she covers miles in the local woods before returning to her home for sustenance and a bit of play.

Gina may have used up one of her nine lives but is currently thoroughly enjoying this life.

Thanks to Gordon Vets, The Dick Vet Hospital.