A woman and her cat have earned a following online after raising awareness for feline asthma – with treatment costing her over £25,000.
When Kelly Boyle’s cat developed a slight cough, she assumed he was suffering from a lodged hairball – but suddenly, this turned into a harsh “hack” up to six times-a-day.
Feeling worried, she sought out vet advice in April 2018, who informed the 35-year-old her furry friend, Rascal, now aged nine, was dealing with feline asthma.
The condition, which affects up to 5% of cats worldwide according to Cornell University, is monitored using inhalers, just like in human cases.
Now, the content creator is hoping to raise awareness for her feline's health ordeal and claims that she’s spent an estimated £25,000 in total treating his asthma.
“When he got diagnosed, all the costs quickly mounted up and in the first year, I spent over £6,000 alone on his treatment,” Kelly, from Perth, Scotland said.
“But, it’s all been worth it.
“I was very shocked and I wondered what I was going to do, how I was going to manage and most importantly, his life expectancy.
“I couldn’t stop panicking and there were many sleepless nights worrying about my little boy.”
Kelly bought Rascal in April 2014, but it wasn’t until he was aged four that his symptoms started to prevail.
Initially, she bought him some hairball paste to relieve the cough, but as this was unsuccessful, x-rays and blood tests were carried out, which confirmed his diagnosis.
She said: “I had never heard of feline asthma before and the vet told me he was struggling to breathe due to inflammation in his lungs.
“The only treatment option was an inhaler – which I couldn’t see myself being able to use on him.
“I’d need to place it over his face, so he could breathe in the medicine, but he’s very independent and not cuddly at all.
“But luckily, he took to it like a duck to water.”
Rascal needs three inhalers per day: orange in the morning, purple at night, with a blue one used for sudden flare-ups, which he’ll need for the rest of his life.
As the daily routine is regimented, Kelly has to work her day around his medicine times and has installed a cat camera in each room to ensure she can keep an eye on his breathing.
She claims, however, there have been instances where he’s been wheezing and a neighbour has had to alert her – but overall, his life is better than ever.
Now, she’s hoping to raise awareness for feline asthma and shares his adventures, and condition, on Instagram with their 16,400 followers (@a_ginger_cat_named_rascal).
Kelly added: “It’s not widely spoken about and people always think it’s a hairball, but then find out it’s actually asthma.
“I’ve had messages from loads of cat parents thanking me for spreading the message, as without this, their cat would no longer be here today without proper diagnosis and treatment.
“I tell everyone, if in doubt, get it checked out.
“He struggles the most during spring and summer, where he requires more help from the vets, but the inhalers have allowed him to lead a very active and happy life.
“It’s been very rewarding seeing the difference in him.
“Since his asthma diagnosis, he’s been diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease, a condition where discs in the back break down.
“Because he takes steroid inhalers, he can’t take anti-inflammatory medication, so has an injection every six weeks, which has worked wonders.
“Now, he can jump, run and is always on the go, without getting out of breath.
“He’s my rock, my soulmate and we’re inseparable.”
