Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Keiran Fleming

Glasgow mum tells of horrendous injuries after cat 'backed into corner' and doused in bleach

A cat owner has been left distraught after her pet was seriously injured in a bleach attack.

Linda McDonald, from Knightswood, rushed 13-month-old Rambo to PDSA after he fell through the backdoor last Friday at around 2.45pm.

Since the assault, a GoFundMe has been set up by her friend Fiona Trodden to help pay for the crucial veterinary care that will give young Rambo a chance.

READ MORE: Hunt for missing Glasgow man last seen two weeks ago in Cowcaddens

Linda told Glasgow Live: "I was out picking up my prescription and I received a phone call from my son.

"He's very cool and collected usually, but I could tell he was in a bit of a flap.

"He said, 'mum, something is wrong with the cat; you need to get here now. I think he's been run over.'

"Rambo's brother Ruben thought he was a cat trying to attack him, but it wasn't until he got closer that he realised it was Rambo.

"I straight away picked him up and put him on a draining board because he was soaking wet. As I phoned the PDSA, I was trying to sponge the bleach off him, but it was like a thick Domestos, it was bubbling and not coming off.

"I actually got it on my hand and they were burnt. We rushed him to the PDSA and they took rushed him from reception.

Rambo arrived home covered in bleach (Go Fund Me)

"He was on four methadone injections a day, as well as gabapentin, loxicom, antibiotics and omeprazole to protect his stomach because they don't know how much bleach he swallowed."

The severely burnt cat is now being kept in and could be in need of some life-changing surgery due to the damage caused.

The 54-year-old explained: "They are hoping that he pulls through. The soft tissue team had a look at him to see if skin grafting was possible. They've come back and said there are some thicker bits of skin they can work with.

"The prognosis is that there is going to be months of care. He might not be in there for months, there will be times I can bring him home. But it's a long road, it's not going to be a short fix.

"One of his back legs really held the bleach and they said the skin is very poorly and he may need his leg amputated. I've said yes because he is just 13 months.

"I paid £1,000 for him to be admitted and I've said I can go to £5,000 because that is what the GoFundMe is sitting at, but we are really looking £7,000 or £8,000 for the long term.

"He has been so strong since last Friday.

"How he made it home from where he'd been, I don't know.

"This wee cat has tried and I need to give him a fighting chance."

The young cat enjoyed the outdoors (supplied)

Rambo has had his bloods taken to assess the internal effects of the brutal attack; however, the results aren't clear just yet.

Vets are also still trying to find out if the cat's senses have been severely damaged by the bleach.

The upset owner said: "His nose, ears and mouth were burned.

"His tongue, throat and gullet were also burned because I presume at some point he was trying to lick it off himself. He has no fur left under his chin.

"The vet said it looked as though he had been backed into a corner."

The brutal attack has left Linda in bits as she struggles to come to terms with why someone would harm her happy boy.

She said: "He's a lovely wee thing; he loves climbing fences, sitting on shed roofs watching the world go by, he would chase the odd squirrel.

"His best friend is Barney, my Labrador, he sleeps with Barney. First thing he looks for when he comes in isn't his brother, it's Barney.

"He's a sweet wee guy. If you approached him in the street, he would come over for a tickle under the chin.

"I'm just trying to give him the best chance I can.

Rambo and best pal Barney (Supplied)

"It has been traumatic; it has been devastating.

"I would view my pets the way I view my children. I wouldn't cry in front of them, I'd try to be as strong as I can.

"It's killing me inside. There's a neighbours page and they've been so supportive, if it wasn't for the people there, I don't know what I would've done because it's been awful.

"I just don't know how anybody could be so cruel. I've tried to reason with myself.

"Maybe he wandered into the wrong garden, maybe it was somebody who hated cats, but a simple shoo or a cup of water would have sufficed.

"He shouldn't have been attacked with bleach. He's fragile and dainty.

"He's a happy wee chap."

Pets are a key part of any family and the McDonald's are no different.

The highlight of Linda's day was spending time with her furry friends on the sofa, but that tranquil moment is missing an integral piece.

The 54-year-old said: "My cats and my dog are my life. I sit on my sofa with my cats beside me and my dogs at my feet with a cup of tea, that's what I look forward to.

Rambo and Ruben (supplied)

"That's my happy place.

"To think that's been upended and ruined by somebody hurts. It's ruined the time left I have of seeing them as well."

Linda has been fighting her own battles having undergone major eye surgery in May of this year, however, complications mean she has had a recurring eye infection.

Before she is no longer able to see, she wants to see both Ruben and Rambo flourish but she believes the young cat's future has been snatched away by the thugs who harmed him.

Linda said: "My cats were the last ones in and I was looking forward to seeing them grow up.

"Being scrappers if they want to be or being a house cat. I feel like I've been robbed and I feel like Rambo has been completely robbed.

"Ruben has been constantly looking for him, Barney is at the back door waiting for him.

"I'm devastated."

You can support the fundraising appeal for Rambo here.

READ NEXT:

Glasgow dad stabbed to death near Easterhouse home by stranger carrying 'sword-like knife'

Frustrated resident demands action as rat infestation in west end street so 'severe' council staff won't collect bins

Middle-aged driver dies after taking ill at wheel near M74 during rush hour

Rod Stewart's son rushed to hospital after collapsing and 'turning blue' at football match

How many cases of Strep A in Scotland as NHS send out warning letters

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.