A cat owner fears her moggy will lose its leg following a 'bleach attack' in Glasgow that left the animal with horrific burns.
Rambo defied the odds to survive the callous incident in early December, which left his skin bubbling after being covered in the substance. It's believed the 16-month-old cat was doused in bleach in the Knightswood area in the city before being discovered by their devastated owners.
Panicked Linda Thompson, 54, rushed the animal to the vets before being told it was very unlikely he would survive. However, after spending seven weeks in at the Small Animal Hospital in Bearsden, he has now returned home.
Rambo's road to recovery is not over yet though. After the cat had to have a partial tail amputation, he's now having problems with skin regrowth on his back right leg, and his vet has had to take skin grafts in an effort to save it.
If they don't take, he will need to have it amputated. Speaking to the Record, Linda said: "His right back leg is non responsive and he is still in a lot of pain. He's on a lot of medication - but psychologically he's not doing so good. He's not the same cat that he used to be.
"He's very mistrusting and he still doesn't like to be touched. It's going to take him a lot of time before he turns the corner.
"We never considered how much it would cost but I'm so glad we saved him. Sometimes I have doubted myself, but on the whole I know I've done the right thing.
"Even if he does lose the leg - cats can survive on three legs. I know eventually he'll have a life and he'll be back out in that back garden again."
Mum-of-two Linda spoke with the vet and they decided, due to Rambo's young age, that despite the extent of his injuries they would do what they could to save him.
After seven weeks the brave cat has returned home, but he now needs to go back twice a week to get an anaesthetic and have his bandages changed.
Some of the skin has grown back on the left leg - but it's not growing on his right. Due to the length and complexity of Rambo's care, vet fees have now reached around £15,000 and with the cost still rising a GoFundMe page remains open to help the family cover the costs.
The horrific incident, which happened on December 2, has been reported to police and officers say their enquiries are ongoing.
Rambo was spotted two streets down following the incident and Linda worries the person who did this to him could stay local. Linda added: "It's been horrific for him. It's been a terrible journey.
"When we discovered him his skin was just melting. His coat was bubbling - it was literally moving. I'll never forget that.
"He was soaking wet with the liquid. He was curled up and non-responsible. He was dying.
"On arrival at the vets they discovered Rambo was covered in raw, thick bleach. The burns were so horrific they just didn't think he was going to survive."
A fundraiser was launched to help the family with continuing vet fees has since raised more than £16,000.
Linda said: "I don't want anyone to have to go through this. It's been awful, but I just want to thank everyone who has been so supportive and those who donated to the fundraiser. Rambo wouldn't be here without that support."
To donate, click here.
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