A four-week-old kitten has survived a gruelling journey from Romania to the UK hidden inside a lorry. Named Roman by his rescuers, he was discovered severely dehydrated by warehouse staff in Bedford after enduring nearly a week in baking hot temperatures.
Depot worker Tamsin Eastwood, who also coordinates for Cats Protection, described Roman as a 'little fighter'. 'He must have been very hot, frightened and desperately thirsty,' she said. The kitten was underweight with swollen, inflamed eyes that required bathing before he could open them.
Roman needed intensive care, including intravenous fluids and antibiotics. He will now spend three months in quarantine, sponsored by Cats Protection, which has launched an appeal to fund his treatment. 'How he even had the strength to cry surprised me, but that was a good sign,' Ms Eastwood added.
Vet Naomi Williams said Roman's swollen eyes were a symptom of cat flu. 'Thankfully, he responded really well to the treatments and was well enough to be transferred to the quarantine cattery the following week,' she said. Roman will receive a rabies vaccination at 12 weeks and will be rehomed by Cats Protection after quarantine.
