Little Harris has proven himself as a fighter his whole life.

He was born to a mother that couldn’t provide enough milk for his litter and had to be hand reared as a bottle baby.

He struggled with eating and with multiple health scares, but he fought through it, gained a good appetite, and became the strongest of his pack! This little boy has already been through more than any kitten ever should.

He was adopted by his amazing family, alongside his sister Iona, back in November and they have been inseparable ever since.

At the start of the year, at just 5 months old, Harris started displaying some abnormal behaviours - he went off his food and was making constant trips to the litter tray. With no response to antibiotics, and no clear sign of a bacterial infection, Harris was sent to a specialist veterinary hospital for further investigations.

An MRI revealed inflammation of his brain, severe enough that it’s stopping his cerebrospinal fluid from draining. This is putting pressure on his brain, causing it to push past his skull, creating problems for his nervous system, and causing chronic inflammation throughout his body.

After multiple rounds of blood tests to figure out the cause, it has been determined that Harris has Feline Coronavirus (FCov). Although this doesn’t conclusively prove that he has developed FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis), given his neurological symptoms and tests, all signs point towards this as the cause, and he is beginning treatment with antivirals imminently.

The good news - recently developed antiviral medications mean that FIP doesn’t have to be the death sentence it used to be. Harris has a strong chance to beat this and live a full life! But treatment doesn’t come cheap…

Harris’s parents have already:

• Run through his annual pet insurance limit

• Paid personally for diagnosis and investigations

• Started the antiviral medication GS-441524 for FIP

They also need to consider the costs for further MRI imaging to check if his condition is improving, and potential surgery to place a shunt to allow his cerebrospinal fluid to drain.

That’s why we’re asking for help.

Harris’ family will do absolutely everything in their power to get him the help and treatment that he needs. They will take on every bill and keep fighting right alongside their boy. But we want to help lighten the load for them and make sure that they can focus their attention on giving Harris all the love and care in the world; and worry a little less about how to pay his vet bills.

Harris deserves the chance to live a full, healthy life. We want to help make that happen in any way we can. Every single penny raised will go towards getting him through this.

Harris and Iona were adopted from Lothian Cat Rescue; they have been kept up to date through this whole ordeal and have been incredibly supportive. It has been decided by Harris’ family that any funds raised that exceed his vet bills will be donated in full to Lothian Cat Rescue to help other cats and kittens in their care. ❤️

Harris, Iona, and their family, thank you all for your love and support!

Thankfully Harris' 3 siblings are all happy and healthy. The owners of his 2 brothers have been notified of his condition, and are wishing him a speedy recovery!