Kind-hearted veterinary nurse Jessie Blyth, who lives at Ashbrittle, is seeking a home for a kitten whose life she saved.

Jessie, 26, took pity on the kitten, who was taken into the vet practice where she works by a member of the public after being found alone in a remote country lane.

Now named Weasel, the kitten was thought to be about three weeks old when he was found. He was emaciated and far too young to be away from his mother, who would have still been responsible for maintaining his body temperature, feeding him and helping him with toileting and cleaning.

Weasel also had horrific eye damage, most likely from neo-natal ophthalmia, a condition which develops as a result of an infection caught before a kitten is born.

Jessie believes he was probably born to a feral mother who had to leave him, as a sickly runt of the litter, to save her other kittens. It is unlikely Weasel would have survived much longer were it not for the person who found him and took him to the vet.

Usually a stray with such slim chances of survival would have to be put to sleep but Jessie fell in love with the kitten. She volunteered to fund his surgery and care for him afterwards, and joined her colleagues in the operating theatre for the operation.

Although Weasel’s eyes could not be saved, after their removal and strong antibiotics to fight any remaining infection, he began to improve.

Jessie said: “If Weasel has taught me anything it’s that I underestimated the ability animals have to thrive despite even the most terrible set-backs. I’m so glad I stayed late that day and was able to offer him a lifeline.

“There’s no reason why he can’t enjoy full life expectancy and great quality of life now. I really wasn’t sure whether he would make it at just three weeks old but within 24 hours of the operation he was already much happier – I would definitely do the same again.”

Now eight weeks old and around 600g, Weasel’s wounds have healed. Jessie syringe-fed and nursed him around the clock until he could be weaned onto solid foods but now needs to find Weasel a new home as her two other cats are too playful to live comfortably alongside the kitten.

Jessie added: “I had every hope of being able to keep Weasel as my own but knew there was a chance I might not be able to because my two cats are very lively and interactive, which is no good for a blind kitten. But there was no way I could see him put to sleep. He is brilliantly playful, very curious and has such a lovely character, but can be overwhelmed by the older cats and we only have a tiny house.

“After all he’s been through, he deserves a new loving home where he can be the only cat. He’ll need to stay indoors because of his blindness and ideally needs to live with someone who has experience of blind cats.

“He is a confident, very active kitten who enjoys the company of my gentle dogs but I’m looking for a really special, calm, stable home where he can thrive and be lavished with love and care. It’s the least he deserves after his ordeal.”

In addition to having paid for his eye surgery and all medication in relation to his operation, Jessie has made sure Weasel has been vaccinated and is up to date with his flea and worm treatments. His new owners will just need to ensure he is neutered at around 16 weeks old.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Weasel and offering him a home should contact Jessie directly by emailing [email protected]