Leo was dumped with his sister as tiny kittens. Identical twins. She didn’t survive and we weren’t able to figure out what the issue was. It motivated us to keep Leo alive. There would be days where he’d eat like a ravenous bull and then days where he’d fall into a coma and not eat. We weighed him religiously and he’d pick up 100 grams and lose 80. At this stage we took him to the vet and they did more tests. Then more and even more tests. They found out he has FIV which essentially is HIV for cats as well as feline leukemia. Pretty tough to start your life out like that!

We started to give him subcutaneous fluids during those rough days. He would get sick every 3 weeks for 2-3 days. He would convulse and meow and urinate all over himself. Then he started getting sick every 6 weeks, then every 2-3 months and then it would only last 12 hours. The last time Leo got sick was on the first of January (that’s how I spent my New Year’s Eve). He spends his days lying around waiting for food. He hasn’t had subcutaneous fluids in ages! He never really grew, he always stayed the same size while his belly expanded. He can’t jump so he’s an inside cat 100% and waits around for food and his buddies to cuddle him.

Leo manages to live with both FIV (feline HIV) and feline leukaemia. Today he has a great life, loves tummy rubs and sitting in the sun. He can’t reach most of his body to clean himself so he needs to be either cleaned by the other cats, brushed by us or a -heaven forbid- wash! Leo doesn’t meow or purr like other cats. The only time he meows is when he is getting a wash, the only time he purrs is when he is very sick or in pain. He makes lots of little grunts, specially when he sleeps. He has no idea how to control his claws and gets them stuck in everything. On his bed, on my shirt, everywhere! Finger and toe claws!