A pet owner in Chester is trying hard to raise funds after their seven-month-old kitten was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening disease.

Dan Miley surprised his partner Daniella Cano with 14-week-old Scottish Fold brothers Hugo and Shadow at Christmas time last year, but two weeks ago Hugo was diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). A progressive disease which is nearly always fatal without treatment.

Mr. Miley said: "I only went to pick up Hugo initially, but I saw him curled up next to his brother and I just couldn't take them away from each other. Since then they have genuinely become part of our family."

There are currently no licensed medicines for the treatment of FIP, but there is a breakthrough treatment developed by the Royal Veterinary College of London. Trials for the drug were cut short due to the pandemic, meaning that is is both very expensive and difficult to obtain.

Chester and District Standard: Brothers Hugo and Shadow.Brothers Hugo and Shadow.

Hugo's deteriorating condition has meant that he has spent the two weeks since the diagnosis away from his owners, firstly at the vets and now Chester Gates Veterinary Specialists. Dan and Daniella have visited every couple of days but the kitten's condition remains serious.

"They shaved his fur and his skin was yellow and his eyeballs have yellow in the back of them.

"There's a build up of fluid on his abdomen which they have had to put a needle in [to drain] as it is uncomfortable for him.

"They [the vets] said to us that FIP is almost always fatal and a large percentage of owners euthanise their cats as there is no easily available cure for it."

The couple estimate that the cost of the hospital care and the drug, known as Remdesivir, which has the potential to save Hugo's life could cost upwards of £12,000 to £15,000.

"It's awful because the little one is literally helpless. He's an animal, he can't speak and he can't pay for it himself.

"We walked out [of the vets] and Daniella was in tears, she didn't stop crying for the whole weekend. As the vet was telling me my chin was wobbling and my eyes were going.

"We decided that if there was a chance, whatever that might mean, then we would do it."

Hugo has dropped to a weight of 1.9kg and is currently being treated with the experimental drug via an intravenous drip.

However as he regains his strength it will later need to be administered by injection or tablet. In tablet form the drug would cost around £60 per capsule.

A full course of treatment would span 84 days, with a missed day creating the potential for a relapse in symptoms.

The couple started a GoFundMe page after costs began to outstrip Hugo's insurance and are also considering loans to pay for treatment.

The couple say they have been "overwhelmed" by the support of both friends and anonymous donors in the four days which the page has been active and hope to reunite Hugo with his brother Shadow if the kitten is able to undergo a successful course of treatment.

To access Hugo's gofundme page click here.