Leo receives life-saving treatment at PDSA for his lifelong heart condition

Leo, a 10-year-old cat, was diagnosed with a heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (which causes the heart muscle to become abnormally thick) at 10 months old and requires regular medication to manage it.

Recently, however, his devoted owner, Alex Daykin (66) from Alfreton, has struggled to manage the cost of Leo’s life-saving medication.

Indeed, like many people across the UK right now, Alex is feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

Alex, who is unable to work due to chronic back pain, receives benefits and began struggling to afford the costs of her beloved Leo’s medication.

She said: “As I’m on benefits, I only get the same amount of money every week and I’ve found everything’s gone up due to the cost of living rising. Even p_­et food has increased, and Leo won’t eat cheaper alternatives. I’ve noticed his favourite chew stick treats are more expensive too.”

In fact, with everyday costs creeping up, Alex was worried about how she would continue to afford her best friend’s vital veterinary care.

Fortunately, after sharing her worries about the cost of Leo’s treatment and medication with a friend, Alex was pointed in the direction of PDSA.

She said: “I was talking to my friend about it and she let me know there was a PDSA in Derby that may be able to help me. I’d never heard of them before! Ever since I registered, they have helped me to no end.”

Alex continued: “I got Leo when he was a kitten to keep me company; I live alone and I don’t have many visitors, so I talk to him a lot and he always makes funny little noises in response to me. He makes me laugh every day; we have a very special bond and he’s always there for me.”

PDSA Vet, Rachel Angus, who works at our PDSA Pet Hospital in Derby where Leo receives his treatment, said: “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy causes a cat’s heart muscle to thicken and prevents it from being able to pump blood around the body properly which can cause complications with a cat’s blood pressure and heart rate. In Leo’s case, we prescribe him monthly medications to manage his condition. These medications help to slow his heart rate down, lower his blood pressure, and decrease the risk of blood clots forming.”

Alex is hugely grateful to PDSA for the life-saving treatment that Leo continues to receive.

She added: “PDSA’s support means everything to me. If PDSA didn’t exist, I probably would’ve had to borrow money to help fund Leo’s medication - I wouldn’t be able to get that sort of money every month or two due to how expensive everything is nowadays. Although, there’s no doubt I’d go without for Leo. I wish I’d have known about PDSA sooner instead of struggling to get by for so many years.”

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