We are Asta & Espen, bonded siblings. We have been waiting for our forever home for so long now. If you follow the sanctuary’s Facebook page/ website, you will know our story. We came into the sanctuary off the streets in December 2022 with our brother Jesper when we were around 10 weeks old! Jesper sadly passed away due to a very horrible illness we had all contracted before coming in. We all looked visibly healthy, but our carers soon noticed we had some sore lesions over our bodies. We had all contracted a virus called feline pox virus (please note we do not have this virus now). It made us all very poorly for quite a few weeks.

ASTA- I had a large sore lesion on my nose which spread near to my eye.  Once this finally healed it caused permanent scarring to under my eye and right side of my nose. At the time we were all on a lot of medication because we felt very poorly. Although my lesions were improving and I started to slowly get better, I then became very wobbly and uncoordinated with my movements. I had tests to rule out anything else and these came back all clear. The vet explained the virus I had most likely caused some permanent damage to my brain, affecting my central nervous system. My wobbles did slightly improve but I have since grown a lot more and have learnt to adapt extremely well with this disability. I can still climb, jump and run but just not in the normal way! My carers say I am a little fighter and such a brave little girl with everything I have been through. I just don’t let it stop me from being the adorable curious young girl I am. My carers also describe me as a very sweet loving girl with a fun and cute playful side. I absolutely love cuddles, a lap to chill on and playing with my toys especially catnip ones!

In June this year I was diagnosed with colitis. I had numerous times due to ongoing blood in my stools. I have been on a high fibre bland diet (royal canin gastro intestinal fibre response dry food and gastro wet food). I am also on a probiotic supplement which seems to help me. I do need to stay on this diet and supplement in a new home. I am still having some blood in my stools every few days but there is little that can be done for this condition and as my symotoms are mild and thee are no other causes for concern, the vets advise to just monitor my colitis and continue with the special diet.

 ESPEN- During the time I was poorly as a kitten my carers had to give me medication which was difficult for them due to my nature then. I didn’t like it so it took me a while to trust them. They gave me yummy treats like lick e lix though which really helped me warm up to them.

My confidence and trust in people has changed and grown so much over the past year and I am such a sweet loving boy. I enjoy attention and fusses and often follow my main carer around for loves. I often enjoy pick up cuddles now too from her. I am still an anxious boy at times but due to everything I went through as a young kitten and my first experiences with people my carer says people should understand this about me. If I ever get a little overwhelmed when having fusses I will tell you gently with a paw tap. I form lovely bonds with people that are patient with me and the more I get to know them. My carer says that once I have settled in a home and bonded with my new human/s I will be such a loving cuddly cat!

Due to the illness I had when I was younger and my anxiety, I do have a tendency to overgroom a little, particularly the sensitive spot on my back where I had a lesion. I also suckle the tip of my tail which became a habit. I dont do myself any harm and sometimes it can be stress related within the cattery environment that can trigger me. I am on a calming supplement called Zylkene which I will need to stay on in my new home

To note- It is worth noting that I do have a stress related heart murmur which has been checked a number of times by the vet and is no cause for concern. I would need my heart checking when I go to the vets for my yearly booster vaccination just to monitor my heart. I am doing really well though and I am a healthy young boy!