A maggot-infested kitten who was attacked by a fox and left with untreatable wounds will need to have its leg and tail amputated.

The little black moggy, Edwina, was found alone in Upchurch and in dire need of medical attention.

Warning, this article contains images some readers may find distressing.

Billy Devitt, from Wisteria Cat Rescue in Rochester, rushed to her aid after receiving a phone call from a worried member of the public.

He said: “She had been found in a very poorly state. On arrival, it was clear the kitten was in a bad way and at just seven weeks old this kitten needed help and she needed it quickly.”

Billy, who made the decision to offer help to any cat in need during the first lockdown, explained that Edwina’s entire back end was covered in flystrike, a painful and sometimes fatal condition caused by flies laying their eggs on another animal, and maggots.

He continued: “I’ve honestly never seen so many maggots, there must have been at least 400 on her. We headed straight for the emergency vets.

“When we got there the poor vets' face was as horrified as mine, but they promised they would do everything they possibly could to give this little kid, a fighting chance, she truly is a little fighter.”

It was believed that Edwina had received her injuries as a result of a fox attack.

Billy explained: “The four canines of the fox had made four puncture wounds in little Edwina’s back end and had resulted in leaving four large wounds where the maggots had been having a field day.

“They were literally coming out of the wounds, the anus and every hole they could escape from, but thankfully, although not pretty, the maggots had done well at keeping the infection at bay.

“Her wounds, although old and unsightly, are actually clean and have hopefully been caught in time to heal.”

After her infestation of maggots was dealt with Edwina was returned back to Billy and dosed up on a number of pain reliefs.

However, it wasn’t only her nasty wounds that the tiny cat had been dealing with, she also has a broken hind leg and tail.

Billy said: “Honestly, this poor little kid. You wouldn’t believe the trauma she was in, absolutely harrowing!

“She is a fighter, she had survived days on her own, and I wasn’t about to give up on her.

“Edwina’s pain is at bay and tomorrow she will be undergoing surgery for her leg and tail tip to be amputated, they are damaged beyond repair.”

The cat’s surgery is set to cost the charity £4,000 to £5,000.

Billy said: “The around-the-clock care and extensive treatments and procedures aren’t going to come cheap.

“I’ve paid a deposit to allow vets to start Edwina’s care and we have some money left over from previous cases, but we are still going to fall massively on what this is going to come out at.

“If you can help us give this so deserving little girl the best chance that would be amazing. Please share, donate and share again to support such a darling that needs our help!”

To help Billy and the Wisteria team click here.

He added: “I think this little lady was saved just in time before the infection took over and she was led to a very painful death.

“The next part of her journey will see that severely fractured leg being removed along with the part of her tail that’s broken.

“This will be the start of this little kid's new life! I’m so anxious about tomorrow but to know she will be pain-free means it’s needs must.”