A kitten who needed her leg and tail amputated after a fox attack is finally on the mend.

The tiny black moggy, named Edwina, was found alone in Upchurch and covered in maggots earlier this month.

She was rescued by Billy Devitt, founder of Rochester-based Wisteria Cat Rescue, after he recieved a phone call from a worried member of the public.

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.

It was believed that Edwina’s injuries, which included a nasty leg fracture, were the 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 but thankfully, although not pretty, the maggots had done well at keeping the infection at bay.

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

Now, almost two weeks on from her surgery, little Edwina is up and about on three legs, bird-watching and playing with the other cats at the rescue.

Billy said: “Although a lot more complicated than first thought Edwina’s surgery was a huge success and she woke up beautifully and purring loud.

“She had a severe leg fracture and leaving it any longer with would have done more harm than good, so it was agreed by the specialist to go straight into leg amputation.”

Billy explained that the delicate procedure took longer than expected due to how small Edwina is and how damaged the leg was. She also had to have the tip of her tail removed.

He said: “The top part of the femur was imbedded under the skin with a pus-filled socket. It missed puncturing the abdominal wall by milimetres.

“If left much longer this most certainly would have been a different story and Edwina wouldn’t be here with us today.”

Billy said that just 24 hours after the kitty’s surgery Edwina was already doing so much better.

He added: “She’s already much livelier, eating very well and toileting, we are certainly heading the right way.

“She’s done amazing.”

If you would like to support Billy and the Wisteria Cat Rescue visit the charity’s Facebook page and website.