A couple are convinced that their cat has suffered from long COVID.
A couple think their cat is the first to suffer from long COVID
Catherine Watson and Gordon McKinnon explained how their feline named Bruce lost his sense of taste and smell after catching the disease.
The pair had contracted COVID-19 in November last year and cuddled Bruce and their other pet Bernie, unaware of any risk posed to cats from the virus.
Bruce then became so ill that he had to be fed through a tube in his neck for months.
Watson, who hails from Glasgow in Scotland, said: "It was such a scary time. Bruce was so listless, ill and just wouldn't eat a thing.
"We know now that's because he couldn't smell or taste - a very dangerous thing for cats.
"Bruce was ill for so long. Professor Hosie, an expert in the field, says this is the first time she's even seen this symptom - loss of smell and taste - in cats.
"I want people to know to be careful and keep your distance from your cats if you get COVID. Bruce could have died."