The woman who spotted the ginger cat knew he needed help and contacted Rescue Cats NI, who quickly joined the effort to bring him to safety.
Once caught, Barney made a beeline for his food bowl, clearly starving but full of spirit.
Unusually large nose
It was impossible for rescuers not to notice what made Barney so distinctive: his nose.
A large, unexplained growth had taken over much of it, leaving everyone baffled. Samples were sent for testing, but the results offered few answers.
A fungal infection, such as Cryptococcus, is now the most likely cause, and Barney has already started a course of treatment. Encouragingly, his carers have begun to see early signs of improvement.
On the road to recovery
Barney’s backstory remains a mystery, although it’s suspected that he may have been abandoned due to the high cost of veterinary care. Thankfully, his days of fending for himself are over.
Now safe and surrounded by care, Barney Bubble is getting everything he needs, no matter how long it takes. And that unforgettable nose? It’s in the best possible hands.
