Cat owners are being urged to make sure their pet's collars are properly fitted after one feline was left with a nasty injury.

Eastern Daily Press: Three-year-old Dora is receiving specialist treatment after a underarm injury caused by a collar which was not fitted correctly. Picture: Rita ThompsonThree-year-old Dora is receiving specialist treatment after a underarm injury caused by a collar which was not fitted correctly. Picture: Rita Thompson (Image: Archant)

Three-year-old Dora went missing from her home in Honington and was found a few months later with large tear to her underarm, after she managed to get one of her front legs through her collar.

The wound was infected and Dora was taken into the care of Breckland Cats Protection where she was treated by a vet.

At first it was feared her leg may have to be amputated after she kept reopening the wound, but after seeing a specialist, the feline is currently undergoing treatment.

Rita Thompson, from the charity, said she believed Dora's injury was sustained by a collar which was too loose which she said is an easy mistake.

She said: 'A collar should be tight so you can fit two fingers through between the collar and the cat's neck. They should be checked regularly.

'I would recommend a snap fastened collar. It comes off straight away if it gets caught and is better than causing an injury.'

Found as a stray in Mildenhall at the end of last year, Dora came into the care of Cats Protection where she was neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and sent to a home in Honington in January.

She went missing in February and was found at the end of May about half a mile from her home.

The 'very friendly' cat is currently receiving oxygen therapy at Dick White Referrals, Cambridgeshire, which will help to repair the wound.

She is making good progress and it is hoped she will be released in the next couple of weeks.

However, the treatment is expected to cost a couple of thousand pounds and the charity is asking for donations to help cover the cost.

'Dora is the sweetest cat, and all through her ordeal she has been purring and is very friendly and seems unperturbed by all that is happening to her,' said Ms Thompson, who is a fosterer and helps to hand-rear kittens.

'It must have been awful for her and she must have been uncomfortable because it was infected. We don't know how long her leg was through the collar but it must have been for some time.'

Dora will be rehomed once she is better.

To donate click here or you can call Ms Thompson on 01842 815550.