Trapping question

[jolie0216]

Well, the best place would be your spare bedroom. It's got a/c, has a window, has more room than the bathroom, and is more accessible and cozy than the basement, and he will be part of the goings on in the house.

Can you put your plants somewhere else for now?

I also agree the spare bedroom would be ideal, but moving all those plants and all the lighting equipment just isn't feasible, so unfortunately that isn't an option...... between the bathroom and the basement, which one do you think a cat would more naturally prefer?  I'm kind of leaning towards the basement since there is more room - and I can make him a bed and put some toys & scratching post down there, in addition to his food/water/litter.    It would just be nicer if it had a window........ it does stay cool down there though, so I know he won't be getting too hot.

 

[Sarthur2]

Basement for sure. He can live without a window for now. And it's not forever.

 

[catwoman707]

Just curious, are you experienced in ferals and their behavior at all?

If this cat is feral or even semi feral, it is not smart to allow him out of the trap.

It's actually harder on him as well. In the trap, despite the small size, when covered he feels safe hunkered down inside.

It sounds to me that he is a semi-feral, meaning once in his earlier life he was likely owned, usually as a kitten, then became an outside only cat and over time and lack of human interactions has become feral/afraid of humans.

Tame cats don't hiss if you uncovered the trap a bit as he does.

If you let him out, he will act bonkers searching desperately for an escape spot. Indoors is no longer comforting, and he will act as he is afraid for his life. You will not get him back into anything to put him back outside either.

 

[Sarthur2]

I was under the impression he was a neighborhood stray.

catwoman707 makes a good point if he is feral.

 

[jolie0216]

 
Just curious, are you experienced in ferals and their behavior at all?

If this cat is feral or even semi feral, it is not smart to allow him out of the trap.

It's actually harder on him as well. In the trap, despite the small size, when covered he feels safe hunkered down inside.

It sounds to me that he is a semi-feral, meaning once in his earlier life he was likely owned, usually as a kitten, then became an outside only cat and over time and lack of human interactions has become feral/afraid of humans.

Tame cats don't hiss if you uncovered the trap a bit as he does.

If you let him out, he will act bonkers searching desperately for an escape spot. Indoors is no longer comforting, and he will act as he is afraid for his life. You will not get him back into anything to put him back outside either.

No, never had any experience in dealing with a feral cat.   I'm not 100% just exactly what he is.......I'd seen him round the neighborhood before, but he never came up for food from me until a few nights ago.  I noticed his injury right away.   So if he was feral, would he come right up to me on the porch while I was feeding the other cats?   Would him being injured make him "braver" than usual if he was a feral?

Not saying he's reached comfortability with me yet, but I think if he was a real-deal feral, he wouldn't have come up to me on the porch for food, injured or not - he would have waited until I left the porch and went back inside to pick over what was left (or bully the others away).    I think he's somewhere in between feral and domesticated - maybe somebody's pet that was abandoned long ago.    When he hissed at me inside the trap, it was the first time all week he has ever hissed at me.    I wouldn't say he is affectionate by any means - but he did let me stroke his sides outside one night - he didn't like it very much and he turned to look at me when I touched him, but he didn't run or hiss anything ---  what does that behavior all sound like, you think?

Probably the best thing to do would be to get a dog crate cage as someone suggested above to house him in while he recovers from his wound and his neutering (def getting him neutered, or he'll probably end up fighting again and get hurt again)

 

[catwoman707]

Semi-feral. He's been out on his own for quite some time, and is uneasy around people, and great guess, yes, his injury will cause a bit more braveness.

There is a good sized range of semi-feralness, all depending on details of his life as a feral. Length of time, etc.

Once he goes to the vet it will be easier to tell the degree of his feral behavior too.

But please, for your own good for now, don't make a plan for where he will stay until you know who you are dealing with okay?

When he comes back in the trap from vet, you can tell us all about it and his behavior and what the outcome was from the vet, then we will go by this to make a plan if need be

 

[jolie0216]

 
Semi-feral. He's been out on his own for quite some time, and is uneasy around people, and great guess, yes, his injury will cause a bit more braveness.

There is a good sized range of semi-feralness, all depending on details of his life as a feral. Length of time, etc.

Once he goes to the vet it will be easier to tell the degree of his feral behavior too.

But please, for your own good for now, don't make a plan for where he will stay until you know who you are dealing with okay?

When he comes back in the trap from vet, you can tell us all about it and his behavior and what the outcome was from the vet, then we will go by this to make a plan if need be

OK that sounds good 

  Plus, I feel better about him being in the trap now - he really doesn't seem to mind it, plus now that I know I can feed him in there like I did at lunch today, I'm not so worried about it.

I'll see if I can get some decent pics of him tonight so yall can see him, then we'll see what the vet says tomorrow!  Even his ears are looking better - they were looking bloody wet the last couple nights - I could see the wetness glistening in the darkness-  but today the wounds are really starting to dry up and forming scabs - so even just one night inside has done him a lot of good, I think.   I was worried that the wounds were staying "wet" and not drying up on their own, but they have definitely dried up a lot since he's been in the trap.

 

[ondine]

Any way you can still get the dog crate?  If it fits in the spare room, you won't need to worry about the plants.  It would be better than him having the whole basement, as there are probably lots of things he can get into down there.

Feeding him the wet food the way you are is an excellent solution!

 

[catwoman707]

 
OK that sounds good 

  Plus, I feel better about him being in the trap now - he really doesn't seem to mind it, plus now that I know I can feed him in there like I did at lunch today, I'm not so worried about it.

I'll see if I can get some decent pics of him tonight so yall can see him, then we'll see what the vet says tomorrow!  Even his ears are looking better - they were looking bloody wet the last couple nights - I could see the wetness glistening in the darkness-  but today the wounds are really starting to dry up and forming scabs - so even just one night inside has done him a lot of good, I think.   I was worried that the wounds were staying "wet" and not drying up on their own, but they have definitely dried up a lot since he's been in the trap.

Yet another benefit of a trap, no room to be able to scratch at his ears Helping them heal.

 

[kittychick]

Definitely definitely definitely don't let him out of the trap until you know how feral he is. Agreed chances are he's at some point in time had a decent amount of human interaction but sounds like he's been fending for himself long enough to be very wary of humans.

As noted - cats can appear very calm in a trap situation- but given the chance for escape they take it! We made the mistake with one trapping early on in my TNRing where the little girl "tricked us" into feeling like she was getting a little more comfortable with our presence on day 2 of holding her post-spay...and my husband turned his back on the dog crate she was in to prep her food plate without fully latching the door. She saw her chance & took it - dashed out & escaped into the walls of our utility room. We eventually trapped her again but it was a nerve wracking experience!!!!! Sounds like you'll get him into vet tomorrow, but if you do need to hold him any longer for any reason - we use small almost flat (like 1/2 inch tall by 2 in square) dishes like you'd use for soy sauce at a sushi restaurant. Picked up a bunch at target. Easy to barely lift sliding door end of trap (NOT drop end) and slip it in. Then we refill using a watering can as needed. We cut down small paper plates for wet food.

Definitely check back in here after you know verdict from vet re: treatment, his assessment of how feral, etc. we can all definitely help you with setting him up in a big dog crate for longer term holding if you need to do that! One suggestion - if you do have a cat carrier and think you can get a big dog crate for longer term holding - I advise taking the cat carrier with you to vet along with the kitty in the trap bc you can have the vet place the kitty in the carrier after neutering. Then the easy thing is to place the cat in the carrier into the dog crate. I can later explain the way we then open the carrier after door is closed, etc. just a thought if you''re going hold him for awhile after neutering/treatment. Far less stressful for you AND him than being released into a strange room initially - even though I know you want him to have room to run

Know you're doing such a good thing and he's going to feel SO much better!

 

[jolie0216]

Well guys, I have some good news!   Turns out the poor guy is not feral at all.   The vet tech was able to get him out of the trap and he was quite affectionate.  He purrs, he head butts, he rolls and shows his belly 

IMG_0834.JPG

• jolie0216
• Aug 13, 2015

The bloody spots will heal, but they said his ears will always be deformed - these ear mites must have gone on untreated for quite some time.

I've let him out of the trap and he's hanging out in the basement now.   He's SUCH a good boy - he doesn't make a peep.   He'll meow when I go down to check on him - and he purrs when I pet him and he head butts and weaves in between my legs.   This is all great - but now I'll have to reassess my original plan to release him once he's neutered.  He would make such a good pet for someone, if they can look past the ear deformities.   I wouldn't mind keeping him myself - but hubby isn't into it (thinks it will be too many cats for the house - we already have 3) and I'm scared to upset the "equilibrium" of the current cat goings-on in the house.   I love our 3 cats sooo much - I don't want to distress them (though to be honest, no one seems to care less that this new cat is in the house - I thought they'd be going nuts, but nobody cares lol).   I just don't know what to do.........see how I feel about after his vet visit Monday.   I can try to find a rescue that would take him  -  but I don't want him to sit there forever and not get adopted.  I'm scared how his ears look will deter people from adopting him - everybody wants a cute little kitten of course!   I'll try to get some better pics of him after he rests.   I de-wormed him tonight also - vet said his belly was a little distended - so I will get him fully patched up!   Thanks for the advice everyone!   Yall really gave me the confidence to deal with this situation.   I was tearing up on the way to the vet, cuz I didn't know how to gauge how serious the injury was, and I was scared they would want to euthanize him.  Don't know why all these emotions over a cat I don't know lol but sooo relieved he will be OK!

 

[LotsOfFur]

That is fantastic!!! . Poor kitty but sch a lucky guy to have found you! Maybe a local rescue can help you find an adopted for this special guy. We had a "sponsorship" program that allowed us to help more animals because our fosters are always full! The sponsor acts as the "foster" for this specific animal, vet appts, housing and food. There is more to it but maybe you could see if the shelter is willing if you are able to keep him in your home until an adopter is matched. (Just a thought$

 

[Sarthur2]

Such great news! I had a feeling from the beginning he was a neighborhood stray. He's very lucky to have found you. So glad his issues can be fixed.

He is probably already feeling better from the food, love, and care he is receiving from you!

I too hope that you can keep him while he heals and until you can find a forever home for him. I'd hate to see him caged up at a shelter. Seems the poor guy has been through a lot already. Perhaps your husband will grow fond of him - who knows?

Regardless, I am overjoyed for you that this is working out so well and this guy will be getting his health back. Thank you for all you are doing for him!

How about a name next?

 

[kittychick]

Such fantastic news!!! (And a vet even doing the initial work for $40 is amazing -a real keeper!!!).

The ears being all scrunched up probably means he scratched them so badly he got what that call hematomas in both ears (giant blood blisters -often from scratching & shaking their heads violently from horrid ear infections or mites-that deform the ears permanently). Always breaks my heart when I see them as they almost always mean the poor kitty has had some terribly painful or beyond itchy ear issue that's gone untreated for some time. But his scratching wound behind his ear is one of the worst I've seen! So so SO glad he found you!!!!!!!

His deformed ears wouldn't deter everyone from him in a no-kill shelter...but unfortunately you're not wrong in that kittens are far more wanted than older kitties. And a lot of people want perfect ones. But some kind people (like you!!!) see past all that & see the sweet kitty that needs another shot at love. Although obviously the most sure-fire bet for no cage & a loving home is the one he's in now

Definitely understand the "reaching your limit"...but he definitely "picked you" and sounds like you've got quite the bond already Hint - let hubby name him --it definitely helps them bond and let him feed too It doesn't sound like introducing him into your brood is out of the question---the big suggestion is if you end up being able to try it the key for lasting total success? Do it slowly. Very slowly. Lots of people here can suggest specific tricks...but the key is build up to face to face slowly (feeding on either side of closed basement door to cracking door very slightly while feeding so they can smell/see but not get to each other -& do it over days or even weeks-we then go to a screen--has made a huge difference in total acceptance!!).

Hope he keeps healing...and hope he's found a home Keep us posted!!!

 

[ondine]

God bless you and God bless Zander!  He is a lucky boy.

One of our cats, Josephine, was left by neighbors when they moved.  She was on her own for four months until I found and trapped her.  Her case of ear mites was pretty bad, too, although she hadn't damaged them too badly with the scratching.  (I think because it was winter and they may not have been as active?)  But she did develop an autoimmune reaction and we have to have her ears cleaned once a year or so.  We can tell that she gets uncomfortable and she will start scratching furiously.  It also diminishes her hearing and she gets frightened and hides all the time.

Your vet sounds like a dream!  He is truly a good man!

 

[jolie0216]

Thanks everyone - yes our vet is absolutely fantastic.  He told me he worked for many years in a big fancy vet practice and that he feels like he's "made his money" so now he devotes all his time to his low-cost clinic and helping rescues.  He's an older guy, so this is how he "gives back" in his retirement - though he works SO much I cannot really agree with him that he is "retired" haha!   He's always throwing in things for free - like I asked him how much the ear cleaning would be in addition to the netuering (he neuters for $25 including take-home pain meds if you want them) and he said no charge, he may as well just do it while the cat is asleep anyways.   Very lucky to have him - it's unusual to find a vet like him in an urban area.   I want to do something nice for him - maybe make some cookies or get some flowers for his office - but I don't wanna come off weird - I just REALLY appreciate him!!  The only downside is that his clinic is not a full-service vet clinic - he can't accommodate overnight stays, and he doesn't have X-ray or ultrasound equipment - just the bare bones stuff, so if there ever was a real medical emergency situation, I'd still more than likely have to go to an emergency clinic.   Fortunately, that hasn't happened to me yet........

The new guy gave me a real scare this morning!  I went down to the basement to feed him, and he was just VANISHED - couldn't find him anywhere!  I started inspecting the walls and around the window, to see if there was any possible way he could have escaped.  I was late to work, I spent so long searching for him!!   Turns out he was curled up inside a tiny carboard box, fast asleep this whole time I was down there looking for him (maybe he doesn't hear so good after all his troubles, idk).  He was so sound asleep that when I touched him, he woke up all startled 

  I can't believe he even fit inside that little box!  But I do know that cats love boxes haha.........I had set him up a sleeping spot with a bunch of old bed linens and blankets so he wouldn't have to sleep on the bare concrete, and he was lying down on it when I last checked on him before I went to bed - but I guess he decided he liked the tiny box better.    I'll set him up with a bigger box when I get back home.    But his ear is continuing to do better - it's really dried up a lot from that picture above - it's getting all scabby.  Do you think his fur will grow back over that area once the skin regenerates itself and the scabs come off?   Also, I gave him his dose of Strongid last night - but before I let him out of the trap yesterday, I'm pretty sure I saw a tapeworm in his poop.  I didn't tell my husband cuz I didn't want him to freak out, and I know it's not a big deal - I already have Praziquantel tablets since one of our own cats had tapeworms a few months ago because I didn't re-dose their flea meds on time.......is it OK to give new cat the Praziquantel so soon after giving him Strongid?  I'd like to give it to him today, but just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be too "toxic" giving him both de-wormers the day after the other.

I think hubby may come around eventually - he doesn't actively dislike the cat or anything - we were talking last night about how sad it is what happened to him, and he genuinely feels bad for the cat.  He is worried about how our cats would react to a newcomer, and he is worried that we don't have enough space for 4 cats.  Our house is on the small side - but it is a house, not an apartment, and we could get another cat tree or put up those shelf-like stepping stones on the walls so that the cats have more room to move around vertically as well as on the floor.   Our cats are young - we have a (now spayed) mama cat and her two sons who were born in March of last year - so they are all still very active and playful.   They entertain every night with play-wrestling shows!   I know cat families don't operate with the same dynamics as human families, but I swear that those three cats love each other a lot!  I hope they would be able to accept someone new.   I think we could workaround all these issues - but maybe I am not the most sensible about these things - I'd like to save every cat, and I know that's not possible.    So don't lose hope - hubby may indeed come around!  In fact, he was the one who fed the new cat dinner last night!   In any case, he is fine with holding on to the cat however long it takes for him to heal from everything, so he is not in danger of being homeless again anytime soon.   Just not sure at this point what the best long-term plan for him would be.   He's been through a lot, I'm sure, and I feel like the only way to know 100% that he is happy is for him to just stay with us.   Hubby's concern is this - our neighborhood has a real bad stray cat problem.   In fact, that's how I met this injured cat - he just happened to come up to the porch one night as I was feeding some my regular outside-cat dinner customers 

   So hubby is worried that I am  going to try to "save every cat" from a life outside - in fact, there is a mom cat with 4 kittens right next door to us.  I feed them as many times as I can during the day.   I would like to trap them all and spay the mom cat and take the kittens to a rescue (I know they would be adopted quickly, they are very small & cute).  I know the mom cat doesn't belong to anyone - I've seen her running around outside for the past couple years.  I have a feeling a lot of these neighborhood cats are coming from her.   I'll start a new thread for that project though.   I'm not worried so much about those kittens - people will want them - I'm worried about the older ones outside who don't look so cute anymore - those are the ones that nobody will want.   I just feel that all life is precious and everyone deserves a chance............I feel such great weight of responsibility for our pets, I don't see how somebody could just be like "screw it" and boot them outside forever, not even getting them spayed/neutered first, it just disgusts me!!

 

[kittychick]

I'd call the vet on the doubling up on the wormers - - I know Strongid doesn't kill tapeworms, but no idea if they're ok at the same time and a quick search provided no answers. Your vet  sounds absolutely amazing! I doubt very seriously he'd think you're crazy if you take cookies,etc. - - I'm sure he'd very much appreciate being appreciated (don't we al?!?!).

Sounds like he's doing SO great! If you can't keep him  -no judgements if you can't . We foster a lot and every time - even with kittens but especially older, still skittish, etc. -  I want to keep them all. But we discovered the 6 we had (until a few months ago - one of ours died) - was the top of our monetary/hair/litter box areas - -but mostly monetary - limit. I have some health issues and can't keep up with more. But still my husband has to be the strong one every time we foster - I always say if he dies before me, they'll find me buried under a pile of foster kittens  

Anyway - if it turns out you can't keep him forever - social media's a great place to start! Utilize everything you have - facebook, instagram, etc. Just be cautious - for you and for him. Definitely check in here if it comes to that. But hopefully it won't! You're right in that you'd know for sure he'll be happy and healthy for life if you keep him - -but if you can't, finding a new home isn't out of the question. But he sounds like a great kitty - who's very thankful for all you've done - and it's amazing how fast we bond once we've nursed them back to health!

You're right - the kittens would very probably find homes. If you're going to go through a shelter - contact them now as all almost always have a huge waiting list. If you do it yourself - again, make sure you do it cautiously - (for yourself and kittens). And - sounds like you've done this before - but you'll want to get your hands on them before they're too old, making socializing tough (since I'm guessing mom's feral?). Definitely start a new thread if you decide to!

Again - if you decide to keep your guy (does he have a name yet?) - take any introductions very, very slowly for much more likely positive results. For you and all your gang. And definitely no introductions until totally health cleared and neutered! 

I understand your frustration with humanity. Every time I go into the cat shelter I volunteer for - there's some new horror story. One of our latest ones is a cat found in the bottom of a dumpster, tied shut into two - not just one - garbage bags. Making it impossible for her to fight her way out. Luckily someone heard her before the trash truck came. Never ceases to amaze me what people will do to animals. 

Let us know how things keep going! Sounds like you have a keeper. And good luck on finding out about the Strongid! Worms aren't fun to deal with

 

[reba]

Taming a feral tom cat...


Missing TCS, kudos to of you who are so devoted.  

 

[jolie0216]

Reba - what a sweet video!  I just watched the whole series  of Scruffy on youtube 

  What a great story - that guy did an awesome job with that cat - AND he is FIV+   amazing!!

I promise - pics are coming of my new guy - I keep forgetting to take the iphone w/me down to the basement when I check on him.

I did some research online and found many comments where people said it was safe to dose Strongid and Praziquantel together, so now he has received both, so hopefully that will take care of all his worming needs.   Now that I know he is not feral - indeed he is a very affectionate boy - I've touched him a lot and I can feel what the vet tech was talking about - his abdomen is distended on both sides.  I put pressure on both sides and it does not appear to hurt him at all.   Does anyone know how long it will take after worming him for his stomach to go down?  (depending on if worms are the actual culprit here - the vet seemed to think it was worm-related)    If his stomach doesn't go down, what else might be causing it?  I know this is really a question for the vet, but now I'm a little worried.......

He is eating and drinking and using the litterbox very well, so he seems to be doing and feeling fine!   I think he is growing on my husband - he was saying tonight how "it wouldn't be that bad" if we ended up holding on to him and that he deserved a really good home after all he's been through - so this may very well end up being our cat 

  I don't wanna make an ad online and give the cat away to a random person I don't know - if I did that, I would forever worry about him and wonder what happened to him.   Plus, I'm excited to see his physical transformation after he gets all healthy again!   Before we get caught up and carried away, I'll ask around my friends to see if anyone would like to have him (if he leaves me, I'd want him to go somewhere where I could receive updates on his progress).  I wouldn't be opposed to him being at a rescue if it had an open floorplan and he wasn't housed in a cage all day - but I'm not sure if rescues operate like that (I'd have to check it out in person first) and I don't know if they make agreements with adopters to provide updates on the cat - so I'd have to do some research on that.    Anyways, I had a feeling hubby would come around - underneath, he's really a softy like me 

  I'm just worried the next time a hurt cat comes around (and I'm sure one will) we really can't accommodate too many (actually, any) more cats!    I'm excited for his vet appt Monday to get neutered and his ears all cleaned out!

 

[kittychick]

@Reba - I'd never seen that video - SO inspiring!