Help Help Help!

Hi all, sorry for the abrupt title and lack of introduction ( later) but I need help.

I have had a male stray/Feral hanging around since Conner, the last stray that showed up 8 years ago had to be put to sleep because he had a large cancerous mass in his lung, ( I miss him so much, sorry) I think he kept all the other cats away, he was very territorial after we had his wander lust removed (neutered). This New guy showed up a few days later and he is young, not good at guessing but maybe six months old? after a couple months of sitting outside and talking to him and feeding him rotisserie chicken he started letting me pet him a few days ago. I noticed his ears are really black and crusty inside and his testicles seemed abnormally large so I decided he needed to get to the vet sooner rather than later, he losses it when I try to pick him up and since I have to take two of my other cats in for follow up blood work today I decided to set a live trap for him last night. Actually I just kept dropping little pieces of chicken in until he was far enough in to close it. He lost it, I was so afraid he was going to hurt himself that I ran downstairs and got a large crate and set it up in the garage with litter box, water etc. I got him to eat last night and petted him for about 4 hours until he was calm and my butt was numb. I went to sleep at 6:00 this morning. I set the clock for three hours so I could check him and he seemed shocky and stiff and would not move at first. I petted him and talked to him and then got him to eat a little but he still would not get up so I tried to lift him and he panicked and scratched me up a little. I sat with him all morning untill he seemed a littel better but when I leave he starts going nuts again and I am really afraid he is going to hurt himself. I am going to take him in to the vets this afternoon and I have a couple of questions;

1. Is there anything that my cats can catch form being transported in the same vehicle at the same time?

2. How do I get him back into a smaller carrier without injuring either of us?

3. If I have him neutered what do I do to keep him form freaking in a crate? I Have a large crate, I kept Duncan (other cat with CRF poisoned by pet food before they announced it so he had to go through blood work, X-rays, endoscopy, and finally exploratory surgery and biopsies, after his surgery I had to keep him confined for 3 weeks so I got the biggest crate I could find) That is what this cat is in now.

4. Can cats break their noses? His face seems really swollen from hitting the sides. I feel terrible! I thought I was doing the right thing and he was far enough along to get him some vet care. Now I am not so sure!

What would be my best course of action at this point? I am afraid I have undone all of the trust we had.


I have to leave in two hours to go to the vets and my vet is not always the best to advise on stuff like this.


Thanks in advance, and sorry so long.
Dani

well if u have to move him to get him in the car your best bet would be a rather thick towel or small blanket to throw over him and wrap him in so he cant bite or scratch you.

Originally Posted by april31

well if u have to move him to get him in the car your best bet would be a rather thick towel or small blanket to throw over him and wrap him in so he cant bite or scratch you.

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I agree with that if you can manage it. Also, you may try setting the trap up to the door of the grate with a towel over the door and he may go in the dark place to hide.

Once you have him in the trap cover it with a towel to help keep him calm. Doing that kind of keeps them from any outside stimuli that will be upsetting and have them popcorning in the cage again.

It sound like once you have him treated and fixed, he may calm quite well for you and tame down.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by april31

well if u have to move him to get him in the car your best bet would be a rather thick towel or small blanket to throw over him and wrap him in so he cant bite or scratch you.

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I'll try it. Poor baby is going to hate me when this is over.

I am wondering if it might me better to take him tomorrow? Give him a little time to settle, or is it better to just get it over with and then let him settle down?

Thanks much.

If it were me, I wouoldn't wait. I have many ex-ferals living in my house and they all have forgiven me to the much unwanted trips to the vets.

I know how you feel like you are kind of betraying the trust you have earned, but what you are doing is in his interest so it's better done sooner rather than later.

Originally Posted by tru

If it were me, I wouoldn't wait. I have many ex-ferals living in my house and they all have forgiven me to the much unwanted trips to the vets.

I know how you feel like you are kind of betraying the trust you have earned, but what you are doing is in his interest so it's better done sooner rather than later.

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That's it, I am feeling like I betrayed his trust, the trust it took a lot of work to get.

Sigh.

I can't decide if he was actually feral of just living the feral lifestyle. I have read that truly feral cats never let you touch them, is that true?

Thanks again

Originally Posted by Mercurial_one

That's it, I am feeling like I betrayed his trust, the trust it took a lot of work to get.

Sigh.

I can't decide if he was actually feral of just living the feral lifestyle. I have read that truly feral cats never let you touch them, is that true?

Thanks again

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That is a myth!

I have one feral cat that insists on remaining "untouched" who I call Sylvester. Now I have caught Sylvester and kept him in the house during winter months, (where he lives a a house feral), a couple times, but when spring hits he wants out and allows me to feed him, but not touch.

I do have several feral cats that have chosen to bond with me and I can touch and love on them, etc. Most will disappear though if a stranger comes to the house because although they have accepted me and my mate as non-threatening humans, they do not accept outsiders.

For me, loving a feral cat is about giving unconditional love. You love and care for them and have no expectations. If they decide to reciprocate than that's a big bonus and may even make your eyes leak. If all you get back is seeing a healthy cat rather than a sick one then that is enough.

I only say this because I think sometimes some people can get too wrapped up in tags and tend to lose focus of what's really important.
I've always figured that it doesn't matter if they are "stray", "feral", or any other "tag" we humans like to give. They found their way to us for care and love and that's what they'll get in whatever amounts they will accept and tolerate, and if they are ill then we should do what we can to help them get healthy again or at least stop their suffering when that is the only choice.