medical attention needed... ???

ldg

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Yeah - and part of your problem is that some of these kitties were pets that people left behind! So they get friendlier with you faster. Most of ours either got adopted out or we never really created that much of a bond. It's a lot easier that way - you have the really hard work.


Light a candle for him tonight. It may help you feel a little better.
 

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Originally Posted by m935

Thanks...

I really needed some support. I dont have anyone else to go to. My friends, family and bf know I do this - but dont understand that I am emotionally attached or how important the welfare of these cats is to me.

I know that you guys do....
We do. We're in the same boat you are. And we know it's tough when the people who are closest to you don't understand what you're going through.

Originally Posted by m935

He was on the antibiotics for about 3 full days. Ive been feeding them twice a day for maybe a month now.
Here's the reason why I'd asked if you'd started the meds: antibiotics can cause stomach upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, inappetance. It's a pretty common side effect, unfortunately, of many antibiotics (BTW, it's good to give probiotics like acidophilus while doing a course of antibiotics to help prevent this). Some antibiotics will cause stomach problems immediately; others may take a few days before they cause trouble.Your kitty may have some GI problems from the 3 days of meds and is now in no mood to eat. Since you've been feeding twice a day, missing two meals means it's only been 1 day that he hasn't shown up. That wouldn't be unusual for a kitty with an upset stomach.


Originally Posted by m935

Ive lost (literally - dont know what happened to them) a few of these cats in the last year - but when you have that special bond - its a bit harder to deal with...
I already lost one that would let me pet him. The closer I get the sooner I lose them it seems.
Try to observe where the cats go during the time they are not in your yard in order to get a sense of their territory and which direction they most often go. Be observant of the neighbors too. You want to try to determine if there's an area that's dangerous for the cats, where they might be getting into trouble. Sometimes through "the grapevine" you might hear of a person who dislikes cats. You want to attempt to rule out (as much as possible) if someone in your neighborhood is trying to hurt the cats. There could even be an aggressive dog being allowed to roam by irresponsible owners. Feral cats usually face many dangers in the outdoors. I've had a bonded pair, male & female (neutered, of course, and devoted to each other) actually relocate themselves when the male kitty was shot with a bb gun. I found their new location (a story in itself) and had the bb, which was lodged near my kitty's shoulder, removed.

Originally Posted by m935

I just wish stupid people knew how important neutering/spaying is. And how others end up suffering because of their selfishness as well as the cats.
Amen to that. It's getting better, though. More people are becoming aware of spay/neutering. Many states even have "Animal Friendly" license plates available now. The small extra charge for the plate goes into the state's low cost spay/neuter fund to help low income people do the responsible thing for their cats or dogs.


Originally Posted by m935

I know theres the very slim chance he could come back - i just cant hold onto that hope - if he had done this before this wouldnt be an issue... not yet anyway
You have to deal with this in whatever way is best for you. If that means trying not to hold onto hope, or going the other way and trying to remain positive, you do what you need to in order to cope.

Remember, there has to be a first time for everything: the first time a cat is late showing up for a meal; the first time he shows up injured or sick; the first time he doesn't show up for days...

"First times" for these kind of things are always awful. And it may very well be what you're going through right now in this situation.
 
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m935

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Thanks guys that was so nicely put... and I greatly appreciate it!!!

BUT HE CAME BACK!!!! Last night - i was trying hard not to get excited every time i saw a cat that looked similar (in the dark). I was outside for like 20 minutes and he came out of an area he usually isnt in. It took me a few seconds to really see him - but once I saw his head I wanted to run and pick him up and twirl in circles. I knew that wouldnt turn into a good situation so when i went inside I squeezed the heck out of MY cat.


ANYWAY - its a great day - BUT this morning I saw he now has an opening in his head. Its not bleeding - but it is very pink and I can see depth in his fur.. He was scratching it too. SO i HAVE TO get him tonight to get him to clinic tomorrow.

My neighbor is going fishing to get him fish - i HOPE that works out. but i am down to like hours in getting him help otherwise its another 7 day wait!! and with a hole in the head....... (I JUST CANT GO THRU THAT TORMENT AGAIN FOR SURE)
 

ldg

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KTLynn - you were so right! This is m935's "first" for this one.


I'm betting the antibiotics made him feel unwell.

the trap works this time!
 
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m935

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yeah.... sorry for jumping to conclusions so fast. i apologize for that - as i said Ive had quite a few disappear and never come back so i thought for sure he took off... to die

BY THE WAY - does this happen with abscesses?- a hole in the head?? IF i cant get him by tomorrow - is this something that can heal on its own - or something that you guys have seen and another week will be ok?????

my neighbor gave me this soap stuff actually used in hospitals that hte vet gave him. I was oging to try to paint it on with a brush while he eats... IF i cant trap him

he'll be on the antibiotics for a few more days - theres still more than half left.

thanks....
 
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m935

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i thought about htat actually - and no i can not afford it.

i already checked with my vet who would charge just as much as a pet to care for a feral

i could call around though actually - ill do that now
 

ldg

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Yeah, our vet charges the same for ferals. But because we never had a rescue group to work with, they gave us a nice discount on boarding any animals (actually didn't charge us at all for that unless they would have needed the cage) - they do give us meds for them at cost - and they let us pay over time whenever we need it. But it took a few months of a lot of feral cat spaying/neutering to get to that point. We did quickly become their largest private client.


I hope someone with experience with this checks in!


...and it is so difficult not to fear the worst when they don't show up. No worries - we're always here to send vibes that they DO show up!
 
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m935

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WOW I truly respect you doing this all out of pocket. You and those like you are amazing, wonderful people!!! I could never do this financially on my own.

I didnt get him by the way. And I really tried. I tied a rope to a stick to hold the cage open this time. I had to wait for a raccoon to leave the trap though- THANK GOD i didnt have the trap set - I heard they are a nightmare to get out.

I did realize he likes to play with rope so I tried to entice him inside with that - i got him to climb ON IT - but not in it.

Will get up early tomorrow try again hopefully with fish from my neighbor....
 
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m935

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couldnt get him

i have a antiseptic soap i was told i could use - i tried it this morning with a paint brush and he let me apply it while he ate

i was told neosporin too - going home to try that

since it seems at this point my only option is to apply medication myself - do you guys have any other ideas???

ITs getting bigger and worse!

hes still on antibotics too

THANKS
 

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Haven't been able to check in for a few days... such great news about your kitty!!! I'm so glad he's back!!!


It's of course a very good sign that he's still eating, and hopefully he will tolerate the antibiotics. Just wondering which one are you using, and for how long?

The skin can look pretty raw once an abscess opens and drains, and usually stays bald for awhile - sometimes cats will lose some hair from around the wound too, which can make it look larger than it is.

To answer your question, yes, sometimes an abscess will heal on it's own, but antibiotics, and cleaning the abscess are always a good idea. So, you're doing the right thing for this kitty with the meds and trying to apply a topical, and it's all that you can do on your own.

He's a good little guy to let you put meds on the wound - just make sure it's nothing that will irritate the skin, since that's sensitive right now. Keep doing these things 'til you can get him to the vet.

In the meantime, have you tried getting him to walk into an oversized carrier? If you can get one meant for a medium sized dog, and you can get the kitty to walk all the way in by putting his food at the very back of it, you might be able to just swing the door to the carrier closed behind him.

Tru-catch traps are also very good, though most people tend to use Havahart or Tomahawk. The Tru-catch is a little larger (and thus a little heavier) than the others, but the door closes so quietly that many times cats are not even aware of it and keep eating!

If these options aren't feasible, just continue to use your trap. Make sure it's on level ground so it doesn't "rock" when your cat walks into it, and use a lightweight cardboard that's cut to fit the bottom (but not on the trip plate). This will make it comfortable for him to walk on. You can disguise the cardboard with dirt and/or scatter some leaves on it. Test the trap a couple of times to make sure it's working properly.

Knowing your little guy is back has made my day!!!
 
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m935

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Awww thats so nice of you to say.

Yeah, I was overjoyed to see him - my whole body felt this jolt of energy when i realized it was really him.

This morning the site doenst look any bigger (it was getting bigger up until maybe a few days ago). BUT the opening itself is bigger now - it all looks much cleaner though since cleaning it.

You mentioned the area will be bald while the abscess drains - however this literally is his skull Im seeing with red over it - its not bloody but Im assuming this is blood. that actually startled me a bit to see. But Im wondering is this what you are referring to or you mean skin - not bone???

That is a good idea to use a regular cage - maybe he will be more likely to just walk into that instead of a metal trap. I will try that - actually i will feed him from it a few days before vet day.

I was told to just grab him by the back of the neck and place him in a carrier - although i would need help and that for me would be very scary - plus the stress he would endure....

So i have a few more options to try....

I cant remember the name of hte antibotic - it is white and I think begins with a "c" ????? He probably has another day or 2 on it before it is empty. but the vet will give me more if needed - I just dont know how to know if more is needed.


THANKS
 
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