new STRAY arrived

gloriajh · Jun 24, 2010

week of June 14.
Young (maybe 4-5 months?), very social - even a tummy rub!!

WHY OH WHY CAN'T PEOPLE SPEND A FEW DOLLARS AND NEUTER THEIR CATS!

He's loving. His tail is the solid color of his orange spots. It curls under several times.

The no-kill places are full beyond capacity with the economy the way it is, and people losing their homes - so, here I go, again!

He's getting neutered, and IF his humans claim him, I'd like to charge them for the costs of surgery, but, then - I do want them to take him back! I think?

It's now 8:47 p.m., I have him in a large kennel, stashed away from all the other cats (I hope!) - boy, will my husband be surprised! well, I am, I didn't think it would be so easy to get him inside and secured - now that I have him, I need to make an appointment.

I do have an ad running - so maybe someone will be looking, too. ?

Just one word - ADVENTURE!! ugh.

kabukidad · Jun 25, 2010

he is beautiful, I wouldn't want to give him back unless I knew that he escaped and was not let out. But that is why I have 5 dogs and 1 cat.

kailie · Jun 25, 2010

You're a kitty angel.

Good luck to this gorgeous little man! Hopefully someone out there will claim him and take responsibility.

ldg · Jun 25, 2010

Oh he is BEAUTIFUL! Bless you for this!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you find out how old he is, if anyone calls, you can decide whether he should be returned or not. If he's young, then I can see that maybe they wouldn't have done it yet, especially if he escaped and isn't allowed to raom. If he's clearly their cat and they're willing to pay - then probably. But if not, if he's older, if he is allowed to roam - well - he must not be theirs.

myfamiliars · Jun 25, 2010

He's gorgeous! Good on you for rescuing him.

gloriajh · Jun 28, 2010

He acts like a Ragdoll when he's picked up. He's the easiest cat to handle that I've ever cared for!!

Also, trying to find information about his tail that curls under about a turn and a half. DH is on the net searching - finding something close - maybe an American Ringtail with a low "lasso" tail mixed with Ragdoll. ???

The curled under tail could become a sanitary issue.

Now I know why he's not afraid of bathing - he's been washed a lot because of his tail collecting urine when he goes potty.

Today, he and KiKi (short for Kingdom Kitty - a male cat, not female) visited together - KiKi is so easy going - and "Buddy" seemed to be glad for the company.

I've placed an ad in the local paper, and found two internet sites that I've placed a "found" ad on.

One of the websites is www.TabbyTracker.com, and the other is PetAmberAlert.com.

mysterycat · Jun 28, 2010

Wow! He's every cute, he has lovely eyes

ldg · Jun 28, 2010

Sorry he's kind of high maintenance - but he sounds like the kind of fella that his family is really missing.

He really is gorgeous, and sounds like such a sweetheart! Again - bless you for taking him in and trying to find his family!

addiebee · Jun 29, 2010

Good to keep looking. He may have been dumped, too. A lot of that going on these days. You could call him "Curly" for his curly tail.

lauren_miller · Jun 29, 2010

What a gorgeous boy!

gloriajh · Jun 29, 2010

Originally Posted by AddieBee

Good to keep looking. He may have been dumped, too. A lot of that going on these days. You could call him "Curly" for his curly tail.

You know, the more I handle him, the more he seems like he could be a service cat ??

When I carry him, he is just limp in my arms - much like a Ragdoll is. I can carry him anyway I want.

He puts his head in the bend of my elbow and hides his face there while he's resting.

I can literally touch him ANYwhere without the slightest notice.

Today, I trimmed his nails without any effort, he acted like it was a normal act, and that he'd never been hurt.

So, I say all that to say - even though it's hard to tell - I think he is lost because of all that I mentioned (and more).

I have the tendency to agree that the people who raised him hadn't gotten around to neutering him yet - or maybe ??? they wanted to breed him once because of his calm disposition???

He has a loud voice, much like a Siamese voice - and talks a whole lot - different sounds mean different things - like when he talks to another cat - well it's hard to describe.

"Curly" - yes that was one we were thinking about for exactly the same reason you said.

Right now we're going with "Buddy".

I've had two responses from the internet postings, and non from the local newspaper - trying to be safe about what I say about him so he won't be taken by someone that he doesn't really belong to - it's hard, though.

addiebee · Jun 30, 2010

He sounds a little like one of our rescue cats - Benny. Benny and his siblings were born to a semi-feral in a barn. We took some of the kittens. He tamed up in a flash. He looooooves people. And to be petted. And cuddled. I was holding him like a baby the other day and was putty in my arms, purr, purr, purr..... Frankly, I am stunned no one has adopted him. He is not little and fuzzy anymore - more like 7 mos... very pretty ginger and white. I'd take him in a heartbeat if I could.

It's likely whoever had "Buddy" just didn't "get around to it" or wasn't going to bother. Hey he's male... they don't have to deal with the unwanted kittens, right?

gloriajh · Jul 5, 2010

Called today and got an appointment for his check-up. We'll check for a chip then.

There's been no inquiries through the newspaper ad, and the three I received from the internet websites were not matches - so I guess we'll just claim him.

I tell you, if for no other reason to get a male cat neutered, getting him neutered for the rank urine odor he produces would be what causes me to neuter him!

He drinks very little water. I doubt that he's getting enough from his canned food, but???

Will make sure we check him out for a UTI when we see the vet on Wednesday.

I'm beginning to experience some behavioral things I don't understand.
For example - I had a dish that he thought had his food in - I wasn't giving it to him even though he was yelling for it. When I didn't comply he grabbed my leg and started to bite me! When I yelled "NO!", he seemed to know that he did something wrong.

There are several cats in our family - and I'm thinking that they could be a resource of behavioral issues for him, and by getting him neutered it will settle him down somewhat. Am I fooling myself??? I don't know how I could cope with a cat that attacks me - I just wouldn't understand loving one minute, then attacking the next?.

There are so many factors other than the other cats - he could be in some pain if he's dealing with a UTI, and, no telling what else is in play here - I'm so inexperienced at this.

So, as far as discipline goes, is it appropriate to correct with a "NO" and if necessary a shake of the scruff of his neck? I don't want to do ANYthing that would lead to more behavioral problems - so any suggestions will be appreciated.

I just don't know what to expect since I barely know him, AND, he isn't altered - YET!

ldg · Jul 5, 2010

The check for a UTI - is this because he's not using the box? Is he spraying?

...or just concern about the water intake? You can increase it by mixing his wet food with a little water.

Also, he's probably still a little food aggressive - don't know how long he was out on his own. Neutering will help this, but feeding him on a schedule (if there isn't free feeding in your home) will go a loooong way to help too.

The best way to discipline a cat is what you did with the "no" (say "NO" firmly) - but forget physical discipline, it doesn't work. Instead blow a short, sharp puff of air directly in his face and explain to him that XXXX behavior is not OK.

Charlie was a biter at first - but I think it was stress. After being neutered, and knowing he has food all the time - he'll sometimes make that movement with his head like he's going to bite - then stops and licks us instead. The first time I puffed air in his face he was SO startled! He really "got" it. It took a week or so for him to completely calm down with it, but we've really good success with "teaching" all of our cats what is OK and what isn't with that technique.

Also, don't forget to reinforce the positive. When he waits for his food, praise him. When you have that dish out in the future and he doesn't bite, praise him. Praise for good behavior goes a long way.

You can see what neutering does. Charlie was an aggressive fighter outside. So much so that the ferals stopped feeding at the feeder when he showed up, and he got bitten bad enough to be infected with FIV. And yet - look at how well the introductions are going. Patience, a schedule, positive reinforcement, scent swapping, attention and play (a great stress reliever) will all help.

If you can afford Feliway or Bach's Rescue Remedy (add drops to the drinking water, and dab a little under his chin) may also help.

If there's a litter box issue, if you can afford Dr. Elsley's Cat Attract Litter for a little while, that could help too.

...but neutering him should be a total priority!!!!

gloriajh · Jul 5, 2010

Originally Posted by LDG

The check for a UTI - is this because he's not using the box? Is he spraying?

...or just concern about the water intake? You can increase it by mixing his wet food with a little water.

Also, he's probably still a little food aggressive - don't know how long he was out on his own. Neutering will help this, but feeding him on a schedule (if there isn't free feeding in your home) will go a loooong way to help too.

The best way to discipline a cat is what you did with the "no" (say "NO" firmly) - but forget physical discipline, it doesn't work. Instead blow a short, sharp puff of air directly in his face and explain to him that XXXX behavior is not OK.

Charlie was a biter at first - but I think it was stress. After being neutered, and knowing he has food all the time - he'll sometimes make that movement with his head like he's going to bite - then stops and licks us instead. The first time I puffed air in his face he was SO startled! He really "got" it. It took a week or so for him to completely calm down with it, but we've really good success with "teaching" all of our cats what is OK and what isn't with that technique.

Also, don't forget to reinforce the positive. When he waits for his food, praise him. When you have that dish out in the future and he doesn't bite, praise him. Praise for good behavior goes a long way.

You can see what neutering does. Charlie was an aggressive fighter outside. So much so that the ferals stopped feeding at the feeder when he showed up, and he got bitten bad enough to be infected with FIV. And yet - look at how well the introductions are going. Patience, a schedule, positive reinforcement, scent swapping, attention and play (a great stress reliever) will all help.

If you can afford Feliway or Bach's Rescue Remedy (add drops to the drinking water, and dab a little under his chin) may also help.

If there's a litter box issue, if you can afford Dr. Elsley's Cat Attract Litter for a little while, that could help too.

...but neutering him should be a total priority!!!!

I'll answer some of your Q's briefly - it's cat feeding time

The check for a UTI - is this because he's not using the box? Is he spraying?

I'm not sure if he's spraying or, leaking ???

When he is using the litter box all we're getting is dribbles - the clumping litter really helps show just how much urine he's depositing.

And the clumps are not much bigger than ? marbles ??.

The canned food I'm giving him, depending on which can I open, seems to have a good water content - but, I'll see if he'll accept the additional water in his meat - my other cats don't seem to appreciate it ... gotta go, it's getting dark and ....

Thank you for the wise instruction on discipline - it's VERY appreciated!!, will get back to this post when I can.

ldg · Jul 6, 2010

Oh it does sound like he's blocking - not even necessarily a UTI, but perhaps crystals. This happens with stress and diet combo. Make sure he continues to pee (or dribble) as this can be life-threatening to male cats. Their urethras are very thin, and if they get blocked due to infection or crystals, the toxins back up in their system and can kill them within 24 hours.

Either way, it's quite painful even if he's not showing it. I hope the vet appt is today or tomorrow - if not, I'd change it to ASAP.

They will need a urine sample. Either they'll be able to express his bladder or they'll have to keep him until they get one. In the meantime, if you can isolate him in a room with rice in a litter box (you have to drain it off quickly though or the rice will absorb it), you can try to collect a sample for them.

gloriajh · Jul 6, 2010

Originally Posted by LDG

Oh it does sound like he's blocking - not even necessarily a UTI, but perhaps crystals. This happens with stress and diet combo. Make sure he continues to pee (or dribble) as this can be life-threatening to male cats. Their urethras are very thin, and if they get blocked due to infection or crystals, the toxins back up in their system and can kill them within 24 hours.

Either way, it's quite painful even if he's not showing it. I hope the vet appt is today or tomorrow - if not, I'd change it to ASAP.

They will need a urine sample. Either they'll be able to express his bladder or they'll have to keep him until they get one. In the meantime, if you can isolate him in a room with rice in a litter box (you have to drain it off quickly though or the rice will absorb it), you can try to collect a sample for them.

Thanks SO much!
Today there's been progress - he left a much better deposit.

The appointment is tomorrow - vet off today.

I guess if I'm able to get a sample, I should then refrigerate it

.

At night I keep him in a kennel, and during the day he is in our office - it's a zoo around here. No pun intended.

The queen former-feral is becoming accustomed to being inside (she's so cute, even playing with toys while inside) - ANYway, she wants to be inside with her mate, so every now and then I give in, put up gates, barriers, etc. so both can be inside together - the laundry room where I keep Gray is too small for the both of them - he plays kinda rough sometimes and she needs to be able to get away from him - l ramble, sorry - Last night was just a night, and I was up, a lot, checking on one of the cats - Gray is a master at trying to get to where I am, and he had broken through one of the barriers and was trapped, ugh!

All that is to say, I do what I can to make sure that these cats are tenderly cared for and sometimes I just need to step back and re-evaluate the intensity of my care so that I can stay sane and healthy myself.

(Trying to catch up - did you get Charlie's test results back yet? I scanned your thread but didn't see what I was looking for - the Results of the Test.)

ldg · Jul 6, 2010

Charlie is "transient positive" which means only one of the antibodies is there - MOST LIKELY means he was bitten by someone with FIV and is fighting it. There is the possibility he does not become infected. We test him monthly until we get a definitive positive (both antibodies present) or a definitive negative (his immune system was strong enough to fight becoming infected).

We've got him on L-lysine and Transfer Factor to help increase his ability to fight this thing, and acidophilus to keep the diarrhea in check - all of which increase his chances of fighting this.

new STRAY arrived

FERAl born “Pepper”

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