*Graphic photo* Ginger's injuries

I know, Bella! Ginger is such a fighter. When the sitter called us and told us that Ginger wouldn't come back inside, Hubbs joked about a "Homeward Bound" scenario! I don't think he ever imagined he'd be so right. Ginger really is his special girl, and I think she'll do just about anything to stay with him.

When our cat sitter called me and told me that Ginger had been hit, it broke my heart. The only other cat I would EVER have been that upset over would be my Prissy baby. She's been with me around a decade now and it is going to shatter me when she passes. When I heard Ginger's distinct "I want IN!" meows this morning, I thought I had to be dreaming. I've been thinking that she should just show up at the door, you know, even though I "knew" she had passed. But then, there she was, my Ginger, front paws on the glass of the door and swaying her head side to side trying to see through the double-paned glass. It was such a surreal moment, like a dream. I feel so bad for those that have truly lost pets that aren't going to come back, but I feel so very very lucky that Ginger did "come back from the dead".

And I think that the look alike cat may have been a stray or feral. I got the info from the vet that put down the roadside kitty, and although the color and gender were right, the kitty was far too small to be ginger. She was only around 4.5 lbs. She was probably only 4 to 8 months old, depending on how much care she'd been getting.

This is why I hate collars on cats. I have several emails from heartbroken cat owners with stories such as this. Microchip your cats people! Even safety collars have problems. Flea collars, decorative collars are really designed for people, not for kitties.

I hope only good things for Ginger- the infection looks fierce. Glad to see that you got her to the vet quickly!

Oh my goodness, this is just amazing and awful at the same time. I am so glad that you have your Ginger back and I would be making a complaint to the makers of the so-called safety collar, makes you wonder for those of us who use collars if we can really trust them. xx

Collars have a lot of problems, but here in Clarksville, they don't always check for the chips. People are also fond of shooting "strays" -- that's read "any cat without a collar and tag". Cats without collars are often picked up and euthanized. There are no shelters. Not even the humane society has a shelter here. There's virtually no holding time, either. If I was to let a cat out without a collar or clipped ears, they'd probably be picked up and put to sleep within a week. I've had a few cats get "involuntarily re-homed" because the semi-strays I cared for would become friendly enough that someone would see them without a collar and take them in. I know one of the neighbors took Loudmouth, and they are all living in Texas now.

I feel better if they have a collar and tag. I just have to find a collar that actually works. So far, safety collars either aren't safe, or fall apart when the cat stretches too far. I COULD maybe save up and get the chips just to make SURE that the cats were double protected -- but a cat without a collar here is basically on death row.

Safety collars are designed to stretch or break away if the cat gets it snagged on something. They are usually really safe as long as someone is watching the cat, and catching any problems before they arise. The reason Ginger's collar made a wound is because she got her leg through her collar and it was stretched too tight for about a week and a half. (that's how long she's been missing). She wasn't able to fix it herself, but if I had been home with her, I could have fixed it, and it would never have gotten infected.

The vet said she couldn't have anything to eat today!? I don't understand! And by the time Hubby got her home, the office was closed so I couldn't call and ask. They said she needed plenty of fluids though... so I cheated. She wasn't drinking enough water, and she's been crying since she got home because she's so hungry, so I made her some nice clear chicken broth. Now she's sleeping tucked in between my left arm and my side. She feels much better with a nice warm full tummy.

She has 6 stitches in her neck. I'll post a few pics in a moment. The vet opted out of placing a drainage tube, because he's afraid it would interfere with healing since the wound is on her neck. He left an un-stitched section at the base of the wound to let it drain there though.

Also, I'll be running to get her some Torbugesic in the morning, since Cody didn't know to tell them NO MELOXICAM. The vet gave her some clindamyacin, though, so I know she'll be doing pretty well with that.

Ginger made our night tonight though. At 15 minutes before 10pm, Ginger curled up on her spot on my hubby's tummy, kneaded for a few minutes, and went to sleep like she's always done. I'm so glad to have my girl back. I just want to kiss the top of her head but I don't want to wake her since she hasn't rested much since she's been home.

I have discovered one small issue with Miss Ginger... we have developed food aggression. I reached down to pour a little more broth in the bowl for her, and she growled and swatted at my hand. Hopefully this recent behavior will fade once she's used to getting regular meals again. She has also tried hoarding her food, trying to bury her bowl of broth by scratching on the wall and floor. She has never done that before.

Vet records say she's only 5.2 lbs! She's a little stick figure. Poor baby has a ways to go before she's back up to her minimum healthy weight of 8.5 lbs.

Thanks all for the she's received so far. I don't think she would have come through this nearly as well without your good thoughts.

Whoops. Forgot the picture (i knew I'd do that...)

Oh my God, if miracles exist, this is a fine example of it!
What an amazing story, how wonderful that she is back! What an ouchie though...
About the food aggression, it might be because what she went through while she was on the streets - she was probably so hungry, and had to protect the little food she got, when she got. Some cats have the instinct to hide or bury the food to come back to eat later, it is normal... Bugsy does that - again, this might been brought forth from the outside time.

About the petsitting situation - soon all this is behind you... and at some time you will travel again... I just wanted to reassure you that leaving cats with a responsible petsitter is usually, in the great majority of cases, the safest and the less stressful thing for the cats. It sounds like you do have a great petsitter...
The only thing I would like to advise again, is to never have her let the cats out, not even for a minute... Cats usually are headstrong, and don't come to strangers, especially when the petsitting time is often so short...
If she keeps them inside at all times they should be fine and healthy waiting for you to get home.
Anyways, your post made my night...
RIP little stray kitty... I am so sorry you had to die
Enjoy your little girl!

Thanks Carolina.

I figure that yes, her food aggression is from being on her own for so long, but I need this behavior to go away. I don't want to punish her for it or anything, since she's had such a rough time, but at the same time I don't want to indulge this behavior. I don't have food aggressive pets for any reason, because you never know when a child will reach for something the cat has, or when the cat will have something you don't want it to have. I don't want to wait and let her think this behavior is ok, but at the same time she's already stressed. What to do?

Another development: Ginger is a Velcro-kitty. If I move, leave her line of sight, leave the room or god-forbid shut a door between us, she flips out. She starts screaming (yes, screaming: I've never heard such sounds) at the top of her lungs and trying to find me. If she can't find me she starts trying to crawl under our doors, which is pulling on her stitches and making the wound swell.

We had decided last night that she could sleep anywhere she wanted to, except our bed. Hubbs and I both move a lot in our sleep, and didn't want to risk hurting her, and her wound is still draining and we didn't want that in our bed. I had everything covered so that no matter where she slept, her wound wouldn't drain onto anything important that couldn't be tossed in the washer. But as soon as I tried to shut the door, she began freaking out. Long story short -- our blankets got covered with the drop cloth I had used on the couch, and she slept with us last night.

I am SO glad she's home and doing ok, but I honestly don't know how to keep up with her. I'm picking up some feliway diffusers this afternoon, to see if that helps her stress level some. She's glad to be home too, but I need her to calm down before she gives herself a little kitty heart attack.

Originally Posted by SamhainBorn

Thanks Carolina.

I figure that yes, her food aggression is from being on her own for so long, but I need this behavior to go away. I don't want to punish her for it or anything, since she's had such a rough time, but at the same time I don't want to indulge this behavior. I don't have food aggressive pets for any reason, because you never know when a child will reach for something the cat has, or when the cat will have something you don't want it to have. I don't want to wait and let her think this behavior is ok, but at the same time she's already stressed. What to do?

Another development: Ginger is a Velcro-kitty. If I move, leave her line of sight, leave the room or god-forbid shut a door between us, she flips out. She starts screaming (yes, screaming: I've never heard such sounds) at the top of her lungs and trying to find me. If she can't find me she starts trying to crawl under our doors, which is pulling on her stitches and making the wound swell.

We had decided last night that she could sleep anywhere she wanted to, except our bed. Hubbs and I both move a lot in our sleep, and didn't want to risk hurting her, and her wound is still draining and we didn't want that in our bed. I had everything covered so that no matter where she slept, her wound wouldn't drain onto anything important that couldn't be tossed in the washer. But as soon as I tried to shut the door, she began freaking out. Long story short -- our blankets got covered with the drop cloth I had used on the couch, and she slept with us last night.

I am SO glad she's home and doing ok, but I honestly don't know how to keep up with her. I'm picking up some feliway diffusers this afternoon, to see if that helps her stress level some. She's glad to be home too, but I need her to calm down before she gives herself a little kitty heart attack.

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As she gains confidence, the food issue should be away - do not take the food away, just ignore the behavior, so she doesn't feel the necessity to use it....
About the velcro kitty, this how Bugsy gets when he comes back from his dental procedures, when he is hurt... He looks for his momma for comfort... It is normal.... your little girl is hurting and looking for his mommy and daddy to make her fell better

Hugs for mommy

Bless her sweet little Heart!! I'm still sobbing over this MIRACLE!!! You've been touched with such a rare gift of having this little girl come back to you to spend more precious time holding. You and your hubby are very special. I'm so glad you shared this story. My Faith needed a Booster Shot like this...

About the sleeping situation, set up a nice cat bed (preferably heated) on your bed and see if she sleeps there. Be sure and feed her at the same times every day- once she knows that food is coming at scheduled times, her aggression will vanish. She is stressed and she wants you close. If she will go into a carrier, fill one with a bunch of dirty sweaty clothes and let her go in. Keep the door open for her, but just let her lie in your scent. Thin undershirts work the best- She has really been through it- you both have. Just be with her and comfort her and once her stress levels down she will settle. You should also buy the Harp of Hope CD that will calm her down immensely


http://harpist1.tripod.com/id32.html

Originally Posted by SamhainBorn

Collars have a lot of problems, but here in Clarksville, they don't always check for the chips. People are also fond of shooting "strays" -- that's read "any cat without a collar and tag". Cats without collars are often picked up and euthanized. There are no shelters. Not even the humane society has a shelter here. There's virtually no holding time, either. If I was to let a cat out without a collar or clipped ears, they'd probably be picked up and put to sleep within a week. I've had a few cats get "involuntarily re-homed" because the semi-strays I cared for would become friendly enough that someone would see them without a collar and take them in. I know one of the neighbors took Loudmouth, and they are all living in Texas now.

I feel better if they have a collar and tag. I just have to find a collar that actually works. So far, safety collars either aren't safe, or fall apart when the cat stretches too far. I COULD maybe save up and get the chips just to make SURE that the cats were double protected -- but a cat without a collar here is basically on death row.

Safety collars are designed to stretch or break away if the cat gets it snagged on something. They are usually really safe as long as someone is watching the cat, and catching any problems before they arise. The reason Ginger's collar made a wound is because she got her leg through her collar and it was stretched too tight for about a week and a half. (that's how long she's been missing). She wasn't able to fix it herself, but if I had been home with her, I could have fixed it, and it would never have gotten infected.

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I know about that. If mine are ever picked up and they found out they are FeLV+ they are put down so without a collar and tags to ID an owner I won't have cats anymore. I can't afford microchips at the moment, vet bills are killing me.

Attitude has one with the safety release and I know she can get it off in trouble because I occasionally find her without her collar because she triggered it on something inside(as long as the cat is over 6 lbs it should work, mine are both around 10.5 lbs) Nuts has the elastic one simply because he outgrew his collar and the other had a defective safety release(the collar was off him more than on) and I had one I got for Biter(the outside ones throw safety release ones without issue within a day or 2 so I use elastic for them they last longer) that was too big for her.

I will be reevaluating getting Nuts a different collar for his own safety in case he does get out and I don't catch him. His has a different elastic than the one I got for Mama(which lasted a few months before it vanished, we also have some 'recreational' cat shooters so when we have new people move in the outside ones get collars, everyone already here knows they are 'mine' and leave them alone), it's thicker. I honestly prefer the ones with safety releases over the elastic ones anyways. If the outside cats kept them on I'd use them.

I could see how getting a leg through it would cause problems with it not releasing especially on an elastic one, I think a safety release one would release.

Hopefully she gets well soon and the food aggression goes away, which I'm sure it will once she realizes she will always have food. I don't do food aggression either, too risky. Poor baby.

Taryn

I've been thinking and the food aggression might be related to the injury as well. She might just be acting more protective because she's hurt and feels the need to be defensive right now. I'd just ignore the behavior too until she's back up to par and then see what you have to deal with. I really think all of these new behaviors will work themselves out as she heals and gets her confidence back. to you both!

Thanks for all the comments! The support from you guys has been phenomenal, as always!

Now that Ginger can eat again, she has free access to dry food 24/7. I free feed all my cats, and Cuddles is the only one that's a little pudgy. (still only 12.6 to 13 lbs though -- not bad for a large-bodied male) I have been keeping the chicken broth out for her, too, changing it every hour or so to keep it fresh. The broth is really helping to keep her hydrated! I will have to keep this in mind! I'm picking up canned food tonight as well. I, too, am really hoping that the food aggression just goes away with time. But it's hard to watch her be this stressed out.

Velcro kitty status is abated for the moment. After our round of Pain meds and antibios this morning, she's a little angry at me, and decided she needs alone time. Our bedroom stays really dark during the day, and she has always loved our bed, so she's currently curled up in the drop cloth on the bed snoozing, but positioned so if she opens her eyes she can see me sitting on the couch. She is pointedly ignoring the cat bed that's on the bed less than a foot away from her. She does not like carriers either, but she'll tolerate them when she has to be in them. She won't lounge in them though.

I ran into an interesting situation this morning when trying to medicate her. Both her meds are liquid, so trying to get her to take them was a bit rough. Because of the wound, I can't scruff her, cradle her, or hold her head still without pulling on the wound and making it ooze. Getting those meds into her was pretty rough. I finally took a large towel and draped it over my lap, then put her on top of it. Then I wrapped the towel around her like a kitty burrito, being careful not to put too much pressure on her wound. This immobilized her well enough for me to squeeze her liquid meds in between her cheek and gums. The taste must be awful though. As soon as I let her go, she's freaking out, rolling, shaking her head, and then runs to go eat something to get the taste out of her mouth.

Can anyone think of a way to make clindamycin a bit more palatable, but still make sure she finishes her dose? She's supposed to be on this for 10 days, minimum, and I just don't think she's going to tolerate me that long.

Thanks for all the vibes. I really did get so lucky.

Yeah, clindamicyn is pretty awful tasting..... but amazingly, Bugsy did eat it without a problem when I mixed it with Tuna juice and a bit of shredded tuna Tuna... You can try that - far less stressful!

The tuna might just work. I'm about to head out for groceries, so I'll let you all know how it goes.

PS, Ginger heard me stand up, and is now sitting on me to prevent me from leaving. My poor girl! She's so scared she's going to get left behind again. Hubby will be here with her though, so she'll be alright.

Originally Posted by SamhainBorn

The tuna might just work. I'm about to head out for groceries, so I'll let you all know how it goes.

PS, Ginger heard me stand up, and is now sitting on me to prevent me from leaving.

My poor girl! She's so scared she's going to get left behind again. Hubby will be here with her though, so she'll be alright.

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Since you are going for groceries, get some Claim Juice as well - it is another great option if the tuna doesn't work!!

Well, let me tell you that Tuna Juice trick worked GREAT! I gave her a bowl mixed half and half with the antibio and the tuna juice, and locked her in the bathroom. I checked on her a few minutes later and she had one paw in the bowl licking the sides and bottom clean! She does not, however, seem to like the actual tuna fish. That's alright though -- the other three were climbing over each other trying to figure out where the smell came from! They devoured it with no problem!

Also, I think that at least for now I have an exclusively indoor kitty. Hubby left the door open when he went back out to get more groceries to bring in, and Ginger was cowering around the corner in the kitchen, refusing to go NEAR the door. I think she's decided she's had enough outside time for now.

We think we may know where she was while she was missing. The sitter says that there was some work going on underneath the condos across the lot from our apartment. The access panels were all removed, and then replaced. If Ginger had gotten trapped under there, then she couldn't have come back no matter if she wanted to. One of the panels is open again now, and the timing just seems a little too coincidental. She would have been living just off of whatever bugs and lizards and spiders she could find while she was trapped. She wouldn't have had access to any water other than what she found to eat, unless there was a leak. It's really the only thing we can think of for why she was gone so long when it was apparent she wanted home so badly.

Just reading up on this thread. Thank god that panel was opened in time. This is why I always tell people who have lost cats to look in, or ask property owners to look in, every shed,, garage, porch or barrell you can find.

So glad this has a happy ending, though I've been weeping through the entire thing.

Ginger