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how do we get her in the cage for the 2nd time.

post #1 of 8
8/12/10 at 1:25am
Thread Starter 
We found our cat as a 12 week old feral several months ago. We think she about 9 months old. We managed to get her to the vet once, he deemed her too feral to treat without being knocked out. She has since become rather tame and sweet. We'd LOVE to get her to the vet again, but every attempt is a dismal failure. We've tried putting food in the cage to make it a 'safe space.' We've tried picking her up and dropping her into the cage, but she sees it and latches on to the outside, making it an impossibility. We've tried luring her in with the feather toy. We have a crusher cage that was lent to us by a TNR charity. We have feliway going and I've sprayed the cage with it, too. I feel like such a jerk always canceling these vet appointments and the TNR charity wants their cage back. Otherwise, our cat is a dear. She purrs like a motorcycle with the hint of attention.
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post #2 of 8
8/12/10 at 3:21am
If you can pick her up, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Do you have a carrier? Stand it up on end with the door open. Lower kitty in legs first with someone else guiding her in, taking care to gently cover her eyes as you put her in.

There are other carriers that open from the top...try one of those.
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post #3 of 8
8/12/10 at 8:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by farleyv View Post
There are other carriers that open from the top...try one of those.
I would recommend trying that as well.
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post #4 of 8
8/12/10 at 8:07am
I would agree, if you can pick her up, she isn't feral. Not sure why they didn't just follow through the first time and get her treated, neutered etc... A top-loading carrier is best (in my book) You aren't trying to place a frightened kitten through a narrow hole making the experience all the worst for her and you. Once she is inside, drop a dark cloth over the carrier and get her to the vet.
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post #5 of 8
8/12/10 at 3:12pm
What is a crusher cage ? Is that also what she is eating in ? Does it have to be a specific TNR-type trap for the surgery ?


If you can, get a medium "dog-sized," plastic covered carrier at least twice the size of the cat for good mobility. Large enough to get kitty in and out of with minimum fuss and having an open wired door and side "windows" it’s airy and less claustrophobic. Although it can often be bulky and difficult to maneuver depending on the owners upper body strength. Mine is the biggest the vets have ever seen for a kitty -- but they love it. Also, if it isn't open top, stand the kennel OPEN on its END…..against a wall and drop them in so it/they won’t get away from you.
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post #6 of 8
8/13/10 at 12:10am
Thread Starter 
A crusher cage sounds much scarier than it is in reality, but all of the feral cat charities I've spoken with say it is the best for vets. Basically, it is a cage with side and top entry possibilities and a wall that vets can wiggle closer to them to give shots to uncooperative animals. From what you all are saying, I think I should see if we can borrow a larger cage, as Emily fills up most of this cage.

Our cat seemed to be quite feral when we first found her. This diagnosis was made after talking to several TNR charity volunteers. She was living alone and hungry at a warehouse/building site. We have kept her inside since taking her home. We didn't see her for the first several weeks after rescuing her. She didn't make any noise and seemed skeptical of toys at first. She was very skittish and shy. It took several months of patience, routine feeding, fishing pool toys for her to slowly interact and then become comfortable with us. Recently, I would say she has become tame. She has started purring and talking, wants to be petted, sleeps next to my head, and will tolerate being picked up for a few seconds before flipping out. She hides when we have guests.
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post #7 of 8
9/10/10 at 1:49pm
Grab her front and back paws (be gentle, though), and lower her feet first into the cage. Once she is in, quickly close the door.
I hope that this works,
Eileen
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post #8 of 8
9/10/10 at 2:09pm
Thread Starter 
We ended up borrowing a proper trap from the feral cat TNR charity. We baited it with some canned salmon. My husband, had he been a cave man would have made the best hunter of the tribe, pulled the rope and trapped her. The next morning he patiently waited for her to crawl into the cage. She was neutered and checked up without any hitches. She is doing great, such a darling little happy cat. We may have to repeat all of this for her 2nd round of shots next week. But first, I'm going to try the lifting, head covering and lowering.
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