HELP - approx 3 year ol feral cat

jcribbs

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Victoria, Freddie is one lucky kitty... You are a kind and generous person. That much is very obvious from your posts. From my own experiences I will tell you there is nothing sweeter than having a feral trust you.. In my opinion you are doing everything right. He has his space and you are not being pushy.

As far as you wondering if Freddie is feral -- he could very well be feral. But keep in mind that Freddie knows you.. You have been in his life for three years as a food source. If he had been a tame kitty, he would have long long ago rubbed against your leg and "ran" to his food source purring and begging. He has some trust for you and knows your scent. He might not be lovey dovey and most never are but he does feel comfort in your presence or he would not sleep around you. That is a huge huge step. He feels safe or he would not sleep or eat in your presence.

You are doing an excellent job. You are going to become very attached to Freddie and him to you. It sounds like you both have chose each other.

Kudos to you dear.......


Jenn
 

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A very good summary by Jenny Jcribbs, I think.
 
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forestcat24

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Hi all,

Spoke to the vet today, she wants to do the eye removal op next Tuesday, so another week. She said that as he had the 15 day antibiotic injection Sunday of last week he was still covered, and as I was giving him Metacam to make his eye "easier", he was eating well, using litter box, came down from the water pipes, she wanted to give it another week befre the op, see if he calms down and bonds a little bit more. I was disappointed for Freddie, but I do see the sense in what she says.

Today he has gone back behind the water tank in the corner, whereas yesterday and last night he was on his fleece on top of the tv box in the other corner! Still, we are going in and out, and I spend time with him and he does seem a lot more comfortable in himself, and it is only a week yesterday, so much has happned to the poor little guy, his world has turned upside down, so he is doing well really.

So, we wait and watch that space, hopefully for good news.

Victoria
 
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forestcat24

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Hi,

Well, today Freddie has spent all day in the corner between the water tank and the wall,seems to be the favourite spot. I sat and talked to him for an hour this morning but no movement.

Tonight, at about 8 p.m. my time (we are on UK time) I went down with the newspaper and proceeded to clue him up on the tragic situation in Japan, good news re baby being found, blah, blah, blah. I went and checked he was still behind the tank, yup, I old him he was very anti-social. Anyway, went back to my chair and carried on reading him the newspaper, I see movement in the corner of my eye - Freddie....!! He wanted to use the litter box, which was quite close to me. I carried on reading, took no notice, then he started to lick the litter. I didn´t move, but just carried on and said Fred, you musn´t lick the litter, not good for you, leave it alone. He looked at me, scratched at the litter and had a wee. Fine, next time I look around he is eating some of his dry food, with his back to me, then he hopped on top of the cat trap, which has a nice comfy bedspread on top of it to make it like a tunnel. I went out and came back with the litter scoop, brush, new litter. No problem, he stayed there. Took it all out again, more newspaper reading. His eyes were closed and he wasn´t in hiding. Thought I would quit whilst I was ahead (and still had a voice left), so we had a few minutes of baby talk (yes, sad I know), and I said mummy has to go now, I´ll be back later with fresh num nums (his food), you be a good boy. I forgot to pick up my door key, went down for it. no Fred, he had gone back between the water tank and the wall. Bit disapointed, but still feel good that he came out with me for about twenty minutes with no hissing, mind you no miaows either.

I wonder why he went back into hiding when I left the room, he wasn´t in the least bit bothered before I left. So, hopefully another step in the right direction. I am still happy he came out with me for a short while. He has been with us 10 days now, all the time down there. I am hoping, once he has the op, to bring him up to one of the spare bedrooms. Hubby has been concerend that he might scale the walls, wardrobe doors, curtains etc., but he doesn´t do that now in the store room. I did think of putting him in the spare room when he comes back from surgery, but then I thought it would be strange and might freak him out, so best to wait until a week or so later. Don´t want to run before I walk, I have to learn to be patient with him, not one of my virtues sadly.

There we go, another day in the life of Freddie. Like a blog isn´t it, but I got so excieted.

Victoria
 

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It's only been 10 days? His using the box and staying out is FABULOUS!

And personally, I feel very sad for kitties who don't have people baby-talking them.


One thought... he didn't have a blood panel done when he was at the vet before, right? I don't know if it means anything that he was licking the litter.... but it can be a sign of anemia. If he had a bad problem with fleas or other parasites (sorry, I don't remember), that could be the culprit. And some vets aren't familiar with the symptom - some are. But it is worth mentioning to your vet. (Typically it's eating litter that is the sign, not just licking at it, but thought I'd mention it).
 
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forestcat24

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Hi,

Thanks for your post. I did wonder about the cat litter. Just before we lost our FIV boy he contracted haemobartonella, which is the disease from a flea bite, sadly familiar with all that. We are going to have his blood test done on Tueday when he goes in for surgery, plus a full once over - ears, teeth, a feel of his internal organs, he has tapeworm so want a jab for that, and also a spot on flea treatment, not sure he ate all the Program liquid as he left some of the tuna, little monkey.

Today he is back out from the corner and on his cardboard box in the other corner, on nice fluffy fleece blanket, and he was talking to me. A little progress is being made I am pleased to say.

Thanks for mentioning the blood test, litter eating problem etc, I do appreciate, it and owuld not have known had it not been for my beautful boy Scully, it was all new to me then.

Victoria
 

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The litter licking may also be simply he isnt really used yet to indoor litter, as he has been feral before. Thus - he must taste some now and then.
 

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Aw did you see beautiful LDG's Flowerbelle?? Just a darling. Your Freddie will be just fine and probably feel much better after the surgery. I am sure his eye is causing discomfort, poor baby.

I am sorry about your Scully
. We sure live and learn, right. That is just life, I guess
. I will keep checking this thread and enjoy your updates. For Freddie
and the upcoming surgery.
 
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forestcat24

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Well, not a lot to report. We have blocked off the area between water tank and wall, looking ahead to trying to catch him on Tuesday for the vet and his operation.

He seems quite happy in the corner where the tv box is, with a fleece on top of it and sandwiched between filing cabinet and wall.

He is comfy enough when I am with him, miaows off and on (although today he has taken to hissing). He will curl up and have forty winks, so a degree of trust in that he is not keeping an eye on me all the time.

He only eats overnight, although has been known to nibble some cat biccies during the day. Maybe I should take all food up until I go and visit with him, what do you think?

We have put the cat trap in the opposite corner to him, open full time and tied up with a bungee rope, so have put his canned food each night in there, a bit further back each night.

Operaton today is this coming Tuesday, and of course we want to be able to trap him for that.

Being down there is not ideal for me, nothing to do down there, it is what it is - storage, water heat and water storage tank with lots of water pipes up the walls. I realise I can´t bring him up to a spare bedroom until post op now, all too traumatic and strange for him in the short term. Once post of period is over I want to bring him up (ground floor is living area plus two guest bedrooms //bathroom) and then he will be closer to all of us and will hear many new household noises, including tv. I can also work on my laptop in there (no internet coverage downstairs, below ground level). I can also take my sewing machine in there, and various other things, so he will see more of me and I will be doing things too.

Using the litter tray well, no problems there, other than the worms which will be sorted out on Tuesday.

Our three other cats are now getting very curious about the store room. I keep swapping blankets, the idea of rubbing a towel around faces is good, I can do that with my lot but of course I can´t do it with Freddie, might get my hand ripped to shreds!! Still, at least I can put the towel down with his food with their smell on it. I think the problem when introducing them might be Freddie´s reaction to them. Also not sure of timing on that. Just coming up two weeks since he is with us, so early days, just not sure how long might be appropriate for introduction - don´t want to rush it but don´t know if there is a problem in leaving it too long.

Our lot don´t seem nasty, justt wanting into have a good sniff around and find out just who is in there, curiosity I suppose.

I have as yet been unable to pat Fred, I haven´t put my hand out, but if I take just that one step too close he hisses - invading his space, he doesn´t like it.

Anyway, that is the current situation. Feeling a bit disheartened I suppose, I don´t know what to expect or if there is anything further I should be doing for him. On top of that I feel so sad for him, poor lad, his life has been turned upside down, such a shame.

Have a good weeked ladies, take care.

Victoria
 

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I just wanted to say that I think you are doing a wonderful thing
I'm new to feral cats and my Luna has been hiding in my office for 4 weeks. Just don't give up!

I'm wishing you and Freddie lots of love and luck!
 

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This poor boy would be suffering so badly without you, and he likely wouldn't survive. So I know you feel sorry for him, but you truly are doing a wonderful thing for him!


Right now he's sick, and he's doing exactly what he needs to be: resting.


Hang in there. It's the discouraging days when TCS comes in so handy!
 

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So true, and seriously, Freddie would not have done well without you stepping in to save him. You are doing a fantastic job with Freddie. Don't be discouraged, you are doing the right thing for him and he will be feeling much better after the surgery.
More for you and Freddie.
 
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forestcat24

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Thank you ladies, makes me feel much better. Might not be so bad if Freddie was an only "child", but we are so careful in case one of the others tries to zip in, I think that owuld freak the poor boy ut.

Was down with him just now, though I would try the mouse on the wand toy with him. Phew, he didn´t like that, shot off his box like a rocket and across the room to hide. I carried on sitting there, chatting to him as I read the paper, bit of baby talk, then I left him to gregroup. Went back down with some fresh water and he must have been on his way back to his fave spot but the shot back to his hidey hole when he seen me. Really freaked him out. I think toys are off the menu right now.

Quick question, do you think I should only give him food when I go down to sit with him? At the moment I keep his dry biscuits topped up (well, all fresh each time), and put his canned meat down in the trap at about 11 p.m. usually the meat has gone by the morning. I was putting canned meat down for him during the day, or tuna, maybe some roast chicken, but that goes dry and untouched, defo an overnight eater other than a nibble at the dry biccies. Also, should I leave him down in the store room until he seems friendlier, although I think it might be better for him a few days after his operation to bring him up to the spare room, he won´t be quite so out of things then, or maybe he prefers to be away from us all


Well, ironing calls, then dinner and another session with Freddie. Might take the other iPod down and do a bit of meditation, even if I am quiet he knows I am there.

I will try and post a couple of piccies of him, but I am no techie I am afraid


Thanks again,

Victoria
 

ldg

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Chumley did that the first time I got out a wand toy. I learned right quick not to move it quickly or toward him.
He was terrified of it the first few days... then he got curious... and when he stopped running away to watch me move it, I slowly wiggled it closer and closer to him. A few more days... and he got brave and batted it with a paw. It didn't bite back.
From there it was only about three days, and he couldn't get enough play! (But he was pretty comfortable inside by then too).

I would leave the dry food out for him to nibble.
The wet food... If you go down there regularly after dinner, you might want to put wet food down for him then and leave it while you stay there.

But really... it's just about him "learning" that you mean food, and leaving it for him at any regular time - he knows it's you leaving it. Do you have a smell-like-you t-shirt down under his dry food dish? If not, you might to consider that.


And I like the idea of moving him to his new room if he's healing up well after the surgery.
Make sure you bring all of "his things" up with you so that he's got familiar smells.
 
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forestcat24

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Thank you ladies for your replies. At the moment I am leaving the cat food overnight in the trap for the sole purpose of getting him in there for the trip to the vet for surgery on Tuesday, when that is over and done with I will take his wet meat down with me after dinner.

I thought I would give him three or four days to get himself together and then move him upstairs, not sure how I will manage that, might have to trap him again, but once in one of the spare bedrooms he can stay there until he is ready to come out himself. The spare room is furnished, and has two comfy beds in it, although no doubt fave spot will be underneath them, of course.....

Think I might leave the wand toy until after the op. I haven´t seen him since and that was nearly three hours ago. Right now I can´t see him at all, I have no idea where he is. All I know is that he is in there somewhere as he can´t get out anywhere
Maybe when I go down after dinner he will realise that the wand toy was not going to bite his bottom


In my mind I have a provisional time frame of six months for Freddie. If he seems happy and is moving forward, albeit it very slowly, then I will continue. If he is very unhappy then I think I have to let him out and see what he wants to do, and then it is his choice - he might not like it out there by then


Put a couple of photos of Freddie on the forum. Have quite a few more but all of the same thing really, variations on a theme. If he gets brave again and adopts a different pose then I will post it, but otherwise will leave well alone.

Ciao for now ladies.

Victoria
 
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forestcat24

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Well ladies, it is 9.35 p.m. here (UK time) and Freddie has still not come out of hiding since the fright with the wand toy at about 4.45 p.m. - poor lamb, wish I hadn´t got it out now. We couldn´t find him for ages, finally hubby spotted him (we put the light out and used torches) behind a box of drinking glasses, squashed right in tight. Will leave him there, see what he does overnight.

I do feel awful, but my intentions were good, I thought he might like it. Goodness knows what he will be like post the surgery visit, probably never forgive me, especially when he realises his eye is missing - I think he might be angry
and maybe lots of hissing. Mind you, have to catch the little demon first, hubby´s job, says he is not looking forward to it.
He did say he would never want to put his face next to Freddie, too scared he might lunge at him with his claws - I know the feeling


Off now to go and see Freddie for half an hour, take his wet meat and fresh water, make sure his night light is on and the music is low. Not that I expect him to be talking to me, I am not flavour of the month down there by the look of it
 

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Originally Posted by forestcat24

Well ladies, it is 9.35 p.m. here (UK time) and Freddie has still not come out of hiding since the fright with the wand toy at about 4.45 p.m. - poor lamb, wish I hadn´t got it out now. We couldn´t find him for ages, finally hubby spotted him (we put the light out and used torches) behind a box of drinking glasses, squashed right in tight. Will leave him there, see what he does overnight.

I do feel awful, but my intentions were good, I thought he might like it. Goodness knows what he will be like post the surgery visit, probably never forgive me, especially when he realises his eye is missing - I think he might be angry
and maybe lots of hissing. Mind you, have to catch the little demon first, hubby´s job, says he is not looking forward to it.
He did say he would never want to put his face next to Freddie, too scared he might lunge at him with his claws - I know the feeling


Off now to go and see Freddie for half an hour, take his wet meat and fresh water, make sure his night light is on and the music is low. Not that I expect him to be talking to me, I am not flavour of the month down there by the look of it
Freddie was okay probably because he felt that those big monsters (humans) are not interested from him, but with wand toy you did show interest to him which is probably why he got scared, because of one eye not working he probably feels impaired and is even more cautious and scared than what he would be with both eyes.

Also looking for him probably caused him more stress, which probably causes him to mount into safest position he can find.

It is not terminal, but it takes days for cat to get around of it.

To get him to vet, I really don't like from idea of chasing him and grabbing him, when cat is already very scared it can push things even further, making him to fight for life and that is thing to avoid, because when cat gets 100% serious then it becomes different animal, speed and strength of such scared cat is something which person can't prepare.

If things get to worse, remember that cat aims often to face, but it really is dangerous to cat and to you to try grab him while he is cornered.

Humane trap should be lot easier for all of you, shelters may borrow or rent one if there is nothing sold on humane price around you.

Took around a week for my cats to get into point where they are remaining in non lit room if I'm at opposite side of the room, but I did first to chase cat into carrier, with humane trap it was lot easier and cat was not so pissed as when I did try to get him into carrier, growling, hissing, even I had over 1" thick gloves I could feel those teeths hard and it was only quick warning bite, it is completely hopeless to get enough near for grabbing a feral, imo.

Cat's top speed is something around 30MPH, cat accelerates to that speed in around 1 second, first leap is something around 6-7 feet and from standstill cat can leap nearly 10 feet to any direction (with speed a lot more), even upwards over 5 feet (with speed around double of that) and reaction time of cat is at least 3 times faster than best human, those are what I have observed from my cats when they are playing alone, so when enough motivation they are a lot more what meets the eye and that is good to keep in mind with these beasts.

If your still try to grab him, I recommend not to try grabbing multiple times, as each time it builds up stress in cat and when level is enough high he will panic and probably attack if there is no escape available. Tame cat tolerates a lot more, but wild or partly wild can and will go to extremes quite quickly, cat does not know your intentions, all he knows is that you are trying to eat him.

I would recommend to take few days off from the Freddie, just deliver food, water, change litter, so he can claim his space again and get relaxed, after that I would recommend trap method, but of course via Internet it is bit impossible to really tell about situation and what is possible, what is not etc.

Well, that is at least how I see it, wiser ones might of course know things better and hopefully correct me if I have not understood some things correctly, there I learn
 
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forestcat24

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Hi,

Thanks for your advice. We are hoping to get Freddie into a trap, I have been putting his wet food in there, further in each evening. Last night he did not eat it. I was disappointed, not just because of getting him in there for the vet on Tuesday but also because the Metacam to ease the pain in his eye is in with the meat. He has eaten it every night so far, but not last night.

I agree re the chasing him, that is not what we want to do at all. Bad for Freddie and not good for us, I know cats can turn very mean when cornered, and their claws and teeth are lethal.

Anyway, as I say, this morning the food had not been eaten and Freddie is still in hiding. I could really kick myself for getting that wand toy out, he had settled himself down quite nicely. I will do as you say, leave him in peace today, just take in food and water, clean the litter box, make sure his music and soft light is on. He did miaow to me when I popped my head in earlier to see if he had eaten his food, not a nasty miaow, more a hello. We will see. Leave him on his own completely today and see how he feels tomorrow.

Neither of us are looking forward to getting Freddie in the trap. I am wondering whether it might be easier to try and trap him on Monday evening, but then it means he will be in the trap overnight. The trap is ours, I brought it back with me from the UK when I went over for a few days. Can´t buy them here, which surprises me. It has been in with him, door tied open, for the last 10 days, no he is used to seeing it.

The surgery visit will be stressful too. When we trapped him and took him to the vet when I first saw his eye he was mean. It took two sedative jabs and then some anaesthetic before he was knocked out, he fought it every inch of the way. He is going to be like a wild thing I know that much. It is so sad, because we could actually save his eye with microscopic surgery, but it would mean a plastic collar and eye drops 4 times each day, and that is not going to happen in the short term, if ever, and we can´t afford to wait too long before somethin is done, the vet is worried about infection or him walking into something and catching the eye, making it an even worse situation.

Poor boy, such a sad life so far. We agreed last night that once the surgery is over, give hm a few days in the store room because it is familiar to him, and then we will decide how soon we can move him to one of our spare bedrooms. It will upset him, but he will be far better there, much nearer us so that he can hear what is going on and perhap start to feel he is a real part of the household, even if he can´t see us.

Thank you again, Freddie Peace Day today, and definitely no more trying with toys for a good while.

Victoria
 
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forestcat24

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Well, thankfully Freddie now back on his fave spot on top of the tv box
I went in to check his water, food and music, heard a miaow, looked around and found him there. Bit of a hiss, which I can understand (toy waving monster that I am....). Off now to walk rescue dogs so won´t be back until late afternoon, will pop my head in and see what occurs. At least he didn´t take days to get back to his spot, for which I am truly thankful. Left some fresh canned meat out for him as he didn´t eat overnight, fresh biccies and water. We will see what, if anything, he eats during the day. Fresh litter box (his own, I wash it out). No exchange of blankets today, don´t want to upset the little man any further.

Sorry to chunter on about Freddie, but I do so worry about him, his little world has turned upside down and I am trying my best, and making mistakes that are no good for him. Well, I am learning, which is the main thing, just frustrating he didn´t come with a manual
I wish eh!

Victoria
 
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