HELP - approx 3 year ol feral cat

I think you are doing a great job! Freddie will come around.

2-3 nights ago I frightened Luna so bad she gave me 2 real hisses that I had never heard before. You know the ones like "back off or I'm gonna get you" hisses. I thought I had done serious damage, but after 1 day of not getting to close she, actually came out of hiding for some very brief moments.

I think Freddie will be just fine and you are doing a wonderful thing for him. Don't give up!!

Still wishing you and Freddie lots of Love

Cats are bit odd, if they are really scared they can't eat, well at least they will not eat, but in day or two they indeed seem to forget, they do like from food anyway and who could be mad forever for one that brings that food?

Putting trap to spot where cat hides is very efficient I found out, didn't need even a bait, of course other good hiding spots I had to remove first, so best dark hiding spot did contain a trap, so cat goes to hide and gets caught before he knows it.

I had tunnel made from mattress and trap inside of that tunnel so that there was not space around it, trap was not at edge of 'tunnel' but bit deeper, also tunnel did look like to be such that cat could exit from other side, however trap did render that possibility to non existing.

When known hiding spots are lost cat is in bit of trouble and gets easier to man made hiding spot too.

But if baiting the trap is not giving results perhaps that is worth a shot then?

If trying to catch a cat without trap, large towel gets handy, roll cat into towel, no harm to cat or you, but it is not still easy to do, should be safer than with gloves.

Good luck

Oh PHEW, glad he is back out from hiding . And we all totally get how emotional this is and are here for you!!! I do agree with trying to trap him on Monday night..... I know this is hard for you but it is so important he get to the vet on Tuesday. I would trap on Monday night. After he is in, you can slide in a very small litter box on one end. And the other end (if you have trap doors on either end?) slide in a blankie with some food/water. Also make sure you don't feed him Monday morning so he is good and hungry and goes in that trap. I know, again, this is hard for you to do but he will be fine . He will be much better after that painful eye is removed and he will trust you even more because you will be picking him up from the vet and bringing him back home to his new territory. Bless you for what you are doing for Freddie

I totally agree with all of these recommendations!

And PLEASE don't apologize for talking about Freddie! This is exactly what we're here for! (In fact, if we don't hear from you we get worried LOL). It's a message board - anyone who doesn't want to read doesn't have to.

PLEASE don't beat yourself up about the wand toy! There's no way to know ahead of time what their reaction will be. And with the process of socialization, it is ALWAYS baby steps forward, and baby steps back. Sometimes there's leaps forward... but there are rarely "leaps" back. You may feel that way for a time when they're hiding, but they do always bounce back. After all... we really aren't trying to eat them!

OH - and if he goes in Tuesday morning, I'm not so sure I'd worry about a litter box or blanket. Most people when conducting TNR trap the cats the night before, and the cats have to remain in the trap until the next morning when they go to the clinic. He'll be fine. Just makes sure to put something down to protect your car seat/floor in case he evacuates anything on the way to the vet.



OH - and as he's having surgery, he shouldn't be eating Monday night anyway. He doesn't eat the dry during the day, and his normal meal is at 11:00pm right? If he eats it in the trap, hopefully that'll do it.

Just put a blanket over the trap, leaving the ends open for air, he should quiet down. But you really just have to steal yourself against whatever protests issue. Just keep reminding yourself you're doing what's best for him.

Morning Everyone,

Well, I left Freddie alone yesterday, just went in and out to check food and music. He seems to sleep on the fleece blanket on the floor when we are not around (I find the tapeworm "rice" bits). He shoots back on the tv box or under the suitcases when we come in. I take the blanket out and shake it on the terrace, would love to wash it but don´t want to take his smell off i t. I sweep up the "rice" and flush them down the toilet.

Anyway, he seems to have calmed down, but still not eating, so now he hasn´t eaten since Thursday night/Friday morning. He is drinking well, and peeing well, but no food. Trouble is the food has the Metacam in it, so he is having nothing to control the pain. I have tried smelly tuna, roast chicken, his normal canned food he eats, we have the dry food down, but he touches nothing. I know it can be bad for cats not to eat for more than 24 hours, can lead to fatty liver disease. If he was tame I would syringe feed him some food but no chance of that with Freddie.

It si two weeks today since we found him poorly and trapped him, poor lad. Life has never been the same for him since.

I think you are right, we need to trap him tomorrow evening, oherwise it will all get too stressful Tuesday morning if he hasn´t gone in the trap by himself. We are being cruel to be kind, but it doesn´t make me feel any better. Maybe I am too soft with him and take it all to heart too much. I still fell very emotionally fragile from losing Scully five weeks ago, which makes me even more sympathetic to Freddie. I justfeel I am being cruel to him right now, keeping him in the store room and upsetting his world. Guilt trip a mile high. Maybe he senses that, cats are not stupid. I should just leave him in there and go in with food and say hello and go, but I feel so sorry for him and feel he might need the company I have been giving him. I think I need to learn the feral way of thinking, that might help.

Basically, Freddie has no choice right now, he needs his eye sorted, and his full examination, the tapeworm injection, ears and teeth checked out, FIV/FeLv test, and a topical flea treatment (his usual is due and he has it in tuna, but as he is not eating that is a no no). I will just have to make myself hard and get on with it, take no nonsense and let him go at his own pace. Hubby says he might not want me down there talking to him, perhaps he is right.

So, look out tomorrow night, hubby not looking forward to it. We have blocked off all the places where we think he might try and hide, but he does seem to be a bit of a Houdini I feel a traumatic event coming on.

I just wish he would eat something, but I suppose hunger will get to him in the end.

Okay, onwards and upwards, hubby at golf today so a chance to do some chores. Have a good day ladies, an thank you for listening and advising.

Victoria

Hang in there!! If you had not saved Freddie no telling where or what would have happened to him. It can be a mean world out there. I sometimes feel like I am keeping Luna from what she was used to, (sunny days and such), but then I remember that she was no longer safe outside where she was (mean neighbor next door, etc.).

You are doing a great job!! Just don't give up! Once you get through the surgery, I think you might feel better. Also moving Freddie up to a spare room so he will be able to hear everything, I think will help (not an expert though).

I think going and sitting with him and just talking or reading for a little bit would be fine. With Luna, I am usually just sitting at my desk. She knows I'm there. Since yesterday afternoon and the other night (the dreaded hiss thing) I'm probably not going to get down into her space for a while. Just sitting in the room, minding my own business.

I am thinking of you and Freddie and sending you both (and hubby) lots of love and luck

You are doing great!!! Hang in there!!!

Thank you for taking Freddie in, you're his life saver! Keep him indoors for sure. With time you can semi tame him. It took me 2 years but it can be done. Set his food next to you and try to pet him. He will run but eventually (weeks or months later) he will get use to your touch, add a little more when he get's use to it.. Baby steps with everything and routine.

If you can trap and spay/neuter the ferals in your neighborhood. This will calm the pack down.

Good luck

Right now no chance of Freddie eating near me, he isn´t even eating! I tried a wand toy with him Friday pm and he went into hiding, out now, but no longer in his favourite spot and not eaten since. Drinking water, but not one bit of food. He normally only eats during the night anyway.

I think maybe once his operation is over I will try not leaving food down at all and just put it down when I go in to him, see if he will come a bit closer then. Don´t want to upset him too much right now, have to catch him for surgery on his eye on Tuesday, that will be fune

Just hoping he eats tonight, as he can´t eat tomorrow night, he is already 48 hours without food. What a worry.

I don't know what foods are available there, but do they sell Fancy Feast? It often seems irresistable to cats. You can also try ham baby food (just make sure it has only ham in it). I'd normally recommend chicken baby food, but most cats are REALLY attracted to the smell of ham. Another trick we use for trapping here is Kentucky Fried Chicken (remove the skin and bones). If there's KFC near you, that's something to try (different smell than roast chicken!). When our Tuxie wouldn't eat, warm boiled shrimp did the trick. If I think of anything else, I'll post it.

Also, as he hasn't had any pain meds, maybe try leaving them out.

Poor fella really needs to eat.

:hug: Hang in there, sweetie.

Hi,

None of those foods available here, it is like the back of beyond in that respect. I can try him with ham tomorrow, will get some from the supermarket, see if that does the trick. My concern is the fatty liver disease thing, I know it is serious. If tame I would syringe feed, but that sure is not an option with Freddie. See how he is tomorrow, I might have to postpone the surgery and take him to the vet to go on a drip, he can´t keep going without food, it will do untold damage to his liver.

I wait and I worry

Just keep hanging in there!

Sending lots and lots and lots of good love and luck vibes your way

How is salt with cats? Usually animals are bit sensitive of salt and in here ham has some % of salt added in process.

Saithe fish (translator translates finnish seiti to such), medium setting of microwave 4 minutes, add water and 2 minutes at full setting, so that water boils a bit and fish becomes soft, my cats are crazy about that stuff, they learned to eat from hand with that, offering it with spoon might break the ice.

There is video about NYC cat rescue vet who tells about socializing ferals, he mentions some baby food, was it blue something? Found it, Urban cat league was the site http://www.urbancatleague.org/Info.htm at bottom of page is a video, which has really lot of good tips and information from many things, I think.

I am sad to hear Freddie is not eating. Do you think it might be the taste of the pain meds. Maybe try leaving them out of the food. I wish you had access to some of the canned food LDG suggested and the Kentucky Fried Chicken would really do the trick to get him in that trap. That is the most important thing and I am really praying this all goes well for you tomorrow night. Just go out and try to find some tuna, sardines or grain-free high protein wet food. Not sure what types of cat food are available for you in your area... but The Fancy Feast, Fish and Shrimp are real tempting. Please know we are thinking of you and sending mega

Tuna in oil I have found is ok, they lick all the oil and leave tuna alone, but tuna in water they don't even touch, I hope that Freddie is bit more normal cat than these my oddballs, as they don't eat tuna, giving real small fishes with head and internals removed is also same as giving them empty spoon, they lick it and then just stare it, so some cats seem not to really like from all fish, only some fish.

Mine did stop also eating one brand wet food, they just one day decided not to eat it and if I bring that even now they just stare at it, even at one time they did eat it with great apetite. It is sometimes difficult to know why is such, but maybe there is some other food which then goes down better.

Well, I am in major melt down. Freddie has still not eaten. I have tried lovely fresh prawns, ham, his favourite biccies, his canned food, nothing. He is drinking and peeing, but he has eaten nothing since Thursday night/Friday morning. I can´t believe all this is over one little try with a wand toy, I just put it near him and he scarpered, I took the toy away immediately and brought it back upstairs, that was 4.30 p.m. on Friday and he hasn´t eaten since.

He can´t have surgery under these circumstances I wouldn´t think. I am going to phone the vet at 10 a.m. when they open, it may be that he will have to go in and go on a drip or something, but we can´t carry on like this. My major concern is the fatty liver disease. He seems to look thinner too. He seems okay, just not eating.

Hubby at the gym, will phone him to bring back a can of the Felix in gravy, see if that helps. I just wish we could syringe feed him, but zero chance of that.

Will keep you posted.

Well, phoned the vet. He can´t have the surgery if he hasn´t eaten for four days. I have to take him to the surgery today, he will be sedated and go on a drip. She wants to do various tests to see if he has a virus or something else causing the loss of appetite - I find it very hard to believe it is because of the wand toy, and he did come back out after that.

Took sardines down this morning, hasn´t touched them, he hissed at me. However, he has gone into hiding, I can´t find him anywhere, and also I don´t think I can get him into the trap on my own. Hubby now at pilates, why do these things always happen when the time is wrong - grrrr. He is then going to pick up a new car, so not home until 1 p.m. Surgery closes at 2 p.m. and re-opens at 5 p.m. Don´t think we can get him into the trap and do a 30 minute drive in an hour, but you never know. Will definitely be at the vet for 5 p.m.

If he is FIV/FeLV positive I think we will have to let him go to Rainbow Bridge. Right now we have no chance of giving him medication, other than in food, and if he is not eating......... Also, stress is not good for either of those conditions, and medication can be ongoing depending on what stage he is at, if he has either ailment. That is the problem, we can´t get near him, wish we could as I would have started syringe feeding yesterday morning. The vet is very concerned that he is not eating and also the weight loss. He is still drinking lots of water, so can´t see that he is dehydrated.

Anyway, fingers crossed he has nothing like that, and tests negative, maybe just a virus or some other sort, I just don´t know. He was with us for 13 days and was fine until Friday, eating very well, emptying both ends, all very sudden, and he has not mixed with other cats, had dodgy food or been in a dirty environment, we have kept him safe and hygienic all the time.

Such a worry, I will keep you posted.

Just letting you know I am thinking of you and Freddie.

I hope everything works out for you.

Sending lots and lots of LOVE and LUCK!!

I'll be thinking of you all all day. Good Luck!!

Hi,

Sadly, we assisted Freddie on his journey to Rainbow Bridge at approximately 2.15 p.m. (UK time) today. A very sad day for me, I have fed Freddie twice daily for 3 years now, and have loved him all of that time, worried about him, he always had the best quality food in case he got an infection and therefore had the reserves to fight it.

Hubby came home early, we trapped Freddie so easily, he loved being outside for the few mintues he was there, in the cage. We caught him too easy, no resistance. He was 3.4 kilos 2 weeks yesterday, today he was 2.8. Considering that he was drinking loads of water he was dehydrated. Anyway, the vet sedated him, no problem at all. He was asleep within minutes, His blood test showed positive for feline leukaemia. Normally the test takes 20 minutes, Freddie´s took 10. On further investigation his gums were nearly white, severe anaemia the vet thinks, on feeling his internal organs she thinks he has a tumour in his stomach, his teeth needed a very good clean. His coat was in excellent condition, no ear mites and no sign of fleas, so obviously the Program liquid worked, at least I know that, bless him. I kissed and cuddled him, and patted him, for the first and last time. For a feral the boy done good, I just wish I could have done more. He must have had the leukaemia a while to be so advanced.

We spoke at length with the vet, covering any option that might be available. She was of the opinion that he did not have a lot of time left. he would need daily injections, which means an hour each time round trip, having had to trap him first, he would then need sedated to have the injection. He would need tablets several times a day, he would never be allowed outside again, and we might be have been able to give him another two or three months of life. The decision to let him go peacefully today was not easy, but he would have had no quality of life for those two or three months, stressed out which would make his health worse, and no chance at all of recovery. I didn´t stay whilst the vet sent him on his way, he was zonked out from the sedative, but he is being cremated with his ashes returned to us. He might have been a feral cat, but I loved him for three years, and he could have joined us any time he wanted to, he knew exactly where I lived, some nights if I was a bit late he would be outside next door, waiting. He deserved the dignity to die peacefully, and to be wanted at the end, with love and rememberance. I think I will scatter his ashes in "our spot", where I used to sit and talk to him when he was eating. I can still see ad hear him, I would whistle and within minutes I would hear a maiow and Freddie would come running down the steps. He had been missing a bit recently, maybe it was due to his not feeling too well, I will never know. The vet said if I did let him out he would probably find a quiet spot and stay there untilhe died, a slow, painful death. I couldn´t do that to him, he deserved the best I could give him.

So, I am a very sad ex-mum to Freddie. We lost our white /ginger cat 21 November, Scully 11 February and now Freddie 21 March. Bit tough going right now on the grieving front. I am not sad I brought Freddie indoors, he was there waiting for me two weeks ago, he knew I would care for him. He had warm fleece blankets, lots of hidey holes, food, water, music, soft lighting, and me with him a lot of the time. I do feel guilty for keeping away from him and chatting the last two days, but that was only done because I thought he needed to regroup after th wand toy incident. Maybe the stress of that ipped him over the edge, I don´t know, but I will try not to beat myself up about it because nothing I did for Freddie was meant to hurt him, all I wanted to do was help the little guy. Hubby said maybe the stress of being indoors triggered off a big reaction, who knows.

Right now Freddie is at peace, the last thing I could do for him, and I am very sad, but I loved him and I think he knew that, and I could not let him suffer.

I will pop off an on, finding out about ferals, there may be another one along, better to have lots of knowledge and be able to understand and help, maybe sooner another time.

Thank you all for your help and support, I have really appreciated you being here for me, I am just sorry I have to share this sad news with you.

Take care,

Victoria

I am soooo sorry to hear about Freddie.

I am sure Freddie knew you loved him so. You did a wonderful thing for him just by caring. If it wasn't for you feeding him all this time, vet care and all who knows what would have happened to him.

You will be in my thouhts and I am sending out lots of love for you

Oh, Victoria, I am so sorry that we lost Freddie. I'm all choked up about it myself, so I can imagine how difficult it is for you. You worked really hard to give him a better life; with you he knew love and care and kindness that the cold world would never have shown him.

I hope you'll keep a look out for the next feral who needs you. Thank you so much for sharing Freddie's story.