injured feral

One of my ferals is hurt. He's not putting any weight on one back paw. It doesn't look like he was run over--he's not limping from the hip and the paw is swollen, so I think maybe he got bitten by another tom (he's not TNRed yet). I tried to get a good look at the paw, and saw a red spot in the middle of his swollen toes, but he won't let me get too close so I couldn't see much.

I've tried trapping him in the past, but he seems to be pretty trap-wise, so I don't think I can get him now, either. Should I lace his food with antibiotics? I kind of hate to do that (the dosing is so imprecise and the other cats might eat it), but I don't see any other option really. Or should I let it heal on its own? If I wait to see if it'll heal, how long should I wait before using the antibiotics? Anything else I can do for him?

Hi Willowy,

Geez, Pad wounds can be so serious. Along with possibly being bitten, he may have been stung and needs the stinger out, or stepped on a small nail, shard of wood, anything. If there is anything in there, it really needs to come out, although I totally see your dilemma. If only you could get a big, thick towel, hold all of him in it (head popped out, of course) and bad back paw out and soak it in epsom salts. Once the thing is out if it IS something in his paw, there may be profuse bleeding, so it needs to be cleaned first with soap and water, then hydrogen peroxide, rinsed and then with antibiotic and wrapped carefully (I have the way to wrap if you think you can get that far with him. It can't be too tight.

The pain he's feeling from whatever's going on with his paw isn't going to make him any happier, either {{{sigh}}}. If you are able to start antibiotics such as Clavamox or something simlar right away, that would help with infection that's already going on if he/she's infected already. I'd try some probiotics with that if possible.

If there's infection, never wait for the antibiotics; go for it.

If you have any other questions about pad wounds. let me know! Like how to wrap, etc. Removing item in paw or pad is super important, stopping bleeding with cold water, then cleaning thoroughly and THEN putting antibiotic on before wrapping is super important, too.

Poor baby....................... I'm so sorry!!

Warmly,

Julie O'
Red-Cross Certified in Emergency Dog & Cat First Aid

Originally Posted by Willowy

One of my ferals is hurt. He's not putting any weight on one back paw. It doesn't look like he was run over--he's not limping from the hip and the paw is swollen, so I think maybe he got bitten by another tom (he's not TNRed yet). I tried to get a good look at the paw, and saw a red spot in the middle of his swollen toes, but he won't let me get too close so I couldn't see much.

I've tried trapping him in the past, but he seems to be pretty trap-wise, so I don't think I can get him now, either. Should I lace his food with antibiotics? I kind of hate to do that (the dosing is so imprecise and the other cats might eat it), but I don't see any other option really. Or should I let it heal on its own? If I wait to see if it'll heal, how long should I wait before using the antibiotics? Anything else I can do for him?

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Oh, wrapping or soaking is NOT an option, LOL. I can't get within 5 feet of him. I suspect he's not totally feral, because I think he was dumped, but he certainly won't let me near him. I trapped his brother (who was dumped at the same time) and had him neutered, I kept him inside for a week and he never showed any signs of warming up to me.

I have no idea if the paw is infected or just swollen. I would be using amoxicillin powder, mixing it into his food.

Originally Posted by Willowy

Oh, wrapping or soaking is NOT an option, LOL. I can't get within 5 feet of him. I suspect he's not totally feral, because I think he was dumped, but he certainly won't let me near him. I trapped his brother (who was dumped at the same time) and had him neutered, I kept him inside for a week and he never showed any signs of warming up to me.

I have no idea if the paw is infected or just swollen. I would be using amoxicillin powder, mixing it into his food.

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Well heck, that will help him the best he can be help with his "Cattitude", heh! Poor guy, wanna give him a hug, pain and all. (Even my little Squint, she was on my shoulders the day before nail cuttin' day and I was typing, she started to slip, so it wasn't a scratch, it was her nail sliding down my back........... ai ai aiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!

Have a great evening and hoep you get your buddy fixed up with that Amoxycillin soon! )

Julie O'

Hi and sorry your feral is injured. I had a feral barn cat with an injured paw and actually it looked from a distance like the toe was torn a bit. I was not able to trap him and miraculously it healed on it's own. I was finally ale to trap him, but it was after the paw healed. It amazes me how these ferals are able to overcome these issues. The only way to get him help would be to keep trying to trap him. And since he is not TNRd yet, this would be a good time to keep trying. You can give antibiotics in the food, mix in wet food. But does he eat at the same time each day? Is he the only cat that comes to eat? Just want to be sure he will be the one getting the meds if this what you decide is necessary.

If he's in pain, he may be more willing to go into a trap than before. Knock wood, every time one of our ferals has been injured, we've been able to get them trapped.

What about trying a drop trap?

My experience is a hurt or later term pregnant is easier to trap-even the ones you have tried for many times. I would set out some laced food tho I am not sure how many your feeding and if there is a way to see if he gets it. I would set out trap and keep trying for him!

I haven't seen him Saturday . But, it's been raining, and I haven't seen ANY of the ferals at all. They don't like to come out in the rain. I hope he's OK.

Well, I saw him, at least. The rain let up for a few minutes and he came to eat. He still isn't putting any weight on his foot but he otherwise looks fine. His appetite isn't lacking anyway. I think I'll try trapping tomorrow night.

Much, much luck sent your way today as you try to trap this poor kitty. I am sure that foot needs to be looked at. Sending off many good luck trapping vibes today

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll send more tomorrow too!

I'm not sure if you've caught him yet, but I had a feral cat that was live trap shy a couple of months ago. He tried going in it once, but was too big for the trap, and went a week without stepping foot into another trap. I decided that I'd try to make the live trap look more live a cave (put cardboard on the bottom, wrapped the outside in paper, etc.) The next day he was trapped . So maybe if you cover it up and make it look more live a cave, he'll go into it.

No, I haven't caught him. But he's not limping anymore either, he's fine. I still have to catch him and one other tom for neutering, but I have to call the low-cost place first. I've been working too much lately and haven't been able to get a day off. But maybe I can talk them into letting me drop them off after work the day before the neuters or something.

Hi,

Not sure whether to start a new thread or reply to this one since my story is so similar.  I too have been feeding a semi-feral cat who will now let me get within 3 feet of him.  Problem is, I tried trapping him soon after I met him and he got out of the trap.  He is smart and wary and I doubt he will go in a trap again.  So I've been trying to feed and spend time with him hoping eventually he will be tame enough I can get him without trapping.  He is a beautiful Siamese and was probably once owned by someone.  Problem is he has a hurt front leg or foot now.  It apparently happened Saturday night or early Sunday morning.  He does not walk on it but he can bend it and curl it under him like his other one when he sits/lies down, so probably not broken.  I do not have antibiotics - well actually I have something left over that was prescribed for a kitten this summer for a respiratory illness... Anyway, he eats ok but doesn't seem any better yet.  I would like to think it will heal on its own but the 2 other cats I've seen before with hurt front leg and lack of proper care did not seem to.  Any advice for me?

Thanks!