Stray so extremely matted...YUK

iris

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Hi guys, those that know me know I trap and get to clinic to be neutered feral cats. I got a call from a woman who runs a special needs cat rescue here where I live. She had TNR 2 little girls for a elderly woman who lived in a modest trailer in a park. Well the woman went to a rest home and Laura asked me to catch the 2 girls to relocate as no one would feed them out there. So when I went over there was a Tuxedo male hanging with the girls so extremely matted. I MEAN BAD. The mats pulled the fur right out of the skin in some places and he had bald spots. The mats were large and he looked like he had wings behind his front legs as they were flapping in the wind. I determined that he was not feral but had been on his own for along time..and was unsocialized. I tried to get him in a carrier but he was avoiding me. So I trapped him. Got him to the clinic to be neutered. They wormed him, gave him vaccinations, and shaved the mats off. The vet tech said his bum was horrid. They shaved his entire backside, thighs, and legs. Then on his sides and belly. My plan was to move him with his feral girls..but I changed my mind. If I do that then no one will be able to get close enough to comb him and he will be in agony again. So I have him in a large cage in my garage with a comfy bed and litter box. He does growl and hiss at me sometimes..so I am still a little scared of him. But I can pet his head. He holds his head down and looks really mean sometimes..but I think it's just a defense. Years ago I had the furriest persian..his name was Max. He was not good about grooming..it was almost like he figured he was so furry why bother? A few times a year I had him shaved. When I did that Max would disappear into a closet or something and sleep for days..it was as if he felt so good..that finally his body felt comfortable. Yesterday this cat seemed so sleepy..and I am wondering if it is the same..do mats pulling the fur out really hurt? I tried to pet him on his sides and he hissed at me. I have never dealt with a cat that had been so severely matted before. I am sort of at a loss. Do any of you have any experience with this? I guess my goal is going to be to try and get him used to being combed and loved on so I can rehome him. I hope I can find a good person to take him
 

rafm

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When the fur mattes, it pulls on the skin, the more it mattes, the more the skin is pulled. It limits their mobility and is extremely painful for them. His skin is probably very sore and tender where the mattes were shaved off. I would avoid petting him anywhere that was shaved for a bit.

Thanks so much for catching this poor kitty. What an awful state to be in! Poor fella. I hope he can settle down for you soon and realize he's got it good again.
 

sophia4cats

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It does hurt alot and if start that way he will never want to be groomed. For future reference I have used a letter opener to get mats open and comb them out. I mean the type that is rectangular and then the open part curves around and has a proctected blade on the interior. I got this tip from a groomer online and have used it to split mattes on my long hair cats for years. You always make sure you know exactly where the cats skin is start from the top of the mat. If in doubt don't  do it. Also I'd rather have a cat with uneven hair scissored hair than one that had pain. I alway give kitty treats after a grooming session.

With his condition I would not attempt to groom. It's a shame the rescue didn't shave him entirely. I would find a vet with medical grooming service that would give him a shot to make him sleepy and have them carefully shave his matted areas entirely. It will save both of you a whole lot of stress. Buy the book "Think like a Cat"  or get it from the library it has very nice groom chapter that will tell you the best way to get a cat to trust you with grooming.
 
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iris

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Oh thanks guys..I thought maybe it was painful and that his skin was sore. I did not take him to a rescue. I took him to a mobile spay neuter van. They do great work with the neutering..they do dogs and cats. I got the services done for free and am grateful they helped with the shaving. There is only a little fur left on his back..most of it is gone. Tonight he actually came to my hand so I could pet his head. This was progress. I gently scratch his head and under his chin. No where else. Poor baby. Tonight I got a call from the lady who had me trap him and she is taking him into her rescue. She runs a special needs rescue. She has students that help out. The rescue is called Harbor Hope Cat rescue on Facebook if any of you want to have a look. I will have him until Tuesday. So he is a lucky boy. He sure seems tired...I am sure the sleeping is a great relief from all the pain
 
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iris

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Today this cat must feel better as it wants to rip me apart. I actually was petting it on the head yesterday and today it is growing and hissing and hates me. Go figure
 

rafm

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Today this cat must feel better as it wants to rip me apart. I actually was petting it on the head yesterday and today it is growing and hissing and hates me. Go figure
That happens with these guys. Just keep working on him. He's been through a very traumatic experience and it will take him some time to adjust and understand that you mean him no harm.
 

feralvr

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Perfect - that this kitty was shaved. It is very, very painful to have so many tight mats as their skin is very thin. SO good news on that!!! :clap::clap::clap::clap: Poor baby has been through so much and now feels vulnerable without all of that hair. So I think it will take a bit of time for this cat to figure out why he feels so funny - his skin. He is probably sensitive right now too. Much luck and keep us posted :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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iris

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I had trapped a female feral that was already TNRed..and it was when I brought that cat into the garage that this matted cat got grumpy. Maybe her smell? Anyway this little girl went to her new home today and he seemed better this afternoon. We will see how it goes. I can usually read a cat but this one I can't. When he saw me he came over for me to scratch his head..then he went back to his bed turned his back to me and growled. LOL. He also huffs or puffs..I have heard of this before but never seen it. It is really sort of cute.
 
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