9 Days in and I think I have ruined my chances!!

thbtbt

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Hello. New to the forum and I am attempting to socalize a stray kitty for the first time. At this point, I need a little support and/or guidance.

Here's Moonshine's story:

My Back Story
I have had previously feral kitties as pets before. I enjoy the fierce bond and loyalty tamed feral cats are capable of. In the past, I had always adopted a kitty that someone else had already taken the time to socialize. The stray/feral kitty I have now is the first I have ever attempted to socialize on my own.

Moonshine
She was a tiny little kitty when I first spotted her, dashing in front of a car in the parking lot at work. For weeks I watched as different people tried to catch her, and although she'd let you sit close by while she ate any food left for her, she would run off if you got too close (or if you tried to chase her down as some people tried). My coworkers nicknamed her "White Lightning" because she was small, white, and quick. I preferred "Moonshine" since it rolled off the tongue better. I have worked at this same company for years and never saw another cat hanging around so it didn't look like she was part of a colony, just lost. But I know how tough it can be to tell feral apart from lost kitties and I know taming a feral is almost impossible. But I just kept thinking she looked more lost than feral, and had just been on her own for so long. Plus I thought she might still be a kitten, as small as she was. Not just skinny, but proportionately tiny.

I decided to catch her last week and take her to the vet. I was surprised to hear them estimate her to be about 2-3 year old (based on she had all her adult teeth and some gingivitis), and yet she was so tiny - she weighs under 5 pounds! I was worried that maybe she might be a lost cause since she was an adult and I read that feral adults were impossible to socialize. But then, I saw no evidence of a cat colony, and she would be seen darting around during the day and eagerly ate food with humans close by. So I thought, maybe she was just lost and had been lost for so long she started acting feral?

Ultimately, I felt she deserved a chance, knowing it would take time and patience. I set her up in my private home office in a large dog crate my aunt gave me. It was large enough for a make-shift bed (made from an empty paper box and towel), litter pan, and room enough for food and water. I brought her food every morning and night, then sat at my desk for 1-2 hours each time to get her used to my presence while effectively "ignoring" her. For 3 days, she stayed hidden inside her box-bed, only coming out to eat when I wasn't in the room. Then she seemed to light up and actually start talking when my oldest cat slipped in to check out the strange smells. It was only for a few minutes, but little Moonshine was very eager to get out after that. She kept knocking over her water and food to make a horrible mess after that (I'm guessing because it got in the way of her attempts to figure out the latch on the crate door).

The Rash Decision

After 2 days of cleaning up a wet disaster, I decided to let her out into my office and see if that would stop her from spilling food and water everywhere.  The first night was pretty cool. She spent an hour investigating every bit of the small 10x11 office, and at one point even walked under my chair next to my feet. Her favorite part is a full length mirror propped against one wall. She sat by that for several minutes, "talking" to her reflection. It was hard to coax her back into the crate. She did not want to go back in. I had to move a couple of boxes around to keep her from darting around the side of the crate. I did this for 3 nights - let her out for a couple of hours, listen to her talk, eat, drink, explore, and then spend an agonizing 30-60 minutes gently coaxing her back into the crate. Two nights ago was the worst because she stopped at the opening and cowered - as if she was terrified of me but couldn't bring herself to go back in. Ugh. It broke my heart. The last thing I wanted was for her to fear me.

Last night, I decided to go ahead and cat-proof my room so she could use the entire office. I brought in a couple of storage bins and packed away all loose items, hazards, etc. I then put a second litter box in one corner with fresh litter and let her out. She didn't seem too startled about the slightly altered office, but when I removed the giant, clumsy dog crate from the room as I left for the night, I think that was too much for her.

The Upset
It's such a small office that I wanted the extra space back, plus I thought she'd feel more reassured that I wouldn't try to trap her in the crate if it was gone. I now believe I was completely wrong. This morning, she had pooped outside the litter box and wouldn't come out to eat. She had also peed on a little fleece litter mat that had been in the crate with her. I calmly cleaned up the poop and threw out the fleece mat. I then went digging in my kitchen trash can for the litter I tossed out when I removed her old litter pan from the crate. My thinking was that if the new litter box contained the smells from her old one, she might be more inclined to use it. So I put the old litter on top of the new litter (sans cat leavings) and left her be this morning. But oh, I'm already fretting over how I may have potentially upset all the progress she has made by doing too much at once.

I feel like she may never trust me again. Not only did I trick her by catching her and taking her straight to a scary place full of humans who poked and prodded her against her will, but I have brought her to another strange place where, just as she was getting used to her surroundings, I go and change things around only 9 days into having her home!

I have been obsessed with on-line articles which all give conflicting advice. For example, one person wrote giving her plenty of safe hiding places in the room was good, but another person wrote she shouldn't have but one hiding place so it would force her to interact more. One person wrote visiting only 2-3 times a day was ideal while another wrote shorter more frequent visits were better. I feel like I'm ruining my chances of socializing her because I can't figure out which advice to take, but I don't dare change anything else again and just keep things as they are now. Then I think, it's only been 9 days and I may have already ruined any chance I ever had!

In Need of Guidance or Just Reassurance
Has anyone else ever socialized a feral/stray and made mistakes? Should I stick with the schedule and routine I have now or change things up to speed up her socialization? I am tired of reading generalized articles that outline only possible scenarios and would really like some real stories from people who have been in my shoes. I really don't want to give up on her. I'm just hoping all is not lost and there are things I can do (or not do) to salvage this upset and still socialize this little kitty.
 
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feralvr

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So glad you found us!! And wonderful of you to want to take the time and have the patience to socialize this kitty. You have been moving way to fast in this process and that is why you are having these issues. You must not try to speed up socialization. That will be your downfall. Taking the crate away was taking her safe house away. She completely panicked. You could either set it back up, and leave the door open all the time and allow her access to the food and litter box. Don't worry, you did not ruin any chances with this kitty. We all make some errors along the way and you will find that the cats are quite forgiving once you go back to keeping things the same. Add cubby hiding places for her in the room. I use these http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sportpet-Cat-Cat-Play-Cube-1-ct/10532707 and velcro two together and put beds inside them. Makes it easy to see the cat and gain access to them if need by. IF there is a bed in the room, I recommend putting the mattress on the floor. IF the feral cat has a place to completely hide away from you, then you will never make progress or at the very least it will be painfully slow. It doesn't sound like you have any hiding spots in that room where you cannot access the cat if need be. :bigthumb:

I have had great success with socializing adult feral cats. It does take time and persistence and MUCH PATIENCE. You must keep the same schedule, the same routine, the same everything. I would also recommend using Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter and add the Litter Attractant (an herbal additive that works great for feral cats). Here is an article that will also help you with great suggestions to get started with this long process. Most importantly, rather than age IMO, is the underlying personality of the cat. It can take many months, or just a few weeks. With her being so tiny, I would not give up on her and would not release her back outside, even after a few months. I have a feeling that she will come around for you. :cross: Be prepared for some great steps forward and then a few backward. Remember, she has never been inside a house (as far as we know :dk:) and it will take time to get used to her new way of life. But she will :D :nod: I hope this helps you get started. Please keep us posted. OH and pictures if you can :pix: :clap::clap:

http://www.catnipchronicles.com/may2012/laurie.htm
 
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thbtbt

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Thank you, Feralvr! I agree - in hindsight, WAY too fast. Ugh. I'm so new at this I felt like a bumbling idiot after today. She acted as though she hated the crate so I never thought she felt safe inside it. A mistake. I wish I had joined this forum before I rescued her - I would not have made the rash error in judgment. But I'm here now, and yes, patience, patience, patience. She definitely has an upset tummy from stress - pooped again on the carpet this afternoon (runny like this morning - not normal for her). But I never did like the carpet in my office anyway ;) And Woolite carpet cleaner for pets is like magic.

Thanks for the tip on the litter attractant. I'm thinking she's just pooping outside the litter box because of an upset tummy and she might use the box again once her tummy calms down (and I'll order the litter attractant just in case she doesn't). The little pop up cubes will be worth a try as well. No bed in the room, just my desk, a chair, a bookshelf, a closet with no door, and some storage bins... aside from all the kitty stuff. Once and a while, I'll see her sitting at the base of my chair out of the corner of my eye - watching me. Sort of neat when she does that. I try to pretend I don't know she's there. My desk faces a corner so it's hard to keep tabs without being obvious about it - I may get a small mirror to mount on my desk self so I can sneak peeks without turning my head.

I keep the room dim, so pictures might be slow coming (don't want to use flash). My icon is a picture of her from her days in the parking lot.

I just wish I had something to neutralize the odor that is left hanging in the air after her poops. It's a small office and although I have vents, it doesn't seem like enough to clean out the stuffiness.I don't have a screen in my window, and she can easily jump a pet gate. Maybe I need to custom make a door trellis so the door can be blocked but air can still get through? Air purifier? Febreze? Thoughts?
 

merstockgto

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I would like to tell you about our experience of a true feral cat we took in July 7, 2011. We had noticed a tuxedo cat roaming our neighborhood for close to 2 years. We did not start feeding her until early 2011 as we felt bad for her and we have 4 indoor cats and didn't want to attract another. One day in June 2011 I noticed she had a big tummy and finally realized she was expecting. We had our home up for sale in Fl. and felt bad for her as we could not leave the state and leave her behind waiting for her meals each day. I borrowed a trap from a cat rescue and got her and immediately took her to our vet to have the pregnancy aborted and had her fixed and chipped. We named her Sox.  The first couple of weeks after surgery she would cry like she wanted outside and I am sure she did but she finally calmed down. We had thought of releasing her but thought better than that. Anyway,  we kept her in our half bath for 5 months and she had a window to look out and had all the comforts of home. I would spend a lot of time with her each day getting her used to me as she was really freaked out at first. She eventually calmed down. I would get on the floor with her and talk to her in a soothing voice trying to reassure her she is okay and to get her used to me. We sold our home in Dec. 2011 and she traveled with us and our other 4 kitties and she gave us no problems at all. Rode like a champ. On the trip to Nevada we put her in the motel bathroom each night with the door closed and her carrier inside with her. We put food and water down and litter box and when morning came she would head to her carrier as she felt safe in it so we never had to handle her and upset her.

When we first got to our new home we kept her in our master bath with a large closet attached to it to get her used to the new surroundings. She has progressed so nicely and is so happy. She is not agressive at all and gets along well with our other felines. She now has the run of the house and even has her tail up most of the time and meows at us when it is wet food time. She lets me know when it is around 6 pm as she comes out and lets me know it is din din time. She really is a sweet cat. Even though she doesn't want us touching her she is not afraid of us anymore. She does not try to hide from us. She has places she can hide if she wants and we give her her space. We have been patient and give her all the space she needs. She does not hiss or growl. Sox is proof a feral can be made into a house cat but every animal is different. I am sure some ferals you cannot help as they do not want it but Sox has accepted our help and we feel good that we rescued her from a hard life.  She had had at least 2 other litters before we trapped her. She was about 2 or 3 years old last year so she is a young cat.
 
 
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thbtbt

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Thanks, merstockgto, for sharing your story! Moving with a stray kitty must have been super challenging, but I'm glad she's adjusted to your home.
 
 

feralvr

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WOW - she is REALLY pretty!!! Just lovely. She is so very lucky to have found you and I am certain that she will come around with your great care. Did the vet give you some dewormer? She probably has some parasites :sigh: and the trouble with that is IF you can even get close to her to get the product on her. I usually have the vet's put Profender on the cat's. It is a spot on treatment that you apply to the back of the head. It will deworm her in one dose. Although, I usually do another in three weeks, probably overkill, but that is just me :lol3: See if you can talk to the vet about Profender.

This is what I have used in the past for stink poops. Since I feed raw now, no more stinkies!! I think any local big pet store will carry a natural odor spray you can use. Just be careful when you spritz. Your kitty might think you are hissing!!! :lol3:
http://www.petfooddirect.com/produc...-Spray?utm_source=pricegrabber&utm_medium=cse
 
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thbtbt

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Thanks, Feralvr!

So yesterday, her poops got worse and she wasn't eating or drinking water. The poop I found when I came home from work had a tiny touch of red to it so I called the local emergency vet and brought her in. She was surprisingly easy to get into a carrier, but was terrified once she got to the animal er. The smells were probably worse that the regular vet (as most pets are stressed from sudden injury or dying when they are brought there). She actually bit a vet tech while they were trying to examine her. They gave her fluids and a shot of "pepsid" (something to calm her tummy). They had to seate her to do it because she was so upset and "bitey". BUT, this morning she is active and no poop or vomit on the carpet (so far).

When she was first given all her shots they tested her stool for worms and it came back negative. So at that time I wasn't given a dewormer. However the er vet explained she might still have worms as it might not always show up in the stool sample. It just so happens I take one of my other kitties to the vet for his regular checkup today so I'll talk to my vet about a dewormer like Profender. I don't think she'll let me get close enough to do it, but the thought of just having to do it once and be done sounds worth trying.

The er vet also recommended bland cooked chicken and white rice for a while. My sister's dog was on that diet for weeks when he was a puppy so she will be able to advise me on which chicken, rice, and cooking method to use. I plan on feeding her a little this afternoon once I've had a chance to prepare it.

I also had the chance to clean my office last night while the er kept her sedated (they like to observe and make sure she wakes up ok). I only live 15 minutes away, so I took an hour to air out the room and clean the carpet a bit (baking soda and a vacuum does amazing wonders). I had some Nature's Miracle and a blacklight on hand so I was able to find all the spots where she went on the carpet.

And I got some of the Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter and a couple extra litter boxes. I split her old litter amongst three litter boxes and put them in the areas she was pooping in. Then I spread a little of the cat attract litter on top. She hasn't used the litter boxes yet today, but at least no poop on the carpet so far.

The fact that she is active this morning (wandering the room when I sit down and sitting on the windowsill) is good I think. Sort of like her old habits before she started feeling sick. I was worried she would hide from me for days, but maybe not after all. Fingers crossed she starts to feel better!
 

feralvr

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:hugs: You are doing such a GREAT job with this baby. :rub: The blood tinged diarrhea/poop is pretty common if they have have some irritation in the intestinal lining and/or parasites. Stress can also cause this too. :rolleyes: Did the vet give you something? You can also feed Hill's W/D, which you would get from the vet, for the diarrhea. This will quickly firm up the stool, is nutritious, and the cat's all love it. Get the canned, not the dry. You can give her that for a few days. Also, ask about metronidazole for a possible bacterial infection of the gastrointestinal tract. That will also help solidify poops. It is very bitter though, so you have to be able to pill the cat fairly easily. I think they do make it in a flavored compounded liquid though. OH nevermind, :lol3: you probably won't be able to dose her :doh3:!!!!! Just some suggestions for you, hun, and something to ask the vet about. The vet could have applied the Profender when she was sedated... oh well. Not all parasites will show up on the fecal, like giardia or coccidia, Or tapeworm. If she had fleas at one time or ever ate a bird outside, she could have tapeworm. The tell tale signs are yellowish, rice looking segments that you would find in her bedding.

I think she will become your BFF very soon. Actually, bringing her to the vet and then "rescuing" her and taking her back to her safe place at your house will make her trust you more. Believe it or not :lol3: ;) Hope to hear that she soon uses the litter boxes!!! :vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes:
 
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thbtbt

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Thanks, Feralvr!

UPDATE: Two days on a bland diet of chicken and rice (with a little Fresh Digest sprinkled in) and not only does Moonshine look as though she is feeling much better, she is also using the litter box again, eats like a horse, and has even approached me to niff my hands (I think it's the lingering smell of chicken from preparing her food, but I didn't expect her to be so brave so soon - amazing!). I had expected a 5 steps back sort of scenario, but it actually looks as though we're picking up where we left off with a little step forward. You could be right about the "rescuing from the vet". She's far from being my BFF, but certainly moving in the right direction.

 

feralvr

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Thanks, Feralvr!

UPDATE: Two days on a bland diet of chicken and rice (with a little Fresh Digest sprinkled in) and not only does Moonshine look as though she is feeling much better, she is also using the litter box again, eats like a horse, and has even approached me to niff my hands (I think it's the lingering smell of chicken from preparing her food, but I didn't expect her to be so brave so soon - amazing!). I had expected a 5 steps back sort of scenario, but it actually looks as though we're picking up where we left off with a little step forward. You could be right about the "rescuing from the vet". She's far from being my BFF, but certainly moving in the right direction.
:rub:
EXCELLENT!!!! You sound so happy :D :happy3: Things WILL get better and better. A great feeling to have them begin to trust. :rub: :clap::clap:
 
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