Twiddledee Escaped: Retrap?

Backgound: TD showed up at my colony in January 2012, immediately TNRd.  Male, adult, previously owned.  I can pet him.  Also showed up with his presumed brother, near identical looking.

Moved in August, but still continue to feed him on weekends, he's still friendly.

Vacation in September, came back, not putting any weight on front left paw. Two weeks ago, scruffed him, took him to cat person, best guess sprain or pulled muscle.  (Negative for FIV/FELK)  Decided to foster him to get him to rest his paw and adopt him out.

He settled in reasonably well, very affectionate, lots of head butting scent marking, his face went right up to mine; some increase in biting (play? displaced agression? dominance?)  He meowed a lot, especially at night, I could tell he wanted to get outside.

This morning, I closed the glass patio door and opened the screen door about three inches, went out for ten minutes, came back in, and he was gone.  Apparently TD clawed the door opened and escaped.  I immediately looked for him, no where to be found.  I put out his litter box and a sheet he liked to lie on. 

I am sad, heartbroken, guilty.  I *knew* he wanted to escape and didn't take the necessary precautions--I should have locked the screen door.

Guilty partly because I had very little time to spend with him, especially last night, partly because in retrospect, I bit off more than I could chew.  I think TD while affectionate, may not be an appropriate house cat after all.

I'm afraid he is going to try to return to the colony, 25 miles away--and die trying.  Lots of highways. 

Where I live is has a lot of trees, woods.  There is also a drainage culvert at the bottom of my property.  I'm also afraid he is going in there to hide; with the heavy rains expected I'm afraid he'll drown.

This is what I plan to do.  PLEASE LET ME KNOW if you have any other suggestions or advise against a particular course of action:

I'll see if he comes around at dinner time.  If not, I plan to set out two traps and see if I can catch him.  (This is a cat who,when I was trying to trap a new cat [to TNR] he walked into the trap twice within 15 minutes.)

If I do catch him, should I release him back into the colony (after the bad weather)?

UPDATE:  he returned home, strangely to the front door not the back patio door.  He got close enough (gotta love Fancy Feast) for me to scruff him and put him back in the 2nd bedroom.  Not happy, meowing a lot.

I'll certainly keep him until the storm passes (I live in Annapolis/DC area).  Not sure whether to return him to the colony.  I think he is of two minds:  loves the outdoors, loves people too.

Just saw this Cindy!!!!!!!!! OH hun, you must have been so very frantic and upset. I am thrilled to read that TD is back inside. I honestly think the fact that he came back to the house that way and you were able to scruff him is very telling. I do think he wants and needs people and wants the safety of the indoors. I think in time he could acclimate and adjust to indoor only living. STAY SAFE during this horrible tropical storm...

Hey, is there enough room for you to build him an enclosure outdoors? Maybe he really could have the best of both worlds.

Thanks for every ones response.

In my dreams I would have a screen porch attached to my townhouse.  But I live in a retirement community with a LOT of architectural restrictions.  I would need to get submit building plans to the Committee in charge of such things, get their approval, and then get it built (and, get the money to do so).  Probably take at a minimum three months.  So while that is an option, not any time soon.

A husband/wife team found my colony about a month ago while they were serving arrest warrants; they saw how friendly three of the cats were (including Twiddledee) and expressed interest in adopting one of the cats.  So, they know TD's background.  They are in the process of moving to this area; I will call them next week once they settle in.

An added complication:  suddenly last night I noticed TD was not putting any weight on the OTHER paw (the other paw seems okay).  In good conscious I should probably take him to the vets for a definitive diagnosis (i.e., arthritis?)

I really hope that these people will adopt your TD. :cross: I am sorry to hear that NOW he is limping on the other paw..... I wonder too, could this be an arthritic condition. If you are not seeing any sores or raw areas on the pads then it must be internal. I guess another vet visit might be in order. Keep us posted, Cindy.

Yes, and these people would know the kind of issues an abandoned cat would have.

I let Ritz and TD see each other, within paw's length, TD assumed a submissive position and Ritz' eyes just got really big, she didn't move.  I held on to TD the entire time.  Then I let TD explore the bedroom on her own and Ritz explore the 2nd bedroom, i.e., each other's 'safe' room.  TD didn't do a lot of scent marking, he went under the bed and under the dresser bureau a couple of times.  Went well.  My purpose was to try to determine whether TD wants out of the HOUSE or simply out of the room; he is use to a much wider territory in which to explore.  And to see how Ritz reacts to a somewhat submissive, older cat.

This is the FIRST time I've even attempted to do Introductions (on purpose).  The only cat Ritz has been exposed to was very very dominant, and that was for about 15 minutes (by accident).

TD walked fine, exploring the bedroom, wasn't limping.  So, yeah, maybe it's arthritis.

Maybe he'd like one of those insulated cat beds. Warmth is often good for sore joints.

Good idea.

He keeps on calling, meowing a LOT.  Do you think he is 'calling' for his litter mate, who is still at the cat colony?

Ritz said:

Yes, and these people would know the kind of issues an abandoned cat would have.
I let Ritz and TD see each other, within paw's length, TD assumed a submissive position and Ritz' eyes just got really big, she didn't move.  I held on to TD the entire time.  Then I let TD explore the bedroom on her own and Ritz explore the 2nd bedroom, i.e., each other's 'safe' room.  TD didn't do a lot of scent marking, he went under the bed and under the dresser bureau a couple of times.  Went well.  My purpose was to try to determine whether TD wants out of the HOUSE or simply out of the room; he is use to a much wider territory in which to explore.  And to see how Ritz reacts to a somewhat submissive, older cat.
This is the FIRST time I've even attempted to do Introductions (on purpose).  The only cat Ritz has been exposed to was very very dominant, and that was for about 15 minutes (by accident).
TD walked fine, exploring the bedroom, wasn't limping.  So, yeah, maybe it's arthritis.

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WOW!!! I think that was a great first look reaction from Ritz!!!! You never know, Cindy!!! Maybe TD already has his forever home. :anon: :lol3: OH you might want to try getting some Cosequin for TD. It comes in a capsule and you can easily sprinkle it on wet food. Might give him some relief :dk:

Ritz said:

Good idea.
He keeps on calling, meowing a LOT.  Do you think he is 'calling' for his litter mate, who is still at the cat colony?

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He could be lonely in his room? Since he was so submissive with Ritz, he might really enjoy some companionship. Maybe you could do these little intros once a day. I don't think at this point he is calling for his colony friends. I wonder if he is having some joint pain :dk: and that he is trying to tell someone.

Thanks for your input.  Twiddledee has full run of the house, and Ritz is more comfortable with him.  In fact, Tdee decided he liked the sofa in the living room, so he jumped up there last night and took a nap.  After Ritz ignored me most of the evening (jealousy?), she decided my lap was warmer than the cat condo in front of the window.  So she jumped up on the sofa, walked over to TDee, nose to nose, walked back to me and settled on my lap for a snooze.  Peaceable Kingdom.

I do give him 1/3 tablet of a baby aspirin most days.  I am taking TDee to the vets Thursday.  I'll ask about the Cosequin.  There are two people who are interested in TD, and I need to have a definitive diagnosis before adopting him out.  The problem with his paw seems to come and go.

I'll miss Tdee.

OH Cindy..... of course you will miss TD if he gets adopted. I can't believe how FAST Ritz has accepted TD. That is really remarkable and I bet they could be fast friends. Keep updating!!! I think it will all work out the way it is suppose to. Good luck at the vet with TD. :cross:

Yes, I'm surprised Ritz tolerates TDee as well as she does.  It's a tribute to Ritz and Twiddledee.

I took Twiddledee to the vet today.  "Dr. Dan" manipulated every which way TDees should, leg, arm, paws and neck.  TDee had no reaction.  Dr. Dan consulted with an orthopedist specialist, could think of no other diagnostic test, and suggested that I bring TDee in next time he starts limping.  That's a good idea (and Dr. Dan said he won't charge me for an office visit), but the limping is sporadic and sometimes lasts only a few hours.  He thought maybe of Shifting Limb Lameness, but it is rare in cats and usually affects large breed dogs.

Other than the paw issue, TDee is healthy (10.2 pounds).  The vet thinks TDee is around two to three years old though he also said cats between 2 and 8 look the same.

I may take TDee to the vet again if he starts limping.  Depends on if potential adopters raise the issue.

Speaking of which:  how do you think I should handle the paw issue with people who are interested in TD?

Thanks.

PS:  I gave Twiddledee a piece of (raw) Goat and he ate it!

Oooooooooo that is GREAT on the raw tidbit for TD. Smart kitty :lol3: :bigthumb: I would mention the limping to the potential adopter and say that he has been checked a couple of times at the vet. Since it is sporadic, I wonder if it will eventually just go away. :cross: Just be honest and I can't imagine that would deter someone from adopting that lovely boy. NICE VET!!! No charge for that visit. Sounds like my wonderful vet.

Thanks.  Another cat (kitten really) had a bum paw, x-ray showed nothing.  Mentioned to the adopter and didn't deter her from adopting "Lacey" ("Ace").  I will say Tdee sometimes limps, doesn't affect her mood at all, has been checked by the vets and they found nothing. 

Just to clarify, Dr. Dan charged me a reasonable $58 today; if/when I bring Twiddledee back because he IS limping, he won't charge me again.