The Toby Diary

Its been five days since he wandered into our lives. Im just gonna keep track of his progress here... like a live journal. Hes made progress I feel. He has put on 2.8 pounds and is getting demanding for attention. Hubby made him a house/window seat that he enjoys. I have been able to clean his face better and think I found where he was hit in the head causing his current issues. Below are a couple pics, the house pic is bad cuz of the sunlight, but you can see he is using it and enjoying the view.

He put on 2.8 pounds in 5 days?  He sounds like he is a fighter.  He's a pretty boy.

I'm so glad you're taking care of that little cutie . He needed you!

Yeah, the weight astounded me.  I think a lot of it is water though, he was so dehydrated.  He sure is a fighter though.  He went Cat from Hell on me last night.  Curled up all sweet in my lap, up I'm just loving on him to the point he was purring and half asleep and out of nowhere he latched on with both front paws and teeth.  Only one claw broke the skin... I dislodged him, gave him a final scratch for the night and left him to decompress.

Personally, I think he's quite ugly, I'm not partial to orange tabbys, I'm more of a seal point, flat face, long hair, exotic type cat but I can't say no to a pitiful hurt cat.  Even ugly cats need love LOL!

Todays update... he is still improving, although his weight gain has slowed, which is fine with me.  He's at a healthy weight at 9 pounds.  Biggest improvement is that after a week he finally cleaned his face.  I walked in to sit with him and it took me a minute to figure out what was different... then it hit me.  I could see his face without all the icky brown crusty stuff I'd been trying to clean.  He's a bit more active and it seems as though his voice is starting to come back.  He no longer appears unsteady but the head tilt is still there, not quite as pronounced though.  Overall I'm happy with the progress, a week ago I'd have sworn he was a goner, now he seems determined to show me that, by God, I'm going back outside where I want to be.  Not sure how THAT option will go if I have my way...  Now I just wait for the neuter scooter to come around, get him fixed and call it good.  He's going to remain inside for some time yet just to see that nothing else pops up... for now, I just wish he'd clean his front legs...

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More good news, huh?   Maybe tomorrow his legs will be all clean

Sorry he got overstimulated - but what a fighter he is! He's one lucky boy to have found someone to help him fight.

Can he see?  I've always been partial to orange boys.

I'm so glad you took him in and are nursing him back to health.  I don't remember, have you taken him to the vet yet to have him tested and all that stuff?
 

Stephanie and Dan, so sorry I missed your posts...  To answer your questions, no, a vet wasn't in the budget but having dealt with so many sick cats I have a small pharmacy and was lucky that he looked worse than I thought.  I honestly thought he was a goner but the meds here, the food, water and peace to rest and heal did it's work.  I thought he had lost the one eye but he didn't, it's clear and bright and he can see great.  I'm not big on orange cats, per se, but I can't ever say no to any sick cat, my husband just LOVES that about me... NOT.  Now for the latest update.

He has continued improving every day and finally cleaned his own face!  Took me a few minutes to figure out what was different then it hit me... after two weeks of trying to clean it, he finally got the idea and did it himself.  He did a marvelous job and now I can see that the eye I thought was a lost cause it clear and bright.  he has leveled off at a healthy 9.8 pounds and all bodily functions are working well.  So well in fact, that I have an issue.  He is marking in the rooms I'm keeping him in.  My bedroom and bathroom stink.  The husband built him the house/perch and I think as he looks outside and maybe sees other cats has him a bit territorial.  I'm honestly thinking he;s ready to go out but he's not fixed yet.  It could be weeks or months before the neuter scooter comes around and I don't want him outside until he's fixed.  He is talking my ears off when I spend time with him, I promise you this cat has a VOICE!  He is eating very well (obviously true from his weight) and all signs of dehydration are gone.  His gums are pink and his assbreath is gone.  He is grooming, playing, purring, loving and cheek marking and basically just being a cat.  A VERY intact MALE cat.  Below are pictures from 20 minutes ago

Look at those clear bright eyes and the awesome weight on that boy!  he still gets some crusties in the corners of his eyes, but every cat I've ever seen has had them, just like humans.

Don't he look just awesome compared to the cat just 17 days ago???

Oh yeah!  Clear eyes.  Isn't the power of recovery remarkable?

It really is!!! Seriously, when we found him I'd have put money on it that he wouldn't male it.  He has exceeded every expectation and I'm tickled to death!

He is spraying because he's not neutered and he's marking his territory.  You can try a feliway diffuser to help destress and cleaning with an enzymatic cleaner.  Good luck!!  Getting him to the vet to be neutered will be a huge help, though.  He can also be tested for FIV, FeLV, and get his shots.

Oh my gosh, he is looking so much better!  I was specifically looking for an update on Toby when I got on today.  He is so lucky he found you.  You undoubtedly saved his life.

Well I'm glad you had the update you were hoping for Dahlia  I'm glad I was there for him as well... but if he hadn't had the enormous will to live. nothing I could have done would help.  He really has such a strong spirit it's amazing!