Desperately seeking advice

bastfriend · Sep 2, 2013

I know there's a subforum somewhere on this site about pregnancy, maybe they can help? About the trap, I say go for it and get it. Each time you reach for her and she moves away makes it less likely you'll be able to get her the next time. If she's never been trapped she won't know what the trap is and should go in easily - IF she's hungry. Can you coordinate with the other neighbor who feeds her to let you be the only one feeding her? OR if the other neighbor is feeding her in a more sheltered location maybe the trap can be placed in that feeding location. It doesn't need to stay down long, just put it out at the normal time and place that she would eat. There are many tips and tricks to make the trap more appealing like covering it, putting newspaper over the bottom so they don't feel the grate and more, but the important thing is to get started soon as you can! Another trapping option I haven't personally done but I've heard others have luck with is to use a large crate or carrier with a long string tied to the door, you put bait in, and hide around a corner wait till cat goes in and shut the door. Still that won't work if the cat immediately lunges at the door to get out. And if the trapping attempt fails it will be extremely hard to try to trap her again - this is why using a humane trap to start with is best. Others may have more thoughts on this one though who've actually done it. Good luck I'm rooting for you and Oscar!

StefanZ · Sep 2, 2013

Im thinking without coming to a good idea. Im a little baffled she is willing to deliver in such a very uncertain place as under cars... Or is she hoping for something better?

Try and rig up your carrier there nearby. Perhaps with little smelly tuna inside at the farthest corner.

Cover the carrier so it is like a dark tunnel, a hidey hole.

You are near talking softly, and holding in the rope who will close the door.

With any luck, she will go in voluntarily, as she needs a hidey hole. AND needs help. Have an extra towel with you as mentioned above - if necessary / have occasion, you wrap her in. Wrapped she ceases resistance, you dont need to use any violence thereafter.

Good luck!

goholistic · Sep 2, 2013

Frankie the cat said:
What type of behavior does a cat display when she is in labor?

I believe panting is a sign.

The "Pregnant Cats and Kitten Care" forum will have more information.

frankie the cat · Sep 7, 2013

Hey guys.... Just wanted to update this thread. Well, Oscar had disappeared for a few days. She didn't eat any of the food I had left for her and I kinda figured that she went somewhere to give birth to her kittens. I assumed right because I just saw her underneath my neighbors car. She came out briefly and I saw that her stomach is gone. She still didn't eat though. I am pretty sure it isn't a wise decision to trap her now when she has a litter of kittens somewhere. I have NO IDEA where they could possibly be at and I really don't know what I should do now, other than what I have been doing. She still looks grouchy, just a lot smaller than she was. It's hot outside so I think she is keeping cool underneath the car. Question, does a mother cat ever abandon her kittens? I am wondering why she isn't with them instead of alone underneath the car? Any feed back will be appreciated. thanks

StefanZ · Sep 7, 2013

It is not common for them to abadon their kittens no. I suppose it happens but surely rarely.

What is quite common, is they arent with the kittens the whole time, but seeking food at their usual food source. The kittens being alone quite long hours.

It happens also of course, all the kittens were stillborne, or killed off by a predator at the delivery, when mom is virtually defenceless and cant protect them properly.

The best is to take them when they are still high preg. Afterwards it is much more difficult. the only to do is to provide her with food, and hope she will show you them.

If you try to talk sweetly and follow - maybe she will lead you home after a while. At first she will led you astray.

If you dont succeed - they will prob come with the kittens when they are 6-8 weeks.

some rescuers catch them, spay, let them rest 24 hours and let them out, to go back to the kittens, and hoping for the best. But it has its risks, of course.

Good luck!

frankie the cat · Sep 7, 2013

orange tabby 3.jpg

frankie the cat
Sep 7, 2013

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frankie the cat
Sep 7, 2013

Sorry about the picture quality. I had to lay on the ground and use my cell phone to take these pics. She is such a cutie pie and I think she is lovely even without a tail.

animal lover412 · Sep 7, 2013

Frankie the cat said:
Good morning. To get right to the point. For a few weeks now I have been feeding a stray cat (orange tabby) because he/she needs very much to have someone care for it. And that someone is me. I guess the cat now knows that I am the one providing food so it actually comes close enough for me to look at opposed to hiding until the coast is clear to eat the food I left. Well, I couldn't help but see how badly off the poor kitty is. Small frame but very large stomach, dirty, no tail, and there appeared to be a discharge coming from it's anus. I believe that could be a tape worm. I have tried to catch it to take to vet but I have been unsuccessful, so I am wondering if I could treat the cat myself for worms by putting the medicine in the food I leave for it. Any advice concerning this poor kitty is much appreciated.
On another note, I am also wondering if I am putting my indoor cat (Frankie) in any danger by having this stray cat hang around my patio. I noticed a dried slim trail, just like a snail would leave, in the general area where I leave the food bowl. and I think it has something to do this that discharge I saw. Frankie is an indoor cat but sometimes just takes a step or two outside with me to have a look around. Frankie is very healthy and I want to keep him that way. I wouldn't mind taking care of the stray if I could catch it but I am scared of disease that it could pass on to my Frankie. I just HAVE to help this kitty so please offer me advice. My heart is breaking over this poor kitty.

StefanZ · Sep 8, 2013

Frankie, I saw your post at Pregnants and kittens.

You write she doenst eat, although you are her food source. She is not even nibbling for pleasure.

In this case there is yet another variation: she is sick, and dont manage to care for her kittens. Essentially abandoning them yes.

If so, you should try and take her NOW, ASAP, and take her to a vet.

Do as I suggested, try and rig up a carrier as a friendly dark hole for her to go in voluntarily.

Be also ready with a towel...

When sick, they often let them be helped.

In this situation, they also get socialized much quicker than otherwise.

Find a couple of friendly helpsome neighboorhood children, and ask them to help with searching for the kittens.

They are well hidden, but children go often into corners which adults miss... Give them a fee if so is.

The kittens may still be alive and possible to save.

We had cases when newoborn kittens were found after almost two days, and saved.

Good luck!

bastfriend · Sep 11, 2013

Hi Frankie, I'm glad Oscar is still around though sorry it looks like things are more complicated now. Have you consulted with your neighbor? Is Oscar eating over there? Stefan's advice sounds good though if she's not eating and unwell she may need vet care. I've heard many times of feral nursing mom's being spayed overnight and returned to the kittens and it still working out okay, so a vet trip could be done, maybe needs to be done!

frankie the cat · Sep 11, 2013

Hi, Bastfriend... There is an upside and a downside with Oscar. First let me say that at this very moment she is taking a nap under my outdoor patio furniture. And seems content to hang out here opposed to being in the parking lot. She is a sweet girl. And since my last post she and I have bonded quite a bit !!!!! I got her to follow me to my patio, where I have a cat cubby hide away for her. So she has been hanging out on the patio more often. I believe my Frankie ( indoor cat ) has a kiity crush on her. He will sit in the window and watch her for hours. She still goes to parking lot but not as much. Now, as far as her kittens are concerned I fear the worst. I had an opportunity to watch her on and off for an entire day and she never appeared to look like she needed to get to her kittens. I asked my neighbors kids to go on a scavenger hunt and look for kittens and I would award the winner $20. Well, they weren't found. Since Oscar and I are getting chummy she did let me pick her up and examine her. I'm not experienced with this kind of thing but her teats don't look like the have been used. No clean spots where a little mouth may have been. I did schedule an appoint with the vet so hopefully this Friday she won't disappear on me. She has been where I could find her for the past several days. My husband won't let me bring her in my house due to her appearance. So for the moment she is my outdoor kitty. She has been eating and becomes quite animated when she sees me with her food. I'm trying to put some weight on her but some under lying issue may be keeping her from doing that. I don't doubt she needs to be treated for worms. I will let you know the outcome of her vet visit.

goholistic · Sep 11, 2013

I'm sorry about you not being able to find the kittens.

I hope mama starts to feel better.

animal lover412 · Sep 12, 2013

Omg your husband won't let her inside because she has no tail I'd let her inside even if she had no tail three legs and two heads

frankie the cat · Sep 13, 2013

Animal lover412 said:
Omg your husband won't let her inside because she has no tail I'd let her inside even if she had no tail three legs and two heads

No, you misunderstood. My husband doesn't want Oscar in our home because she is dirty and has fleas. Her having no tail has nothing to do with it. My husband is concerned for our indoor cat Frankie.
On another note... I was supposed to take Her to Vet today. And all day long she has not made an appearance. Sigh....

krst · Sep 13, 2013

Probably out on a hunt, maybe looking for the kittens. Feral cats disappear and there is no time limit on them they come and go. I don't see them for months maybe year!

animal lover412 · Sep 14, 2013

Frankie the cat said:
No, you misunderstood. My husband doesn't want Oscar in our home because she is dirty and has fleas. Her having no tail has nothing to do with it. My husband is concerned for our indoor cat Frankie.

On another note... I was supposed to take Her to Vet today. And all day long she has not made an appearance. Sigh....

Try to clean her and get her all fixed up and maybe your husband will let her inside hope she shows up Wiskers my stray shows up lots but she sometimes hunts

bastfriend · Sep 17, 2013

I swear these cats are psychic sometimes about vet visits! I hope Oscar returns so you can get her cleaned up and let her in with Frankie.

frankie the cat · May 11, 2014

I just wanted to update this post. The little Orange tabby that I previously called Oscar is now named Xena ( warrior princess )

She is finally safe !!!! This past winter she ended up mating and getting pregnant... again. And unfortunately one of the kittens was breached and stuck in her birth canal. That is why I was able to trap her. She needed help. She was meowing and rolling over for me to rub her belly. It was then that I saw a discharge. And realized she was in distress. So Off to the vet we went. She lost all 5 of her kittens. However, because of what happened I was able to get a hold of her. And now she is living with me and my family !!!!! With all the resistance she gave me prior to trapping her you wouldn't believe how much of a snuggle bug she is. A very loving kitty. She just needed me.......

Here is a picture of her with my Frankie

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frankie the cat
May 9, 2014

She is wearing a onesie to keep from licking her incision from being spayed.

And here is another picture of this pretty girl giving Frankie a kiss.

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frankie the cat
May 11, 2014

She is very comfortable being indoors and actually runs if me or my husband open the door. I guess she doesn't ever want to live outdoors again.

She even gets in the bed with me and cuddles. The vet said she is approx 4 years old and seems to be in decent health.

That is great news because I want Xena to be apart of this family for a long long time. My husband even loves her already .......

Well.... Thanks for reading every one !!!!

goholistic · May 11, 2014

What an AWESOME update!

I'm so glad you found an opportunity to trap her and get her some help, even though she did lose her babies. I'm sure she's VERY happy to be in your safe, loving home with a friend like Frankie around. Thank you, thank you for not giving up on Xena...and for making my day with this update!

ondine · May 11, 2014

That is wonderful news! So glad to hear Zena's (and your) happy ending!

shadowsrescue · May 12, 2014

What a wonderful story for Xena. I am so happy you were able to trap and spay her and she now has a furever indoor home!!

Desperately seeking advice

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