Helping a stray cat

I am helping a black and white tailless stray cat that got lost or was abandoned by my house. I have been feeding her for about three weeks. She is very friendly and loving. I have an indoor cat and can't take care of her as much as I'd like to. Unfortunately, she has incontinence and pees and poos everywhere. I took her to the vet and he said that maybe she has some kind of virus.The vet gave me an estimate on how much it would cost to conduct some tests to see if she has a virus or not. The estimate was too high and I can't afford it. He also said that she might have suffered some damage because of her tail amputation, and prescribed an anti-inflammatory medicine and special food to see what happens.

One of my neighbors is upset and  wants me to get rid of her and take her to the shelter. I don't want to do that because I know that they are eventually going to kill her. I would like to find a home for her but haven't had luck. I feel overwhelmed because I don't know what to do. I hope you can help me. Thank you.

Welcome to The Cat Site, sorry it's under these conditions, and thank you for caring.

It's really hard to say why she pees and poops everywhere, but it could be a result of the amputation or dietary.  What kind of special food did the vet prescribe?

Is there any way you could keep her inside for a couple of days/weeks, isolated of course from your other cat.  It would be easier to narrow down the pee/poop issue.

I would check around to see if there is a vet who works with ferals/stray cats; he or she may be more reasonable.  You can find these vets perhaps by calling any low cost spay/neuter clinic, they could refer you.

Alternatively, you could call back the vet and ask him to prioritize the tests:  which test would yield the best diagnosis for the least amount of money. 

Here is an article about when you can't afford a vet.  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/when-you-cant-afford-a-veterinarian

Good luck and keep us posted with any news.

Thank you Ritz,

 The food name is Intestinal Plus (formerly know as Low Residue) from IAMS Veterinary Formula. She used to have diarrhea but not anymore. Yesterday I saw blood in her pee. Unfortunately I can't keep her inside because I don't have space. I would really like to take her to the vet again but I can't afford it.

Besides the pee and poo problems she looks fine.

Thank you for taking interest.

Monina

Here are some pictures of the cat.

      

She's adorable. Reminds me of Ritz and some of the cats in the feral/stray colony I take care of.
I hope you have some extra money soon to take her to the vets--blood in urine isn't good. And I would think painful, though cats are infamous for hiding pain. You might want to post something in the Health section for options and advice.

Monina - Welcome !! Glad you found us. Your stray girl is absolutely beautiful. :love: This is a very difficult situation for this kitty and for you. Given her incontinent problems, she will be hard to find an indoor home for which is what she so desperately needs. It is very, very possible that there is nerve damage in her spine from her tail being injured or even from being born without a tail. This is a very common problem in tailless kitties. There is a medication to help tighten up the sphincter muscles but she would need the vet first.

If you saw blood in her urine today then she does need to go to the vet - asap. I know this is not your kitty and you are only doing what you can for her but she definitely sounds to me like she has a urinary tract infection and needs antibiotics right away. A urinalysis should be done first but I am sure, since there is now blood, that she needs meds of some sort. Can you contact a few vets and see if there is one that is willing to take her in? Sometimes, I know it is rare but possible, vet offices will take in a sweet kitty such as the one you found and treat her and find her a good home. What about calling different rescues in your area? Sometimes, just making a few calls and reaching out will open doors that you never thought were possible in matters like this.

I understand that you cannot afford any vet care for her but I do think you are responsible for making sure she gets some kind of treatment even if that means relinquishing her to the vet clinic, etc. The worse thing for this kitty is to do nothing at this point. You don't want her suffering. I hope something miraculous happens for her - she is just darling and I hope someone will be able to take her in. :cross:

Thank you both for your care and concern, I'm trying to find an economical vet.

I'll keep you posted, meanwhile pray for us please.

Thank you.

Monina said:

Thank you both for your care and concern, I'm trying to find an economical vet.
I'll keep you posted, meanwhile pray for us please.

Thank you.

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Of course and we DO care. Mega, mega vibes and prayers coming to you and this darling kitty. :cross: :rub:

My thoughts are with you and the kitty in hopes that you find an economical vet that can help you.  Thank you for all that you are doing.  Please keep us posted.

Good morning, I  just want to let you know that I found a non-profit clinic not too far from my house. I took the cat yesterday and the doctor check the cat and took some samples, she said that the blood is for sure an infection because the cat has nerve damage because of the tail amputation. Let me tell you that it was a surprise for me to find out that SHE is a neutered male haha. He is taking antibiotics for the infection and I have to empty his bladder twice a day. It is hard to do it because he doesn't like it.

My big concern right now is to find a place for him asap, one of my neighbors is furious about him because he poo in his backyard sofa. He told me ( in a very aggressive manner) that he wants the cat out or he is going to trap him and take him to the shelter. I am looking for a home to take him but it is hard because of his needs. I feel overwhelmed for the situation because as I told you before I already have an indoor cat and can't take one more. If anybody knows of a place in LA that care for cats with special needs please let me know.

Thank you

Aw Monina. You are a saint and I am so relieved to hear you took the kitty to the vet. Wonderful that you have a non-profit clinic near you. I was certain about that infection when you mentioned blood. AND, SHE is a HE !!!!!!!!!!! I really hope the antibiotics help this little one. He really is a special needs kitty. Did the vet/clinic have any thoughts on where you could bring this guy? This will be a bit more difficult trying to find a good situation for him as he will need that daily care and monitoring. I can feel your dilemma and just want to say thank you for helping him, however you can. No matter what, he knows right now he is loved and being cared for and you are doing the best you can.

I guess I would try to google any and all rescue/foster/humane societies in the LA area and just begin making calls. I know this will be work and you may get many turndowns BUT there may be one door that could open. I have always found that the more calls I make and talk with people, something comes of it, eventually. Keep us posted.

Thank you Feralvr,

I really appreciate your words, I am still looking for a place. Please keep praying for us.

I'll keep you post it.

Thank you

I did a search for cat rescue organizations in LA and found a couple of possibilities.
http://www.kittenrescue.org/index.php/about/
http://www.hopeforpaws.org/

You can do your own internet search. You just have to read the fine print carefully. Some of the organizations only rescue cats from other shelters, usually high-kill shelters. The two I linked look like they take individual cats found on the streets. Anyway, it couldn't hurt to contact them.

Thank you GoldyCat,

I contacted one of the rescue groups and unfortunately their response is not what I was expecting. I put posters on the street, but I haven't heard anything.

I think it's a matter of time before someone catches him. I also post his picture on a Facebook group dedicated to posting lost and found pets.

I think he would fit perfectly on a farm or a large plot of land, where he can run a hunt as much as he pleases.

Thank you.

Hi Monina,

There is an organization in LA called the Stray Cat Alliance--www.straycatalliance.org.  perhaps they have some useful links or resources?

Monina said:

I contacted one of the rescue groups and unfortunately their response is not what I was expecting. I put posters on the street, but I haven't heard anything.
I think it's a matter of time before someone catches him.

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Just keep trying, hun. We will keep praying too. :nod: :cross: Something WILL come of all of your hard work, phone calls, fliers, FB page, etc. Expect a lot of turn downs, but don't stop, a door will open. Also, yes, a nice little farm and a barn he can call his own may be the perfect solution. I hope it all works out for him. Have you named him? He is just darling. I hope he finds a good home. :heart2:

I know a place that may be able to help...pls inbox me your information ill call them tonight

Hi Feralvr, Thank you for your prayers.

I named him Princess when I didn't know he was a neutered male, but he is Prince now.

Monina said:

Hi Feralvr, Thank you for your prayers.
I named him Princess when I didn't know he was a neutered male, but he is Prince now.:hi:

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:lol3: A nice easy transition in name then. :bigthumb: Continuing