Post CS Care for a Semi-Feral Cat

Hi everyone!

I have adopted a female semi-feral cat who's been roaming around our apartment compound. We named her Aloof because that was her personality... Would always attempt to scratch each time we approach to touch her. Over time, she got A BIT tamed. She would allow us to touch her, but only up to a certain extent (the moment our hands linger, she would scratch - in fact, I'd been scratched many times).

She gave birth to previous kittens before outside (she would just disappear for a few weeks and come back with a kitten). However, probably due to the rain during the previous days, she was unable to find a spot and stayed inside the apartment. I cleared a space for her, but she could not give birth (the place probably wasn't enough because it was only a small one-room apartment and we have another cat, her last kitten). One afternoon when I got home, I saw some bloody discharge and thought she's due, so I placed the other cat - Small - in a carrier and led her to her nest, expecting that she'd give birth overnight. However, morning came and she was still not giving birth, so I brought her to the vet. When the vet saw her, I was told she wouldn't be able to give birth normally because she's stressed - she had to get a c-section. And when the vet saw the discharge (dark red), she warned me that the kitten could already be dead inside... And she was right. Aloof was overdue, and I was told she would have probably died also if not brought in earlier because she was already going in shock (intestines already enlarged and filled with air). Apparently, I should have brought her to the vet the moment I saw the discharge the night before.

She's still at the vet today, and hopefully I can bring her home later. However, since I have no experience with cat care (and I am alone right now and don't have somebody who can assist), I am not sure how to handle the post-care needed. I was told by the vet I should apply betadine to the wound twice a day, and I'm not yet sure how she would react to that given her history with touching - she might start scratching again. I was also told to keep her from licking the wound as the stitches may loosen - I already bought a cone but again, I don't know how she would react. Lastly, given the small space and the company of another cat, I'm wondering if I should keep the other cat (Small) in a carrier while Aloof is recovering - Small is very active and would probably jump at her to play.

I would appreciate any advice on caring for Aloof. Thank you so much and God bless you all.

First, thank you so much for helping this cat.
I can give you more moral support than knowledge. But here are thoughts off the top of my head:
I would isolate your resident cat from the semi-feral cat, perferably Aloof. (You need to make sure Small feels special; he is the resident cat.) A spare/small bathroom is fine. Alternatively, can you get a hold of a large dog crate in which to put Aloof, litter box, food, water, etc?
Regarding betadine and applying it to Aloof: does your vet know that this cat is semi-feral??? If the purpose of betadine is antibiotical, I'd ask the vet about giving Aloof a long acting antibiotic shot. And pain meds (not Metacam), perhaps liquid flavored.
The cone issue: I'd try it, but if Aloof seems absolutely miserable, try removing it (though she might fight you). I don't know how much it would hamper her ability to eat.
Finally, was Aloof spayed at the vets? It is important that she be so, as soon as possible, considering her history. And was she tested for FIV/FeLK, worms? Another reason the two cats shouldn't interact.
I would also buy some Feliway, it should calm her (and your resident cat) throughout this experience.
Aloof may become more tame through this experience.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Ritz said:

I would also buy some Feliway, it should calm her (and your resident cat) throughout this experience.
Aloof may become more tame through this experience.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

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I agree with Ritz advices, and not least with these two remarks.

My guess is she being very sick and you helping her, will help her socialize more quicker.

I guess the cesarean included spaying - but good you do ask.

*vibes!*

Do you have some KMR on hand, in case you need to feed the little kittens?  Would be a good idea to at least have a small amount in the house, just to be safe.

Siamese Mommy said:

 
Do you have some KMR on hand, in case you need to feed the little kittens?  Would be a good idea to at least have a small amount in the house, just to be safe.

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Good advice.  Kmr or goat milk if you cant get good kmr.    Both Useful also for weak moms

Get home also glucose sugar, brand name typically Dextrose or Dextropur.  Useful in many emergency situations.   Honey or white caro syrup can be used if you dont have glucose sugar, but pure glucose sugar is best.

Also, a dropper or small syringe (without needle) is easier than a bottle.

Good luck!

Hi Ritz, StefanZ, and Siamese Mommy! Thank you so much for all your advice. Aloof is now home and recuperating.

I don’t have a crate at the moment. Space is a bit of an issue… But before I left home for work this morning, I cleaned our bathroom, removed everything in there, wiped it dry, placed a folded blanket and sheet, together with everything she needs. She has no experience with cat litter yet, and I’ll start training her (and Small) soon (I’m currently looking for a greener and cheaper alternative to commercial litter). I’ll try and find a crate for her later today.

I was told by her vet that they already gave her a long-acting antibiotic (I did express to them my concern about her scratching, and they know she was a stray), but they still advised a twice-a-day application of betadine. I tried it last night when I went home, and everything went fine. When I tried it again this morning, though, she scratched again… I used a towel to hold the front section of her body while I applied betadine, and I was able to do so (even though she struggled to free herself after a while – maybe because it was painful?)

She was not given any pain meds (and I thought it won’t be needed anymore)… I’ll ask her vet for the right meds later today. As for the cone, she got uncomfortable and restless when I tried it on her, so I temporarily wrapped a small towel around her neck, and it seems to be working fine (and she was able to eat also). She was already spayed at the vet, but she didn’t have any vaccine or tests yet (when I brought her last time, it was her first time to be at the vet). We’ll be back there for the removal of the stitches once the wound is healed, and I’ll have her scheduled for the necessary tests.

By the way, there is no kitten – the kitten died inside her.

I am not familiar with almost all of the products that you mentioned, but I will research about them. Thank you so much for your help. Aloof is more affectionate and not as ‘aloof’ this time (except for that one time during betadine application, and a few times when she hissed at me). Overall, though, I could touch her longer, and she likes it when I rub her under her chin and ears.

Soooo sorry for the loss of your little one. Hugs...

Thank you, Siamese Mommy!

I am just thankful that Aloof is doing well. By the way, this was how she looked this morning before I left for work. I will still see if the towel will stay firm and keep her from reaching her tummy since she didn't seem to like the ecollar.

Nice idea with this  towel instead of the usual e-collar.  If it works so it works!

Another idea is to set on a tub sock on her, or similiar.  Extra useful if there are kittens and we dont want them to nurse on sore teats. 

Or as here, as an alternative for an e-collar.   Often works nicely

Here the problem is you shall smear this antibiotic paste twice a day.

Semiferales are usually made of tough wood and have a good healing meat.   They must have, they would perish otherwise before they were adult.

So with any luck, the healing of the operation wound shall go smooth and well.   It usually does with semiferales.

Good luck!

Pleased that things are going well. NO cat likes stuff put on their belly, so don't take that personally
If possible, I would play soft music; I'm told cats seem to like harp music but really any gentle, soft music is fine.

So I came home today to find the rolled towel taken off Aloof's neck. I rewrapped it around her neck, but she was able to remove it again (her nails got stuck on it). I tried the ecollar once again, but she didn't like it and didn't stop until she was able to take it off as well. I'm thinking about the tube sock as an alternative, especially that I caught her a while ago starting to lick the wound. I was able to apply betadine peacefully using the towel technique that I mentioned in my earlier post, and it seems her wound is drying out quite well. I will try playing music to calm her down.

My other concern is the fact that she has not pooped yet and it seems she had not peed yet also (24 hrs now). I have read that it can take 4-5 days before she pooped, but how about her peeing? She had never had a cat litter before (she would always do her business outside). Could the sudden shift to being 100% indoor be contributing to this? I don't know when it's time to be alarmed.

Thank you so much for your help!

Antibiotics and anesthesia can cause constipation.
Now, the peeing thing: yes, the sudden shift to 100% indoor can be confusing her. You can try putting some dirt, leaves on top of the cat litter. And maybe using something like cat litter attract (available at most any pet store, maybe even your local grocery store).
Also, if she isn't eating/drinking much, then she won't be peeing/pooping much. (As long as she eating something, you needn't worry about caloric intake. But do monitor it.)

Thank you for advice, Ritz! I'll try and see if the dirt/leaves trick will work with her, and if not I'll find the product that you mentioned. She has no problem eating, except she doesn't seem to like dry food and would only eat the wet food that I feed them in the morning and evening. She has no problem with drinking, too, so it's probably the new setup that's causing the problem.

Wet food is a Good Thing....

Aloof is doing well. Some parts of the stitched wound are healing well, but there's one area that is moist and seems to have some pus. I asked the vet about it and she recommended that I clean the wound with hydrogen peroxide first before applying betadine. She also prescribed a liquid antibiotic just to be sure.

My main concern now is her not yet peeing until now. I tried adding leaves and other outdoor stuff to the litter, but she merely laid down on the litter with all the natural additions (I just hope her wound didn't get all messed up - I'm still to check).

naysan said:

My main concern now is her not yet peeing until now. I tried adding leaves and other outdoor stuff to the litter, but she merely laid down on the litter with all the natural additions (I just hope her wound didn't get all messed up - I'm still to check).

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She hasnt peed yet?   Although she eats wet and drinks?

I wonder what if you tried to stimulate her a little there around her behind, like moms (and caretakers) do with kittens...   Cant hurt, if she allows you.

And may be good.  If nothing else, it will be the feeling of you taking care of her, washing her, alike friendly cats do with each other...

Good luck!

Good news! Aloof finally peed and pooped, although outside. I used moist toilet paper, and aside from some swishing of her tail, she allowed me to do it. Her vet also suggested that I can allow her to do her thing outside as long as I'm around. So after she ate, she went straight to the mini garden, and I went after her. She peed a whole lot! Maybe I'll start with the litter training once she's well and just allow her to do her thing the usual way while she's still healing. I'm so happy about Small, she learned using the litter right away. And because Aloof seems to be following her around these days, she could see Small using the litter. I just hope Aloof learns from Small gradually.

I'm so glad to be learning a whole lot here. Thank you so much for all your help!