Stray cat shaking?!

We have a stray cat under our shed, and we've been leaving out food and water for it when it comes out at night. We've tried to catch it with no luck. It didn't show up last night which worries me , and it seems to have a kind of "shake" which could be a shiver (I live in New England) but it could be a disease and I'm worried it'll spread to my kitties, because my cat beau attacks any cat that isn't ours.
Thanks in advance!
~ Gigi.

I don't know if shivering is a symptom of anything contagious, but I would keep your cats inside anyways because it could have any number of contagious illnesses just because it is a feral cat.

Have you tried using a humane trap? If you contact your local humane society they may have a trap you can borrow and give you instructions on where and how to get it neutered. If it's shivering from the cold, there are some ways to build cheap feral cat structures that trap warmth that you could set up for him.

ILoveBeau said:

We have a stray cat under our shed, and we've been leaving out food and water for it when it comes out at night. We've tried to catch it with no luck. It didn't show up last night which worries me

, and it seems to have a kind of "shake" which could be a shiver (I live in New England) but it could be a disease and I'm worried it'll spread to my kitties, because my cat beau attacks any cat that isn't ours.
Thanks in advance!

~ Gigi.

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You got good advices from Molly.  A guess this shaking is from freezing, as its surely very could at your place now.   IF you do any sort of try to get him and foster, NOW is a good time for it. When he can change the cold outside to warm inside. Of course, make sure he is in a quarantine a period. Till you know he is deparasited and healthy.

A tip: if possible,  take him to the vet for check up immediately after catching, in the trap and all, before you take him home inside to his quarantine room.  Dont do too much on him at once - at least, if its a female, all the shots, deworming and spaying is too much, unless she is in excellent health.

Next guess, is Beu does tolerate her. Shehe prob wouldnt stay in a place inhibited by an aggressive defendor.

Next point, as your cats are apparently used to go outside, they prob do have some immunity.  Dont forget the necessary quarantine, but prop you aren forced to overdo it.

Last, not least.  If the stray cats is shaking from freezing, any help ASAP to it is welcome.   In the meantinme,  good food with lotsa of caloriets helps to manage the cold.

It may also be a condition called feline hyperplascia.  It is sort of like cerebral palsy in humans.  A friend has a cat with a severe case who can barely walk. She's nine years old, though and doing wonderfully.

Our Josie has a mild case - you can see it when she walks - her back legs sort of "trot" rather than move smoothly.  She also does no lay down - she sets herself into positions and falls over.

With this weather, I'd be more inclined to think its shivering, though.  If it is, he's already at risk, as the shivering response comes very late in the process of hypothermia.  The sooner you get him inside, the better.  Even a crate in the garage will work.

sadly, my dad is not a fan of feral cats as he thinks they're going to kill our cats. I tried to trap him and that didn't work. the night after that my dad let my dog chase him. he ran away and I looked for him. the worst part is my dad said it was "funny to see him run". so sadly the little cold cat wont have this warm home. I feel soooooo bad that he didn't get a chance but there is nothing i could do...

I'm sorry to hear this.  Both for the cat and the fact that your dad could have taught a better lesson.  Learn from this,  When you are old enough, you will be able to do something,

Ondine said:

 
I'm sorry to hear this.  Both for the cat and the fact that your dad could have taught a better lesson.  Learn from this,  When you are old enough, you will be able to do something,

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thanks