New Cat in TNR'd Group Is Going Blind. Need Thoughts.

Hi, I'm new at your site because I need input on a sad dilemma.  Four years ago our no-kill shelter got a grant to TNR in my zip code.  Things had gotten out of control with us feeding close to 25 cats.  14 cats were fixed and returned.  One kitty-making Tortie was trap savvy.  Two years ago she disappeared and we haven't had kittens since.

Our little colony of about 13 had been stable until earlier this year when a black male I call Short Tail worked his way in.   After much hissing, he was accepted, but didn't really make friends.  Last week, Short Tail's eyes were crusted shut.  Then this week one of his eyes seemed popped out with film over it.  Next, that eye receded, the other was uncrusted but did not look normal.  It seems he is going blind. 

Short Tail is feral, both his ears have been a bit ripped from fighting.  He doesn't run off the deck anymore when I go out, but that's the extent of his progress.  Yesterday I placed a carrier outside and put a can of salmon Friskies in it hoping he'd go in, but he hardly gave it a second look as he walked by.  I'm not sure he could smell it.

We are buying a trap of our own, but realistically, the odds of catching Short Tail aren't that good with all the other fixed cats who consider this home.  I know blind cats can function normally inside a house, but outside?  Bless his sweet heart.  Has anybody had experience in a situation like this?  Is letting nature take her course all I can do now?

Thanks,

Robyn  aka Catty Tiger

You may need to get a drop trap.  If he can't smell the food, though, it might be difficult to get him in a position to drop the trap.  They work by being propped up until the cat goes under them.  Then the prop is pulled and the trap drops onto the cat.  Its shaped like a box, so the cat is not hurt.  

Is there a way you and a partner can work together.  Perhaps the partner can manipulate the trap while you call Short Tail towards you.

If you place the trap between you, he'll have to walk under it to get to you.  Then your partner can drop it over him.

I have netted cats before - when they did not go into the trap.  This might work, too, although it is a little traumatic for the cat.  One way or the other, though, he needs to see a vet as soon as possible.  Get him neutered while he's at the vet's.  Sounds like he needs it.

Thank you for helping him.  He's found an angel in you.

I do hope to help ST (Short Tail.)  He was serious about joining my previously stable little colony. He's suffered a lot of hissing and rejection, but I haven't heard any fights.  There just hasn't been enough time for him to be used to my husband or me.  Or Big Black Kitty, for that matter, who is an absolute doll of a feral , 

I netted a cat once, and that has already crossed my mind, but I'd prefer not.

Will see what the weekend brings.  Thank you for your ideas!

I've thought about my answer and occurred to me to offer a caution. If you use a drop trap, watch him carefully so the trap doesn't drop on his head. That happened to a friend of mine and it took her forever to catch that cat!

Oh gosh, that would be traumatic to me & him.  One of our issues is our old house has an apartment underneath which makes the deck, where everybody lives like a second story.  You can kind of tell from my avatar - you can see the roof of the house (Salon) next door.  Makes it safe for the kitty crew, but not so good for trapping.

I'm going to get one of those extendable spoons.  They seem like something that could come in handy for more than just ST.

It's so difficult to tell what ST sees.  He does look at me, but I'm also talking to him.