meet Buggy

Fingers crossed all goes well.

@Ondine , agreed...vet suggested neutering even at the ripe old age of 12.   Must yield to neighbor lady's wishes, but will discuss with her. She tells me he is the last feral in her colony, others gone or adopted. I'll discuss finances too...i can help if its a hardship. She mentioned a "program" place where she's taken them in the past. 

The Bug hung out in a giant, empty cardboard box today. Currently, the little Elvis is taking his pre inner nap. Don't want to interrupt his beauty sleep. 

Yes, I sense he's settling in somewhat...he still has tendency to go to his safe spot when I enter the room....long way to go yet. I'd guess somewhere he crossed paths with people who have been abusive, chased, yelled at him. Very skittish still.    

Continue to await vets response to holiday hours tomorrow, gotta see. Worst case scenario...Thursday. 

Thanks all for moral support. 

The little king has claimed my chair. His majesty left the chair to eat dinner (how dare I interrupt his napping)....finished then promptly jumped back up in the warm chair (next to the radiator)...leaving me sitting on the floor!  Under the current circumstances, I'll yield to His Highness. I DO want him to be comfortable and the last thing I want to do is chase him away. but, is he trying to communicate something?  Read on please.... 

.....I'm sensing he may be ill. His first 3 days in he had no BM's. Today he had 2...the 2nd i'd classify as diarrhea. As I was present, I noticed he was kind of "straining".   

My wife suggested some rice mixed in with food for his tummy....is that ok? 

Am i overfeeding him now that his indoor needs may be less? When living outdoors, he inhaled whole cans of food at a sitting. tonight ate only about 1/3 of a can. 

If it makes a difference, he did have a different brand of food at one meal yesterday. Did I screw up his diet routine with the change?  Something he didn't agree with perhaps? 

He may need a little less food while indoors - he's not getting the same amount of exercise.

The different food may have caused the runs, so I'd avoid it now.

You know, of course, that he is getting you ready for your future?  He's got to train you properly, after all.  Otherwise, how will you ever be able to serve him properly?

@bigbadbass

OK so something I am learning is abut constipation in cats...as my girl has been challenged with it in the past year...what my vet has told me is that if the anal glands aren't expressing right it can cause constipation...so when you do go to vet bring up the fact he didn't go to bathroom for a few days and then had diarrhea the second go round...if his glands are impacted they may have to express them...constipation in cats is not like our constipstion...and one thing should you want to you can make chicken and rice...they can eat that...just don't use too much salt...cats sleep alot but they hide their illnesses well...and constant sleeping may or may not be a sign something is up...the fact that he's not trying to run out to me means he likes his setup...you are doing a great job with all of this...one thing keep checking to see if he has more diarrhea and if you can monitor how much he's drinking...you do not want him to get dehydrated...I had something earlier to add but I got distracted and now I canot remember what I wanted to tell you...I hope I remember because it was important...lolol [emoji]128062[/emoji][emoji]128008[/emoji][emoji]128049[/emoji]

@Ondine     Aha...so i'm the one who is in training! Got it!  I'm getting better at "the box" , btw : )      

Yet another step forward...i spent an hour talking and whispering to him tonight ....he started out deep within his safe spot...suddenly readjusted closer to both the radiator and I! 

The quiet and my whispering voice seem to mesmerize him, been doing that a few nights now..I'm certain he likes it......he's now out for the count, like clockwork...at 9PM his Majesty retires for the evening.....but rest assured he'll be up at 2, 3 or 4AM on guard. He does pace and probe the sliding glass door at that time (I frequently monitor at those hours on the Buggy-cam)     

With any luck, tomorrow the big day, provided vet open for business. 

@imjustacatmom  I did monitor him and the box for "evidence"....he's holding ok, no further episodes. I'll continue to monitor.  

He is drinking, I'm up on clean water ALWAYS, wash his dishes and clean L--box daily. Clean is good. I will still mention both sleeping and the "episode" to the vet.

Ty for your comments, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful forum members here!

Yea, that's very good news to hear. He's sort of owning the place now that's important and it's also important that he owns you. Remember that he's the boss. And yes, just like what Advisor Ondine mentioned, you are being trained by him, secretly.
imjustacatmom has some good insights too.

Cardboard boxes are good as they love them. Since he's still a little skittish, best is when you are about to approach the room, make some slight sound and gently call out his name. Example, softly ' hey Bugs, are you sleeeeeeping?' This way you won't get him startled and also make him realize that his name is Bugs.

Constipating is no fun. And it's worse for a cat because they have to squat on their hind legs and it's very tiring for them not like us hoomans sitting on the toilet bowl and we can sit for hours but they can't sit. Put in a table spoonful of water or so in his wet food and as he eats, he'll get his water intake. Unless you can be sure he's drinking enough daily and you can do a skin test on him to see if he's hydrated. To do that, lift up the skin between the shoulder blade and release. If the skin springs back immediately means he's hydrated and if it goes back slowly, means he does not have enough water.
If his faeces are hard and dry, boil some pumpkin, like 1sq in size and mash it up and mix with his food and give it to him for two meals or so and watch. Too much may cause diarrhea. I'm assuming that he does not have diarrhea at this moment. If he does, skip the pumpkin.

It's normal for Bugs to be awake at from 2, 3 - 6 am. It's their built in clock as their are most active during dusk and dawn and sleeps most of the day. That's when they are out hunting. Get one or two balls for him so that the balls keep him in hunt mode by chasing them during the early hours, as you cannot be awake at 3 am just to play with him.

We are ready and waiting for the big day and hope for smooth transitions.

Fingers crossed all goes well today!

The Good-  he had no more "episodes" as of 8AM this morning, the rice mixed with his normal food seemed to do the trick...we'll see going forward

Better- I got him to the vet  8AM this morning, albeit in a cardboard box, long story...but whatever works, right?

The Best- I await phone call from the vet with blood test results (praying all is well) and instructions to come and get the "new, improved" Bug.     

Wifey said to opt for leukemia inoculation, which requires a follow up. Yippee, we get to do this all over again! 

We had a battle of wills this morning....he's gonna be pissed at me for awhile. 

While he was out...I took opportunity to vacuum, clean, move the travel crate out of the room (he'll never go in there again), rearranged some stuff for more room to go easier on everyone,

Between vet, a few hours at work and a dental appointment...a busy day so far...but the BIG accomplishment...finally got the Bug DONE!  Can't wait to have the little prince back again!  He's gonna get spoiled...

I've just started following this thread! Took me awhile to read everything from the beginning but I just couldn't stop reading. It's such a positive and uplifting story. The Bug is so lucky to have you. Everything you've done for him so far is amazing. Thank you for being such a patient, understanding and loving person.
I'm soooo happy you finally got Bug to the vet, I'm sure your relieved to finally get it done[emoji]128570[/emoji]
I can't wait to see what else happens in this great story of "The Bug"!

Ty MKJ.    Finally accomplishing the long awaited goal of neuter and medical......I know how the Chicago Cubs feel....a giant weight lifted off my shoulders.

We still await blood test results and his release from "prison" (vet office) should be getting a late afternoon phone call.  

Then further work begins on proper indoor domestication...right up till this mornings battle of wills, he shows great signs of coming around to indoor.

My dream/goal... a year from now I can open the door to let him out, he sticks close around my yard, garage and adjoining woods...comes in to security/eat/ sleep every night...

                of primary importance....NO MORE COMPULSIVE ROAMING!  being exposed to various threats (human and animal), traffic, nasty weather.

Hell, I'd choose Club Med over Bangor, Maine any time!  Needless to say, I'm hopeful for him.  

Hurray!  The neutering is definitely going to cut down on his need to roam.

He'll be peeved for a bit but honestly, he'll come around faster than you think.  Vibes all the tests are negative!

yes @Ondine I'm really praying he's clean and clear 

no call as yet    : (

Whew, BIG sigh of relief....all is well in Buggy land. Tests all negative. All vet tasks accomplished, with exception of flea treatment, i'll do on my own. 

He's back and he's pissed...he bolted into a new hiding place....regardless food and water are out and await the little prince. I'm leaving him alone tonight, quiet until he's ready. 

With this important accomplishment behind us...its back to business in the morning feed....makin' buddy-buddy. 

Hooooray!!! That's great news and tasks completed!

He'll be drowsy for a day or so and may not eat which is ok. Leave fresh water for him. When he comes around later, give him a little food and most proably the next day can resume normal feeding.

Nothing much to worry ably the incision site. It's just 2 tiny slits and will heal in around 2 weeks. Just watch for yellowish pus which is a sign of infection. Other than that should be ok. Is he wearing a buster?

His testesterones will diminish in around 6 weeks. So in the meanwhile you have to start making friends with him again.

Ty TT.  Much like a "reset"...ready to move forward again.  

wearing a what? 

bigbadbass said:

Ty TT.  Much like a "reset"...ready to move forward again.  

wearing a what? 

Click to expand...

Lol.......I meant an e-collar. Some called it a buster. Not the kind that you are thinking of :lol3:

@bigbadbass

Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!

So glad the whole vet sitch is done and over with...I know it's natural to wanna give him space however you might want to go in and talk to him in your soft voice like you have been...this way he'll at least hear in your voice things are ok...and honestle time how long he stays hidden...I bring this up because if he doesn't come out after ad day and a half...he may start to become dehydrated...I say this out of my own experience...Duchess refused to come out...I called vet they said if she doesn't come out after 3 days to forcefully pull her out....well after 2 & 1/2 days I pulled her out and used a syringe to give her water....she was dehydrated....not saying Bugs is like Duchess...you just want to continue to monitor him...once again so glad Bugs gets a clean bill of health from vet...btw did he give you an approximate age on Bugs?

@imjustacatmom    best estimate 3 years old, Valid suggestion...I'll go talk to him tonight. Currently I've got the "Buggy cam" on...wakes up with *any* activity...nothing. 

@TabbyTom  I think you mean "microchipped" ? No, my vet doesn't offer that, had they I would have gladly gotten it. May explore in the future.

Whoot!  Whoot!  This is such great news.

I agree with imjustacatmom - go in and talk to him a little  Follow your routine the best you can.

He'll forgive you soon.