Trying to trap a sick somewhat feral cat

I really hope someone can help. I "adopted" a feral cat a little over a year ago. She has been trapped and spayed. She will now even come up to me every evening and lay on my lap while I pet her, and she can't wait for the twice daily feedings. This evening I realized she hadn't eaten, and I found her hiding in one of her favorite places. She appears to have something stuck in her mouth and cannot even meow. She finally lay down next to me and I tried to catch her, but failed miserably. I used the trap before, so I doubt she would trust it again....and besides, she can't eat or drink. She did eat this morning, so it is something that developed during the day. I really would like to get her to the vet for some help ASAP but I don't know how to catch her. HATE to see her suffering and I'm so upset right now. I'm willing to pay someone to catch her. Any suggestions, please?

To clarify, it looks like whatever is stuck in her mouth won't allow her to even open it. Poor baby.

Keep trying to coax her to you, as you normally do without the trap.  Offer her a favorite food or treat and if she shows interest (even if she in fact has a mouth issue), coax her nearer to you with the food (or even slightly warm chicken broth, or slightly warmed milk, she might be able to lap up liquids - please no milk otherwise on any other basis, most cats are lactose intolerant, I only suggest it in this case to get her near you so you can pick her up).  Don't make sudden moves, just be slow, talk softly to her, the broth or milk might spark her curiosity enough to get close to you.

Otherwise, set the trap, put a bite of canned white tuna or chicken (or sardines in oil if you happen to have it on hand) right in front of the trap, another piece in the middle of the trap, the rest at the far end of the trap behind the stepping mechanism that closes the trap door when she steps on it.  Never set a trap and not monitor it, cats can harm themselves significantly within minutes of being trapped due to fear - not knowing where you live, if it's warm, stay by the trap, if it's cold outside, place a blanket over the top of the trap so she doesn't feel it's a trap but a cozy place to investigate the food bites you've placed inside - stay closeby and watch her, keep enticing her etc.

Thank you. I'll give it a try. The last time I trapped her to get her spayed, she just hung out in the back and gave me the stink eye. She definitely recognizes it when she sees it. I'm in Florida, btw. She's a very sweet cat, and typically very chatty, so it's really hard to see her like this. Hopefully one of these methods works.

Well, I would encourage your normal interaction with her first, since she is comfortable with coming to you for feedings, sitting on your lap, getting love and attention etc - so please keep coaxing her gently to get her curious about a dish of chicken broth or milk - I'm not really understanding why she can't open her mouth, did you notice any wetness around her mouth, any drooling, any obvious sores, punctures, evidence of blood, swelling etc?

Keep trying!

A little swelling, but she tried to lick herself and couldn't open her mouth. She was trying to meow and it was just a grunt because the mouth wouldn't open. I didn't see any obvious injury - no blood, jaw didn't appear to be out of place. Don't know for sure why and probably wouldn't know anything for sure until I take her to the vet. I'm actually wondering if she tried to eat some fish remains (we live by a canal where people fish) and got a hook. I will definitely keep trying, but she wants nothing to do with me right now....sigh.

Have you tried the warm milk or chicken broth or anything else to tempt her more?  Sometimes shaking a bag of treats, opening a can of cat food in front of them, catnip,  will entice them to come to you as well.

Swelling could be anything, but the fishing nearby isn't a good thing, hopefully it isn't a hook.  And you're right, she really needs a vet - keep trying.

So, haven't been able to get her yet. She did come up to the broth and sniff, then walked away. She is opening her mouth, tho. Sounds like something stuck in her throat when she breathes. Keep ur fingers crossed!

Oh gosh, I so hope you can get her to come to you, keep trying - get something fishy-smelling if you have it on hand, maybe ham lunchmeat, etc - it's not that you're encouraging her to eat yet, just trying to get her close enough to grab her - you're such an angel for trying to help her.  I would still leave the trap closeby with a blanket over the top and food inside.

Success! Finally wore her down and was able to get her in a crate and to a vet. Turns out she had several abcessed teeth and an upper respiratory infection. Who'd a thunk it could go downhill that much just within a few hours? Thank you for your suggestions and encouragement! I have a feeling that was the easy part....now for confinement, antibiotics, and later.....tooth removal.

Thank you for not giving up!!

Diseased teeth can go un-noticed for quite some time, until an infection is present and then it becomes obvious due to anorexia, pain and visual confirmation.

The respiratory infection, please tell me the vet did NOT say calicivirus?  This can cause painful ulcers in the mouth, tongue, throat/esophagus - with abcessed teeth, this could really be painful.  If rhinotracheitis/herpesvirus, much more easier to treat (but can take time when accompanied with other infections).

I'm sure your vet mentioned no dental or extractions until the infection has had a chance to be treated, but in the meantime, did he give her pain medication, or pre-filled oral syringes for you to give at home?

They took blood and don't have results yet.....supposed to call me in a day or two. Calicivirus does not sound familiar from the discussion, nor do those symptoms. Received liquid clavamox in the meantime, no pain meds. Should i ask for some? Go back in 10 days to make sure she's better, then we schedule the extraction once she's in the clear. Also, high calorie, almost liquid food in case she won't eat on her own. She's resting peacefully right now.

Yes, with several abcessed teeth, she's painful and I'd recommend asking the vet for pain control meds.  The clavamox may help reduce inflammation and infection causing the pain from the abcesses, but it isn't  pain control for the underlying teeth problems.

I was concerned with calicivirus being the viral component of the respiratory infection due to the extent of her oral health issues - thankfully your vet doesn't seem to suspect it.  Let's hope the upper respiratory infection will resolve with tincture of time, good home care and keeping her eating/drinking and comfortable.

An update on Kitty: she ended up having to have emergency dental surgery. They tried everything to get rid of her upper respiratory infection and she was getting worse. Turns out it was all due to the abscessed teeth.....it was so bad it was spreading into her sinuses! They had to remove them all except 3. She's now doing well, eating like a champ and ticked off at me that she can't go out and run around. I'm in the wrong career.....should have been a veterinary dentist. Cha-ching! It was absolutely worth every penny to see her healthy and happy again.

bah9796 said:

An update on Kitty: she ended up having to have emergency dental surgery. They tried everything to get rid of her upper respiratory infection and she was getting worse. Turns out it was all due to the abscessed teeth.....it was so bad it was spreading into her sinuses! They had to remove them all except 3. She's now doing well, eating like a champ and ticked off at me that she can't go out and run around. I'm in the wrong career.....should have been a veterinary dentist. Cha-ching! It was absolutely worth every penny to see her healthy and happy again.

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I have popped in here for a quick check in an update and thought of that myself, I should have mentioned it, that her uri may very well be fully due to advanced dental infections which will show the same as an upper will.

Eye infections will also do this, advanced that is.

She will be SO much happier now, and I agree, dental anything, even a cleaning is through the roof!