New, day 3 with feral kitty

Hello! I am in need of some advice. We have been feeding feral cats in the neighborhood for years now, and never have been able to get close to any of them. For the last 3 months, a beautiful long-haired calico kitty has been living on our porch, and has been more bold than any before her, allowing us to get relatively close when bringing out food. Starting last week, she took an intense interest in our dogs, rubbing against them as they went in and out for potty, and purring very loudly in their presence. As she was playing with the dogs, we could pet her, and decided this would be a good way to get her into a carrier to take her to the vet.

Saturday we went to the vet and she was scared, but seemed very sweet. She is estimated to be one year, has roundworms, ear mites and infections, but surprisingly no fleas.  We were instructed to give her ear medication morning and night for 3 weeks and then revisit the vet for spaying and retest for the mites and worms. The problem is that since we've gotten her home, she is completely terrified of us and will only get close to the dogs. We have had to chase her to get the medicine in her ears and confine her to the bathroom, which has been set up to be her space. All articles recommend leaving her until she comes to you, and visiting to bring food without touching until she is comfortable. I'm afraid that having to handle her against her will to provide ear medication is only going to make it more difficult for us to bond with her and make her feel safe.  Does anyone have suggestions on how to go about this the best way in a less than ideal situation? Thank you!

I had a similar situation with Shortstack, the former feral who now is a professional couch potato. 

Keep doing what you are doing.  You have to in order to get her healthy. Honestly, I just had to do what I had to do with Shortstack, even if it meant scaring the bejeezus out of him.  I still wear scars from treating his ears and wounds from fights.  Over time I think he grew to know we were just trying to help him.  The final straw was he arrived at the house one night with one front leg swelled double the size of the other, and his head covered in blood.  He wasn't quite ready for us to bring him inside to live, but guess what, he got it anyway.  He got over it quickly after being at the vet and being terrified for 2 days.  He was a basket case going to the vet and once he was there they had to sedate him in the carrier to even get him out, so at least you have that going for you!!  We got him neutered, abscess drained, wormed, vaccines...everything.  He has turned into what I call my "Velcro" cat because he is on me or follows me everywhere now. 

Do what you have to do in her best interest.  Keep her confined and make her feel safe. Once she realizes she is safe it will all go smoother.  She is adjusting not only to you but also to the new environment, and it will just take time, love, and patience.

Welcome to the forums!  Your sweet kitty is more of a stray than feral.  She may have developed some feral like tendencies, but since you are able to handle her she is definitely not feral!

First off, she needs a room of her own.  Having run of the house is way too overwhelming for her. She may need to be in this room for a few weeks.  It also will be needed while she recovers from her spay.  If you have a spare room that would be great.  Yet it needs to be cat proofed.  If there is a bed in the room, the bed needs to be flat on the floor or picked up.  Under the bed or other large furniture is the first place the cat will run and it's almost impossible to get them out.  Also block off behind other large furniture.  You want her to be visible and not hiding from you.  Yet she should have a spot where she can feel safe such as a cozy bed, chair or even some blankets.  If you do not have a spare room, a bathroom, laundry room or even a large dog cage can be used.  

You can purchase Feliway diffusers to help her adapt.  Also playing soft music.  

It will take a bit to get used to indoor living.  Just be sure to not allow her to escape outside especially since she is not spayed.  You do not want kittens on your hand.

Revolution is so much easier to use than ear drops. Revolution is put on the cat's back between the shoulder blades. Yes, you still have to hold the cat, but I would never attempt to put anything in a cat's ears. See if your vet will prescribe some. It works better than anything else, but needs a script.

Primula said:

Revolution is so much easier to use than ear drops. Revolution is put on the cat's back between the shoulder blades. Yes, you still have to hold the cat, but I would never attempt to put anything in a cat's ears. See if your vet will prescribe some. It works better than anything else, but needs a script.

Click to expand...

But the cat doesn't have fleas, it needs ear medication

gooddog said:

But the cat doesn't have fleas, it needs ear medication

Click to expand...

Revolution is for ear mites & fleas.

Primula said:

Revolution is for ear mites & fleas.

Click to expand...

Really? And you can just put it on their back instead of in their ears?

Yes, Revolution is a liquid spot medication that in cats will stop fleas and ticks but also ear mites amd has some heartworm and intestinal parasite coverage. So is my go to for new cat coverage. And as I just found out yesterday is also safe to spot on pregnant cats.

gooddog said:

Really? And you can just put it on their back instead of in their ears?

Click to expand...

You put it behind the head between the shoulderblades where it can't be licked off.

It's expensive though & in America you need a script. We buy it online in Canada where no script is needed & you can buy 12 vials at one time instead of the max. of 6 vials here.

Revolution is what we use on every cat we tnr, it's really a good product