Feral or someone's cat?

amandag · Mar 14, 2017

On Feb 26th (a Sunday) my cat Gary that has FeLV was hiding in a closet we were going to take him back to Auburn University the next day for blood transfusions and to admit him for what we knew was his last chance...I heard a cat meowing and couldn't find Gary. Despite being anemic he had made his way downstairs and jumped into the front window, he was staring at a pretty girl kitty that was outside in the window meowing back. She stayed around and we took Gary to Auburn the next day....after 2 transfusions he began to take on fluid in his chest cavity and had issues with his blood pressure, I was there every day with him at the hospital by his side but he passed away that Friday the 3rd.....The girl cat never left our house. Our subdivision doesn't have strays. I have listed the cat on all the lost/found sites. I have been feeding her and even though we are in Alabama the past week it has been so cold I bought her a bed that has a cover she can crawl into. ( she refuses to go into the garage if I leave it cracked)

I took her to the vet today, she let me pick her up. She loved all on me purring and didn't mind me putting her into a carrier. She didn't even meow or mind the car ride. At the vet she was very calm and walked all around the room while waiting rubbing against me and jumping in my lap. She was scanned but doesn't have a chip. She tested neg for FeLV/FIV. I got her updated on all vaccines and dewormed and got her on flea prevention. (even though she didn't have a single flea) They shaved her belly a little to check for a tattoo or scar but she isn't spayed. They felt and said they may have felt lumps so there is a possibility she is pregnant but would be very early so hard to tell right now. She only growled when the tech held her down but didn't try to bite or scratch. We said we would never have another cat after Gary....but it seems that cats choose you...you don't choose them. With that being said I would hate for this to be someone's cat and my children get attached only to lose the cat so close to losing Gary....not sure what to do!

tabbytom · Mar 14, 2017

The new kitty has claimed you! Yes, she chose you. I think it's a gift.

If no one claims it, I think she should be rightfully yours. I'm not sure of the laws in your country so you can check it out before you run foul of it.

I said that to meself too, no more animals after my last pet died but I rescued my boy January and the no more pets does not exist :lol3:

msaimee · Mar 14, 2017

If she had no microchip and no collar, and no one has posted signs around your neighborhood with her picture on it--she might be a "dump." The kindest thing to do would be to get her spayed and adopt her. She deserves a good home. The cat gods have clearly sent her to you

Oh, and she's clearly a stray and not a feral.

amandag · Mar 15, 2017

She is a pretty girl! The vet offered to go ahead and spay her even though she thinks she may be pregnant....I can't do that, I'll watch her and wait. If she doesn't start to get big and show signs I'll get her scheduled. Otherwise I'll wait until after. I would pay for all of the kittens to get shots/spay/neuter and find them homes.

callie.jpg

amandag
Mar 15, 2017

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amandag
Mar 15, 2017

msaimee · Mar 15, 2017

If you are willing to do all of that for her and her kittens (if she is pregnant), then you should just embrace the fact that this is your cat now. Even if she did have an owner at some point, the owner was negligent. If she had a responsible owner she wouldn't be roaming around in the cold, hungry, and not spayed. Also, someone would be desperately looking for her-- on social media, posting pictures of her around the neighborhood, and driving around and showing her picture to neighbors. You have rescued her and she is yours. Your beloved cat Gary likely sent you this little one to comfort you.

StefanZ · Mar 15, 2017

AmandaG said:
On Feb 26th (a Sunday) my cat Gary that has FeLV was hiding in a closet we were going to take him back to Auburn University the next day for blood transfusions and to admit him for what we knew was his last chance...I heard a cat meowing and couldn't find Gary. Despite being anemic he had made his way downstairs and jumped into the front window, he was staring at a pretty girl kitty that was outside in the window meowing back. She stayed around and we took Gary to Auburn the next day....after 2 transfusions he began to take on fluid in his chest cavity and had issues with his blood pressure, I was there every day with him at the hospital by his side but he passed away that Friday the 3rd.....The girl cat never left our house. Our subdivision doesn't have strays. I have listed the cat on all the lost/found sites. I have been feeding her and even though we are in Alabama the past week it has been so cold I bought her a bed that has a cover she can crawl into. ( she refuses to go into the garage if I leave it cracked)

I took her to the vet today, she let me pick her up. She loved all on me purring and didn't mind me putting her into a carrier. She didn't even meow or mind the car ride. At the vet she was very calm and walked all around the room while waiting rubbing against me and jumping in my lap. She was scanned but doesn't have a chip. She tested neg for FeLV/FIV. I got her updated on all vaccines and dewormed and got her on flea prevention. (even though she didn't have a single flea) They shaved her belly a little to check for a tattoo or scar but she isn't spayed. They felt and said they may have felt lumps so there is a possibility she is pregnant but would be very early so hard to tell right now. She only growled when the tech held her down but didn't try to bite or scratch. We said we would never have another cat after Gary....but it seems that cats choose you...you don't choose them. With that being said I would hate for this to be someone's cat and my children get attached only to lose the cat so close to losing Gary....not sure what to do!

It was apparently a sign from Above, Gary did choosed and approved his successor.

No doubt.

There may also be other interpretations and possibilites along the same lines of though, but this here is totally sure.

Take care of her, and make Gary soul happy by adopting her.

amandag · Mar 15, 2017

@MSAimee that is what I believe, the timing is too much of a coincidence to not be true! We have 3 dogs so I'm not quite sure how it will work bringing her into the house or if she even wants to come in.... I have a 60 lb dog that was so attached to Gary that she is having anxiety and when she sees this cat outside she goes crazy...not sure if she wants to love her or attack her! She has had a really hard time with Gary's passing, they were really close.

amandag · Mar 15, 2017

@StefanZ Thanks, I completely agree!

tabbytom · Mar 15, 2017

She is a lovely kitty! And I want to thank you for taking care of her even now and after whether she gives birth or not and offering to take care of the babies.

You can try to get her into the garage first and slowly do the introduction to the doggies.
I believe she's yours and you're hers. She can sense it

bigbadbass · Mar 15, 2017

MsAimee said:
If she had no microchip and no collar, and no one has posted signs around your neighborhood with her picture on it--she might be a "dump." The kindest thing to do would be to get her spayed and adopt her. She deserves a good home. The cat gods have clearly sent her to you

Oh, and she's clearly a stray and not a feral.

^ this

Ex house cat, lost, dumped....no way a feral would allow picking up, putting in a carrier...and purring.

+1 adopt, limit her to an indoor room...slowly introduce her to the dogs, sights, sounds, smells of your house, allowing room by room, as they become comfortable with one another.

I'm performing precisely the same procedure with the Bug right now.

You're doing the right thing...good luck with her, she's quite pretty!

amandag · Mar 15, 2017

@bigbadbass Thanks for the tips, I left the garage cracked last night as it was 29 outside so she could stay warm....the dogs kept smelling at the door and she would meow so I guess that is a start! Good luck with the Bug as well!!

amandag · Mar 15, 2017

Now I'm a little confused.....I noticed a slit in the very top of each of her ears, almost like someone took scissors and made a precise cut. Google says feral cats ears are clipped or notched to indicate spay/neuter.... The vet didn't see a scar from surgery. Is there another reason for the slits? I'll get a picture as soon as I'm back home!

amandag · Mar 15, 2017

Slit is on both ears but more noticeable on the right ear.

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amandag
Mar 15, 2017

msaimee · Mar 15, 2017

The kitty will need to be brought inside, and kept in a room by herself while she adjusts to her new living situation. The fact she is so friendly means that she will likely adjust very well to indoor life because she is a stray and not a feral. If she turns out to not be pregnant, you'll need to get her spayed as soon as possible because if she goes into heat again, she will want to get out, and then she may roam and look for a male cat and you may never see her again. If your dogs were able to bond with Gary, they will likely accept a new cat, but it may take several weeks. I can tell you from experience that it is much less stressful to care for a cat indoors than outside. There are just so many dangers outside and so many things to worry about. As difficult and time-consuming as it can be for a new cat to adjust to a new indoor home, it will be so well worth it. You will always know where your sweet little baby is

but I trust you will do what is best for this cat, you have already made her life so much better. Keep us posted. I just saw your post about the ear slit. It does not look like an ear tip to me, but perhaps an old injury from a cat fight. When a cat is ear tipped, the tip is usually cut, not slit. But you will know whether or not she has been spayed within a few weeks. If she is pregnant, she will get bigger, more affectionate, and will have a ravenous appetite. If she is not pregnant, she will go into heat. So either way you will know.

StefanZ · Mar 15, 2017

You wrote her vaccines were updated, ie she got vaccinated. And if she is preg, its highly dangerous for the kittens.

Sometimes they manage anyway without big damages, but whom want to test and risk?

I will say, if you are undecided spay now or not and wait it out, this could be a heavy argument for spaying NOW (or rather, after perhaps one week, so she has rested some from the vaccinations. Vacccinations AND spaying And deworming all at once does takes a heavy toll..

Exactly what vaccines did she got? The usual Core vaccine, Im sure, but anything else?

amandag · Mar 15, 2017

We're going to bring her in. We want to put up all of Gary's stuff.....I know that sounds strange but I don't think I could bare seeing another kitty on his tree or playing with his toys....We'll get her new stuff of her own. I think she will do well with a litter box since she seems to only use the mulch in my flower beds now [emoji]128514[/emoji] I will keep you all posted on our progress and let you know if she is pregnant.. Thanks for all of the advice. I'm sure I'll need more as this won't be an easy process!

StefanZ · Mar 15, 2017

AmandaG said:
We're going to bring her in. We want to put up all of Gary's stuff.....I know that sounds strange but I don't think I could bare seeing another kitty on his tree or playing with his toys....We'll get her new stuff of her own. I think she will do well with a litter box since she seems to only use the mulch in my flower beds now [emoji]128514[/emoji] I will keep you all posted on our progress and let you know if she is pregnant.. Thanks for all of the advice. I'm sure I'll need more as this won't be an easy process!

Not to mention any risk of contagion after this Felv. Even if the contagion risks arent as big as some thinks, but whom wants to take any risks if there is a sure and easy way of avoiding them.

tabbytom · Mar 15, 2017

AmandaG said:
We're going to bring her in. We want to put up all of Gary's stuff.....I know that sounds strange but I don't think I could bare seeing another kitty on his tree or playing with his toys....We'll get her new stuff of her own. I think she will do well with a litter box since she seems to only use the mulch in my flower beds now [emoji]128514[/emoji] I will keep you all posted on our progress and let you know if she is pregnant.. Thanks for all of the advice. I'm sure I'll need more as this won't be an easy process!

Bravo! You are doing the right things.

Just be patience during the transition period and we do hope that she settles in fast and smooth. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you need to, we'll try our best to help and answer your questions.

amandag · Mar 16, 2017

It seems as though this girl is always hungry!! Not sure if she just isn't use to having food available or if this means she is in fact pregnant?? I read that if you find a pregnant stray you should feed her high quality dry kitten food. So I started this last night. I don't want to over or under feed her...Thoughts?

tabbytom · Mar 16, 2017

I would go for high quality wet food instead if you can afford it. Wet food is proteins and dry food is carbohydrates. If she eats a lot and is on dry food, that'll make her put in weight which will be unhealthy for her.
Wet food has more water content and dry food you have to leave water out for her to drink and some cats or most cats have a low thirst drive and not all cats will drink water from a bowl.

High quality wet food is also for kittens when they are old enough to take solid food.

Feral or someone's cat?

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