Emergency...Need Advice

Hi everyone....

Those of you who know me, know that I have a squadron of outside
cats ...When I went outside to feed them today you couldnt help notice
that crybaby had apparently gotten herself in a mess. When I got close
to pick her up, she had, what smell like motor oil all over her legs, underside and tail.

I remember when the animals got stuck in those oil spills there was something said about Dawn deteregent was used to clean them up....I tried that and its really stubborn, plus crybaby being an outside cat wasnt too keen on me wiping her down. I toweled her dry and let her go as she was climbing up my door frame.....im afraid she may get sick as she is more fragile than the others if she tries to lick herself.

I notice she kind of goes off to herself, when she used to cuddle up with Midnight and I noticed one of the other Toms sniffing her ...like "phew...you stink!"

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Friend4Life
formerly
CryBaby's Mommy

Can you call a vets office or a animal rescue ?????????????

Motor oil is toxic so you need to get it off of her quickly. You need a de-greaser that isn't toxic such as the type you can buy at Wal-Mart that mechanics use to degrease their hands. I am having a brain fade at the moment and can't recall the name of it. Once you put it on her and let it sit then wipe it off, then she needs to be bathed in Dawn and warm water-

I found that there are several feral cat links under Alley Cat Allies page:

http://www.alleycat.org/orgs.html#tn

I would suggest contacting them and seeing if they can assist you.

Katie

Well I did take some hand degreaser that my husband had (it said non toxic on the label) and I was able to get a good deal off of her. My husband said he thought I was going to kill HIM from the smell LOL....Her feet and underside are still stained but she is definately better now than before. I had to trap her in my small bathroom (do you believe my husband didnt holler when I brought her in the house?) she resisted and it was a wrestling match but when I was done and dried her off, she actually seemed to enjoy it !

Hissy,
If you happen to think of the name of that degreaser let me know. I did clean her up tonight, but when I finished she still smelled like the degreaser I used. Poor thing, she started to lick herself then stopped. I imagined she tasted pretty yucky.

Do you have an elizabethan collar you could put on her in the meantime? They are only a few dollars if you don't already have one, your vet should sell you one OTC. I would put one on her until she is clean. It will probably take a few more baths to get all of the grease off. As Hissy said, oil and grease can be quite toxic if ingested.

you can also use crisco lard (not the oil) but you have to keep it on her for 10 minutes then wipe it off with a warmed towel (one from your dryer) then she gets a bath- poor kitty

Goop?

Becky

Goop- thank you becky!

Originally Posted by Dr. Doolittle

Do you have an elizabethan collar you could put on her in the meantime? They are only a few dollars if you don't already have one, your vet should sell you one OTC. I would put one on her until she is clean. It will probably take a few more baths to get all of the grease off. As Hissy said, oil and grease can be quite toxic if ingested.

Click to expand...

The problem is this cats are wild and sleep under the house (not my choice).

Thanks everyone for you help. I cant express enough how great it is to have a team that is so supportive. Its a struggle here at times trying to love and take care of these animals especially when there are no funds for vet visits, or anyone else here who has a love for them.

I went outside this morning and looked for CryBaby more then once and was concerned she may have met her demise (this cat seems to always be getting herself in trouble). Finally on my 4th or 5th attempt, I opened the door under the steps where her food is kept, tossed around her food and called her . Shortly thereafter I heard her cry...what a great sound that was! She looks better today although her fur is a little wild looking from yesterdays bath. I have a feeling she will make it. Another bath (and wrestling match) to take place later today. Thanks! Youre Great!

Please contact the groups in the link I had listed earlier...even if you have no funds to TNR these cats...the organizations that Alley Cat Allies lists in Tennessee are there just for that purpose. They may be able to come out and take the kittens to be rehomed and help with trapping an spaying/neutering the adults. It's worth a try.

Katie