Unexpected New Member To Our Family

jasons_gypsy

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Hello, I am new to the site just joined today..

Yesterday was meant to happen. I normally take my little maltese dog on a walk around 10am but yesterday I was too lazy and waited until noon. When we went to our usual grassy spot behind my apartment building I heard a desperate cry for help. I looked around and spotted a gourgous white cat stuck between the wooden slabs of a fence. I couldn't help it until I took my dog inside. When I returned my husband followed me outside because I told him a cat asked for my help. He thought I was nuts until he say the cat. I was able to get it (not sure if its male or female yet) and it began to purr. The first thing I noticed is this cat is completely starved and you can feel every rib bone. It's very slow to move because I'm sure it has no energy and I think had I not found it yesterday it was going to die soon. I didn't want to just pick it up and drag it inside so my hubby and I began walking back to the apartment and I called the cat to follow us. It came all the way to the stairs and stopped. I picked it up and brought it to my front door. I gave it some water and what little food I had on hand. It barely ate and then it rested on the top step. Due to the fact that there are 4 ferel cats behind our apartment with one bully tom cat we know Marshmellow would be tormented. We decided that we were going to at least nurse him/her back to health and put "Marshmellow" on our patio. We figured if the cat wants to leave it won't have a problem just going but all Marshmellow wants to do is sleep. We got a litter box and it fell asleep in it. It wasn't until this morning that the cat pee'd in the box and then moved over to the pillow I had given it to sleep on. I sprayed Marshmellow with flea killer and checked this morning and seems to have worked. I am keeping my dog away from the cat and introduced one another through the glass door. The cat could care less. It purrs everytime I go to check on it and insists on having it's head scratched. It also now eats everytime I put my hand on it's food bowl.

Can someone give me advise on how I can get the cat to gain some weight and also where I can get some help for it? We want to keep Marshmellow because the cat is an absolute lover and sweetheart. Oh and my hubby likes it (big shock!) We don't have a lot of money but I know that we can give Marshmellow the home he/she deserves.
 

ktlynn

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jasons_gypsy - your post brought tears to my eyes - sorrow for this poor baby who has suffered, and gratitude that good people like you and your husband were there to rescue him.

The very first thing you should do is get Marshmellow (cute name!) to a good vet. (Since you have a dog I'm sure you already have a vet ) You need to rule out any conditions or illness that could be causing the extreme skinniness (in addition to lack of food). The vet should do a complete exam and blood work. When Marshmellow is stronger and healthier, he will need to be neutered. In the meantime, don't put any more chemicals like flea killer on him. Some of these are very harsh and in his fragile condition he may have adverse reactions to such chemicals.

There are many high quality foods available that will help return this kitty to good health. You'll want to buy the best you can afford to keep him that way. You'll get lots of great advice from TCS members about which foods (and why) to feed, but in the meantime, the priority is getting him checked by the vet.

Please also make sure to keep Marshmellow where other cats can't hurt him. Since your porch is on ground level, you should keep him inside. You don't want to run the risk of him being injured by another cat.

Thank you so much for taking this lucky cat into your home and heart! Please let us know how Marshmellow is doing.

PS Welcome to TCS! You're off to a great start by looking for help for your new addition here!
 

valanhb

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How wonderful of you to take compassion on this sweet little cat.


I echo what KTLynn said, Marshmellow really should be seen by the vet so if there is an underlying cause to his malnutrition (i.e. tooth problems, URI, parasites), those can be addressed. Of course, the best thing for this little guy would be to bring him into the comfort and security of your home so you and he doesn't have to worry about other ferals chasing him away from the much needed food and water, and if you do have to medicate him it will be easier to get to him in an enclosed area. (Unless we are misunderstanding and he's in an enclosed porch?) I bring up tooth and mouth issues because of what you said about him not eating much of what you offered him. If it hurts to eat, he won't eat much.


As for gaining weight, tempt him with wet food (which will also be easier on him if he does have mouth issues). Also, kitten food will fatten him up since it is loaded with extra calories and nutrients that he needs so badly.
 

ktlynn

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Just wondering how Marshmellow is doing. Hope you've gotten him to the vet and things are going well.
 

maverick_kitten

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i agree with heidi, kitten food is packed with nutrients. its also in smaller bite size pieces so might be easier to eat. how about some cat milk or kitty gloop? there should be a recipe for the glop/gloop on here if you do a forum search. just make sure you dont give marshmellow any cows milk because that'll make him/her sick.
 

jennyr

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Good luck with this little one! Scrambled egg or raw egg yolk beaten into goat or kitten milk are good ways of fattening up a starving cat, and most cats love eggs.
 

maverick_kitten

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Originally Posted by jennyranson

Good luck with this little one! Scrambled egg or raw egg yolk beaten into goat or kitten milk are good ways of fattening up a starving cat, and most cats love eggs.
especially persil from what i've read. lol
 
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