Introducing a traumitised cat help

HI people ...new here......not new to kitties just never had this situation before and wanted to double check my methods.
We recently "saved" a lost/abandoned cat from the woods behind where we work. After a quick run to the vet for Feline Aides and Leukemia testing we kept her in my husbands workshop until she put on weight and was de-calwed. (2 weeks) (she was already spayed vet found scar) we kept her out in the work shop for another 5 days to allow the worst of the pain to go away before we introduced her to our 3 other cats dog iguana bird fish etc. etc. etc. I got a good sized critter cage (rabbit size) for her to retreat into and for her to be in when we can't be around to supervise.She is really skitzy around the other animals I'm sure having sore pawls isn't helping , she was very sweet out in the workshop.
She (the vet says) is between 3 and 5 years old and is at least 75% Maine coon cat...she is also missing one eye and this probably also contributes to her uneasiness...at present she only weighs 8 pounds after putting on 2 pounds since we found her...she also looks small for a Maine coon..but hey she does have all the markings larger ears square mouth etc.
Any advice on helping her to adjust will be appreciated.
(Please no lectures about de-clawing My cats don't go outside at all and if there is a need they do have their rear claws.)
Thank You in advance
Raki

Though you said no lectures- you do realize declawing affects FAR more than their ability to go outside?
There are far more humane solutions than declawing- Soft Paws (www.softpaws.com)is a lifesaver for me. And I'm certain that losing her claws, which in her mind are her form are protection even though you know you'll keep her safe, certainly didn't help her become any less traumatized. Imagine walking around the day of a major foot surgery- you'd never do it. A cat has no choice. So far her entire experience with these animals has been negative because she's having physical pain, which she may very well associate with the other pets or you.

Just read the links at the top about introducing a new cat. I would also suggest you read up on declaw. I won't lecture you, but do hope you will learn about how unnecessary it is. You can introduce a cat with claws to a cat without, and they do just fine. There is no reason for you ever to declaw another cat.

Unfortunately you will never stop people from commenting on declawing on this site. It is a horrible, barbaric, awful, cruel procedure that is banned in most countries - for good reason.

If you saved this kitty only to unnecessarily put it through this kind of trauma, then I feel sorry for it. Unfortunately you have done more harm than good to this poor baby, and if you only declawed because `that's what you do with cats' then, really, you should not keep cats.

It is listed under the Cruelty To Animals Act in the RSPCA. I suggest you read up on what it really does, and then go to a doctor and ask them to amputate your fingers and toes at the first knuckle, so you can see what it feels like.

No lecture here. What's done is done.

I am just glad you have taken her in and are providing a home and food for her.
Give her/him time and love and things will work out.

I think if you follow the time honoured route of giving them all time and if she has a space for herself - a place to adjust to the smells of the other animals - and you do it very slowly, it should be OK.

Sorry but I have to comment on declawing. I have to admit I honestly cannot understand why anyone who knows what declawing does would do it. You saved her but now she'll have arthritis, poor balance, MAY develop behaviour problems - never mind worrying about the other animals - make sure she wikll be OK post this horrible surgery and please do not surrender her if problems occur. I sooo hope she will be OK and no probs do occur. Cats have claws for a very good reason - they NEED them, indoors or outdoors and it is folly to even think declawed kitties never get outside. They do and while some survive, most do not given they have no claws to fight off would be attackers. A cat who has been outdoors for most of her short life and lost an eye will be especially traumatized by the declaw surgery. I hope she has lots of pain meds - cats hide pain but please make sure she is comfortable. If she was skitzy before, the declaw surgery will make her even more insecure.

I am sooo sad reading this - I just can't help saying something. You have to remember that many cat rescuers read this and know that declawed cats are disproportionately represented at cat shelters and animal pounds because of behaviour problems. I am happy she is warm but... anyway, enough said. I am sorry I read this post.

Since this is a cat welfare board, you will be lectured about the declawing...no way around that. It is a cruel operation.

That being said, read the links about introductions. The people who post here have a lot of experience and knowledge. Work slowly with the introductions and move at Her pace. You can't rush a traumatized cat. Do a search for the story of Pengy.