After the Deed?

okiecatguy

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I've really enjoyed reading the posts on this site. I've learned so much--great info--compassionate people. My kind of place...

I'll probably ramble a bit but I hope it all makes sense.

Too many things have happened since a momma feral and her two kits came into our lives in late August. One baby eventually died but the other is a strong, beautiful, funny and mostly socialized young lady. She's so much fun to watch. So FULL of energy! We've tongue-in-cheek named her, Princess Runamuck! :-)

(Princess Runamuck?....you know...Oklahoma...heart of Native America...wild and spirited...running FREE) :-)

Anyway, Momma is still called...Momma. They almost look alike except Princess has a beautiful area of peach coloration on her chest/neck area.
(not sure photos can be posted?) I'll try and put some on Webshots soon.

We (my wife and I) now know we've made some mistakes but I also feel we've had great victories. We've had INDOOR cats in our lives since the beginning--39 years ago. What we've NOT had we're ferals.

MISTAKES: After searching the net and finding this site (among many others) we see we need to get to the vet and do the neuter/shots deal--The Deed, ASAP. It's been delayed by Momma leaving for quite a while--family health issues--travel, etc. It will happen ASAP. I think Princess is old enough and I know Momma needs it.

VICTORIES: We can pet both of them (ONLY HAPPENED THIS WEEK WITH MOMMA!--VICTORY!!), they will eat out of our hands (AGAIN--JUST HAPPENED THE LAST FEW DAYS!) and Princess will let me pick her up for short, but enjoyable contact. They both will play with a string and toys and hang out with us on the patio (took a LOT of time and a LOT patience on both sides). :-) They're both still very much feral but do trust us quite well. Most all other behavior is still very feral re: sudden unfamillar noises, new people and most changes in environment.

The VNR back to the patio is going to take place ASAP. I feel I can get Princess into a carrier with gloves--Momma is another story. :-)
So, finally, hereâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s the question...What's been your experiences with the relationship after they came home from THE VET?? Did your little guys run away--revert back to hissing and growling--lose all trust? I'm a bit anxious but it (VNR) has to, and will be, done.

Hug your cats! :-)
 

beckiboo

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In my experience, cats are very forgiving. My little semi-feral that I fostered for a while forgave me all sorts of mistakes. The marks from her scratches are just now fading, over 6 months later, from me trying to worm her. Poor dear thought I was poisoning her, but she didn't hold it against me.

When you crate a feral, put the crate on its end and drop kitty in from above. Then when they go ballistic looking for the way out, they don't find the door.

Be prepared for full wild behavior at the vet. All doors to the office MUST BE CLOSED before letting kitty out of the carrier. You probably read the post about the kitty who ran out an open door at the vet. Your vet may even sedate the kitties before handling them-that's what we do at the feral clinic. Everyone is knocked out for their shots and surgery.

The behavior at the vet will be different than at home. They will settle down once they get home again.

Best of luck with Momma and Princess!
 

tnr1

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The VNR back to the patio is going to take place ASAP. I feel I can get Princess into a carrier with gloves--Momma is another story. :-)
I would seriously recommend using a humane trap over a regular carrier...especially if both cats are wild. Not only will it make capturing them easier....but the vet can use a special bar to gently guide the cat to one end of the carrier so he can sedate her. You can often borrow a humane trap (in this case you will need 2) from a vet office or humane society.

Katie
 

familytimerags

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Hi fellow Okie


Welcome to TCS!! Do you already have a vet?

My vet is in El Reno, please feel free to contact me regarding his information. He has been our vet for awhile now, and has performed many spay and neuters on our 11 week old kittens, as well as rescued Adults. He is very reasonably priced, I can give you price quotes, if you are interested. He is professional, but also has a wonderful table side manner about him.
Our kittens come home and begin playing immediately again, and the adults usually find a nice quiet dark place to rest for the evening and are back to themselves again soon. I haven't had much experience with a ferals, so the experience may be completely different. However, if she is beginning to learn to trust, I have faith that with you and your wife's kindness, she will trust again.
It is wonderful to hear you are spaying them, it is so beneficial as you have already stated.
Good luck!!
 

malena

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Good luck with the vet visit.
We have recentley spayed two feral mamas and we have also visited the vet a few times with their babies. With the two mamas it went very good with one of them the other one was trickier. I had help from a lady, Ester, who works with feral cats and the first mama we spayed she talked in the the carrier. She let the cat stay at her safe place and approched her slowly with the carrier open so the door blocked the way to the room. She put the carrier down first a meter in front of her and then gave her some time to relax. Inch by inch she moved the carrier closer. she discurrage the cat to jump upwards by leaning a bit forward over the carrier. It took half an hour and there she had to try a couple of times but finally she walked in to the carrier by her self.
The other mama was more scared. After trying the same metod for an hor my husband finally was fast enough to take her in the neck in the middle of a jump and drop her down in the carrier with hur tail first. When he let go Ester closed the cage door fast.
A very sufficient trick I learned with the kittens was to place a couple of boxes in their room with just a big enough hole for a cat to get in and a very small hole on the back of the box. They loved to lay in them. When they do you just place the carrier in front of the hole, take the door completely away, and stick your finger in to the small hole on the back of the box and tickle them. If they are feral they will move in to the carrier. Now gently slide the door berween the box and the carrier and lock it. Voila - the cat is ready for the vet.
Our vet is used to work with ferals and the vet visit was very calm and un-traumatic. The mothers stayed with him for 48 hours after being spayed in case something would go wrong.
 
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