My Sick Semi Feral Catching Tips?

[cocoanlace]

Kay is 12. Has been inside only since she was a kitten. Can't pick her up. Used to throw a towel on her to trim her nails. She thrashed and screamed. But now she is just TOO cautious. I touch a blanket or a towel and she is GONE. Won't let a door shut behind her, won't allow me closer than 5 ft, will allow me to brush her if I'm sitting in my recliner. I suspect she's sick. I have seen black poop. Drops of blood. She's been peeing outside the box for months. Now hiding in the loft. Not interested in being brushed when she used to beg for it nightly. Eating very little. I own traps but since her appetite is questionable, I'm more likely to catch Rochana who is also semi-feral and stays in the loft. (My hand sutures/bites
from trying to trim Rochana's nails in September are about healed.) I will set up the trap with tuna to see what happens. If I am successful, do vets normally accept a fractious cat and risk being bitten? BTW took Kay for a senior checkup this year. Managed to throw a blanket over her after chasing all the cats in a closed bedroom for 30 minutes. Got lucky. But my tricks never seem to work the second time. And I DO NOT want another trip to urgent care for stitches. My point was, her blood work, etc. was just fine. They couldn't get a urinalysis because she peed on her towel so her bladder was empty. Do you have any tips on corralling her that I might not have thought of? Thanks.

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi
Can you utilize thick clothing and Rose gloves?

If I am successful, do vets normally accept a fractious cat and risk being bitten?

They typically do try, from what I've read here from other members. You could double check to ensure if the clinic you're thinking of is cat-only, and handles ferals and semi ferals. Who checked her the last time, are they still in business?

Try mackerel or Kentucky fried chicken.

 

[cocoanlace]

They typically do try, from what I've read here from other members. You could double check to ensure if the clinic you're thinking of is cat-only, and handles ferals and semi ferals. Who checked her the last time, are they still in business?

Try mackerel or Kentucky fried chicken.

I took her to a pet clinic in town that I had never been to. (Still searching for a nearby vet that is GOOD consistently; maybe they do not exist.) Some great reviews; some poor ones. Liked the 3 vets I saw. But for something serious, and Kay's illness may be, I would take her to Monkeydo's internist over an hour away. Horizon Vet Specialists are all UC Davis graduates. I totally trust them with major stuff. I use tuna. Kay loves that.

 

[cocoanlace]

Hi
Can you utilize thick clothing and Rose gloves?

Good suggestion. Must buy thick gloves. Long ones. Do not own any.

 

[DeeCat]

Good suggestion. Must buy thick gloves. Long ones. Do not own any.

Hi Coco - I just found some on Amazon. They have some that go up to the elbow, and are only about $20.

Regarding vets, NOT all vets will treat ferals - I know because I've been calling around for a neuter and some just say no... but there are animal rescue leagues in many states that will do it for $50 including vaccines, and who are used to ferals. Try leaving the trap open (not set) and feeding her in it if there is time (if it's not too urgent). Maybe some colony folks can help you?

 

[cocoanlace]

Hi Coco - I just found some on Amazon. They have some that go up to the elbow, and are only about $20.

Regarding vets, NOT all vets will treat ferals - I know because I've been calling around for a neuter and some just say no... but there are animal rescue leagues in many states that will do it for $50 including vaccines, and who are used to ferals. Try leaving the trap open (not set) and feeding her in it if there is time (if it's not too urgent). Maybe some colony folks can help you?

Thanks. I am certified in trapping (Feral Cat Caretakers Coalition) so I don't have an issue with that part. She is simply staying upstairs and hissing at me. Tried to brush her. Left food. I want to examine her body. It's so depressing. Thanks.

 

[shadowsrescue]

Can you talk to a vet about getting some gabapentin? Get it in tablet form. I have given to my now indoor feral cats when I need to get them to the vet. I give 100 mg late the night before. It does make them very woozy, almost drunk like. Then the next morning about 2-3 hours before the vet appointment, I give another 100 mg. I am then able to pick the cat up or put a blanket on the cat and get into the carrier. I could never ever get my feral boys any vet care if I didn't use gabapentin. I find that I can put it into a pill pocket and my cat will take it. They also make small mini tabs that can be ordered from a compounding pharmacy. The liquid is nasty nasty nasty. Most cats won't take it so always ask for the capsule or tablet.

 

[cocoanlace]

Can you talk to a vet about getting some gabapentin? Get it in tablet form. I have given to my now indoor feral cats when I need to get them to the vet. I give 100 mg late the night before. It does make them very woozy, almost drunk like. Then the next morning about 2-3 hours before the vet appointment, I give another 100 mg. I am then able to pick the cat up or put a blanket on the cat and get into the carrier. I could never ever get my feral boys any vet care if I didn't use gabapentin. I find that I can put it into a pill pocket and my cat will take it. They also make small mini tabs that can be ordered from a compounding pharmacy. The liquid is nasty nasty nasty. Most cats won't take it so always ask for the capsule or tablet.

I have some transdermal Gabapentin that I used on my cat Monkeydo, and it has not expired yet. Kay is a cat that cannot be handled. She's not going to let me put it in her ears either. Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[shadowsrescue]

See if your vet will write a prescription so you can put it into her food, baby food, tuna or pill pocket. It comes in many forms such as tablets, capsules and liquid.

 

[cocoanlace]

See if your vet will write a prescription so you can put it into her food, baby food, tuna or pill pocket. It comes in many forms such as tablets, capsules and liquid.

Called the vet. They said no. They must see any cat before they prescribe any medication. Back to square one.

 

[shadowsrescue]

Next option would be to call a mobile vet. They can sedate her if needed. I used a mobile vet when I first brought my 3 feral cats inside the house. I made sure to inform them, the cats were feral. Two of the 3 did really really well. The 3rd one had to be sedated for the exam, blood draw and vaccines. It went smoothly.

 

[cocoanlace]

Next option would be to call a mobile vet. They can sedate her if needed. I used a mobile vet when I first brought my 3 feral cats inside the house. I made sure to inform them, the cats were feral. Two of the 3 did really really well. The 3rd one had to be sedated for the exam, blood draw and vaccines. It went smoothly.

See? This is why I turn to this group for advice even though I consider myself a seasoned rescue gal. Never thought of this idea. Thanks bunches.