- Joined
- Feb 22, 2018
- Messages
- 116
- Purraise
- 101
"Psycho" showed up on my patio about two weeks ago. I hadn't seen him in three years - ever since my new neighbors moved in and their indoor/outdoor cats ran him off. But those neighbors moved a few weeks ago. And I guess Psycho felt my patio was safe place again for a meal and a bed.
I first saw Psycho back in 2014. He was a healthy, brown male tabby - as big as my own indoor cat Milton (12 - 15 lbs) and I would estimate about the same age (3 - 5 years old). I was doing TNR for the neighborhood ferals at that time, but Psycho had his right-ear already notched.
Psycho would follow the other TNR ferals to my patio. Boy, he was so feral! He'd hiss at me whenever he saw me for about a year. But over time, the hissing turned into meowing at my backdoor. He had a warm, heated cat house during the winter to sleep in, flea control and a meal twice a day.
Psycho was a regular until 2019 & I was so surprised to see him a couple of weeks ago. I didn't see anything wrong with him at the time. But he looked thinner. I fed him and gave him water & he ate some. But not like his usual, hearty appetite.
After a few days, he ate less and less frequently. I bought him some high-calorie canned food and kitten replacement milk but he just ate a few bites & he shunned the milk.
At a loss on what to do, I contacted my local animal control advise line for advise sick or injured animals, who advised me to take him to the local emergency vet. As a resident, I wouldn't be charged and the emergency vet would treat Psycho and release him back to a feral colony. (I used this emergency vet for my own cats in the past; they are ethical & competent).
I got Psycho into a cat carrier (he didn't put up much resistance, he was so weak) and took him to the vet. Unfortunately, Psycho had a huge stomach tumor & had to be euthanized.
It wasn't how I wanted the story to turn out but I know Psycho isn't suffering anymore. It's tough being a feral cat & I am honored he came into my life.
I first saw Psycho back in 2014. He was a healthy, brown male tabby - as big as my own indoor cat Milton (12 - 15 lbs) and I would estimate about the same age (3 - 5 years old). I was doing TNR for the neighborhood ferals at that time, but Psycho had his right-ear already notched.
Psycho would follow the other TNR ferals to my patio. Boy, he was so feral! He'd hiss at me whenever he saw me for about a year. But over time, the hissing turned into meowing at my backdoor. He had a warm, heated cat house during the winter to sleep in, flea control and a meal twice a day.
Psycho was a regular until 2019 & I was so surprised to see him a couple of weeks ago. I didn't see anything wrong with him at the time. But he looked thinner. I fed him and gave him water & he ate some. But not like his usual, hearty appetite.
After a few days, he ate less and less frequently. I bought him some high-calorie canned food and kitten replacement milk but he just ate a few bites & he shunned the milk.
At a loss on what to do, I contacted my local animal control advise line for advise sick or injured animals, who advised me to take him to the local emergency vet. As a resident, I wouldn't be charged and the emergency vet would treat Psycho and release him back to a feral colony. (I used this emergency vet for my own cats in the past; they are ethical & competent).
I got Psycho into a cat carrier (he didn't put up much resistance, he was so weak) and took him to the vet. Unfortunately, Psycho had a huge stomach tumor & had to be euthanized.
It wasn't how I wanted the story to turn out but I know Psycho isn't suffering anymore. It's tough being a feral cat & I am honored he came into my life.