- Joined
- Nov 17, 2005
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- 22,206
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OK - I'm trying to solve a problem, or at least come up with a new workable/viable solution.
Squishy is an old fart. I brought him home as an alternative to death January 2008. I knew he was older, the vet guessed 10, 13 tops then - but was guessing young. He is really close to 15-18 years old. He was neutered when he came to the shelter as a stray.
Long story - anyways - I treated him for suspected ringworm, which was just an allergic reaction (possibly had something to do with the fact that he slept in the litterbox at the shelter a lot).
He was adopted on the condition that he be a farm kitty (not my decision - don't debate it), however he could live indoors until spring.
He lived indoors with Cow, who at the time had just had a dental extraction. They did fine together - he meshed well with my cats. He developed issues with blood in his urine - we did meds, x-rays, Rx diets - the whole 9 yards. Partly due to the urinary issues, partly due to behavioral (he didn't *want* to be confined to the house), he began to spray. So spring came around, he was integrated into the farm cat population & all was well.
Until this past Summer 2009. He was attacked by someone (eventually it was determined to be toothless Cow) repeatedly. He suffered several abscesses & Cow was trying to drive him off the place.
So I built an outdoor enclosure for him, where he lives with 2 other kitties he does OK with. As a result of Cow's behavior towards Squishy, Squishy dislikes other male cats & will now try to start fights with them. Squishy & Cow quite obviously would fight to the death of allowed to do so.
I do let Squishy out of the enclosure supervised (when Cow is contained elsewhere), as he asks (sometimes begs) to go out. He was out for a very brief time Sunday when he returned. Lo & behold come Monday, he's developed an abscess there from 2 fang/puncture wounds.
I have no idea who did the latest damage - and I know I've got a problem here again. I thought I had it solved.
Any ideas on how I can create any sense of peace? I hate to *not* be able to let Squishy out of the enclosure, as he dreadfully wants out to go stalk leaves, mark things, and run some of his pudge off. I cannot possibly contain all of the other cats, as some are semi-feral & very sensitive about being touched/moved.....and I like my hands as they are.
Expanding the enclosure is a possibility, but not until spring. That would give Squishy & the other 2 girls more room to roam inside the enclosure.
Further mental stimulation is something I am constantly battling with. We play every day with a wand toy, he has furniture in the enclosure/shed to climb on, he has his BFF the turbo scratcher out there, and oodles of other toys. But nothing quite compares to wandering your turf & marking your places apparently.
Squishy is an old fart. I brought him home as an alternative to death January 2008. I knew he was older, the vet guessed 10, 13 tops then - but was guessing young. He is really close to 15-18 years old. He was neutered when he came to the shelter as a stray.
Long story - anyways - I treated him for suspected ringworm, which was just an allergic reaction (possibly had something to do with the fact that he slept in the litterbox at the shelter a lot).
He was adopted on the condition that he be a farm kitty (not my decision - don't debate it), however he could live indoors until spring.
He lived indoors with Cow, who at the time had just had a dental extraction. They did fine together - he meshed well with my cats. He developed issues with blood in his urine - we did meds, x-rays, Rx diets - the whole 9 yards. Partly due to the urinary issues, partly due to behavioral (he didn't *want* to be confined to the house), he began to spray. So spring came around, he was integrated into the farm cat population & all was well.
Until this past Summer 2009. He was attacked by someone (eventually it was determined to be toothless Cow) repeatedly. He suffered several abscesses & Cow was trying to drive him off the place.
So I built an outdoor enclosure for him, where he lives with 2 other kitties he does OK with. As a result of Cow's behavior towards Squishy, Squishy dislikes other male cats & will now try to start fights with them. Squishy & Cow quite obviously would fight to the death of allowed to do so.
I do let Squishy out of the enclosure supervised (when Cow is contained elsewhere), as he asks (sometimes begs) to go out. He was out for a very brief time Sunday when he returned. Lo & behold come Monday, he's developed an abscess there from 2 fang/puncture wounds.
I have no idea who did the latest damage - and I know I've got a problem here again. I thought I had it solved.
Any ideas on how I can create any sense of peace? I hate to *not* be able to let Squishy out of the enclosure, as he dreadfully wants out to go stalk leaves, mark things, and run some of his pudge off. I cannot possibly contain all of the other cats, as some are semi-feral & very sensitive about being touched/moved.....and I like my hands as they are.
Expanding the enclosure is a possibility, but not until spring. That would give Squishy & the other 2 girls more room to roam inside the enclosure.
Further mental stimulation is something I am constantly battling with. We play every day with a wand toy, he has furniture in the enclosure/shed to climb on, he has his BFF the turbo scratcher out there, and oodles of other toys. But nothing quite compares to wandering your turf & marking your places apparently.
