Black and White Stray

[Tambrey]

Well, today when I was putting food out for the ferals, a straggly black and white one showed up...we watched it for a while...its eyes are so weepy it can barely see, and looked like it had been laying in a mud puddle to stay cool, or was getting a drink and fell and could not get up again...who knows...it finally managed to lay down by the food and tried to nibble a few bites, but had no energy to do that...and the other cats kept trying to bat it away...

my husband put on his work gloves and picked it up and we brought it into the vestibule...I did not have canned cat food (I do now) so I gave it some Iams chicken and rice dog food...and some water...it ate that quite well, although I did not give alot...

It has a nasty URI, had a shot of antibiotics and I have Clavamox...it will go in tomorrow for a more thorough checkup with our regular vet...it has some wounds, but they look fairly clean, surprisingly, but we will keep an eye on them...
the poor thing is skin and bones...literally...

However, this evening when I took more food, it stood up for the first time since we saw it stagger over to us...and it talked to me and rubbed its head against my leg...It sniffed at the litterbox, but has not used it yet...probably nothing in there to move on through yet...

I want to cuddle it sooo badly, but I am afraid of whatever else might be wrong with it...until it gets a good going over by the vet and cleaned up completely, I do not want to cause more damage to its fragile body...

Soooo....please say a prayer for this critter...I am not even sure if it is boy or girl...and the vet did not even want to bother checking...just wanted to get it started on getting healthy...we can worry about incidentals later on...

I will keep you posted on progress...and as soon as I take the male in the bathroom in to be neutered, he will probably come join the ranks in the main part of the house permanently and this sickly one will move to the bathroom...

[slvrwhispr]

You're an angel, Tambrey. It's so good of you to take these needy little guys in. You've got all my prayers and well-wishes.

[Traci]

Prayers and healing thoughts for kitty, I hope it's nothing serious....do try to get him/her tested for FELV/FIV, Tambrey.

[E's]

I will be thinking of you too, dear Tambrey. There are (apparently reasonably healthy) outdoor cats here at the apartment complex... some will come right up by the windows to "talk" to my cats... sometimes I open the windows (try to do this when I haven't seen any outdoor cats for awhile)...My cats of course love having their windows open. I knew already, as you do, but DD reminded me again this weekend re FLV, FIV etc... Though I do seem to recall a vet telling us years ago that such viruses die within a couple of minutes - is that still considered true?

I know you are being careful. Thanks for doing what you do.

Dot B
Austin, Texas

[Traci]

The viruses do not live long outside of the host, but no one knows what that time frame is exactly, and some viruses live longer in a moist environment, so always keep that in mind. I wouldn't let your kitties touch noses with the outdoor cats. These viruses are mainly transmitted through bite wounds, and there is evidence they can be transmitted through sharing water and food dishes, as well as close contact in a multi-cat environment.

[Tambrey]

kitty is doing much better today...not eating a whole lot yet, but it is also very hot outside...it used the litterbox to pee, but no stools yet...testing is all negative which is good...it is good that none of the cats around here have ever tested positive for FELV/FIV...but many tend to get this URI...probably compliments of the grainery and dirt roads, etc...who knows...but at least they are usually easily cleared up...

[Tambrey]

I forgot to mention that it is isloated on our frotn vestibule...my cats cannot get to it, and when we take Sammie out to go potty, we carry him through the vestibule then put him down outside...

It is looking and doing alot better this evening...amazing what some meds, good food and uninterrupted rest can do...

I will keep you posted on progress...hopefully each day gets better...but not sure what we will do with it once it is better....*sighs*...

[k9Karen]

Glad to hear this little critter is doing better. I know it's not uncommon for 'city folk' to dump their pets in the country - wrongly thinking that some kind farmer will take them in (or, with a cat, that they can fend for themselves.) Do you think maybe that is what happened here? Since the cat is so calm around you, it makes me think it isn't feral. Glad to hear all the tests were negative and all that is needed is lots of TLC and antibiotics.

Just a thought in case this happens again. They make disposable lab coats - actually made of coated paper. We use them in our lab. I'm sure you can find them on the 'net. Having a pack of these and some disposable exam gloves around for cases like this might be something you'd want to consider so you won't be afraid of taking some illness back to your own furry friends. After all, you know if another one in the same situation manages to get to you, you'll want to do the same to help.

Sending lots of good thoughts your way and hoping for a full recovery! Good luck!

[Tambrey]

thank you...the disposable lab coats and a box of gloves is not a bad idea...when I go give it meds, or am spending time with it now...I hurry in to the kitchen, nearest sink, and wash good with antibacterial soap...and of course my cats are wanting to sniff this new stranger...

It is doing soooo much better today...standing to eat, and laying at the door to go out rather than up against the door to come in...it ate almost all of the C/D I put out for it today...

It does need a bath really really bad...even its face because the last couple of days, it would even lay with its head in the food, so it has crusty dried canned food all over its face and neck...but I know a bath would be way too stressful for it...I will do what I can today to get it cleaned up a bit more...even just wash its face with a warm rag...

But it is talking, and standing on wobbly legs...and using the litterbox...and fighting the meds!!

[Cleo]

So glad to hear this little one is getting better with your TLC! I'll keep a prayer going for kitty.