Traci....
We have finally earned his trust enough that we can gently scratch his shoulders....but try to get his scruff, which is DIFFICULT becuase of the way bones have formed from the way he walks with that broken leg...he FREAKS and BOLTS....and he can outrun us, believe it or not...
he has lost ALOT of weight...so not much meat or even loose skin to grasp ahold of at his scruff...
we spent 40 minutes this morning traipsing through soaking wet grasses and underbrush....getting near to him.....petting him sometimes...watching him crouch down and "hide" in tall grass other times...but when we were able to pet him...and then would try to lift him....he would scramble and bolt as soon as he felt actual tightness on his body anywhere...if it was not barely there fingertips, he bolted.......neither my husband nor I could get a grip on him...
We finally gave up after he went WAY in under a treeline of evergreens and underbrush...he was panting and I felt he needed to just be left alone....he does come to our house at night for food...but then, so do about 8 others...a live trap will be hard to do....because he stays back and waits for them to finish....
I am worried...he NEEDS vet help....I went in today and was hoping that they could give me a SMALL travel dose tranquilizer to put in a small can of food that I could set near him, and I could keep the other cats away....then when he was relaxed from that....we could pick him up and put him in a crate and take him in tomorrow....but the tech said they do not send sedatives home with people any more....
so HOW do people TRAVEL with their pets now?!?!
and any other ideas on HOW to catch this guy?!....I NEED to get him in THIS week....I am done playing his try and catch me games....I figure he is trusting me enough to scratch his rump and shoulder....he should be able to let me pick him up and get him into a crate somehow....
Tripod ~ Just an Update ~ Dec 16, 2008
If he lets you scratch his shoulders then use this opportunity to scruff him quickly. Instead of thinking about positioning your hands on the scruff, gently but QUICKLY apply (gentle) pressure downward, enough so that kitty's shoulders are pushed downward so he can't escape, then gently pull scruff and him together slightly back so that he can't lurch forward. Then of course, counterbalance him by lifting and holding his rear with your other hand, and have carrier ready to place him in.
Tranquilizers are too risky. He could escape from you, tranquilized, sedated, be in the open or obvious to other animals who could harm him (or running out to the road, the hazards are too numerous). I agree with the vet also about tranquilizers for airline flights, just too risky.
Also, use the freshest tuna, or cream (or half'n'half - just a small amount to entice him), or cooked white chicken (or canned), or rub your fingers on the catnip plants you have so he can get the scent and come closer to you....
Tranquilizers are too risky. He could escape from you, tranquilized, sedated, be in the open or obvious to other animals who could harm him (or running out to the road, the hazards are too numerous). I agree with the vet also about tranquilizers for airline flights, just too risky.
Also, use the freshest tuna, or cream (or half'n'half - just a small amount to entice him), or cooked white chicken (or canned), or rub your fingers on the catnip plants you have so he can get the scent and come closer to you....
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral
thanks.....I will be out there....patiently waiting for him tonight....the bathroom will be ready, as the vet is closed tomorrow...but we will just let him rest in the bathroom until Monday morning...and get used to us....
Then....after were were done trying this morning.....hubby asked me WHAT happens to him after the site of the amputation (if that is what the vet decides is the best thing to do) heals?....
I said, "Weeeellllll......he can't just go back outside.....not with a front leg completely gone........" and my husband just started to laugh and shake his head.....
I said, "But this one is DIFFERENT...his case is UNIQUE!!"
of course, while he is at the vet, he will also be neutered and tested for feline leukemia and dewormed and vaccinated all that other fun stuff...then still kept separate from the others here for quite a while....
Then....after were were done trying this morning.....hubby asked me WHAT happens to him after the site of the amputation (if that is what the vet decides is the best thing to do) heals?....
I said, "Weeeellllll......he can't just go back outside.....not with a front leg completely gone........" and my husband just started to laugh and shake his head.....
I said, "But this one is DIFFERENT...his case is UNIQUE!!"
of course, while he is at the vet, he will also be neutered and tested for feline leukemia and dewormed and vaccinated all that other fun stuff...then still kept separate from the others here for quite a while....
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral
But, of course. 
The trick to catching this little guy is enticing him with something he can't refuse, and scruffing him QUICKLY. I suggested tuna or cream, but if you have sardines (in water, not mustard), canned salmon, or anything really fishy or smelly, something that he absolutely cannot refuse. Of course, once you get him caught, pamper him and give him a special treat.
The weight loss is truly concerning, but it could also be worms, so hopefully, that's all it is.
The trick to catching this little guy is enticing him with something he can't refuse, and scruffing him QUICKLY. I suggested tuna or cream, but if you have sardines (in water, not mustard), canned salmon, or anything really fishy or smelly, something that he absolutely cannot refuse. Of course, once you get him caught, pamper him and give him a special treat.
The weight loss is truly concerning, but it could also be worms, so hopefully, that's all it is.
..........Traci
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral
Don't animal control people sometimes use a sort of large fishnet ... on a hoop on a long-handled pole? I seem to recall something like that... but have lived in so many places and been around so long, can't be sure.
I am involved in a feral cat matter here at the complex, not as serious (no injury so far) but it is also very frustrating, going online and trying to separate the real, dedicated 'help' folks and the ones who are just out for publicity and the fun of a chase... The tenant who has been feeding this cat longest is very fragile and soft-hearted, and is being harassed by newer tenant(s).
I wish you luck, and you do the same for us, okay?
I am involved in a feral cat matter here at the complex, not as serious (no injury so far) but it is also very frustrating, going online and trying to separate the real, dedicated 'help' folks and the ones who are just out for publicity and the fun of a chase... The tenant who has been feeding this cat longest is very fragile and soft-hearted, and is being harassed by newer tenant(s).
I wish you luck, and you do the same for us, okay?
Well...Tripod is in the house.....it was NOT easy and NOT pretty....and we are NOT sure if we will be able to keep him in here tonight as this is our only bathroom and he is WILD...so wild that he bit his own tongue and it is bleeding...not bad...
We got him into the bathroom....he escaped before we could shut the door....I blocked him in the hall....did not realize son's bedroom door was not all the way shut....he shot into there....behind the bird cage...got Matrix out of there....took hubby another 20 minutes of trying to get him from between the wall and bookshelf with a broom....heavy towel....son's room is a MESS....well....worse so than before and not sure if he will even notice
Got Tripod BACK into the bathroom and left him eating a can of ocean fish and tuna canned food....I still need to find a box for a litterbox for him....thought I had one and I don't...so even a cardboard box if need be for now....
BUT....as I said...this is our only bathroom....if he goes wild when we go in to use it....we may just need to let him go back out for now and hope to catch him again Monday morning....it is NOT something I want to do...but now that we have done it once...we can do it again....
Hubby said he does NOT want him in the house though...he is TOTALLY WILD....I don't know.....we will see is all I can say right now....I guess if it comes down to it.....I would rather the vet just send him over the Bridge than turn him back out with the leg as it is or as a Tripod...if we don't think we can get him to ever calm down....and hubby has NO PATIENCE to even TRY....
*************
half hour later update......hubby has been to bathroom...Tripod was hiding behind the toilet...food untouched....
I took up a cardboard box made into a litterbox, and a bowl of water....lad to go bathroom....I have to SIT on the toilet
hubby sat first with jeans on to test....Tripod was quiet....
Sooooo....I hurried and did what I had to do....Tripod did not bother....he now has litterbox, food and water....I will take a folded towel in for a bed the next trip in...I recommended to Son that he wear jeans and shoes even in the middle of the night if he has to go bathroom!!
Tripod will go in Monday and first test will be for Feline Leukemia...if he test positive...we will probably just let him go rather than go through all else knowing he is positive....if he is negative...we will let the vet determine the best course of action for the leg...as well as neuter and everything else that needs to be done....he will come back home and see how well he settles down....
If he settles in okay....he will become a member of our household....if he does not....we may try to find him a single cat only home....one with no kids and VERY patient adults....
If he ever comes out from behind the toilet, I will get some pictures of him....he really IS a sweetie.....we had him purrring and chirrrping when we were outside rubbing him....
*******************
one hour later....STILL hiding behind the toilet......hisses when we hunch down and talk to him....
Maybe he will get hungry and thirsty sometime tonight....I hope...*sighs*
*******************
after midnight now....still no change.....I am on my way to bed....hopefully the morning will see him in a better mood....but I am not holding my breath
We got him into the bathroom....he escaped before we could shut the door....I blocked him in the hall....did not realize son's bedroom door was not all the way shut....he shot into there....behind the bird cage...got Matrix out of there....took hubby another 20 minutes of trying to get him from between the wall and bookshelf with a broom....heavy towel....son's room is a MESS....well....worse so than before and not sure if he will even notice
Got Tripod BACK into the bathroom and left him eating a can of ocean fish and tuna canned food....I still need to find a box for a litterbox for him....thought I had one and I don't...so even a cardboard box if need be for now....
BUT....as I said...this is our only bathroom....if he goes wild when we go in to use it....we may just need to let him go back out for now and hope to catch him again Monday morning....it is NOT something I want to do...but now that we have done it once...we can do it again....
Hubby said he does NOT want him in the house though...he is TOTALLY WILD....I don't know.....we will see is all I can say right now....I guess if it comes down to it.....I would rather the vet just send him over the Bridge than turn him back out with the leg as it is or as a Tripod...if we don't think we can get him to ever calm down....and hubby has NO PATIENCE to even TRY....
*************
half hour later update......hubby has been to bathroom...Tripod was hiding behind the toilet...food untouched....
I took up a cardboard box made into a litterbox, and a bowl of water....lad to go bathroom....I have to SIT on the toilet
hubby sat first with jeans on to test....Tripod was quiet....Sooooo....I hurried and did what I had to do....Tripod did not bother....he now has litterbox, food and water....I will take a folded towel in for a bed the next trip in...I recommended to Son that he wear jeans and shoes even in the middle of the night if he has to go bathroom!!
Tripod will go in Monday and first test will be for Feline Leukemia...if he test positive...we will probably just let him go rather than go through all else knowing he is positive....if he is negative...we will let the vet determine the best course of action for the leg...as well as neuter and everything else that needs to be done....he will come back home and see how well he settles down....
If he settles in okay....he will become a member of our household....if he does not....we may try to find him a single cat only home....one with no kids and VERY patient adults....
If he ever comes out from behind the toilet, I will get some pictures of him....he really IS a sweetie.....we had him purrring and chirrrping when we were outside rubbing him....
*******************
one hour later....STILL hiding behind the toilet......hisses when we hunch down and talk to him....
Maybe he will get hungry and thirsty sometime tonight....I hope...*sighs*
*******************
after midnight now....still no change.....I am on my way to bed....hopefully the morning will see him in a better mood....but I am not holding my breath
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral
Wow, Tambrey - what an ordeal ! Hope he calms down, maybe a full belly with that good fish will help...good luck tonight.
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral
Hang in there. It's a big scary change for him. There's hope for the little guy yet. I believe he'll realize what good, loving people you are and come around. 
Re: Catching the Broken Leg Feral
This morning.....he is STILL hiding behind the toilet....food untouched...water untouched....litterbox untouched....
I hate to...but we are going to try to get him our from behind there in a little while...his breathing is raspy...but then again....he was sleeping and maybe he is a snorer....
I hate to...but we are going to try to get him our from behind there in a little while...his breathing is raspy...but then again....he was sleeping and maybe he is a snorer....
Well...we got him out from behind the toilet....for a little while...he is back there again....he did NOT eat or drink....hubby did get brave and dip his finger in the canned food then rub the liquid all over Tripod's nose, and Tripod did lick that, so he KNOWS it is there and he KNOWS what it tastes like...he is just going to be stubborn....
We did the same with some water as well....
Anyways...while he was out....I got some pictures....and yes....he is a bit calmer today....elsewise, I do NOT think my husband would have been sitting there barefoot and in shorts!!!
You can see the broken leg....and he DOES walk on the pads of that foot, so it is VERY crooked when he walks...but....you can also see that the bones tend to want to break right through the skin, you can see them pressing down on the skin and stretching it, and sometimes he gets open wounds again...actually, when it first happened, the bones WERE through the skin...but we could NOT get close to him then...we have been watching and trying to gain trust since about last October with this one...
We did the same with some water as well....
Anyways...while he was out....I got some pictures....and yes....he is a bit calmer today....elsewise, I do NOT think my husband would have been sitting there barefoot and in shorts!!!
You can see the broken leg....and he DOES walk on the pads of that foot, so it is VERY crooked when he walks...but....you can also see that the bones tend to want to break right through the skin, you can see them pressing down on the skin and stretching it, and sometimes he gets open wounds again...actually, when it first happened, the bones WERE through the skin...but we could NOT get close to him then...we have been watching and trying to gain trust since about last October with this one...