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#1
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Feral cats
I have a couple of feral cats that come and go as they please. When we can
get hold of them we take them to the vet and have them spayed and get them shots, etc. We feed them a mix of good quality can and dry cat food. We would like them to stay around since they keep the mice down. We live on a farm. Anyway, this morning one of cats returned after being gone for three days. It ate several times during the day and then laid in the sun. This evening it ate a little more and then wanted attention. It was then I noticed that it's abdomen was extremely rigid. He would let me pet his stomach and there didn't seem to be any discomfort. I'm wondering if the cat has simply stuffed itself causing the rigid stomach or could this be a sign of worms or some other parasite? I've never had a cat that exhibited this regardless of how much it ate. All the others quit eating when they are full. Will a cat stuff itself if meals are few and far between? Thanks for any info DFB |
#2
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Feral cats
Hi DFB,
Worms can make a stomach extend. If it's extended that much tomorrow -- I'd get him in as soon as you can. It sounds plausible too that he gorged himself after not eating too much, but I'd be concerned if it stays like that. Another possibility, could "he" be a "she" and be pregnant? It sounds like he lets you pet him, so could you just have a carrier ready (on the porch or somewhere nearby) and just plop him in? Sometimes with a cat that starts fighting when it sees a carrier, it's easier to have it standing straight up and more or less drop him in from the top. Getting out a carrier though, always scared cats I've worked with, so that's why it might be a good idea to have one in place and ready. Good luck, Rhonda Hangfire wrote: I have a couple of feral cats that come and go as they please. When we can get hold of them we take them to the vet and have them spayed and get them shots, etc. We feed them a mix of good quality can and dry cat food. We would like them to stay around since they keep the mice down. We live on a farm. Anyway, this morning one of cats returned after being gone for three days. It ate several times during the day and then laid in the sun. This evening it ate a little more and then wanted attention. It was then I noticed that it's abdomen was extremely rigid. He would let me pet his stomach and there didn't seem to be any discomfort. I'm wondering if the cat has simply stuffed itself causing the rigid stomach or could this be a sign of worms or some other parasite? I've never had a cat that exhibited this regardless of how much it ate. All the others quit eating when they are full. Will a cat stuff itself if meals are few and far between? Thanks for any info DFB |
#3
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Feral cats
Actually, it's a 'he' so pregnancy isn't an issue. I was going to check him this morning before he got a chance to eat but, as usual, he didn't show up. I did get some wormer in him last night but I'll take your advice, if his stomach is still rigid the next time he shows up I'll get him to the vet. As far as getting him in a carrier, I took the door off of a carrier, sealed the sides and carpeted the inside and he sleeps in it when he's here so getting him to the vet shouldn't be a problem. In the time we have lived here we have spent hundreds of dollars on feral cats, injuries, neutering, etc. I wish more people would get their pets neutered instead of dumping them out in the country. ( Couldn't help not including an opinion here) Thanks for your advice Rhonda. Dave "Rhonda" wrote in message ... Hi DFB, Worms can make a stomach extend. If it's extended that much tomorrow -- I'd get him in as soon as you can. It sounds plausible too that he gorged himself after not eating too much, but I'd be concerned if it stays like that. Another possibility, could "he" be a "she" and be pregnant? It sounds like he lets you pet him, so could you just have a carrier ready (on the porch or somewhere nearby) and just plop him in? Sometimes with a cat that starts fighting when it sees a carrier, it's easier to have it standing straight up and more or less drop him in from the top. Getting out a carrier though, always scared cats I've worked with, so that's why it might be a good idea to have one in place and ready. Good luck, Rhonda Hangfire wrote: I have a couple of feral cats that come and go as they please. When we can get hold of them we take them to the vet and have them spayed and get them shots, etc. We feed them a mix of good quality can and dry cat food. We would like them to stay around since they keep the mice down. We live on a farm. Anyway, this morning one of cats returned after being gone for three days. It ate several times during the day and then laid in the sun. This evening it ate a little more and then wanted attention. It was then I noticed that it's abdomen was extremely rigid. He would let me pet his stomach and there didn't seem to be any discomfort. I'm wondering if the cat has simply stuffed itself causing the rigid stomach or could this be a sign of worms or some other parasite? I've never had a cat that exhibited this regardless of how much it ate. All the others quit eating when they are full. Will a cat stuff itself if meals are few and far between? Thanks for any info DFB |
#4
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Feral cats
Dave: You are terrific to take care of these cats. Yes, you're right. People
should spay and neuter their cats. It would eliminate a lot of suffering. Gail "Hangfire" wrote in message ... Actually, it's a 'he' so pregnancy isn't an issue. I was going to check him this morning before he got a chance to eat but, as usual, he didn't show up. I did get some wormer in him last night but I'll take your advice, if his stomach is still rigid the next time he shows up I'll get him to the vet. As far as getting him in a carrier, I took the door off of a carrier, sealed the sides and carpeted the inside and he sleeps in it when he's here so getting him to the vet shouldn't be a problem. In the time we have lived here we have spent hundreds of dollars on feral cats, injuries, neutering, etc. I wish more people would get their pets neutered instead of dumping them out in the country. ( Couldn't help not including an opinion here) Thanks for your advice Rhonda. Dave "Rhonda" wrote in message ... Hi DFB, Worms can make a stomach extend. If it's extended that much tomorrow -- I'd get him in as soon as you can. It sounds plausible too that he gorged himself after not eating too much, but I'd be concerned if it stays like that. Another possibility, could "he" be a "she" and be pregnant? It sounds like he lets you pet him, so could you just have a carrier ready (on the porch or somewhere nearby) and just plop him in? Sometimes with a cat that starts fighting when it sees a carrier, it's easier to have it standing straight up and more or less drop him in from the top. Getting out a carrier though, always scared cats I've worked with, so that's why it might be a good idea to have one in place and ready. Good luck, Rhonda Hangfire wrote: I have a couple of feral cats that come and go as they please. When we can get hold of them we take them to the vet and have them spayed and get them shots, etc. We feed them a mix of good quality can and dry cat food. We would like them to stay around since they keep the mice down. We live on a farm. Anyway, this morning one of cats returned after being gone for three days. It ate several times during the day and then laid in the sun. This evening it ate a little more and then wanted attention. It was then I noticed that it's abdomen was extremely rigid. He would let me pet his stomach and there didn't seem to be any discomfort. I'm wondering if the cat has simply stuffed itself causing the rigid stomach or could this be a sign of worms or some other parasite? I've never had a cat that exhibited this regardless of how much it ate. All the others quit eating when they are full. Will a cat stuff itself if meals are few and far between? Thanks for any info DFB |
#5
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Feral cats
"Gail" wrote in message nk.net... Dave: You are terrific to take care of these cats. Yes, you're right. People should spay and neuter their cats. It would eliminate a lot of suffering. Gail Foster cats in my cat room are all shaking their heads in agreement. Oh yea! kitten season is over. We adopted out the last kitten we had this weekend and drum roll now people are actually looking at our adults. We found a home for a tortie we've had in our care for over a year this weekend ) I only have 3 fosters now. It seems strange to have so few. They are all adults though so I have to keep the numbers down for a bunch of reasons. The depressing thing is we'll start seeing pregnant moms again next month ( so we only have a short time between kitten seasons when it's easier to adopt out the adults. Wendy |
#6
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Feral cats
"Hangfire" wrote in message ... I wish more people would get their pets neutered instead of dumping them out in the country. Amen. I live in a small condo development located in a semi-rural area. People seem to have the idea that there are enough kids and young families around to take them in or enough farm turf that hunting their keep shouldn't be a problem. Sadly it doesn't work out that way. The property management did a recent census and says we have 85 strays on the property - an area approx. 600 ft wide by 3/8 mile long. Word is that they are hiring a nuisance trapper to do a roundup. I have seriously mixed feelings on that. I hate seeing these cats trapped and disposed of under the same rules as nuisance wildlife. Meanwhile the population that exists is stretching the limits of those willing to provide food. Some of the more feral or timid can be seen running around and obviously aren't doing well. |
#7
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Feral cats
Wendy wrote:
"Gail" wrote in message nk.net... Dave: You are terrific to take care of these cats. Yes, you're right. People should spay and neuter their cats. It would eliminate a lot of suffering. Gail Foster cats in my cat room are all shaking their heads in agreement. Oh yea! kitten season is over. We adopted out the last kitten we had this weekend and drum roll now people are actually looking at our adults. We found a home for a tortie we've had in our care for over a year this weekend ) I only have 3 fosters now. It seems strange to have so few. They are all adults though so I have to keep the numbers down for a bunch of reasons. The depressing thing is we'll start seeing pregnant moms again next month ( so we only have a short time between kitten seasons when it's easier to adopt out the adults. Wendy How do you get rid of the adult cats? I have about three strays I'd like to find homes for. -- John Kimmel I think it will be quiet around here now. So long. |
#8
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Feral cats
"guynoir" wrote in message ... Wendy wrote: "Gail" wrote in message nk.net... Dave: You are terrific to take care of these cats. Yes, you're right. People should spay and neuter their cats. It would eliminate a lot of suffering. Gail Foster cats in my cat room are all shaking their heads in agreement. Oh yea! kitten season is over. We adopted out the last kitten we had this weekend and drum roll now people are actually looking at our adults. We found a home for a tortie we've had in our care for over a year this weekend ) I only have 3 fosters now. It seems strange to have so few. They are all adults though so I have to keep the numbers down for a bunch of reasons. The depressing thing is we'll start seeing pregnant moms again next month ( so we only have a short time between kitten seasons when it's easier to adopt out the adults. Wendy How do you get rid of the adult cats? I have about three strays I'd like to find homes for. -- John Kimmel I think it will be quiet around here now. So long. We get them spayed/neutered, tested and vaccinated and take them to PetSmart on Saturdays to show. W |
#9
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Feral cats
I live in a townhouse area. We have an ever changing feral cat
population. I think some people move and just abandon their cats. I hate to think of what has happened to the cats who don't show up anymore. I always hope thay have been taken in but I guess that is being naive. I leave food out and I have made a nest inside a plastic storage box in case they need a place out of the weather. I wish that I could afford to catch them and take them to the vet. I have been unable to find an organization that can help with the expense of neutering and inocculating. I can't solve the feral problem but I can't just watch them forage in garbage bags or starve. Management was trying to find someone to trap the cats but they didn't want someone who would just kill them. But they tell us not to feed them. Is there any good answer? |
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