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Questions re rescued stray semi-feral cat
About three months ago I noticed a blond tabby hanging around a house
down the street on the corner (five houses from me). He was in terrible shape, badly matted hair, runny eyes, arthritic and skinny. After a few days I happened by when the homeowner was outside (an older widow lady), and she said that he had been around the neighborhood for several years and was not her cat. She said she had been giving him table scraps out of pity. She said she called him "Old George." In later conversations with her neighbors the confirmed what she said and expressed amazement that he was still alive. A couple days later I had occasion to order some take-out fried chicken. Thinking of Old George, I walked down the street and gave him a couple of the bones. He approached me warily and finally grabbed one of the bones out of my hand and ran off behind the lady's garage to eat it. The lady was outside at the time and she said that he wouldn't let anyone touch him. She said that he had hissed at her and scratched her when she tried, and ditto for anyone else. Over the next couple of months I became more and more involved in Old George. I would bring a can of real cat food (supermarket canned food, but the kind marked for seniors or for special diet). I would lay down on the lawn next to him while he ate. I started by insisting on holding the can while he ate, progressing to touching him, and so on. Eventually I got to the point where he would let me comb him and cut off some of the worst of his matted hair -- so dense and full of dirt that there was no hope of getting a comb through it. The lady who lived in the house encouraged this, as she did not want him, but was hoping he would find a home. After a couple weeks of this she decided she would stop leaving table scraps out for him, in hopes of making him more dependent on me. By this time the lady and all her neighbors were amazed that I had gotten him to allow me to touch him. She said it was a miracle, but I knew it was just the result of my patience and perseverance. About ten days ago I went down there in the morning to give Old George his breakfast. He seemed especially hungy (he had taken to running up when he saw me). I had been worried about how to get him up to my house. I decided that it was time. Instead of lying down and giving him the cat food, I slowly started walking back to my house, calling him and encouraging him to follow me. He did! I fed him on the lawn at my house that morning. When we finished he walked back down the street to the house on the corner. But I knew I had made significant progress. Later that day I went down to find him, and he was even more eager to follow me up to my house and get fed. After a few days I got him to come to the back door to be fed. One day I looked out in the morning and there he was, waiting for his breakfast. But he still went back to the house on the corner after getting his tummy full. A few days later I was walking by the lady's house and she was outside. She said she saw George the previous day and he seemed hungry. She was worried that I had given up, so she walked up the street to my house. She said that George had readily followed her. Not only that, but she rang my bell and when I didn't answer she walked around back. George followed her and walked right into the back porch through the door that I had blocked open for him. She saw his food and water dish and watched while he went over and started eating. She knew then that he was well aware of where to get his meals. That was a couple weeks ago. He is now living with me pretty much all the time. He is starting to put some meat on his bones (such a skinny little guy he was!). His runny eyes have cleared up. He walks around normally instead of like an arthritic old man. The cut off matted fur is filling in and he is starting to look like a real cat. However, I have a couple questions that I am looking for opinions about. First, I haven't taken him to the vet yet. I haven't even gotten to the point where he would consider letting me pick him up. He likes being petted and combed and loves to lay on the floor next to me as I sit at the computer or am reading a book. In fact, if I get up to go to the bathroom or the kitchen he follows closely after me. It's as if he doesn't want to lose me. But one step at a time. I have never done anything to hurt him and it has taken a long time to earn this level of trust. Sure, I could trap him in a box and take him to the vet against his will, but I feel we'd both be better off if I wait. He seems reasonably healthy, so the vet visit can wait a bit longer. I live alone and there are no other cats here, so no one is in any imminent danger. Here are my questions -- 1) One of the things that sends him into ecstasy is if I stick my little finger into his ears while petting him and rub around in there. My finger comes out with brownish ear wax on it, but I suspect he has ear mites. If I look at the ear wax with a magnifying glass, would they be visible? If he has ear mites, what is a good treatment (over the counter, preferably, since we're not yet ready for the vet visit)? 2) So far he has had constant access to the outside. The weather here is still mild, so the door to the back porch has a 2 x 4 block keeping it open just "cat-size." Similarly, the door from the porch to the kitchen is blocked open for him. He seems to understand the idea of living inside, but going outside to poop and pee. Until today there has been no problem with this, but this evening I just discovered a wet spot on the carpet in the living room. It is right in the walkway through the living room and I know it was not there earlier today. Curiously, it does not smell. Still, it is worrisome. Just now I took a the lid to a large paper box and filled it with cat litter (bought a couple days ago) and put it on the floor in the middle of the house. I might add that he doesn't seem to have any problem with elimination, except that he never covers it up. But after watching him a few times and inspecting the results, it seems normal. I can't come up with anything that would indicate a medical problem (e.g., urinary tract infection). At this point my guess is that he just isn't fully acclimated to living in a house, but opinions would be welcome. If he can't at least use a litterbox reliably, then I'm afraid he's going to have to be an outdoor kitty. (It's a safe neighborhood, at least.) Still, I hope he can be an indoor-outdoor cat. My old cat always went outside for bathroom activities and was a perfect gentleman about it. I installed a cat flap for him which is still there, although I haven't yet gotten to the point of teaching George how to use it. If anyone has any suggestions about training an old cat about this, they would be welcome. -- Bogus e-mail address, but I read this newsgroup regularly, so reply here. |
#3
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A couple days later I had occasion to order some take-out fried
chicken. Thinking of Old George, I walked down the street and gave him a couple of the bones. He approached me warily and finally grabbed one of the bones out of my hand and ran off behind the lady's garage to eat it. I'm glad you've won his trust, but please don't give him any more chicken bones. They are very dangerous for cats and dogs because they can splinter when they bite them and the splinter can perforate an intestine or their stomach. http://www.madmousergraphics.com web design, print design, photography |
#4
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"Marek Williams" wrote in message ... About three months ago I noticed a blond tabby hanging around a house down the street on the corner (five houses from me). He was in terrible shape, badly matted hair, runny eyes, arthritic and skinny. snip but way cool - congratulations for all you've done! First, I haven't taken him to the vet yet. I haven't even gotten to the point where he would consider letting me pick him up. He likes being petted and combed and loves to lay on the floor next to me as I sit at the computer or am reading a book. In fact, if I get up to go to the bathroom or the kitchen he follows closely after me. It's as if he doesn't want to lose me. But one step at a time. I have never done anything to hurt him and it has taken a long time to earn this level of trust. Sure, I could trap him in a box and take him to the vet against his will, but I feel we'd both be better off if I wait. He seems reasonably healthy, so the vet visit can wait a bit longer. I live alone and there are no other cats here, so no one is in any imminent danger. Here are my questions -- 1) One of the things that sends him into ecstasy is if I stick my little finger into his ears while petting him and rub around in there. My finger comes out with brownish ear wax on it, but I suspect he has ear mites. If I look at the ear wax with a magnifying glass, would they be visible? If he has ear mites, what is a good treatment (over the counter, preferably, since we're not yet ready for the vet visit)? If your vet is like mine you'll get a small bottle of ear drops and a big bottle of blue cleaning liquid (simple refered to as blue stuff.) No matter what the vet says, use the blue stuff till most of the wax is gone then use the ear drops. The mites are down under the wax and the ear drops don't penetrate the wax so they can't kill the mites till the wax is gone. So you might persuade your vet to sell you a bottle of blue stuff with out taking Old George in. If you have to take him in (and the pain of a vet visit is soon forgotten but the joy of a healthy cat lasts forever) do not pick him up and man handle him in a carrier (never mind how if affects the cat; he'll claw you to death). Start serving dinner in the carrier till he gets used to going in the thing. Then check the screws so you can quickly take the top off the carrrier. When it's time to go to the vet put some newspaper and a small amount of food in the carrier or slowley back him into a corner with the carrier untill he has no where to go except to walk into the carrier on his own. When you get to the vet just take the top off the carrier rather than try to drag him out. If he pees in the carrier just throw the newspaper away (that's why you didn't use a towel). 2) So far he has had constant access to the outside. The weather here is still mild, so the door to the back porch has a 2 x 4 block keeping it open just "cat-size." Similarly, the door from the porch to the kitchen is blocked open for him. He seems to understand the idea of living inside, but going outside to poop and pee. Until today there has been no problem with this, but this evening I just discovered a wet spot on the carpet in the living room. It is right in the walkway through the living room and I know it was not there earlier today. Curiously, it does not smell. Still, it is worrisome. Just now I took a the lid to a large paper box and filled it with cat litter (bought a couple days ago) and put it on the floor in the middle of the house. You might check the thread on Cat Attract litter. Part of the teaching process is to put a litter pan where he wants it untill he uses it reliable and then slow move it to where you want it. (or build a big screen around it like I did). I might add that he doesn't seem to have any problem with elimination, except that he never covers it up. Join the club. ron But after watching him a few times and inspecting the results, it seems normal. I can't come up with anything that would indicate a medical problem (e.g., urinary tract infection). At this point my guess is that he just isn't fully acclimated to living in a house, but opinions would be welcome. If he can't at least use a litterbox reliably, then I'm afraid he's going to have to be an outdoor kitty. (It's a safe neighborhood, at least.) Still, I hope he can be an indoor-outdoor cat. My old cat always went outside for bathroom activities and was a perfect gentleman about it. I installed a cat flap for him which is still there, although I haven't yet gotten to the point of teaching George how to use it. If anyone has any suggestions about training an old cat about this, they would be welcome. -- Bogus e-mail address, but I read this newsgroup regularly, so reply here. |
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"Ron Herfurth" wrote in message
... "Marek Williams" wrote in message ... . . . Here are my questions -- 1) One of the things that sends him into ecstasy is if I stick my little finger into his ears while petting him and rub around in there. My finger comes out with brownish ear wax on it, but I suspect he has ear mites. If I look at the ear wax with a magnifying glass, would they be visible? If he has ear mites, what is a good treatment (over the counter, preferably, since we're not yet ready for the vet visit)? If your vet is like mine you'll get a small bottle of ear drops and a big bottle of blue cleaning liquid (simple refered to as blue stuff.) No matter what the vet says, use the blue stuff till most of the wax is gone then use the ear drops. The mites are down under the wax and the ear drops don't penetrate the wax so they can't kill the mites till the wax is gone. So you might persuade your vet to sell you a bottle of blue stuff with out taking Old George in. . . . There's also a product called Revolution that's supposed to kill ear mites, fleas, and ticks. You put the liquid behind the cat's neck where he can't lick it. Either way you kill the ear mites, the cat's ear will most likely continue to produce excess ear wax for a while. This means you need to clean the cat's ears yourself or take him to the vet to have it done. Naturally cats hate this procedure. One of my cats had an ear mite infection, so I know they quickly develop a sense of when you're going to clean their ears. Bill |
#6
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"Bill" wrote in message ... "Ron Herfurth" wrote in message ... "Marek Williams" wrote in message ... . . . Here are my questions -- 1) One of the things that sends him into ecstasy is if I stick my little finger into his ears while petting him and rub around in there. My finger comes out with brownish ear wax on it, but I suspect he has ear mites. If I look at the ear wax with a magnifying glass, would they be visible? If he has ear mites, what is a good treatment (over the counter, preferably, since we're not yet ready for the vet visit)? If your vet is like mine you'll get a small bottle of ear drops and a big bottle of blue cleaning liquid (simple refered to as blue stuff.) No matter what the vet says, use the blue stuff till most of the wax is gone then use the ear drops. The mites are down under the wax and the ear drops don't penetrate the wax so they can't kill the mites till the wax is gone. So you might persuade your vet to sell you a bottle of blue stuff with out taking Old George in. . . . There's also a product called Revolution that's supposed to kill ear mites, fleas, and ticks. You put the liquid behind the cat's neck where he can't lick it. It also kills fles and ticks, great stuff. I think you can only get it from a vet. The pricing is weird, $15 for each dose or 7 for $55 - that's a six pack plus one "free". Either way you kill the ear mites, the cat's ear will most likely continue to produce excess ear wax for a while. This means you need to clean the cat's ears yourself or take him to the vet to have it done. Naturally cats hate this procedure. I had a cat with with so much wax that it took the vet more than a dozen Qtips to get it all. Me and a tech were holding the poor guy and he was thumping his one free foot on the table. I think blue stuff 3 times a day for a week would have been more humane. ron One of my cats had an ear mite infection, so I know they quickly develop a sense of when you're going to clean their ears. Bill |
#7
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Thanks to all who responded. As soon as I get the time (I've been
really swamped lately) I'll stop by a vet's office and see if I can get some Revolution. There are three vets within walking distance of my house, but getting there during office hours is difficult. In the meantime, he has now pooped once inside the house, and I think he peed again in the same general location as the first time. I tried the suggestion of putting some dirt on top of the litter, and I placed it in this area, but so far he has not used it. On the other hand, three incidents inside the house over a week or so is not that much. Clearly he is going outside most of the time. What bothers me is whether he really understands the idea of indoors vs outdoors. He has been a stray living outside most of his life. I guess I'll just have to ride with it a while to see how things develop. -- Bogus e-mail address, but I read this newsgroup regularly, so reply here. |
#8
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in article , Marek Williams at
wrote on 9/21/03 7:06 PM: Thanks to all who responded. As soon as I get the time (I've been really swamped lately) I'll stop by a vet's office and see if I can get some Revolution. There are three vets within walking distance of my house, but getting there during office hours is difficult. In the meantime, he has now pooped once inside the house, and I think he peed again in the same general location as the first time. I tried the suggestion of putting some dirt on top of the litter, and I placed it in this area, but so far he has not used it. On the other hand, three incidents inside the house over a week or so is not that much. Clearly he is going outside most of the time. What bothers me is whether he really understands the idea of indoors vs outdoors. He has been a stray living outside most of his life. I guess I'll just have to ride with it a while to see how things develop. -- Bogus e-mail address, but I read this newsgroup regularly, so reply here. Please keep us posted. I've no doubt you can be successful, and I think he really will get the idea with the dirt in the box in that area. Karen |
#9
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#10
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Marek Williams wrote:
On 18 Sep 2003 05:36:07 GMT, ospam (LauraK) dijo: I'm glad you've won his trust, but please don't give him any more chicken bones. They are very dangerous for cats and dogs because they can splinter when they bite them and the splinter can perforate an intestine or their stomach. I realize cats aren't as smart as humans, but they've had literally millions of years to figure out how to eat birds. Whenever I have fried chicken I always share with whatever cat is living with me. I've been doing so for literally decades. So far, no problems. I think cats eat chickens without choking on the bones more or less the same way you and I do. The problem stems from the bird bones being *cooked*. Once cooked, they become quite hazardous to cats and dogs. Humans are not at risk because we never chew hard on the bones, and never swallow them. |
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