Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Does anyone know if the vets would see a sick stray cat at the mo?

51 replies

StillMedusa · 04/05/2020 23:45

Presumed stray... Me and a neighbour have been feeding the poor soul for about 6 months...he was a skeleton but has been coming for meals twice a day now. Was riddled with fleas but we sorted that. Very skittish, but now can be stroked briefly.
A few weeks ago he appeared with a limp..but wouldn't let me touch him.He's still walking but is obviously sore. Then yesterday I noticed a lump on his head and today it looks like an abscess has burst poor boy.

I really really want to get him help. I know our vets won't treat someone else's cat, but we have no idea if he has a chip (if he has his owners should be prosecuted for neglect) I have a cat basket if I can get him in it, but will anyone treat him? I don't mind paying for the poor creature.

(I'd try and take him in but we have two cats and a dog and he won't come in)

OP posts:
Defiantly41 · 04/05/2020 23:48

@thecatneuterer might know ...

idlevice · 04/05/2020 23:52

If you have a local cat rescue, ask them for advice. They might be able to help even if not very local. The one I volunteer at has a large network of volunteers that can cover a distance of about an hour's travelling time.

Medievalist · 04/05/2020 23:55

You should have taken him to a vet to be scanned when he first arrived on the scene. His owners weren't necessarily neglectful. Sometimes cats wander, get lost, decide to live elsewhere, or get taken. He could have an owner who is frantic with worry.

Why don't you take him to your vet and see if he's chipped. He needs antibiotics for what sounds like a bite from another cat.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Cats General health
HoobleDooble · 04/05/2020 23:58

We've phoned our vets about our cat today. She too has lumpy head. They phoned back and did a telephone consultation and we've got to go and pick up some antibiotics tomorrow (phone from the car park and let them bring them out). They won't admit anyone unless it's an absolute emergency,

WeAllHaveWings · 05/05/2020 00:00

I've had my dog at the vets since lockdown. They won't leave an animal in distress.

They will ask you to leave the cat in a carrier and wait in the car park while they have a look and will phone you to discuss treatment.

RoryGilmoree · 05/05/2020 00:04

Please call and ask them- poor little thing. They saw ours today and were so helpful so they are still open if an animal absolutely needs to be seen. It may vary from practice to practice though.

Original poster
StillMedusa · 05/05/2020 00:24

Medievalist we didn't take him because we couldn't touch him let alone grab him and put him in a basket... please read my post properly! I've been doing my best to help the poor animal for months, but you can't take a cat to be checked that won't let you touch him. I've posted pics of him on our local FB and no one has acknowledged him, but we have given him worm and other meds in his food and done our best. If he's not chipped he could go to rescue...but they aren't taking any cats either (I've already asked) so at least with us he has food and a place to sleep (neighbour has a wooden cat house for him outside her door... we can't as the dog will harrass the cat)

OP posts:
Shinesweetfreedom · 05/05/2020 00:33

I don’t suppose Cats Protection could help

Donkeytail · 05/05/2020 00:36

My vet is carrying on as normal. We got our dog neutered last week. They have just moved reception to outside and distance as much as they can.

JessicaDay · 05/05/2020 00:51

We had a similar situation with a stray about a month ago.

One of our local vets is seeing animals at the surgery with appointments. Another is doing video consultations with the option of treatment on site if video consultations indicates that it’s warranted. So it’s worth checking webpage of local surgeries or phoning them.

Neither were letting people into the surgeries. It was drop-off/pick up in a pet carrier/cafe only.

Cats Ptotection League aren’t accepting animals, they will post a photo on their lost and found page for you. SSPCA (Scottish equivalent of RSPCA) will come out for injured animals . Your poor mite might be poorly enough they’ll come out.

JessicaDay · 05/05/2020 00:51

Cage not cafe!

BarbaraofSeville · 05/05/2020 04:06

Contact a local rescue, you might have to try a few. They will have an arrangement with a vet. I foster and we are still doing emergency work which is mainly pregnant mothers and kittens at this time of year but I'd hope we would be able to help a sick Tom cat.

If he's used to coming to you for food, rescue might be able to lend you a trap to get him if he won't let you just put him in a box. You can always make a donation to the rescue in lieu of vet fees, which they'll appreciate, as if it's anything like the one I foster for, our normal fundraising spring fair type events haven't happened this year.

thecatneuterer · 05/05/2020 07:57

Most places are still seeing emergencies - and this more or less is one.

thecatneuterer · 05/05/2020 07:59

Ignore the criticism. You've done exactly the right thing in the circumstances. And he will almost certainly be unneutered - hence being stray and fighting - in which case he never had responsible owners.

RefreshingMrsBeetle · 05/05/2020 09:26

Are you anywhere within reach of Celia Hammond Animal Trust? Not sure what their C 19 policies are but they are the ones
I would trust. You are very kind. Good luck!

Original poster
StillMedusa · 05/05/2020 11:03

He is indeed unneutered *thecatneuterer( and very obviously a male!) and sprays.. including one of my adult kids when he took food out to him..one minute he was accepting a gentle stroke, the next he'd sprayed up his legs! Our front door smells of his regular markings.

I'm going to ring the vets and hope he appears today, he really didn't look well yesterday but unless I can catch him I'm stuck..but I will keep trying. He's a lovely cat and we are trying our best to help him.

OP posts:
Original poster
StillMedusa · 05/05/2020 15:41

Update :)
The poor creature hobbled up this morning with his abscess oozing.. so I rang the vet who agreed to treat him, we lured him in with food, bagged him up and he's there now. Tomorrow he will be neutered, thecatneuterer yay! his wounds treated and leg looked at.

The vet said he'll check for a chip but basically as he's in need of care..congratulations on my new cat ...

He may not be 'our' cat but I guess I have just accepted responsibility for his care and costs, and that's ok by me, even if he decides to stay a doorstep boy..tho maybe we can introduce him to the house once he's neutered. I didn't need another cat but if he wants to stay we will work around the other pets. I'll post a pic once he's been patched up!

OP posts:
JessicaDay · 05/05/2020 16:15

That’s a lovely update. So happy for you!

RefreshingMrsBeetle · 05/05/2020 16:47

That's great news! Nice one OP. Looking forward to photo.

SirVixofVixHall · 05/05/2020 17:00

Such good news OP ! I had a cat die of an abscess, very glad you have taken him in. My cat had been roaming and by the time I got him and took him in it was too late.

SirVixofVixHall · 05/05/2020 17:01

Looking forward to a picture !

spiderlight · 05/05/2020 17:04

Good news! Thank you for helping him. Has he got a name yet?

Hamsterian · 05/05/2020 17:06

Well done OP, you have already made a big difference to this animal’s life 🐱🐱

notapizzaeater · 05/05/2020 17:06

Glad you managed to get him to the vets and the op goes ok 😀

ChavvySexPond · 05/05/2020 17:08

That's wonderful @StillMedusa I hope you'll all be very happy. Smile