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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask next door to take their cat to the vet?

21 replies

ahbollocks · 02/08/2015 00:07

Hear me out.
I'm a cat lover and my neighbours have a lovely 18 year old who camps in my front garden most of the day. A few days ago he came to say hello and has a big patch of fur missing from his forehead, and sores under his eyes.
I didn't see him the rest of the day so assumed he had been taken to the vets.
Have just been to lock up and the poor things face looks so so sore :( his eyes are running and he is so dirty.

Ndn are nice enough but whenever I've mentioned him before (I commented on him drooling and spending 20 hours a day in my garden - not that I mind at all) the owner just says yes he's a rescue farm cat so we just leave him to it.

Will to maybe pop a note through the door saying his face looks like it could be infected?
Poor animal looks absolutely awful so I don't see how they could have missed it

OP posts:

tvlover1234 · 02/08/2015 00:09

Being an animal lover I definitely.would. Or even knock on and say I seen the cat earlier has he been in a fight? His face looks sore? Strike up the convo x

scatterthenuns · 02/08/2015 00:11

You don't know they've not taken him!

Don't send a note. Next time you see them, ask if the cat is ok. Say you saw him and his face looked sore, and wanted to check if he was ok.

WorraLiberty · 02/08/2015 00:14

I agree with scatter

The assumption that they haven't actually taken him, might be very hurtful if they actually have.

Speak to them and ask after the cat (no notes through the door!)

Original poster

ahbollocks · 02/08/2015 00:14

I think I will do lots of front garden weeding tomorrow and try to catch them.
I want to wrap him in a blanket and feed him roast chicken!

OP posts:

RosePetels · 02/08/2015 00:23

It seems like they may be waiting for him to die if they just ignore him which is very sad. Can you take him at all?

scatterthenuns · 02/08/2015 00:24

Rose - You can't just take a pet cat. OP knows nothing about how his owners are looking after him!

Yambabe · 02/08/2015 00:53

I have a cat who has a chronic skin condition.

His whole body is covered in weeping sores, he is missing huge patches of fur and he constantly over-grooms himself. But he still likes to be outdoors so I let him. I've had concerned neighbours talking to me, and have been anonymously reported to the RSPCA twice.

My cat is at the vet at least once a fortnight, he's on the highest dose of steroids his little body can take, regular antibiotics, various topical lotions and potions, been seen by a specialist and had a couple of skin biopsies. As yet (after well over a year) we haven't got to the bottom of what's triggering it. We may never be able to make him look better than he does now

I would give anything to make him better, at the moment it's just not happening. But he's a much-loved, very loving little chap who loves nothing more than fuss and cuddles and despite looking pretty awful most of the time I think (hope) he has a happy life with us.

So don't assume. Talk to your neighbour first!

Mermaidhair · 02/08/2015 01:38

Please knock and speak to the owners yourself first. If they haven't been to the vet or don't go to the vet within a few days you, you should ring your local rspca to report it. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure our animal friends are cared for as they don't have a voice. Not. Getting medical care is abuse. This is assuming your neighbours do not or have not acted. I'm glad you have noticed, and I'm sure the cat will be to.

Original poster

ahbollocks · 02/08/2015 07:18

I'll try and catch them today and if he hasn't been taken ill offer to take him Monday. He really is a lovely little beast :(

OP posts:

patienceisvirtuous · 02/08/2015 07:25

You're a good 'un OP!

ScoutRifle · 02/08/2015 07:29

Yambabe - one of my cats over grooms himself too he does it when he gets stressed and this time it's because a new cat from the neighbourhood is trying to take over his patch.
This new cat has even ventured into my house the cheek of it. Didn't last long though when confronted with six angry cats & 2 furious dogs! I had to rescue it from being backed into a corner and I've not seen it since so hopefully my boy will stress less now.

Asleeponasunbeam · 02/08/2015 07:45

My friend's cat looked like you describe. It had skin conditions (treated but not curable) and was elderly. Funny looking animal but very sweet. Mostly lived indoors so wasnt seen much. A 'kind' new neighbour took it to the vet. Not the vet that knew the cat. Didn't ask around the neighbourhood first. And they put it to sleep!

Littleen · 02/08/2015 07:47

Go chat to them instead I think :)

Original poster

ahbollocks · 02/08/2015 09:16

Oh jesus asleep!I'd never do anything like that. I love the little bugger

I just hope it's not because of financial reasons or something, because I would help if I could.
These sores are definitely new- I've known him a good 7 years

OP posts:

BeautifulBatman · 02/08/2015 10:42

I'd take it to the vet myself.

MammaTJ · 02/08/2015 11:24

Like a few others have said, they may well have taken him to the vets already. Do not be so quick to judge.

I have a dog with a skin condition. Every year, when it flares up, I get a pointless visit from the RSPCA, when they tell me I have a dog with an untreated skin condition. They then get the name and phone number of my vet, ring him and confirm it is indeed a treated skin condition.

Actually, I haven't had a visit this year. I wonder if my neighbours have given up or if the RSPCA just rang the vets to check.

LazyLohan · 02/08/2015 11:29

The cat is 18. If they take it to the vet the vet is probably going to put the cat down. They may be trying to put this off as long as they can. 18 is very old for a cat. Sitting in the garden all day is what old cats do.

Sazzle41 · 02/08/2015 13:04

If he is still looking like that after a week/10 days (whatever the vet gave would have kicked in by then if he has seen one) then I'd be going to the vet with him myself but i am a total soft touch. It sounds like they arent very bothered about him poor old thing.

Original poster

ahbollocks · 02/08/2015 13:07

Bumped into Mrs next door and asked after the cat and she said he is going tomorrow, and asked if I could help get him into his box. Apparently he fights like the devil and she's been too frightened of hurting his sores to do it alone.
Am glad I didn't put a note through now, poor woman looked so sad I can imagine it would have been horrible for her!
Thanks mumsnetters!

OP posts:

scatterthenuns · 02/08/2015 16:35

Glad to hear it OP. It would be very unlikely that neighbours with a good history weren't doing all they could for a much loved pet!

LaLyra · 02/08/2015 17:06

I'm so glad you spoke to the neighbour instead of a note or taking the cat to the vet yourself.

Several years ago an old neighbour took it upon themselves to take my cat to the vet. Thankfully they took him to the same vet as I'd already taken him too numerous times as otherwise he'd have ended up on double doses of medication and that would have killed him far quicker than his treatable condition did! I'd have much preferred to keep him indoors, but he was an outdoor cat and would have been miserable inside.

If you are worried abot someone's animal speak to them or speak to someone like the RSPCA. Don't just take them to a random vet who'll have no idea if they're already being treated or not.

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