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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Urgent Help please

67 replies

Mama1980 · 21/05/2012 07:52

Hi I have no experience with cats what so ever. This morning when I was hanging the washing out I noticed a whimpering sound investigated and found a cat under the bench, whimpering looks very thin, dragging it's legs barely moving oh god the thing looks awful :( no collar fur matted. It took a chunk out Of my hand when I tried to bring it indoors. I've put down water what do I do? Looks young I think. Don't want to leave it

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tribpot · 21/05/2012 17:57

Fingers crossed Mama - let us know how you get on.

Wherearemyearplugs · 21/05/2012 18:43

You did a good thing! But, just to repeat everybody else: do take care of that bite! When my cat bit me (disagreement over the travel cage: I wanted her in and she objected) it got infected pretty quickly. When I went to get it looked at, the doctor told me that this happens a lot. He said that if I ever got bitten again by a cat I should immeadiatly get antibiotics and not wait and see.

Original poster
Mama1980 · 21/05/2012 20:48

Hi well he's doing pretty great, looks a absolute state though poor mite, you can see his ribs Sad they are keeping him overnight as he needs injections, Iv fluids and iv antibiotics. Vet reckons he hasn't eaten properly in a very long time if ever- he is severely malnourished and he thinks blind in one eye. They are starting him on like gentle build up stuff and he has taken some which is a good sign. Vet thinks he will be fine but needs a lot of gentle tlc, rescue say just no spaces and certainly no foster care for such a sickly boy. So looks like he is coming back with me tomorrow-I've agreed to take him in at least on a temporary basis. I can separate him from the dog if necessary but he won't be moving too much for quite a while. What a day!

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Original poster
Mama1980 · 21/05/2012 20:49

Oh and thanks everyone I doused the cut in tcp and it looks ok but might ring gp in the morning incase they feel the same way about anti biotics

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Sparklingbrook · 21/05/2012 20:51

Mama that is so nice of you. Have you had any discussion over the vet's bill?

What would have happened if you said you couldn't take him though? Sad

Original poster
Mama1980 · 21/05/2012 21:02

My vet is lovely and said today they will cover the bill as he is a stray. However as I've agreed to take him home tomorrow the bills are mine from now on though they will give me as much stuff ie food and meds as they can. Vet is absolutely certain he is a stray. Neighbour is bringing over carry box tomorrow and my friend has other bits and pieces she can give me.

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Original poster
Mama1980 · 21/05/2012 21:04

I dont know what would have happened Sad he was so cold though the vet said he wouldn't have made another night out in the open Sad

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Sparklingbrook · 21/05/2012 21:05

Did you want a cat? Smile Your vet sounds wonderful.

tribpot · 21/05/2012 21:15

Wow - top vet! Can we do a little collection for you, Mama? I'm so glad you found this little cat; my own is a Cats Protection one and although she was looking well cared for by the time we got her, she had been sleeping rough with a litter of kittens when she was found and I'm just so glad she was able to be taken in and we were allowed to give her a home (and trust me, she treats it like she was doing us a favour every day!)

pamplemousse · 21/05/2012 21:20

I have loads of spare cat stuff in my cupboard, bed, litter box, toys, brushes, if it is of use to you pm me and I could send you a parcel...?

Original poster
Mama1980 · 21/05/2012 21:54

Thank you Smile you're all so kind. I'm
Not sure what I have/need yet dp is collecting bits from people as we speak but thank you all so much. No I didn't particularly want a cat but I have a rescue dog and a rescue tortoise Hmm so he'll be in good company. Just hoping that he has a good night. Do you have any ideas what it would be best for him to sleep in? He is going to need to move as little as possible. Also Vet says I will need to feed him slowly by hand, any advice as to how best to do this?

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MNP · 21/05/2012 22:14

Are you at home all day Mama if yes then keeping him the carrier and lifting him out for regular ie hourly for food and toilets is an option, if your not then maybe someone has a dog crate u could put him,bed, food/water and litter tray in.

minnisota · 21/05/2012 22:30

I have acquired all my cats this way, all turning up in a state and needing a fair bit of tlc and vet treatment. I second a dog crate, maybe a rescue could lend you one.
I was bitten quite badly when trying to get hold of one (his tooth went through my nail) I needed a tetanus so please get it seen. I got him though :)
Poor thing, thank god he found you

Original poster
Mama1980 · 22/05/2012 08:44

Thanks I have a dog crate form when mine was a pup so have set this up with bowls water and blankets etc. I've spoken to the vet and he has done well overnight. I am home most of the time So can keep a close eye on him-slightly worried about him and the dog but I can separate them if j need to. Im going to collect him lunchtime. Is there anything I've forgotten or will definitely need?

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Elephantsteaparty · 22/05/2012 12:42

Aye - photos!

So glad he's found someone to look after him. You're wonderful! (As is the vet!)

Original poster
Mama1980 · 22/05/2012 20:51

Well he's back here sleeping in a bundle of blankets. He put up one serious fight when the vet put him in the carry box but has settled and let me gently stroke him tonight. He has eaten a little bit. He seems utterly worn out Sad but comfortable I think?

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tribpot · 22/05/2012 20:53

If he's let you stroke him, that's a very good sign, Mama.

Sparklingbrook · 22/05/2012 20:54

Mama, I am so glad he has you to look after him. I bet he is exhausted after all he has been through. Hope his recovery goes well.

Fluffycloudland77 · 22/05/2012 21:01

My cat loved our neighbours tortoise, I dont think the feeling was mutual Grin. He used to be fascinated by the head going back into the shell when he touched it.

Your vet sounds lovely.

I got our cat carrier from argos but wilkos do cheap ones too, I couldnt see a massive difference between them and the £40 ones from pets at home.

Original poster
Mama1980 · 22/05/2012 21:03

It is tribpot? I was worried in case he was becoming lethargic but his good eye seems alert and earlier he was definitely awake he sort of held eye contact if that makes sense and allowed me to stroke his back a few times in the cage-then I left him I didn't want to push my luck. Aargh feeling very inadequate here I have no experience with cats dd is googling basic cat owner advice like mad Blush thanks sparkling :)

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Fluffycloudland77 · 22/05/2012 21:05

If he isnt neutered they are a bit feisty but that goes when you have them done, I take our cat into the bathroom when I want to get him in the box and I corner him with it and then bring the door behind him and fasten it when he is in.

Cat carrier doors usually come off so it's easy to get them in with this method.

Your so kind to take him in.

Original poster
Mama1980 · 22/05/2012 21:06

Smile fluffy - my tortoise (George) is super speedy- can never find him outside when I need to. My dog is similarly fascinated but when george has enough he goes and hides drives dog mad Grin she races round looking for him.

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tribpot · 22/05/2012 21:06

I think I wouldn't pay him too much attention, Mama. Cats are like that; they like to observe and come to you in their own time (although obv he can't, the poor little soul). Is he drinking water? Did the vet give any indication of whether he thought he was litter-trained? I guess he might get distressed if he's used to pooping outdoors and can't whilst he's so ill.

Original poster
Mama1980 · 22/05/2012 21:10

Tribpot - yes he is taking water and food but vet said to limit the food I give him we have to take it very slowly to give his tum time to adjust to having some proper food in it. Vet didn't think he was litter trained but didn't say much about that. I put a tray in his cage-should i just wait and see if he uses it?

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tribpot · 22/05/2012 21:15

If he's taking water and some food that's really good. And I think (but this is not my area of expertise as my cat came to us litter trained) that if he sees something scratchy that he can obviously use to cover up the poop he should think that's a good place to go. I'd imagine with the fact he's barely eaten for days, weeing is all you need to worry about for now, though.