Meet Edgar

[thecatneuterer]

I just felt like sharing. Admittedly he's not the prettiest of cats.

I picked him up in the street just round the corner from me two days ago. He was unneutered, starving, filthy, flea-ridden and with a mouth full of broken and rotten teeth.

He hasn't stopped eating since I took him in, despite obviously being in pain from his mouth, and has already put on a lot of weight. He is even quite a bit cleaner, again despite the problem with his mouth.

The plan is to get him neutered and to have a dental as soon as possible. Then, as I expect no one will be falling over themselves to adopt him, he will end up joining my gang. What's one more after all?

(the dirty pink stain on the sheet in the first photo was as a result of me flea combing him with a damp comb. The water in the bowl turned a very dirty, dark red).

I imagine he became stray, as most unneutered males do, because he left home to chase a female and couldn't find his way home. That was obviously a long time ago though.

[thecatneuterer]

Really well chemenger. He's already eating differently. He's not throwing his head around anymore. He has happily eaten the pate food with the antibiotic and Loxicom in it and then asked for more :)

[thecatneuterer]

Oh and the dental wasn't as extensive as I feared it might have to be. He had all four canines and two molars removed and a scale and polish of the rest. It was the broken canines that were causing him the real problem it seems.

[BigcatLittlecat]

Go Edgar! Our rescue cats send big purrs!

[MycatsaPirate]

That's fantastic news! I'm so pleased for him, his poor little mouth must have been so sore.

I love the new pic you put up, he's looking a lot better already but with a fixed mouth I've no doubt he will change rapidly now. He is a lovely little cat.

[PrincessOnTheInternet]

He's absolutely beautiful!

[RubbishMantra]

I'm so happy he was able to have his dental work done swiftly. Toothache is probably one of the worst things ever. And women that have given birth have told me that.

MCat neeeded a scale and polish recently, (no extractions) and seems a happier cat for it.

Nice one TCN.

[iloveeverykindofcat]

TCN, you're one my heroes. Sincerely. I found it so hard when I had to make the decision to get my first cat euthanized after an accident that he wasn't recovering well from, even with physio/surgery. Then getting Bibi who was very sick and getting her well - I cried so much in those months, didn't sleep, work suffered, doubted everything I did, it was truly traumatic (I can't listen to the albums I was listening to at the time, which I think is a PTSD thing?). I honestly don't know if I could do it again. But you take in sick, hurt cats, do so much for them, even the ones that can't be saved, and then say goodbye to them when they get adopted. I'm so grateful to you.

[chemenger]

How is Edgars's cleaning marathon coming on? I feel I might be just a little over invested in him! I'm getting very impatient to hear back from the fostering people, we can't wait to have our own feline project.

[thecatneuterer]

chemenger - he literally does nothing but eat and clean himself. His fur is constantly wet from the self-cleaning. He doesn't even seem to bother sleeping. And he will eat and eat and eat if I keep putting the food out. And even on the third refill of the dish he acts as though he hasn't eaten for weeks. At this rate he will be a totally different cat in a matter of days.

I hope you get a foster cat soon. Of course most fostering is of kittens, there is less of a need for temporary adult foster but there is certainly sometimes a need for it. CHAT also do a permanent adult foster where the cat is placed with the fosterer for life but CHAT will be responsible for all vet care/costs.

ilove - I'm sorry for your loss. I suppose losing cats is something I have got used to. I average four deaths a year. As long as the death is of natural causes and I did all I can then I can handle it. And I think of it as making space for another needy cat. However I did once go to pieces. I had a thread nearly a year ago about a traumatic accidental death. I totally, totally lost it then and I am still very affected by it probably always will be.

The rescue work also upsets me of course. But if I feel I can do something about it then, however awful it is, I can deal with it. What I can't handle is when people obstruct us one way or another to prevent us helping the cats, which unfortunately happens all the bloody time. I am overwhelmed by a murderous despair in those situations and I'm sure it's not healthy.

[cozietoesie]

His chances for adoption are maybe improving then? (Not that he wouldn't love living with you but it would free up a space. )

[thecatneuterer]

I don't know cozie. Even when he's prettier he will still be a middle aged, black and white, not overly affectionate boy. There is so much competition for homes that I don't think his chances are that high.

[cozietoesie]

Not high, No. But improved a bit?

[thecatneuterer]

Well not necessarily. A tatty, thin ill-looking cat can pull at heartstrings in the way a plump, healthy-looking one can't.

[iloveeverykindofcat]

He'll be a dignified gentleman . He'll suit someone perfectly.

[cozietoesie]

It's sounding as if 'plump' is going to be a distinct possibility.

[PinkSparklyPussyCat]

Even when he's prettier he will still be a middle aged, black and white, not overly affectionate boy.

I have one of those and I love him to bits - I'm sure there's a soft touch like me out there for Edgar. Harry is middle aged, a bit grumpy (the vet put 'fractious' on his notes) and affectionate when he wants to be but stroke him a second too long and he'll have you! I wouldn't change him for the world and, if he doesn't live forever (I've told him he's got to), I would be very tempted by another grumpy, middle aged male cat!

[chemenger]

I wonder whar Edgar looks like now (hint)! I have heard from the CPL about fostering, I may be able to meet them at the weekend (I need to get out of a work thing, but hopefully we should be on our way).

[Shesgotelectricboobs]

This is my rescue baby. She is pretty feral. But has started playing and eats while we're around now.

She had a home, got kicked out while pregnant, lived in a park and caught rabbits, lost all her kittens, went to a cat shelter for 3 months and now to us. She's been here 3 weeks.

[BigcatLittlecat]

#chemenger that was too subtle!
PICTURE please!
#electricboobs what a life poor girl, she's a beauty! And safely home now!

[timtam23]

Glad to hear that Edgar's doing well & would also love to see another pic of him with fewer teeth but hopefully clean(er) white fur!

Shesgot what a beautiful cat

[thecatneuterer]

Well I've tried to take another photo but, disappointingly, he doesn't really look any less tatty. He still has very dirty, stained-looking fur. Often when it gets to that state it doesn't improve until the old fur has been shed naturally.

He is certainly A LOT heavier though. I think I may have to start restricting his food a bit.

I will post another photo when he looks a bit better.

[cozietoesie]

Is he still eating as if he was minded to set a record?

[thecatneuterer]

He certainly is cozie. He can easily eat two whole tins a day plus some gourmet pate and anything else on offer. He has already gone from very thin to more or less normal weight. If this carries on he will have to go on a diet.

[cozietoesie]

Lordy. No signs of slacking off at all?

How active is he? (When he's not eating.)

[thecatneuterer]

Well he's confined to a small room at the moment, so there's a limit to how active he can be. When I appear holding food though he doesn't half move fast :)