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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.

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Original poster

Sort of a rescue cat, advice needed please!

112 replies

ParrotPudding · 06/12/2017 17:37

Ok, so I know I may well get flamed for this, but we are having a bit of a nightmare and really could do with some advice.
We have had a mouse problem for a while, tried everything and to no avail. We were advised to try getting a cat in the hope it put the mouseys off visiting us.
Having a half hearted look online (google of our area rescues etc) and came across an advert on Gumtree (i know, i know!).
The ad pretty much was come take this cat and gimme some money for it. Very vague and a tad cold. DH wanted to go and see this cat asap because he had a bad feeling about the cats welfare (what with being put on gumtree and the wording of the ad)

So, we went to see him, walked into a house that was filthy, growing cannabis in thier bathroom etc. Poor boy was hiding under the bed, man pulled him out from under the bed by his face.
We couldn't leave him there!!
Dh had a few choice words with the man and the woman who was there just asked dh for. £15 so she could buy a fish tank instead 😐
Got him home, deflead and wormed him immediately. He's very very skinny and nervous. He didn't eat or use the litter tray for just over 24hrs. DH managed to get him eating and drinking and he's now using the tray although he spends 99% of his time hid under our bed or under the radiator in our bedroom. I've just flea combed him and we have found what appears to be cigarette burns in numerous places over his body.Earliest we can see a vet is tomorrow evening, when we are booked to get him chipped, checked and to have his vaccinations done over a six week course.Is there anything we can do for his skin in the meantime? Anything you recommend to help him settle in? He really is so so lovely , we just want to make his life good.
The ad said he was about 7.

OP posts:

crazycatgal · 06/12/2017 21:13

Give him space and time, he looks like a beautiful cat.

Weedsnseeds1 · 06/12/2017 22:10

Oh, he's so pretty!
Leave him in peace with some food and water for the time being.
Get any obvious signs of abuse and neglect documented with photos, especially at the vets so you have a professional opinion and report the bastards.

Want2beme · 06/12/2017 22:31

What a lovely puss. So glad he's now safe. I think the truth is that so many of us would love to get to all of the poor animals traded on gumtree and the likes of it, but we're always advised not to. You've done a lovely thing in rescuing him and I'm so relieved that he doesn't have to endure being abused by those people. Definitely report them, and hopefully, prevent them from getting their disgusting hands on any other poor creatures. My blood is boiling.

Get him a box with something soft in, so that he can retreat into it when he's feeling anxious.

A few names -
Magnus
Clovis
Augustus

Good luck at the vets.

EachandEveryone · 07/12/2017 01:41

I do like buster though. Won’t it confuse him if he’s already 7? Good luck tomorrow x

Ilovetolurk · 07/12/2017 05:40

He is very handsome OP I hope be settles in well

PenelopePear · 07/12/2017 07:32

Cats don't care what you call them so changing his name won't be a problem

He looks lovely op

LoislovesStewie · 07/12/2017 09:43

I have a neighbour with a very small dog called Buster; he is tiny! But , he keeps her other 2 in order! I think Buster is fine, gives him some empowerment!

MycatsaPirate · 07/12/2017 10:05

Oh the poor baby! Thank you for rescuing him. Once he comes out of his shell and becomes more confident, you will have a very loving and loyal cat.

I find it heartbreaking that anyone could do this to any animal. You are doing all the right things, peace, quiet, a safe space, food and love.

I would consider getting a cat tree for him though so that when he does eventually start exploring the house he has somewhere high up to escape your dc if he needs to.

Try getting some dried catnip too. We have scratch boards (lay flat on the floor) which we put catnip on for ours and they love it, roll in it, scratch the boards, eat the catnip etc. It really relaxes them.

Oh I just want to cuddle Buster, what a sweetie but so glad he has landed in a family who will love him.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 07/12/2017 11:13

Buster is such a lucky boy! Now. So glad he's landed on his paws after everything he's been through. Hope the vet doesn't find any more signs of abuse.

So your DH is now on chicken-cooking duty, is he? Glad Buster's found a job for him so quickly! I suppose he may let his humans eat the leftovers, if you're lucky!

YesItsMeIDontCare · 07/12/2017 11:20

What a beautiful boy! I'd stick with Buster, I think it suits him.

Well done for rescuing him, poor baby.

DavetheCat2001 · 07/12/2017 16:18

Well done OP

Thank goodness you saved the poor boy from those nasty bastards.

overnightangel · 07/12/2017 18:15

Lwhat anxamzing thing you and your husband have done @ParrotPudding
🙂✨
Sounds like he’s settling in just fine and that your kids have been amazing too , love a happy ending x

Original poster

ParrotPudding · 07/12/2017 19:10

Ok so we are at the vets now. A few emergencies ahead of us so roughly an hours wait. Plenty of time to MN! Thanks again for all your kind messages. I'm feeling a lot more confident that I'm not completely in over my head now!

OP posts:

retirednow · 07/12/2017 19:16

He reminds me of Zeberdee from the magic roundabout, a real sweetie. Our cat chose us too.

scaryteacher · 07/12/2017 19:20

He looks like a ginger version of my grey rescue boy. 4.5 years on, he rules the roost, is imperious, and adores being cuddled like a baby. Mine was abandoned and taken in by a cattery, where we found him when we dropped our other feline overlord off one weekend.

Your boy looks gorgeous. Give it three to six months, and he will learn to trust you, and you will learn what worries him. Mine doesn't like his left ear being touched.

Original poster

ParrotPudding · 07/12/2017 21:19

Sorry for late update we've been through the emotional mill.
There are a fair amount of scars and cigarette burns on Buster. He also has a bit of a rash caused by a flea allergy so he must of had a flea problem recently although vet couldn't see any on him today.
He had been pretty badly beaten up, the vrt thinks he has had blunt trauma to the side of his face (most likely kicked )as looks like his jaw has been fractured and a few of his back teeth are broken/knocked out. His nose is also a bit squiffy.
She could hear a prominent heart murmur but couldn't say for sure what it was without blood test and wants a referral to cardiologist as she suspects heart disease.

He was castrated thankfully!

No chip on him so we have had him microchipped, all of his vaccinations done, wormed and preventative flea treament done. He weights 3kg whereas she wants him to weigh at least 4.5-5kg. She's concerned about his weight and jaw and teeth but until we know what is causing the heart murmur she can't do anything about the broken teeth as he may not survive local anaesthetic for removal.
He was a big softy and let her do as she needed.

Best feeling was bringing him home, and the way he sauntered into the kitchen looking for his chicken chef! It was as if he knew he was home!

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/12/2017 21:19

Any news?.

Fluffycloudland77 · 07/12/2017 21:21

What scumbags. Can you go to the police now?.

Original poster

ParrotPudding · 07/12/2017 21:21

Also, the vet has reported previous owner using the details i had. I will be doing the same.
Feeling incredibly sad, DH is giving him very teary cuddles in our bed at the moment. We have decided that if he does have heart disease then we know that at least he will of had a chance of love and comfort and a wonderful friendly safe home to finish his days.

Sorry that was so long!

OP posts:

Original poster

ParrotPudding · 07/12/2017 21:25

Yes Fluffy DH has the rage so prev owner will be reported to anyone that'll listen. He is going to ring rspca first thing, vet has already reported her end. And going to police station to report also especially due to drug farming.

OP posts:

Vinorosso74 · 07/12/2017 21:26

Poor, poor boy. Am pleased the previous owners have been reported, they are truly scum.
A heart murmur isn't a death sentence, see what the cardiologist says. Whatever happens he will at least have known kindness.

LouiseBrooks · 07/12/2017 21:31

Oh he is beautiful! I know buying from scumtree is frowned upon- and totally understand why - but thank God you rescued him.

Parrcful · 07/12/2017 21:37

So glad you found Buster & you absolutely do not deserve any flaming for using gumtree!!
I've recently rescued a cat myself(6 months ago). She's such a lovely gentle little girl I can't understand why anyone could use her as a punchbag 😤 She has had awful problems with her skin, teeth and eyes..

Want2beme · 07/12/2017 21:39

Parrot you've done a lovely thing. I cannot understand how vile some people are, the poor puss. He will have a good life with you now. Let's hope the authorities deal with those low lives.

retirednow · 07/12/2017 21:41

This is making me sad and happy at the same time, I hope they get prosecuted, how cruel can people be, I am SO happy he found you. Lots of cats have heart murmurs and live long happy lives. Hugs and everything crossed for Buster.

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