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

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 😐Angry
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:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 07/12/2017 21:45

I’m so glad you rescued him and I hope the bastards get what coming to them.

A few years ago my friend found a cat buried up to his neck. She rescued him and took him to the vet and they found a heart murmur. When he went back to the vet a while later there was no sign of it. As Vino said, it’s not a death sentence.

You and your DH are lovely people Flowers

Original poster
ParrotPudding · 07/12/2017 21:47

vino unfortunately we are not in a financial position to pay for cardiologist right now so it'll have to wait until at least the new year. We are back to the vets on the 3rd Jan to have the other half of his vaccinations done and to check how his skin is healing and to check he has gained enough weight so will discuss with vets the bloods and cardiologist again then.

OP posts:
Vinorosso74 · 07/12/2017 21:52

He has time to build his strength up before you go back in January and the vet sees him again. I guess the downside is you weren't able to get insurance with how you got him.
I think take it as it comes and keep on giving him that love he deserves.

EachandEveryone · 07/12/2017 21:56

You never know it might be like with humans and it comes and goes.

Poor little mite its unbearable. Is he sleeping with you yet?

retirednow · 07/12/2017 21:56

Can the PDSA help with the cost of seeing a cardiologist?

Original poster
ParrotPudding · 07/12/2017 22:33

Thats a good idea retired i will look into that. He slept on our bed last night each and since getting home from the vets hes been very loving and cuddly so looks like hes with us again tonight! DH has been out and essentially bought him the entire treat aisle of tesco so that could be to do with it!!

OP posts:
PosiePootlePerkins · 07/12/2017 22:46

Such a sad story but thank goodness you have managed to rescue him and can now give him some much needed love and care. Poor boy. Words fail me as to how anyone could treat an animal that way. So pleased he is happy with you. Good luck.

scaryteacher · 08/12/2017 01:30

My vet thought she could hear a murmur on my grey boy. Had an ultrasound done by a mobile vet who does these, and nothing was found. It can be the stress of being in the vets.

GertyTheGert · 08/12/2017 01:37

I feel so happy you have stuck to helping out this poor cat. What utter bastards those folk were - I'd like to kick them in the relevant bollox and chuck them in a sewer. I hope Buster gets his confidence soon - you sound great people and have love in your heart. So I love you too! >^^

LoislovesStewie · 08/12/2017 06:17

Juts to say, well done to you all. It's great to know some people are kind. And re the heart murmur both my oldest child and dog have this , it hasn't stopped either of them, so don't be too despondent. Have a lovely Christmas together and wishing you many more years of cat type fun.

LoislovesStewie · 08/12/2017 06:17

P.S How about crowdfunding for the ultrasound?

poddige · 08/12/2017 06:30

Ahhh well done OP. nothing much to add that pp haven’t said. But you and your DH have just turned Buster’s life around!

Hope he gets all the turkey treats over Christmas. What a lovely (ending) thread!

StewPots · 08/12/2017 06:35

Aww OP so glad you found each other :) it was fate! And love to poor Buster, he will get better and better with you and your DH looking after him :)

Fluffycloudland77 · 08/12/2017 06:46

I'd wait until he's in better condition & then think about scans etc.

A lot of cats have murmers but live long lives.

Allergictoironing · 08/12/2017 08:40

You and your DH really are heroes! Poor, poor Buster - I do hope that the RSPCA manage to prosecute the former owners.

Every time I read an update from you I have to go and find mine & give at least one of them a cuddle in thanks that they never went through what Buster went through.

I think castration with a blunt, rusty knife would be too good for the former owner Angry.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 08/12/2017 08:48

My old puss cat had a heart murmur - discovered when he was about 12 I think... lived to over 17yrs old.

Fingers crossed for Buster, he really is a beautiful boy.

Original poster
ParrotPudding · 08/12/2017 09:43

So amazing and uplifiting to hear positive stories about heart murmurs. We are going to comcentrate on getting him happy and healthy and then go for bloods to see what they show in the new year then go from there.
I recently qualified so my pay will be significantly better which will enable us to pay for the pricier investigations.

We wore woken up in the night by Buster trying to snuggle under the duvet with us haha! It breaks my heart knowing how scared and sad he has spent a lot of his time but feel brilliant knowing that he now knows what love feels like, and a comfy bed!

OP posts:
userxx · 08/12/2017 14:03

What a happy ending!! I think he is going to be one spoilt cat this Xmas!!

TimeIhadaNameChange · 08/12/2017 14:07

You and your DH are truely wonderful people! I get the feeling your DH didn't know he was a cat person until the other day...? He certainly is now!

Buster has landed on his paws, and not before time. It's wonderful to hear he has a soft, warm, cosy bed (count yourselves lucky you're still allowed to sleep in it, mind!), lots of yummy food and treats, and, no doubt soon, a house full of toys.

Really saddened to hear about the further abuse he must have suffered, though. His previous humans should count themselves lucky I am nowhere near them!

simonisnotme · 08/12/2017 14:18

what a gorgeous and very lucky cat to have you as new loving slaves parents, he's a beaut :)

Jaxhog · 08/12/2017 14:21

What a lovely couple you are to care so much. Buster (or whatever you decide to call him) is very lucky to have found you. I hope the heart thing turns out to be treatable, and that you all live a happy, cuddly life together.

Papergirl1968 · 08/12/2017 14:23

Bastards. Thank you for taking him on and giving him the life he deserves Flowers

Bluelonerose · 08/12/2017 14:34

I'm reading this with both my cats curled up on my lap purring away and it's heart breaking. That poor boy. Why would anyone do that?

KnockMeDown · 08/12/2017 16:06

Another cat lover here so sad and angry about the abuse that poor Buster has endured up to now, but so, so pleased that he now has you!

With the treats and the chicken I'm sure that it will be no time until his weight is back up. And in the meantime, I wish him, and you, lots of Christmassy snuggles Xmas Smile

timtam23 · 08/12/2017 17:45

The poor little creature, he must have suffered very much. Thank goodness he is safe & loved with you now. Hopefully RSPCA will investigate.

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