Tell me some positive stories please!

[BalletShoe]

My beloved boy has been missing for 48 hours now. He is an outdoor cat and comes and goes as he pleases. He ventures further than our garden but is always within earshot of me calling him.

I've hung up blankets outside, put his usual food out and walked around the surrounding area calling him. I'm not sure whay else I can try. He is on every local facebook page and I've reported it to the microchip company and Cat's Protection who I got him from. He has a collar so its obvious he has a home.

Has anyone got any positive stories of their cats randomly reappearing after unexplained absence?

We have had him for a year so he knows his home. I'm worried he's either hurt or that someone has taken him in.

[BalletShoe]

I can't fix anything in the garden because it's a shared space and I don't own it. I've moved the bench further away from the wall to deter him but I'm certain that he'll be able to manage the wheelie bins soon and I can't put those anywhere else (16 of the damn things).

If anyone has any subtle but effective suggestions for cat proofing without putting anything permanent in they would be much appreciated.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Poor lad. Could you cat proof? Will there always be someone in to rescue him if he can’t get back again.

[BalletShoe]

He returned an hour later meowing his head off because he couldn't get back in over the wall. Thankfully none the worse for his wee adventure, other than being exhausted. He has slept beside me most of the day.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Is he home now?.

[BalletShoe]

Well it looks like he doesn't require the outdoor cat tree! He came downstairs to the garden with me this morning and bolted over the wall before I could stop him. He's been gone since around 7am and I can't find him. I didn't think for a second he would manage that jump.

Hopefully He's just enjoying a good roam after being stuck in for weeks, but he is still wounded and lacking in his usual energy. I hope it doesn't take him four days to make his way home again. Have been out looking over all the nearby gardens but no sign.

I'll hate myself if anything happens to him.

[LittleMissnotLittleMrs]

My girl ‘lost’ her toe so they amputated the digit and, unbeknownst to me, sent off a sample for a biopsy. It was cancer and they didn’t have clear margins so she had her front leg amputated. It was so sad watching her hop around. I do feel that the loss of a back leg is much more easily managed by a cat. Unfortunately it spread further and 6 months later, she was euthanised. But she coped well at 16 so I’m sure your boy will be fine

[Toilenstripes]

I’ve seen ones that can be bolted to an exterior wall.

[Toilenstripes]

I wonder if he would like a cat tree in your garden, the outdoor type, that would give him exercise and something new to explore. It would also allow him to get up higher off the ground which might help him psychologically?

[Oldestchild90s]

I just realised i pasted an amazon one haha but it's the same thing 😸

[Oldestchild90s]

I completely agree. My boy still has a problem with spraying in places (not ideal when i'm due to give birth any minute now 🤦🏼‍♀️) but you can get an odour and enzyme cleaner thing, i bought that from pets at home and that seems to get rid of the smell for me!

www.amazon.co.uk/Simple-Solution-Extreme-Stain-Remover/dp/B01CZNPEZ0?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Maybe give it a try?

[BalletShoe]

We bought a beaphar diffuser today but it's hard to tell this early if it's making a difference - he is usually more frustrated in the morning.

I've cleaned the rug and living room carpet with deodoriser from Pets at home, hunge the rug outside for most of the day to let it air and I can still smell it coming from the rug. Ive chucked a liberal amount of bicarbonate of soda on there in the hope that will get rid. I can't afford to replace it.

Poor boy just seems fed up, I want him to have his freedom back but it's definitely not safe yet while he is still healing.

[Oldestchild90s]

Gorgeous lovely boy.. i know it's stressful but he will definitely adapt to it in time! ❤️ have you got any plug ins?

[Fluffycloudland77]

Cystease tablets might help. Poor boy he’s got such a big wound

[BalletShoe]

Well we are now day 10 post-op and his cattitude is back to normal. He is not happy at being kept in and has started peeing around the house (advice on dealing with this is welcome)

We've let him out for a wander in the garden with us - walls are too high for him to get out - but he is very stressed and frustrated at losing his freedom.

Physically he is healing very well though, moving around easily and should have the stitches out on Tuesday.

[TheSparklyPussycat]

You could ring the vet to see if he should not be bounding around. Are you worried he will burst his stitches?
I am no expert, but if his other legs are alright I would think it is ok.

[MikeUniformMike]

oh bless. He is beautiful.

[BalletShoe]

Here he is getting some R+R

[BalletShoe]

Day 3 post-op update!

Doing well and apart from picking up the sniffles when he was with the vet he is alot better. We had to give him some diazepam yesterday to get him eating - it made him a bit wobbly but it worked and now that he's eating and drinking we can go back to meloxicam which should mean he's less groggy. He is moving around no problem and already mewing at the door to go outside - but it's a bit soon for that! I'm a bit worried about how much he is moving. He's certainly getting plenty of rest and seems comfortable but he is jumping up onto the couch and bed for cuddles - lovely but I'm worried it's too soon. How long before you let your kitties go back to "normal" moving around?
He doesn't need to be seen again until he has his stitches out next week 🥰🐾

[Deathraystare]

Glad to hear he is back and that the vet is looking after him. Daft sod!

Ours was just a kitten when she disappeared for two weeks. She was tortie and white and we kept getting people telling mum about ginger or black cats!

In the end she went up to the railway station and found her there!!

[MikeUniformMike]

Sorry, I meant the stump.
Poor beloved boy.

[Pancakeorcrepe]

@BalletShoe it must be very upsetting, I suppose it must all look quite raw and swollen and it will have been a shock to see your boy like that.
I’m so glad he is home though, and he will surprise you with how quick he recovers. Lots of treats and cuddles are in order!
PS - I’m saying all this but I would be really upset, I’m not trying to diminish your feelings, but sending lots of positive vibes for you and your boy

[Fluffycloudland77]

Poor lad. But it’s done now & hopefully the cancer hasn’t spread.

[BalletShoe]

Just a wee update.

The boy's surgery went smoothly and we were able to bring him home last night. I wasn't quite prepared for how bad it would look and I found it quite upsetting.

He is definitely not his wee self at all and is mostly just lying down but he has good pain relief and a quiet comfy space to recover in with me scared to leave his side.

The vet is sending some samples from his leg to the lab to see where we are with the cancer but they are hopeful that it hasn't spread.

He is a poor wee thing and its difficult to see him so worn out - even when the leg was broken he was doing his best to move around and we still got meows and purrs. I know it'll take some time.

[MikeUniformMike]

Hope your leg is better soon, beloved boy.
Virtual dreamies,
CharlieAlphaTango

[Oldestchild90s]

Hows it going ?