Taken in a stray...what to do?

[greengoose21b]

This morning I found a very matted and hungry tabby cat hanging around the food bank where I volunteer. The vets aren't open today so I can't take her to see if she is chipped. I've brought her home and she's shut in our front room away from our other two girls.

I have managed to cut away a few of the worst matts...one the size of my fist. She's covered in them...all over her...so I'm trying to brush slowly but she's sensitive and reacts if I brush under her chin or by her bum, and I don't want to scare her although she is very friendly.

I've given her a dose of advantage, and a worming tablet crushed up in a lick-e-lix.

I have a vets appointment booked for first thing tomorrow.

Is there anything else I can do today? Feel a bit useless.

Just food, water, clean litter and a cosy bed and I'm sure that she'll be in heaven in comparison to on the street. They often just need to eat and sleep initially. The vets will probably be better shaving the matts off under sedation, they will be painful and it's risky trying to cut them off as they are so thin skinned. Thank you for taking her in, another little life saved.

You’re a star! 🌟

You’ve done everything you could. Poor thing sounds in a right state.

I'm surprised nobody has yet said the most important thing you need to do. Honestly, people can be thoughtless.

Photo of the wee mite, obviously!

She is a lovely girl...but constantly drooling...anyone know what that might be caused by?

Our boy drools when he's happy and relaxed but I guess it might be symptomatic of dental issues as well?

She's a beauty! ❤️
Will you keep her? Do your girls get on with outsiders?

Here's the side view..

I'd keep her like a shot..she's so friendly. But let's see if she's chipped first. I remember as a teenager finding a cat and returning it to its overjoyed owner after three months missing. One of my all time greatest feelings!

Poor tatty girl! It’s lovely that you have taken her in. Many of my cats in childhood were strays. 💕

@greengoose21b

Aww bless.
Made tears spring to my eyes, she's just like my girl (who died a few years ago). She adopted us and was the most adorable wee girl. Miss her loads! Give your new wee girl a cuddle from me x

Yeah, you might get to make someone else incredibly happy!

The most important thing to do when picking up stray females is to check their nipples. If they are filling with milk then she has kittens somewhere relying on her.

Assuming that it feels normal round that area then the first thing will be food, water and a vet visit.

You are a star, OP.

The drooling may be due to happiness or to dental issues. I hope you're able to keep her and give her a loving home.

I wonder if she does have dental issues as she's not making much attempt to groom herself. She's very touchy in certain places, but I don't think her nipples are swollen.

Thank you so much for taking her in. She’s adorable 🥰

Poor thing she looks like she badly needs your tlc. A warm safe place to sleep and a good meal may do her wonders.

Thank goodness there are good souls like you and she’s found the help she needs. Dental problems could cause drooling and would also affect her ability to groom, particularly is she’s on the fluffy side.
Might also be an idea to just check her teats if she’ll let you, on the off chance that she may have kittens waiting somewhere. If she becomes anxious and you think she may be lactating, it might be worth (if you can) going back to where you found her and having a look/ listen. Hopefully that’s not that’s the case, but very young kittens cant survive for long without mum.
Best of luck, she’s a pretty (and lucky) girl!

I would personally leave grooming her for now and just let her be quiet.

My boy drools when he is either very happy or very stressed so it might be that.

The poor wee mite looks like she is in a bad way, I hope it goes well at the vet tomorrow.

Aaaaw, poor little thing looks like she’s been on the streets for a while, keep us updated OP and thanks for caring, I’m sure she’s going to be healthy and shiny in a few weeks with you.

Bless. She’s obviously used to being in a house as she looks quite relaxed and isn’t hiding. I hope there is a happy ending to her story.

They can drool if they have sore gums or mouth, sometimes it can be more serious like kidney disease though so the vet will need to check. She could also have something stuck in her mouth or throat. Is her left eye a bit closed and she is drooling from that side of her mouth.

Yes her left eye does seem a bit more closed than the right.

I am not a vet but it might mean something, maybe an injury, infection or stroke. Poor kitty has been very luck she found you to love her.

I'll let you all know how we get on at the vets in the morning.