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Original poster

Picking up our cat that's been 'missing' for years

459 replies

KiffyKiffyKiffy · 03/02/2025 14:57

Well not missing exactly but we lived at our old address and as our cat got older and we had kids and 2 dogs our cat spent more and more time with our elderly neighbour. We would try and coax him home but he always went back.

The neighbour loved him and spoilt him rotton.

2 years ago we moved house and we tried to catch him a few times to bring him with us but he evaded us. So we went to the neighbours house to ask him to catch him for us. The elderly neighbour said he would like him to stay (his wife and dog had passed away) as he was good company

So over time we check in on him, make sure he doesn't need vet care etc.
Neighbour has our number.

We just stopped by to check in and he asked if we could take him.

Of course!

But I'm worried as he's not seen our dogs in years. He's never been to this home and we have somehow adopted a stray cat here who treats it like his home and is basically out unplanned cat too now.

We are picking him up in an hour and I'm just a bit stressed at how to navigate this!!

We never planned to be apart from him but he chose the neighbour over us and at that time the neighbour really needed him.

Any advice please!

OP posts:
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Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 04/02/2025 12:40

He's definitely deaf :(

Thabkyou to whoever suggested it as I wouldn't have even realised I don't think.

I just got back from the shop and came into the room. He was fast asleep on the bed. No reaction to door opening or me saying his name. So I plugged the hoover in and switched it on. Fast asleep still.
Then I gently touched him and he startled and jumped up meowing to greet me 🥺🥺

He couldn't hear a hoover 2ft away

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 04/02/2025 22:16

Did you manage to get him to the vets @KiffyKiffyKiffy ?

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 04/02/2025 22:35

Floralnomad · 04/02/2025 22:16

Did you manage to get him to the vets @KiffyKiffyKiffy ?

Yes.

She agrees he is deaf now.

She checked his heart, lungs etc.

She says all is good.

She watched the video of him coughing and said he's actually reverse sneezing! He's only done it twice (when being put in the cat carrier) and she said its stress, not any lung problems.

She said he is very underweight but before she does any test she wants to wait 2 weeks and reweigh him to see if it's illness related or if he's just not been fed enough :(

So looking for a good senior food!

Fleas....

They are EVERYWHERE

I went to brush him with a comb and every swipe had dozens of fleas 😭😭😭

I combed him as much as I could. Bathed him with flea shampoo and dried him.

I'm finding fleas everywhere.

I'm washing everything on a hot wash and getting flea room spray tomorrow to treat the room.

I'm itching just writing this.

The bath was red with blood from the flea poo.

I'm just devastated that we allowed this to happen to him.

I'm going to do everything in my power to get him better and let him live out his life in peace and safety.

OP posts:
2025willbemytime · 04/02/2025 22:41

You didn't allow it to happen as you didn't know. You're doing all you can now and that's all that matters.

Melroses · 04/02/2025 22:43

Poor cat - hopefully he will start to put on weight once you have dealt with the fleas. It wasn't your fault, you thought he had a good home, and he has got to 18!

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 04/02/2025 22:51

He's just so loving.

The vet kept saying he's such a lovely boy, that torties are usually naughty but he was just rubbing up against her and exploring.

He really is the most special boy.

I've turned his heat mat up and he's fast asleep.

I have to keep him in the crate over night until these fleas are under control.

OP posts:
SerenStarEtoile · 04/02/2025 22:52

Hope he puts on weight now you’re feeding him up and the fleas aren’t going to be getting their share.

He’s going to live out his time warm and fed, with love. That’s what every cat wants.

Elisheva · 04/02/2025 23:04

Indorex is the best spray for fleas. Indorex and vacuuming

Floralnomad · 04/02/2025 23:06

This is not your fault you left him in good faith and they knew how to contact you . Their house must be riddled with fleas .

amoreoamicizia · 05/02/2025 09:14

If the man that had him is elderly, perhaps he couldn't see the fleas?

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 05/02/2025 10:05

amoreoamicizia · 05/02/2025 09:14

If the man that had him is elderly, perhaps he couldn't see the fleas?

Edited

Maybe. I'm going to tell him though because of his dog.

The vets are prescribing some tablets alongside the stronghold for the fleas

They're literally everywhere. It's very distressing to me TBH.

I wish the photo option was available to show the amount that have come off him this morning after 30 mins of combing and a flea bath yesterday!

He's definitely feeling better though.

I got him purina senior food and he loves it. He's eating so much better now. Having a full pouch/tin.

He's also been playing with his toys! He loves catnip and is absolutely glued to his heat mat 🤣

He purrs constantly

OP posts:
Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 05/02/2025 10:06

Oh and going to collect indorex spray too

OP posts:
KhakiShaker · 05/02/2025 10:13

It sounds like he’s happy to be back with you ☺️ please everyone keep your cats and don’t let them ‘choose’ their own home !

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 05/02/2025 10:21

KhakiShaker · 05/02/2025 10:13

It sounds like he’s happy to be back with you ☺️ please everyone keep your cats and don’t let them ‘choose’ their own home !

I don't think it's a common situation so doesn't really warrant a public warning, does it?

We thought we were doing the best for him. He was an older cat chasing to live a quieter life with an old gentleman who spoilt him rotten. But obviously was oblivious to the flea situation and couldn't keep up his care. He appeared to be well taken care of and we kept in touch.

It's very unfortunate but he also had a lot of happy years there because he refused to come back when he had the choice so he couldn't have been unhappy!

OP posts:
DazzlingCuckoos · 05/02/2025 10:34

Re the deafness, I recommend tapping somewhere nearby gently to wake him up.

My old tortie was deaf as a post too so I'd regularly just gently tap the edge of the bed to get her attention.

The only downside to her deafness was that she didn't know how loud she was, which was very annoying at 4am as she wandered around howling at the top of her voice because she didn't know where I was (think she was also suffering with a bit of dementia in her old age and "lost" me!).

You'll get on top of the fleas soon enough. Glad he let you bathe him - that must be such a relief for him! Hope the introduction to the rest of the household goes well but he sounds very content with his heat mat and, in this weather, I can't blame him!

Floralnomad · 05/02/2025 10:58

It’s lovely that he’s feeling better , hope the treatment works well on the fleas . If he’s eating and purring then he’s happy and thats really all you want . How is your husband coping with the flea outbreak ?

spikefaithbuffy · 05/02/2025 11:09

Kitten food is good for weight gain

Marinel · 05/02/2025 13:31

It is a shame he was being neglected but you are taking good care of him now, he's obviously very happy to be home.

I'm sure the flea treatment will work, it just takes time due to the flea life cycle. If you use Indorex bear in mind you will have to keep him out of the room for a while.

I have a deaf cat, if he's asleep or not looking at me I try to announce my presence by gently putting my hand on him so as not to startle him.

(My vet told me not to give kitten food to an older cat, as it is intended for growing cats and has the wrong nutritional balance.)

Mushmemellow · 05/02/2025 13:59

So pleased that he’s back with you and being well cared for and spoilt 😊 I hope that he thrives and enjoys the last of his days.

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 05/02/2025 15:43

He's had the 1st flea tablet.
And another whole tin of food plus a lickylix.

Really got his appetite back. I think I will feed him 3 times a day for a while.

I must have brushed most of the fleas off as he's not leaving a trail of them behind as he walks now.

His breath absolutely stinks so I will ask the vet to look in his mouth though at his age I don't think they would touch his mouth as anesthetic would be too risky.

He got up, ate his food, had a 5 min play with his catnip mouse and returned to his heat mat. He's a funny fellow.

OP posts:
Marinel · 05/02/2025 16:01

It sounds like things are improving on the flea front, that is good news. I once bought some Indorex, but within a couple of days of using the drop-on product from the vet it all calmed down and I didn't need to use it.

He's likely to have dental problems but as you say an anaesthetic probably is not a good idea, as long as he isn't in pain with his teeth and can eat.

He sounds a real sweetheart.

BruceAndNosh · 05/02/2025 17:27

I must have brushed most of the fleas off as he's not leaving a trail of them behind as he walks now.
I'm just imagining a flea cloud drifting in his wake

Original poster
KiffyKiffyKiffy · 05/02/2025 19:45

BruceAndNosh · 05/02/2025 17:27

I must have brushed most of the fleas off as he's not leaving a trail of them behind as he walks now.
I'm just imagining a flea cloud drifting in his wake

It was more like a Hansel and Gretal, trail of breadcrumbs, type situation 🤣

OP posts:
HelloCheekyCat · 05/02/2025 20:10

He got up, ate his food, had a 5 min play with his catnip mouse and returned to his heat mat. He's a funny fellow

to be fair he is knocking on 100 so that's probably quite a busy day for him 😍
I'm so glad you have him back, he can live out his golden years with catnip and a heated bed, what's not to like!

Binglebong · 05/02/2025 21:16

It sounds to me he's had a great life, even if not perfect. He had the old man looking after him when that was what he wanted and now he is back to his original slave with catnip and a heat pad. Yes he had fleas and could have done with more vet attention but he obviously wasn't in as bad a state as it seems or he wouldn't have settled so quickly - animals in pain are constantly wary. Weight loss will be partly due to the fleas and it sounds like he's working hard to regain it!

He's gad a good life and will clearly continue to do so. Please don't feel guilty.