Senior Semi Feral Is Soon Leaving

[dogperson2cats]

Hey everyone! I know I don't talk much on here but right now, I could use some kind words.

As some of you may know from my previous posts on here, I have two cats. (Technically three for the moment.) One is now 15 and is semi feral. He, like all my animals, was a rescue from a hoarding/breeding situation.

Unfortunatly, since the cold weather started, he's been 'going' in the house and we cannot use litter because as soon as it's in the house, my younger cat claims it and there's nowhere to put it to prevent that. (And preventing her from doing so causes her to become uncontrollably aggressive as well as her peeing and vomiting everywhere she can in retaliation.)

However, today we noticed a lot of blood in his stool and urine. While he doesn't seem to be in pain, he also stopped eating today. The soonest the vet can see him is between this Friday and Monday. We're all heartbroken over this as we wanted one last Christmas with him. But, obviously keeping him around will be putting our wants over his needs and impact whatever quality of life he has right now.

I have lost many animals (cats, dogs, rodents, even fish) but it never seems to get easier.

 

[Furballsmom]

I'm so sorry, no, it never gets easier.

Bless you for being so strong on his behalf, and for having given him your love, caring and your compassion

 

[dogperson2cats]

I'm so sorry, no, it never gets easier.

Bless you for being so strong on his behalf, and for having given him your love, caring and your compassion

Thanks!

Wasn't easy, I'll admit. Easy to choose the runt of the litter to take home but when that 'runt' soon weighs 15 pounds (he was a fairly large cat by nature in his youth) and has a love of hunting for human? It was really hard to keep him. Nobody could come to our house and even in summer, we had to wear thick clothes to protect ourselves.

But, he became the symbol of our household and turned out to be the sweetest cat ever! Honestly I'd do it all again and again and love him all the same. My dad's taking it hardest because this cat took one look at him and went "You are *my* human" and became his shadow since.

If you wanna see him and all my current furballs, I will message you and send pics. (Trust me. They're cute!)

 

[Maria Bayote]

It is never easy to lose a pet, whether it's a cat or a dog or a bird, since we are already accustomed to them being around, feeling them, cuddling them. When one day those things you are accustomed to is gone a part of you also feels like you have lost a limb. Your brain wants to tell you that your fur baby is gone, yet your heart still searches for a familiar figure, sound and smell. It never gets easier, no matter how many times you go through that. I lost a pet (dog) 3 decades ago and until now I still weep when I think of him. But it is important to know that we are not alone i our grief. You can write about it, talk about it, cry about it. You can weep silently or aloud. It is ok. Animal lovers do have the softest of hearts.

 

[di and bob]

The blood could indicate a bladder/kidney infection, antibiotics could help. Just try to get him to a vet as soon as possible and make sure they know he is semi feral. and hard to handle. You might even try to call around and see if you can get a n antibiotic from someone just because he is semi feral and hard to bring in. my vet will give me an over the counter one for my ferals. Get a liquid and put it in a small amount of tuna juice, that is how my ferals take it. He doesn't feel good, so isn't eating, try to entice him with whatever it takes, tuna, bacon, Arby's roast beef, just get him to eat. Encourage water too. Unfortunately, being 15 he really needs to be seen by a vet and I hope you can manage it. Scruffing him, and holding his front feet off the ground, might be the only way to get the first dose of medicine in him right now. It quiets them and you gently squirt it in the side of the mouth into the cheek.
In a three cat household, you really should have at a minimum, three litter boxes, they can't guard them all. Or at least a small room like a bathroom with a box where he could stay while he is sick. A shelter with a outdoor heated cat pad would help him too outdoors if he prefers to be out there. Mine have lasted many years and only use the equivalent of electricity of a 60 watt bulb. Being warm helps immensely with pain, which cats are very good at hiding.
For now just let him know he is loved, sit quietly near him and talk to him. Love can bring on miracles!

 

[Furballsmom]

If you wanna see him and all my current furballs, I will message you and send pics.

You're so very thoughtful, and actually I think a lot of people would really love seeing him and them

How To Upload And Add Videos To Your Posts

 

[dogperson2cats]

It is never easy to lose a pet, whether it's a cat or a dog or a bird, since we are already accustomed to them being around, feeling them, cuddling them. When one day those things you are accustomed to is gone a part of you also feels like you have lost a limb. Your brain wants to tell you that your fur baby is gone, yet your heart still searches for a familiar figure, sound and smell. It never gets easier, no matter how many times you go through that. I lost a pet (dog) 3 decades ago and until now I still weep when I think of him. But it is important to know that we are not alone i our grief. You can write about it, talk about it, cry about it. You can weep silently or aloud. It is ok. Animal lovers do have the softest of hearts.

Yeah I still mourn my first cat and I lost her when I was 8. And don't get me started on the dogs and guinea pig! He's going to go out as loved and spoiled as he always has been.

Though I'd rather him die in his sleep at home. But, the vet is still the humane way to go, right?

I don't think I'll ever take another feral, though.

 

[dogperson2cats]

The blood could indicate a bladder/kidney infection, antibiotics could help. Just try to get him to a vet as soon as possible and make sure they know he is semi feral. and hard to handle. You might even try to call around and see if you can get a n antibiotic from someone just because he is semi feral and hard to bring in. my vet will give me an over the counter one for my ferals. Get a liquid and put it in a small amount of tuna juice, that is how my ferals take it. He doesn't feel good, so isn't eating, try to entice him with whatever it takes, tuna, bacon, Arby's roast beef, just get him to eat. Encourage water too. Unfortunately, being 15 he really needs to be seen by a vet and I hope you can manage it. Scruffing him, and holding his front feet off the ground, might be the only way to get the first dose of medicine in him right now. It quiets them and you gently squirt it in the side of the mouth into the cheek.
In a three cat household, you really should have at a minimum, three litter boxes, they can't guard them all. Or at least a small room like a bathroom with a box where he could stay while he is sick. A shelter with a outdoor heated cat pad would help him too outdoors if he prefers to be out there. Mine have lasted many years and only use the equivalent of electricity of a 60 watt bulb. Being warm helps immensely with pain, which cats are very good at hiding.
For now just let him know he is loved, sit quietly near him and talk to him. Love can bring on miracles!

Our vet is shit (puts money before the animals) but he's handled our animals before and his staff seems nice enough. At this point, like I said, the cat is 15 and antibiotics would likely harm him more than help. It's his time and we know it.

It's gonna be weird NOT seeing him belly-up in front of the fire though.

 

[Furballsmom]

You're right, I think the humane approach is the vet .

 

[dogperson2cats]

Cat in question. This is from a couple years ago. No recent pics because he's never awake/around for them. The attached pic was gotten thanks to a very juicy bit of ham and warm milk.

 

[dogperson2cats]

You're right, I think the humane approach is the vet .

Shared a pic of him

 

[Kflowers]

He's beautiful, angelic.

 

[dogperson2cats]

He's beautiful, angelic.

Looks can lie. But he is sooo handsome! Gonna miss him loads.

 

[di and bob]

Antibiotics can cure a bladder infection. they do no harm at all. there are so few side effects they are not even brought up. Please try them so you can rest easy knowing you are doing all you could. but he would need them at least once a day for a week to ten days.

 

[foxxycat]

You could try the antibiotics. It won't hurt him like Di said. Bladder infections are treatable. But are painful if not treated. Is he peeing all at once or is he making small pees?

 

[foxxycat]

Try feeding him wet fancy feast food and water it down with hot water. Mash it good with a fork. The hot water will make it stinkier and help him to eat. Make it the consistency of pudding so it's easier for him to lap up. If you have a Walmart close or Tractor supply store get some KMR. It's kitten milk replacement. This will help get some fluids into him. My sister's cat loves this mixed in with a pate fancy feast. Turkey was her favorite flavor.

 

[dogperson2cats]

Antibiotics can cure a bladder infection. they do no harm at all. there are so few side effects they are not even brought up. Please try them so you can rest easy knowing you are doing all you could. but he would need them at least once a day for a week to ten days.

Too late for that. The date is set.

 

[ArchyCat]

I've always been told that you should always have more litter boxes than cats. One more litter box is sufficient. This prevents any cat from controlling access to the litter boxes. Try it. See if it helps your situation.

 

[Furballsmom]

Bless your heart, thank you for the picture. What a wonderful cat

Just in case this helps for the future/your other kitties, in case you aren't familiar;
No Money For Vet Care? How To Find Help And Save Your Cat's Life

Financial Aid for Pets

 

[dogperson2cats]

I've always been told that you should always have more litter boxes than cats. One more litter box is sufficient. This prevents any cat from controlling access to the litter boxes. Try it. See if it helps your situation.

Doesn't work. My female claims them all within minutes.