I Don’t know what to do.

[Maria Bayote]

Just sharing.

I have been seeing this kitty for days and been feeding it outside my door. Since I have a soft spot for tuxedo cats I took it inside the house as this morning I found it under a car and refusing to budge. I was afraid it would get run over. So now it is in my house but I am staring at it for an hour now. Don’t know what to do with this kitty. It seems young, maybe as old as my Graham. I don’t know the gender. And his face seems having a lot of dried wounds, not sure. It is a very quiet kitty, very friendly to humans but shy to my cats. Not interested to play, but never heard it hiss or growl. I am afraid if I take it back out it may not survive. But I also cannot take another one in. I am torn.

For now I named it Oreo.

 

[lisahe]

The poor cat! I am glad you took it in for some care! I don't know where you live so am not sure if this is at all helpful but here goes... the first thing I would suggest is to have someone -- a vet or shelter or the local animal control officer -- check for a microchip, to be sure this isn't a cat who escaped and got very lost and scared.

It looks like a very sweet cat, I hope you are able to clean up some of those wounds.

 

[Sidewinder]

Poor little kitty... I'd take in the kitty, but I haven't had much luck lately. Boots wandered off, reappeared two days later, and I haven't seen her since... I'm hoping some neighbor took her in and is keeping her inside. BTW, Oreo is a great name for that cat, it reminds me of the Double Stuf cookies I occasionally have with a tall glass of milk, LOL.

 

[Sylvia Jones]

Oh how sweet! Obviously it’s used to humans but looks like he/she has had a rough time. You are awesome for helping him/her. Can you keep it inside to get it cleaned up and some ointment on the face scratches. You must be his/ food source since it is staying around your house. Sounds like it may have been dumped or lost Check for a chip for sure and local posts like Nextdoor for lost cats. I’m keeping an eye out for 2 cats that are lost in my little community now. If you can help it get in good shape even if you can’t keep maybe you can fhelp find a forever home. There are lots of people here to suggest how to help with that. It just seems this little one is asking for help. You are awesome for doing what you can!!!!

 

[Sidewinder]

If you're anywhere near southeastern Arizona, I'll take that cat and keep it indoors for awhile until it has a chance to recover and meet my other cats. I have a large enough home, I can keep the kitty separated until it's completely healed and it's comfortable with its new surroundings. Maybe Oreo can become one of our family... depends upon how Tiger & Crackhead react. If Oreo's a female, I reckon she'll have a better chance here...

 

[Willow's Mom]

Lots of cats got lost in the storm. Thank you so much for taking Oreo in! S/he looks about the same age as my spoiled wotten widda pwincess, who would be terrified and at the mercy of strangers if she ever got lost outside.

This is obviously not a feral cat. I hope you can find the owner.

 

[di and bob]

Bless you for helping! i would advertise on those buy and sell radio shows that you have a cat to give away that showed up and is afraid and needs someone. It obviously got very wounded in a cat attack, the poor thing! It looks liek a swelled area on it's left lower leg too, most likely an abscess froming from a bite.......warm compresses would help.

 

[Maria Bayote]

Thanks for your replies.

I am currently in Doha, Qatar and the only rescue shelter I know here is full. As in full.

Initially my husband was adamant to keep another cat, as we are also feeding strays outside and we are financially stretched to the limit. But somehow he also fell in love with this kitty. And agreed to take him in our home, for now, until I figure out what to do with it.

Today or tomorrow my husband will be bringing Oreo to the vet for gender checking and microchip scan. If none, we are stuck with him. LOL. We will also have him vaccinated, dewormed, etc.and schedule for spay/neuter.

Also, I notice the following on Oreo:

1.) One of his eye looks infected, maybe from another cat attack. I am sure Oreo could not be able to defend him/herself. We will check this with the vet. Poor thing could get blind, adding to my worry if it ever goes back out.
2.) It is having diarrhea. Every few minutes I see him/her rushing to the litter box, sometimes having accidents outside the box. However, Oreo is eating / drinking very well.
3.) Yes, the leg seems having an issue too.
4.) I have suspicion that he/she has earmites

I hope we can bring him either today or max tomorrow to the vet for some check up.

We are also moving to another flat - a one bedroom apartment - so I have a lot on my plate right now with the preparations. I found a flat with a huge rooftop veranda! First thing I thought about when I saw the veranda is that finally my cats can roam the outdoors, in the safety of my own veranda. Bourbon recently is having frequent asthma attacks, so I would wish her to smell fresh air more often.

Thanks guys.

 

[JaneLuvsCats]

Thanks for your replies.

I am currently in Doha, Qatar and the only rescue shelter I know here is full. As in full.

Initially my husband was adamant to keep another cat, as we are also feeding strays outside and we are financially stretched to the limit. But somehow he also fell in love with this kitty. And agreed to take him in our home, for now, until I figure out what to do with it.

Today or tomorrow my husband will be bringing Oreo to the vet for gender checking and microchip scan. If none, we are stuck with him. LOL. We will also have him vaccinated, dewormed, etc.and schedule for spay/neuter.

Also, I notice the following on Oreo:

1.) One of his eye looks infected, maybe from another cat attack. I am sure Oreo could not be able to defend him/herself. We will check this with the vet. Poor thing could get blind, adding to my worry if it ever goes back out.
2.) It is having diarrhea. Every few minutes I see him/her rushing to the litter box, sometimes having accidents outside the box. However, Oreo is eating / drinking very well.
3.) Yes, the leg seems having an issue too.
4.) I have suspicion that he/she has earmites

I hope we can bring him either today or max tomorrow to the vet for some check up.

We are also moving to another flat - a one bedroom apartment - so I have a lot on my plate right now with the preparations. I found a flat with a huge rooftop veranda! First thing I thought about when I saw the veranda is that finally my cats can roam the outdoors, in the safety of my own veranda. Bourbon recently is having frequent asthma attacks, so I would wish her to smell fresh air more often.

Thanks guys.

You are an amazing human being.
Jane

 

[Maria Bayote]

You are an amazing human being.
Jane

Thank you for your kind words, but I am sure most of us are cat rescuers too.
One cat off the street is better than none.
It is the essence of being human.

 

[Jcatbird]

Poor Oreo must have had a very hard time and I am sure is very grateful for a safe place with a kind human. Thank you for saving Oreo. I hope you can manage to find a spot for such a darling. I also hope for fast healing for the little one.

 

[Maria Bayote]

URGENT///

Can anyone advice me please!!

My husband brought Oreo to the vet and turned out that he (yes, he is a boy!) has Calici Virus!! Is this serious??! Now I am in the office panicking as Oreo already had access in the flat and my cats also have made physical contact with him! I am now torn. Shall I just leave him outside?

Also, are now my cats infected??

Further, he has earmites!!

I cannot believe I put my cats at risk!!

 

[Maria Bayote]

My cats have up to date Tri-cat vaccines. Will this make them immune to this virus?? I worry most about my Graham as she is the one who was playing with Oreo. Please advice please! Right now I want to rush to the house and disinfect everything! I told my husband to contain Oreo in the kitchen while I am gone.

 

[dustydiamond1]

What did the vet say? I've never dealt with this virus. You are a wonderful couple to care for poor Oreo. Hopefully someone with the knowledge to help like Jcatbird Mamanyt1953 or moxiewild can respond soon. Hang in there.

 

[moxiewild]

First thing’s first - do not panic.

Can you isolate him in a bathroom, laundry room, or bedroom?

My device is about to die, I’ll be back shortly but wanted to get this comment up here first.

 

[Maria Bayote]

What did the vet say? I've never dealt with this virus. You are a wonderful couple to care for poor Oreo. Hopefully someone with the knowledge to help like Jcatbird Mamanyt1953 or moxiewild can respond soon. Hang in there.

I want to cry. How did I become so irresponsible!
Please can anyone tell me what I am dealing with.

 

[moxiewild]

Vaccines are not bulletproof, but in the event your kitties do contract, it will be far less severe for them.

Try not to panic, and quarantine Oreo.

 

[Maria Bayote]

Vaccines are not bulletproof, but in event your kitties do contract, it will be far less severe for them. Try not to panic and quarantine Oreo

In my panic I have also created a separate thread about this in Health Forum, as I really need to find out more. My husband cannot say much, only that the vet told him to contain Oreo and has to be returned to the clinic again on Tuesday. I worry most about my Graham as she is only 7 months old and is most likely the vulnerable one. I hope someone can tell me what to do. We live in a one bedroom small flat. There is nowhere else to contain Oreo but in the bathroom.

Is Calici Virus also dangerous to us humans?

 

[Jcatbird]

Calm yourself. It may not be an issue. The first thing to do is to isolate Oreo in a bathroom or somewhere away from the other cats until you build his system up a bit. If he shows signs of nasal discharge, sneezing alot etc. then you simply isolate him until active signs stop. The virus is most active during stress and if you just get Oreo well fed and content he may not have active outbreaks. You can also get the same kind of UV lights that hospitals and vet offices use to kill germs. I used the same lights when I did orchid breeding to kill any mold or bacteria that might spoil seeds. These are not always expensive fixtures. Practice good hygiene and wipe down surfaces as you would to keep kitty areas clean. I would give Oreo his own food dish too. Keep litter boxes clean. Keep water dishes clean. Keep all separate if the virus is active. I have an FeLV cat and an FIV cat so I understand your concern. I have dealt with the Calci iris too. I do keep my FeLV cat separated but the FIV cat can be with the others as long as he does not get sick. Many viruses are present in the cat population but we are only aware of them through testing or seeing active signs of illness. Since Oreo needs some time to build his system after being outside, isolation is a good idea right now. You can discuss this further with the vet but these viruses are present in numbers in shelter these days. Please don’t kick yourself over this. Chances are he hasn’t contaminated anyone st this point so just take the precautions, build him up physically and keep an eye out for any symptoms. If they appear, isolate him. I practice the same routine here. Keep your other kitties up to date on immunizations. Most of this is just stuff you would do anyway so please try to relax. The bathroom is the perfect place for Oreo until he is built up and feeling great. From what I know of the virus, humans cannot get it. It’s kind of like the cat version of a bad cold. That’s why he shouldn’t be around the others if he shows sights of active illness. For now just isolate, practice habdcwashing and talk to the vet about any details you are concerned about. A UV light in the bathroom can help. An air purifier can be used as extra pre autoimmune if you’re worried. I use these things anyway. It’s probably not going to be an issue if you follow safe practices. Watch your 7 month old for any respiratory, sneezing, runny nose etc. Personally, I would not feel the need to put Oreo back outside.

 

[moxiewild]

No, humans are safe. This is more or less a stubborn upper respiratory infection.

Most users here are US based and it is the absolute middle of the night here (3 am in my time zone). So you may not get a lot of responses quickly.

Lucky for you, I’m working a night shift!

Can you contain Oreo to your bedroom and allow your others free roam of the rest of the house?

Truthfully, the bathroom will be easier in some respects, especially where disinfecting is concerned.

I’m going to continue to give you more information and elaborate but I can tell how very worried you are, so I’m going to submit smaller bits of information separately rather than make you wait forever for one long post.

How many other cats do you have and what are their ages? Do they have any other illnesses like FIV or chronic kidney disease or anything else?

Are you absolutely sure your kitten received all rounds of her core/combo vaccines or “kitten shots”?