Took In Two 1 Yr Old Ferals

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MikeAW2010

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Just wanted to check in and see how you are doing.

Hoping you are staying healthy and upbeat. Please be safe. Wishing you good luck.
Hey. Sorry I havent been keeping in touch. Been busy, helping my parents move and job hunting mostly. Sandy is becoming more and more friendly. Can't really touch her yet but she gets very excited when I enter the room and runs all along me and follows me everywhere. She lays down on my feet when I'm standing then rolls over on her back several times and runs her face on my shoes or legs. Last night she slept very close to me right along the side of my bed and I woke up to find myself staring right at her face heh.

I think something happened to Sandy, although I dont know what. Ever since I rescued her she has always had a hard time turning around enough to lick anything from her mid back to lower. She would get half way around then stop .. then try again until she finally gets to that point. I hadn't taken much heed to that until now.. I managed to touch her while I was brushing her and when I stroked her back there was something in his lower mid back that seemed .. unnatural or out of place, I'm worried about her spine.

I want to get X-Rays done but when I lost my job I also lost my pet insurance so I'm unsure how I'm going to handle this right now but I think it needs to be looked at.

Meanwhile, I think I'm also finding that Rabbit may not be a normal Dilluted Orange Tabby like I thought. Rabbit despite becoming older is increasingly getting wilder. He bites, alot.. and he plays very aggressively with other cats and has even overwhelmed Panda at times at which point I have to seperate Rabbit.

Rabbit may be a Chausie Cat. I will get photos to compare later.

Panda is a Tuxedo cat, but I havent beenable to figure out what kind of cat Sandy or Baxter are.
 

calicosrspecial

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Hey. Sorry I havent been keeping in touch. Been busy, helping my parents move and job hunting mostly. Sandy is becoming more and more friendly. Can't really touch her yet but she gets very excited when I enter the room and runs all along me and follows me everywhere. She lays down on my feet when I'm standing then rolls over on her back several times and runs her face on my shoes or legs. Last night she slept very close to me right along the side of my bed and I woke up to find myself staring right at her face heh.

I think something happened to Sandy, although I dont know what. Ever since I rescued her she has always had a hard time turning around enough to lick anything from her mid back to lower. She would get half way around then stop .. then try again until she finally gets to that point. I hadn't taken much heed to that until now.. I managed to touch her while I was brushing her and when I stroked her back there was something in his lower mid back that seemed .. unnatural or out of place, I'm worried about her spine.

I want to get X-Rays done but when I lost my job I also lost my pet insurance so I'm unsure how I'm going to handle this right now but I think it needs to be looked at.

Meanwhile, I think I'm also finding that Rabbit may not be a normal Dilluted Orange Tabby like I thought. Rabbit despite becoming older is increasingly getting wilder. He bites, alot.. and he plays very aggressively with other cats and has even overwhelmed Panda at times at which point I have to seperate Rabbit.

Rabbit may be a Chausie Cat. I will get photos to compare later.

Panda is a Tuxedo cat, but I havent beenable to figure out what kind of cat Sandy or Baxter are.
Great to hear from you. No need to apologize, we understand you are busy.

"Sandy is becoming more and more friendly."- Awesome!!

"Can't really touch her yet" - I think it will happen. All the signs are great.

"but she gets very excited when I enter the room and runs all along me and follows me everywhere." - This shows the bond, how strong it is.

"She lays down on my feet when I'm standing then rolls over on her back several times and runs her face on my shoes or legs." - Rolling over and exposing her belly is a total sign of trust. The belly is where they are most vulnerable so that is the biggest sign of trust. An awesome sign!! Rubbing her face is getting her scent on you to "own" you. Again, a sign of the bond.

"Last night she slept very close to me right along the side of my bed and I woke up to find myself staring right at her face heh." - AMAZING!!!

"I think something happened to Sandy, although I dont know what. Ever since I rescued her she has always had a hard time turning around enough to lick anything from her mid back to lower. She would get half way around then stop .. then try again until she finally gets to that point. I hadn't taken much heed to that until now.. I managed to touch her while I was brushing her and when I stroked her back there was something in his lower mid back that seemed .. unnatural or out of place, I'm worried about her spine." - Well, other than that does it impact her quality of life? She is a bigger cat so that could be part of it. But I understand your concern. When you get a chance it is always best to get a vet visit but it sounds like it is not causing her big issues (thank goodness) so I wouldn't worry too much right now. She doesn't see uncomfortable or in pain or limited other than what you mention, correct?

"I want to get X-Rays done but when I lost my job I also lost my pet insurance so I'm unsure how I'm going to handle this right now but I think it needs to be looked at." - Understandable. I think there are certain assistance groups that can help with vet bills but make sure it is necessary as others have really serious issues. And I am hopeful and confident you will be back employed soon.

"Meanwhile, I think I'm also finding that Rabbit may not be a normal Dilluted Orange Tabby like I thought. Rabbit despite becoming older is increasingly getting wilder. He bites, alot.. and he plays very aggressively with other cats and has even overwhelmed Panda at times at which point I have to seperate Rabbit." - Maybe Rabbit is having some confidence issues. Try to step up play and make positive associations. Build confidence through Play, Food, Height and Love. It could be ferals outside causing the issues. Or other animals. Hard to know. Confidence building tends to solve a lot of problems.

Sandy looks like a Russian Blue. She is gorgeous.

I can't remember what Baxter looks like.

Hang in there. You are smart and personable so I am sure you are going to find another job soon. And I know you know cats so you will handle any issues well (and feel free to ask anything anytime).

Great to hear from you. Stay positive and focus on what is important. You will learn and be even stronger from this disruption. Oftentimes, people come out even better. Just never give up and keep moving forward, doing your best. You will do great in the future.
 
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MikeAW2010

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Something is going on with Sandy’s lower back that I’m getting quite concerned about. I can’t tell for sure but it’s almost like there is a dislodged bone in her lower back. I have a few photos. I also scheduled a visit to the animal hospital for tomorrow morning.

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calicosrspecial

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Something is going on with Sandy’s lower back that I’m getting quite concerned about. I can’t tell for sure but it’s almost like there is a dislodged bone in her lower back. I have a few photos. I also scheduled a visit to the animal hospital for tomorrow morning.

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Please let us know what they say.

Does she seem to be walking differently? Moving or jumping differently? Acting differently? Any changes in behavior? Any signs?

I didn't get a sense there was any obvious movement issues and it was only a visual concern.

Could it be just hair matting? I know you can't touch her there though.

Let's hope it is nothing serious. She is such a sweet, great cat.

Ughhhhhh, things always happen at the worst times. There are resources for vet bills that we could dig around for. I think the ASPCA has one as do others. Not sure the exact process and availability though.

Good luck at the vet. Let's hope it is nothing and she does well there.

And please stay safe from Covid. I know your area is having it pretty bad so please be safe.
 

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MikeAW2010

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Thanks for all the support and links. I took her in this morning and got her out this evening. I was a bit worried how she would handle it given this morning I did something very un-routine by putting her in a kennel and transporting her to a vet. Felt like she was in fear of betrayal. I got her there and a few hours later they told me it was just a hair matte (whew) and she was okay health wise. They did have to sedate her. While she was sedated I went ahead and renewed her vaccines since they are only one month away from expiring. This technically marks right at aproximately 1 year having Sandy and Panda. Panda I can pet like a normal cat now. Sandy is still in process. So her vaccines are up to date. Also had her claws trimmed.

When I got her home she was active but really doped up. She did let me pet her however while she was doped up and seemed to become friendly pretty quickly after I got her back and rewarded her heavily with some brushing and even some petting to make up for the experience:

 

calicosrspecial

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Thanks for all the support and links. I took her in this morning and got her out this evening. I was a bit worried how she would handle it given this morning I did something very un-routine by putting her in a kennel and transporting her to a vet. Felt like she was in fear of betrayal. I got her there and a few hours later they told me it was just a hair matte (whew) and she was okay health wise. They did have to sedate her. While she was sedated I went ahead and renewed her vaccines since they are only one month away from expiring. This technically marks right at aproximately 1 year having Sandy and Panda. Panda I can pet like a normal cat now. Sandy is still in process. So her vaccines are up to date. Also had her claws trimmed.

When I got her home she was active but really doped up. She did let me pet her however while she was doped up and seemed to become friendly pretty quickly after I got her back and rewarded her heavily with some brushing and even some petting to make up for the experience:

I am SO HAPPY she is ok!!! WONDERFUL news!!!

So glad you got her shots and nails trimmed while she was in there. Good job!!

Sounds like she did an AMAZING job!!! That is because of all the trust and love you have given her.

The video was AWESOME!! Judging by the video she did REALLY WELL!!! No trauma. Rebounded quickly. A GREAT sign of the confidence you have given her.

The video she was LOVING the petting. She did the "dolphin" thing - going off the front paws to get some rubbing. She wanted to headbutt your knee. You got some hand pets.

Looks to me like she is going to really warm up on petting soon. She wants it. Just trust it, be confident. The relationship is BEAUTIFUL!!!

So you mention she let you pet her this morning. Was that after this video? I am not at all surprised she is letting you pet her.

She looks like a totally normal cat to me. Her body language is FANTASTIC!!

That is because of you. The love you show her. Plan and simple. You have done an amazing job with her!!

Wow, I am so proud of you and Sandy!!! I mean this could not have gone any better. It is FANTASTIC!!! REALLY GREAT JOB!!!

Sandy is such a gorgeous cat!! Absolutely gorgeous,
 
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calicosrspecial

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I absolutely love Sandy. She is such a sweet cat. And gorgeous.

She has acclimated so much quicker than normal. In the video if I was there I would be petty her like crazy. her body language was perfect. Relaxed, confident, happy, content.

Great parenting is the reason!! She KNOWS she is loved. Pretty awesome!!! Another life saved and in a loving, high quality home. Doesn't get any better!!
 
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MikeAW2010

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Thanks for all the compliments.

So far she is still allowing me to hand-pet her as long as I'm careful, usually from above, not so much yet from the face but I can even rub her cheeks and her ears from above, and especially her back. Admittedly I was expecting the opposite, I was expecting her to go back to recluse after the vet visit and shun away all contact. Instead she actually seemed to grow more trust and improve.

 

calicosrspecial

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Thanks for all the compliments.

So far she is still allowing me to hand-pet her as long as I'm careful, usually from above, not so much yet from the face but I can even rub her cheeks and her ears from above, and especially her back. Admittedly I was expecting the opposite, I was expecting her to go back to recluse after the vet visit and shun away all contact. Instead she actually seemed to grow more trust and improve.

:yess: :hyper::clap2::itslove:

Total pure love!!! Total pure trust!!!

She is TOTALLY trusting you. Usually a cat is more cautious about a hand coming from above. She has no issue. She is totally loving the "love". Totally relaxed, comfortable, engaged. The body language is perfect!!!

AND sometimes cats can get over-stimulated from pets on their backs. She is having no issue for now.

Honestly, it doesn't get any better than this video.

The fact she did respond so amazingly well after the vet visit tells us a lot. How much she trusts and loves you. I too was worried about how she would respond and rebound. It tells me Sandy is a "normal" cat now!!

It really is telling all the work and love you have given her, how much confidence you have built in her. Truly amazing. I always thought you had something special with cats. This is proof. Cats are really good at reading our emotions, our "inner selves". Tells us a lot.

My goodness she is a gorgeous cat!! And such a wonderful personality!! She is truly a sweetheart!! LOVE HER!!!

REALLY great job!!! Sandy is home!!! I think you have success!!! :clap2::itslove::purr::rock:
 

calicosrspecial

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When I say "inner selves" I meant character really. I think cats are REALLY good at judging the character of a person.

You should be very, very proud.
 
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MikeAW2010

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Thank you, Mike, for this thread. About 3 months ago I took in an older feral "Fluffy." Your posts and all the replies have been extremely helpful and encouraging to me.
No problem and I definitely needed the help of everyone here on the forums. It was much more involved than I thought it would be and not to say that I didn’t think it would be an undertaking but I still vastly underestimated just how different ferals were from domesticated cats. It takes a lot of patience and a lot of love and willingness to forgive missteps and definitely no punishing but positive reinforcement. It works as long as you don’t put limits, expectations on them
 
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MikeAW2010

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Sandy's change toward me is absolutely mind blowing. I never imagined she would suddenly become so trusting toward me and envisioned her as a cat that would mainly allow me to feed her and be near her but not touch her. All of her fear toward me just vanished. I can pet her with almost no restraints and she pretty much barrages me whenever I come in and seems like she was never a feral. She is less fearful of my parents as well. She is also becoming less hostile to my other cats. Shes like a completely different cat.

I've been running into other issues however. Marshmallow incurred a gum disease. Marshmallow has a history of tooth resorption and in the past he has had 2 extractions. Last week he was in pain and hid, became more aggressive with the other cats. I touched his face and he pulled away from my hand and then I saw his gums were swelled and yellow. I ended up having to take him to the vet too. They did a dental cleaning and gave me antibiotics and pain medication and he is doing better than he was right now. Just hoping that will last.

I've been running into problems at the grocery store. I tend to make my own cat food as to feed 6 cats in bulk, it's the most quality way I can do it affordably. Well, several meat processing plants have closed within our vicinity due to Covid-19 outbreaks and it's almost impossible to find chicken heart, chicken liver, and gizzards. Because of which I've been having to substitute for Beef heart and so forth. Rabbit tasted the new food and immediately vomited...everywhere. I went to the store to buy Pumpkin puree and would you believe they are out of stock? I went to several grocery stores (about 5) until I finally found one that had significant stock so I bought quite a few. I had to dilute his food pretty well before he ate it.

Sandy and Panda seem to be growing more distant. Panda still wants be near or run against Sandy. Sandy however will respond by aggressively swatting and 'warning bite' Panda in return . I'm unsure why she isnt taking to him anymore. What is even sadder is Panda will stare at me when I'm petting her and he looks pretty hurt.
 
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