Semi ferral we think. Need advice.

Tik cat's mum

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First of all sorry for the long post please read and bear with me. As some of you know I got my kitten off a neighbour who was overwhelmed with cat's. I rehomed two kittens for him and pointed him towards rescue groups that could help him with the one's he had left. Since then it's clear he didn't take any of it in, because I ended up with one of his kittens under my shed. He did get the two female cat's done but I don't know if he has had the female kitten's done. He called me asking if my bandit had got out because he had gained another black cat. He has between 6 and 9 depending on which cat's turn up through his cat flap. Asked if I knew anyone that wanted this kitten it is Bandits brother. So I said my daughter would take it so it could be rehomed farther away she has indoor cat's like me. Anyway he brought the kitten round and told me the kitten he was going to bring has left so did she want the one he had it is definitely the same litter as my boy. Well I took one look at him and had to get him away his eye is in a bad way third eyelid half closed and very cloudy I asked if he had anything for the eye or if he had took the kitten to the vet. His reply was it does not seem to bother him. Unbelievable. I think he may be blind in that eye. The kitten was in a carrier so I took him to my daughters but when I got him there he is so freaked out he is hiding won't eat or drink, go litter you can touch him but he freezes. I think he has not had a lot of human interaction just going in the cat flap for eating and a warm. Because I've seen this kitten out on my shed roof alot all weather's. He's going to the vet after the weekend until then how do we gain his trust when we have to clean his eye and give eye drops.
 
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Tik cat's mum

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Oh update he is in the bathroom at my daughters she has two he has just peed in the bath not the litter.
 

fionasmom

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How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding? – TheCatSite Articles
10 Must-know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat – TheCatSite Articles

You are on TCS frequently, so you might have read these. Poor kitten and what a mess of a neighbor you have. You are so kind to help this kitten. I think this is a start at square one situation. He has his bathroom, which is great, and try to move on to the next step from there. He peed, a good start, and in something that might at least generally resemble a big pan.
 
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Tik cat's mum

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How To Get A Cat To Come Out Of Hiding? – TheCatSite Articles
10 Must-know Tips For Happy Living With A Shy Cat – TheCatSite Articles

You are on TCS frequently, so you might have read these. Poor kitten and what a mess of a neighbor you have. You are so kind to help this kitten. I think this is a start at square one situation. He has his bathroom, which is great, and try to move on to the next step from there. He peed, a good start, and in something that might at least generally resemble a big pan.
Thankyou for the links, I hadn't read them. I have introduced young kittens and young kittens to adult cat's but I've never tried to take in a almost street cat. He was so freaked out when he came out of the carrier and me and my daughter wasn't expecting that. he tried to run through the window he was literally climbing the walls looking for escape in a panic. My daughter has managed to clean his eye but she has to scuff him to do it to avoid teeth and claws, she got some drops for conjunctivitis but he needs the vet I don't think they will be enough. So we have a appointment Tuesday. Yes this neighbour is a mess he's not giving out information. I think he could tell I was angry when I saw this kitten. So just kept quite about how long he's been this way, when I asked if he had seen a vet. I suspect he's been this way for months because when I got Bandit another kitten had a sore eye he did say then that he had been to the vet with two of them I didn't see all the kitten's. Bandit must be about 7 months now. We will take it very slowly with him such a shame because he has the makings of a beautiful cat. No matter what I know my daughter will not give up on him even if he never becomes a lap cat. Thank you again for replying.
 

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I am the same way. They did not all become lap cats, but everyone figured out that they had a good home and became a pet. At this point, scruffing him is the better part of valor so that she is safe and also because he will need the meds. Let me know what happens.

Is this an ongoing situation with the neighbor? A few months from now it starts all over with more kittens?
 
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Tik cat's mum

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I am the same way. They did not all become lap cats, but everyone figured out that they had a good home and became a pet. At this point, scruffing him is the better part of valor so that she is safe and also because he will need the meds. Let me know what happens.

Is this an ongoing situation with the neighbor? A few months from now it starts all over with more kittens?
I'm hoping it won't be but I'm not sure, He knows people are getting annoyed about the cat's. He has had his two female cat's done I've seen the fur shaved on their sides but not sure if there's any more females from the two litters they had. So time will tell I have mentioned about him getting his male's done but the kitten we have just taken isn't at 7 months. If it happens again I think I'll have to make some calls about my concerns. And any more kitten's turn up in my yard I'll trap and give to a rescue group without telling him. I'm hoping they will help out I know how stretched they are. I couldn't see this kitten properly as it was always on my shed roof and wouldn't come anywhere near me. If I had seen how bad it was I would of done more but I thought he had the kitten's sorted when he said the others had been to the vet. I'll certainly keep you informed on his progress hopefully when he can finally be introduced to her other cat's 6 years and 3 years old he'll see them getting cuddles and want some. Or at least get a buddy.
 
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Update on Panther lilly yes he has a name. My daughter took him to the vet's unfortunately like we thought he's completely blind in that eye. But good news is he hasn't got a infection so the vet has said unless it starts causing him problems it won't need removing or any treatment. Vet said she has no idea what has happened to his eye, other eye looks good. He seems healthy besides fleas and worms but they are being sorted with all round wormer from the vet and spot on flea advantage. He has calmed down and is eating and using the litter instead of the bath. And has even taken food from my daughter's hand. I think this is going to work out he is lovely just terrified at the moment. If anyone can get him out of his shell she can he has a wonderful home.
 

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That is so wonderful and he is definitely making progress already. Yes, he is very scared and the partial blindness must have added to that when he was so much on his own. The eye may not need any treatment or removal if is never causes any problems or becomes painful. You and your daughter are so sweet to have given this boy a new life.
 
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Tik cat's mum

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That is so wonderful and he is definitely making progress already. Yes, he is very scared and the partial blindness must have added to that when he was so much on his own. The eye may not need any treatment or removal if is never causes any problems or becomes painful. You and your daughter are so sweet to have given this boy a new life.
Thankyou, when my daughter said he could join her family I was over the moon. I really just introduced them. Lol. We are hopefull that the little guy does not need treatment for his eye ever the vet said it looks bad but isn't, it looks worse than it is. I agree he must of been scared poor little fella he can't see anything coming up on his right side vet said he shouldn't of been a outdoor cat because he might of lost his other eye fighting for terrartry.
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here is a picture of him as you can see why we worried about the eye. That's his hiding bag with him he spends most of his time in that but last night when my daughter went into the bathroom he was in the sink and stayed there. While she gave him some fresh food.
 

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He is starting to trust your daughter and that is so encouraging. The eye does look bad, but it may be just as your vet says and not in need of treatment or removal. And, yes, the fact that one eyed cat was allowed to fend for himself is horrifying.
 
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Yes it does I was surprised when the vet said just keep a eye on it. My daughter was expecting to take him to get it removed or a mad care plan. But he doesn't paw or rub at it as far as we know but we'll know more once we can get him out of the bathroom. My daughter now talks to him on her way into the bathroom if you go in without announceing yourself he hides with his head against the wall. He thinks if he can't see you, you can't see him. I know on the picture it looks like the eye is running but my daughter had just had to clean him off he got his head behind the sink. My daughter said behind her cabinets needs dusting. Lol.
 

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My cats all think that if they are under a chair skirt or in their tunnels we can't see them either. He is probably still scared and so happy to be someplace safe with a loving person. He does not seem uncomfortable and as you say, once you can handle him a little more you will find out about the eye.

A Canadian friend of mine was in Hawaii staying on one of those plantations where they have ferals colonies which are "maintained" more or less. A little cat with a very bad eye started coming into her house for food and she felt so sorry for it that she asked to adopt it and went to the Canadian embassy to get permission to fly home with it. The cat still has the eye and it has remained stable, so you never know.
 
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That's so nice to hear. My mother in laws friends have a street cat from dubai. She flew all the way to the UK and now she won't go outside, she's supposed to be a barn cat but has made herself a indoor cat. Lol. My MIL says she hates the cold here. Lol. Yeah luckily my daughter understands it's all about patience with him and time. But even in the short time he's been there she can see he is coming round he stays in the sink now when she goes in about half of the time. But she's not trying to cuddle or pet him and is keeping the grandkids away from him. He even surprised us at the vets he was very well behaved we didn't try to get him out of the carrier just took the top off so the vet could check him. We all managed to escape any scratches or bites. Lol.
 
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Fantastic update and a early meeting of the cat's. He has taken a shine to my daughter he no longer hides when she goes into his room and allows her to pet and hold him. It's only my daughter he does this for everyone else he hides from. Lol. She has started to bring him downstairs and put the other two cat's upstairs for a couple of hours when her younger kid's are in bed. The 12 year's old is down stairs with her. He will come out from under the sofa to allow my daughter to cuddle him. But stays away from the oldest boy for now. He knows to let the kitten go to him so hasn't forced any interaction. But he's getting braver by the day. Also one of her cat's decided to open the bathroom door for him in the middle of the night. And to our surprise there was no fighting her 3 year old cat just wanted to play. So he has a cat buddy the 6 year old cat had a look but keeps his distance he's seen what kitten's get up to. Lol. After the escape she has deicide to allow the cat's to interact when he comes downstairs and he loves other cat's probably because he lived with so many. So all is well in the world of Panther lily. Some pics of him and his new brother's the tux is the one that let him out. Lol.
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That is all so heartwarming and I am so glad that it is working out so easily and quickly. He must be beside himself with happiness to have a home. I have also found with street cats or ferals who lived with other cats that the adjustment was often easier. What a pretty girl your daughter is!
 
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Thank you, I think she's pretty but I'm biased. Lol. We are shocked at how well it's going so quickly. My daughter and me had been expecting weeks or even months working with him. But he really has took a shine to her. And I think the other cat's help. We know that there is still alot to work needed with him but she will be patient and go at his pace. Luckily the grandkids understand they can't be harassing him. And are happy to tell people about the cat that they can't stroke because he's scared.
 
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Very sweet on the part of your grandkids as well. A lot of kids don't understand that kind of thing.
My daughter doesn't put up with nonsense they all got told from a early age to be nice to the pet's. I'm proud of how they have been with their cat's. It helps they have grown up with the other two. They are good kid's and very responsible. The eldest even helps with litter changes because George the ginger cat is his cat. The younger two help with feeding.
 
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Good news Panther lily has started to come out more often when the kid's are downstairs. He still doesn't go for cuddles unless it's my daughter but is getting braver. Here he is at the window doing his silent meows at my daughter. He only goes in the bathroom now at night. The rest of the day he's downstairs, under the sofa is his safe spot. So now I think it's just a case of him getting used to the sights and sounds of family life.
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