- Joined
- Jan 4, 2023
- Messages
- 17
- Purraise
- 77
I have been caring for a stray, Patches, for about two years. We eventually got close enough that she would accept my invitation to come indoors when the weather got bad and while she was more than welcome to stay, she would never stay longer than a nap by the heater.
The end of December, I adopted an indoor cat and she was no longer let indoors to keep my new cat safe from anything she may be carrying. Until a couple days ago when I went out to feed her breakfast and she walked right on in. For the first time, rubbed herself all over me, purring, and melting for some good pets. Like the flip of a switch she went from comfortable yet cautious around me to absolutely affectionate. She refused to go back outside so I took her in and have been keeping her in her own separate room.
Today we went to the vet to finally take a look at all the things that have been concerning me as I’ve watched her decline the past few months. She tested positive for FIV and potentially kidney failure. Which explains why she has gotten so skinny despite eating well, her white fur and teeth have yellowed, and has been sleeping nonstop. Also a respiratory infection and yeast infection in her ears but surprisingly no parasites! I will be putting extra effort into fattening her up and raising her fluid levels while I save for another vet visit to stay on top of things.
I’m on the fence about allowing cohabitation with my healthy cat, but after looking into it all evening, it seems the concerns are not big so long as they get along. Sloooow introduction it will be. Thoughts on this? Not just a concern for the FIV, but also the respiratory infection. I’m waiting until she gets adjusted to life indoors before even beginning the introduction process and she may be in better shape by then. With receiving so much information at the vet, it slipped my mind to ask details about the infection. Just wondering if this throws an extra wrench in the mix?
Anyways, I’m happy to finally get to take care of her like she deserves. I never expected her to allow me to adopt her but it is a dream come true. I hope I can make the rest of her life worthwhile. Just wanted to share the news as well as ask for that but if advice.
Here is my baby at the vet. What a milestone we’ve made it to!
The end of December, I adopted an indoor cat and she was no longer let indoors to keep my new cat safe from anything she may be carrying. Until a couple days ago when I went out to feed her breakfast and she walked right on in. For the first time, rubbed herself all over me, purring, and melting for some good pets. Like the flip of a switch she went from comfortable yet cautious around me to absolutely affectionate. She refused to go back outside so I took her in and have been keeping her in her own separate room.
Today we went to the vet to finally take a look at all the things that have been concerning me as I’ve watched her decline the past few months. She tested positive for FIV and potentially kidney failure. Which explains why she has gotten so skinny despite eating well, her white fur and teeth have yellowed, and has been sleeping nonstop. Also a respiratory infection and yeast infection in her ears but surprisingly no parasites! I will be putting extra effort into fattening her up and raising her fluid levels while I save for another vet visit to stay on top of things.
I’m on the fence about allowing cohabitation with my healthy cat, but after looking into it all evening, it seems the concerns are not big so long as they get along. Sloooow introduction it will be. Thoughts on this? Not just a concern for the FIV, but also the respiratory infection. I’m waiting until she gets adjusted to life indoors before even beginning the introduction process and she may be in better shape by then. With receiving so much information at the vet, it slipped my mind to ask details about the infection. Just wondering if this throws an extra wrench in the mix?
Anyways, I’m happy to finally get to take care of her like she deserves. I never expected her to allow me to adopt her but it is a dream come true. I hope I can make the rest of her life worthwhile. Just wanted to share the news as well as ask for that but if advice.
Here is my baby at the vet. What a milestone we’ve made it to!