Feral Cat Possibly Sick

Blu6456

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Although I have never owned any domestic pet in my life, for the past year or so, I have been giving the leftover food my family has not eaten to the animals in our backyard (of course, I make sure it's meat). Among these animals have been feral cats, and there have been two that I have a particular fondness for. The first one (Ms. Sparkles) had a particular trust for me (not too intimate, as per usual for feral cats), but she did warm up to me and touch my hand when I offered. However, I think that it was exiled by this other cat and his kitten, since I have yet to see her for the past 8 months, and this other cat is still in my territory.

I miss Ms. Sparkles, but that's not really related to what I want to discuss. Back in January, there has been this other cat that comes by my yard (Mittens), and this one is a lot more open. I prioritize giving it the most food (the other cat like to come in and rob her) and though she scurries off when I try to approach her, she likes to walk up against my leg if I'm standing still. So now, she's my favourite cat.

However, yesterday, I came outside to my backyard and saw a gash on her head, and I assume it's because the other cat attacked her. Not only that, but she started to develop these pink pimple-like things around the bottom of her body, and I worry that she's sick and is going to die. Here are some pictures of her:
 
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Blu6456

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Sorry, accidentally hit 'create topic.' Here are the pictures:
So, does anyone know what these are?
Any possible advice, whether it be let nature take it's course, or try to get rid of the other cat is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
 

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Margret

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I believe those are her nipples - Mittens is pregnant, and I suspect she's very close to giving birth. She's a lovely cat, looks a lot like my Sweet Thing did.

I'm concerned about the gash; it would be very easy for it to become infected, and she's at greater risk because of her pregnancy.

Sarthur2 Sarthur2 ? StefanZ StefanZ ?

Margret
 

di and bob

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The one on her head is an abscess. It has burst and is draining hopefully.The hairless abdomen could be an abscess too, is there any open sores you see under there? Hair loss could mean an infected wound too.She looks pregnant to me too in that one picture. As long as you can get her to eat and drink she should be OK, if she stops eating and starts hiding she is really sick and needs a vet. I get an antibiotic from my vet after explaining it is for a feral that I can't bring in with open wounds. I put it in a small amt of tuna juice or a small amt of cat food. A vet visit would be the best, but I understand if it is not an option for you. Thank you for your concern.
 

Sarthur2

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Yes, Mittens is pregnant. Can you bring her inside so she has a proper home?

She also needs to begin eating a proper diet - both wet cat food and dry kitten chow for the nutrition it provides her growing babies.

She also should see a vet for the sore on her head. It needs a proper cleaning and most likely antibiotics. Can you get her seen at the vet?

The vet can also give her flea meds and worm meds while there. Most outdoor strays have both.

Thank you for your concern for Mittens!

She’ll need spaying after this litter too!
 
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Blu6456

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Thank you Sarthur2 Sarthur2 Margret Margret and di and bob di and bob for the replies!

To be honest, I did consider that she might be pregnant, but I ruled it out since I don't know which cat she could have had sex with. Maybe the cat that I thought was mean?

Margret Margret Aw, thanks. her whiskers are a bit overgrown, but I think she's cute.

The one on her head is an abscess. It has burst and is draining hopefully.
That's good to know. It also rained last night, so I'm hoping the rain eased the sore a bit (unless that's a pseudo-scientific myth).

The hairless abdomen could be an abscess too, is there any open sores you see under there? Hair loss could mean an infected wound too.
I haven't seen any, no. I'll let you guys know if I do. And I haven't seen any hair loss either.

She looks pregnant to me too in that one picture. As long as you can get her to eat and drink she should be OK, if she stops eating and starts hiding she is really sick and needs a vet.
She eats whenever I put food out (and she probably prefers it if I'm not too close). She also likes to stand on my backyard patio, always looking inside (and sometimes trying to get inside; my brother told me that once, she actually came inside a bit), likely eager to have another meal. I give her water, and I try to stay away from giving her milk since I heard some cats are lactose intolerant. I tried giving her almond milk, but I didn't see her drink it.

I get an antibiotic from my vet after explaining it is for a feral that I can't bring in with open wounds. I put it in a small amt of tuna juice or a small amt of cat food. A vet visit would be the best, but I understand if it is not an option for you. Thank you for your concern.
Are the antibiotics expensive?
There is a pet-related store about a mile from where I live, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't sell any antibiotics.

My mom doesn't want me to be too concerned about the cat, but I honestly can't help it. I'd love to take her to the vet, but I'm not sure how I'd be able to take her.

Yes, Mittens is pregnant. Can you bring her inside so she has a proper home?
Again, I want to, but my mom doesn't want that. Maybe I can get her one of those beds?

She also needs to begin eating a proper diet - both wet cat food and dry kitten chow for the nutrition it provides her growing babies.

She also should see a vet for the sore on her head. It needs a proper cleaning and most likely antibiotics. Can you get her seen at the vet?

The vet can also give her flea meds and worm meds while there. Most outdoor strays have both.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to do all of that, unfortunately. I will try to give it the best food I can, and regularly give it clean water.

She’ll need spaying after this litter too!
Do you have an idea of how much will be in this litter?
 

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If your mom won’t let you bring her inside to have her kittens, will she agree to let you take her to a no-kill rescue? She really needs a safe place to be inside where her needs can be fully met.

I can help you locate one in your area if you post your city and state.

Are you feeding her wet and dry food several times a day? She needs it to support her pregnancy.
 

StefanZ

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I want just to add, its NOW when she is hurt and preg, and she knows she needs help, as it easiest take to take her in. The fostering and socializing will also go extra quickly in such an situation.

When they are in dire need, they got help, they know they got help and were saved. The socializing may go extremely quick, sometimes just days.

Please, talk it over with h your mamma, Retell her what we said - or even, let her see our answers.

Let momma share the glory of being a rescuer, give her the chance to be your hero to admire and use as a positive example as a concerned citizen and fellow human.

If necessary, you can also offer do do some extra chores, or work extra diligently with your school work. :)
 
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Blu6456

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Hey guys, sorry to not update you, but I have some pretty bad news.

This morning, I saw Mittens walk onto my patio with two small kittens! I was surprised, because they looked pretty matured, so that must mean that Mittens had her babies a few weeks ago, and I thought she was still pregnant.

Time passed, as it happens. I was doing some work inside, when I heard Mittens' calling for her kittens. They weren't coming, so I decided to look around myself. I couldn't find them, which got me pretty nervous, but I hoped that they'd turn up eventually.

Later, I walked into my bathroom, and I had my window open, and I overheard my neighbor yell to another about how they saw a kitten get hit by a car. As soon as I heard this, I rushed outside to talk to him about it, and he said it was a gruesome death, but it seemed to be relatively quick and painless. I was on the verge of tears when I heard this, so I then asked him if he saw any other kittens around, and he told me that Mittens (didn't refer to her as that), actually had a total of 3 litters, and the first two died due to the cold winter. This made me even sadder, but what really got me was when I saw Mittens and her mate walking around the block, which I assume meant that they were looking for their other kittens. Then, I saw them go into a mating position, which probably means that they can't find them and are probably lost or dead.

Sorry this isn't terribly eloquent or coherent, I'm kind of depressed after hearing all of this.
 
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Blu6456

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Update: I went outside to check on Mittens, and when I went to the side of my house, I think I saw two of her kittens run into the bush. So I'm feeling much better.
 

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Where are you located? We need to help you find a rescue that can loan you a humane trap, and help to get these cats spayed and neutered. This will keep happening over and over, and it is no life.
 

di and bob

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I'm so sorry you are going through this, life outside with nature is cruel and harsh. I agree, the first step is to get your mama spayed so no more kittens are born into this world without loving homes. Endless kittens are not good for her, emotionally or physically. Then try to tame and home the kittens or get them neutered. It's not easy, but it can be done. They are looking to you as their savior. We'll help all we can, thanks for the updates, my thoughts and prayers are with you! RIP little angel, may your journey to the Rainbow Bridge be swift. Good night, sleep tight, little angel!
 

Sarthur2

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Please catch and spay this cat so she does not go through life this way.

We’ve offered to help locate services for you. We just need your city and state.
 
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Blu6456

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Sorry, I'm very hurt by this.

I told my mom about how we should get her spayed, but she keeps insisting that it is not our responsibility to care for it. I'm honestly not sure what to say to her.

I live in NYC, Queens, so give me it if we're able to change her mind.

I have a few questions about the spaying though (and neutering). Will they return the cats to me so they can still roam around in my yard? And what about the kittens that are still alive? Who will look after them? I could, but they always run away from me, even though they still seem like they're less than 10 weeks old.
 

Norachan

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New York City Area TNR Organizations

Lots of TNR groups, No Kill Shelters and Rescues in your area listed in the link above.

It looks like you can register as a Feral Colony caretaker, get some training in TNR and then apply to have all the cats spayed and neutered for free. If you do that they would return the cats to you.

You would have to commit to providing the cats with some kind of shelter, food and water long term though.
 
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Blu6456

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Update: I have some good news. I found a local organization that'll spay Mittens for only $50. I'm going to fill out the survey they sent to me soon, and I'll tell you guys what happens.

Thank you all for your help and support, I truly mean it!
 

Margret

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To be honest, I did consider that she might be pregnant, but I ruled it out since I don't know which cat she could have had sex with. Maybe the cat that I thought was mean?
When a cat is in heat, she doesn't care whether the tom she finds is "mean." She just cares that he's male. The feline reproductive mechanics are rather brutal.

I give her water, and I try to stay away from giving her milk since I heard some cats are lactose intolerant. I tried giving her almond milk, but I didn't see her drink it.
Virtually all adult cats are lactose intolerant; you were right to avoid it. Almond milk is highly unlikely to be palatable to a cat, though it wouldn't hurt her in small quantities.

Margret
 

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When do you think you’ll be able to have her spayed? You need to act quickly if you think she was mating.
 
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