I Have More Trust Issues Than This Feral..

Feral Mom

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OH wonderful!! OH what a relief! OH very well done, You!! Keep us posted how it goes.
Yes, easier said than done, but try as best as you can to not worry about fleas, etc, because mine never catch anything either. I just vaccuum after carrying the covered trap through my home. I do put a flea collar in my vaccuum bag. Probably don't need to,though , i guess.
No problems.
I do like the advice of others to be sure you do keep your beloved Charlie treated for fleas, then, your worries are reduced.
I AM SO HAPPY FOR BOTH OF YOU!! bravo!!!!
 
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Buffster7

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Thanks, guys! Just went to check on him and his eyes look much calmer this morning. His eyes had a look that resembled hate in them last night. :lol:
He has been quiet as a mouse, too - no crying at all. I expected some yowling, fussing, or general chicanery and escape attempts last night. Instead he just perched on the bunched up towel and peered up at me when I checked on him. 12 hours is along time to be crated..hoping the vet can get him in today. Insert praying hands emoji here.
 
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Buffster7

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Did you get him to the vet? Hope all is well.
Yes, I took him to the vet and they are holding him. Right now they can't get to his surgery until Monday, but they'll test for the diseases to try to get those results back before surgery, and if something opens up tomorrow, they'll squeeze him in.

Kind of hurts my heart to think of him caged up when he was enjoying the great outdoors yesterday; wonder what is going through the little guy's mind. I just tried to call my vet to check on him, but their phones are already put through to voicemail for the night. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Anxious to know how he's holding up.
 

Avery

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I just wanted to add my congratulations on a job well done! I understand how nerve-wracking this whole process can be. It would be great if a surgery spot opens up tomorrow, but he is in good hands and is probably doing just fine at the vets. It might even be relaxing for him, compared to being outside and having to deal with the heat and all the dangers out there! And cats really do forgive and forget quickly so he won't hold it against you when you get him back! Great work!
 
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Buffster7

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I just wanted to add my congratulations on a job well done! I understand how nerve-wracking this whole process can be. It would be great if a surgery spot opens up tomorrow, but he is in good hands and is probably doing just fine at the vets. It might even be relaxing for him, compared to being outside and having to deal with the heat and all the dangers out there! And cats really do forgive and forget quickly so he won't hold it against you when you get him back! Great work!
Thanks so much, your words eased my mind. I can't get his little eyes out of my mind when I left him at the vet. I wish we could communicate with them and let them know what's going on. I'm grateful to my vet for accepting and holding him. He's certainly much safer there than outdoors in this heat! Thank you again for your kind words. :)
 
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Buffster7

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He is safe and in good hands. He will get fed and well taken care of. Hopefully the neuter will be sooner than later. Yet you don't have to worry about anything bad happening to him.

Have you come up with a name for him yet?
I haven't. I told my vet's office that I'm still undecided on what to do. If his blood work comes back clear, I can set up his recovery cage in the guest bathroom.

I have so many questions about integrating 2 male cats and if it's possible without ongoing drama. Charlie was declawed when I took him in. This little boy has claws and he's not afraid to use them. How dangerous would that be for Charlie? If the little guy injured Charlie, I'm not sure I could get past it.
I am really really hesitant to turn my world on its ear at this point, and once school starts, I cannot be distracted with cat drama - I will need all of my focus and attention on school.

But my heart just goes out to this little guy and I do not know what to do about him. Pray like crazy that they get along? But what are the chances of an alpha male accepting another male into his territory? Arrrrrrgh!
 

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Kitten steps. Let him get through the vet stuff. Being neutered and the couple of weeks of declining hormones can alter everything. I have integrated dozens of cats into my own cat family over the years. Some were Judy here temporarily and others, for life. We have a rare argument here and there but it’s just an argument. No one has gotten hurt by another kitty. Alpha and alpha do settle who is in charge. Lol Charlie may be the more fominant personality and the little guy may understand. He may be afraid of Charlie and react too. Let’s just get through this first and go from there. Rest assured that you can handle all of this. Look what you did already! You might be shocked to discover that Charlie may actually want company or even feel protective of the little guy. I’ve seen some amazing kitty reactions but none were ever terrible. Most were heartwarming. You have done a great thing. Sit back and enjoy the time. You don’t have to worry about that little guy outside tonight. He isn’t struggling for survival in the heat and around predators! This is all good!!:clap2::rock:
 
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Buffster7

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Kitten steps. Let him get through the vet stuff. Being neutered and the couple of weeks of declining hormones can alter everything. I have integrated dozens of cats into my own cat family over the years. Some were Judy here temporarily and others, for life. We have a rare argument here and there but it’s just an argument. No one has gotten hurt by another kitty. Alpha and alpha do settle who is in charge. Lol Charlie may be the more fominant personality and the little guy may understand. He may be afraid of Charlie and react too. Let’s just get through this first and go from there. Rest assured that you can handle all of this. Look what you did already! You might be shocked to discover that Charlie may actually want company or even feel protective of the little guy. I’ve seen some amazing kitty reactions but none were ever terrible. Most were heartwarming. You have done a great thing. Sit back and enjoy the time. You don’t have to worry about that little guy outside tonight. He isn’t struggling for survival in the heat and around predators! This is all good!!:clap2::rock:
You know, Charlie has sprayed before when cats came into the yard (he is neutered but territorial). He used to beat up my dog horribly. A big 17-lb bully. But he has not appeared to be bothered by the little cat coming around. He didn't mind when I would take food out to the back porch and feed him; sometimes he would flop on his back, totally relaxed. How often does a cat watch you through the window feeding and stroking another cat, and stay mellow and chill about it, is that normal? And today he keeps going from doors to the windows and looking out each one. Part of me wonders if he is looking for him. Maybe that's wishful thinking. Outside is one thing; inside his home may be entirely different.

Earning the trust of this little guy was precious. Even though I know we are doing good and helping him, that look of betrayal in his eyes last night is just a stab in the heart today. I am looking forward to seeing him again so he knows I didn't dump him.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject and your experiences. It's encouraging to know that your cats may have spats but have not injured each other. One day at a time right now, you are right - kitten steps. :catrub:
 
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Buffster7

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Oh, another question. Last night I thought I smelled urine pretty strongly when I covered his trap cage in the guest bathtub. This morning when I lifted it out of the bathtub, I didn't see any urine in the tub at all. But he did smell bad; perhaps I mistook his bad odor for urine last night. Do ferals and strays tend to smell bad in general, or is this indicative of health problems? I didn't notice the smell as much when he was outside, but once I brought him in, it was pretty rank. He also has a leaky bum which I'm sure doesn't help matters. Just a drip here and there. I noticed it outside and also in the tub. Curious as to what would cause leakage like that..
 

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Males often smell strong. They carry their perfum bottle in their back pocket. :lol: That could be the odor. By leakage, you mean poop? He could have any number of tummy issues. Living outside they often eat things that give tummy trouble. It could be a parasite issue too. There is one other thing that I would ask. Does he have a loose stool? Have you seen? There are a few other things that are common but we just need to see about worms and such first. Maybe you can post what the vet finds before you leave there and if we think of anything you need to ask, we can post it. A call to his office before going might work.
If you mean iTunes leakage, it’s probably something like a little urinary tract infection. That is very common among kitties. A shot of antibiotics may be all he needs. I’m not a vet so just guessing. The vet will be able to answer your questions much better. You might want to make a list of questions before you go. Things like, worms, lice, fleas, leakage, etc. . I find that is helpful if I am in a hurry, excited or worried. Especially when I first started rescuing outside kitties. I always thought of something I wanted to ask AFTER I got home. :doh: :)
I know he gave you ,” the look!” Don’t worry. When you pick him up he is going to be sooooo happy! He’ll be very glad to see you. You did the thing he most needed. Very important and necessary for his well being. A+ for being able to do the hard stuff but what is best for him.
Charlie could very well be looking for little guy. Turning over on his back when you fool with the other kitty is a very good sign. That is the more submissive pose. Exposing the tender underbelly os a sign of trust or Offering you their trust. It kind of sounds like Charlie was trying to look out for little guy. He did warn you about the Maine Coon. That’s kind of like saying,” Hey! Someone might be after little guy!” I won’t say that acceptance will be an immediate thing, inspections have to be done by both parties. I can tell you that the last member of my last colony, number 103, guarded and protected every cat that came up. He led females, males and babies to safety at great risk to himself. He eluded me until the very last of the other cats was safe. When I concentrated on getting that last cat, he was quick to start protecting me. He would alarm on any animal or person nearby. He never did get caught in a trap. I spent a lot of nights sitting in the edge of the woods trying to get him to let me into his life. The last night I just told him that he wasn’t safe and really needed to come in with me. Ha! That cat followed me home! He came inside as though he trusted me! He was nervous and adjusting took time but it was wonderful time. He was wary and did all sorts of feral things but, he is now the biggest teddy bear I have ever seen! He wants to be held and loved and follows me like a puppy. BJ has amazed everyone who has read about him. It kind of reminds me of what you write about Charlie. You have a good guy and a little guy! :p
 
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Buffster7

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Ahh, what a beautiful story about BJ! I was just looking at his thread last night - he is a gorgeous boy. And you're right, he reminds me of Charlie in size and appearance, we shall see about personality. ;)

By leakage, you mean poop?
Yes, just little drops of poop here and there. And they're like glue; I had to scrub and scrub just to remove one of the drops from my bathtub yesterday. I've never seen his poop outside, I'm not sure where he would go to do his business. He would just leave behind a drop here and there where he sat on the towels I had laid out. It's interesting to note that tomcats are stinkier than the females!

I really lucked out with Charlie. He's a strange combination of alpha but also a scaredy cat. I think he had some pretty bad experiences outside as he won't go out at all, and when certain ferals (like the 2 maine coon) show up in the yard, he becomes suuuuper jumpy at every little noise, and often hides under the bed. There was once a cat fight on my front porch and I couldn't get Charlie out of the closet for 2 days. It was like he recognized the 'voice' of one of the cats or something and he was just terrified. So I can't decide if he'd try to bully the little cat, or if he would go into fear mode. The other day when I was feeding little cat, I turned around to see this. Now, there is more solid door below the window, so Charlie wasn't rolling over for this cat. The little cat was down on the patio, out of Charlie's sight. But Charlie knew what I was doing out there. He would watch for a while, then when I looked back over my shoulder a couple minutes later, this is what I saw:


It's his favorite position to lay in around the house. You should see how we watch TV together:


Charlie could very well be looking for little guy.
I think he's gotten used to the little guy showing up for meals. The birds would always sound the alarm when he approached, so we both knew when he was coming. This morning there were no bird alarm calls, but rather than sit on his chair, he went and laid by the door:

A part of me is hopeful, but I am quite frankly terrified of turning Charlie's perfect, peaceful world upside down. We shall see...

Thanks again for all of your insight, it is very much appreciated.
 
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Buffster7

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Also, I was going through my camera roll and found a picture I took of this little outdoor kitty back in December! I knew I had seen him around here before. The pic on the left is dated December 2018. The pic on the right is dated June 2019. He was fatter and healthier looking in December! Does that mean he was recently dumped? Or is it just that worms are now stealing all his nutrition?
 

shadowsrescue

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I understand your concerns with Charlie and this new kitty. When I brought my first feral inside, I had one other inside only cat. I was so worried of ruining his perfect only kitty world. I also had a dog.

It took us a year for all to settle, but my inside only kitty really learned to enjoy the company of another cat. The two are best buddies now. They groom each other, run, play, chase. It's really been so nice. It also makes me feel better when I am gone that they have each other!

I now have 6 cats all living inside. 4 of them are former feral cats and 1 was a stray.

Introductions done slowly and steadily work so well. You might be really surprised that Charlie will enjoy the company!
 

walli

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That was a good sign Charlie not getting freaked out when you were outside with another cat!!

Don't worry about a thing, every little thing gonna be alright!
Bob Marley
 
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Buffster7

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I understand your concerns with Charlie and this new kitty. When I brought my first feral inside, I had one other inside only cat. I was so worried of ruining his perfect only kitty world. I also had a dog.

It took us a year for all to settle, but my inside only kitty really learned to enjoy the company of another cat. The two are best buddies now. They groom each other, run, play, chase. It's really been so nice. It also makes me feel better when I am gone that they have each other!

I now have 6 cats all living inside. 4 of them are former feral cats and 1 was a stray.

Introductions done slowly and steadily work so well. You might be really surprised that Charlie will enjoy the company!
Your post gives me hope, thank you very much! I must say for a former "non-cat person", I still don't relish the thought of adding another litterbox or two, or of more cat hair in the house, more vet bills and food and supply bills, etc. in addition to cat drama..
Yet I have a glimmer of hope that Charlie might eventually come to enjoy the company of another feline? I'm preparing to enter my final semester of school, and then in January I'll be out doing clinical rotations with very long days. I have thought about Charlie being alone so much for those months.

If little guy's health checks out disease-wise, I will allow him to recover inside the guest bathroom. I'll watch Charlie's reaction closely. If I decide to try to integrate him, I will literally be praying that these two would work through the adjustment period with unusual acceptance. God is in the details, and there is no request that's too great or too small, so I will certainly be asking for His assistance!
:dancingblackcat:
 
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Buffster7

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That was a good sign Charlie not getting freaked out when you were outside with another cat!!

Don't worry about a thing, every little thing gonna be alright!
Bob Marley
That's what I was hoping! I remember a friend telling me that her inside cat bit her after he saw her feeding a stray, so I wasn't sure which was more unusual - her cat biting her, or Charlie being so chill!
 

Feral Mom

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Buffster7 Buffster7 , there are a handful of very great posts here and there about integrating a new cat to a resident cat, and some on getting feral/semiferal/stray cats accustomed to being IN a home, and then letting them meet Mr Resident cat.

Have you seen these posts about introducing cats? some have embedded links to youtube videos, some have articles.

I can not recall if this here 8 page thread has any of those posts about how to help cats meet each other. Slow is the key. Baby steps. No rushing it.
If you have not yet seen these posts from others, i can go try to relocate some of them. They are great posts.

but, yeah,
my 2 cents guess is, that the New Cat (did you name him yet?)
will add a lot of joy and fun to Charlie's life. Maybe not at first, but, who knows. It is not 100% impossible that they will have love at first sight, when you ever do get to That point of their introductions,
but, best to go slow.
 
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