I just got back from the hospital. Three large holes in my head needing 12 stitches. Plus of course tetanus and antibiotic shots and tablets. All through my own fault.
In the Caring for Ferals forum I have a thread on the black cat I have been trying to 'tame' (I know you can't really), and thought I was doing quite well. He has become very affectionate towards me and jumps on my lap purring to be petted. Yesterday he was also calm towards Dushka. So this morning I put vanilla on all 6 cats, let them wander the kitchen together (which was OK) and then let them out. Big mistake. He immediately became territorial, chased Persil out of the yard and came back to fight the others. I did not try to separate them but managed to rescue my cats one by one and get them all inside. Then I saw that Feral Cat (Merlot) had an injury to his leg. I approached him slowly, not looking at him, just to see if I could assess how bad it was without touching him, and before I knew what had happened he jumped straight on my head with claws and teeth at the attack. Serves me right for being arrogant towards a feral.
Now I have to try and catch him again and get him to a vet for examination - that is the law, three exams over three weeks - to assess for rabies. But I am sure he is OK as he was examined last week and vaccinated/neutered and they planned to do the rabies shot on the next visit in a month. However it has to be done. And I will have to start over at socialising him and introducing him to my guys, if that is possible. This time I will go much much slower. And meanwhile my head hurts!
In the Caring for Ferals forum I have a thread on the black cat I have been trying to 'tame' (I know you can't really), and thought I was doing quite well. He has become very affectionate towards me and jumps on my lap purring to be petted. Yesterday he was also calm towards Dushka. So this morning I put vanilla on all 6 cats, let them wander the kitchen together (which was OK) and then let them out. Big mistake. He immediately became territorial, chased Persil out of the yard and came back to fight the others. I did not try to separate them but managed to rescue my cats one by one and get them all inside. Then I saw that Feral Cat (Merlot) had an injury to his leg. I approached him slowly, not looking at him, just to see if I could assess how bad it was without touching him, and before I knew what had happened he jumped straight on my head with claws and teeth at the attack. Serves me right for being arrogant towards a feral.
Now I have to try and catch him again and get him to a vet for examination - that is the law, three exams over three weeks - to assess for rabies. But I am sure he is OK as he was examined last week and vaccinated/neutered and they planned to do the rabies shot on the next visit in a month. However it has to be done. And I will have to start over at socialising him and introducing him to my guys, if that is possible. This time I will go much much slower. And meanwhile my head hurts!