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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsSick, stray cat on my porch
Damnit all.
As many of you know, I have taken care of many cats over the years, and now have 5 of my own.
2 of the last 3 males that have come around here seeking food and some warmth in the winter (courtesy of heating pads) have been gravely ill. One male was healthy and not feral, I had him neutered and vaccinated and he now has a wonderful home.
The other two, the kindest thing once I caught them, were euthanized.
And here is a beautiful white male (I call him Cory) with sort of latte-colored markings on tail and along his paws. He's been coming around since winter and just now has gotten friendly enough so I can pet him (with gloves on, gloves that stay outside locked in a cabinet). He's got a horrible, deep, rattling wheeze, and runny eyes, and an oddly rounded belly (he's eaten well for 6 months - I always leave out kibble and a can of moist every day). However, his appetite is gangbusters, and he has enormous energy. He is a total love.
But he's sick. I have antibiotics I'm giving him but won't know for a few more days if they'll help at all.
He hangs out on the porch late at night and while I want him to have food, it stresses me out because some of my kitties go outside for a few hours each day in the mornings - mostly, in this heat, they just hang on the porch, too. Cory only comes by at night (my cats are never out past 2pm or so, when I usually head to the office) so they haven't ever really "met" (though my male cat did chase him off a few months ago when he saw him out and wandering around).
Anyway. I'm going to catch him early next week when it isn't so damn hot out (because he'll have to stay overnight on the porch in the humane trap and I don't want the temps to be too high - there is shade, but it's really hot now and supposed to be much cooler next week). Maybe the antibiotics will have helped by then.
But I think sweet, affectionate Cory is very ill. And that means I have to decide, again, to have a cat euthanized. Like I said, the last two who were put to sleep were so sick it was the only way to stop their suffering (and they were suffering). But Cory is so full of life right now. I know, if he's got FiV or FeLV, the kind thing to do is put him to sleep so he doesn't spread it or start to suffer (aside from his chest congestion) once the disease progresses.
I just feel so damn sad. But I have to protect my cats, and all the other cats out there who aren't sick. I just wanted to write this out. Thanks for reading if you've come this far.
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)with good reason. I wish you all the best with Cory...once he's been diagnosed, you'll know what's the best course of action. At least he knows a human touch.
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)he is so eager for affection. Breaks my heart.
Plus, he's getting great food. If he does have FIP (which based on comments downthread and my reading is what I think he has) I'll have to have him euthanized. I just hate being the executioner. I hate doing it with ferals, and hate even more doing it with this loving sweet cat who deserved a good home.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)that would be my guess
LisaL
(44,972 posts)Only a vet could tell.
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)But the belly coupled with congestion and cough matched the description of FIP.
Hoping that's not it. Hoping just upper respiratory infection and worms so he can be healed.
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)Thank you for caring for him. I've never had to put down any of the ferals I take care of as they seem to be healthy. But if there are other kitties in your area, I really hope the disease hasn't hit the population. Please keep us posted!
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)for some reason the ones here near my home aren't.
I will keep you posted.
hopemountain
(3,919 posts)perhaps he came to you to end his suffering and to compassionately and lovingly help him on to the next part of his journey since you cannot keep him.
i have encountered many furry friends in my lifetime. they do recognize compassion as well as friendliness.
i am glad he is feeling better. do you have a vet friend who could take a look at him with out charge and determine whether quality of life is at all an option?
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)and specializes in marine mammals.
But, our local nonprofit rescue has a relationship with a vet who isn't free but does discount ... I'll be taking Cory to see her in the next few days.
Number9Dream
(1,560 posts)Hoping a vet can get him well, and maybe you'll find him a home. Good luck.
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)If so, I'll care for him until he gets a home.
Or when we move, which hopefully we'll do before the end of the year, he can come with us. I want a place with a barn so I can help shelter wayward animals, and Cory can just do his Cory-kitty things wherever we are.
But I think poor baby is really sick.
Orrex
(63,169 posts)Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)and send him on his way.
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)It sounds like FIP to me - being Feline Infectious Peritonitis, and if so, there is nothing that can be done. Sometimes, they find us when they need us - and this may be the case. Sometimes, as hard as it is, ending the suffering IS the kindest thing that can be done.
If he's got FIV - Feline Immundeficiency Virus - there have recently been new guidelines issued as to how it is transmitted and generally, it is very difficult to pass from one cat to another. Many people are now mixing FIV positive cats with their own cats. Of course, you will need a vet to confirm the diagnosis.
I really do sincerely believe that they gravitate to people who they know will help them. It happens to me, and many people that I know all the time. It's inexplicable, but definitely happens.
I am grateful and thankful and gain peace knowing that Cory has found you and that you will help him. There are SO many people in this world who simply look the other way.
I wish you both peace and comfort.
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)Hoping it's just an URI and worms, but it probably is FIP.
I know the right thing to do. Especially to prevent spreading the illness, and to prevent Cory from suffering. Aside from his wheezing cough, he does not seem to be suffering now at all... he's happy, affectionate, hungry, energetic... and that's what's so damn hard, snuffing out that spirit if he's truly sick. Hate this.
But I cannot look away. He needs help and I will help him. I don't go chasing after every stray cat - if I did, I'd go crazy - but when they show up, I help. I made a deal with my husband - if they show up, we help. If we're out and about and we just see a cat, we leave it alone unless it is in distress, or someplace it shouldn't be (though with ferals you have to be so careful - approaching them can make them run into bad situations). Though we always carry extra food and will put it out if possible.
myrna minx
(22,772 posts)Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)This decision sucks. Though I'm trying to be positive.
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)So sorry, Flaxbee. Sometimes it is not easy to make a merciful decision.
Thanks for being you and for being there for the kitties.
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)I just hate having these decisions to make ...
I mean, there are many other people out there in the trenches with animals every single day and I admire them greatly. I don't mean to whine. It just makes me sad.
Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)Since he's eating well and has energy...the antibiotics should take care of it...once they have it, it sometimes never really leaves, but once they're older and their immune system develops, then they can live well even with recurrences...hope this is all it is.
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)Just had him at the vet; he tested very strongly positive for FIV. That, plus the infection he hadn't been able to shake for 6+ months (diagnosed as a herpes-virus rhinotracheitis) meant I decided to have him put to sleep. Essentially, he had kitty HIV that had probably progressed to active kitty AIDS since he had the lingering infection.
The antibiotics I had given him for two weeks hadn't made much difference at all in his coughing / breathing. The vet said the clavamox I had didn't really do much for rhinotracheitis.
He was SO full of life still; such an incredibly loving cat. He struggled under the sedative. He didn't want to go yet, and I am just devastated. But I couldn't bring him in with my 5 cats, and I couldn't just let him go. The shelters are packed around here (I checked) and while I may have been able to find a foster, the vet said that with the ongoing infection, he was probably not going to be able to maintain for much longer.
But I am just so sad. I feel like I stole his life. My husband is very upset.
LoveMyCali
(2,015 posts)You didn't steal his life, you let him go before things got bad for him. You saved him needless suffering.
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)I can't stop crying. This is the third male cat I've taken in over the last two years and they've all been sick -- probably all fought with each other. He was so beautiful; he had the prettiest sea green eyes (today was the first time I got a good look at him in the daylight...) And he had a terrific personality.
Anyway. I'll be OK. He won't suffer now. I wish I'd had the resources to care for him - a bigger house, or a separate garage, or someplace I could have tended to him. That's sort of what upsets me the most - I didn't have the resources to prolong his life.
narnian60
(3,510 posts)I know the time and effort it takes to do this, but some of us are just driven to help animals. Stray animals just break my heart. Right now there is a mom and 3 kittens around my neighborhood that I will probably have to decide to do something about because from previous experience, no one else will step up to the plate to help them. Again, thank you, Flaxbee.
3catwoman3
(23,943 posts)You gave him love when he needed it, and I'm sure his cat spirit is thanking you.