crandc
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I mentioned my injured feral cat in passing on an earlier thread and was asked about him.
After nearly a month I finally got him trapped yesterday. A woman from rescue came over to help move him from trap to carrier.
Long story short, his leg injury was so severe the vet recommended amputation. Not an option for a feral cat who could not get follow-up care. I would not be able to change bandages, bring him back for check-ups, give him pain medication or antibiotics. The wound could become septic.
Throw in that Rudy is nearly 11, his kidneys are going and he'd lost his hearing.
They had quite a job sedating him. A fighter to the end.
When they brought him to me sedated while the vet prepared the injection, I petted him for the first time and also saw him close up for the first time. He had never let me get closer than about 3'. His injured leg was badly swollen and the pad of the paw looked mangled. One ear had a chewed bloody edge. His gums were awful and he appeared to have at least one abscessed tooth. His long hair covered it, but when I stroked him I could tell his ribs were sticking out, he was so thin. May have been eating just enough to stay alive if his teeth were bad.
Tame cats get treated and ferals don't usually live 11 years, so this is not something that is seen a lot.
By the time we got home it was dark. I stored his body in the garden shed, which closes tightly, overnight as I was afraid keeping him inside would upset my other cats. I buried him before work this morning.
Tried to do the best I could for Rudy. Even though he was untamable, he (and his sister, who survives him) became my responsibility the day I brought them inside.
RIP, little fighter.
After nearly a month I finally got him trapped yesterday. A woman from rescue came over to help move him from trap to carrier.
Long story short, his leg injury was so severe the vet recommended amputation. Not an option for a feral cat who could not get follow-up care. I would not be able to change bandages, bring him back for check-ups, give him pain medication or antibiotics. The wound could become septic.
Throw in that Rudy is nearly 11, his kidneys are going and he'd lost his hearing.
They had quite a job sedating him. A fighter to the end.
When they brought him to me sedated while the vet prepared the injection, I petted him for the first time and also saw him close up for the first time. He had never let me get closer than about 3'. His injured leg was badly swollen and the pad of the paw looked mangled. One ear had a chewed bloody edge. His gums were awful and he appeared to have at least one abscessed tooth. His long hair covered it, but when I stroked him I could tell his ribs were sticking out, he was so thin. May have been eating just enough to stay alive if his teeth were bad.
Tame cats get treated and ferals don't usually live 11 years, so this is not something that is seen a lot.
By the time we got home it was dark. I stored his body in the garden shed, which closes tightly, overnight as I was afraid keeping him inside would upset my other cats. I buried him before work this morning.
Tried to do the best I could for Rudy. Even though he was untamable, he (and his sister, who survives him) became my responsibility the day I brought them inside.
RIP, little fighter.
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