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The litter tray

Poor old cat moved in - how can I help her?

20 replies

BaltiPie · 05/02/2014 22:10

A cat has been stealing food for a few years but always running off when she saw me.

With this bad weather, she has come in a lot when I've been out, until I caught her in the sofa one day napping and we made friends Smile

Since then she's come in every night and some days if it's pouring down, an I've seen she's in awful condition.

She must have had a happy home at some point because she's so affectionate, but now she is in a really bad state

She was riddled with fleas ( I have her frontline, I have 2 cats already and don't need an infestation!) but she is also always filthy round her back legs and has a lot of very deep matted clumps of hair. I can't get them out normally.

She is long haired and extremely fluffy!

Can't see how I can get her to the vets for advice and checking for microchip, what with her visiting hours and my work hours.

Has anyone got any advice on what I do about her matted fur, I'm really worried she might get an infection

She's such a lovely cat, my cats tolerate her and she's fine with them, so I let her sleep her as she wants Smile she's curled up next to me on the sofa now.

Hate to think of her homeless , but also well aware I could be one of many feeding grounds Smile

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cozietoesie · 05/02/2014 22:13

It sounds to me as if you're more than just one of her many feeding grounds.

I think you really have to vet her, I'm afraid. Surely there's some way you can organize a visit for her?

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Fluffycloudland77 · 05/02/2014 22:18

Pets at home do Sunday appts in their vets...you can snip mats off with nail scissors but its delicate operation.

Beard trimmers also work but the motor can freak them out a bit.

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BaltiPie · 05/02/2014 22:19

Thanks for replying.

I've been wracking my brains trying to think of how to get her to the vet!

She's always gone by half six when I get up with DS!

I'm hoping she will come in during the school hols when I'm off work, then I can get her straight to the vets and wait till they can see us.

I work full time and have to stay home with DS in the evenings.

Have ordered the furminator to see of that helps!

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timtam23 · 05/02/2014 22:19

Can you try to snip some of the mats out a bit, do you have any round-ended scissors so that there's less risk of damaging her skin? I had a similar problem with my old very longhaired cat and if I could snip out even a little bit of the mats it was easier to comb out some of the remaining tangle.

Poor old thing I hope you manage to get her to a vet. The weather is awful tonight, no wonder she wants to stay in. Could you keep her in overnight one night, with a vet appointment the next day?

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BaltiPie · 05/02/2014 22:20

I've snipped a few but they go right down to the skin.

Sunday is a good idea- I'm hoping she will come in during the day more

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cozietoesie · 05/02/2014 22:23

Out of interest - if you have a real tight schedule, when did your other two last go for a checkup/have their shots etc ? If you can organize a window and transport, it might be a good opportunity to have them seen also.

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BaltiPie · 05/02/2014 22:23

I can't believe I didn't think of locking the cat flap!

I can do that on Friday or Saturday night!

I hope it doesn't freak her out too much, I would hate her to not feel safe hereSmile

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timtam23 · 05/02/2014 22:23

Maybe she can't groom herself around the hindquarters any more as she might otherwise have had more of a go at keeping her own fur tidy, does she look a bit stiff in the joints? Do you think she is an old cat?

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BaltiPie · 05/02/2014 22:26

Luckily my other two are always around, it's never a problem to call them in so can get them seen at weekends or in school hols!

Last time the vet put my oldest one on a diet- it's hard to tell they are putting on weight because they are also both bloody fluffy Grin

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BaltiPie · 05/02/2014 22:27

I do think she's an old cat- I've seen her groom her back legs but she's slow moving and maybe a bit stiff

And her nose is covered in scratches poor thing!

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cozietoesie · 05/02/2014 22:33

Sounds as if she's a bit stiff and arthritic - and living and sleeping rough (which sounds likely) means that she'll be less likely to groom anyway. Poor old girl.

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timtam23 · 05/02/2014 22:34

Awww the poor old girl I do hope you are able to get her seen at the weekend. Maybe she has been in a fight and is too slow to get away? I think this time of year is really hard for old cats, with the wet & cold to cope with, even if they have loving homes - it must be terrible for the oldies with no home.

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cozietoesie · 05/02/2014 22:37

Or she might have been living under/in a bramble bush.Sad

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BaltiPie · 05/02/2014 22:44

Thanks so much for your advice everyone.

I'm going to lock the cat flap and get her seen at the weekend, and keep gently grooming her until then.

Need more worming treatment from the vets!

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cozietoesie · 05/02/2014 22:45

All the best of luck to her - and you. Let us know how she gets on.

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BaltiPie · 05/02/2014 22:53

Will do Smile

I just can't believe I never thought of locking the cat flap!

I guess she will get over being locked in and taken to the vets if I ensure a plentiful supply of cat treats on the way Grin

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Mabelface · 05/02/2014 22:56

If you cut the worst of the clumps out, not going down to the skin, you can sort of massage the rest of it out. have had to do it to one of mine on more than one occasion.

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BigcatLittlecat · 05/02/2014 22:59

You sound so lovely, how lucky was she to find you!

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timtam23 · 05/02/2014 23:07

Good luck and please let us know how it goes Smile

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ThePearShapedToad · 08/02/2014 12:38

How's it going op?

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