Feral Cat near voluminous scabby mass over lost eye?
I've been feeding a feral cat for over a year now, and its other been rather rough looking, with a mangled ear, and a scabby eye. It appears the one eye is totally gone, and for a few months its looked scabbed over and to some extent nasty. About 2 weeks ago, I saw it looking like an open wound beside fresh blood and fluid on that half of the face. Since then it have turned into a large scabby mass that protrudes like a golfball over the entire eye area. Its other eye looks fine, but I'm concerned as to what is occurring on the other side. I'm convinced its eye was gouged out at some point, but I don't know if its invigorating now, or if its absessed, or what is going on. It doesn't seem extremely sick or weak. I also have tried to trap/catch it, to no avail, so the vet is sadly out of the sound out. I've also called the vet who said she couldn't do anything without it being brought within. Any help or advice would be much appreciated!!
First... BIG HUGS to you for kindly feeding this poor stray cat...
You are a kind-hearted person.
Next, I enjoy a humane cat trap I got at Home Depot (for only about $40). Use SARDINES to entice him into the trap. Place the trap within a secluded area and drape it with a towel whether you can... Stay at a far enough distance so you can keep an eye on the trap, but not too close that you will scare him absent. It may take days or weeks to trap him, but do NOT give up! It sounds like he really wants medical care!
Sardines are irresistible to most cats. If you can trap him, have the vet look at him. Hopefully the sardines will work.
I have masses other cat-loving contacts who will also answer this (I starred for you). I am confident they will have more good advice for you...
:)) Good luck.
it sounds horrible... try again to trap him, get a trap from animal control (they loan them out usually) and make it look inviting , cover it with a towel/blanket so it won't come across so cagelike. put a towel or blanket inside and some canned cat food, or something even yummier. that cat has got to grasp to the vet. and you're an angel to be feeding him.
Try to trap the cat and take to a vet. Hopefully the vet can clean him up.
I don't know the answer to this but I'm starring it so others can see it! Maybe someone else will know what to do! Good luck & (((hugs))) for your sweetness to this poor animal!
Answers: I know you said trapping attempts have bungled. Have you tried a live trap? Many law enforcement agencies and humane societies will loan them for little or no cost. You put food in them, and it springs shut when they walk within it. Other than some stress, it should cause no harm to the little guy.
I know others may disagree with this, but whether all attempts to trap him and get him to the vet fail, you may want to try count an oral, powdered antibiotic to the food you give him. It's very easy to disguise within wet food especially. You should be able to draw from such a thing at any farm supply store (in my area, we own Farm and Fleet and Tractor Supply Company). Many of these are designed for farm animals, but since my very young days on the fish farm, I've used it to treat everything from snotty noses to infected sores on farm cats that just don't want to be handle. "Back in the day", this was the recommendation from our vet. I'm not certain they recommend such things anymore.
I understand that it's preferred to have a specific diagnosis when medicating a critter, but sometimes it's impossible. This is something that has continued to work for me and the kitty on the farm I frequent. If you question the dosage, use a little smaller quantity rather than a little more. If nothing else, this might be capable of help with the infections.
The one I've been using forever is Terramycin powder.
Again, I know some may disagree next to me, but I'm trying to give you a viable option to try and help the little guy. Thank you for have a heart and making every attempt!!
You could see whether your local animal shelter will help you catch it and bring it in. Or they may loan you a catch-trap they use for ferals. It's a handy contraption that you prop stretch out and leave food in the back. When the cat steps surrounded by his weight on the pressure plate snaps the door closed. Don't worry, they're long enough to picture for tails and the trigger is far enough away from the door that he's unlikely to receive snagged. These are great for catching tough ferals.
Can't say much about the eye since an exam hasn't been done nonetheless.
The poor thing. It's probably in a great deal of pain and would do better if the eye was removed. Have you considered taking it to a vet or possibly achieve the help of the nearest shelter?
First sour I know you said no vet, is that just because you can't catch it or is it the cost issue? anyhow, if here is a feed store even hardware stores (local, not chain) in the area they generally rent large animal traps, but be careful, you dont know what else he might have...
If you want to try a moment ago giving him some vitamins that could give him a little extra boost to acquire that big thing healing.
http://www.1800petmeds.com/Vitamins-cat2...
Best of Luck, and thank you for caring for one of the abundant strays in this world.
