Cat Dilemma

[wood714]

I have a semi feral garage/outdoor cat that was born on my back patio 14 years ago. She's not a normal lap cat at all. I do spend a lot of time in my garage and she always comes over to be petted or have her back scratched. Her head and back are the only areas she'll let me touch without getting a hiss and smack.

I've noticed she's gotten really matted. Saturday I took her to a groomer to get her a buzz cut. Dropped her off and they called an hour later saying they couldn't handle her. So now I have a cat with a large buzzed area on her right side, and still matted up bad. I'm pretty sure the mats on her stomach are hurting her, because she use to jump up on the table in the garage when I was out there to get attention. She doesn't do that anymore, or lay on the washer and dryer, which were her favorite spots to chill.

Called a vet a few people recommended that will sedate her and then cut her hair. They called me back with a price of $400 plus. She's only been to a vet one time when she was around 5 or 6 months old to get fixed. They said they would have to do a complete work up on her to make sure she could handle the sedation part.


I asked her what it would cost to have her sedated and cut, and just take a chance on her making it. My thoughts are she has had a perfect 14 year life for a cat. Like I said she's not a normal pet cat, and if she would have let me brush more than just her back she wouldn't have got so matted up. She's supposed to call me tomorrow with a price. I know it's $79 to sedate her, and what ever they charge for the cut.

What y'alls thoughts on the subject, am I just being cruel?

This is her now.

 

[Rpg]

Call around to other vets.

Lots of vet practices are corporate owned and fix some procedures and prices.

Focus on small, solo practice vet offices. They’re more likely to be willing to skip the pre-sedation work up.

 

[Chino74]

I doubt any licensed Vet will skip a blood work-up prior to a sedation / anesthesia, which requires an IV delivery. They have professional mandates to follow.

 

[BillBond]

IMO you are not cruel, but then I am not a fan of feral cats since they are always taking a dump in my yard and killing birds I enjoy.

 

[wood714]

If she gets the complete work up and they find out she has some issue where she might not survive the anesthesia.

Just let her live out the rest of her life in pain, or have her put down?

 

[Jason Demond]

I have found that when a cat stops grooming themselves, they are not long for this world. 14 is old for some house cats, but ancient for an outdoor feral.

 

[hittman77]

Let nature take it's course.
Sorry.

 

[vonn]

Tough decision, glad I don’t have to make it. I would probably go for it if a reasonable price, can’t stand seeing any critter suffer.

 

[jimmyj]

Spend the money ($400.00). You will be glad later.

 

[Fishinfool]

Maybe try contacting a shelter or cat volunteer organization in your area - they may be able to help. Will she let you try to clip her?

Larry

 

[moralem]

I would do what it takes to make the cat comfortable.......$400 over the life of the cat comes to about $2.40/day.......a small price to pay for over a decade of keeping you company.

 

[Rule3]

Well, our County Animal Control in their infinite wisdom does the following.
If you have a feral cat, go down to their office and pick up a Live trap. Go home and catch the cat. No they will not bring the trap nor will the accept one in another trap. I used to catch some in my Have A Hart trap and drop them off in THEIR location.

Then call them and THEY will then come and get the cat. They will spay or neuter, give them shots, and a chip and then return them to the place it was caught.

The cat can then continue killing birds and defecating in your yard, boat or where ever.
They would probably complete the hair cut.

 

[JcMack]

My comment is off topic but in the same vein. I've got two 11 pound dogs I've had since they were 8 wks and are now almost 13 yrs.. One has a heart murmur that is now bad, two meds for that. Same dog has had seizures since age 7 and takes meds for that. Same dog has an eye problem and takes drops for that. She also has a bad knee but putting her under for surgery would kill her. If I thought for a second she was suffering in any way I'd take care of it, but she's fine. Meds for her include 4 pills and drops twice a day and cost approx $110 a month. I'll do what I can for the dog until one of needs to be put down. The other dog is a rock but all of the sudden has a couple problems also.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

JcMack: Here is hoping you don't need to be put down, at least anytime
soon. Thanks for taking care of your dog.

 

[wood714]

Will she let you try to clip her?

Larry

Not a chance in the world, she'll let me pet or brush her back all day, but no where else. Trust me I've tried for years.

Well, our County Animal Control in their infinite wisdom does the following.
If you have a feral cat, go down to their office and pick up a Live trap. Go home and catch the cat. No they will not bring the trap nor will the accept one in another trap. I used to catch some in my Have A Hart trap and drop them off in THEIR location.

Then call them and THEY will then come and get the cat. They will spay or neuter, give them shots, and a chip and then return them to the place it was caught.

The cat can then continue killing birds and defecating in your yard, boat or where ever.
They would probably complete the hair cut.

She's not that kind of feral cat. She lives in my garage, but hangs out in the yard a lot. She use to hang out in the wooded lot next door all the time till they built a house there.

I had a freezer in the garage and she would lay on top of it all the time. When I got rid of it I put a shelf up there for her to lay on. She sleeps in the basket in the winter.

When I had a screen door put on my garage, I told the dude I wanted an extra panel 10" wide with no kick plate. He thought I was nuts till he saw what I wanted it for.

Just made her an appointment for next Tuesday. Their doing an exam, rabies shot, sedation, and cut her like a lion. Only thing their not doing is the blood/lab work. It's going to be $250.

 

[Onomea]

Wood714, just wanted to say that to even pose the question of what to do shows that you are a kind person.

 

[wood714]

Wood714, just wanted to say that to even pose the question of what to do shows that you are a kind person.

Thanks!

Trust me, other than being scared to death of loud trucks, my Harley, and all the construction next door. She's had a perfect life.

The garage is hers and she lets everyone that comes over know fast.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

From what I've been told after you shave the cat it will itch.

 

[BRL40]

...What y'alls thoughts on the subject, am I just being cruel?...

Exactly the opposite.

Dang thing looks just like my neighbor's kitty, he lets it live outside and feeds it I guess.

Cat just loves to stop by and be petted.

Yea, fix it up if you can.

 

[quikdraw67]

I doubt any licensed Vet will skip a blood work-up prior to a sedation / anesthesia, which requires an IV delivery. They have professional mandates to follow.

My buddy Oliver is going for bloodwork today.

He is 12 and needs some rotten teeth removed.

I hope that everything works out for you and your buddy.

 

[islamoradamark]

Your doing the right thing shes your pal

 

[Rule3]

Not a chance in the world, she'll let me pet or brush her back all day, but no where else. Trust me I've tried for years.






She's not that kind of feral cat. She lives in my garage, but hangs out in the yard a lot. She use to hang out in the wooded lot next door all the time till they built a house there.

I had a freezer in the garage and she would lay on top of it all the time. When I got rid of it I put a shelf up there for her to lay on. She sleeps in the basket in the winter.

When I had a screen door put on my garage, I told the dude I wanted an extra panel 10" wide with no kick plate. He thought I was nuts till he saw what I wanted it for.

Just made her an appointment for next Tuesday. Their doing an exam, rabies shot, sedation, and cut her like a lion. Only thing their not doing is the blood/lab work. It's going to be $250.

I suggested it as a possible means to get it done for "free"

 

[walkin jack]

I would spend the money. I can't think of any better way to spend 400 bux. What could you buy that would be more important. It's likely just a one time thing. I'd say go for it.

 

[wood714]

I suggested it as a possible means to get it done for "free"

As soon as I got home from the groomers failed attempt, the first thing I did was call the local humane society. Their the ones I took her to to get fixed when she was a kitten.

They don't do anything like that and gave me the animal hospital they recommend. Called them and they wanted $95 to just walk in the door with her.

 

[jimmyj]

Vets and Funeral Directors take advantage of people's emotions

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

When it comes to cats, its all in the sauce and seasonings...

 

[AJ]

Keep us posted.

 

[ddixie884]

Good luck. I hope it works out. My dead wife's cat is 13 and in great health. I will probably have to live with him the rest of my life as I figure he will out live me...........

 

[JcMack]

Pretty obvious you really care for your cats health and well being. Good on you for that. People that respect animals as God's gifts rather than just part of the environment are good people.

 

[BSA1]

We have two cats that are brother and sister and about 15 years old. We live in the country and someone dumped them off they were kittens somehow expecting them to feud for themselves. There were four of them. We gave two away and my wife and daughter each kept a kitten. Their job is supposed to be catching mice that are attracted by the grain and hay in the out building which they don’t do a good job at. Anyway they both act like they have memory problems.

The Tom will wander around the house and then start howling like he is lost.

His sister can’t jump very well so we pick her up and put on the counter to eat. She eats a little, jumps down and two minutes wants back up to eat again. She is very thin and I think she is forgetting how to eat.

They are reaching the end of their lifespan and we are anticipating having to put them soon before much longer.