Bit of advice about scabby cat :)

tazzy2010_2

Hi everyone,

Right the story is my mum has started feeding a tabby tomcat on her doorstep for the last few weeks. I told her that she shouldn't as its probably someones pet and you don't want to lure it away from its home. However I popped over yesterday and it was again sitting on her doorstep. When I started stroking it we noticed that patches of its fur were missing, more so than if it had just been in a fight. I could also feel some scabby areas under its fur. I know its not ferral as its not skinny and loves attention, but my worry is it may be someones cat and from the state of it they don't seem to be taking care of it.

My friend suggested patches of fur loss may be due to ringworm? I also think it may have fleas? I have cats of my own and have spot on flea and worm treatments I could give to it, but am not really sure as if it is someones cat maybe they are in the process of treating it?? It also doesn't have a collar.

What do you guys think? I just hate to think of any little moglet sufferring!

mustangsal

He could be having a reaction from the fleas. I know if my dog picks up so much as one flea, she gets bald patches. She's allergic to their poo, and it affects her terribly.

BitterAndTwisted

Yep, scabbing and hair-loss could be due to an allergy to cat-flea bites or ringworm. Ringworm is incredibly contagious so please ensure you don't catch it yourself or transmit it to your own cats. For this reason I would not allow it indoors without veterinary treatment first.

The first thing I would do is feed the cat and ensure it has some shelter, even if it's just a cardboard box as it could be a stray or has lost its way home. Then I would attach a paper collar asking if the cat has a home with your Mum's phone number on it for them to contact her. Whatever happens it sounds like it needs to see a vet, the only question is: who should arrange it and then pay for it

picklepick

I second what B&T says. Go for the paper collar and if noone contacts you, you can safely assume that noone is looking after this furball.
I'd then take it to the vets to check for a microchip, it might have become lost.

Then will your mum adopt this little critter??

tazzy2010_2

Thankyou for your replies. Yes the first thing I did after stroking it was wash my hands as my bf stood there saying "ewww don't touch it!" poor little mite! I think the paper collar is a good idea. I dropped round some food yesterday although I bet the cat is going to feel a bit put out as my mum was last seen giving it finest King Prawns

My mum has no pets but is reluctant to take on another cat as she had a bad experience with the last cat she had. But she has a big heart and if no one replies to the collar, I'm sure the cat could wangle its way in

Will keep you posted xx

Mankysteve

We used to have a tabby with eczema that would get scabbi when the weather changes. Used to loose all the fur at the base of her tail. So its not necessary neglight.



Also just because the cat not skinny doesn't mean its not a stray, the way our current cat hunts she be fine if we stop feeding her. She getting a bit big as it is so it may be idea;).

Collar with a message jar on might be idea.

undaunted

Perhaps worth contacting your local cats protection (or similar) and see if they can help

tazzy2010_2

Hi guys....this may be a long post....

This story has taken a completely different turn. Scabby cat has returned a couple of times for feeding (normally at around 4am when my brother comes in), and there has been no response to the paper collar we put on. My mum has deflead it using one of the squirt on back of neck thingys. Were all pretty convinced its a stray and its 'bits' are still in tact so I would imagine he has lots of beautiful illigitimate baby cats around....if and when we catch him we will take him in to cats protection to see what can be done.

However in the mean time...... I happen to park in a bit of a dodgy studenty area and as I parked up on Tues morning I opened my door to three kittens on the pavement. As I approached they hid down an alley with mummy cat. This area has a big problem with stray cats and as they were soooo little I was 90% sure they were too. To cut a long story short we have discoved a litter of 7+ kittens living in a shed (with no front door), definately all strays. The owner of the house has just come out of hospital is more than happy for us to catch the kittens and rehome/get them to a rescue centre. We managed to catch one on Tues - which suprisingly my mum has had. She took it to the vets, vet said 8 weeks old, full of fleas and worms but otherwise very cute and healthy :j

Cats protection and RSPCA are all full and refusing any more cats. I have found an animal santuary that will take the rest and mummy (if we can catch her) but we are struggling to catch the little monsters. After 2 hours in the freezing cold we managed to get three more last night - and then one escaped from the box! I have these two in my front room at the moment! There is at least four more so we are off again tonight to catch more. Any ideas on catching them???? We are currently using food to tempt them and trying to grab them before they run away. Tomorrow we will have use of a fishing net which should help. Aggggghhhhh!

picklepick

Oh my goodness, well done you for finding them a place to go.

Contact the Cats Protection and explain you have homes for them but need help catching them. They may be able to lend you some cat traps for them.

Other than that, peristence I guess!! I suspect Mummy cat may be hardest and the trap will definitely help with her. Not before you have all the kittens though of course

tazzy2010_2

Managed to catch another one last night with a lot of effort! A couple took 2 (including one with an eye infection - so defo pleased as it will be taken to vet asap) and my friend is coming to look at the last one on Sunday :j So luckily no need for rescue centres just yet.

Am off this afternoon with a fishing net to see is I can get anymore. Everyone at work thinks I'm bonkers

Froglet

You are anything but bonkers.You are a lovely kind person who is definitely saving them from a lot of suffering this cold weather.Thankfully the kittens are young enough to become tame very quickly.As you say though,the important thing now is to get mum and get her spayed.Good luck with that.