Next Door's Cat Again

seven-day-weekend

I had a cat once that was skin and bones, she looked as though she was going to keel over at any minute. She looked like she was in the last stages of anorexia.

This was because she had an overactive thyroid. Her condition caused thinnness, breathing problems and bottomless appetite. But it was being treated with prescribed medication although she never managed to put enough weight on. I'd have been livid if someone else assumed she was starving or gave her medication without consulting me first

Most cats will go somewhere warm and dry if they are encouraged, many 'free range' cats have several 'homes'.

The OP and/or her husband needs to talk to the neighbour. Maybe she is not the dreadful cat owner they think she is.

If it turns out she is, then the OP needs to contact the RSPCA.

tesuhoha

I don't think the cat is around anymore. I haven't seen him for 12 days and he used to be always hanging around in the street trying to follow people.The neighbour and her family have been around since I last posted. Lots of cars in the street outside and I hear her dog barking.

It is true that she was gone for long periods of time and the cat was outside. As for someone coming in to feed the cat, I don't know but I could see his empty food bowl on the patio and I didn't see anyone. The place seemed deserted. Maybe she is taking care of him but I have the feeling, due to that last sighting, that he is not with us anymore.

As for the funny breathing, he had been into our house quite a bit but that was the first time I noticed it. I am no cat expert and its obviously her cat to sort out, I was just trying to help it out as he was very miserable. Maybe it was a mistake, maybe not.

I'll let you know if I see him again but somehow I don't think I will.

seven-day-weekend

There is nothing wrong in feeding the cat, that was a nice thing to do. However the medication being given I thought was wrong. I also thought that the owner should have been consulted, it's not as though it was a stray cat, or that no-one knew who the owner was.

tesuhoha

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

There is nothing wrong in feeding the cat, that was a nice thing to do. However the medication being given I thought was wrong. I also thought that the owner should have been consulted, it's not as though it was a stray cat, or that no-one knew who the owner was.

The neighbour was away when we noticed the breathing. It wasn't my idea at all about the antibiotics. It was my husband who listened to the cat's chest and he was very congested. I think at that point we were thinking we might adopt him if she didn't want him. But he thought better of the medication idea next day and we cancelled the order. So the cat was never given anything by us. It was just sort of frustration and that we wanted to help him so much. He was such a sad little thing. I just keep thinking about him curled on my husband's lap trying to sleep as if at last he had the comfort and affection he had been craving.

We did have a cat years ago and he was a very well looked after cat but he got run over when he was 18 months old. That has kind of put me off.

Dimey

I'm glad you're looking out for the cat Tesuhoha. Maybe he's still alive. I would keep some tinned cat food in stock, just in case he turns up in the middle of winter.

If he does show up again I rather hope your OH would let the neighbour know and offer to take the cat to the vet for her. If it were me I'd even pay the bill because I can't bear to see an animal suffer but I appreciate that's not everyone.

I don't think you're being nosy. I think you are being caring and responsible. Thank you. The cat will be grateful, poor soul.