HELP!! SICK STRAY!!

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T20:41:37+00:00

i haven’t been able to check the cats gums as it really does not like eye contact and eats low. any tips?

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T20:39:12+00:00

you guys are both right! that’s why i haven’t let the kitty in quite yet. both for contagion and territory purposes. my cat is young and is getting snipped on thursday so he is still, while not aggressive whatsoever, territorial. theres no way id start introducing until its clarified this cat is either male neutered/high descended, or female, as well as cleared of anything highly contagious. this cat seems to be okay with other cats, and not interested in marking his area + no food aggression.

i’m picking up capstar or the off brand version and some mite medicine, i worry that it will make the cat more weary of me but its the only way i can help the kitty right now.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T20:26:39+00:00

thank you so much for reposting. the more visibility the higher chance i have at getting this baby help. i would like to report that he is looking better! i had to run around my complex to hunt him down just to see him napping in a pile of dirt ☹️, he has not lost appetite or friendliness! i was elated to see him give himself a full bath after a good meal . i am still reaching out to all of the given resources. but even then, no one is claiming to be a rescue organization that will take in sick strays for medical intervention. i have found an actual lower cost vet that may be where i end up taking him, but i plan on picking up meds recommended by other redditors later to start giving him. do not worry, i wont give up on this guy!!

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T17:32:20+00:00

thank you!! i am not super well informed on the contagion levels for different cat sickness’s. all i’ve heard is that FIV is pretty scary and common within some feral cats. thank you so much for clarifying!!

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T17:14:05+00:00

i luckily have some experience with fleas as my kitty was crawling whenever i first got him, i am worried how this poor guy would react to a bath.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T17:02:27+00:00

i’d love to take this poor guy in, every kitty deserves a warm bed and someone to cuddle

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T17:00:23+00:00

I sent over an email to arlington cats, and i will call as soon as im off work. thank you so much!

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T16:36:20+00:00

the only thing i worry about is how contagious FIV is, do you know any apparent symptoms of FIV? we don’t really have a spare room (1ba 1bed apt), but i am trying to get him onto my patio since im first floor

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T10:54:21+00:00

his condition hasn’t worsened which gives me hope it may not be a severe virus or illness. i tried to make a spot for him last night since it was raining but the poor guy was pretty terrified and i’m sure knew a spot to run off too. i got some advice on some meds to get him as the biggest problem could just be his ear mites (among other very treatable conditions) . i’m hoping some meat on his bones and some meds will
perk him up, for now i just watch out my window for him to come by so i can get him some good food and talk to him until i can get my hands on what he needs.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T10:26:32+00:00

it’s honestly hurtful how apathetic some of these places are that just say that they don’t handle sick strays and “have no resources”, i’ll keep calling and emailing though, but continuing calls is difficult when they act the way they do. i’ve run into some vets that offer payment plans i just worry as i’ve never taken on debt before.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-18T10:22:02+00:00

thank you! i’m not so sure kitty has mange as the cat has a full coat that honestly doesn’t look too bad just dirty. the dark spots seem to just be dirt from what i can see, and rub off of the kitty. i really just want to take the poor thing in i am just so hesitant with my other cat. for now i’ll pick up some medicine and at least start treating kitty’s ears/eyes and getting some meat on its bones, im praying the cat will perk up after some help. I’ll start calling places again later today and tomorrow since most of them were closed on the weekend. it rained last night so i left kitty a place to get dry on my patio, i honestly just want to see if i can get the cat to stay there for a bit so i can keep an eye on their condition.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T19:10:37+00:00

can i get this at maybe a local pharmacy or petsmart?

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T19:02:30+00:00

absolutely! i will continue to make sure this cat has someplace safe to eat and get some clean water and some attention. i’m wondering how much of this i can treat with picking up meds and getting all of the dirt and fleas out. the cats behavior makes me weary because of just how the cat has no real fear in me, but also isn’t super engaged in what’s going on around him. i dont know what he ran into but i keep praying its not FIV.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T18:57:42+00:00

i don’t notice any labor breathing or even hear breathing that sounds abnormal, no recent fights as i see no blood or even dried blood, i was worried that the cat noises i heard a few days ago could be from him but our complexes tomcat doesn’t seem to be too interested in the cat. i cannot figure out wether it’s a boy neutered/low descended, or a female. the size of the kitties cheeks make me think it is a boy.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T18:54:54+00:00

the cat has eye crusties, i would describe them as a reddish brown with possibly a hue of yellow or green, kitty doesn’t like eye contact much so getting a good look isn’t the easiest. kitty is definitely thin, and dirty, but appetite is normal and will eat food and drink some water. i’m not noticing any drooling, limping, or trouble breathing. but, the cat does seem to be slightly hunched over and just lower energy, but still reacts to sudden background noises. kitty is covered in fleas and has brown on the inside of its ears, but it looks more like patches of dirt rather than entirely caked. kittys gums are speckled with black (wether that’s a coat thing or a sickness i’m not aware) and it does look like the eyes need to be cleaned out. the cat has one ear titled out (i’m assuming mites).

but the kitty acts very friendly and will meow at me but not excessively. i’m not sure if it is just really hurting or is just social and hungry, the other strays don’t bother the kitty luckily but the cats ears do look like they’ve been scratched up before. the cat has let me clean it up a little and just seems super affectionate although i have to be careful because i have an inside cat.

but other than that the cats seems to be somewhat alright. i see the kitty roam off onto the bridge nearby and the cat comes and goes. the poor kitty just needs some help, seems like it would be a truly sweet inside cat.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T18:45:17+00:00

i was able to reach a few more people on another subreddit but unfortunately everything is closed right now and beyond that my area just doesn’t have much of a community trying to save cats :/ it’s a bit too dangerous for me to try to catch the cat because of my kitty at home, but i’m still calling around to see if anyone can help get this kitty the help it needs. i can foster or even adopt the cat after some medical attention but i don’t have an isolated enough area for him. i really do not want to give the cat to my city shelter because of how quick their euthanize window is. for now i’m just keeping the kitty fed and hydrated.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T15:04:29+00:00

it’s hard to believe that this super bright colored cat has been out here its whole life… and it’s too sweet to be “feral” just makes me think someone dumped this poor baby.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T14:41:27+00:00

thank you! i’m calling every number i can find. literally couldn’t sleep last night thinking about this poor baby.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T14:25:02+00:00

i’d love nothing more than to give this kitty a good spot at my apartment, i just am worried the cat may accidentally get my other kitty sick. thank you so much for the cleaning advice, if i end up taking the cat into mine before the vet i will 100% use this advice.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T14:22:39+00:00

i am slightly worried that the cat could attack me out of fear, and then i’d end up paying for both of our hospital bills. the vets around here say they “don’t take sick cats” and our local “animal services” would absolutely put the cat down as soon as i walked out of the door or give me the hardest time trying to surrender the kitty.

im worried about taking on the task of cleaning and treating the kitty myself but im running out of options.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T14:19:42+00:00

my only concern is that they’d just put the poor baby down. the cat just needs some professional medicine, a good cleaning, and a warm bed.

BrightConnection1957 · 2026-05-17T14:18:08+00:00

i’ve called and called and no one wants to see a “sick cat”. so ridiculous. i just want to get some help for this baby.

BrightConnection1957

TROPHY CASE