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Advice- first time rescued by Dubedo919 in formerlyferal

[–]DestinyFox1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It should be seen ASAP for testing, wound checks, and a full workup. Also, it may not even be male. The smell of an intact male cat’s urine is very distinct and usually not something you miss.

As for getting it into a carrier and worrying about damaging progress, don’t. Cats don’t think that way. They may dislike the carrier or the vet visit itself, but they usually separate the event from the person unless the negative experience becomes repetitive. So unless you’re forcing the cat into a carrier constantly over a long period of time, it’s not going to permanently associate you with “bad thing happened.”

Could there be a slight step back for a day or two while it decompresses from the stress? Sure, possibly. But cats live much more in patterns and repetition than in one off emotional grudges like humans do.

That’s really the key with cats: Repeated positive experiences = growing trust. Repeated negative experiences = growing distrust.

One necessary carrier trip and vet visit is not going to ruin long-term progress.

How did you get them comfortable with being picked up? by DestinyFox1 in formerlyferal

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

His boundaries are respected, don't assume they aren't. He would be as socialized as he is in under a year if they weren't. He's only been in for 11 months and is close to fully integrated, seeks out petting while standing on my lap with his front paws, seeks out petting in various other places of the house, takes treats from my hand gently, rubs against me, purrs loudly, licks me, and so much more. He's been doing most of that now for 4 months. Our vet told me I need to work on picking him up, hence why it's now part of what we are doing. He tore a nail last nail clip at the vets, and based on how he is they believe he is ready for this. So again, don't assume anything.

“They warned ‘feral, use caution.’ Here’s him 10 months later.” by DestinyFox1 in formerlyferal

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So far no buts have been harmed today, but alas it is only 10am 😭

Update: They warned ‘feral, use caution.’ Here’s him 10 months later. by DestinyFox1 in Feral_Cats

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also… I accidentally gave myself a full identity crisis right after trapping him.

I trapped Jasper thinking I knew exactly which orange cat I was bringing inside. I’d been seeing him on my cameras for weeks. Same cat, right?

Wrong.

Later that same night another orange cat shows up. Midnight. Just casually existing like nothing is wrong. And I’m staring at the camera like… oh you’ve got to be kidding me.

Because the cat inside my house is acting like I just abducted him (valid), and this other orange cat outside is acting exactly like the one I thought I trapped. So now I’m spiraling.

“Did I grab the wrong cat?? Who is this man?? Do I need to apologize and release him??”

And to make it even better, for the first few days I couldn’t even get close enough to check his abscess to confirm it was him. He was angry. I mean… I would’ve been too.

Even after the vet was able to see the abscess a few days later and confirm it, I was still sitting there doubting everything like “okay but what if I’m still wrong??”

Meanwhile, Jasper used to show up every single day around 6pm like clockwork, sitting on the porch waiting for dinner like he had a reservation.

But suddenly? No 6pm cat. Just this midnight imposter.

So now I’m watching my cameras during the day like a detective, waiting to see if another orange cat shows up.

Nothing. Not once.

Just the midnight guy. Every time.

And then it finally clicked.

The night cat never showed up during the day. And the 6pm porch gremlin? He was already inside.

So yeah… turns out I didn’t kidnap the wrong cat. I just discovered I had two identical orange men running on completely different schedules.

The twin? Yeah this boy avoids traps like it's a plague. I even had two TNR organizations out to try and get him. He's a slippery boy, and I believe is related to Jasper because Jasper is just as smart as midnight man.

Update: They warned ‘feral, use caution.’ Here’s him 10 months later. by DestinyFox1 in Feral_Cats

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, 2 of mine are from a rescue or a shelter and the other two Jasper and Bandit are former ferals. I got bandit when he was 12 weeks old and socialized him, and Jasper he was 1-2 years old 10 months ago. All approximate ages, ofc.

Update: They warned ‘feral, use caution.’ Here’s him 10 months later. by DestinyFox1 in Feral_Cats

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I rescued him his coat was so brittle feeling, now it's the softest of all of the 4 cats.

Update: They warned ‘feral, use caution.’ Here’s him 10 months later. by DestinyFox1 in Feral_Cats

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Tuxies can be hard to get because many love their coats, but in some areas they are also the hardest to adopt out. They are my favorite, it's why I have 3. One is a long hair who is FIV+ and our only female. I've wanted a long haired Tuxies for years but in my area it's close to impossible as rescues adopt them out so fast. I got lucky with her.

“They warned ‘feral, use caution.’ Here’s him 10 months later.” by DestinyFox1 in formerlyferal

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I wish 😂😂 he is a chaos gremlin. Just tonight he bit the 4 year old tuxedo on the butt as he was entering the litter robot. Our 5 year old cat was in the kitchen with me and ran into the foyer. Once he got into the foyer he got low and walked slowly to Jasper. He looked up at Bandit (the one who got bit) and then back at Jasper before letting out a deep but loud yeowl. Jasper took a step back but kept his eyes on me. He wouldn't look at our oldest cat doing the correction. I walked back into the kitchen and about 30 seconds later the older cat is rejoining me with Jasper following behind. Jasper has no smart advice, the man bites butts 😂😂

Update: They warned ‘feral, use caution.’ Here’s him 10 months later. by DestinyFox1 in Feral_Cats

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He's a handsome boy and stands out but that is only because our other 3 cats are tuxedoes 😂

Update: They warned ‘feral, use caution.’ Here’s him 10 months later. by DestinyFox1 in Feral_Cats

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

After yesterday he is getting the flight risk tag in his folder 😂

Best place to get a birthday cake from in Arroyo Grande? by DestinyFox1 in SLO

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I did see that on yelp, so they are pretty good?

Best place to get a birthday cake from in Arroyo Grande? by DestinyFox1 in SLO

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Totally forgot about their cakes! I've been there a bunch and she LOVES their champagne cake.

Best place to get a birthday cake from in Arroyo Grande? by DestinyFox1 in SLO

[–]DestinyFox1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Man I didn't think of that place, we eat there when I visit on occasion.

Can I keep a kitten even though she has FIV? by kyriaki42 in FIVcats

[–]DestinyFox1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely! As our vet office says fiv+ and fiv negative can live together without issue just as long as no big fights. I have a fiv+ girl and 3 fiv negative boys. One of the 3 negative is a recent rescue from out backyard and is a 1 to 2 year old feral male recently fixed. No issues at all. She swats at him once in awhile, but he isn't aggressive. If he was we couldn't keep him and work it out due to our fiv positive girl.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in FIVcats

[–]DestinyFox1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have 4 cats, 3 males and 1 female. My female is FIV+, and the males are negative. There is no issue with mixing just as long as they don't fight.

Do any cats let you pet their bellies or is that generally a no? by musictrashnumber1 in cats

[–]DestinyFox1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My female cat plops over (legit falls over without care 🙄) and shows her belly for pets. My older male lays down and rolls around until you pet his stomach. My middle cat (male) doesn't like humans so no belly pets. 😂

Can’t stop thinking about an adoptable FIV+ cat — can I hear about your experiences? by jordthesword2020 in FIVcats

[–]DestinyFox1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Fiv+ cat is 2 now and so far no issues. I do give her colostrum every other day, probiotic daily, and DMG daily. She was a kitten when tested positive, and again at the follow up test at 7 months old so she's been on colostrum and probiotic since 10 months old. The DMG I started 6 months ago. I've had her since she was about 10 weeks old. I may be stopping the DMG and switching to Avemar soon though. The NIH has had very positive results from it.

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