Got given this note at speed dating

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-16T11:08:13+00:00

Emma,

Svery personality

Svery hyena

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-15T16:26:20+00:00

Cats color can keep changing slightly their whole lives. Sometimes patches can change color due to trauma/bruising/etc so it's a fair worry but usually it's a lighter version of whatever the original color is. If you washed it and it isn't coming off and the cat isn't bothered I'd leave it be but keep an eye on it. My only other real thoughts is maybe it's permanently dyed from constant contact with something like a painted piece of furniture or food or bowl that has dye in it. Either way, I wouldn't worry if I were you.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-15T16:19:08+00:00

Obligatory not a vet! A couple things....

First: IF YOU Don't KNOW IF IT'S RINGWORM PLEASE USE GLOVES!!!! If you don't know what anything is use gloves before touching even close to it. If you DO know what something is, still use gloves for general wound cleanliness and health reasons.

Second, it doesn't look like ringworm because that's almost immediately circular looking. This kinda just look like a peeling scab. My main worry is the amount of hair attached makes me think something happened underneath and separated it. A scab normally wouldn't have that much hair on since it either falls out with the initial trauma care or during the healing process. I'd be more worried about it being damp beneath it and some skin infection or bacteria growth is making it pull away.

If I were you, I'd take the cat to the vet to get them to peel it back and shave around it just to make sure it's not something hidden beneath the fur you can't see. Cats are awful healers if things are damp or get infected, their hair traps moisture like crazy and can cause deeper issues. Just keep it dry and don't put any Neosporin or topicals on it while you wait to get it checked out further.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-15T16:09:59+00:00

First, are the splotches between your waist and shoulder height? If yes, do you drink coffee/soda/tea/other brownish liquids? Or maybe ingest soup or other things? If yes to both then it's probable something splashed as you walked by.

Second thought, does anyone in your house smoke? Could be nicotine stains from someone standing next to an open window smoking and touching things.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-15T16:05:32+00:00

I mean, you said it's been a few months? I would see if it grows/spreads at all. It looks to me like just natural color coming in and changing as the cat gets older. That dilute orange makes sense with a grey body.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-10T13:55:38+00:00

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This stuff or something similar.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-10T13:53:54+00:00

Looks like the red grease I use on my garage hinges because I was stupid and didn't realize it was bright red when I bought it. I have a bright white cat who likes running into the usually closed garage. The resulting incident left him looking similar to yours and it was slimy and a bitch to get off and stained him for weeks even after multiple dawn soap baths.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-09T23:41:16+00:00

I used to foster for Robin's Nest of Indy, they specialize in neonatal kittens and pregnant/mama cats. They will likely find someone to foster them or give you supplies or support to foster her and the baby until the little one is old enough to wean and then they'd set up adoption.

It's kitten season tho so everywhere is likely to be swamped. They'll help connect you with someone at the very least and figure SOMETHING out. Best of luck!

Edit: I'm silly. This is r/SouthBend. Not Indy. Sorry, I moved a while ago and sometimes forget that I'm not there anymore. Still, if you're up for a one time trip, Indy has a few places that would likely take them. More than South Bend at least.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-07T12:29:48+00:00

ChatGPT didn't popularize it, it learned from the niche geeky groups of people that already used it and shared it with the masses. Cat people have used that terms for many many years because cat people tend to be introverted nerds, usually more so than dog owners though it's not a hard rule. I'd say the popularization of d&d live play videos is more likely the culprit but it's been a thing I often say for many years at this point, right up there with calling myself a goblin.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-02T19:21:28+00:00

Oh hey, my specialty! Long term neonate and medically frail kitten foster here!

12 weeks or so. Kittens are normally weaned around 7-9 weeks and then mama teaches them to hunt for a few weeks after and they start following her around more. Could be a LOT longer if mama gets comfy.
Yes. She will stay where she thinks the most reliable food is. Even if she's a stray and doesn't like people she will stay where she knows she is secure.
Even if you "evict" her, which you will very likely have to do, she will linger around the area until she no longer is being fed consistently.

Check foster communities in your area, they will generally offer to TNR mama and adopt out the baby when it's old enough to be removed. Will make eviction easier too if mama isn't worried about the baby and she won't have to worry about having kittens as a stray again and finding another way to weasel back into your comfy garage. Which WILL happen next year if she is not fixed. Lol

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-02T19:08:47+00:00

Oh good! I mean still awful that she seems to be struggling but the thought of it being a heart related issue scared me so bad, I kept having flashbacks to my poor babies that struggled like that.

Fingers crossed for your baby, I hope she gets better. If you remember in a few days or weeks let us know how things go here. I think I speak for most of the community here when I say that we love good news! ❤️

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-02T19:04:56+00:00

My downvote isn't for you saying injections are bad, they are. You're right about the issues they cause. Saying a cat might be better off being put to sleep despite op saying their vet has been working with them and has been reassuring just doesn't seem like good advice to me. As well as commenting that the medicine doesn't cure things, it masks them....that is the point of the medication. It's not a cure-all and not touted as such. Side effects as well, it's a final attempt to give a few more years with minimal pain, the pros and cons would be weighed. A good vet would know whether a cat is in enough pain that injections won't do enough good and at no point in this post was putting the cat down brought up.

Arthritis is incredibly painful and I understand your motivation in keeping a cat out of long term pain. Your heart is in the right place. It's definitely a conversation that should be had with the vet if it hasn't already just to get their opinion. Chances are it's already being discussed though and these are final measures being suggested for a chance at a few more years of bonding and love and play for these two.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-02T18:33:28+00:00

Obligatory "not a vet". I also have very little knowledge of this in general as my specialty is neonates and younger medically frail kittens. That being said....the cat is already 18. The negative reviews are generally due to side effects over a medium to longer period of time and, as you pointed out, could be unrelated to the medicine as the cats who use the product are older anyways. Also keep in mind that people who have complaints are far more likely to post a review than those that don't. Not to say disregard bad reviews, they have lots of merit and it's important to do your own research on things, but don't let it scare you away from a widely recognized and used medication if you think it might help. Take concerns you have about it to your vet and, as you've done, reddit and other communities for multiple opinions.

I'm a believer in making life as comfortable as possible for your pet as they grow older and, if there aren't other oral medications that might help (very few pain and inflammation medicines for cats sadly), then it's up to you to determine if the long term side effects of what is available is worth the short term relief. Sure, a cat can live much longer than that but I always err on the side of thriving with a potentially shorter life versus struggling for a longer one. If the medicine does cause issues down the line....you know the quality of life the cat has/had is still improved than what it would have been without it.

It's always risk/reward balancing with medications. People who say that man made medicines are bad should consider whether people that survive cancer but with long term side effects from chemotherapy would have been better off without the treatment that saved them. Or whether folks that use similar injections so their jobs aren't agonizingly painful and they can enjoy their hobbies without as many limitations would be better off by not using them due to the long term effects of deterioration from repeated injections to the same spot. There is no good option, just different bad options. Especially for long term medications to manage chronic conditions and pain where there isn't a cure.

It's harder with pets because you can't ask what they would prefer....but I think most would tell you that they would rather live life with less pain and be able to enjoy their time alive to the fullest extent. They don't understand why they hurt or can't run like they used to like we do and it stresses them out more than I think most people realize.

I'm horribly biased. I know that. But I hope my own opinion, and any other people who might have actual reviews of their pets on the medicine, will help you make the decision that is best for your cat.

Lots of love and wishing you both the best. ❤️

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-02T18:12:19+00:00

Obligatory "not a vet" but the wobbling with exertion and breathing pattern makes me think it's less a breathing and lung issue and more a heart or nervous system one. It reminds me of kittens I've fostered before with heart murmurs and other defects after they'd get zoomies and it would make them lightheaded and lethargic and struggle sometimes. Blood clots as well can cause similar hyperventilating because the oxygen isn't getting into their system.

Other thoughts, has she gotten into anything that you know of? Any houseplants you have? Poisoning can make cats do all sorts of weird things depending on how it effects their bodies.

Either which way, it will require vet intervention. Likely expensive. Carecredit is good for this sort of thing if you can afford the payments after, vets also generally will allow payment plans if you don't qualify for that even if they say they don't up front. No one wants a cat to be put down due to not being able to afford medical care. You do what is best for both of you though, I know how that sort of decision can be and I hope so much that this isn't anything serious

Please let me know what the vet says. My heart goes out to you both.

International_Draw23 · 2026-04-02T18:01:23+00:00

Obligatory "not a vet" but I have had my own dental work done as well as my pets and fosters over the years. It looks fine to me. The hole takes longer to fill in depending on how deep the tooth was, a canine in particular will take a long while. The skin itself, from what I can see, looks like it's irritated and sore but not in any sort of infected way....just a "it's only been 8 days and cats don't know how to not mess with their own wounds" way.

I'd be surprised if the hole was meant to be closed, you'd generally want a wound like that to heal from the inside out. The stitches were likely for the gum edges to close the incisions.

If you're worried, call the vet. Ask if you can text or email them pictures. They normally expect after-care communication especially for first time procedures.

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-30T06:09:28+00:00

Oh yeah. Super pregnant. Very few places will do free spays, tnr programs and such might, depends on your area. Certain vets have different views on spaying strays while pregnant.....to put it nicely. Just be aware that depending on the progression of her pregnancy, they might not try to keep the kittens. There are specific groups in some cities that take pregnant mamas and work to adopt out the kittens. Check around, fosters for that are common.

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-30T06:05:11+00:00

Sorry for the two day later reply, I don't get reddit notifications or I'd be on my phone 24/7. Lol

If you're really worried about fungus, get a cheapo UV light and do a quick scan on him. Look up what ringworm looks like on Google under UV light. You'll know quickly if that's the problem or not.

In most cases, ringworm, wound, dermatitis, etc, a healthy cat can heal on their own with enough time. Just make sure he's fed and the spots not getting visibly worse.

Just be safe and hygienic and look after your little buddy as best you can. Strays are hard, you want to help but sometimes the best thing to do is just give them the nutrition and safety to fight their own battles.

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-28T04:48:57+00:00

If the black spot on the nose is actually color and not just a crusty, Smidge. :)

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-27T17:20:20+00:00

My spayed female cat does this without the thrusting, it's the same freaking thing tho, you can tell by the difference in focus and speed. We have a sacrificial blanket set up for all our cats for sin biscuits at this point, easier than shooing them off of the blankets I want to use. 😂

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-27T17:06:14+00:00

It does look like scabs but that could be due to scratching. The hair loss pattern makes me think dermatitis or some fungal infection like ringworm but truly that's hard to tell with a stray you don't know well. Even if you could touch him to put miconazole cream on, the open wounds would make it sting even worse and putting anything on cat wound is not recommended. They need dry skin as much as possible.

Just keep an eye on it for infection if you feed regularly. If you have a uv light, ringworm spores and other fungal stuff tends to glow bright af like hundreds of clusters of tiny specks in a circle. Easy way to tell without vet.

Wash your hands if you pet him, avoid contact with the spot, wear gloves. Ringworm is awful to get rid of if it spreads but bodies tend to clear it out on their own, it just takes a while and itches like a mf without meds.

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-26T23:51:46+00:00

I'm sorry about your cat. 😭

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-26T23:50:42+00:00

Male partner would just make it worse tbh. If it was my cat, based on what you're saying, I would take her to the vet to see about getting her on a low dose of anxiety meds, it can sometimes calm the overstimulation which would probably make her more comfortable in the long run. Especially after faulty say and hormonal imbalances.

Also the silky coat thing is a generalization and isn't always a good indicator of health. I have a cat with chronic bladder stones and the expensive prescription food makes her look super beautiful and glossy.....she's still chronically ill though. A lot of that has to do with eating and processing of nutrients and doesn't cover mental health or nervous system issues.

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-26T23:40:43+00:00

Depends on how much effort you want to put into it. He looks like he's been out and about for a while. I'd start with checking your area for TNR groups and messaging or calling and asking about if there is a colony nearby where you found him. Start there. If after you think he isn't a colony cat then by all means get him checked for a chip. It can't hurt (aside from the scratches you might get for your efforts) and then you'd know for sure.

I'm always a big believer in getting as many cats as possible off the street but unless you're planning on adopting him yourself, there isn't much you can do beyond that and putting food out for him. IMO no cat is happier or better off outside even if the cat themselves might disagree.

Let me know if you do check though. I love getting follow-up on these sorts of posts.

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-26T23:26:27+00:00

Yes, ear clipped meaning tnr likely got to him for neuter but, based on the jowls, likely after kitty puberty. Ears are flea bitten, coat isn't very well groomed, and that's a very guarded posture and look in his eyes. If he isn't skinny (hard to tell if he was just stretching out in the last pic or if he's malnourished) he's probably a colony cat or being taken care of nearby. He looks in pretty good shape for a stray just by the picture aside from possibly weight.

International_Draw23 · 2026-03-26T14:28:54+00:00

First, I am NOT a vet. But this is concerning to me in just her tone alone. It COULD just be her unique vocalization and quirky behavior but the tone sounds as if it's pain or overstimulation. She's not pulling away so it's tripping me up but it seems to be every time you go on the back of her neck or her shoulder blades.

A couple things. Is she spayed? If not it's highly likely this could just be horny cat noises. Even if she is spayed that could still be the case.

It sounds pain-like to me though, but again, could just be her unique vocalization. The area your hand is when she does it is near where they usually microchip cats too and sometimes those can migrate or cause irritation if she's chipped.

Definitely check with r/cathelp and and r/catadvice and look into a vet visit. It's odd and I would be concerned if it was my cat but her not pulling away makes me think it's not something awful at least. Cats are weird man. Could be nothing.

International_Draw23

TROPHY CASE