Princess and I took a walk one day and a kitten ran across the street to follow us. That is unusual, as cats tend to stay in their yard when people walk by. We’d never seen this kitten before, and hadn’t heard of any neighborhood litters. He looked to be about 12 weeks old, and walked with a limp. He followed us for two blocks, even though we tried to shoo him back home. If he had one.
Two days later, he’s at our front door, tired, listless, and skinny. I took food and water outside, and had to carry him to the bowls. Later, Gothgrrl insisted we bring him inside. She declared his name is Tom. So I guess we have another cat. I would have preferred a more imaginative name, but Tom, or Tommy, it is. He brightened up a little with food and attention, but was not frisky, and wouldn’t use his right front paw at all. We scheduled a vet visit. He started running a fever the night before the trip.
It turned out his leg is not damaged, but he had an badly infected cyst in his shoulder, requiring surgery. He came home the next day with a rubber tube down his incision, which I have to flush around with antiseptic, and dose him with oral antibiotics, too. He hates me because of this. But he loves Gothgrrl and sleeps with her every night. And he started using that paw again. After a week of recovery, he even started going up and down stairs! The vet removed the tube a couple of days ago (although we still have to flush) and he should get his stitches out today.
The other cats hate Tommy, probably because he smells like medicine. Gogo, who is 16 years old, just ignores him. She’s seen cats come and go. Marshmallow and Apollo are scared of him. It’s usually the youngest cat that takes a new kitten under its wing, but Apollo is the youngest, and he’s very wary of another tomcat, especially one that hasn’t been neutered and smells like medicine. Poor Apollo feels so put upon because he cannot make himself come inside with that horrible kitten around. Sigh. Things may change when Tommy is back to full health, but we’ve invested a lot in this kitten so far, so he’s not going anywhere.
Two days later, he’s at our front door, tired, listless, and skinny. I took food and water outside, and had to carry him to the bowls. Later, Gothgrrl insisted we bring him inside. She declared his name is Tom. So I guess we have another cat. I would have preferred a more imaginative name, but Tom, or Tommy, it is. He brightened up a little with food and attention, but was not frisky, and wouldn’t use his right front paw at all. We scheduled a vet visit. He started running a fever the night before the trip.
It turned out his leg is not damaged, but he had an badly infected cyst in his shoulder, requiring surgery. He came home the next day with a rubber tube down his incision, which I have to flush around with antiseptic, and dose him with oral antibiotics, too. He hates me because of this. But he loves Gothgrrl and sleeps with her every night. And he started using that paw again. After a week of recovery, he even started going up and down stairs! The vet removed the tube a couple of days ago (although we still have to flush) and he should get his stitches out today.
The other cats hate Tommy, probably because he smells like medicine. Gogo, who is 16 years old, just ignores him. She’s seen cats come and go. Marshmallow and Apollo are scared of him. It’s usually the youngest cat that takes a new kitten under its wing, but Apollo is the youngest, and he’s very wary of another tomcat, especially one that hasn’t been neutered and smells like medicine. Poor Apollo feels so put upon because he cannot make himself come inside with that horrible kitten around. Sigh. Things may change when Tommy is back to full health, but we’ve invested a lot in this kitten so far, so he’s not going anywhere.
What a kind thing to do for another creature! Good for you and your family!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! He has a very sweet face.
ReplyDeletethats the most mischevious lookin face I've ever seen on a cat
ReplyDeletemay Tommy bring plenty of special moments
The stitches are out now, and he is actually acting like a kitten: running, jumping, and playing!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter's youngest wanted a gray male cat, so they found one at a shelter and brought him home. The feral female already living there decided she really didn't like him. My daughter tried everything, and then heard about cat pheremones. She bought some with a diffuser, and now the cats curl up together and all is well.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look into that! Thanks, Barbwire!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you. Blessings upon you for helping the poor abandoned little thing!
ReplyDeleteI hope Tommy gets along with all the other cats now. It has been a while since you got him, but I didn't see any updates. I bet he is a beautiful cat.
ReplyDelete