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I was watching Milo in the garden playing with an orangie, whom I thought was Max from next door but as they got closer I saw it was a stranger. I was stood outside the backdoor, both Milly & Milo sniffed at new cat with no aggression on either side. I think he/she (I am going to guess he) is a stray as he was: -
Not wearing a collar (but mine do not, they are chipped instead)
His tongue was stuck out as he was very thirsty (Might be wrong)
Fur a bit dirty not well groomed
Bit of blood on one ear and his tail
Struggled a bit to eat the biscuits (Eating too fast, Bad teeth or Maybe an older cat, seems more flexible than George so less than 8 years ?)
Very vocal and friendly rubbing himself against me and arching his back for strokes.
If he looked in a better condition I would assume, he is a new local cat. But I just get the impression he is not used to being outside or has no access to the inside. Here are a couple of pictures I took in case, we never see him again.
I gave him a very quick look over. Apart from being scratched and dirty he seemed ok but I am no vet. I gave him a bowl of water and some dried cat biscuits, outside. Milo tried to share these biscuits (he tries to eat of everyone's plate) and this cat did slap him but it seemed more too keep the food, than to hurt Milo (Milo did not care). So I took our cats Milly and Milo inside for tea leaving him eating in peace. The question is what do I do now, if he comes back ?
He has not picked a good weekend to turn up, as we are away this weekend. If he comes back after the weekend, I might try and get him in a cat box and ask the local vet to scan him, to see if he has a chip/existing home. This is so funny as I was admiring an orangie called OJ on the internet and an Orangie turned up on my doorstep. !!!
I fed him some left over meat from my cats tea and give him some water outside. A short time later I was talking to my neighbours at the front of the house, when Orangie came up to me. They told me how this is the local stray begging as always. I asked if they were sure he had not got a home, they thought so. I said goodbye, walked up to Orangie (who by now was across the road) picked him up and carried him home.
I have placed him in the spare room with a litter tray, fresh water and food bowl. I have used Milo introduction bowls. So if he has any illness, we can throw the bowls away, I do not want my cats sick. I am letting him get settled in, when I returned with food, he was crying at the window but as soon as he saw the food, he ran over and got tucked in. So I suppose we better take him to the vets to get scanned and checked out and then decide what do with him ?
PS. What will Steve think. I did tell him that I wanted to get Orangie's eyes checked out if he returned.
But not that he would be in the spare room.
PPS. I wash my hands in antibacterial soap, will this prevent my cats getting sick.
Also Orangie's tongue again was hanging out until he drank quite a bit of water, is that a sign of illness ?
I have checked out Orangie in the spare room but I couldn't find him for 5 minutes. Then I remembered someone's advice, that cats can hide in small spaces if scared. I found him wedged between the sofa and wall in a space narrower than him, I pulled it out just far enough so he got actually lie down in comfort. He had eaten all his food (second plate) and looked like he had walked over the litter (little footprints) and when I stroked him, him being behind the sofa, he purred and purred. When Steve came home he gave Caramel a name and a cuddle.
*cries* He won't be alright. :( He tested positive for feline AIDS. The vets said coupled with the intensive mouth problems and possibility of cancer. He is suffering at the moment and even with treatment will continue to suffer for the rest of his life.
We can't let this happen, we have a vet appointment at 2pm for him to be put to sleep :( I can't believe how upset I am, I only knew him for a couple of weeks.
I am so angry at the neighbours who fed him for months/years but never bothered to find out why he had trouble eating biscuits and if he had a home.