Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy

[Wanderlost]

On 18 Dec, a very large cat showed up at our house. It was late and cold, and he looked in the door and made it clear he wanted inside. Well, since we have two cats already and he was a stranger, we could not let him in the house. WLToo walked out and the cat ran to him, so he walked the cat into the garage and into the climate controlled room out there.

He was extremely hungry and thirsty, but in otherwise good condition and very clean. We fixed up a bed for him, set up the feeding and elimination stations, and went to bed.

Next day, we worked in the garage all day, while the big guy slept or supervised. We found him to be an intact male, no sign he's ever worn a collar, and he has a strong need to be in the general vicinity of humans. For an intact male, he's remarkably mellow - I don't think he was the alpha cat in his previous home.

Have had zero responses to the "found cat" notices around the area and online, so we'll be working with the local rescues to get him neutered and all his shots, then find him a home. We can't keep him because he's just too big for our two cats to share our small house. Alex would have another emotional meltdown, and I don't want to go through that mess again (long, ugly story).

For now, we're calling him Spot, not that he answers to it (does answer to "Kitty, Kitty"). No idea how he travels; we'll find out when we take him to the vet on Tuesday.

If anyone knows of someone who would like a large (about 15-18 pounds) cat who needs to be with people, please let me know. No cat novices, please; this cat needs someone who knows exactly how to handle an adult cat of this size, especially when he's feeling frisky.





We're at Canyon Lake, TX, so if there are any Winter Texans nearby who would like to meet him and maybe give him a home, that would be great.

[Wanderlost]

Spousal Unit thought he didn't like cats, until I brought home a pair early in our marriage. Now he firmly believes that a house without a cat has a sad, dismal echo to it. We've gone a few weeks without a cat here and there over the years, and hated every minute without one or two or three or....

Czarny's the first cat we've had who is so freakin' possessive that he will not tolerate any other animal in his space. During the short time we had Randolph Scatt, he was very unhappy, but Randolph was so chill he just totally ignored Czarny. The fact that he didn't try to climb into my lap probably helped Czarny deal with it, too.

Appears the smellier the salmon/whatever blend, the better Czarny likes his gooshy food. Has to have the salmon in it, though, or he flatly ignores it. He's happy, though, so I'll just have to keep the gooshy food in the household budget.

Weatherman last night said we might need to wear coats -- in January! Yep, a cold front came through last night, and we're not gonna get out of the 50s, with a goodly breeze making it feel colder. Don't think I need a coat, though; a flannel shirt over my tee will do fine. I am wearing actual shoes and socks, instead of my sandals. Still don't feel the need to turn the heater on.

Welp, gotta head off to the hardware store for more caulk. Home maintenance is never ending... Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

Renovations are tough. Glad yours went so smoothly.

We're "babysitting" Spotacus 2.0. His parents are on vacay in Bermuda. He's not stressed about it at all. He's got his favorite food, his favorite toy and his fave "binkie" and he's chill. He's one of those cats that thinks any lap will do. His parents will come back on Sunday night. I gotta admit we've missed having a cat since our old guy passed away last year. Might have to make a trip to the animal shelter soon.

[Wanderlost]

Got our shower converted to a barrier free one. Still waiting on the glass, so Sister is coming up with a rod and curtain she used until Mom's new shower glass arrived. Looks a heckuva lot nicer than the DIY shower it replaced, although the old was installed just well enough that there was zero moisture underneath it or in the walls. Installer was able to just slap blue board (or whichever is the water resistant stuff) over the extant plywood and make a solid backing for the new shower. He also increased the drain pipe to 2" over the 1.5" that was there. We should be able to use it tomorrow.

Czarny was curious about the installer, but not enough to go anywhere near the bedroom or that side of the north porch. He either stayed under the deck or under the spare bedroom blankets.

Meanwhile, I had to return some of his gooshy food, after he threw up three times. Same lot numbers, and he ate the other stuff without issue, so it was the food. They didn't have the one he really likes in stock, so we're trying other salmon and something foods. Could be interesting...

Tall Friend's Millie has finally decided to sit on his lap. Twice so far. She's even started zooming through the house, and that's a big sign she's getting comfortable in her new home. She does sleep with him, but at the foot of the bed. He's still hoping she'll eventually cuddle with him.

Spousal Unit needs a haircut, so I'll bundle him into the truck now. Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

Wanderlost wrote:
Several days in a row now, Czarny has demanded we go walkies. Today, just as Czarny reached the end of what passes for a sidewalk in front of the south porch, a deer snorted loudly from across the fence. I didn't know a cat could jump that high from a standing start... He continued the walk, but much closer to me than normal.

Spousal Unit got an MRI on his spine today, so the pain management folks can figure out what might work to ease his pain without going to opoids.

Well, there's a cat demanding I play with him. Later, y'all.

Keep us posted on SU's progress. He's still in our prayers.

Cats have always amazed me with their jumping abilities. Sounds like Czarny needs his mom.:B

[Wanderlost]

Several days in a row now, Czarny has demanded we go walkies. Today, just as Czarny reached the end of what passes for a sidewalk in front of the south porch, a deer snorted loudly from across the fence. I didn't know a cat could jump that high from a standing start... He continued the walk, but much closer to me than normal.

Spousal Unit got an MRI on his spine today, so the pain management folks can figure out what might work to ease his pain without going to opoids.

Well, there's a cat demanding I play with him. Later, y'all.

[dturm]

Fantastic news!!!

[magnusfide]

Wanderlost wrote:
Czarny is definitely a fan of salmon in gravy. He's happily chowing down on various canned foods that have salmon as a major ingredient. Also switched him from Fromm's Hasenduckenpfeffer to salmon tuna blend for his kibble. Assuming he doesn't overeat the dry food, he's not likely to get fat. At the moment, he's got a severe case of the zoomies across the deck and back.

It's absolutely gorgeous today. Gonna be about 68, light breeze and sunny clear skies, thanks to yesterday's little bit of air cleansing rain. Yesterday was dead still and muggy, so not near as nice as today. We have the house open to the breeze and are wearing shorts. No, this isn't normal January weather here; it's 10 degrees higher than normal. We'll take it...

Last Thursday, Spousal Unit got some wonderful news. Cancer is in total remission; his PSA was 0.00! He still has a lot of back pain, a combo of arthritis and assorted other spinal damage, but he'll get meds to rebuild bone now. He can start physical therapy to rebuild muscle (as soon as I browbeat him into not being Tall Friend...).

He even danced about ten steps with me (he started it); so I know he's feeling much better.

The laundry has announced it's done. Later, y'all.

That's good news all around! It's a reason to do zoomie-celebration.

[Wanderlost]

Czarny is definitely a fan of salmon in gravy. He's happily chowing down on various canned foods that have salmon as a major ingredient. Also switched him from Fromm's Hasenduckenpfeffer to salmon tuna blend for his kibble. Assuming he doesn't overeat the dry food, he's not likely to get fat. At the moment, he's got a severe case of the zoomies across the deck and back.

It's absolutely gorgeous today. Gonna be about 68, light breeze and sunny clear skies, thanks to yesterday's little bit of air cleansing rain. Yesterday was dead still and muggy, so not near as nice as today. We have the house open to the breeze and are wearing shorts. No, this isn't normal January weather here; it's 10 degrees higher than normal. We'll take it...

Last Thursday, Spousal Unit got some wonderful news. Cancer is in total remission; his PSA was 0.00! He still has a lot of back pain, a combo of arthritis and assorted other spinal damage, but he'll get meds to rebuild bone now. He can start physical therapy to rebuild muscle (as soon as I browbeat him into not being Tall Friend...).

He even danced about ten steps with me (he started it); so I know he's feeling much better.

The laundry has announced it's done. Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

Glad for Czarny's recovery. Tell your friend that Millie is a good name. Stephany, keep your pets close and escorted if you have coyotes and bobcats. They love to feast on our pets when they can.

[Stephany]

Glad to hear that Czarny is on the mend and that he likes the gooshy food.

I am envious of your read-outside-temps. It finally stopped raining, snowing, and freezing here, but it definitely is not warm enough to spend extended time outside without bundling.

I heard a cat in the middle of the night last week too. It was a low, very loud growling/meow. My cat, Oscar, was next to me at the window and was as alarmed as I was. We have a pack of coyotes on the other side of our fence that sometimes eat a neighbor cat. But this was much louder and not screaming. So, I am pretty sure it was a bobcat that has been prowling our little suburb north of Seattle. We are now escorting our beagle out to do his business at night, since the bobcat is about the same size as him.

I would be very glad not to hear that cat in my yard again!

[Wanderlost]

Sunny and in the mid-70s on New Year's Day and today. Had lunch at Tall and Short Friends' place, where we were introduced to their cat. Tall Friend has wanted his own lap cat for some time, and they finally found one. She's a lovely, mostly white with a few gray splotches long hair about 3 years old. She came with the name Striker, which Tall Friend said does not fit her at all. He's thinking Millie.

They have two giant cat towers for her, one in the bedroom and one in the living room. As she becomes accustomed to her new home, she'll have great views from both towers.

Czarny's finished all his meds and will finish his prescription gooshy food tonight. He loved the gooshy food so much that I bought some small cans of grain-free gooshy food at the feed store, to save our sanity when it's gone. If he likes those, the cat food budget will have to increase...

He woke us up about 0230 with an outraged shriek. Didn't see what set him off, but I think it was probably one of the raccoons that like to stroll across the porch. Took a good, long while to get back to sleep, and it wasn't very good. Gave up at 0700, and now I'm seriously considering a quick snooze.

Sent the gas range we brought with us from Virginia off to a new home. A writer friend stopped by for a quick visit. Since she has gas at her house and desperately needed a better working stove, we gave it to her. Now we have about six cubic feet of extra room in the garage. I can actually walk around in there without something reaching out to snag my shirt. Now I'm going to start hauling bits of pieces to the thrift store as I notice them. Maybe this year will see the garage become a garage again, and not a junk yard...

It's too pretty to stay inside. I'm taking a book outside. Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

I'm glad to know Czarny is making his med sessions easy with the salmon.

I'll be glad to see "normal" again. This has been rough not being able to go outside. 50s sound great. I'll take the 40s too. We haven't been above 15°F yet. The visiting relatives be like "Turn up the thermostat!"

[Wanderlost]

Czarny is chowing down on his prescription canned salmon, into which I put the medication. He's now absolutely demanding his twice daily feedings/meds. I guess we'll be adding moist food to his diet. I'm going to reserve the salmon for anytime he might need medications, though, since he loves it so much he's literally licking the dish clean.

After several days of freezing one's cockles off, it warmed up to about 52 today. Czarny spent more time outside than in, avoiding the Christmas dinner guests. It will be a hard freeze again tonight, then we'll quickly get back to normal, 60s/70s daytime and upper 30s/lower 40s at night.

I actually had to break 1" thick ice in the hot tub today. Haven't broken ice since the farm as a kid, but I still remembered how to do it. We'd shut down and drained the pool pump as a precaution, and that was a good thing. But it did mean the pool got a bit of rime on top, and the hot tub froze. We'll wait until Wed or Thurs to restart the system, giving it plenty of time to thaw.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas Day.

[dturm]

If you run into too many problems giving the antibiotic, ask your vet about COVENIA. It's an antibiotic injection that lasts 2 weeks. Wonderful option for hard to medicate cats.

[Stephany]

Poor Czarny!

He needs D-Mannose, stat! It is a sugar that cats/dogs/people don't digest, but that e-coli loves! The bacteria feeds on the D-Mannose and get washed out of the body. It can be taken with antibiotics, but it will often kick the UTI on it's own. I first learned about it with my FILs frequent UTIs and his C-Dif. You can either sprinkle it on the wet food or mix it with water and syringe it in his mouth.

Here is more info: https://www.vetinfo.com/d-mannose-for-cats.html

Cornsilk extract can also help. It reduces inflammation in the urinary tract and it is a diuretic, so it can really help with the pain and in partnership with the D-Mannose.

Last, an all wet diet can help keep UTIs from occurring.

Hope this helps and he feels better soon. Hope you'll post a pic of his new Crocheted binkie!

Stephany