I planned to spend a quiet Christmas day at home with family, But the last few days predicted another course for me.
A few days ago I noticed a kitten running through a colony of adult cats that I have trapped and fixed since 2006. Probably a new cat joined the population and hence the new kitten.
I set a trap and caught the kitten, while his mother stood anxiously next to the cage. It broke my heart to separate them, but I brought the hissing and spitting feral kitten home.
On December 23th he was taken in to be fixed.
On December 24th I took him, in the trap, back to the place where I had found him. I used the kitten as bait to get the mother. I set the trap he was in next to another trap. I covered both cages so the mother could not see in. The only way for the mother to see her kitten would be for her to enter the trap on the other side of him
December 25th 2008 I set out for the area at 7:30 I found the mother had been caught ! My heart leap for joy
UPDATE
I cannot release the mother and son back to the neighborhood where I got them as the mother is very sick.
She has swollen lips that stick out as if she was stung by a bee,the lips are coverd with ulcers from one end to the other . She also has one eyes closed and full of pus.I will have her tested tomorrow for aids and leukenia. If she is positive for leukemia or aids then she will be put down, considering she she has severe sores on her mouth which will require prednizone and if she has leukemia or aids this could further lower her immune system. I just hope she tests negative so we can try to help her recover her health.
To see exactly what her lip sores look like click the url below to see cats with these ulcers. http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/eulcer.html
Very pitiful sight - See photos below..I will take her to see a Vet tomorrow. If she is put down for aids/leukemai then her kitten will have to be tested. Tomorrow will tell us so much. In the meanwhile I was able carry and put her in a rabbit hutch I have. so she is not a feral. I also was able to get the kitten to go into the hutch from his cage. He is wild and feral.
Below are pictures I took of them this morning. After the visit to the vet I will update this page. I hope the mother does not need to be put down as her son is so emotionally dependent on her.
I moved them from the traps to the two sided hutch without much trouble
UPDATE! December 27-
Yesterday at the Vet and I agreed to a complete blood panel on the mom instead of the limited Aids/Leukemia test which alone costs 45.00 The complete panel is 105.00 and tests functions of kidneys, liver, as well as all blood cells, Fip, Aids, Leukemia and infections.
. Everything came back Okay!.........except for infection which we can see she has plenty of that!
Certain ulcers and sores on a cats upper lips and back of legs are often from the body over reacting to fleas. The white blood cells change and inflammation on the lips or skin develops. She will also be put on a organic can diet for awhile.
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2009
The cat has health issues involving the pancreas. I have put her on a raw food diet and grainless organic foods, both canned and dry. 5 lbs of Orijen cost $ 22. A 12 lb bag of Natures naturals cost. She also likes the Nature Variety raw lamb and the chicken
I had to have more bloodwork done and subcu fluids and every few months she needs steroid shots.
December 27th Just 2 days of antibiotics in her eye- I did not do any washing of the eye area. I will clean the ears once she feels more comfortable with me. The neck was shaved and blood drawn Dec 26th which accounts for the sore looking area
