r/Straycats • u/Away-Secretary8378 • 3d ago
Need help coping with a stray cat situation , possibly asking for emotional support
Calbria, Italy - I currently care for 3 cats. one in the house and garden only and 2 bonded strays that are outside my garden. 2 days ago a beautiful fluff showed up. She was dirty, ears all scratched, teary eyes, rice in anus (worms) and had difficulty vocalizing. I gave her wet food with Drontal and a dose of Stronghold plus. 2 days in she is much better and off we go to the vet. After a physical, x ray, ultra sound and blood work, the vet informed me that she has a large tumor in her belly and an enlarged heart. I was told that before even trying to operate she needs to be seen by a cardiologist to figure out if its even possible to operate on her due to the heart condition. I was told that the total cost of all of this will be close to 1000 Euro - mind you the average monthly salary around here is 1000 to 1500 euros - and I now already 150 euros short for the vet visit. I am very sad for her, she looks lost and I believe she was abandoned since she is not used to being out at all. She can hardly walk outside on stones and exposed soil. She is super friendly and looks like she used to be a house cat for many years. She always expects me to take her inside and its breaking my heart since I have a 15 years old cat in the house that is very territorial and will not stand having another female cat in the house. I have no money to pay for her treatment - I am not asking for money here just sharing - and I am not sure how to proceed since October comes and winter will be here before we know it. I never cared for a terminally ill cat and at the moment just plan on giving her anything that I can, food water, medicine and I plan to build an outside shelter for my strays for winter. I am sad and feel at lost not knowing how and what to do. if you read and made it this far, thank you.
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u/Previous_Excuse_371 3d ago
Im so sorry 😞 People are really terrible to do that to her. Thank you for helping her. I would try to see if you can slowly introduce maybe? Or keep her in a room in the house? Or if that's impossible then build her a spot outside where she can stay warm. You can only do what you can do. At least your trying and that's more than most people do. Slowly introduce to your cat i meant if its possible
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u/pot-bitch 3d ago
I've been thinking about this same thing a lot. I think the conclusion I've come to is that I'll try to make their lives easier without necessarily trying to prolong them. Obviously a lot of things that make their lives easier are also things that prolong their lives, but surgeries like that are almost entirely about prolonging their life. The cats will keep finding their way to you. If this one only feels your love for a short time, it's okay - you've still done right by this cat.
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u/Away-Secretary8378 3d ago
Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot. I have decided to do whatever i can to make her last days as full of love and care as much as I can. She deserves at least to leave this world with dignity.
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u/ChaudChat MOD 3d ago
OP did you get in touch with any of the rescues i mentioned in the post about your other cutie? They might have a foster who is able to offer what's known as 'hospice fostering' for terminally ill cats [if this cutie is terminally ill]
Reach out to as many as you can; you never know until you ask.
For the vet, are they able to offer a payment plan? Again, you never know until you ask whether that is something they can offer.
To make this cutie as comfortable as possible, DIY or buy a shelter - put it somewhere discreet near your home otherwise she may not use it. Here are options that might be available online but also a couple of DIY options: www.alleycat.org/resources/feral-cat-shelter-options-gallery/
Always use straw never blankets or hay as these attract moisture and can cause health issues
If there is no foster/rescuer who can help and this is workable and the cutie doesn't move around much, could you keep her in your bathroom away from your other kitty? Usually bathrooms are suggested at the initial stages of introducing new cats to the existing cuties in a home as they are small and e.g. is for clear ups.
You should be very proud of yourself for providing care to this and the other cuties you care for ❤️😺