It's hard to wait for news of a beloved pet that is sick or injured. Why is it also so hard to wait while a cat that I've never sat with or held for more than a moment?
A little over a week ago Catie Purry stopped showing up for feedings. I didn't think much of it because sometimes the cats miss a day or two, but are still 'there'. Sunday afternoon, I saw her walking away from the food in the afternoon. She looked weak with a slow shuffling gait. I baited a trap and set it out for her that evening, but she didn't re-emerge from the brush. Monday morning I put traps out again. After about 45 minutes of watching, I went to the area where I have seen her and her two siblings 'nest' together. She was nearby, nestled between a tree trunk and retaining wall, sheltering from the cold wind. She looked terrible with dirt and drainage around her eyes and nose. With gloves on, I gently picked her up and put her in a carrier. She struggled against being lifted, but did not put up much resistance being placed in the carrier.
The vet gave her two shots and told me I could bring her home and clean her up - I've nurtured sick kittens before. I explained that my home is at capacity and I couldn't have her there right now. She was boarded overnight and I expected that she would improve enough (as did the vet) that she could be released to a foster home the next day.
She did improve, but would not eat on her own, only by syringe feeding. I had found a wonderful volunteer to foster her and perhaps keep her after she recovered. Now we were told to wait. Her healing had plateaued. Early this morning she had seizures. Not good. The vet now expects that it is Feline herpesvirus. For now all we can do is manage the symptoms and wait.
The other cats appear to be healthy including her siblings that she is close with. I'm keeping their food and water bowls clean and providing as much shelter as I can for the upcoming extreme cold weather.
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