Meet Lukas

[MarkB]

There has been a cat around for several years who was always after food. It often didn't show up at weekends, but other times, appeared a couple of time a day. We assumed it was owned, but no very well cared for. Its fur was always matted. We called it Lazalike (as it is black and long-haired like our Laz) about 8 or 9 weeks ago I noticed it had a problem with its mouth and was struggling to eat. It got so bad that it would try to eat even soft food, but flinch, yelp and run off. I tried catching it without any luck, but in the meantime, I liquidised pate food with water to feed it 'cat food soup'. I borrowed a trap, but it wouldn't go anywhere near. I tried grabbing it one day, but ended up badly bitten and scratched, with swollen infected hands (I was on antibiotics for a week). I remembered that it wandered into the house a few times earlier in the year and always made a beeline for catnip toys (we put a stop to it coming in after it started spraying) so I ordered a yeoww banana and managed to enice it in the house. The first time, it bolted out of the cat flat, so I waited and tried again (by this time, it was in a bad way and it was skind and bone ) and locked the flap before enicing it it with the toy. I threw the banana into the shower room and the cat followed, so I closed the door. I had already set up a tray and a tent with a bed in + a water bowl and liquidised food. I took it to the vet the next day. It had a badly infected mouth. It was kept in for the day and was neutered (it turned out to be a boy) clipped, given a metacam jab and started on antirobe. The vet sent off bloods for FIV and FeLV tests, which she was amazed, were both negative. She thinks there is a chance he may have Calicivirus, which we will be testing for and he may need to have most of his teeth removed, but we have been giving him time to settle as he is still very hissy and skittish (he has our attic suite with his own bedroom and bathroom ) He is like a differnt cat though. He loves nothing better than lying on one of us purring and face rubbing. He is going to be on Antirobe and Metacam for a few more weeks yet, but I will take him back for testing then and take it from there. We can't risk letting him out of the room yet in case he makes a bid for freedom, although he seems quite happy and contented in the warm with a soft bed and plenty to eat

PS - when I was trying to find out if he was owned, it turned out that he just had another feeder.

[Janey]

Lukas is gorgeous Mark, and good to hear he’s doing so well (was thinking the other day). He must feel so much better, and glad to be out of the cold with a nice warm bed, regular food, and someone to care for him.

[Ruth B]

He is going to be a stunner when he is truly fit and healthy again. It's surprising how quickly a stray cat can decide that a warm bed and regular meals more than make up for being a house cat.

Thank you for taking him on and getting him the treatment he needs, particularly the neutering.

[MarySkater]

Well done. Lukas is so lucky.

[Kay]

you've probably saved his life, Mark, as it doesn't sound as if he would have made it through another winter outside

and it sounds as if he is already showing his gratitude

[bobbys girl]

He's lovely Mark, and so fortunate to have found you. BTW really envious of your extra space. Just talking to OH about Wednesday and the preparations we are making for the kittens!

[meriad]

he is absolutely gorgeous and if he's not making any signs of desperation to get out then leave him where he is for the winter and then come the spring he can chose if he wants to be outside (supported) or happy to remain indoors. He certainly knew what household to come to for help; he'll be in the best hands with you x

How do you think the others will behave around him? Hopefully you'll be able to integrate somehow?

[Lilith]

Aww good on you and congrats!

He does remind me of my old Finn - Finny was ginger but there's the same look in his eyes. Finn who hated people when he was mating his queens and winning his fights but turned up thin and starving one spring ... and turned from Mr Angry to Mr Soppy within a week.

It is so heartwarming to help these old chaps!

Integrating took a little time; my others, from the same feral community, knew him, but he wasn't a gentleman at first; he tried to bully Mouse (his probable daughter) and chased his concubine Emily up the stairs, making her wet herself. He sprayed too, but with vigilance and sinking testosterone levels (he'd been neutered now) the problems cleared up and he fitted in very well.

Welcome home Lukas!

[booktigger]

Aww, what a lucky boy to turn up at yours. Am sure he will decide that the indoor life is for him, with how quickly he has turned around.

[MarkB]

Thanks everyone. He is still very hissy and skittish.I have to stay still while he is eating. I have been clawed a few times, but nothing serious. The funny thing is, the minute I lie on the bed, he is on me purring. He will lie with his head on me shoulder - or even my face!

No point even risking letting him out of the room yet as he may bolt and it is for his own good. He seems to appreciate the home comforts and hasn't tried to get out of the room. I can't keep the others shut in the house anyway, as they are used to free access. He never used to fight with them in the garden,so fingers crossed they will be OK together in the house. The vet said she was amazed that an un-neutered tom could spend years outside and not be FIV. I told her I had never seen him fight.

I think he would have already been dead, as he just couldn't eat. Thankfully he kept coming back to me for his 'soup'. It was almost like a cry for help. The odd thing is, in all the years he visited, he was basically mute, apart from the odd hiss. Even most of those were silent. It was only when he got sick that he started to cry. He is quite vocal now. I even get chirrups

Anyway, with his mouth pain gone (along with his pompoms) , his terrible dreadlocks, fleas, tapeworm etc. sorted, he must be feeling like a new cat.

I will try to get some better photos.

[Mayday21]

Hi Mark Lukas is one lucky boy & agree he’s going to be a very handsome boy. You’re so lucky that he’s also fiv free. And I love his eyes! Vivian

[Rosella]

So glad he's going from strength to strength Mark. He reminds me so much of my beautiful Grouchie Lad.

Our Billy always preferred to be loving when I was prone on me back ..... if ya get me drift. .. snigger. Always quite wary if hoomans approached. Have you tried wiggly fingers and looking away from him rather than direct?

An further vet treatment in your plans before Christmas?

[MarkB]

So weird how he is hissy and skittish, as he hardly allows me time to lie down before he is on my chest, face to face and purring

I think I need to get him tested for Calici as advised by the vet. I have been putting it off, but need to make an appointment soon. Dr Addie recommends 6 weeks on Antirobe and Metacam, although the vet didn't mention any time frames. I am almost out of Metacam, so have to phone anyway. PS- funny, but he isn'r bothered about eye contact - in fact, he is the one who lies face to face with me. It seems to be any sudden movements that spook him.

[Summercat]

Hi,
Merry Christmas
How are you and Lucas doing?

[MarkB]

Sorry I haven't updated. As we expected really, he tested positive for Calici. Although the roof of his mouth is much better, his gums are still red. We are going ahead with removing most of his teeth on 9th Jan. The vet has recommended injecting his gums with Interferon while he is under to improve the chances of success. She said there is not really any clinical evidence, but really thinks it would be a good idea, so I have agreed (my bank account isn't too pleased about it ) - I am dreading putting him through it, but she said although there are no guarantees, she is fairly confident it will work and he can go on to live a normal pain-free life.

[booktigger]

Have you tried him on Butchers Classic Mark? I've used it on calici cats and it's reduced the redness.

[MarkB]

I haven't actually tried Butchers Classic, but have been feeding him other cereal-free food. Lidl Premium pouches, Hi-life pouches and Purizon dry (70% meat and fish, cereal free) mainly.

[bobbys girl]

You will keep us up to date with his progress, won't you Mark? All good wishes for the 9th.

[MarkB]

Sorry I haven't updated. Th big day was on Tuesday. The worst part (for me) was catching him. He went wild, but we got there in one piece with one very hungry and scared cat. It took a couple of hours to remove his teeth. The vet had planned to leave his canines, but one of them was badly diseased (as were a few other teeth) and had to come out. He just has a single canine now. I picked him up around 5pm as as expected, he was groggy and pretty peed off with me. He refused food and even his Lick-e-Lix laced with meds. On Wednesday, he was wary of me,but as the day went on, he was coming on in leaps and bounds. By the evening he was lying on the floor with me, purring. He is eating for England now and there is no food he hasn't worked out how to eat. By last night he had become a complete cuddlebum and is snuggling up with me. No more hissing, just chirrups. The vet wants me to take him back in a couple of weeks for a check up and again in 2 months to do a calici swab. She wants e to keep him in quarantine until he tests negative,to protect the other cats. She decided to hold fire on the Interferon and said she can always do it another time in the unlikely event the teeth removal doesn't completely get rid of the inflammation. She also said that given how bad a few of his teeth were, he would have been in pain without the inflammation from Calici. Anyway, the signs are all looking good. It was something I dreaded, but had to do. Fingers crossed he on the mend and no more pain for him.

[MarkB]

These were taken the morning following his dental

[booktigger]

Mark, I'm surprised at your vets comments about waiting till he tests clear,I was under the impression that anything stressful can cause them to shed the virus, so surely yours will always be at risk? My neighbour has a calici cat, he has a similar background and she was never advised to separate and none of the others seems to have it

[BobbiRobbie]

What a beautiful boy

Glad his procedure went okay and wishing him well for his check-ups!

[MarkB]

Desley, she just said it wasn't worth taking the risk if they share dishes.

[Lilith]

Bless him, Mark, he must feel like a new cat now - got a glint in his eye

[booktigger]

Desley, she just said it wasn't worth taking the risk if they share dishes.

I get That, but as he can shed at anytime, surely that is always a risk? He looks so much better

[MarkB]

He is looking even better now. These were taken just 24hrs after it was done. He is grooming well and can deal with any type of food.I am breaking it up smaller, but he is managing things like chicken no problem

Desley - I think it might be because initially there could be a high concentration of the virus. She said it tends to 'hide' in teeth sockets - especially rotten ones. The others are vaccinated, so should only get a mild version,but I guess it is more a case of minimising risk.

[bobbys girl]

Glad to hear he is doing so well and that he is such a cuddlebum - making up for lost time?

[Summercat]

He is handsome!