If you find a feral cat who is sick, there are some things you can do to help.
First, call your local animal shelter or rescue group to see if they have a program for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). This will help the cat population as well as the individual cat.
If the organization does not have a TNR program, they may be able to provide you with information on how to get started.
If you are able to trap the feral cat, take them to a veterinarian for an examination. The vet will be able to determine if the cat is sick and needs treatment.
They can also provide you with information on how to care for a sick feral cat.
Sick Feral Cat Symptoms
If you find a sick feral cat, it’s important to know what symptoms to look for so that you can get the cat the help it needs.
Here are some common symptoms of sick feral cats:
- Loss of appetite: A sick feral cat may stop eating altogether or may only pick at its food.
- Weight loss: Without a proper diet, a sick feral cat will start to lose weight.
- lethargy: A sick feral cat will be less active than usual and may sleep more than usual.
- Dehydration: A sick feral cat may have dry mouth and eyes, and its skin will be less elastic than normal.
- Fever: A sick feral cat may have a higher body temperature than normal.
Do Feral Cats Get Sick?
Feral cats are often feared because they are seen as dirty and dangerous. However, feral cats are actually quite resilient to sickness and disease. This is due to their strong immune systems, which they have developed over time through exposure to various bacteria and viruses.
While it is true that feral cats can carry diseases, such as rabies, they are not typically sickly animals. In fact, most feral cats live long and healthy lives in the wild.
So if you’re ever worried about contracting a disease from a feral cat, don’t be!
How Do You Give a Feral Cat Antibiotics?
There are a few different ways to give feral cats antibiotics. The most common way is to put the antibiotic in their food. You can also put it in their water, but this is not as effective because they may not drink all of the water and so will not get the full dose of the antibiotic.
Another option is to inject the antibiotic directly into their muscle, but this requires catching them first which can be difficult.
The best way to give them the antibiotic is actually by pill form, which you can hide in some wet food or tuna so they will eat it without knowing.
How Long Can Feral Cats Go Without Food?
Feral cats are generally able to survive without food for much longer than their domesticated counterparts. This is due to their natural scavenging instincts and their higher level of physical activity.
A feral cat may be able to go without food for several weeks, although this will ultimately depend on the individual cat’s health, age and overall condition.
How Do You Bring a Stray Cat to the Vet?
If you find a stray cat, the best thing to do is to take it to your local veterinarian or animal shelter. If you are not able to do this, there are some things you can do to help the cat until you are able to get it to a vet.
The first thing you will need to do is make sure the cat is safe and secure. This means finding a quiet place for the cat where it will not be disturbed or hurt.
Once you have found a suitable location, confine the cat in a carrier or box so it cannot escape.
Next, call your veterinarian or animal shelter and explain that you have found a stray cat.
They will likely ask you some questions about the cat’s health and behavior. It is important to be honest when answering these questions so they can best determine how to help the cat.
Once at the vet or shelter, the staff will examine the cat and may give it vaccinations or other medical treatment as needed.
They may also microchip the cat so that if it is ever lost again, they will be able to quickly identify and return it to its rightful owner.
Dr. John Morris, DVM is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who has seven years of experience in feline medicine, dermatology, and behavior. He also enjoys volunteering at a local NGO that supports literacy programs for children and adults. In his free time, he enjoys fostering kittens, traveling, vegan cooking, hiking, and biking. Learn more about Justin here.