I took in a stray & starving cat. Help please?

I just moved into a new apartment and yesterday the boyfriend and I noticed this very skinny gray and black cat wandering around, crying. I sat down on the ground and got it to come to me. It was very skiddish but obviously wanted some love. It was crying constantly until I picked it up to bring it to my back porch. I havent quite looked yet but I think its a girl.

She has a VERY thin coat, I'm assuming from lack of food and rough patches of bald skin that look like they're healing but were probably pretty ugly a few weeks ago. She has another spot like that on her face above her right eye which makes her eye lid droop just a tiny bit. It seems to be healing as well but thats the worst area on her. Her eyes seem clear and shes using the litter box I put on the porch with no apparent pee/poop problems.

Shes also drinking a lot of water and eating all the cat food I put out for her and to my surprise, she hasnt thrown any of it up. :fingerscr

My main concern is just those rough, scabbed spots on her skin. She doesnt seem to pick at them or scratch... but they do worry me a bit. I cant afford a vet visit just at the moment due to the move but I'm also not going to bring her some place where they'll just put her down.

So my question is... should I just keep her on my back porch, keep feeding her and see how it goes? I have no problems fattening her up or cleaning her litter box... shes also got a large box out there with a few soft towels which she sleeps in often.

I could take a few pictures of her bad spots and post them if that would help. I just really cant afford a vet trip at the moment. However, if she gets sick... I WILL bring her in one way or another.


PICTURES:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/andpullmytrigger/100_1267.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/andpullmytrigger/100_1278.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/andpullmytrigger/100_1277.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a130/andpullmytrigger/100_1273.jpg

She definately needs to see a vet I'm afraid, fattening up, yes, but those sores will get infected, it could be flea's, mange, but in the one pic she is scratching, she could also be carrying around a belly of worms, please try to scrape up the money to take her in, tell them she is a stray you're looking after, I know the vets around my area will give you a discount. She needs ointment for those open wounds

She definately needs to see a vet I'm afraid, fattening up, yes, but those sores will get infected, it could be flea's, mange, but in the one pic she is scratching, she could also be carrying around a belly of worms, please try to scrape up the money to take her in, tell them she is a stray you're looking after, I know the vets around my area will give you a discount. She needs ointment for those open wounds

yes i agree with melinda..(do they get along)

Oh! Tuesdaythegreat! Thank you for finding it in you heart to take this precious little one in.......Thank you for posting the pictures...She does need to see a vet though! she looks really skinny and I am sure you have saved her life! As the others have said it could be many serious things...but let the vet know you picked her up as a stray and that you may not have enough money...sometimes they will be understanding.....She could have been in a fight or anything but those wounds dont look very good....Is there anyway for her to come inside your home...you could keep her in a seperate room...so she can have some time to recover and gain a little weight??

Best of Luck!

Thank you for being an Angel!

Cindy

How kind of you to help this poor cat. This cat really needs to see a vet ASAP. Can you call a vet and explain your situation to see if they can reduce fees for humane purposes?? What about the local shelter, perhaps they can help you out with Vet fees?

She could be pregnant if it's a female, but worms are also very common in strays, who will eat pretty much anything to stay alive. Poor sweetheart, she looks like she was definitely low man on the totem pole out there, and paid the price.
I agree she needs to be assessed by a vet. Those wounds need cleaning and she has so many the vet will probably put her on antibiotics to stave off infection. Call around to see if you can find a vet who doesn't charge an arm and a leg. If there is a shelter in your area, they often have access to vets who charge less.
Is there any way you can bring her inside? Even if she is cosy on your porch and eating well, in her vulnerable state she is at risk of being attacked or chased off and not being able to get back to you.
Her thin coat is definitely related to nutrition. But you'll see, with care and love, she will be one gorgeous kitty.
Does she have a name yet?
Welcome to the wonderful world of rescue :cat:

You're an angel for feeding her. She looks like a calico...very nice disposition. Very affectionate. I agree with everyone; please finda a rescue who may be able to help with the cost or a vet who may be able to have a look at her for a reduced rate. Good luck. Please keep us posted. She looks like a sweetheart

Thank you for taking in this cat and yes, she needs to see a vet yesterday but you have an appt, is that what I understand? She looks like she has severe malnourishment so make sure the vet tho I am certain s/he will check for liver and kidney values - cats unlike us cannot go for long periods without food or water though some have survived and done quite well. The skin that has broken through and the sores are also alarming but some antibiotics (if she has a bacterial infection?) may help as well as other meds. There are some good ointments vets give but I'd rather wait until your vet sees the cat rather than suggesting anything. She may have some other illness that needs help and that hinders healing that noe of us can know of by looking at them online. It;s best that she has a complete blood panel to see how she is overall.

Good luck and thank you again!! I hope she will be up to feeling well in no time!

OMG... I'm in love with you BOTH! God Bless you for taking in this poor kitty. She looks like she's had it rough and I would definitely look into finding a way to get her to the vets as soon as possible (I know that when I rescued my kitties the rescue groups were so great-sometimes all they can do is take care of the vet visit cost and you pay the rest but it really makes it affordable). Those sores look painful and they could be a lot of things. With her being that skinny I would say worms are almost definite (with my strays as a rule I gave them a dose of Revolution as soon as I found them to take care of the fleas, earmites and worms- which also helped them to get more out of the food they were gobbling up). From the pictures I can tell she is a sweetheart and happy to have found you. I'll pray for you both and I hope this story is the start of a long happy life together!:goodvibes: :pray:

How is the little one doing? Thank you for saving her :angel:

Chris B

How very very sweet of you,how is she doing??

She is definitely a beautiful cat. Her wounds look terrible! She really needs to see a vet., as soon as possible, because they could become infected. She could have been attached by a wild animal or another cat. Or she has some kind of skin disease? So great of you to help her!

It's possible that it might also be mange: http://www.oznvoo.com/parasites5.html , which can be quite contagious, depending on the type. Vet care definitely required!

I was hoping for some news,that poor little girl,it just breaks your heart.:sad:
Hopefully her guardian :angel: was able to bring her to see a vet:pray:
I did not even know cats could get mange:confused:
It could be a really bad flea-infestation too,but whatever it is,it looks really sore.
I:pray: she's ok by now..

Apparently mange in cats does tend to be rare except for some geographic "hot-spots" in Southern California and along the Gulf Coast. I just found that out today, in fact!

Any news? Would really like to know how kitty is doing.:fingerscr

Wish there were more people like you.....to take in a stray and give all the TLC she needs. Hope she is doing better. She'll be a love for a lifetime for sure. :candle: