What Would You Do?

As most of you have read my previous post on Kurby, Kevin & I are confused on what decision would be the best. Kurby has been in the park for several years now and basically feral. There are times he will let Kevin pet him, but no one else. The vets could not even get near him until they gassed him to sleep. He either has to have surgery, or be put down. He’s healthy other than his hip injury so the decision is so difficult. For one thing the surgery is very costly and what are our chances of taming him? If we do opt for surgery and put him back in the park, what are the chances of his hip healing properly? We could hold him for a few weeks for healing purposes, but if he doesn’t tame, would have to release him back. With these circumstances what choice would you make:

What exactly is his hip injury? Are you sure you need surgery? I think what I would do faced with your choices is to try to bring him into the home and tame him a little for say a week and see how it goes before the surgery. If this is possible - I don't know what type of surgery you are looking at or if it has to be done today. That may be able to show you the right choice - kind of like letting the choice be his - does he want a home? He may take to your home very well and was just waiting for you but maybe not. Can you let him try it for a day or two before making your decision? Debbie

That is such a tough choice,as you,on kind,of on a spot! I know,that I tried to take Two Ferals,in,Gem,and Roadblock,but they failed the FIP test! But I did all right,with Nugget,who was needled,and neutrede,and lives an indoor/outdoor existance,as he,is too dirty,to be a indoor Cat,only.Although,when he is in the cellar,he uses the Litter Box,better! God Luck,and our Prayers,are coming your way!

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Originally posted by cruisetime
What exactly is his hip injury? Are you sure you need surgery? I think what I would do faced with your choices is to try to bring him into the home and tame him a little for say a week and see how it goes before the surgery. If this is possible - I don't know what type of surgery you are looking at or if it has to be done today. That may be able to show you the right choice - kind of like letting the choice be his - does he want a home? He may take to your home very well and was just waiting for you but maybe not. Can you let him try it for a day or two before making your decision? Debbie

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This thread explains what type of surgery:

http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthre...threadid=62518

Talk about a tough call!!! :eek: :confused: There is one option that is not listed .... is it even a possibility to just release him back like he is? Is he in terrible pain? I know cats are very tough and often seem to "heal" themselves. In the wild, they manage will all sorts of things and overcome them. As long as you know he is healthy .... not spreading disease or making kittens, then maybe just leave the hip alone? :confused:

edit : or what about amputation of that leg? Would that be less expensive for you? There are many "tripods" out there doing great!;)

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Originally posted by kimlovescats
Talk about a tough call!!! :eek: :confused: There is one option that is not listed .... is it even a possibility to just release him back like he is? Is he in terrible pain? I know cats are very tough and often seem to "heal" themselves. In the wild, they manage will all sorts of things and overcome them. As long as you know he is healthy .... not spreading disease or making kittens, then maybe just leave the hip alone? :confused:

edit : or what about amputation of that leg? Would that be less expensive for you? There are many "tripods" out there doing great!;)

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No, the hip is out of socket and will not go back. He is in a lot of pain and leg amputation wouldn't be an option. It's a very tough call since this is not a domesticated cat. There is a lot of money involved here (which we're not rolling in especially after Hazel) and no guarantee he will tame or heal properly if released. Ughhh I hate this kind of stuff!:(

I vote for the surgery and keep him in until he's healed. If, at that time, it looks like he's coming around to be tamed, I would continue with trying to tame him, but if it looks like he's definitely a feral and will always be a feral, then at that time I would release him back to the park. He looks extremely healthy in the pic you posted so I don't think the park feral life is bad for him, but I think he would need to be kept confined until he's healed.

Lisa, I know you're not rolling in it (as most of us aren't) and I know you and Kevin spend an extraordinary amount already on these and other ferals (your work ferals). We here on PT have come through for other kitties in need in the past and I think there are quite a few of us that would come through for Kurby also. I know you are not posting this as a plea for money, but I see no reason why you should turn help down if it's offered - and I'm offering. :)

Talk to the vet about accepting payments from us over the phone with a credit card, or accepting checks to go to the "Kurby Fund," and I'm sure you'll get others that will be willing to help also. I was going to PM you with my offer to help, but I just know other PT'ers have big hearts and would want to help also, so I decided to go public - and this way I'm making the plea for help, not you.

Kurby is just too beautiful and too good of a cat to be put down just because of this. If he allows Kevin to pet him, I think there is a huge chance that he will come to know "the good life" of being an inside, pampered and adored kitty, if just given the chance. :)

I read up on the last post as to the injury. I know he is in pain but again if possible could you take him in your home for a few days before deciding and see how he does? I bet he would be fine and then the decision would be easy for you to make. Debbie

That's a very tough choice to make. I'm leaning toward inside or PTS. Joints that have been damaged like that tend to get arthritic as years go by. I know having broken a bone or two during my days, that come damp, or cold weather, my broken areas downright ache. :( Is Kurby very young still? If so then he's more apt to heal better, and then could be put back out. I'd be concerned too about him re-damaging the area in the future. Ughhh...not easy to think about. :(

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Originally posted by QueenScoopalot
That's a very tough choice to make. I'm leaning toward inside or PTS. Joints that have been damaged like that tend to get arthritic as years go by. I know having broken a bone or two during my days, that come damp, or cold weather, my broken areas downright ache. :( Is Kurby very young still? If so then he's more apt to heal better, and then could be put back out. I'd be concerned too about him re-damaging the area in the future. Ughhh...not easy to think about. :(

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Yes, Kurby is still fairly young which is a good thing when it comes to this.

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Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
I vote for the surgery and keep him in until he's healed. If, at that time, it looks like he's coming around to be tamed, I would continue with trying to tame him, but if it looks like he's definitely a feral and will always be a feral, then at that time I would release him back to the park. He looks extremely healthy in the pic you posted so I don't think the park feral life is bad for him, but I think he would need to be kept confined until he's healed.

Lisa, I know you're not rolling in it (as most of us aren't) and I know you and Kevin spend an extraordinary amount already on these and other ferals (your work ferals). We here on PT have come through for other kitties in need in the past and I think there are quite a few of us that would come through for Kurby also. I know you are not posting this as a plea for money, but I see no reason why you should turn help down if it's offered - and I'm offering. :)

Talk to the vet about accepting payments from us over the phone with a credit card, or accepting checks to go to the "Kurby Fund," and I'm sure you'll get others that will be willing to help also. I was going to PM you with my offer to help, but I just know other PT'ers have big hearts and would want to help also, so I decided to go public - and this way I'm making the plea for help, not you.

Kurby is just too beautiful and too good of a cat to be put down just because of this. If he allows Kevin to pet him, I think there is a huge chance that he will come to know "the good life" of being an inside, pampered and adored kitty, if just given the chance. :)

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Debbie
Thank you SO much! Let me talk this over with Kevin and see how we could get something like this arranged. We've never done this before so not sure how it all works! We want to do what is best for Kurby!!:) Thank you...thank you....

Very tough choice:
Two things speak for Kurby- he allows Kevin to pet him and he is fairly young. Both give you a better chance to tame him.

I think for a feral who absolutely doesn't trust you the surgery might be too tough a thing to put him through:(

BTW: I'm in for the Kurby fund:D

I would also like to contribute something to the Kurby fund!!!
Great idea Debbie!;)

I'd be glad to help financially, too.

My opinion: Surgery and attempted taming. If he really doesn't want to be tamed, let him back into the park after healing. Meds can be compounded into pills that can be crushed and put in food. He would have to live in a cage for a while. As long as he's not freaking out (panic attacks) in the cage, he may realize that people are trying to help. A cover on the cage for a while might alleviate his initial fears.

I've had some in cages for three weeks that suddenly decide to be sweethearts---and some that just don't want to be with people no matter what.

Let us know how we can help.

Mary

Count me in as a contributor for the Kurby Fund. If your vet is willing, we could always mail checks directly there to be applied to Kurby's account. Keep us posted. And please let us know if we can help.