Blaze UPDATE

[K & L]

Test results are back and good in one, but not in another. The good part is Blaze does not have a tumor, the bad is he has severe inflammatory response and needs to be on prednisone most likely the rest of his life. What’s wrong with that you ask? Trying to medicate a feral!!! We’re going to try the ear paste, but the challenge is to even get near Blaze once he’s let out of his seclusion. He’s been better in the bath area but what choice does he have? We’re thinking of secluding him for another few days until we can get a few applications in the ear. After that we’re going to try and release him inside and see if he will adapt. We’ll just have to take a day at a time and hope we can get him medicated at least once in a while. We won’t give up but is this ever going to be a challenge! Here he is in seclusion with his new hair-do. We had him shaved while he was under since we were afraid with his problem he wouldn’t be able to groom himself very well.

[Laura's Babies]

To bad there isn't a refuge somewhere that could take him to see to his lifelong needs. He looks beautiful shaved and will probably be so glad you all did that for him.

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Awww......poor little Blaze. He looks so bare....and cold. Is cold possible in AZ at this time of year?

Seeing the success you had with Kurby, I have only the highest hopes that Blaze will also come around to being a pampered, adored house kitty.

Good luck with the medicating! And I hope that isn't what ends up keeping him from trusting you.

[jenluckenbach]

What about crushed in a favorite canned food? I know it doesn't always work, but hey, worth a try.

He looks GREAT shaved and will no doubt feel just a good (once he gets used to the feel of it). And, the fact that you will be forced to try to interact with him, might just help to teach him NOT to fear you as much. Just like us humans, "what doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." I have found that sometimes forcing a "fraidy" cat to do "normal" things, (like being held, touched, medicated, groomed....whatever) builds their confidence. (not sure if that would work with a true feral though)

Best of luck!!!!!

[Edwina's Secretary]

That is NOT a happy cat!

Good luck!

[K & L]

Debbie, believe me ... he's not cold! He's scared and would rather be in the safety of his familiar environment.

Anyway, where the problem lies is being able to medicate. We've had Blaze 8 - 9 years now and he's only warmed up a bit. He's been this way since a kitten and just one of those feral personalities that doesn't tame well. I know we could get him to be comfortable enough in the house to hide out, the problem lies in medicating him. How to do this for a lifetime? If it were for a week or two we could just keep him secluded until it's over with.

Jen, the food angle would work as long as he's by himself. Once he's out amongst the rest, food is fair game at our place! The problem with Blaze is I could set food down in his immediate location and he'll run off until I leave. By that time one of the others have swooped down on it. I'm sure once in a while this could work, but I sure wouldn't want prednisone being administered to the wrong cat.

Hopefully this will all work out. If not, then we'll have to see what other options, if any, we would have.

Thanks everyone! Blaze appreciates your input and concern!