So we have this cat...

[BlackCat]

... but its not really our cat. It kind of just adopted us.

Its a stray cat, which our elderly neighbour used to feed. Then she died. The cat then came to us as no one in the neighbourhood otherwise looked in its direction. That was over a year ago now.

S/he was very timid and scared of humans at first but has grown in confidence around us, to the point it will rub itself on our legs and drool (so gross!)

Anyway, the cat eats, both what we give him and what he catches. Only it doesn't gain weight. As in if you run your hand down its back you can feel its spine and ribs very clearly. I don't remember it ever being this underwieght before.

It will eat now and then vomit every so often, so isnt getting a full meal all the time. It has food and water available to it all the time.

Whats wrong with our not-so-ours cat?

Im a bit worried about taking him to the vet as I;m worried that it will be a one way trip either because of the complexity or cost Any ideas what we would be looking at in that regard? He has always come and gone as he pleases, mostly now he doesnt venture far from our back door. I have no idea as to age either.

[~clover~]

Have you tried worming it? Might be all it needs.

[Ginger]

Just take him to the vet. He might be in pain.

[AnyDream]

Yep, I'd be going the worming route before you hit the panic button. Especially if it's been eating wildlife. Our cat used to eat lizards when she was younger and she had to have some extra worming thing because of a parasite in the lizards. Anyway, I think it could be something simple like that, but I really do think it would be best for him to be assessed by a vet. They might go gently with the fees given that he's a stray/charity case - it's worth ringing and asking anyway.

[misty]

Definitely sounds like worms.

[Trillian]

I reckon worms too. But Feline aids could be another possibility too, which unfortunately can't be treated.

[BlackCat]

He has been treated with just a regular worm treatment, would that miss some?

Ill call the vet tomorrow and have a chat as well. I've never had a cat before, don't really have one now lol, so wasn't sure if there is a likely common cause or if its a must see a vet scenario. But sounds like we've covered the usual suspect.

[BlackCat]

Advanced Feline AIDS. He wasn't microchipped, he was desexed. He was loved by someone once, and then he picked us to love him and because of that love he's now gone.

[Rosey]

Oh hunny big hugs. You did the right thing. He is out of pain now. Go easy on yourself.

[RainbowRiver]

How terribly sad, you done what you could though, and that's more then any of your other neighbors xx

[AnyDream]

I'm so sorry to hear this. He was very lucky to have the comfort of a family to love him like you did.

[Ginger]

You did the right thing xo

[Trillian]

Oh hunny I know it would have been so hard, but you did the right thing for him

[OceanPrincess]

Honey what do you mean because of that love he's gone? If he wasn't venturing far from home, from his adopted home, then he wasn't having much fun in life. Feline HIV is a horrible thing. Even if he didn't seem to be in pain, he can't have been feeling great if he wasn't putting on weight. You did the right thing. You cared for him and loved him when no one else would. That is a beautiful thing. You showed kindness and compassion... There isn't enough of those things in the world

[BlackCat]

Missing him so much already.

I'm glad he chose us to love him, but it hurts so much right now. I've never had to make the decision to end a pets suffering before, I know it was the right thing to do, but struggling with it at the same time. :'( that sounds stupid I know.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, it means a lot right now.

[~clover~]

It's hard to lose a pet. I didn't realise how hard it really was til I lost my dog last year. It still hurts & I still wish there was something I could do to bring her back xx