Spirit



Spirit

Saturday Spirit didn't show up for food when I arrived.  A little unusual but it has happened in the past. Sunday he wasn't there.  This is more unusual.  Monday morning still no Spirit.  I was now getting concerned.  I went back on Monday afternoon and he came out from the tall grass and weeds that surround the East Side Gang's eating area.

Even though Spirit had shown up he didn't eat and I was serving his fave food, Friskies Turkey and Cheese in Gravy.  What he did next concerned me.  He was straining in an attempt to poop.  After about a minute or so he stopped trying and walked away disappearing into the grass and weeds.

Tuesday Spirit came out about 5 minutes after I arrived but again he was not interested in any food.  I offered him treats and he ate a couple and left some.  This is highly unusual behaviour for this kitty - he loves his Temptation treats.  I fed the other four kitties while keeping an eye on Spirit.  He started digging in the dirt and made an effort to poop but I could see he was really straining.  Nothing happened and he walked away.

Spirit wandered down the path and I followed with a bowl of food in hand.  He squatted again and strained to no avail.  This poor cat was having real problems.

I did a little research and found that cats can suffer from constipation but another problem could be an injury or they might have eaten something that causes a blockage.   

On Wednesday morning I returned with a humane trap that I borrowed but no Spirit.  I had made arrangements with a local vet to look at him, if I was able to trap him.  Later in the afternoon I returned again looking for Spirit hoping to trap him.  No Spirit.



The trap

All I could think of was this dear cat that I had been feeding for nearly 10 years was in trouble and probably in pain. The thought that he was hiding in the weeds and grass somewhere and I couldn't help him brought me to tears.  I walked around looking in the weeds, calling him and using the clicker that all the cats are familiar with. 

This morning with a very heavy heart I went to feed the kitties and was not feeling hopeful.  I put the bag with food and water over my shoulder, grabbed the clicker and the humane trap and started walking to the back where I feed.  I used the clicker to let the kitties know I had arrived and the first little cat face I saw was Spirit.  He greeted me with his chatty banter and trotted ahead of me along the path.  He looked like his old self.

Doodle, FJ, Ollie and Jag were there too.  Everyone ate including Spirit however he didn't eat as much as he usually does but that's ok.  I don't know for sure what his problem was this week but feel that he must have eaten something that caused a blockage.  I just hope it did not do any serious damage internally.

I will keep any eye on this kitty and hope he is on the mend.