It’s been 3 days since the antibiotic shot and Melbcat is still sore :( I’ve given her medicine and cuddles which seem to have helped. The vet says to call back Monday if she’s not feeling better.

I’m still fighting urges to kidnap the black cat. I do think he’s possibly someone’s neglected free range pet though, as there was a parted line in his neck fur where a collar used to be and his fur wasn’t patchy or sparse (as happens when a cat is very malnourished).

I’m hoping that the weird protrusion I felt in his upper back that made me worry about his spine was a microchip. 🤞 I’ll be watching him and trying to get a better look over to see if he stays healthy or something indicates he does need help.

If I could know for sure that he isn’t receiving flea and worm medication at home (unlikely to be happening) I could possibly try to dab him with one of Melbcat’s spot ons. They look to be similar weights. I have to be careful not to get attacked though.

For large cats like him and her the tube has a lot more liquid than standard, so needs to be put on in a few different spots or it dribbles off. This takes longer and requires more handling, and some cats do react violently to the application.

Also if he’s constantly outside eating rats and birds and rolling in the dirt, I wonder if he’d just quickly get reinfested.