I’m wondering if he’ll eat peanut butter or something sticky? Yea it may get swallowed, which could not be good either, really not good! Is it one long sharp or prickly? My mom gave me bread when I swallowed a fish bone when i was little and it worked. It’s not like you could wrap him in a towel and reach in there, yikes, lol. If it comes loose with those type foods he might spit it out or he might swallow it, but just some suggestions. If he has infection from it, not good, but his breath will have a foul smell, that’s not good either. Ferrel cat’s are pretty hardy but we deal with them here quite a bit, or call the vet, they might have a suggestion.

Thank you so much @Alice Edwards! He just came a minute ago and ate a little bit of his food, but the burr is still bothering him. The burr is small and sharp; I can't see it too clearly but it looks like the tip of a foxtail. It must have gotten stuck on his tongue when he was grooming himself. It is stuck to the edge of his tongue but he is bit skittish now so he won't let us get close enough to remove it. He is the most friendly when he comes inside for his morning meal, so if it is not gone by tomorrow my best chance to remove it would be then. If I can't get it out by then then I will call a vet to see if they can help. I wish I could take him but he is just too scared.

Thanks again for your help, I truly appreciate it.

Oh sure, i’m sure it bothers him :( yea try some sticky food? Or maybe put some sticky good smelly or anything maybe fishy on some sand paper. If he licks it, it may pull it out?

Or if it dries up in a few days, it should get smaller, their body fights infection pretty good If it gets infected. Also sometimes the infection will push it out like a festered splinter, i’m thinking

Thank you! My dad found some sandpaper in his toolbox. I can't seem to find my cat right now. He must have left after he ate. He usually goes about the neighborhood around this time and then he comes to eat again before he goes to bed. I'm going to put some of his squeeze-up cat treat on the sandpaper and see if that does the trick.

Have a wonderful evening, I can't thank you enough for your help!

Good morning, is there still a sticker in our tongue?

If it's a foxtail I doubt anything is going to easily get it out short of a vet's help.

You mention the cat comes 'in' to eat. If he is coming indoors, then that is the time to close all doors, catch him, place him in a crate and get him to a vet. If you're not able to catch him with a large towel or blanket, then arrange to have someone come by to help. If you don't want to towel him another option is to get a live trap and start feedin him in it. Once he's used to going in the trap, you can then set the door latch so that it will activate and catch him. ..........but right now time isn't on your side.

While at the vet, they could also neuter him (if he's intact) while he's there.

When you said you have no means of transport, do you mean you don't have a carrier.....or don't have a vehicle? If you can catch him, ask the vet if one of their techs could come pick him up.

Also, if you have any cat rescue groups in your area, ask them if they know of anyone that can help catch him.

I wouldn't worry about the cat being scared of the trip to the vet. I also have a semi-feral that I've had to take to the vet. Turns out she's great while there and quickly goes back to her normal routine afterward. Actually, she became more affectionate after her first trip to the vet.

Your cat going thru a scary trip to the vet will be much better than what he'll go thru if he's not able to eat.

I would feed him only canned pate cat food for now.......and also while he's healing after the burr is removed.

Hello everyone! Thank you so much for your help! The burr came out! He had a can of food this morning and finished up his treat, and he is grooming himself again. He is taking a nap right now and is feeling much better.

Have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

damask_rose : )

Marmalade

@annztoo - The tip of one of his ears is chopped off in a straight line, so I think he was neutered by a TNR program. Unfortunately we don't have any sort of carrier or trap that we could transport him in or that he would go into to take him to the vet. I am going to purchase a cat carrier and start training him to go into it so that if (God forbid) there is an emergency or if he has a health issue we can transport him. Thank you so much for all your help!

damask_rose : )

That's great news! He probably has one sore tongue. :)

You're correct...the nipped ear means he's been neutered.

You can get a drug from the vet called gabbapentin that helps relax them enough for transport and an exam. I have several ferals at our rescue and have used that safely lots. You just mix it in a small amount of food.

Thank you @Tracey SewandSew! That is very good to know in case, God forbid, there is another emergency. Marmalade is doing well and is thankfully in good health.

I appreciate all your help,

damask_rose : )

Thank you so much! This is very important to know in case of another emergency. Marmalade is a little friendlier now and will walk up to us to be petted when he feels like it, but once he gets comfortable with regular petting I will try to get him used to being picked up for easy transport. Thankfully Marmalade remains in good health and he is one happy camper : ).
Thanks again for all your help, I sincerely appreciate it,

damask_rose : )

Marmalade sniffing the camera