Stray Cat Dying?

Question
We do feed strays if they show up. A young male who just a few weeks ago was spraying and fighting is now a ghost of former self. His belly and legs were bright red and has open sores where scratching or biting his skin. The skin is now not as flaming red but still red. He has loss of fur, and has a rash that appears to be more flea type bites all over but have never seen fleas on him. (His fur is so thin that could see if infested). He is eating more but losing weight-even his tail looks like a pencil now. He just ate 1/2 can of food but then sat crouched next to bowl like his tummy hurt. he has turned from a swaggering male to a very timid guy that will stand or try to walk between my legs if outside (dangerous for both of us). We have indoor cats so I am afraid of any untreatable disease. Funds are limited so I don't know if there is something we can do or should i just crate him to animal control to end this downward trend?

Answer
He sounds very ill, Donna. Bless you for helping the feral cats. Not knowing where you live in Florida I cannot tell you a specific vet. There are many vets who will treat ill ferals for free, or for a donation. since he is rubbing between your legs, he should be treatable.

He may have FELV or FIV, so it would be good to get him blood tested for those. Sometimes hair loss will make it seem that a cat is losing weight, but you seem to know he is actually getting skinny and it seems as if he has a stomach ailment. It is also possible he has a tumor.

You could ask for free Reiki treatments (and take a class in this ASAP) for a few days to see if he perks up. You can safely use flower essences (rescue remedy is readily available and often the other 38 can be found locally and Crab apple would be good). Put 2 drops of each in a one ounce dropper bottle and put a drop in his food. It is fine if others get it.

1. Find an integrative vet who will help you
2. find a regular vet who will help you and not charge much
3. find a non-kill shelter.
4. do reiki & Flower essences while finding help.

FIND A HEALER
I strongly recommend finding an integrative veterinarian with whom to work. This is a person trained in many different approaches, including using conventional drugs only when absolutely needed. Working with one can increase the chance that your cherished companion can live a long and healthy life after recovering from this current problem. There are good ones and great ones, and a few homeopathic veterinarians will consult by phone or email. Read my comments at the end on working with and selecting a holistic veterinarian.
You can go to the web sites for each type of holistic practice and use their referral list to find one near to you: there are lots in Florida, even one of the best acupuncture vet schools in NW florida.
1. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine: www.IVAS.org & www.TCVM.com
2. Homeopathic veterinarians (these can often help you by phone if no other holistic practitioners are nearby that you like): www.theAVH.org and www.DrPitcairn.com. To find homeopathic practitioners for yourself, and homeopathic products, go to
http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/products-and-services;  http://www.homeopathicpharmacy.org/members/; http://www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/resources/practitioners
3. Chiropractor - www.animalchiropractic.org
4. Wide range of other treatments: www.AHVMA.org, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and www.civtedu.org


REIKI:
From the book, Healthy Animal's Journal - "Reiki: Personally, I think every person who lives with or works with animals must know at least Level I Reiki. The practitioner places her hands upon the animal (or it can be done from a distance, even around the world) with the intent for healing to occur. The energy flows through the healer into the animal. This is based on directly applying Chi (energy) to rebalance the energy field so it no longer needs to produce the physical symptoms. It is a very good adjunct to any healing modality, especially to relieve pain and inflammation. I have seen cats who begin to eat again when their food has Reiki done on the food. It also "takes the bad out of" things. By doing Reiki on smelly water in restaurants I have been able to drink sweet tasting and smelling water. Use Reiki anytime that you must give injections, vaccines, drugs, flea or heartworm drugs, or other substances with potential toxicity. Do you work in a grooming salon, or kennel, or veterinary clinic, or barn or anywhere animals are being seen? Use your Reiki on any treatments to be given and to calm the animals. People have reported getting animals to eat by doing Reiki on their food.  http://www.reiki.org  . http://www.ReikiTails.com  is a great practitioner in Maryland who knows a lot about cats. Get a free treatment at www.interdimensionalhealing.com. Great information on Reiki - http://www.reikicourse.org. Kathleen Prasad is a wonderful teacher and works with my favorite sanctuary and holistic education center, BrightHaven www.brighthaven.org. She just had an article on Reiki in Feline Wellness. Kathleen leads a free monthly telechat for anyone trained in Reiki and using it with animals. http://www.animalreikisource.com/. If you cannot find a Reiki Class near you (same class for people and animals as it connects you through an "attunement" to the healing energy of the universe, making you a channel of healing), three groups offer long distance, free, attunements.
1. http://theholisticcare.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13,
2. http://freereikiattunement.com/
3. www.ReikiBlessings.com offers free Reiki attunements, classes and training on-line    and animal classes, too
Long distance healing and training is at www.animalhealers.homestead.com/  
A client of mine is using Christine, Her name is Christine at cbearse@earthlink.net, www.awakeningrainbows.com. To receive free distance Reiki send her your first name only, city and state, and whether or not you have had any Reiki training.  She invites you to include your pets as well.  She uses a teddy bear and does a full body Reiki distance treatment for one hour each Sunday evening from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. EST.

Another wonderful healer, Deena Spears works long distance with Sound Tuning. www.Singingwoods.com. I have seen many animals and the people in a home be healed by her work.