How are your feet?

Hmmm...have lots of possible ideas about your feet...almost zip about the cat....does that seem right to you?

Still...definitely do the foot bath and find new shoes. My personal advice? Look into specialy show stores in the general area around you. Had lots of issus with footwear until I went to a store specializing in footwear for people with wide and long feet. They did more-complex-than-avg. measurements and got me into shoes about 2 sizes smaller than I was used to (cuz I would buy bigger to get the width space--bad idea). Getting your foot properly measured will help to determine if you need a shoe that's longer or wider than the usual size X (insert your shoe size here) and will make walking loads more fun;)

BEB

HUGS- NOt sure about the feet thing. I'd say epsiom salt and change of shoes is in order.

Poor little kitty. I'd definitely call the local no kill shelter or Best Friends:)

Not too sure what to advise about your feet, except to wear very roomy shoes with wide toes and let 'em heal. I think the epsom salt soak sounds like a good idea, too.

About the cat issue--Some vets or animal shelters provide or know of low cost or no cost spay/neuter programs. I see from your profile you live in Alabama, so I took the liberty of looking up some possible resources for you:

Feral Cat Coalition
Fairhope AL
251-510-8585
For feral and stray cats.

Baldwin County Humane Society
Baldwin County AL
251-928-4585
For pets.

SNAP
Huntsville AL 35811
256-539-8163


Humane Society of Etowah County
1700 Chestnut Street
Gadsden, AL 35901
256-547-4846

Humane Society of Shelby County
Columbiana, AL
205-669-3916

I'm not sure where any of these are in relation to you, but contact some of them and see if you can work something out.

PM me or e-mail (claudia@acd.net) if you need any more cat advice or spay/neuter advice; I deal with this stuff all the time and I'd be happy to help in any way I can.

Try clipping back your toe nails. There may not be enough room if they're past the ends of your toes. Actually it also sounds like you should get different shoes. GET comphy shoes if you're gonna be on your feet all day, especially if you're doing a lot of standing (as opposed to walking) and make sure they give you extra room in the toe area. I've found just standing much harder on my feet than walking. You may also want gel inserts. I have inserts and get men's tennies as they give more toe room, and come in black, which hides dirt better.

If your feet don't improve soon, go see a podiatrist. StinkingRose has it right: gangrene isn't funny, especially when it happens to you and that does happen if the circulation is compromised for too long and tissue dies.

*hugs*

The feral kitty...try finding a no-kill cat shelter. They may actually come get the cat. She may end up not being adoptable, but at least she'll be out of the weather and they should be able to spay her to prevent more kittens and kitten fatalities.

Cat: Try a local animal shelter or the equivalent of a dog catcher. If she's friendly towards those that offer food she'll probably find a home. If she's truly wild and has never had a home she'll like as not be unadoptable.
She might survive the winter in the pound, especially if it's a no-kill shelter.
She's probably survived a winter or two out of doors already. Shelter is a relative term for many animals.

Your feet: That really does not sound good. Epsom salt bath in warm water when you get home and put them up immediately for a good while. Do they swell? Is it just the big toes or is it all of them? The nail on one foot, both big toes, or all your toenails?
Massage is good. Absolutely try new shoes. Put your feet up when you're on breaks. Take your shoes off and rub your feet if you can get away with it.
If this persists and a change of footgear does not alleviate it you may want to seek professional (read: other than me)advice. It sounds as if something is seriously impeding your circulation. This is not good. Gangrene is no joking matter.
If you happen to be diabetic you should well know just how protective of your feet you need to be. Can't work 11 hours on your feet if you have no toes, or feet, or are missing a good amount of lower limbs.
If you're not diabetic you still need to take care of your tootsies.
My feet ache in sympathy.