Autumn's Checkup

The vet could see our little stray at 9:30. I was anxious to go and have her checked out, cleaned up and pronounced healthy enough to come inside and let out princess cat get to know her.

She didn't like the carrier too much, although she was good about not scratching me. We arrived early because I had caught her early (I was afraid she'd go off hunting or hiding somewhere) and so had to wait - she was remarkably composed in the office. They weighed her in at 3.4 pounds!
It seems her prognosis isn't that good. The vet figures she is really old - either in chronological years or in hard-living years, but old nonetheless. She has only 2 teeth, and neither in great shape. He heard a heart murmer and a respiratory infection, which could mean a thyroid condition (and lots of money for medication). Overall he doubts her health enough that he warned me about bringing her inside at all - for the good of our healthy princess. Without extensive blood tests he can't be sure she isn't carrying any number of kitty diseases. His suggestion was to make her a warm hiding spot somewhere like the garage and let her live there, hoping for the best. He figures she doesn't have long to live.
It was pretty sad to hear. In the condition she is in right now, I doubt she'll make it through the winter. But he prescribed some antibiotics for her and some kidney-friendly food (which I'm sure the strays that raid her food dish will benefit from, too) and said that it would be a start for her.
He said that a lot of people would just put her down. But she has come so far in the past week, is so sweet and affectionate and apparently happy, that I couldn't bring myself to do it. I will only do that when she seems in pain, when she seems to need it.
So, I bought the food and the medicine (which I doubt she'll take too kindly to) and thanked him for his kindness.
It's back to the drawing board for some kind of winter-proof shelter for her, and a safe way for her to eat and be free of predators. I'm thinking of the breezeway, or maybe the garage - letting her out in the day and bringing her in during the night. I guess she'll decide for us what will work, though.
I have this little hope that I'll be able to nurse her back into healthy cathood. Or at least give her a happy life whatever is left to her.