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Archive through May 30, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Mar. ~ 2005 May: Hariball Haven (ARCHIVES): Cats (ARCHIVES): Archive through May 30, 2005 users admin

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Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, May 27, 2005 - 8:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
No.. Sugar Gliders are pretty sensitive to light so no photography was attempted. Dobby is even cuter than those pictures. She loves nuts and fruits and cheerios!

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, May 27, 2005 - 8:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Today, Angelina got to see all the rooms of the house except my bedroom, where Critter was secluded.. then I put Angelina (in her carrier) in the car and let Critter check out Angelina's temporary room. Angelina went to the vet and charmed everyone. She weighs 11lb 6 oz, they think she may be more than 4 because of missing teeth but say she's in excellent shape. We want to do a fecal analysis before a first meeting.

My cat sitter suggested Feliway (which Costacat mentioned way up thread, before I had an inkling I might want to sooth some felines.. So tomorrow I assume I'll have a sample to run to the vet and also pick up a couple of plug in systems and hopefully they'll get to meet.

Angelina seemed completely at ease while at the vet.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 8:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Below is from: http://www.placervillevet.com/feliway.htm

Feliway

Feliway is a synthetic feline pheromone use to control inappropriate urine marking behavior and to reassure cats in strange surroundings.

You have noticed that your cat rubs his chin on things. He rubs on your leg, the corners of furniture, doorways – pretty much all over the house. Naturally, animal behaviorists have noticed this too and have also observed that when cats are stressed and spraying urine to mark their territory, they rarely mark the areas where they have been rubbing their chins. It turns out that cats have a specific pheromone which they apply to things they consider their own. It is called feline facial pheromone, and where cats have applied it they feel at home. They have no urge to urine mark these areas, and since they feel at home, cats are more comfortable and relaxed.

You can actually buy this pheromone in a bottle, which is pretty remarkable all by itself, and the pheromone has some remarkable effects. It is used most frequently to eliminate urine spraying by female cats and neutered male cats and works pretty well, since urine marking is usually the result of uncertainty and anxiety over territory.

Cats who get worried and upset in strange situations can benefit from Feliway in other ways. Feliway is non staining, colorless and odorless. Spray it in your house when introducing a new pet or use it in unsettled multi cat households. Spray it in the cat carrier before stuffing Kitty in there. Behavioral studies of normal cats in stressful situations show that Feliway reduces anxiety by about 50%.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 1:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
My cat sitter, who has met Angelina while I was in Tucson and has known Ms Critter for 13 plus years, called last night with that suggestion and several others.. I really appreciated it.

Got the nice "negative for parasites" reading this morning, then went shopping for me, picked up a fresh Ollallieberry pie (the season for this great berry is very very short, so one must act quickly when they are available), then went to the pet store across the street and picked up a couple of the plug in systems.. right now one is plugged in Angelina's room with her, the other is over Critter's food.. one will have to be moved to the downstairs here.

Angelina is dying to get out of that room but Critter is napping so I'll wait until she's awake and then we'll go upstairs for a meet, hiss and grrrreet.

Halfunit
Moderator

09-02-2001

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 1:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good luck with introductions, Sea! When Critter is awake, just open Angelina's door and let them make the moves on their own. You can probably expect some hissing, growling and running, but it will eventually calm down.

Moondance
Member

07-30-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 3:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
MsMonkey I am so happy for you! You know I have 9 (used to have 10) and when I make introductions I keep the new one in a small quiet area for first night and then I introduce them all when I can be in the room with them (usually the livingroom)I let them introduce themselves and constantly give positive reinforcement to the elders:-) I also make sure I give extra attention to the elders and thank them for sharing their house but remind them that were once new too:-)

They will work it out. I think our feelings and attitude is so important during this because they pick up stuff from us.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 5:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yeah, I may have blown it a bit.

They have met now.

Angelina hisses at Critter. Critter's first reaction was drooling, poor thing.

She has retreated upstairs a couple of times, but at one point she was over in the corner (Angelina was more in the corner).. then she went upstairs and Angelina came and got on my lap.

When Critter started to approach again, I put Angelina on the floor and talked softely to Critter. BOTH hissed.. I was happy that Critter found her hiss (I knew she had hisses in her repertoire).

Critter is out of range for now and Angelina has been getting some "NOs" for attacking the couch with her claws (sigh, another issue).

I think for sure I'll put A back in the private room when it is bedtime for me.. I want to be sure Critter can sleep with me if she's not mad at me by then.

So far just the hisses and stares and twitching tails from both girls.

I think what is difficult here is that Angelina is bigger and younger, but she's not a kitten or young one. We have no idea of her experience with other cats, but she's a very confident girl.

Critter is smaller, is 15, has been an only cat for 14 years and is declawed (not an issue at the moment and I hope it won't be). She does have more teeth, but is probably less likely to use them. And there's only one of me. But, I will be sure to keep reassuring Critter.

Moonie, my catsitter says she had a talk with Critter while I was gone and explained that this was a good thing, that I had a big enough heart for both, etc.

Anyway, thanks to all of you for being a sounding board..

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 7:33 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good luck, Seamonkey. I am sure it will be fine in a few days.

Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 8:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I was really worried when I got my puppy with my older cat. The first few days were a little rough ... but they worked it out.

I'm sure Angelina and Critter will be fine in time. What a good mommy you are Seamonkey to be concerned about the two of them.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 8:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
One hopes!

Well they've done mostly staring.. Critter from the kitchen counter, Angelina from the landing on the stairs, then she would go around that corner and lie down. Of course this also meant she was blocking access to upstairs where I keep both litter boxes and all the food.

So a little while ago I urged her on upstairs.. she hissed at me.. but she trotted into "her" room and I shut the door. I suspect she's tired.

Then I got Critter upstairs (she also hissed at me) and showed her that the door was shut and there was the food.

She's been ignoring me ever since.

We may try again later or more likely in the morning.

My cat sitter says that the third cat she added, who is female, and the other female, still really don't like each other after over a year, so time will tell. (my cat sitter is an angel to these cats.. she rescued the first two from the pound where they had been taken when their owner suddenly died.. he was a new client but she went through heck and back getting those cats out of jail.. the third cat was owned by an elderly client of hers who died so she took that one in too.



Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 8:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks Vacanick! I remember adding in puppies with two existing cats years ago.. that was pretty easy since the cats could get higher and away and the puppies were labradors so they meant no harm. Two female cats, ACK! But.. I still hope they'll become friends in time.

Rosie
Member

11-12-2003

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 8:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
SEA, I know this is tiring for all of you but it sounds like it is going pretty well.

Hang in there!

Jhezzie
Member

07-05-2001

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 9:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sea, I've had two female kitties for 19 years, and they still tussle occasionally. They also have their own parts of the house and they leave each other alone most of the time. They gotta try for dominance once in a while, and sometimes, it's bordom-playtime.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 10:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yeah, I realize I may be dreaming that they'll be able to share the bed with me at the same time.. they are each bonded to me.. Critter for many years, of course, and Angelina bonded very quickly. I just visted her and moved one of the pheremone plugins back into her area, and gave her some catnip, so she was purring when I left.. then Critter got some laptime. Earlier, Angelina claimed my lap, so I can see that there may be turf wars in more ways than one..

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Saturday, May 28, 2005 - 10:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Seamonkey, maybe you could grow back your bigger lap?

Herckleperckle
Member

11-20-2003

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 3:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Heee hee hee!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 6:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Patience. Slow and steady. You may want to put Ang in a crate and put that crate in the middle of the room so Critter can come and smell/see Angelina and not feel intimidated.

Another trick is to take a screen door (that is if you can find one) and put it in the doorway of the room Ang is in so Crit can see her in that room. But that is kind of cumbersome to do.

I know you wan them both to be friends (and they may later on) but taking it slow so that Critter does not feel that someone is invading her home, is the best way to go.

Things may be fine in a few days, but do not count on it and get your hopes up.

Good luck.

Also try to put a scratching post by the couch and put catnip on it.



Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 10:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks! I guess I don't want Angelina to feel too bad, but her "catitude" toward Critter was more in your face than coming the other direction. Still, when I decided it was time for Angelina to go back to her room, she didn't put up resistance, so I suspect it was sort of a relief for her, too. She got more catnip last night. Luckily, she loves that stuff. Critter is indifferent to it.

I'm going to get more pheremone gadgets today and maybe some of the Feliway spray. That way I can have a pheremone thing going downstairs and one in Angelina's room and another in my bedroom.

And I know I need to invest in a scratching post..

The inside screen door idea is great and one I used in the distant past when I was married and we were breeding Labrador Retrievers.. we had a screen door between the kitchen and the back bedroom where we had the whelping box and the mom and babies. That way, Mom could still know what was going on with the other dogs and people and the cats but not worry about a pack of panting waggy-tailed labs coming in and out to see the little ones. Not something I could install these days. But I could put Angelina in the carrier and let Critter check her out..

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 2:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Quick question. Blackie stopped putting his tail up and his behaviour changed. So I started to watch him and I think he is constipated. Is there such a thing as a kitty enema? I am just about to head to the emergency vet, I don't think I can wait until Tuesday. I just hate the emergency vet since I have never had any satisfaction from them, just very high bills.

I think he stopped eating today and he has tried to go potty several times, all we got was stinky farts. Has anyone had any experience like this?

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 3:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The vet seems like the place Blackie needs to go. It may only be constipation, but if not, time could be his enemy. Kitties can get into so much trouble so quickly that fast action could save his life.

Let us know.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 5:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You could try some of that hairball glop like Kittymalt, that they like to eat so much anyway and see if it unblocks him, but I'm with OG.. think I'd be off to the vet with him, especially since tomorrow is a holiday.

My vet has regular office hours on Saturday and Sunday!! But of course even they will be closed tomorrow.

Weinermr
Member

08-18-2001

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 5:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dipo, take your kitty to the emergency vet. No need to take chances. By the time you observe different behavior in a cat, the condition causing it is very far along.

The constipation may be caused by impacted anal glands. In that case the emergency vet can easily unblock the gland(s) and the rest will happen lol. Good luck with Blackie.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 6:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Angelina is hanging out on the bed with me.. I decided to give her some freedom since Critter was napping in a favorite hidey-hole of hers, deep in the back of the coat closet downstairs..

I need to go check on her location soon and figure out if it is time for A to return to her room or what.

Anyway, will share:

Angelina

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - 6:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Awwwwwww. I can see Angelina is the literary type.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 1:33 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Sorry not to get back about Blackie sooner. I didn't wait, I took him to the emergency vet. They think that we caught FUS early and that he will be fine. I am not so sure. I brought him home after 3 hours and $350! and they said the kitty valium they gave him would make him go to sleep and relax when we got home. Didn't happen. But the good news was that he felt good enough to go right to food once he checked out the house. I have been watching him and trying to get him to nap, which happened about an hour and a half ago. I was able to give him another "valium" and then got him into my lap and he finally took a nap.

I also have some antibiotics for him and we go back to the EVet tomorrow for some "penis" checking. Most of his blood work was normal and the valium is for the anxiety to go pee. He had no urine or poop when we went to the vet. I just now left him sleeping in the chair where I had been sitting, I am hoping he will sleep some more.

The one thing that hasn't been addressed is that he doesn't lift his tail and is having difficulty or fear of jumping up to the chair. He sort of used his front claws to pull himself up and when he has gone to the litter box, frequently unfortunately, he is not lifting his tail out of the litter.

Once we do the Evet thing tomorrow we will be going to his regular vet on Tuesday as soon as they can see him. I am still worried about him and hope maybe the additional antibiotics will help him some more tomorrow.

Anyway at least he spent some time "bit@hing" at me for his whole ordeal for a good portion of the evening. He did have a lot to say, I think because there were so many dogs at the Evet, LOL.

On a funny note, his sister has been hiding out from us since we got home, LOL. She isn't interested in me and when she got a sniff of him went under the bed. I guess there were toooooo many funny smells.

I am hoping he is more up to speed later this morning. Thanks for the advice and concern.

Oh and Angelina is certainly a beautiful girl!!!

ETA: I just went and checked on him and he seems to have finally zoned out, thank ggodness!