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Archive through June 01, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Jun. ~ Aug.: Hairball Haven ARCHIVES: Cats (ARCHIVES): Archive through June 01, 2005 users admin

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Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 9:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh, poor Blackie. I have said a prayer for him.

Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 9:54 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
How many pets is too many?

Currently we have 3 cats ranging in age from 1 to 4. And we have 3 dogs ranging in age from 1 to 7.

Our friend's barn cat just had kittens and one of them is the most adorable little cuddly grey tabby. My son fell in love with her.

And last Monday I rode a 16-yr-old thoroughbred who has been neglected for many years and we bonded instantly.

I may yet to have a hire a 'nanny' to care for all my critters!

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 10:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I think the "too many" cutoff is if they are not all getting proper care. If you can care for more animals, then by all means, DO IT.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 10:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I second Eeyore! If you can provide proper care (and space) then 4 cats and 3 dogs is not really too crazy. (Then again you are talking to someone who has 4 cats and 2 dogs!)

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 11:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
i think there is proper care, but there is also the giving of adequate attention. are these animals just pets? or family members? anyone can feed/water/clean animals, heck pet stores do it all the time. but how about the giving of yourself, so that the animal can give of itself? that is the question to ask. is there the time to give the animal a relationship?

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 12:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yep, that is the key question. When I was breeding labs, they did get individual attention, but we also did place several of the older ones in homes (it was always people coming to us, having fallen in love with that mature dog) where they might get to be an only dog or one of a pair.

But being able to care for them, vet-wise, is also very important and I know you can say "yes" to all of the above, Karin. As long as they get their shots, various checkups and are neutered/not allowed to breed.. YaY!

Dipo.. the first week I had Critter (she was adopted from the pound) she had horrible upper respiratory problems to the extent that my vets were not at all optimistic. As days went on she was not eating at all. They used IV Valium to help her appetite kick in and on the third try it did.

FUS.. well.. hopefully if it is that it can be handled with change in diet.. you definitely want lower protein that regular cat foods and the lowest possible ash content. Way back when I had a neutered male with FUS, he had to be restructured (expensive, and Pamy just had that done to her Casper, still very expensive) and then they had him eating no dry food, only wet, low ash dog food (lower in protein). Later our female cat had kidney problems and no operation but the same diet. I'm sure they have special kitty food now, but check.. the right formula dog food might be cheaper. Those two cats lived to be twenty.

Anyway, hope you've caught everything in time for your kitty. I have a special place in my heart for all black cats, ya know!!



Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 12:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Kar, you are not even close to the limit!!! Get 2 kitties!

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 12:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL, Pamy.

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 2:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
So, after a quiet morning apart, the two girls are loose in the condo.. Angelina immediately headed downstairs and then Critter who saw her go by from a spot in my bedroom, chose to go and explore Angelina's room.. So I came downstairs with my meds and vitamins, to get some orange juice and Angelina went upstairs. She seems to have said something or just looked wrong but when I got upstairs a few minutes later, she was leaving, Critter was barfing.. oh joy.. So Angelina came downstairs, then Critter came and sat on the landing.. Now Angelina is on a pad next to the couch, Critter is up on the counter looking into the living room.. they can see each other ..

Me? I'm nervous and trying not to convey this to them.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 3:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Seamonkey, I am loving your stories about Critter and Angelina. I was thinking from her picture, that Angelina looked very....regal. It really does seem she is a bit of a princess eh!?

I remember we used to have one cat when I was younger, that was the TOTAL boss over all of our other cats. She was thin, and she smacked all the big boy cats around. Her name was Mischa, but eventually my mom and I started calling her "b!tchcat", as it was more appropriate. LOL

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 4:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL.. When I first got married, we got a little grey long haired kitten, then a black boy kitten.. and they had names but ended up being called B!tch and Dude.. she because she lived up to that name and he because in those years my brother tended to call everyone "Dude".

Angelina can be all the princess she wants to be, but Critter is the senior princess for me.

After awhile in the above positions, Angelina disappeared and eventually I tracked her down to upstairs where she had settled on my bed, right where I took her pictures yesterday.. Critter was still on the counter and I went and soothed her and brought her over to sit on my lap which she did for awhile and now she's next to my chair in her infamous basket wastebasket.. no warm fuzzies but no hissing so far today, mostly just startes and then separation.

Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 4:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Being single and with my son gone half the time to his dad's, all my critters get (and give) lots of love and affection. The dogs could get walked a little more often, especially in bad weather, but almost daily we play tug or catch or tag (I always lose) in the backyard. Plus they, uh, chase the rabbits. :-)

The littlest dog, Drover the jack russell, is devoted to my son. When my son is home, he follows him around like a shadow and they wrestle and play constantly. When my son is not home, Drover shadows me or the golden retriever, like Mutt and Jeff, they're just as cute as can be.

I'm most worried about the horse care--a much bigger responsibility. Scooping litter boxes is so much easier! But I'm thinking I can recruit some of the teenagers from my church to help out in exchange for some free riding time and lessons.

Heck, maybe it's time to retire, so I can work less and spend more time volunteering and with my pets!

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 7:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
So.. after quite awhile Critter emerged from the basket.. I went to check out Angelina.. still on the bed. She needed brushing (each is grooming more than usual) and then she got off the bed and headed downstairs.. I went to get a hunk of ollallieberry pie and heard a hiss.. each cat was doing the stare at each other and each hissed.. twitching tails of course.

I said fine and went to eat pie and watch the finale of Lost.

Last I checked Critter was still downstairs but Angelina had retreated to the cat carrier in "her" room. However, Critter was considering going upstairs so who knows what is happening now. I'll check later. So far no one has gotten close enough to get bitten or swatter.

Kar.. check out the JRT picture I posted in the dog thread! The owner had gotten him a bubble machine from Costco and he LOVES chasing the bubbles! I actually went to Costco in Tucson and purchased two, onr for my back patio, just because and one for a housewarming gift for my friends who are moving back from Key West to Palm Springs.

Meanwhile Critter just showed up back near my chair :-)

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 8:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Update. Say some prayers for Blackie, I took him back into the EVet and they found he is totally obstructed so the drugs didn't work and he is now having surgery. I don't know if it is the restructured technique you are speaking of but it is going to run from $780 to $1800 depending on how difficult the surgery is. The vet thought it would be more close to the simple end of the deal. However when Blackie comes home he will have a catherer for 3 days, which means wearing the cone plus he will have stitches in his foreskin (vet says that will really make him mad). I just hate that this is happening to him. They may not even have to keep him over night, but won't know until after the surgery. I will call around 10 pm to see if he is staying the night or coming home. Anyway please keep him in your prayers, I always worry when there is anathesia (sp) involved and he was shaking like a leaf when I left him, so I know he is scared to death.

Oh and how do they eat and drink with they have that cone thing on?

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 8:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'll definitely be praying for Blackie and I'll get Critter to throw in special black kitty incantations.

I never had to cone a cat.. not sure what was done to keep our black cat from getting to his stitches all those years ago.. all I know is that after quite a lot of treatment for rodent ulcers of his mouth, and even radiation therapy, once he had the operation and went on the low ash diet, he was fine and lived to be quite the old cat. He was a black and white tuxedo cat.

Pamy.. maybe you can give us an update on Casper??

Critter still here near me. Haven't checked on Angelina but she's still free to roam.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 8:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
OH YEAH!!!! The vet just called. Surgery went well and and I pick Blackie up at 9:45pm, I am so happy.

Sea, it must have been those special black kitty incantations that did the trick!!!!!

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 9:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    


Bonzacat
Member

07-08-2003

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 9:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Prayers for Blackie are sent out to you both, Dipo! He will be so happy to see you and be back in his home.

And good thoughts to Seamonkey - may the semi-peace continue!


Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Monday, May 30, 2005 - 9:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Criter now curled up in the wastebasket again. Lst I checked Angelina was back on my bed, but I went into her room and turned on a light and she came in to get some food. So they remain on separate floors for now. When I go up to bed, I'll shut Angelina in her room for the night.

Puppylov3
Member

01-26-2004

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 10:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
okay all three of my cats woke me up this morning. Actually at various points during the night they took turns tromping through my bed waking me up. Ever try to go to sleep with a 14 lb flame point siamese laying on your side - yeah fun night.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 1:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Kar....

I know this isn't the horse thread, but let me begin by saying "GOD BLESS YOU" for wanting to take in a neglected thoroughbred.

That said, buyer beware.......

I realize you may already love this horse, but before you bring him home, have him vet checked. Is he sound? Also, thoroughbred's tend to not live quite as long as other horses, and 16 for a thoroughbred is getting up there in years, this is another reason for the vet check. Remember, there is a reason they are not riding/using him other than they are too busy, if that was the only case, they would have sold him long ago.

Also, be careful giving riding lessons to kids and adults. If you are not a licensed trainer or carrying liability insurance, and someone gets hurt, even if their parents or they don't sue you, their insurance companies can still pursue a lawsuit, and you could lose everything. Especially since this is an older horse, and may not be as physically sounds as he should be for riding, etc. Even if they sign waivers, there are still ways for them to go after you. Look into it, it may not be the same in every state. If you are going to get him just as a "pet", whereas you are not riding him, then that's a different story, but still have him vet checked. Vet bills for a cat or dog don't even compare to what they can be for a horse.

Also, we are down to one horse, now. We have sold some and finally had to put down my old guy, he was pushing 30 and we didn't want him to suffer any longer. One horse is so much easier than two, although they are companion animals, and sometime don't do well on their own. We two horses until last year, then our sheep died as well, she was old. So our old guy is on his own, but he can see the neighbors horse and they sometimes nicker back and forth, and he's happy. He gets lots of attention. There is only one stall to clean, which we do daily, and we prepare the hay for the next day the night before when we clean, so we don't have to rummage through the barn before work and get covered in hay, etc. We go out in the morning, and throw him a flake, then at lunch, we get home and let him out on the grass for an hour, then he gets put away before we head back to work, and then when we get home, he gets dinner while his stall get's cleaned. The only downside to this is in the summer, when we are cleaning it is the hottest part of the day, and the most fly's are out. Yick. But, if you keep the manure under control, flies aren't so bad.

And, you can never have too many "pets" to love as long as you can take care of them all, with a high quality of care. Cats are easier, because they are independant, especially if they are outdoor/indoor cats.

Good luck!

Seamonkey
Member

09-07-2000

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 - 9:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hope Blackie is doing VERY well today!! We've been sending up human and kitty prayers..

Last night I went up to move Angelina from my bed (where she seems to be growing ROOTS!) and picked her up.. of course Critter had followed me upstairs and Angelina hissed.. felt funny..

They were both loose later today and had a staredown.. Critter meowed at Angelina and dang Angelina hissed.. why can't she just get along

Angelina then went back upstairs and has been on my bed ever since. One time when I got back from dinner, I went upstairs and Critter followed and was shocked to see Angelina on the bed.. so she came back downstairs with me..

At least there has been no growling, no biting, less tail switching but still tense for them.



Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 9:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dipo, it may take some time for Blackie to get back to normal. When my Stryder went through all that, his bladder wall was almost 2 inches thick from inflammation (usually they are paper thin). It took months of food to get all those crystals to dissolve and even then we had new episodes of bloody urine and frequent peeing for over a year. Eventually they started him on piroxicam every other day (flavored with tuna and given by syringe in his mouth). Still, we had continuing episodes, and I was at my wit's end.

Finally, we got off the vet version of FUS food and bought Purina over the counter (urinary health formula). We haven't had a single episode of problems again and it's been 2 years.

The point is, whatever the vets tell you, after several months of the vet food, try other types. Different cats react differently and you have to find one that works for you.

Two other things that help - feed canned food with water added. (My cat would never eat it, but more water helps with this problem). And get a drinking fountain to encourage more water consumption.

Good luck!

Karuuna
Member

08-31-2000

Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 9:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Escapee, thanks for your words of wisdom. I used to train and show hunter/jumpers and teach riding - so I'm very familiar with off the track thoroughbreds. Simon (racing name Turf Adler) was donated to the therapeutic riding program where I currently work about a year ago - his owner hadn't paid board in years, and the stable owners made arrangements for her to donate him.

Unfortunately, he's too big for the program, in therapeutic riding, you must have sidewalkers, and we don't have sidewalkers tall enough for 16.2 thoroughbred. Also, he's a little feisty, mostly I think from not being ridden for years and years.

I've ridden him twice and the program director has ridden him, and he's really quite nice if you know what you're doing. I worked him for a bit in the round pen before ever getting on him, and he was ready to join up in only ten minutes or so. I think he'll be fine with regular work.

It's the daily feeding and stall cleaning that will be problematic. My schedule is already nutty, and I travel quite a bit. There is a boarding stable less than 1/3 mile from my home, so I may just board him there, and yet be able to take him home for a coupla days when I want to. I have a 2-stall barn (now becoming 2-stall plus storage as I add on) and 4.5 acres.

But I do think he'll need a buddy horse too! Yikes!

Good point about the liability, I'll have to look into that. Except if I keep it casual (friends giving lessons, without charging) I think I can get around most of that.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - 9:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
My mother used to show hunters and jumpers too. She used to get angry when we'd want to ride western.

but that is another trhead