Archive through December 10, 2002
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Archive through December 10, 2002
Calamity | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 08:23 am     Webkitty: I'd err on the side of caution, too, and have the vet check her out. Is she eating/drinking/using the litterbox normally? When I was growing up, we had a kitty who was very aloof with us and always hid from strangers. She would play string occasionally and sometimes snuggle with another cat but mostly kept to herself. When she was ten years old though, she went through a complete and sudden personality change. She actively sought attention, played regularly (her favorite game was batting a small paper wad that someone would toss to her), and lost her fear of strangers. I've never seen anything like that before or since but clearly it can happen. Hope your cat feels better soon! |
Calamity | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 08:35 am     Forgot to add: She also developed the habit of getting into trouble. She'd rummage through the compost container, knock things off the table, etc. It would have been aggravating but since she finally seemed to be enjoying herself, my family pretty much just laughed at all the messes she'd make. We got some funny pictures out her escapades, too. |
Webkitty | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 08:52 am     Thank you to everyone for your help. I'm going to log off now and go call the vet. She doesn't seem sick just really affectionate, so I'm not sure what he will think of the call! lol Last winter when she got that cold, she couldn't stop sneezing, and her eyes were runny, and she had a temp. My other cat caught it too. I have no idea how they could have come down with that as they have never even been outside. She's not showing any of these symtoms, yet. Another strange thing is that she is looking me in the eyes. She has always diverted her gaze away (unlike my other cat who will sit and stare me down) And she looks kind of sad. So, off to tell the vet that my cat is acting affectionate and is "looking" at me. |
Halfunit | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 08:54 am     I will echo Calamitys' questions about food and water. Is WebkittyKitty still consuming (and voiding) normal quantities? I also think cats can go through personality changes. One of mine (adult shelter cat who was abandoned for over a week before someone found her), was PSYCHO kitty when we brought her home. She tolerated me and preferred my husband. This is a good thing since I have two that are "momma's girls". It took her 2 YEARS to warm up to me, and 3 years for her just to jump up on the bed. Now, after being here 4 years, she lays in the bed with hubby until he falls asleep. She will also occasionally come and lay with me, which is a treat. I'm babbling, but the point of my post is this: Yes, cats can change - and you can always run them to the vet to ease your fears! Ed - you posted while I was typing, lol. I'm glad you're calling. Your vet may chuckle, but you care and it will make you feel better. |
Mack | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 10:01 am     Had to get rid of a wife but I now have my own cat again. Actually, I got remarried and picked a cat person and in doing so adopted her two cats. Unfortunately the younger cat died the day before I moved my new wife from Alabama to Virginia. Because we're both working professionals we decided to hold off getting another cat. Additionally, my wife is a firm believer that God will provide...and He did. A year or so had gone by since we lost Cuddles when we went into a pet store to get fish food. They just happened to have a cat rescue group there that day. God gave us Ginnie that day and little Gin-Gin adopted me as her primary human. Of course back home 20-pound Smokey was in for a rude awakening. Turns out 7-pound Gin-Gin was a bit street smart. After the first "beating" she administered we didn't see Smoke for 3 weeks! They're now best friends though the "lady" is still in charge. Oh...Gin-Gin is my first cat, of about 7, who comes when I call her, "talks" to me all the time, thinks she's a backup alarm clock (at least she thinks sleeping past 6:30 AM is a waste)and, by the way, doesn't bother our artifical Christmas tree. |
Pamy | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 01:45 pm     Mack...love that story! I too had to get rid of a fiance when he told me there was no way he would allow a cat in the house...a month later we broke up! I married a man, who wants a farm to care for all the animals in the world! When we moved to our new home in 2000 we had to take all the neighborhood strays from our old place, still have most of them. Ms. Kitty...one of our cats is still skittish after 3 yrs, but last winter she decided if I was laying in the bed she would let me pet her and she purrs so loud! If my hubby or I get out of the bed she jumps down and hides until we are laying down, then back up laying right next to us crying for love!! |
Halfunit | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 03:18 pm     Webkitty - what is going on with your baby? |
Webkitty | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 03:46 pm     I love animals in general but have a special place for cats. I could never be married to an anti-cat person. Ok, China is fine. We took her to the vet and he said she was probably just chilly and my lap was the warmest place. Whew. He told us that her aloof behavior these three years is probably because she is half siamese, that they tend to be more high strung and do things in their own time and way. I tell you though, it was such a shock when she jumped in my lap and started purring and snuggling. My first thought was that she was getting sick. Maybe she'll do it again, I hope so, it was a magical moment! Thanks to all who responded, I feel better knowing she is ok, it was the right thing to do getting her checked out, she's so little for a full grown kitty, I've never had one this teeny before. And that cold she had last winter scared the bejeezes out of me. (although SHE didn't appriciate the trip to the vet, little brat) PS: she is rubbing up against me right now and purring, so I'm forgiven, lol! She loves her mommy! I'm so happy! |
Babyruth | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 05:21 pm     That's good to hear, Webkitty! |
Halfunit | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 05:39 pm     I am happy to hear that Webkitty. I bet you are relieved, and I hope that China is in your lap as I type! |
Mack | Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 06:19 pm     Thanks Pamy. Sounds like you've found my type of guy....huh...oops...person. I made a bad mistake....never go for somebody who doesn't love cats, basically something wrong there. I went 16 years without a cat, the longest in my life and I really, really missed having a cat or two around. Ex thought they were evil...turned out the other way around but that's another story. Ginnie is very friendly and wants to be close almost all the time but she will not sleep with us. She joins us when we first go to bed...or settle down if you get my drift...and spends about 10 minutes with us. She's then off for a quick snack, a little drink, some play with Smokey and then to bed. From day one she's slept in a cat bed in our bedroom and never, ever spends the night on the bed with us. Considering her rescue name was "Starlight Motel Kittie"...in reference to where they found her....I thought she'd be a lot more distant. She was befriended by a Harley rider and he kept her in his room at night but she wandered all day long. What a find for us! http://members.cox.net/klugspage/index.htm |
Webkitty | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 05:02 am     China is in my lap again! She is purring away and all snuggly. She slept with me and my other kitty P all night so I guess she's decided to become a snuggle bunny (just had to report this!) |
Halfunit | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 05:54 am     Webkitty, I am glad to hear that China has come to her senses and realized that she can get more scratches and loving sitting on your lap than being in the other room!!! Aren't personality changes fun?? ½ |
Urgrace | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 09:41 am     Juju, my young black kitten, has become very lovable and will cuddle up on our lap or in the seat beside us. BUT what's up with her f*rting all the time? Do I need to see the vet about this, change cat food, what? She did this last night while lying on the sofa next to a throw pillow. I had to throw the pillow in the wash it smelled so bad! |
Moondance | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 10:14 am     Sounds like one of her anal glands could be backed up... if the smell was REALLY bad it could be that... it has to be drained.. hard to do yourself but can be done (very smelly) so I would have the vet do it. Anal gland stuff is sooooo stinky... if it is not that, could be change of food etc... Very happy about MsChina!!! |
Urgrace | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 11:44 am     Moon, we have not changed the cat food even once. It looks like another expensive vet visit is in order. |
Spygirl | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 12:35 pm     I can attest to the anal gland issue...that is what started my doggie's problems. Her anal sacs were so full they almost ruptured. It can be deadly, so I would encourage a trip to the vet, too. Draining them doesn't cost much, though. My vet only charges $10. |
Sia | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 01:34 pm     I've always been able to express my cats' anal glands manually quite simply. I didn't even know they HAD these glands until an incident at the vet's office when on of my cats released her glands herself out of TERROR when she was about to get a spot on her neck shaven with electric clippers before a fe-leuk test. The vet's assistant was so MAD at my cat--and at me--and she told me to take the cat home!! |
Moondance | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 02:44 pm     Some are easy to do and some take a professional |
Weinermr | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 03:48 pm     I'm so very glad our cat (or any pet I've ever owned) has never had to have its anal glands expressed. Our cat expresses herself, but not THAT way.  |
Jmm | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 05:36 pm     I need help, having never had indoor cats before and now finding myself the owner of three. How the devil do you keep them off of surfaces you don't want them on? I don't mean they climb on the living room furniture, I sort of expected that. I am talking about keeping them off the dining room table. I have moved them, yelled, put them up when they get up there, and now I've run out of ideas. HELP!! I know there are many cat people here and surely someone knows how to make these little furballs stay off my table. |
Moondance | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 05:54 pm     Tin can (empty coke can) with coins in it ... when they are up there shake it real hard ... the noise usually scares them and they will get off. Be sure they do not see you shake it (do it behind your back, etc.) you do not want to be associated with 'the can' ... water spray bottles do the trick too but again they can't see you doing it. When they get down show them lots of affection and positive reinforcement. Yelling seldom works with a cat ... they will tune you out or just associate you with being the bad guy. Cats are cats ... they are a funny breed. Good Luck! |
Sia | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 07:27 pm     Some cats get impacted anal glands, and a vet will charge you money to take care of this potentially painful (for the cat) condition, or you can don a pair of disposable gloves and do it yourself. It's like squeezing a zit--although very gently, just gentle pressure, and NO FINGERNAILS!! and not a big deal. Some people are extremely squeamish, however, and shouldn't attempt this. In a cat that whose body doesn't naturally take care of maintaining this problem, an involuntary release of very stinky fluid can cause you to take matters into your own hands. If you find that your cat leaves malodorous evidence when she's been startled, you will be more than subtly encouraged to help your cat maintain her dignity and comfort. How would you like to be puffed up and swollen and have something that needed to be let loose? They don't have opposable thumbs; people sometimes have to help their cats. I would far rather express a dozen cats' anal glands than crawl across a busy expressway. I would most likely get hit by a car if I chose the latter; I've never been injured doing the former. Minor injuries and maladies we take care of at home, since it's not an easy trip to the vet's office. Surgeries and broken bones require the vet's expertise, and many non-life-threatening situations can be handled right on the farm. |
Sia | Sunday, December 08, 2002 - 07:28 pm      |
Urgrace | Tuesday, December 10, 2002 - 01:52 pm     Thank you for all your kind support. JujuKitty is taken care of  |
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