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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / April 2007NOT a non-event
Some time ago I posted about Miranda's annual check-up, which went without a hitch, so I called it a non-event. Well, today it was Caliban's turn to go, and this was a whole nother kettle of fish. Miranda meekly walks into her carrier when I carry her over to it. Caliban fights tooth and nail... err, claw, and he's strong! OK, I was prepared, and fortunately he doesn't hide under the bed or any other hard-to-reach place when he's upset, so it only took me five minutes to get him inside the carrier. Then we trundled off to the bus. Caliban wanted to sing his 'Goin' to the TED' blues all the way, of course. A nice old lady talked baby-talk to him half the way, so he shut up and tried to appeal to her with his big innocent eyes saying, 'can't you see what this hoomin is doing to me? Save me! Please?' At the vet's, I was surprised that Cali boy just walked out of the carrier - I had been prepared to drag him out. He walked out and started to curl up on the counter while sniffing the vet and her assistant veeeery thoroughly at the same time. She checked him out (as I anticipated, he will have to have his teeth cleaned soon), I said I'm worried about his weight and we talked about what he eats, and then she carried him over to the scales. OMG!!! He weighed a whopping 6.24 kilos (13.75 lbs)!!! He weighed 5.6 (12.35) last year. I'd thought he'd lost weight this past autumn. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the numbers. Cali boy is definitely going on a diet now. Poor boy. He's such a food-oriented cat, but still I've only been giving him the same amount as Miranda, who weighs about half of what he weighs. Let the food war begin. I will have to fight him even more than before to keep him off Mir-Mir's food. -- Marina, Miranda and Caliban > He weighed 5.6 (12.35) last year. I'd thought he'd lost weight this past > autumn. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the numbers. Cali boy is > definitely going on a diet now. Poor boy. He's such a food-oriented cat, > but still I've only been giving him the same amount as Miranda, who > weighs about half of what he weighs. Let the food war begin. I will have > to fight him even more than before to keep him off Mir-Mir's food. Marina, are you sure he doesn't eat more than Mir? Because if he doesn't, then maybe he just has a different metabolism from hers, in which case, it could just be that his body is genetically programmed to store more fat. Does the vet say this is unhealthy? His weight doesn't seem all that high to me. Roxy is 12 lbs (5.4 kg), not much less than Cali, and no vets have suggested I put her on a diet (and doctors are very diet-oriented in the States). She always acts finicky, and appears to eat less than the other two. However, I leave dry food down at all times, so she could be grazing when I'm not around. Or, maybe she's just super fuel-efficient! Smudge on the other hand, could eat a horse - she appears to eat about 3 times what the others eat, and she's tiny. Of course, she's also indoor/outdoor, so she probably gets more exercise. Good luck! Joyce > Marina, are you sure he doesn't eat more than Mir? Because if he doesn't, > then maybe he just has a different metabolism from hers, in which case, it > could just be that his body is genetically programmed to store more fat. > Does the vet say this is unhealthy? His weight doesn't seem all that high > to me. I think we've discussed this before - European cats seem to be smaller in general than US cats. Caliban doesn't have a very large frame - all the other male cats I know are larger than him - but he definitely has a large bulge in the middle. A very squishy tummy. I don't know if it shows very well in his pictures. The vet agreed that he needs to diet. Actually, she said last year, when he weighed 5.6, that he should slim down a little. And I thought he had, so it was a huge shock to see the scales now. I feel like such a bad Meowmie. I guess seeing him every day, I just didn't realise. I should get myself a proper bathroom scale. And about the food - yes, I'm sure I give the same size portion to each cat. The vet said some cats just store it differently from others. They're individual that way, just like humans, I guess. She also said to cut back a little on his vitamin/calcium supplement. She's going to send us an invite to have his teeth done in about 6 months, so we'll see if there's been any progress. -- Marina, Miranda and a staaaarving Caliban >> Marina, are you sure he doesn't eat more than Mir? Because if he doesn't, >> then maybe he just has a different metabolism from hers, in which case, [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > invite to have his teeth done in about 6 months, so we'll see if there's > been any progress. Even tiny little Molly looked like she swallowed a bowling ball up until a few weeks ago. Spring sprang, she spends more time out hunting now, and her profile has slimmed right down. Caliban is just building up his reserves for the island. Jo > Even tiny little Molly looked like she swallowed a bowling ball up until a > few weeks ago. Spring sprang, she spends more time out hunting now, and her > profile has slimmed right down. > > Caliban is just building up his reserves for the island. Last summer I thought Caliban would lose weight while we were on the island. But both my nieces free-feed their cats kibble, and Caliban would just waltz in and empty their bowls as if visiting a restaurant. And their boy cats would just let him eat their food. So he definitely did not lose any weight last summer, though he probably got a lot more exercise than here at home. -- Marina, Miranda and staaarving Caliban >> Caliban is just building up his reserves for the island. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >did not lose any weight last summer, though he probably got a lot more >exercise than here at home. That's so funny! :) >>> Caliban is just building up his reserves for the island. >> Last summer I thought Caliban would lose weight while we were on the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > That's so funny! :) No, it isn't! Well, yes it is, but then again, it's not. :P -- Marina, Miranda and staaaarving Caliban > Last summer I thought Caliban would lose weight while we were on the > island. But both my nieces free-feed their cats kibble, and Caliban > would just waltz in and empty their bowls as if visiting a restaurant. > And their boy cats would just let him eat their food. So he definitely > did not lose any weight last summer, though he probably got a lot more > exercise than here at home. The extra size is probably muscle then, not fat, from all the exercise he got on the island. And the extra food was simply to build up that muscle. At least, I'm sure that's the theory Caliban would prefer! Cats are so extremely good at acting starved, even when you know they've had a bowl of perfectly good food a few hours earlier.  SignatureCheryl > The extra size is probably muscle then, not fat, from all the exercise he > got on the island. And the extra food was simply to build up that muscle. Haha. ;) > At least, I'm sure that's the theory Caliban would prefer! Cats are so > extremely good at acting starved, even when you know they've had a bowl of > perfectly good food a few hours earlier. Oh, yes, he's doing his best to convince me he is staaaarving. -- Marina, Miranda and Caliban By avoiding double negatives, you refrain from preventing the reader's lack of comprehension of the non-event you were considering leaving out. Because lack of understanding would have failed to convey the miserable open connection of the neglected failures of communication which was termined by being ended but not before the motion was made and seconded to adourn, but was unable to be completed before the meeting was cancelled. Glad you had an event. SignatureChristopher A. Young You can't shout down a troll. You have to starve them. . > Last summer I thought Caliban would lose weight while we were > on the island. But both my nieces free-feed their cats kibble, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > summer, though he probably got a lot more exercise than here at > home. But he's a growing (and groaning) boycat. He needs the extra nutrition to help him build his muscle tone and make himself more handsome for the babes. Pam S. laughing, I have a couple of owners that could convince a saint that they're starving to death > But he's a growing (and groaning) boycat. He needs the extra > nutrition to help him build his muscle tone and make himself more > handsome for the babes. > > Pam S. laughing, I have a couple of owners that could convince a > saint that they're starving to death Well, I've got the pictures to prove he's not starving, so he'd better not try that with me. The bulge very obvious: http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o185/frankiennikki/January%202007%20-/snuggli ng.jpg There's something strange with his proportions - it's like the front of his body is one or two sizes smaller than the back: http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o185/frankiennikki/January%202007%20-/caliban -1.jpg -- Marina, Miranda and staaaarving Caliban > And about the food - yes, I'm sure I give the same size portion to each > cat. The vet said some cats just store it differently from others. Hah! This proves that the great big porker's been at our HK Chapter '05 Strategic Scoff Reserves all along! Serve him right to have to go on a strict dye-it!! Purrs Claudius the Svelte Purresident, HK Chapter '05 > Hah! This proves that the great big porker's been at our HK Chapter '05 > Strategic Scoff Reserves all along! > > Serve him right to have to go on a strict dye-it!! I think Caliban may have to step down from his position as trespurrer. He is definitely not the right cat to be in charge of any food. -- Marina, Miranda and staaarving Caliban >> Hah! This proves that the great big porker's been at our HK >> Chapter '05 Strategic Scoff Reserves all along! [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > trespurrer. He is definitely not the right cat to be in charge > of any food. I'LL DO IT!! I'M ONE OF THE 05 KITTIES AND I CAN DO A REALLY GOOD GOOD JOB OF KEEPING TRACK OF STRATEGIC SCOFF RESERVES. QUI GUN KIT (drooling heavily) "Tanada" <tanada@earthlink.net> was influenced to write: > I'LL DO IT!! I'M ONE OF THE 05 KITTIES AND I CAN DO A REALLY GOOD GOOD > JOB OF KEEPING TRACK OF STRATEGIC SCOFF RESERVES. > > QUI GUN KIT (drooling heavily) Purresident Claudius responds: Many thanks for the offer QCK, but the drool from your mouth rather suggests that our SSR would be as short-lived with you as it's proving with Caliban. Plus, I rule in Kernow, next door to England, so like to keep things fairly adjacent here in Yurrope. Offers from more self-controlled, ie less greedy, Chapter members will be entertained - anyone? Purrs Claudius Emperor of Home Purresident, HK Chapter '05 > "Tanada" <tanada@earthlink.net> was influenced to write: > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Offers from more self-controlled, ie less greedy, Chapter members will > be entertained - anyone? Miranda would be perfect for the job, since she isn't that bothered about food, but she's an '04. -- Marina, Miranda and staaaarving Caliban >I think we've discussed this before - European cats seem to be smaller >in general than US cats. Caliban doesn't have a very large frame - all >the other male cats I know are larger than him - but he definitely has a >large bulge in the middle. Now that you mention it, the largest cat breeds, Ragdolls and Maine Coons, did originate in the US, and a lot of moggies here are Maine Coon mixes, being long haired and big. >>I think we've discussed this before - European cats seem to be smaller >>in general than US cats. Caliban doesn't have a very large frame - all [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >Coons, did originate in the US, and a lot of moggies here are Maine >Coon mixes, being long haired and big. The largest cat I ever had was a 13 pounder (5.8 kg) and the vet called him a "whopper" when I first took him in. Tiger wasn't "fluffy"; he was just a big, shaggy, brown tabby. Your usual tomcat runs about 8 pounds (3.6 kg). Bud Bud SignatureThe night is just the shadow of the Earth. > The largest cat I ever had was a 13 pounder (5.8 kg) and the vet > called him a "whopper" when I first took him in. Tiger wasn't Our beloved Quetzie (RB) last weighted in at 18 lbs, all muscle. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com >> The largest cat I ever had was a 13 pounder (5.8 kg) and the vet >> called him a "whopper" when I first took him in. Tiger wasn't > > Our beloved Quetzie (RB) last weighted in at 18 lbs, all muscle. That's what I'm saying. American cats are bigger. Nikki weighed around 2 kilos most of her life (4.4 lbs). I believe KFC weighs even less. Miranda is not that small, though she's an expert at making herself *look* small. She weighs 3.4 kilos (7.5 lbs). -- Marina, Miranda and Caliban > Nikki weighed around 2 kilos most of her life (4.4 lbs). I believe KFC Holy cow, that's small! Our smallest is Maya, who averages 8 lbs. SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com >>> The largest cat I ever had was a 13 pounder (5.8 kg) and the vet >>> called him a "whopper" when I first took him in. Tiger wasn't [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >weighs even less. Miranda is not that small, though she's an expert at >making herself *look* small. She weighs 3.4 kilos (7.5 lbs). That's not small - that's TINY! Tessie is eight pounds (I seem to remember...) and every time I pick her up in one hand I think how petite she is... >>>> The largest cat I ever had was a 13 pounder (5.8 kg) and the vet >>>> called him a "whopper" when I first took him in. Tiger wasn't [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] >remember...) and every time I pick her up in one hand I think how >petite she is... My tiny Mimi was 6 pounds soaking wet. In her later days she was around four. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh Make Levees, Not War > I think we've discussed this before - European cats seem to be > smaller in general than US cats. Maybe we did - I have the worst memory!! Or it could be that I just missed that conversation. I hope so, because otherwise it's just more evidence that my brain what it used to be. > Caliban doesn't have a very large frame - all the other male > cats I know are larger than him - but he definitely has a large > bulge in the middle. Interesting that European cats actually have smaller frames than in the US. > I feel like such a bad Meowmie. I guess seeing him every day, I > just didn't realise. Oh, no - don't blame yourself! I think it's hard to notice incremental changes. Joyce >> Marina, are you sure he doesn't eat more than Mir? Because if he doesn't, >> then maybe he just has a different metabolism from hers, in which case, [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > like such a bad Meowmie. I guess seeing him every day, I just didn't > realise. I should get myself a proper bathroom scale. Caliban not only looks like Boyfriend, but his frame seems very similar too. I consider Boyfie is reaching the top end of the weight I want him to be at 4 kg. He is starting to look a bit "fluffy." I must resist him when he insists he is starving even though he gets plenty of exercise. Now the weather is improving he is out parading his patch and looking at rats most of the daylight hours. > And about the food - yes, I'm sure I give the same size portion to each > cat. The vet said some cats just store it differently from others. They're > individual that way, just like humans, I guess. She also said to cut back > a little on his vitamin/calcium supplement. She's going to send us an > invite to have his teeth done in about 6 months, so we'll see if there's > been any progress. I give KFC almost as much to eat as Boyfie. She was eating fish bits nearly all day yesterday as I had a freezer breakdown and was cooking 12 hours/day for 2 days to save the raw meat & fish as cooked ready meals. She has remained as long as she has lived with me at around 2 kgs. So tiny, yet so fierce ;-) Tweed > I give KFC almost as much to eat as Boyfie. She was eating fish bits nearly > all day yesterday as I had a freezer breakdown and was cooking 12 hours/day > for 2 days to save the raw meat & fish as cooked ready meals. She has > remained as long as she has lived with me at around 2 kgs. So tiny, yet so > fierce ;-) Licky waves hello to his sweetie! Joyce > Caliban not only looks like Boyfriend, but his frame seems very similar too. > I consider Boyfie is reaching the top end of the weight I want him to be at > 4 kg. He is starting to look a bit "fluffy." I must resist him when he > insists he is starving even though he gets plenty of exercise. Now the > weather is improving he is out parading his patch and looking at rats most > of the daylight hours. I think Caliban's optimal weight would be around 5 kg. So we have a long way to go. Have to make sure he doesn't lose weight too fast, either. Heh, I'm very optimistic, aren't I? Maybe we'll go back in six months and he hasn't lost a gram. Well, I've decided I'm going on a sympathy diet with him. > I give KFC almost as much to eat as Boyfie. She was eating fish bits nearly > all day yesterday as I had a freezer breakdown and was cooking 12 hours/day > for 2 days to save the raw meat & fish as cooked ready meals. She has > remained as long as she has lived with me at around 2 kgs. So tiny, yet so > fierce ;-) That'¨s what I thought I remembered, she's as tiny as Nikki was. And as fierce. Our adorable little hellions. SignatureMarina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. > Roxy is 12 lbs (5.4 kg), not much less than Cali... Whoops! I made a mistake. Roxy is no longer 12 lbs (she used to be). She now weighs 10 lbs. In fact, it was the loss of weight that prompted the vet to do a blood workup to make sure her kidneys were functioning OK - between that and the eye infection, he was a bit worried. I don't know why she lost 2 lbs, and she looks (and feels) the same to me. Joyce > > Roxy is 12 lbs (5.4 kg), not much less than Cali... > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > that and the eye infection, he was a bit worried. I don't know why she lost > 2 lbs, and she looks (and feels) the same to me. How is Roxy's eye now? -- Marina, Miranda and Caliban > How is Roxy's eye now? Much better, thanks! I'm no longer giving her medicine (giving us both a break from the twice-daily eye drops and ointments). She seems pretty much OK, although occasionally when the light hits her eyes just so, I can see that the two eyes look somewhat different - the one that had the infection doesn't reflect the light in quite the same way. So, I think she's still healing. Or maybe her eye will always look a little different now, but she's over the infection, anyway. Thanks for asking! Joyce > > How is Roxy's eye now? > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Joyce What a relief! I'm so very happy for you both. Best wishes, Polonca and Soncek > > How is Roxy's eye now? > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > same way. So, I think she's still healing. Or maybe her eye will always > look a little different now, but she's over the infection, anyway. Glad she is doing so fine. -- Marina, Miranda and Caliban >Some time ago I posted about Miranda's annual check-up, which went >without a hitch, so I called it a non-event. Well, today it was [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >weighs about half of what he weighs. Let the food war begin. I will have >to fight him even more than before to keep him off Mir-Mir's food. Poor Cali! Glad it's nothing worse than a few extra pounds. Stinky was a butterball at that age, which is why I'm not terribly worried about Dante being a little cannonball ;) -- Stinky's eating stablized a lot after around age 2. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh Make Levees, Not War > carried him over to the scales. OMG!!! He weighed a whopping 6.24 kilos > (13.75 lbs)!!! Last time we weighted Fez, he came in at 13.35 lbs. He's not fat though, he's just a very large cat. :) SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com > Some time ago I posted about Miranda's annual check-up, which went > without a hitch, so I called it a non-event. Well, today it was [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > weighs about half of what he weighs. Let the food war begin. I will have > to fight him even more than before to keep him off Mir-Mir's food. I'm sorry to hear Caliban will have to go on a diet. We will be purring for the diet to be successful and that it won't be too hard on Caliban and you, Marina, Polonca and Soncek |
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