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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / December 2007Kitten with Feline Leukemia Virus becoming Overweight
Hello all, I will be taking my kitten to the vet for a checkup and for advice, but I also wanted to see if anyone here had any advice as well. I have a 9 month old kitten. He was diagnosed with Feline Leukemia Virus when he was about 5 months old - he had the ELISA and the IFA test. So far he hasn't gotten sick. He seems very healthy, he's extremely energetic and very happy. What's concerning me is his weight. At 9 months old he is larger than most full grown cats I've seen just in height and length, but he's becoming pudgy as well. When I read up on the Feline Leukemia Virus, it says it is important for him not to become stressed and that something as simple as him running out of food could stress him out, so I would be nervous to restrict his food. I have been playing with him more, he'll play fetch like a dog, and he loves the laser pointers as well. He will also play a lot on his own, so it seems like he is getting a lot of exercise, but he still is getting bigger in the belly. I'm nervous with him because it's likely he won't be alive for a lot of years and I don't want to do anything that could make it worse for him. He's a sweet guy. > Hello all, > > I will be taking my kitten to the vet for a checkup and for advice, > but I also wanted to see if anyone here had any advice as well. [...] Sounds to me like you are doing everything right--more exercise can never be bad. He is so young, I bet he will burn it off in no time. Bless you for taking in this kitten. P.S.--if you have any soft elasticized strings, such as the ones in workout pants, these have really given our play a shot in the arm. :) Unlike the ever popular feather on a string, these spring back when they--or you--let go. It's a riot. Response to "cybercat" <cyberpurrs@yahoo.com>: > P.S.--if you have any soft elasticized strings, such as the ones in > workout pants, these have really given our play a shot in the arm. >:) Unlike the ever popular feather on a string, these spring back > when they--or you--let go. It's a riot. That's a great suggestion, cybercat. Gabby seems to love the Cat Dancer that Phil suggested so perhaps another "springy" toy would work. Do you think waistband elastic (the bands, not the string) would work? I checked at Michael's Arts and Crafts store but they only had elastic plastic string like for creating stretchy jewelry. I doubt that's suitable.  Signature-Lost Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am kidding. No I am not. > Response to "cybercat" <cyberpurrs@yahoo.com>: > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > plastic string like for creating stretchy jewelry. I doubt that's > suitable. I haven't been around for a few days (and too rushed to read in depth just now), but I was wondering how Gabby was doing. Is he getting any calmer? He has had his "big snip" hasn't he? Hugs, CatNipped > Response to "cybercat" <cyberpurrs@yahoo.com>: > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Do you think waistband elastic (the bands, not the string) would work? I am not sure. These are the pants that contain the perfect cat toy! http://tinyurl.com/yuxp5o (Plus they are soft, 90% cotton, really comfy for exercise or just relaxing.) They have all sizes. If you get them just for the drawstring get them used! :) > > Response to "cybercat" <cyberpu...@yahoo.com>: > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > have all sizes. If you get them just for the drawstring get them used! > :) That's a great idea! I also have this small cat scratching post that has a couple toys hanging off that really stretchy string and he goes nuts for those. I'll have to look into getting some stretchy waist band material and making him some toys, I think he would like that. I'd reallly like to get him one of those really big cat trees with the toys hanging off of them, but the ones I've seen are priced so ridiculously high. Response to Jaslyn <jaslyn29@gmail.com>: > I'd reallly like to get him one of those really big cat trees with > the toys hanging off of them, but the ones I've seen are priced so > ridiculously high. Let me first say that the following links are to one of those catalog sites where they try to carry something for EVERYBODY. AND, they are not pet specific so some of the materials (in my opinion at least) don't appear top-notch superior, but may well be "good enough." I'll leave that up to some of the more experienced slaves to inform you on because I've not enough experience in dealing with the types of things cats like to use as toy "structures." They might be able to spot something I don't immediately see. Cat Play House - $20 - Appears very thinly carpeted. http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76151.aspx Cat Activity Center - $15 - This looks decent. http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76199.aspx Cat Maze - $10 - Phil (the resident cat genius and savior) recommended this one. http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76219.aspx Cat Scratching Block - $10 - Looks good but NEEDS a method by which to secure it if you use it vertically -- and with my kitty's current strength, you'll need something to hold it down horizontally as well! http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76220.aspx Cat Play Maze - $20 - Looks good, but is more expensive than I thought it should be. http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76243.aspx Cat Tunnel - $10 - Looks great. http://www.collectionsetc.com/Item76188.aspx So anyway, I thought about the House and Activity Center and from there attach some toys to it. The ONLY problem I see with those items are, see all those kittens on them? It isn't very big. One thought I had was to secure it to the floor and merely throw a few scraps of wood to it, sterilized and carpeted of course. I'm not a real fond of spending $100+ for a cat tree either, especially if I can make something damn near identical. That help a bit? Signature-Lost Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am kidding. No I am not. > Response to Jaslyn <jasly...@gmail.com>: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am > kidding. No I am not. Thanks Lost, that definately helps, that site is great! I'm going to have to do my kitty toy shopping online from now on. I have something similar to that activity center, and I paid over $40 for it! The larger cat trees at this place were over $200. I think my kitty, Kobol, would also love that tunnel and the maze. Response to Jaslyn <jaslyn29@gmail.com>: >> Response to Jaslyn <jasly...@gmail.com>: >> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > something similar to that activity center, and I paid over $40 for > it! The larger cat trees at this place were over $200. I almost ALWAYS shop online. At least comparison shop online, it saves so much time. > I think my kitty, Kobol, would also love that tunnel and the maze. Oh, I'm sure! It's fun just looking at it and imagining what they'll do with it. One other thing that might help if you like to try and build stuff yourself -- FREE cat condo and cat tree plans are available on the Internet everywhere you look. I'm sure due in part to the multitude of cat worshipers. Here are some I found: http://www.orecatay.com/catcondo.pdf http://preview.tinyurl.com/2qzqb2 - this is the same thing, but Google is rendering it as Web document (HTML) for you. However, I noticed the images don't show, so use the PDF link if possible. In fact, I like that one so much I plan on going for it with some modifications after I mock them up in CAD. http://feline-furniture.tripod.com/ - This is a good one but with no visual instructions so you might need to be somewhat competent with woodworking, i.e. not ME. HAHA! It also has several more links there (of which I did not check out). http://www.catcondoplans.com/ - OK, this is NOT FREE, but the condos looked so good I decided to post it anyway. I figured we aren't in pet.cats.freeware or anything. Besides, $10 for 5 really cool looking designs is a pinch in the pocket to most. http://www.freeww.com/smallprojects.html#Anchor-30490 - All around nice site which links to these 4 DIY (Do It Yourself) cat tree/condo projects: http://www.ronhazelton.com/howto/cat_tree.htm - UGLY but HIGHLY detailed condo tutorial. Me personally, I'd make the condo twice as tall and skip that odd looking four-way pyramid sisal rope thingie and just make one giant primary one or at least make the four current ones much larger. http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/diy_kits/article/0,2019,DIY_13787_ 2274052,00.html - Which appears to be dead in the water? I viewed it in 4 browsers and in none of them did content appear. The Feline Furniture link above. http://www.showcatsonline.com/x/building_a_cat_tree.htm - This one looks out of this world! Like a kitty beat up Tarzan and took his tree home. So, if you like woodworking or you're just really stubborn and a glutton for punishment like me, that should be enough ideas and plans to propel you far into creating your very own Kobol Kondominiums. Good luck with whatever you choose. Signature-Lost Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am kidding. No I am not. > Response to Jaslyn <jaslyn29@gmail.com>: You're killfiled on the basis of being a bitch to Lori, as well as being stupid. Buh bye! >> Response to Jaslyn <jaslyn29@gmail.com>: > > You're killfiled on the basis of being a bitch to Lori, as well as being > stupid. > > Buh bye! Aw, CC, that is so touching! It's so nice to know I have a friend here!! Cybercat <--- the only woman who ever matched me here in quickness of response, sharpness of wit, proclivity to sarcasm, voluminousness of posts, love of cats, indignation at injustice, and pure bitchiness! My hat is off to you CC! ;> Hugs, CatNipped >>> Response to Jaslyn <jaslyn29@gmail.com>: >> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > posts, love of cats, indignation at injustice, and pure bitchiness! My > hat is off to you CC! ;> I think we have what you might call a Mutual Admiration Society going here. CC and CN, turning stomachs everywhere. lol >>>> Response to Jaslyn <jaslyn29@gmail.com>: >>> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > I think we have what you might call a Mutual Admiration Society going > here. CC and CN, turning stomachs everywhere. lol Ooo, oooo... a new soap opera "As the Stomach Turns" - we can feature multitudinous hairballs of various colors and sizes! ;> Hugs, CatNipped I highly recommend the tunnel. I bought one for my two cats and they LOVE it. It's also a good place to hide their cat toys when they aren't playing with them. S. >> Response to Jaslyn <jasly...@gmail.com>: >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > I think my kitty, Kobol, would also love that tunnel and the maze. > That's a great idea! I also have this small cat scratching post that > has a couple toys hanging off that really stretchy string and he goes > nuts for those. I had a cat once who drove me crazy because she chewed through every elastic string for a toy, first thing. :) > I'll have to look into getting some stretchy waist band material and > making him some toys, I think he would like that. If you wear those kind of pants, you just wait until the drawstring works its way out in the dryer. :) > I'd reallly like to get him one of those really big cat trees with the > toys hanging off of them, but the ones I've seen are priced so > ridiculously high. They are. I would like to have a bigger office so I could get one, though. If you're handy I know you could build one. I am not, though. |
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