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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / April 2005Survey
There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the experiences people here have had with cats. To that end, if you wouldn't mind I'd like to see if I could get some data that might help me formulate opinions or weigh advice. So that you'll have the same from me, I'll answer this first [my answers are in brackets]. [Please note, this is as unbiased as I can possibly make it and certainly *not* meant to start controversy, but if you feel a question is phrased in a provocative manner please feel free to change it. I'm not asking for or giving opinions, only data.] How many cats to you currently live with? [four] What are their ages and sex? [15, 6, 5, 1 - all female] Are they purebred or moggies? [all moggies, though Sammy seems to have a *lot* of Maine Coon in her ancestry] Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? [yes, all were spayed either before their first heat (Demi and Sammy) or shortly after their first heat (Bandit and Jessie) all at 5 or 6 months of age] Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm interested in what health issue might or might not be associated with this)? [all - no] What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? [canned twice a day and free-feed dry - I have two feeding stations, one upstairs and one downstairs, both with water bowls cleaned twice daily and a "Drinkwell" fountain] Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly outdoor, only outdoor? [indoor only] How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? [15 in 54 years (you don't have to tell your age too, but I'm old as dirt so I don't mind doing so)] Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? [no] Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? [no, just donate funds] Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or cats in particular? [no] How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? [roughly 25 or 30 - *many* more than that fictional books about cats] Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your experience? [I'll have to go through my library - don't remember any that stand out and I'm at work right now] Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? [except for Bandit's recent injury, no, I've been lucky] Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a cat? [no] That's it - I'll probably think of more questions later, and I'd appreciate it if you wuold add your questions to this. Thanks! Hugs, CatNipped > How many cats to you currently live with? Four > What are their ages and sex? F 6.5 years M 6.5 years M 4.25 years M 8 months > Are they purebred or moggies? Moggies > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? F - spayed at 12 weeks M - neutered at 12 weeks Mx2 - neutered at 6 months > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm interested in > what health issue might or might not be associated with this)? No > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? Canned with 1 or 2 meals per month of home cooked (liver, fish, chicken etc.) > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > outdoor, only outdoor? Indoor only > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? 1 as a child 6 in adulthood (1, then 1, then built from 2 up to 4) > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? No > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? No. Donate monthly. > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or cats in > particular? No. > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? I've probably referred to 6 or 8. > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > experience? I found _Twisted Whiskers_ by (author cannot be brought to mind at the moment) a lot. It's about behavioral health. > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? Urinary blockage in males, hyperthyroid, liver cancer, heart murmur, diarrhea of unknown origin, minor bugs. > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a cat? No. Priscilla  Signature"You can't welcome someone into a body of Christ and then say only certain rooms are open." -- dancertm in alt.religion.christian.episcopal > > How many cats to you currently live with? > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Canned with 1 or 2 meals per month of home cooked (liver, fish, chicken > etc.) Do you use a special kitty recipe, or just make it like you would a human dinner? > > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > > outdoor, only outdoor? [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > I found _Twisted Whiskers_ by (author cannot be brought to mind at the > moment) a lot. It's about behavioral health. As in how to prevent bad behavior, or correct bad behavior, or how health can affect behavior? > > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? > > Urinary blockage in males, hyperthyroid, liver cancer, heart murmur, > diarrhea of unknown origin, minor bugs. Wow, dealing with cancer in a pet must have been rough! Hugs, CatNipped > > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a cat? > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > "You can't welcome someone into a body of Christ and then say only > certain rooms are open." -- dancertm in alt.religion.christian.episcopal > > > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Do you use a special kitty recipe, or just make it like you would a human > dinner? Chicken livers (and pork liver a couple of weeks ago) I cook up in bacon fat just I would for me (in fact, I frequently snitch a chicken liver for myself) and then chop them up into more accessible pieces. Turkey would be off a roast turkey or from the neck, etc. cooked up for stock for the gravy. My cats *love* Thanksgiving! Chicken might be some I'd cooked up for stock. Fish would be baked or poached (as in salmon) leftover from what I'd eaten. > > > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > > > experience? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > As in how to prevent bad behavior, or correct bad behavior, or how health > can affect behavior? IIRC, it was about problematic feline behavior and how to deal with it. I think that's where I learned to squeak like an injured kitten to teach my cat not to bite/claw (play rough). So it's not really about correcting behavior per se but about understanding why cats do what they do and how to respond to it in a way that the cat understands. It's the book that taught me that I needed to learn to "speak cat." > > > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? > > > > Urinary blockage in males, hyperthyroid, liver cancer, heart murmur, > > diarrhea of unknown origin, minor bugs. > > Wow, dealing with cancer in a pet must have been rough! It was hard, but there wasn't much to be done, so in a way it was simple. I spoiled him rotten for a month, and then when he seemed to not be enjoying it anymore, I helped him out of the situation. Priscilla Signature"You can't welcome someone into a body of Christ and then say only certain rooms are open." -- dancertm in alt.religion.christian.episcopal > > > > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? > > > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > fat just I would for me (in fact, I frequently snitch a chicken liver > for myself) and then chop them up into more accessible pieces. YUM! I *love* liver! > Turkey > would be off a roast turkey or from the neck, etc. cooked up for stock > for the gravy. My cats *love* Thanksgiving! Yeah, mine do too. > Chicken might be some I'd > cooked up for stock. Fish would be baked or poached (as in salmon) > leftover from what I'd eaten. Yep, mine get occasional treats of those same foods also. > > > > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > > > > experience? [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > I think that's where I learned to squeak like an injured kitten to teach > my cat not to bite/claw (play rough). I read that too! And it works!! > So it's not really about > correcting behavior per se but about understanding why cats do what they > do and how to respond to it in a way that the cat understands. It's the > book that taught me that I needed to learn to "speak cat." I read a book like that too - about a cat's body language, but I can't remember the name or the author! > > > > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? > > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > simple. I spoiled him rotten for a month, and then when he seemed to > not be enjoying it anymore, I helped him out of the situation. Yeah, same with me and Percy. It's the greatest gift we can give and the hardest to give. Hugs, CatNipped > Priscilla > -- > "You can't welcome someone into a body of Christ and then say only > certain rooms are open." -- dancertm in alt.religion.christian.episcopal One book about cats body language and their behaviour and why they do things is "Catlore" by Desmond Morris. Very interesting book. It includes chapters on "When was the first can domesticated", how do cats react to music, why do cats prefer to die alone, what is the cause of cat phobia and how did the manx cat lose its tail. Chris > One book about cats body language and their behaviour and why they do > things is "Catlore" by Desmond Morris. Very interesting book. It [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Chris Thanks! I'll put that one on my reading list. Hugs, CatNipped > > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? > > Canned with 1 or 2 meals per month of home cooked (liver, fish, chicken > etc.) Oh, wait! I lied! Francis (the 8 month old) gets supplemental dry Nutro kitten food ("crunchies") in addition to his canned food. Priscilla Signature"You can't welcome someone into a body of Christ and then say only certain rooms are open." -- dancertm in alt.religion.christian.episcopal > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or even > wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the experiences people [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > provocative manner please feel free to change it. I'm not asking for or > giving opinions, only data.] <survey snipped> You realize of course people may embellish their "qualifications" and you will have no way of knowing it. >> There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or >> even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > You realize of course people may embellish their "qualifications" and you > will have no way of knowing it. You know, I really *didn't* think of that - I'm blushing and quite abashed and appalled at yet again showing my naivet?. Hopefully, though, folks will be honest - this isn't a contest about who knows the most.... um, I'm doing it again aren't I???!! <sigh> Hugs, CatNipped > >> There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > >> even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > CatNipped Post what you like. A survey is a great idea. There are people who will find it entertaining and people who don't. That's the nature of a free and open forum. :) > > >> There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > > >> even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > will find it entertaining and people who don't. That's the nature of > a free and open forum. :) I know, that's what I (and apparently lots of others) love *AND* hate about usenet. It will probably take me a while to get over my naivet? and learn how to separate the wheat from the chaff, but I like that fact that this is the ultimate opportunity for people to practice "freedom of speech" (although, IMHO, some should practice "freedom *FROM* speech"!!! ;> Hugs, CatNipped Just tell him to blow it out his a.s. Signature.oO rach Oo. >>> There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or >>> even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > CatNipped > > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or even > > wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the experiences people [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > You realize of course people may embellish their "qualifications" and > you will have no way of knowing it. Well if they are sad enough to do that, I'm all for letting them. >>>There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > > Well if they are sad enough to do that, I'm all for letting them. Not that you have any say about it... in reference to your "I'm all for letting them" comment. > >>>There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > > [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > Not that you have any say about it... in reference to your "I'm all for > letting them" comment. I meant "letting them without getting my shorts in a permanent knot like Joe seems to get his into over EVERYTHING these days." :) >>>>>There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or >>> [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > I meant "letting them without getting my shorts in a permanent knot > like Joe seems to get his into over EVERYTHING these days." :) Well, if that is what you meant to say then why didn't you the first time around? In any case, I never get my shorts in a knot... then again maybe I don't wear shorts. ;) > >>>>>There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > >>> [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > Well, if that is what you meant to say then why didn't you the first > time around? Excellent question, Joe. :) I am but flesh and blood; even if I shot for perfection I would necessarily miss the mark! > In any case, I never get my shorts in a knot... then again maybe I don't > wear shorts. ;) Well now that's a bit more than we needed to know. Then again, it was I who broached the topic of undergarments. <SNIP> > How many cats to you currently live with? two > What are their ages and sex? 9 month female, 6 month male > Are they purebred or moggies? moggies, Chablis is tuxedo bl/wh, longhair. Muscat, DSH all black. > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? yes...Came to me that way from the shelter. Chablis at 8 weeks, Muscat at 3 months. > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm interested in > what health issue might or might not be associated with this)? no > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? dry, Wellness & California Natural Chicken & rice. They get wet treats a few times a week & a dried salmon treat which they love. I also have started giving them the occasional raw meal (2 so far). > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > outdoor, only outdoor? indoor/outdoor... About 2/3 indoor, no nightime roaming. > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? including childhood pets, 6 > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? no > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? no > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or cats in > particular? no > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? 3 and lots of web & TED inspired reasearch > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > experience? 'Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats' ISBN# 1-57954-461-4 > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? Couple of abcesses. Chablis came from the shelter with worms. Muscat came from the shelter with an upper resp. infection... Which he gave to Chablis. > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a cat? no, oral only, liquid & pill. SignatureMathew Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat En Vino Veritas > <SNIP> > > How many cats to you currently live with? [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > cat? > no, oral only, liquid & pill. Yeah, me too - I guess, after reading the experiences of some here, we're unusually lucky! Hugs, CatNipped > -- > Mathew > Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat > En Vino Veritas > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or even > wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the experiences people [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > How many cats to you currently live with? Two > What are their ages and sex? 13 - female 5 (or maybe 6) - male (actual birth dates not known for either one) > Are they purebred or moggies? Moggies - a LH calico and a "tuxedo" > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? Yes: female - don't know age - was already spayed when adopted at approx. 1 yr. old male - neutered when several (guestimate 7 - 11) months old > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm interested in > what health issue might or might not be associated with this)? Not AFAIK (no history known before each adoption) > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? Dry. They sometimes have canned, but prefer dry. Given smallish amounts in the morning, late afternoon, & in evening > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > outdoor, only outdoor? Indoor only, except they have access to a screened-in porch when I'm at home, as long as the weather's warm enough to keep the LR/porch door open. Access to porch once in a while in the winter - for short periods of time. > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? Four, since age 23. First cat was a female - adopted as a kitten in '73; she died in '91, at age 17. Second cat was adopted in very late '86, when she was slightly less than 2 yr. old (AFAIK - actual birth date unknown) - she died in 2001, at age 16. > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? No > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? No; donate occasionally - cash &/or old towels, throw rugs, food > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or cats in > particular? No > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? Don't know - never kept track; maybe 5? > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > experience? None are stuck in my memory... > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? Yes: Idiopathic vestibular syndrome Hyperthyroidism Liver disease (acute, then chronic) CRF kitty "colds" > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a cat? Yes: sub-Q fluids Procrit Cathy > > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > even [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > 13 - female Close to my Bandit's age (15) - we might be able to compare notes as they continue to age. > 5 (or maybe 6) - male > > (actual birth dates not known for either one) My current four were all adopted as kittens so it was easier to guestimate their ages although the actual birthdays I've assigned each are purely arbitrary! ;> > > Are they purebred or moggies? > [quoted text clipped - 63 lines] > > Idiopathic vestibular syndrome Wow, I've never even heard of that - what is it was it bad? > Hyperthyroidism > Liver disease (acute, then chronic) [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > sub-Q fluids > Procrit How long did it take you to learn to give fluids? Did it make you queasy the first few times you did (it would be, I don't know if I could do that first stick - hoping I never have to, but with a 15 year old I'm trying to educate myself in case I do just to be realistic)?. What's Procrit? Hugs, CatNipped > Cathy > > > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > > even [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Close to my Bandit's age (15) - we might be able to compare notes as they > continue to age. Right; except in cat terms 2 years can be a biggish gap . > > 5 (or maybe 6) - male > > [quoted text clipped - 77 lines] > > Wow, I've never even heard of that - what is it was it bad? It's a vestibular disturbance/illness of unknown origin. Spontaneously arrives & spontaneously disappears. My cat (Debbie) had episodes of it for 2- 3 years. Each episode had an acute stage of a couple to several hours, & then gradually eased off each time. A few to several episodes per year, with no discernable pattern. Classic symptoms: cat is very off-balance/dizzy, may be nauseous as a result, lethargic - since they feel so crummy, nystagmus - eyes dart from side-to-side (although my cat didn't display this symptom), & a permanent head tilt may be a leftover effect - which Debbie did display. Debbie also had a mild seizure at the start of each episode. The vet prescribed Meclizine to be given as soon as I noticed the subtle symptoms of an approaching episode, to lessen her off-balance/dizziness - which in turn, lessened her nausea, etc. > > Hyperthyroidism > > Liver disease (acute, then chronic) > > CRF > > kitty "colds" Knew I forgot something: UTI Plus the common consitions/ailments of strays & shelter cats: fleas, worms, ear mites, URI. And a couple of stubborn hairballs, to the point where the cats were starting to not feel well. Both eventually self-resolved. (IOW - *huge* hairballs chucked up.) Both were long-haired cats. > > > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a > > cat? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > How long did it take you to learn to give fluids? I had several (5 - 6) lessons at the vets' office first. So... about 2 - 3 weeks of practice there, before going solo. (My vets' office is only 4 minutes fr. my house, door-to-door.) Did it make you queasy > the first few times you did (it would be, I don't know if I could do that > first stick - hoping I never have to, but with a 15 year old I'm trying to > educate myself in case I do just to be realistic)?. No, it didn't make me queasy. I did have some trouble getting the angle of the stick right at first, though - getting through/under the skin. But actually, the biggest problem I first had was handling everything at once - with only 2 hands: the cat, the tubing, the thingamajig valve that opens & closes the fluid's flow, & the needle. Otoh, my vet said *she* _did_ have a big problem in vet school when doing her very first stick: took her 45 minutes to work up the courage to get the needle to make contact with the cat. ;-) > What's Procrit? It's for anemia, when the PCV (packed cell volume) dips below "x" (18, 20??) level. I've seen ads on TV for it - re: human cancer patients who become anemic. I gave the injections of Procrit to Debbie when she had CRF, of which anemia can be a by-product. Those injections were a cinch: no tubing, just the needle attached to the syringe, & the needle is *tiny* - slipped right in, no problem. And her PCV went back up to normal - 33-34, IIRC. Cathy > Hugs, > > CatNipped > "CatNipped" <lcrews@houston.rr.com> wrote in message > > What's Procrit? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > just the needle attached to the syringe, & the needle is *tiny* - slipped > right in, no problem. And her PCV went back up to normal - 33-34, IIRC. Also known as Epogen or Eprex: http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm#rhepo Helen On 4/8/05 4:35 PM, in article BtWdnaTnioH_iMrfRVn-iA@rcn.net, "Helen" <helenandcats@DONOTSPAMntlworld.com> wrote: >> "CatNipped" <lcrews@houston.rr.com> wrote in message >>> What's Procrit? [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Helen Helen, why don't you go back and hide in your Yahoo group. :-( > On 4/8/05 4:35 PM, in article BtWdnaTnioH_iMrfRVn-iA@rcn.net, "Helen" > <helenandcats@DONOTSPAMntlworld.com> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > > Helen, why don't you go back and hide in your Yahoo group. :-( Pfft. Another control freak. You don't even post here, that I can remember. What's it to you if Helen posts here, freak? > On 4/8/05 4:35 PM, in article BtWdnaTnioH_iMrfRVn-iA@rcn.net, "Helen" > <helenandcats@DONOTSPAMntlworld.com> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > > Helen, why don't you go back and hide in your Yahoo group. :-( What the h*ll was *that* about? Herlen knows a lot about the various aspects of CRF, & Procrit _does_ equal Epogen. Cathy > On 4/8/05 4:35 PM, in article BtWdnaTnioH_iMrfRVn-iA@rcn.net, "Helen" > <helenandcats@DONOTSPAMntlworld.com> wrote: [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > > Helen, why don't you go back and hide in your Yahoo group. :-( I do spend most of my time in my yahoo groups, though I don't "hide" in them. In case you've forgotten, this is a public forum, and although I'm not here as much as I used to be (I prefer yahoo groups), I do post when I have information on subjects I know something about which may help others. And I post as myself too. As I said, I'm not around here much these days, but I certainly don't recognise your name... If you've got a beef with me, it's nice to see you are prepared to stand up and let me know who you really are. Frightened I'll kick you off my group? Or have I already done that? I've only done that about four times in five years, mind you, so if I've done it to you, you must be a spammer or troll or just downright rude to others. Helen > "> > > > It's for anemia, when the PCV (packed cell volume) dips below "x" (18, [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > http://www.felinecrf.org/anaemia.htm#rhepo Hi Helen , It's nice to hear from you. Looks like most people have stopped posting to UK rec pets now . Alison:) > > "> > > > > It's for anemia, when the PCV (packed cell volume) dips below "x" [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > posting to UK rec pets now . > Alison:) Hi Alison nice to hear from you too (-: I've seen your name here sometimes so I knew you were still around. I do still subscribe to that ng, but I agree, there's not much there lately except spammers and trolls, though I notice Marcus recently posted an interesting item about rats and play. It's a shame it's been taken over by the spammers though. Helen > > > > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know > (or [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Right; except in cat terms 2 years can be a biggish gap . True, and I was going to say maybe I can help you by telling what Bandit goes through as she ages, but after reading the rest of your post, I see that you're *WAY* more experienced in taking car of cats than I am. > > > 5 (or maybe 6) - male > > > [quoted text clipped - 89 lines] > It's a vestibular disturbance/illness of unknown origin. Spontaneously > arrives & spontaneously disappears. Vestibular? Meriam-Websters gave me several definitions: ;> 1 : any of various bodily cavities especially when serving as or resembling an entrance to some other cavity or space: as a : the central cavity of the bony labyrinth of the ear or the parts of the membranous labyrinth that it contains b : the part of the left ventricle below the aortic orifice c : the space between the labia minora containing the orifice of the urethra d : the part of the mouth cavity outside the teeth and gums > My cat (Debbie) had episodes of it for 2- 3 years. Each episode had an > acute stage of a couple to several hours, & then gradually eased off each [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > side-to-side (although my cat didn't display this symptom), & a permanent > head tilt may be a leftover effect - which Debbie did display. From that it sounds like either a or b in the definitions above, but with the balance effect and nausea maybe the ear?? > Debbie also had a mild seizure at the start of each episode. > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > starting to not feel well. Both eventually self-resolved. (IOW - *huge* > hairballs chucked up.) Both were long-haired cats. Mine, even though long-haired, haven't even had that problem, just normal sized, run-of-the-mill hairballs. After reading this group I'm beginning to realize just how lucky I've been!!! > > > > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a > > > cat? [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > her very first stick: took her 45 minutes to work up the courage to get the > needle to make contact with the cat. ;-) Yeah, I just described what it would probably be like for me in responding to Cheryl. I really admire people who *can* do it. My daughter is going to nursing school at present, but I always thought she should be a vet since she not only loves all animals but has a definite talent in working with them (she medicates and immunizes her pets herself). She would look at "Emergency Vet" and be *fascinated* when I would be cringing and looking away when it got to the gory parts. > > What's Procrit? > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > just the needle attached to the syringe, & the needle is *tiny* - slipped > right in, no problem. And her PCV went back up to normal - 33-34, IIRC. Ah, I do remember seeing that commercial now that you mention it. Hugs, CatNipped > Cathy > > > Hugs, > > > > CatNipped <lots of snips> > > > > Idiopathic vestibular syndrome > > > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > bony labyrinth of the ear or the parts of the membranous labyrinth that it > contains Yes, the ear. b : the part of the left ventricle below the aortic orifice c : the > space between the labia minora containing the orifice of the urethra d : the > part of the mouth cavity outside the teeth and gums [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > From that it sounds like either a or b in the definitions above, but with > the balance effect and nausea maybe the ear?? Yep. > > > > > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to > a [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > Yeah, I just described what it would probably be like for me in responding > to Cheryl. I really admire people who *can* do it. My bet is that you could do it, too, if push came to shove. Plus, it's so much easier on both you & the cat - Vs. trekking to the vet's on a constant basis. Ever read Peter Gethers' account of his cat Norton, & his initial problem with giving Norton sub-Qs? ;-) Cathy > <lots of snips> > [quoted text clipped - 85 lines] > much easier on both you & the cat - Vs. trekking to the vet's on a constant > basis. Yeah, you're right there. > Ever read Peter Gethers' account of his cat Norton, & his initial problem > with giving Norton sub-Qs? ;-) No, is it online anywhere I could look up? Hugs, CatNipped > Cathy > > Ever read Peter Gethers' account of his cat Norton, & his initial problem > > with giving Norton sub-Qs? ;-) > > No, is it online anywhere I could look up? An excerpt from the book (I haven't checked this out, but just Googled & found: http://www.ereader.com/product/detail/4039), or the book(s) for sale? I'm sure Amazon & other on-line bookstores must have them: A Cat Abroad, A Cat in Paris, & The Cat Who'll Live Forever (this last one is the sub-Qs relevant one). Cathy > How many cats to you currently live with? 4 > What are their ages and sex? 3.5 - M 2.5 - F 7 mo - M&F littermates > Are they purebred or moggies? beautiful moggies > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? Yes. littermates, at 3mo (male) and 4mo (female), shamrock, 1yr (he was a stray found at 1yr old) Bonnie (really unknown, but she was probably 6mo at time of spay but could be much later (she was a feral that I trapped). > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm > interested in what health issue might or might not be associated > with this)? No. > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? canned and dry > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, > mostly outdoor, only outdoor? indoor with access to an outdoor fully enclosed "playpen" when the weather is nice > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? counting foster cats, about 15 > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? no > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? yes > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal > husbandry or cats in particular? no > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? maybe 5? > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid > in your experience? yes > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what > were they? unfortunately, yes. megacolon, IBD, FELV, URIs (shelter "side- effect") > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected > medicines to a cat? yes SignatureCheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields > > How many cats to you currently live with? > > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > probably 6mo at time of spay but could be much later (she was a > feral that I trapped). Yeah, I've read about Bonnie - that amazes me that you've been able to do so much with her. The only ferals I've ever dealt with have been the ones I feed at my "outside cats" feeding station. I've tried trapping "little gray cat with the too tight flea collar" but for the second time she's disappeared as soon as I put the trap out (even after carefully following Megan's instruction). > > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm > > interested in what health issue might or might not be associated [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > > yes What did you do? > > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal > > husbandry or cats in particular? [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > unfortunately, yes. megacolon, IBD, FELV, URIs (shelter "side- > effect") Yeah, I'd also read about your experiences with IBD - it surprised me that cats even *got* that, for some reason I thought that was a human-only problem. > > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected > > medicines to a cat? > > > yes Was it hard to do, were you queasy at first, if so how long did it take you to get used to doing it? Hugs, CatNipped > -- > Cheryl > > "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited > breath." > - W.C. Fields >> > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? >> > >> yes > > What did you do? Well, see that's why I didn't answer it fully because I felt uncomfortable about stating such things (there's always someone who is going to say its boasting). However, I will since you asked for specifics. Fostered cats, adoption events, low-cost shot clinic volunteer, grant writing. That's where Shamrock came from - he was one of my fosters who didn't do well at adoption events. Plus I adored him from the start. >> > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what >> > were they? >> > >> unfortunately, yes. megacolon, IBD, FELV, URIs (shelter "side- >> effect") [...] >> > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected >> > medicines to a cat? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Was it hard to do, were you queasy at first, if so how long did > it take you to get used to doing it? It was hard. It wasn't subQ fluids, it was a subQ medication. I posted all about my experience with it here. Maybe Mary could remember back then for you and post a link. SignatureCheryl "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited breath." - W.C. Fields > >> > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? > >> > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > one of my fosters who didn't do well at adoption events. Plus I > adored him from the start. I've never fostered before - I don't think I could and then give up the cat. Like pople who foster children, I admire the ability to do it, but don't think I could. It takes a special kind of love to be able to give up the one you love for their benefit. I get *way* too emotional (surprised?? ;>) to do any hands-on work at rescue organizations, I couldn't be effective if I were crying all the time or going off on jerks who harmed animals either deliberately *or* through ignorance - I'd probably get myself arrested! ;? The grant writing I might be able to do. For now though I take the easy way out and assuage my conscience by giving money. > >> > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what > >> > were they? [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > posted all about my experience with it here. Maybe Mary could > remember back then for you and post a link. I don't think I could make that first stick (of course I could if I *HAD* to, I love my cats enough to do *anything* for them), but still part of me thinks I would chicken out and just schelpp them to the vet daily. I'm *way* to empathic to be able to do what it takes to help anyone medically. It's like I described in another thread - even after *38 YEARS* I can still "feel" the physical bump that I experienced when driving with a friend who accidently ran over a cat. I can "feel" what I imagine other helpless animals feel when hurt or abused. It really does make me vomit when I think about it too much. Hugs, CatNipped > -- > Cheryl > > "The clever cat eats cheese and breathes down rat holes with baited > breath." > - W.C. Fields CatNipped <lcrews@houston.rr.com> wrote in rec.pets.cats.health+behav: > How many cats to you currently live with? One > What are their ages and sex? Female, turned 17 last Sunday > Are they purebred or moggies? She's half siamese and half... Moggie > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? Spayed right after the first heat. I was *not* going to listen to a SIAMESE in heat again. > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm > interested in what health issue might or might not be associated > with this)? No > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? I tried premium dry food in the beginning, but she wanted the cheap stuff. As time passed she got wet food on Sundays, and she'd starve herself all week long wanting it. Then I gave her wet twice a week. Then the brat was diagnosed CRF and that's what she's supposed to get. She nibbles at some dry on occasion. > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, > mostly outdoor, only outdoor? Indoors. > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? Let's see... Cruella [tortie], Duchess [manx], Midnight [tux] (he had a friend Goblin [siamese], a stray that disappeared after he died), Kimba [white siamese], Tabby [umm, tabby], Charcoal [Tabby's son], and Kami. > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? No > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? No > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry > or cats in particular? No, but my father has a masters in animal husbandry and specializes in care and breeding of domestic livestock. > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? More than 5, I'd guess. > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in > your experience? Can't remember them. > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were > they? Charcoal had distemper as a child and almost didn't make it, but pulled through. Kami has had CRF for almost 5 years. > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines > to a cat? Just started. Managed to give her about 50cc last night before she wouldn't hold still anymore. Never thought I could do it. SignatureBrandy??Alexandre? http://www.swydm.com/?refer=BrandyAlx Well, would you? > CatNipped <lcrews@houston.rr.com> wrote in > rec.pets.cats.health+behav: [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Spayed right after the first heat. I was *not* going to listen to a > SIAMESE in heat again. LOL - now *that* I can only imagine! Were you getting angry calls from neighbors 5 miles down the road?? ;> > > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm > > interested in what health issue might or might not be associated [quoted text clipped - 35 lines] > No, but my father has a masters in animal husbandry and specializes > in care and breeding of domestic livestock. Cattle or horses or both or other? > > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? > > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Just started. Managed to give her about 50cc last night before she > wouldn't hold still anymore. Never thought I could do it. Amazing how many people have to do that!!! I still like the idea of marketing tuna-flavored water for CRF kitties! ;> Hugs, CatNipped > -- > Brandy Alexandre? > http://www.swydm.com/?refer=BrandyAlx > Well, would you? CatNipped <lcrews@houston.rr.com> wrote in rec.pets.cats.health+behav: > "Brandy Alexandre" <brandyalx@kittylittercomcast.net> wrote in > message > news:1113001544.5fd383d75345541975eeab675feefacc@teranews... >> Spayed right after the first heat. I was *not* going to listen >> to a SIAMESE in heat again. > > LOL - now *that* I can only imagine! Were you getting angry calls > from neighbors 5 miles down the road?? ;> No, but I wanted to pitch her 5 miles down the road. ;) >> No, but my father has a masters in animal husbandry and >> specializes in care and breeding of domestic livestock. > > Cattle or horses or both or other? Mostly cattle and hogs, some sheep. We had an egg ranch (chicken farm) for a short time when I was little. Loved it. My dad started a breeding program with the sheriff's department he worked for on the "honor farm." The farm eventually produced close to all of the food needed through the county jail system. >> Just started. Managed to give her about 50cc last night before >> she wouldn't hold still anymore. Never thought I could do it. > > Amazing how many people have to do that!!! I still like the idea > of marketing tuna-flavored water for CRF kitties! ;> There was "cat water" on the market some time ago. It was flavored with chicken and had a little tiny bit of carbonation for "zing." Never tried it, though. SignatureBrandy??Alexandre? http://www.swydm.com/?refer=BrandyAlx Well, would you? > How many cats to you currently live with? one > What are their ages and sex? 8, female > Are they purebred or moggies? moggie > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? spayed as soon as she was old enough > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm interested in > what health issue might or might not be associated with this)? no > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? dry, canned in the evening > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > outdoor, only outdoor? indoor, outdoor only under supervision, in our fenced garden > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? only two > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? no > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? no, only dogs when I was a teen > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or cats in > particular? yes, horses. > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? no idea. a few. > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > experience? not offhand > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? luxating patella, cystitis, and some sort of infection, almost a hotspot, cause unknown but I'd guess a spider bite. She was in a collar for 3 weeks, poor thing > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a cat? not to a cat, but I've often given shots to horses. jmc > > How many cats to you currently live with? > [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > > yes, horses. I imagine horses would be hard to work with! > > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > hotspot, cause unknown but I'd guess a spider bite. She was in a collar > for 3 weeks, poor thing Bandit *hated* that d*mned collar - but at least hers was the "soft" kind (more like a cape than a cone). Hugs, CatNipped > > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a cat? > > not to a cat, but I've often given shots to horses. > > jmc <snip intro> >How many cats to you currently live with? 2 >What are their ages and sex? 7 months, and about 1-1/2 yrs - both male >Are they purebred or moggies? moggie woggies >Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? yes, 5 months and 1 yr (approx) >Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm interested in >what health issue might or might not be associated with this)? no >What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? dry food - free fed, and canned twice a day - soon to be just canned >Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly >outdoor, only outdoor? indoor only, Jake was outdoor previously, and he misses it sometimes. >How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? 1 childhood, and these 2 (I got Elwood about 4 months ago, Jake about 2) >Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? no >Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? no >Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or cats in >particular? no >How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? 4 - 5 >Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your >experience? not really >Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? Jake had round worm when I first adopted him >Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a cat? squirted medicine in Jake's mouth once. That doesn't count though does it? >Thanks! no problem!! Justin > <snip intro> > > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > > indoor only, Jake was outdoor previously, and he misses it sometimes. Jessie was the oldest when we got her (about 6 months old) and she had been born and raised outdoors. She's also the only one who ever tries to run out of the house, but only when she sees another cat outside that she thinks she's needs to chase away from *her* property (she knows she has a good thing here and doesn't want to share! ;>). > >How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? > > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > squirted medicine in Jake's mouth once. That doesn't count though does > it? Another lucky cat slave - but going by the answers here we're the exceptions to the rule! Hugs, CatNipped > >Thanks! > > no problem!! > > Justin > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the experiences [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > How many cats to you currently live with? 2 > What are their ages and sex? 10, 10.5 both nuetered toms > Are they purebred or moggies? Moggies. But Tahi likes to think he's special. > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? Both neutered around 6mths > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm interested in > what health issue might or might not be associated with this)? No > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? They've both been on Hills prescription C/D because Cassius has had one instance of FLUTD, and trying to keep them out of each other's food is impossible. And you can only get dry here, so that's been it. However, while talking about it the other day, the vet said new evidence suggested that, long-term, it wasn't good with cats for FLUTD to be on an acidic diet, and I should look to introduce some mature cat maintenance food in there as well. So it looks like, to their great pleasure, they will be getting some high-quality canned every second or third meal as well. But only ones without any red meat, because Cassius also has mild IBD and ain't allowed anywhere near read met. > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > outdoor, only outdoor? You know the answer to this one ;-) Indoor/outoor, with free access to the outdoors during the day, through a cat door. Judging on their behaviour when I'm home, they spend about 2-3 hours a day outside, the rest of it sleeping inside. > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? Including childhood pets and flatmates' (roommates') pets, lots! Counting up, about 12. > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? No > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? No > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or cats > in particular? No > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? No books. Quite a few articles. > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > experience? Sorry, none have stuck in my mind. > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? See above for Cassius. Learning to deal with arthritis with Tahi now. > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a > cat? Yes. After an op, Cassius was in a lot of pain and, after much taking him back to the vet every time he was in distress again, they finally agreed to give me the painkiller (the name of which I can't remember) to give him at home, with firm instructions not to let anyone know I had it there and bring the used needles back to the vet's rather than disposing of them through the rubbish, as I didn't want junkies breaking into my house hunting for drugs! I had to inject him twice a day for about 5 days. I'm just glad it was Cassius - he doesn't put up a fight with such things. > > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > > even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the experiences [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > without any red meat, because Cassius also has mild IBD and ain't allowed > anywhere near read met. The only experience I've even com close to that is when they tested Bandit recently and found her creatinin and BUN levels had risen slightly. However, the vet said that was pretty common at her age. Perversely, her recent injury ended up helping *that* because every time she was put under anesthesia she was given fluids and she learned to like canned food better because of all the "special" treats I was giving her to encourage her to eat. > > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > > outdoor, only outdoor? [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > See above for Cassius. Learning to deal with arthritis with Tahi now. How did they diagnose the arthritis? I've always wondered since cats can't tell you where they hurt (og go "OY" like I do whenever I've been sitting for a while and then get up, I always joke with DH that the older I get the more Jewish I get - and I didn't start out Jewish!!!). > > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a > > cat? [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > I had to inject him twice a day for about 5 days. I'm just glad it was > Cassius - he doesn't put up a fight with such things. Man, still another catslave who had to do that. I think I'd better steel myself to prepare for that as Bandit gets older. It seems *really* common. Hugs, CatNipped > The only experience I've even com close to that is when they tested Bandit > recently and found her creatinin and BUN levels had risen slightly. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > because of all the "special" treats I was giving her to encourage her to > eat. My cats love canned food. The only reason they've been getting 90% dry (which they also have no problems with) is that's the only formulation of C/D available here. Yes, I know that's silly, but it just is!! Whenever they hear me open a can, they're there, looking hopeful, making pathetic noises as if to say "Please, let it be for us, this time". Now, more often, it will be :-) >> See above for Cassius. Learning to deal with arthritis with Tahi now. > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > the > more Jewish I get - and I didn't start out Jewish!!!). Basically, he started limping and it didn't go away. Took him to the vet to check it out, found out he had luxating patellars and the arthritis that goes with that. We're treating it conservatively, ie treating the discomfort of the arthritis rather than operating to re-engineer his patellars because, at 10.5, an operation is a much bigger thing than it is for, say a 2yo cat. He's responding astonishingly well to the treatment, so it looks like he is going to be spared an op. > Man, still another catslave who had to do that. I think I'd better steel > myself to prepare for that as Bandit gets older. It seems *really* > common. Well, I think the difficulty of it depends on the cat. With Cassius I had no emotional qualms about giving it to him because I was actually giving a pain*killer*, so there was no concern about the minor, transitory discomfort of the injection. And he's a docile cat - giving him medication is no big deal. Had it been Tahi, it would've been altogether different. Tahi *hates* medicine of any kind, whether it goes in his mouth, under his skin or on his body, and he resists with every ounce of his being. > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know > (or even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > How many cats to you currently live with? EIGHT!!! > What are their ages and sex? 13+/-, F (she was about a year old, give or take a couple months, when we got her) 12, M 3.5, F 1.5, M 4 each at 1+/-, 2 are M, 2 are F > Are they purebred or moggies? All moggies, except Ping is possibly a prebred Siamese, but we don't know for sure, he appeared in out basement last fall, and we posted fliers & notified local HS, and have had no calls) > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? All are S/N, 12 & 13 year old, we waited until they were 6 months, the 3.5 yo was 8-9 months old when we adopted her from HS, the 1 yo's were all done when they reached the required weight, which happened to be when they were about 4 months old, except for the Siamese, who was closer to 6 months > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm > interested in what health issue might or might not be associated with > this)? the 13 & 3.5 year old, not 100% sure if they had a litter before we got them or not (I think they didn't), but all the others were S/N while still 'virgins' ;) > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? Mostly dry, as some of them don't like moist (weird, I know), and the ones that do get the (stinky) poopies when they do get moist, so it's a rare treat around here. but we do have 3 (!!!) Drinkwell Fountains > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, > mostly outdoor, only outdoor? All indoor, though with spring coming, a few are showing interest in the outdoors. I'm not letting them out as we live on a *VERY* busy street, speed limit is 35mph, but most people do more like 50 or so. I prefer my kitties round & fluffy, not squished flat. > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? I myself have had 10 cats in the past 12 years, one died of CRF in 2002, one was adopted out last year. However, I cuddled & played with about 20-30 more at my uncle's farm (barn cats) over the years when I was a kid > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? Worked with? None. Played with or petted when waiting for an appt??? My TED has about 6, maybe more, that live at the office. Some are shy and don't come out front, some are not allowed out front as they are 'special needs' kitties that they rescued and kept. > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? Again, I play with the kitties at the local adoption centers (would like to bring them all home, but Lizzie, the 3.5 yo, says we have too many all ready.... that and my house is not big enough). I do donate supplies & money. > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or > cats in particular? No. Really not interested in breeding - there are too many already (cats, not husbands... however.... ;) ) > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? NON-fiction???? I don't think I've read any. Fiction, at leat 20-30. > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > experience? No > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were > they? A couple - Smokey (13 yo) got sick & had to be hospitalized when we'd had her about a year. Recently had a series of kitty-colds get passed around the house. Ivy (RB 2002) had CRF > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to > a cat? Yup. Ivy, our CRF kitty neede sub-Q fluids daily. SignatureThe ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)? email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep > > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know > > (or even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > EIGHT!!! Wow, heaven!!! ;> > > What are their ages and sex? > > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > when they reached the required weight, which happened to be when they were > about 4 months old, except for the Siamese, who was closer to 6 months Yeah, Sammy was so huge at 5 months that I didn't think I needed to wait until she hit 6 months before having it done. > > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm > > interested in what health issue might or might not be associated with [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > that do get the (stinky) poopies when they do get moist, so it's a rare > treat around here. but we do have 3 (!!!) Drinkwell Fountains Oh what a pain to have to take apart and clean all the little doohickies in *THREE* of them - I dread having to do the one once a week! > > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, > > mostly outdoor, only outdoor? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > speed limit is 35mph, but most people do more like 50 or so. I prefer my > kitties round & fluffy, not squished flat. Yeah, I live in the very back of a quiet subdivision, but there are still teenagers who treat this street like the Autobon! > > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? > > I myself have had 10 cats in the past 12 years, one died of CRF in 2002, one > was adopted out last year. However, I cuddled & played with about 20-30 > more at my uncle's farm (barn cats) over the years when I was a kid My dream as a kid was to live on a farm so I could have dozens and dozens of cats. > > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? > > Worked with? None. Played with or petted when waiting for an appt??? My > TED has about 6, maybe more, that live at the office. Some are shy and > don't come out front, some are not allowed out front as they are 'special > needs' kitties that they rescued and kept. My last vet had the biggest cat I'd ever seen in person - bigger than Sammy is now! > > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > Yup. Ivy, our CRF kitty neede sub-Q fluids daily. Wow, so *many* people here have had to do that. I think I'd have trouble, but I'd sure as heck *try* if that's what it took to keep one of mine healthy and feeling good. Hugs, CatNipped > -- > The ONE and ONLY > lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde > in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)? > email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com > http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep >>> There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know >>> (or even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Wow, heaven!!! ;> Until it's time to scoop the litterboxes... ;) >>> What are their ages and sex? >>> [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Yeah, Sammy was so huge at 5 months that I didn't think I needed to > wait until she hit 6 months before having it done. I think TED has a wight requirement of 4lbs. Weebs was born Aug 18/19, and was neutered Dec 1 of the same year, so he was just barely over 3 months when he got snipped. >>> Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm >>> interested in what health issue might or might not be associated [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > doohickies in *THREE* of them - I dread having to do the one once a > week! Dishwasher comes in handy - but I have found that the heat makes the plastic a bit brittle, so I only do the upper reservoir. And I also have a problem getting the pump in/out properly. If I don't get it in right, they leak. And then I have *that* mess to clean up :( I wash the bottom by hand now, so I don't have to remove the pump, therefore no leaks. >>> Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, >>> mostly outdoor, only outdoor? [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Yeah, I live in the very back of a quiet subdivision, but there are > still teenagers who treat this street like the Autobon! I live on one of the major thouroughfares that is an in/out to our fair city. That and a major 4-lane bypass is less than 2 miles from the house. Speed limit is officially 55, but we all now that only my mother actually does that ;) while everyone else goes 70 or faster! >>> How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? >> [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > My dream as a kid was to live on a farm so I could have dozens and > dozens of cats. I have pics of me when I was 7 or 8 on their kitchen porch with about 5 kittens in my arms, and a dozen more clamoring for attention next to me. I had so much fun their, even though I had hay-fever, and had to be on dimetapp (prescription back then) just to be there >>> Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > My last vet had the biggest cat I'd ever seen in person - bigger than > Sammy is now! Ernie is 13lbs, and is about 1 year old. I call him the Monster Cat (sung to the tune of "Monster House" from Discovery Channel) >>> Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? >> [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >> we'd had her about a year. Recently had a series of kitty-colds get >> passed around the house. Ivy (RB 2002) had CRF I forgot to mention the following before: The conjunctivitus that Ernie got at about the same time the kitty-cold was passing around. I think one of the others, Ping probably, sneezed in his face, right in his eye. His treatment was terramycin ointment in the eye 3-4 times daily. He didn't like it much (I've since read that it stings a bit), and once he jerked as I was applying it, I thought I poked his eye out with the tube of ointment! He was fine, though, and I learned to hold him down a bit better for the application. His eye cleared up in about a week. And in December Mimi started dropping weight. Her poo was runny (not what I'd call diarhea - at least she made it to the litterbox), and she puked a couple of times. TEd didn't find any major baddies in her system, and bloodwork came back AOK except for slightly elevated white blood cell count. He thought it could be IB, we knew it wasn't worms (she'd been wormed, 2x in her short life, once routine, once when I found her laying on the bed amid about a dozen (maybe more) dried up tape-worm segments, and one was still crawling on her - ewwwwwwwww), they even did x-ray to check for hairball or other blockage - nothing. So, we thought we'd try a round of anti's, and after a week, she was eating like she suddenly remembered how! Smokey had several abscessed teeth, most of which were pulled, so now we call her "ol' toohless". despite only having about 8 teeth left, she still loves her crunchies! >>> Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to >>> a cat? [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > trouble, but I'd sure as heck *try* if that's what it took to keep > one of mine healthy and feeling good. I had help, though, DH did the poking, I held her. At first she struggled a bit, but then as she learned she felt better afterwards, she started taking it in stride. A couple of times she actually fell asleep & purred during treatment. I have a picture up in her album on webshots of her wearing blue-tinted sunglasses, which was taken during one of those moments. Sadly, she took a turn for the worse, and we decided not to torture her any more with treatment, and had her humanely euthanized. We have a little garden out back at her gravesite. --? The ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)? email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the experiences [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > How many cats to you currently live with? 1 > What are their ages and sex? 10 - male > Are they purebred or moggies? moggie - MH orange tabby > Are they neutered or spayed, if so at what age? Yes at 1. > Have they been bred or had a litter before you got them (I'm interested in > what health issue might or might not be associated with this)? Not AFAIK (no history) > What type of food do you offer you cats, canned, moist, or dry? prescription canned 2-3 times a day > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > outdoor, only outdoor? indoor only > How many cats have you lived with over the years of your life? 2 > Have you ever worked with cats in a veterinarian's office? no > Have you ever worked with cats in a rescue organization? no > Have you ever had any formal schooling regarding animal husbandry or cats > in particular? no > How many non-fiction books have you read about cats? 2-3 > Can you recommend any of those books as being helpful or valid in your > experience? Can't recall any. > Have you had many experience with cats' illnesses, if so what were they? kitty 'cold' eye problem urinary blockages diarrhea > Have you ever had to administer subQ fluids or injected medicines to a > cat? no > That's it - I'll probably think of more questions later, and I'd > appreciate it if you wuold add your questions to this. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > CatNipped > > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or > > even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the experiences [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > prescription canned 2-3 times a day For the urinary blockages? What brand did the vet recommend? Hugs, CatNipped > > Are they indoor only, mostly indoor, equally indoor and outdoor, mostly > > outdoor, only outdoor? [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > > > CatNipped >> > There is a lot of history going on here in rpch+b that I don't know (or >> > even wish to know). But I *would* like to know more about the [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > For the urinary blockages? What brand did the vet recommend? Rusty was put on dry C/D after about a month on S/D. 2 years later, he had a second blockage and the vet put him on canned MediCal. 3 years ago, the vet thought he had renal insufficieny and we switched to G/D. But Rusty had crystals while on G/D so we switched again to Waltham's S/O. Blood tests showed his kidneys are fine. Last year Rusty got diarrhea and we eventually switched again to I/D. I was lucky Rusty ate all the different prescription food given to him. The vet thought he might not eat the I/D. But he has no problem with it. My problem is that I/D is the most expensive prescription food so far, and I worry about any potential urinary problem. I hope we don't have to switch to yet another even more expensive prescription food. Winnie > Hugs, > [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] >> > >> > CatNipped > Rusty was put on dry C/D after about a month on S/D. 2 years later, he > had a second blockage and the vet put him on canned MediCal. 3 years ago, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Last year Rusty got diarrhea and we eventually switched again to I/D. > I was lucky Rusty ate all the different prescription food given to him. Really lucky! Which makes me wonder - are females pickier than males when it comes to food (broad generalization, but they tend to be in humans)? > The > vet thought he might not eat the I/D. But he has no problem with it. > My problem is that I/D is the most expensive prescription food so far, and > I worry about any potential urinary problem. > I hope we don't have to switch to yet another even more expensive > prescription food. Wow, really! I know how much I have to spend on "regular" food! Hugs, CatNipped > Winnie > [quoted text clipped - 55 |
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