Best of luck with the furry babies! It's so upsetting when they get ill.
Feline Follies
- Thread starter Alienesse
- Start date
My male, now 13.5, had crystalized urine & cystitis several years ago. The vet gave him subcutaneous fluids and suggested I do the same.
It wasn't exactly something I wanted to do, so I went with giving him water 3 times a day with a syringe. I originally used clear Pedialyte, then switched to regular water. Still giving him his water 3 times a day and he has never had a recurrence of the problem, it's like medicine for him.
It wasn't exactly something I wanted to do, so I went with giving him water 3 times a day with a syringe. I originally used clear Pedialyte, then switched to regular water. Still giving him his water 3 times a day and he has never had a recurrence of the problem, it's like medicine for him.
Unfortunately, it was too late for Jim. I wish our vet (at the time) had suggested something like that. He might still be here today. That little guy depended on me. He had a rough life before he came here. I don't know what happened, but he was deathly afraid of ceiling fans, plastic bags, the sound of food frying or sizzling, and had several thin white lines on him (black cats tend to grow white hairs where they've been scarred). The moment I sat anywhere, he was on my lap (much to Willow's dismay as she wanted to be there, as well), he would lay on my chest at bedtime (the first cat I've had that would do that since the cat I grew up with, also black), he would announce every move he made with a little squeak. He was adorable, and he loved me and was attached to me almost all day long, and I loved him and am heartbroken that I was not able to save him. His image is on my secondary monitor at all times. There's nothing else on that monitor. He had such a cute, cherubic face. Actually, many times he reminded me of the old Happy Cat meme, the grey cat, same look, and shape, only he was black. Willow loathed his very existence and all he wanted was to be loved.
Willow cuddled with me on the couch for a while last night and I heard her purr for the first time in a couple of days. Amazing and wonderful sound to my ears. Again, she's doing better than yesterday, which was FAR better than the day before.
There's a book called The Cat Who'll Live Forever: The Final Adventures of Norton that had the owner getting in contact with a man (he names him and the business location) that can work wonders for sick cats. Just saying for anybody who wants to look into that.
I did it with my previous cat, Max. It is indeed worth doing because gum infections, rotten teeth and all the trouble that comes with them make an older cat's life miserable. They also leave the animal open for all kinds of horrible infections, makes eating difficult, and generally ruins their overall health.
Max had a badly decayed tooth. They pulled it and gave him a full cleaning. He recovered from the procedure pretty quickly and was much happier--and he could eat properly--so he wasn't barfing up his food so often. He had been swallowing his food whole because it hurt too much to chew.
If you vet recommends it, do it. But it is NOT cheap. Cost me several hundred dollars at the time--and that was more than 12 years ago.
Max had a badly decayed tooth. They pulled it and gave him a full cleaning. He recovered from the procedure pretty quickly and was much happier--and he could eat properly--so he wasn't barfing up his food so often. He had been swallowing his food whole because it hurt too much to chew.
If you vet recommends it, do it. But it is NOT cheap. Cost me several hundred dollars at the time--and that was more than 12 years ago.
Sox had her teeth cleaned two years ago. It was hinted she was due a couple of years before that. They were not really bad (she likes her crunchies/dried food) and we bought some special dental food. Cost. Now I think we were ripped off and I live in Oz but it cost (just found the bill) $437.50!!! Itemised...
Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Screen - $95
Fluids during surgery - $85
Dental Prophy - Cat - $230
Something else Roy/Can Cat Neut Female 1.5 KG - $27
She was eight (nine actually we lie about her age) and a touch overweight but came out of it well. I was still worried though.
Pre-Anaesthetic Blood Screen - $95
Fluids during surgery - $85
Dental Prophy - Cat - $230
Something else Roy/Can Cat Neut Female 1.5 KG - $27
She was eight (nine actually we lie about her age) and a touch overweight but came out of it well. I was still worried though.
My male (same one) had pretty bad gingivitis and they wanted to do a very expensive teeth cleaning (I wanna say over $500).
I went the alternate route and started brushing his teeth every day.
He had already lost a tooth or two, but I'm keeping the decay away and his remaining teeth healthy.
I recommend getting Virbac/C.E.T. enzymatic toothpaste online (about half the price compared to buying it from the vet).
I went the alternate route and started brushing his teeth every day.
He had already lost a tooth or two, but I'm keeping the decay away and his remaining teeth healthy.
I recommend getting Virbac/C.E.T. enzymatic toothpaste online (about half the price compared to buying it from the vet).
Anyone have experience with a cat whose personality shifted? I'm not sure what's wrong with my cat, but he's just slightly different now. He had already been to the vet before this happened, so his health appears to be fine. His appetite is fine too, although he's not as quick to the snacks as he used to be. He's been spending an extra amount of time in one of his cat beds lately, one that's underneath a table, when usually he just plops down wherever he feels like it. His yowling also sounds different now. I don't know if cranky is the right word to describe how it sounds.
^could be an injury or illness. Arthritis or a urinary tract problem?
Next time try littering the bed with catnip.
Update:
We think that the litter got a little too low, so Sophie was holding it, causing a bit of a bladder infection. She and Willow are both on top of the world again, though whenever Willow is inside she is a little depressed that she's not outside. She absolutely LOVES it out there.
We think that the litter got a little too low, so Sophie was holding it, causing a bit of a bladder infection. She and Willow are both on top of the world again, though whenever Willow is inside she is a little depressed that she's not outside. She absolutely LOVES it out there.
I noticed this old skank a few years back, milling around the property. He apparently lives in the cellar, for how long I could only guess. I know that one season he battled/killed an opossum down there, because he left the partially consumed remains for me to clean up. 
I'm reasonably accurate when it comes to guessing the age of a dog, but it's a bit different for cats. He's fairly active -- more so when he wants to 'play', IE: bat at my toes and bite my fingers until they bleed while purring/growling like a small engine -- but his meow sounds drawn out and crackly, like an old smoker's cough. I've grown quite fond of him. I figured that since he 'owned' the place before I did, that it was only fair to leave him undisturbed. He's since been gaining weight, leaving muddy tracks on the vehicles, and dining on only the finest (wild sourced) tinned salmon.....
I'm reasonably accurate when it comes to guessing the age of a dog, but it's a bit different for cats. He's fairly active -- more so when he wants to 'play', IE: bat at my toes and bite my fingers until they bleed while purring/growling like a small engine -- but his meow sounds drawn out and crackly, like an old smoker's cough. I've grown quite fond of him. I figured that since he 'owned' the place before I did, that it was only fair to leave him undisturbed. He's since been gaining weight, leaving muddy tracks on the vehicles, and dining on only the finest (wild sourced) tinned salmon.....
There's a possum in our little yard. I hear the heavy footed thing clambering about on the tin shed roof. They are protected in Australia, but when I was in NZ someone told me there were more possums than sheep!^Addendum:
"I broke the golden rule and went into the basement. Why oh WHY did I do that??"
Our little friend is not so little. Quite well nourished on the avocado tree and in season, the fig tree.
You should name this cat. I'm thinking Lily.I noticed this old skank a few years back, milling around the property. He apparently lives in the cellar, for how long I could only guess. I know that one season he battled/killed an opossum down there, because he left the partially consumed remains for me to clean up.
I've always liked that name, but he's a guy. And aggressive. Big ballbag hanging down. I've got the feeling that he's well used to being 'King Tom' around here for years.
I've usually gotta scan the yard (especially at night) and tell him to get lost before I let the terriers out. Not so much for his sake but for theirs. He could easily climb the fence, one of the many trees, the garden wall, atop a vehicle, or just RUN, but instead he holds the yard as best he can, jumping around like a ninja at the terriers and screeching like a madman.
The dogs don't give an inch, either. They flip out and go into pack mode. It's a friggin mess I like to avoid.