Your daily cat and kitten news

[tendril]

Well the journey from Southampton to London was rather harrowing for Anton. Poor little sod peed his cage in the first taxi to the train station and pood in it in the taxi from Waterloo to home. He's a nervous wreck at the moment. Had to cancel the vets today (was taking him for a check up, nothing is obviously wrong): thought better of putting him back in the carry cage.

When I opened his carry cage he immediately went for cover so I left him there for a couple of hours then tempted him out with some poached chicken. He also had a wet food pouch which he ate in fits and starts as he felt confident enough to come out. Every time I leave the bedroom (he is locked in there atm with food, water and litter box) he immediately goes for cover. Had to block off the back of the couch in my room as he was always retreating to there and I don't want him to pick up a habit. He has other places that are not so inaccessible to hide in: under the bed, in the wardrobe and in his igloo bed.

He knows there is another cat in the house as it came to the closed door and he smelled it. Hissed a bit and the other cat scarpered. I have a feeling that he will be nervous for some time to come. He was nervous even in my mum's house and that was exclusively his. Hopefully lots of kindness, patience and treats will have him settle. I have a feliway in the room he is in now.

This morning I coaxed him out with treats and gave him a catnip toy and a sprinkle of nip on his blanket. He loved it:

 

[Shirl]

Me and wolfie have just registered our interest in becoming emergency volunteers for a cat rescue. It will be more about transport than anything. We can't fill our home with unwanted cats but we'd like to do something worthwhile to help them.
I hope they'll take us on

I'm now officially on the emergency volunteer list.

 

[Epona]

I hope you manage to rest up at some point. It must be so frustrating and he doesn't understand what's happening, poor boy.

Thank you, I am tired and worried and appreciate any moral support!
He got used to the inflatable collar much better than I expected. It has some disadvantages compared to a cone because it restricts mobility of the front legs (he needs help to get on the sofa or into the litter tray, so needs some supervision) and it is heavier and quite bulky - but it is a viable alternative for cats that fear the cone so much that it sends them into panic - it's easier/quicker to put on and doesn't restrict their peripheral vision and hearing which is often the main source of fear with a cone. Ours seems to have a slow puncture or a leaky valve though, I keep needing to reinflate it

I fitted it first on Sonic (to check the size and amount of inflation needed as I knew I'd only get one chance with Jakey if it wasn't a good fit) who is a much less fearful and more trusting cat and just a bit smaller than Jakey so I tried it out on him first - he accepted it with no problem other than glaring at me slightly - he stayed purring on my lap though.

 

[Vintage Paw]

I'm thinking about the Jakey household, Epona - being tired because of looking after an ill cat is very draining and stressful in its own right, never mind the worry because of the cat as well.

 

[Epona]

I'm thinking about the Jakey household, Epona - being tired because of looking after an ill cat is very draining and stressful in its own right, never mind the worry because of the cat as well.

Thank you Vintage Paw - it is tiring because he needs supervision during his recovery, but I don't begrudge him that, he may be as stupid as a bag of spanners but he is the sweetest creature, just an all-round lovely cat, a wonderful pet, and we love him.
I am just getting more and more worried the closer we come to getting the biopsy results (we should hear by the end of the week), I was having a big "what if" cry about it last night. Even though he seems really healthy and lively (although just a tad miserable due to having his head wedged into a canvas-covered inner tube until his incision heals), I am still anxious about the lab results.

The vet has taken away half his saggy tummy skin and half his nipples btw, it looks really odd at the moment with no fur. Quite a big incision and a fair amount of tissue removed. The incision runs from the bottom of his sternum to under his left hind leg.

 

[Epona]

It's horrible watching him try to get to sleep with the collar on, he keeps getting up and shifting around trying to get comfortable. I thought that cats could sleep in any position and look comfy, but it's not true. The poor sod sits there with his face propped up on the collar until he is so tired that his eyes pretty much roll back in his head and then he sleeps for a bit. Sometimes he gets in a suitable position that I can put a rolled-up t-shirt under his chin as a makeshift pillow.

 

[fucthest8]

Epona, I'm really sorry to hear about Jakey, I've somehow missed this thread over the last week or so and had no idea. I shall, of course, keep everything crossed, hope the two of you managed to get some sleep last night, really stressful for you all. Good luck.

 

[fucthest8]

Hopefully lots of kindness, patience and treats will have him settle.]

That and keeping him in his own room will also give him time to get used to all the nearby smells whilst also establishing his own territory. You're doing it right

Great video too, lovely looking boy

 

[CRI]

Thank you Vintage Paw - it is tiring because he needs supervision during his recovery, but I don't begrudge him that, he may be as stupid as a bag of spanners but he is the sweetest creature, just an all-round lovely cat, a wonderful pet, and we love him.
I am just getting more and more worried the closer we come to getting the biopsy results (we should hear by the end of the week), I was having a big "what if" cry about it last night. Even though he seems really healthy and lively (although just a tad miserable due to having his head wedged into a canvas-covered inner tube until his incision heals), I am still anxious about the lab results.

The vet has taken away half his saggy tummy skin and half his nipples btw, it looks really odd at the moment with no fur. Quite a big incision and a fair amount of tissue removed. The incision runs from the bottom of his sternum to under his left hind leg.

When Griff had his mastectomy, they took away quite a bit of tissue and it looked really ghastly, but it did heal quite quickly and the fur grew over so now the only thing you notice is on close inspection he just has one nipple and not two. Hopefully, once the initial healing is done, the collar can be removed and all will be fine as it continues to heal.

I wish they'd come up with an alternative to the cones/collars. With Charlie dog's huge ears, he was clearly in a lot of discomfort with it on and sat in the middle of the room not moving for over an hour. The vet insisted he'd "get used to it." (I'm not enthralled by the attitudes of some of the vets in the local practice but the pigs' brilliant vet is about an hour a way, so not so practical for Breeze and Charlie.) In his case, the slightly adjusted build a bear pyjama bottoms when he wasn't directly supervised and at night did the trick. But, it sounds like Jakey just doesn't like wearing clothes of any kind.

I know the next couple days will be really hard for all of you, but you've got lotsa folks in your corner here. (((Epona))) and gently (((Jakey)))

 

[Shirl]

Vincent this evening.

 

[Shirl]

Fingers and everything crossed for Jakey Epona xxx

 

[colacubes]

My lovely old boy Max was put to sleep this morning He got very ill on Tuesday and we took him to the vets and it turned out he had advanced kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (he was 20 so not an unusual diagnosis). He was ok for another 24 hours and then deteriorated very quickly yesterday and today. At least it was quick and relatively painless, but I'm absolutely devastated The flat feels horrible and empty without him

 

[Manter]

Oh no (((colacubes))

 

[Epona]

((colacubes)) I am so sorry to hear that.

 

[Epona]

Just got back from the vet - Jakey's tumour was benign and won't recur (just a small harmless fatty lump that had caused some inflammation because of where it was situated). So I am currently celebrating and having a bit of a relief-cry.

 

[CRI]

My lovely old boy Max was put to sleep this morning He got very ill on Tuesday and we took him to the vets and it turned out he had advanced kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (he was 20 so not an unusual diagnosis). He was ok for another 24 hours and then deteriorated very quickly yesterday and today. At least it was quick and relatively painless, but I'm absolutely devastated The flat feels horrible and empty without him

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear this. Twenty years is a great age, but that doesn't necessarily make it feel any better when they're gon. RIP Max.

 

[CRI]

Just got back from the vet - Jakey's tumour was benign and won't recur (just a small harmless fatty lump that had caused some inflammation because of where it was situated). So I am currently celebrating and having a bit of a relief-cry.

Oh whewwwww! SO SO glad to hear the news about Jakey. Hopefully the nasty collar thing can go soon (if it hasn't already been binned) and you can both get some rest.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

(((colacubes)))

 

[oryx]

My lovely old boy Max was put to sleep this morning He got very ill on Tuesday and we took him to the vets and it turned out he had advanced kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (he was 20 so not an unusual diagnosis). He was ok for another 24 hours and then deteriorated very quickly yesterday and today. At least it was quick and relatively painless, but I'm absolutely devastated The flat feels horrible and empty without him

Sorry to hear that. It's absolutely heart-breaking to lose a pet, I know.

 

[oryx]

Just got back from the vet - Jakey's tumour was benign and won't recur (just a small harmless fatty lump that had caused some inflammation because of where it was situated). So I am currently celebrating and having a bit of a relief-cry.

Great news - you must be so relieved.

 

[Vintage Paw]

colacubes I'm so, so sorry to hear that. Thinking of you xx

 

[Vintage Paw]

Epona Good news about Jakey.

I found a lump on the back of Charlie's leg a few days before his vet visit last week. I got Ted to take a look, seems like it was a little cyst. He tried to get some of the gunk out of it there and then, and said it would likely just dissipate on its own. I've not been able to get a decent feel or look of the area since, but he seems fine in himself so I'm not worried.

 

[Mogden]

My lovely old boy Max was put to sleep this morning He got very ill on Tuesday and we took him to the vets and it turned out he had advanced kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (he was 20 so not an unusual diagnosis). He was ok for another 24 hours and then deteriorated very quickly yesterday and today. At least it was quick and relatively painless, but I'm absolutely devastated The flat feels horrible and empty without him

He would have had a smashing life with you colacubes. Mourn his passing but celebrate his fun furry life too x

 

[colacubes]

My next door neighbour just popped in to send her condolences and set me off crying again

 

[Epona]

Oh whewwwww! SO SO glad to hear the news about Jakey. Hopefully the nasty collar thing can go soon (if it hasn't already been binned) and you can both get some rest.

The incision is healing OK but is still a bit inflamed and scabby so he has to wear the collar for up to another week so that he doesn't make that worse. He has got properly used to the collar now though and didn't even fuss when I put it back on him - it's not comfortable for him, but better that than some sort of infection.

 

[tendril]

That and keeping him in his own room will also give him time to get used to all the nearby smells whilst also establishing his own territory. You're doing it right

Great video too, lovely looking boy

Last night I put the TankCat outside and opened my bedroom door. Anton came out for a sniff but soon went back in. This evening I carried him into the lounge (with other cat outside in the garden) and he had quite an explore for 15 minutes or so then retreated to his igloo in my room. It is encouraging that he seems to treat my room as his territory. I have a mate coming round tomorrow to help me hang the new door on my room with the microchip flap. I will keep it locked initially as he hasn't met TankCat in the flesh yet, that is an experience for another day. Slowly slowly catchy monkey. Here he is in his igloo bed this afternoon looking distainful.

 

[tendril]

My lovely old boy Max was put to sleep this morning He got very ill on Tuesday and we took him to the vets and it turned out he had advanced kidney disease and hyperthyroidism (he was 20 so not an unusual diagnosis). He was ok for another 24 hours and then deteriorated very quickly yesterday and today. At least it was quick and relatively painless, but I'm absolutely devastated The flat feels horrible and empty without him

So sorry to hear this colacubes

 

[trabuquera]

oh colacubes, so sorry about this.

 

[colacubes]

Thanks all. It's so weird him not being here tonight But it was the right thing to do. He had a good life while he was with us after a shitty start in life

 

[Cribynkle]

My next door neighbour just popped in to send her condolences and set me off crying again

I'm so sorry about Max Colacubes. 20 is a fantastic age though x