Your daily cat and kitten news

[Vintage Paw]

One of the main signs of hyperthyroidism is increased thirst as well. Often accompanied with increased appetite, but not necessarily.

Interestingly, when a cat has hyperthyroidism, their kidneys usually work pretty awesomely, because the increased metabolic rate helps support the kidneys' function (plus all that water drinking). This is why many cats with hyperthyroidism often present with some kind of kidney issues a while after their thyroid levels have been brought under control, because those kidney issues likely already existed but were being masked very effectively by the thyroid.

The more you know.

 

[Vintage Paw]

her water is in a large mug, right next to my desk. she refused to drink at all indoors for months. when we kept her in when we first moved, we gave her loads of catmilk just to make sure she didn't get dehydrated. but i was soaking a pen nib in a glass on my desk and she started drinking out of that. which got moved to the floor by my desk and eventually into a one of those big wide mugs. i'm just noticing because she's slurping right next to me

Cats don't generally need to drink very much at all, and get most of their liquids from food. That's why it's always recommended to have fresh water available if your cat has a dry food diet. It's also why an increase in thirst is an indicator of things perhaps not being quite right, because a healthy cat doesn't need to drink much (depending on their diet, of course). But as Epona said, keep an eye on her and monitor her for a while. It's unlikely an increase in thirst this week will mean her kidneys or anything else are going to suddenly fail tomorrow - it's generally behaviour that can go on for a while. But I'm no vet, and it's better to nip things in the bud before they get to a stage where they can cause more problems (for example, a secondary disease to hyperthyroidism is heart disease). So keep an eye on her for a few days, until she settles.

 

[Mogden]

Lovely day out there. The rain has stopped. So why are my mob inside with cabin fever, sprinting from room to room, tapping each other with their paws, playful growling, and ruffling up my rugs. I'm gonna open the back door in a minute and sweep them all out!

 

[tufty79]

Argh - i have a lumpy angel cat just behind her front right shoulder. She doesn't seem to give a flying one about it - i, otoh, am bricking it.
She doesn't seem out of sorts (active/affectionate/eating and drinking normally) but i've still gone into hyperworry mode


We were booked in at the vets for tomorrow morning anyway - fingers crossed all's ok :/

 

[Vintage Paw]

Argh - i have a lumpy angel cat just behind her front right shoulder. She doesn't seem to give a flying one about it - i, otoh, am bricking it.
She doesn't seem out of sorts (active/affectionate/eating and drinking normally) but i've still gone into hyperworry mode


We were booked in at the vets for tomorrow morning anyway - fingers crossed all's ok :/

Good luck! What's the lump like? Big? Pea-sized? Can you see it through her fur? What does it look like? Charlie had a pea-sized one behind his leg recently. It was a cyst. Basically a big spot. Ted the vet drained it of gunk a little bit while Charlie and I were there for a check-up.

 

[Mapped]

Just moved back into our London home and we're going to need a cat at some point as this street is infested with mice. Mrs Mapped thinks it's too soon after our last one was taken and we have an added complication of a baby due in a month.

Am I being mental thinking of suggesting the idea of checking out the rescue centre next week? Or should I wait?

I reckon a new cat and a new baby is perfect timing as there's no 'where the fuck have you come from? and when are you going?' thoughts on either sides.

I'd obviously clean the litter tray/mess etc.

 

[tufty79]

Good luck! What's the lump like? Big? Pea-sized? Can you see it through her fur? What does it look like? Charlie had a pea-sized one behind his leg recently. It was a cyst. Basically a big spot. Ted the vet drained it of gunk a little bit while Charlie and I were there for a check-up.

It's smaller than a pea, and feels like a wart/raised mole - kind of roughish, not smooth.

I've just managed to get a look at it and it looks like a scab's formed over it a little, so it could just be a cut or something that's not healing right?

 

[Vintage Paw]

It's smaller than a pea, and feels like a wart/raised mole - kind of roughish, not smooth.

I've just managed to get a look at it and it looks like a scab's formed over it a little, so it could just be a cut or something that's not healing right?

Possible, yes. Could have been bitten by something or got caught on something sharp while out and about, and she scratched it herself maybe? There are a million utterly innocuous things it could be. Hopefully the vet will put your mind at rest tomorrow

 

[Cribynkle]

Just moved back into our London home and we're going to need a cat at some point as this street is infested with mice. Mrs Mapped thinks it's too soon after our last one was taken and we have an added complication of a baby due in a month.

Am I being mental thinking of suggesting the idea of checking out the rescue centre next week? Or should I wait?

I reckon a new cat and a new baby is perfect timing as there's no 'where the fuck have you come from? and when are you going?' thoughts on either sides.

I'd obviously clean the litter tray/mess etc.

I'd probably leave it a few months, it's weird for cats to go to new places and if you got one now, as soon as out had settled in you'd be unsettling it again when the baby arrived. And you'll be really busy when the baby's here you won't want to have to be fitting in vet vaccination visits and the like. Also, if Mrs Mapped isn't keen and is heavily pregnant, you should probably let her have her way for a bit. I don't think babies are usually that put out by a pet appearing so I don't see the problem of waiting for a bit Congratulations btw

 

[Cribynkle]

It's smaller than a pea, and feels like a wart/raised mole - kind of roughish, not smooth.

I've just managed to get a look at it and it looks like a scab's formed over it a little, so it could just be a cut or something that's not healing right?

Most likely, ours have them a few times, the vet just drains them and we keep an eye in then. Fingers crossed for tomorrow

 

[Mapped]

I'd probably leave it a few months, it's weird for cats to go to new places and if you got one now, as soon as out had settled in you'd be unsettling it again when the baby arrived. And you'll be really busy when the baby's here you won't want to have to be fitting in vet vaccination visits and the like. Also, if Mrs Mapped isn't keen and is heavily pregnant, you should probably let her have her way for a bit. I don't think babies are usually that put out by a pet appearing so I don't see the problem of waiting for a bit Congratulations btw

You're probably right. I spent this week at friends with cats everywhere and made me want one. Also I don't want any bloody mice!

Good thing about rescue cats though is that they're all sorted with the vaccinations etc.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

You're probably right. I spent this week at friends with cats everywhere and made me want one. Also I don't want any bloody mice!

Good thing about rescue cats though is that they're all sorted with the vaccinations etc.

maybe the rescue home should use the line "sorted for fleas and shiz"

 

[Mogden]

Well that just goes to show you never completely know your furry kids. Stone has been getting lots of fuss from me this weekend as he's decided his new favourite spot is tucked up next to my feet on the pouffe. I thought I was seeing things but I've just checked again and he has no dewclaws at the front but he does have thumbs and, this was the discovery, he has dewclaws on his back legs! Photo and everyfing!

I'm just not sure what to think. I know it's probably wobbly genetics but surely that's quite rare.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I know it's probably wobbly genetics but surely that's quite rare.

Dunno. I think cats' paws are more variable than hoomans' - I've known a few polydactyl (extra toes) cats but never met a person like that - even when i lived in lincolnshire

one of mum-tat's neighbours had a polydactyl cat who would occasionally wander in to her house when she had the back door open in summer, and he was quite noisy walking around...

 

[Mogden]

Dunno. I think cats' paws are more variable than hoomans' - I've known a few polydactyl (extra toes) cats but never met a person like that - even when i lived in lincolnshire

one of mum-tat's neighbours had a polydactyl cat who would occasionally wander in to her house when she had the back door open in summer, and he was quite noisy walking around...

I love Hemingway cats. Meg was my big poly. I'll scan some photos of her mammoth feet at some point. Stone is a mini poly but I've never noticed his rear dewclaws before.

And I know what you mean about the sounds. I can tell when Stone has come in cos he makes a tappy noise on the laminate

 

[coley]

Fern the furball went out earlier to check up on the bird life and came face to face with the resident sparrow hawk,there followed a two minute eyeballing contest followed by the hawk nochantly lifting one wing and casually preening itself, then resuming the eyeballing,resulting in fern beating ( a dignified,it must be admitted) retreat, wish I had thought of videoing it, bliddy hilarious.
Sparrow hawks don't seem to be frightened of much, as this one often sits watching me potter around the garden?

 

[Puddy_Tat]

And I know what you mean about the sounds. I can tell when Stone has come in cos he makes a tappy noise on the laminate

mum-tat thought another person had wandered in to the house...

 

[trashpony]

Mapped - absolutely do not get a cat before the baby's born! Wait until after the baby's all settled in. A lot of women go off their existing beloved cats (I certainly did for a few months) and a new cat risks being resented/disliked forever by your wife and that is no good for any of you.

 

[StoneRoad]

Mapped - no, don't get a cat (yet) reasons as above, but I would add potential risks from allergies/infections/worms.

 

[Mapped]

Message received and understood. We'll leave it till some time next year.

Feels odd not to have one in the house though Although we'll have our hands full with another bundle of joy next month.

 

[Mogden]

Friend of mine has reported on Facebook today that one of her cats was run over and killed. We were only chatting about cats a few days ago saying how spooked they were by fireworks. I suspect that might have been the reason but I can't tell her that

 

[thriller]

Is pet insurance worth it? Got 3 kittens and thinking maybe I should get a life insurance pet plan for all of them. Any recommendations?

 

[StoneRoad]

thriller - with three kittehs, you will probably find insurance a good deal. No recommendations, as I couldn't get Hilli covered as she had a pre-existing condition ............

 

[Cribynkle]

Is pet insurance worth it? Got 3 kittens and thinking maybe I should get a life insurance pet plan for all of them. Any recommendations?

It's definitely worth it, I've claimed back more than I've contributed over the years. Pet Plan's very good, I had that for mine for years and they paid out no worries but it gets expensive as they get older so I've moved over to Animal Friends. I've not had to claim from them so I'm not sure if they're as easy to deal with as Pet Plan but they are loads cheaper

 

[thriller]

It's definitely worth it, I've claimed back more than I've contributed over the years. Pet Plan's very good, I had that for mine for years and they paid out no worries but it gets expensive as they get older so I've moved over to Animal Friends. I've not had to claim from them so I'm not sure if they're as easy to deal with as Pet Plan but they are loads cheaper

Do you have life time insurance for the moggy?

 

[Vintage Paw]

I don't have pet insurance. My most recent trips over Sept/Oct have totalled over £700, for one cat. Over the last two years he's cost probably nearer £2k in vet costs and medication.

Will it be worth it right now while they're young? Hard to say. You never know when one of them might have an accident or get in a fight or get an illness. Will it be worth it once they start getting older? I'd say most assuredly, particularly since you're upping your odds of having to have expensive treatment by having 3 of them. Don't wait until they're older to get cover because it might be too late.

 

[High Voltage]

They're all "grey" aren't they?

Not for one second suggesting anything

BUT

They're ALL GREY 'n' stuff

 

[High Voltage]

I don't have pet insurance. My most recent trips over Sept/Oct have totalled over £700, for one cat. Over the last two years he's cost probably nearer £2k in vet costs and medication.

Will it be worth it right now while they're young? Hard to say. You never know when one of them might have an accident or get in a fight or get an illness. Will it be worth it once they start getting older? I'd say most assuredly, particularly since you're upping your odds of having to have expensive treatment by having 3 of them. Don't wait until they're older to get cover because it might be too late.

£2k x well 2,000 actually

Bloody hell

I'll NEVER EVER comment on how much (or not) we've spent on our 3 then 2 and now 1 over the years

But I'm willing to bet that we've not spent £1k on 3 cats in 15+ years - including adoption fees and stuff

 

[Cribynkle]

Do you have life time insurance for the moggy?

Yes, it's definitely worth getting, if they get a condition that's treatable but not curable you could end up paying thousands for drugs over their lifetime. I've got Animal Friends Superior for mine so it's a £4000/year limit but no lifetime maximum IYSWIM. I'm a bit ambivalent now about intensive vet treatment after having one cat with a heart condition. I think I put him through too much treatment and should have let him go. But in the 9 months between him being diagnosed and dying, I spent probably £4000 on vet bills. My first claim for all the diagnostic work was nearly £2000. Not sure that I should have let them carry on with the treatment for so long but I would never want the cost to be an issue when deciding what treatment they should get

 

[thriller]

Yes, it's definitely worth getting, if they get a condition that's treatable but not curable you could end up paying thousands for drugs over their lifetime. I've got Animal Friends Superior for mine so it's a £4000/year limit but no lifetime maximum IYSWIM. I'm a bit ambivalent now about intensive vet treatment after having one cat with a heart condition. I think I put him through too much treatment and should have let him go. But in the 9 months between him being diagnosed and dying, I spent probably £4000 on vet bills. My first claim for all the diagnostic work was nearly £2000. Not sure that I should have let them carry on with the treatment for so long but I would never want the cost to be an issue when deciding what treatment they should get

Just got a quote from Animal friends. £23.16 per month for all three girls. Is that a lot? Rogue is 5 weeks old, but the website didn't allow me to select her age so just put her as 2 months. Would that matter?