~ The Kitty Thread!! ~ Take 2!

Merkin Baller · August 2023

Gern Blansten · August 2023

GlowGirl said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

This cat misses her "mom". Ever since Friday when my wife headed out to spend the weekend with her daughter, this poor cat has either been a bit whiny or, most of the time, goes to whatever room I happen to be in and sleeps close bye. I just told her, "Five more hours Annie, that's all. She didn't leave for good!"

We have a bengal cat that is attached to my youngest daughter....she stays at her boyfriend's some nights (she's 22) and the cat just loses his mind.

This has been going on for a few years and it's driving us insane. It's to the point where he started marking certain places in the house (my wife's new curtains, my fucking records, etc.) and we've tried everything related to calming spray, calming collars, etc.

He will go sit outside her door and just cry because he's sure she's in there even when she's not.

It's been hard because he's so miserable it makes me miserable and I've seriously thought about putting him down but I won't. Really don't know what to do.

We also tried prozac....we first tried the liquid which he hated. I tried it and it's very bitter. Then we went to topical that you rub on the inside of his ear. This is much easier to apply but you just never know how much is being absorbed. That didn't seem to work. I refuse to shove a pill down his throat every day. That's traumatic for him and for me.

I am sorry that you and your cat are going through this. Have you asked your vet about Gabapentin. Sometimes, they give that to cats who are stressed or are having behavioral issues. Or, maybe your daughter can take the cat with her when she stays at her boyfriend's. Or maybe let him in her room when she is not there and leave something on her bed that smells like her - a bathrobe or something else he can sit on. I have heard that advice for when you are traveling and leaving your cat home alone.

Finally, I just have to ask - Is the cat neutered? That can definitely help with spraying. While it does happen, it is less common for a neutered cat to spray.

Thanks for the info....we didn't talk about Gabapentin but I'll look into that. The issue I see is how to give it to him. Maybe I just need to suck it up and shove the pill down his throat. I just hate doing that.

He's neutered for sure. The problem now is that he'll mark stuff even in her room. I think he's just so upset that he's manic.

We love him to death he just can't be trusted to run freely in the house anymore. My wife got new curtains a few months back...he peed on several of them.

The good thing about him is that his urine is very mild...most male cats have a stronger ammonia smelling urine but his isn't strong. But still...it's urine.

We've talked to the vet a few times the last few years as we've dealt with the prozac. I've thought about going to a different vet for a different perspective.

GlowGirl · August 2023

Gern Blansten said:

GlowGirl said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

This cat misses her "mom". Ever since Friday when my wife headed out to spend the weekend with her daughter, this poor cat has either been a bit whiny or, most of the time, goes to whatever room I happen to be in and sleeps close bye. I just told her, "Five more hours Annie, that's all. She didn't leave for good!"

We have a bengal cat that is attached to my youngest daughter....she stays at her boyfriend's some nights (she's 22) and the cat just loses his mind.

This has been going on for a few years and it's driving us insane. It's to the point where he started marking certain places in the house (my wife's new curtains, my fucking records, etc.) and we've tried everything related to calming spray, calming collars, etc.

He will go sit outside her door and just cry because he's sure she's in there even when she's not.

It's been hard because he's so miserable it makes me miserable and I've seriously thought about putting him down but I won't. Really don't know what to do.

We also tried prozac....we first tried the liquid which he hated. I tried it and it's very bitter. Then we went to topical that you rub on the inside of his ear. This is much easier to apply but you just never know how much is being absorbed. That didn't seem to work. I refuse to shove a pill down his throat every day. That's traumatic for him and for me.

I am sorry that you and your cat are going through this. Have you asked your vet about Gabapentin. Sometimes, they give that to cats who are stressed or are having behavioral issues. Or, maybe your daughter can take the cat with her when she stays at her boyfriend's. Or maybe let him in her room when she is not there and leave something on her bed that smells like her - a bathrobe or something else he can sit on. I have heard that advice for when you are traveling and leaving your cat home alone.

Finally, I just have to ask - Is the cat neutered? That can definitely help with spraying. While it does happen, it is less common for a neutered cat to spray.

Thanks for the info....we didn't talk about Gabapentin but I'll look into that. The issue I see is how to give it to him. Maybe I just need to suck it up and shove the pill down his throat. I just hate doing that.

He's neutered for sure. The problem now is that he'll mark stuff even in her room. I think he's just so upset that he's manic.

We love him to death he just can't be trusted to run freely in the house anymore. My wife got new curtains a few months back...he peed on several of them.

The good thing about him is that his urine is very mild...most male cats have a stronger ammonia smelling urine but his isn't strong. But still...it's urine.

I’m sorry you are dealing with this. Gabapentin is a liquid. So you would just squirt it in his mouth. I have a cat with IBS who has to take a liquid steroid twice a day. The easiest way is when she is eating I just lift her head and quickly squirt it in her mouth and then she goes right back to eating.

Also, last bit of advice - if you are not already doing this I would use an enzyme cleaner on the urine to break up the smell and stain. Even if you can’t smell it they can and will often go back to the same spot. This is a good one I have used when my cats have had an occasional accident

Gern Blansten · August 2023

GlowGirl said:

Gern Blansten said:

GlowGirl said:

Gern Blansten said:

brianlux said:

This cat misses her "mom". Ever since Friday when my wife headed out to spend the weekend with her daughter, this poor cat has either been a bit whiny or, most of the time, goes to whatever room I happen to be in and sleeps close bye. I just told her, "Five more hours Annie, that's all. She didn't leave for good!"

We have a bengal cat that is attached to my youngest daughter....she stays at her boyfriend's some nights (she's 22) and the cat just loses his mind.

This has been going on for a few years and it's driving us insane. It's to the point where he started marking certain places in the house (my wife's new curtains, my fucking records, etc.) and we've tried everything related to calming spray, calming collars, etc.

He will go sit outside her door and just cry because he's sure she's in there even when she's not.

It's been hard because he's so miserable it makes me miserable and I've seriously thought about putting him down but I won't. Really don't know what to do.

We also tried prozac....we first tried the liquid which he hated. I tried it and it's very bitter. Then we went to topical that you rub on the inside of his ear. This is much easier to apply but you just never know how much is being absorbed. That didn't seem to work. I refuse to shove a pill down his throat every day. That's traumatic for him and for me.

I am sorry that you and your cat are going through this. Have you asked your vet about Gabapentin. Sometimes, they give that to cats who are stressed or are having behavioral issues. Or, maybe your daughter can take the cat with her when she stays at her boyfriend's. Or maybe let him in her room when she is not there and leave something on her bed that smells like her - a bathrobe or something else he can sit on. I have heard that advice for when you are traveling and leaving your cat home alone.

Finally, I just have to ask - Is the cat neutered? That can definitely help with spraying. While it does happen, it is less common for a neutered cat to spray.

Thanks for the info....we didn't talk about Gabapentin but I'll look into that. The issue I see is how to give it to him. Maybe I just need to suck it up and shove the pill down his throat. I just hate doing that.

He's neutered for sure. The problem now is that he'll mark stuff even in her room. I think he's just so upset that he's manic.

We love him to death he just can't be trusted to run freely in the house anymore. My wife got new curtains a few months back...he peed on several of them.

The good thing about him is that his urine is very mild...most male cats have a stronger ammonia smelling urine but his isn't strong. But still...it's urine.

I’m sorry you are dealing with this. Gabapentin is a liquid. So you would just squirt it in his mouth. I have a cat with IBS who has to take a liquid steroid twice a day. The easiest way is when she is eating I just lift her head and quickly squirt it in her mouth and then she goes right back to eating.

Also, last bit of advice - if you are not already doing this I would use an enzyme cleaner on the urine to break up the smell and stain. Even if you can’t smell it they can and will often go back to the same spot. This is a good one I have used when my cats have had an occasional accident

good to know...I kind of hate the idea of squirting the liquid too but that might be better than a pill

Yes we do use the enzymatic stuff.

eeriepadave · August 2023

So I went away for the weekend. I left Saturday morning and came back late Sunday afternoon/. Left plenty of food and water for the cats Also separated them cause I was afraid Kia would eat all the food in like an hour

Came home Kyra was fine. Opened the door to my bedrrom where Kia was and couldn't find her. Found her under my bed but she wasn't in good shape (she was breathing but not moving at all). So i took her to the 24 hour vet near me. They did some tests and suggested I leave her in the hospital for a few days. Which I can't afford that (it would have been like $5,000 or something). they said she was dehydrated and had diabetic symptoms which I kinda suspected but never took her to the vet cause she was a pain to get in the carrier, but she definitely showed signs like underweight, eating and drinking a lot. Unfortunately she didn't seem to get better and had neurological symptoms and her eyes were becoming diluted and she wasn't responding to anything. So I had to put her to sleep. I only had you for like a year and a half. She was definitely the most difficult and weirdest cat I had. She was also very sweet and I’m glad that she entered my life. Glad you are at peace now. RIP Kia

Merkin Baller · August 2023

Shit. I’m sorry, Dave. That sucks

GlowGirl · August 2023

I am sorry about Kia. What a cutie she was. I remember when you got her. I know you were saying the two cats never really warmed up to each other but I hope Kyra is doing ok. It is always hard even when we have had them for a short time. I have had one of my cats for 17 years. Thank goodness he seems to be doing well but I am constantly aware that I will only have so many years left with him.

eeriepadave · August 2023

GlowGirl said:

I am sorry about Kia. What a cutie she was. I remember when you got her. I know you were saying the two cats never really warmed up to each other but I hope Kyra is doing ok. It is always hard even when we have had them for a short time. I have had one of my cats for 17 years. Thank goodness he seems to be doing well but I am constantly aware that I will only have so many years left with him.

Thank you. Yeah they never warmed up too much, but like I said they tolerated each other. I think Kia was more dominant too Kyra (or Kyra was more timid around her. Which was kinda odd since she was bigger than her). In the past few weeks I did notice she was drinking a lot more water than usual and her hips were kinda "caved in" and i was thinking of taker her to the vet after Labor Day. She was due for a checkup I think a few months ago but i never got around to it for a few reasons. One mainly cause she doesn't really like to be held and I figured getting her into the crate would be a pain in the ass.

I think Kyra was looking for her yesterday. And last night she slept right by my side for awhile.

Fifthelement · August 2023

@eeriepadave my condolences on your loss. Kia was a beautiful girl. Hugs to you and Kyra.

josevolution · August 2023

Sorry about your loss Dave loosing a pet is such a kick in the gut but like you said she’s resting in peace no more pain as pet owners we def don’t let our pets suffer!

eeriepadave · August 2023

josevolution said:

Sorry about your loss Dave loosing a pet is such a kick in the gut but like you said she’s resting in peace no more pain as pet owners we def don’t let our pets suffer!

Fifthelement said:

@eeriepadave my condolences on your loss. Kia was a beautiful girl. Hugs to you and Kyra.

Thanks guys

Merkin Baller · August 2023

Nuala having a normal one here

GlowGirl · August 2023

Sorry, Tristan. I need to take this down to the recycling bin now.

josevolution · August 2023

GlowGirl said:

Lo
Sorry, Tristan. I need to take this down to the recycling bin now.

Ah yes the box we usually let them have fun for a couple of days with boxes but these days they are just being outside

brianlux · September 2023

Merkin Baller said:

Nuala having a normal one here

Those eyes! Love it.

There is a feral cat on the walking train we frequent that look a lot like your cat. He's very friendly and we've taken to calling him Cocoa Puff and we bring him good, healthy cat food. I don't normally get close to feral cats because until someone takes them and gives them a good home, they are (sadly) better off being wary of people. But Cocoa Puff came right up to us the first time we saw him, so he's obviously already human normalized. I so wish Annie would tolerate other cats because if she did, we would have a second cat in a heart beat!

GlowGirl · September 2023

Merkin Baller said:

Nuala having a normal one here

Nice meeting you and your wife at the show. Now I can put a face to this arm

Merkin Baller · September 2023

GlowGirl said:

Merkin Baller said:

Nuala having a normal one here

Nice meeting you and your wife at the show. Now I can put a face to this arm

Haha, likewise!

Merkin Baller · September 2023

Definitely part bat

GlowGirl · September 2023

So a few of you already know this - on September 11th I lost my sweet boy Tristan. He was 17 years old. He had been breathing somewhat heavy and then the night before he was mouth breathing for a few minutes, which cats don’t do. He had been diagnosed with mild asthma in February so I thought it was acting up and made a vet appointment thinking he would just need a steroid shot since he was acting pretty normal. That morning he jumped on my bed, meowed for food, ate, etc. but when I took him in the vet immediately noticed that his breathing was off and took an X-ray. She said his lungs were so full of fluid she didn’t even know how he was so alert. She told me she was certain he was suffering. I was ready to cancel my trip to Texas but she said it would be cruel to keep him going as he would be gasping for air - so I did the humane thing. I am devastated. I have been crying off and on since it happened. The worst was coming home from Texas and he wasn’t there to greet me at the door like he always has done. He was such a good boy and I miss him so much.

Merkin Baller · September 2023

He was a handsome guy.

17 years is amazing, but otoh makes it that much harder to say goodbye.. Hang in there, GG.

~ The Kitty Thread!! ~ Take 2!

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