Cat Chat Feline Forum

I shall miss the Forum - it was a huge help when Pippin was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and Tilly with CKD, and I have learned a lot here.

Could it be that he slipped and broke his neck? Threshing movements can continue for some minutes, sadly.

I am so sorry, it is never a good time for that last, sad goodbye. I too am glad that you were able to be with her, and that her last moments were peaceful and pain free, held in your love.

Your vet may be able to lend you a trap, or try your local cat rescue or local branch of Cats Protection.

As vet fees and procedures very so much from one country to another, and even from one area to another, I think the best way to get an idea of costs would be to contact your vet and ask for advice. It looks and sounds very like fairly advanced squamous cell carcinoma and if that is the case your vet...

I am so sorry - it is always so hard to say goodbye to an old friend. How old is your son? My experience of having animals put to sleep has always been very gentle and reassuring, with kind vets and an easy, peaceful slipping away, but I know others have sometimes had very bad experiences. Even when...

I am so sorry - the grief can be devastating. Be kind to yourself, try to find people who understand, and don't let anyone try to tell you he "was just a cat" - George was a friend whose life has been interwoven with yours for many years, and losing such a friend is very hard. I hope that ...

You will also need to clean any areas he has used very thoroughly with a suitable enzyme cleaner - some people swear by white vinegar as an alternative, but detergent or bleach won't do the trick. If he can still smell traces of urine he will continue to use that spot. I would offer him his original...

I would guess that, like most cats in the world, the kitten is what is known as a Domestic Short Hair, although looking at the big ears there may be a little Siamese in the mix. Colour looks like tortoiseshell, in which case she is almost certainly female.

Change of litter might well explain it - I'd try swapping back to the old one before the expense of a vet visit!

Assuming there is no more obvious explanation (change of litter, starting a new cleaning or other product close by, moving the tray, something startling or frightening him while he was on the tray, stress in the home, etc) I think the first thing to do would be to get him checked by your vet in case...

It is very reassuring that she is doing well on the metacam - it makes such a difference to daily quality of life. And being able to get her into the carrier and to the vet without trauma makes the prospect of regular checks in the future much less daunting!

It is available on Amazon.de but only, as far as I can see, for delivery in Germany: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Felini-Renal-125g/dp/B06Y5T26JM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=39BZUEQ2FWF56&keywords=felini+nierenkatze&qid=1667895617&refresh=1&sprefix=felini+renal%2Caps%2C55&sr=8-5 Do you know an...

Interesting. Inflammation can certainly cause changes in coat colour and texture in other animals - it happens a lot in poodles and poodle mixes where even a very minor injury can cause a dark patch to grow - so I certainly wouldn't rule it out.

I think the annual check up is probably more important than the jabs at that age. It then becomes a judgement call on that, of course...

Gone forever, I am afraid. With luck the skin will heal over the tip and the fur regrow enough that any scar will not be noticeable, though.

It could be the stress, but is it possible that the work has also included weedkillers or other chemicals? I would watch her and contact the vet if she hasn't picked up after a good night's sleep.

Be kind to yourself - grief is a physical as well as emotional pain, and everyone's journey through it is different. You shared 11 wonderful years with Flash, and when he faced a slow and painful death you found the courage to help him slip swiftly and peacefully away - or as far away as he will eve...

My thoughts are with you...

It is such a hard decision, but it does sound as if you know it is time. Things can only get worse for him and you can spare him so much by acting now. I will be thinking of you today, and tomorrow.

I am so sorry - they become part of the fabric of our lives, woven into every hour of the day and night, and when that is torn apart the loss is overwhelming. I think that is why it can feel even worse than losing a human we love, but who we see comparatively rarely. For now all you can do is keep b...

Little rice grain bits are almost certainly tapeworm - if they go long and thin then short and fat and wriggle that would confirm it! My vet prescribes milbemycin oxime/praziquantel (Milbemax) which seems to be prescription only, but Panacur and Drontal are OTC and pretty reliable.

Are you perhaps thinking of ivermectin intolerance due to a mutation of the MDR1 gene? It appears to be as common in cats as dogs (https://www.laboklin.co.uk/laboklin/showGeneticTest.jsp?testID=8776) but can be tested for - the Wisdom Panel may be the most accessible in the US: https://www.wisdompan...

Did the vet run a blood test panel? One possibility when an older cat shows behavioural changes is hyperthyroidism - it often involves weight loss despite the cat eating as much or rather more than normal, but not always. Once diagnosed it is very treatable, as are many of the other ills that affect...

I wonder if something like this little pop up tent might do the trick if you could find a bigger version, especially if you lined it with thermal cloth or a space blanket? https://www.petplanet.co.uk/p28096/rosewood_pop_up_tent.aspx It would fold up small enough for you to bring it inside when not n...

If treating at all I would go to your vet. OTC treatments are often ineffective, and even drugs that used to work well, like the fipronil in Frontline, are becoming less effective as fleas etc become resistant to them, plus not all are safe for young kittens. I would definitely worm young kittens ac...

Tilly-cat was very impressed by my neighbours' kindness in putting up two lovely 7 foot posts on the edge of their garden for her scratching convenience. I think they may have been less impressed at how quickly their posh new gate posts stopped looking pristine... As Mollycat says, cats need to stro...

He looks to be unneutered with that sturdy, muscular neck and massive head. But if he were a wildcat it wouldn't just be the rabbits that were in shreds - so would your hand if it got anywhere near him! Very handsome cat.

Sore throat is not uncommon post anaesthetic because of the intubation - it should improve in a few days but check with your vet if you have any concerns.

Your sofa is shabby chic, which is always in fashion!