Cat Chat Feline Forum

Slippery floors are a bit of an issue, as is jumping on furniture. She tends to bounce - after all, she is a poodle! - but at 11.5 with liver failure she also spends a lot of time snoozing. Thanks for the link - I'm still wrapping my head round this. I had assumed it was just a slight muscle strain ...

I have always got flea treatments from the vet, and usually wormers too. Your animals need to be registered, and usually to have at least an annual check up for each cat. You can then pick the medications up to administer at home, or if you choose an injectable take the cat in to have it done in the...

Oh joy... Guess who started limping really badly on Saturday, and today was diagnosed with a partial tear of the cruciate ligaments. Poor little Poppy-dog really doesn't need any more issues. On the plus side she only weighs 5 kilos even carrying the extra weight from a year on steroids for her live...

I'm glad he is doing well. There are never any guarantees, of course, but your care is giving him a fighting chance and he sounds much more comfortable.

Lovely update - thank you! It shows what patience and kindness can do.

As long as he was neutered more than 6-8 weeks ago I would not think there would be a problem. Queens would naturally mate with several males, which is why kittens in a litter can have more than one father. If he was neutered more recently there is a chance he could still be fertile.

SubQ is very rarely prescribed for home use in the UK, where diet and drugs are much more commonly used. If you can increase the amount of fluids she takes orally she may not need SubQ, especially at this stage. I would look at wet, not dry, renal diets if she will eat them, and do everything you ca...

Given her age I would start with a full vet check, including blood tests. Is she hungrier than usual? Losing weight? This sort of behaviour can be associated with hyperthyroidism, which is extremely common in older cats. It is very treatable, especially caught early, but can be very dangerous if left.

Frontline is losing effectiveness in many areas of the country. Frontline Plus is the one that also incapacitates the eggs and stops them hatching, but I would try Advantage - I had a major infestation after relying on even Frontline Plus. You will need to get it from your vet, or at least get a pre...

Is there any way you can create a second entrance/exit? Another cat flap, or a small, accessible window left open? If it were possible to create a safe zone for the older cat at the same time, where he could be sure of being able to eat, sleep and use a tray in peace, that would be even better.

I would be wary of diatomaceous earth - it played merry hell with my sister's vacuum cleaner. Is the prescription treatment one that breaks the fleas breeding cycle? If so, keeping it up for a few months while washing/vacuuming frequently should eventually get rid of them, but it may be worth talkin...

One of the liquid foods may be your best bet if the vets agree. Hold on in there, Alan, and you too, Riccardo!

Good news so far. Would it be worth adding a little pureed chicken or recovery food to the syringe? Best to consult your vet first, of course.

I hope he is doing better this morning - his drinking voluntarily sounds like a good sign.

I wonder if, in the past at least, cats were seen as something you got for free, and therefore did not get basic preventative care or even emergency care. But I would have thought that would have changed, especially in the past year. Perhaps more cats and kittens are being adopted from rescues, full...

I would ask your vet. The test requires blood to be taken and analysed, which is not usually part of a basic health check. Depending on the age of your cat, and the depths of your wallet, it may be worth checking for early signs of other common issues like hyperthyroidism and declining kidney functi...

I'm glad he is doing so well, and can quite see why the vet wants to reduce pain relief just enough to encourage him to slow down. It will be interesting to see how Molly adapts. Tilly has learned a great deal from watching the dogs - careful observation showed her that planting bottoms on ground le...

A whole galaxy of bright spots! It's very reassuring to know you can get advice for the dog over the phone immediately, and I agree with cheering a Poo. I keep a record of Poppy's after our trials and tribulations in the summer - in these days we need all the causes for celebration we can find, and ...

I hear you. I spend a small fortune on special food, supplements and metronidazole for Poppy, cook low fat chicken for additional protein, carefully spacing out meals to ensure optimal nutrition, avoiding anything that might trigger nausea or diarrhoea which are always hovering in the background, an...

I am so sorry - it is a harsh decision to have to make. My understanding is that lung cancer in cats is most commonly metastatic - the primary tumour is elsewhere in the body. If that is the case for your cat then removing the affected lung tissue may make very little difference. I think I would wan...

It may depend on what is included. Pre-op blood work (not usually needed for a healthy young cat) can be around £100. Having an extra person to monitor the anaesthetic etc can also add to the costs. I would ask the vet for a breakdown, and decide from there.

I'm glad he is feeling better and you are coping. I have reminders set on my computer for Poppy's meals and meds - 4 meals spread through the day, and 4 or 5 tablets, one of which is best on an empty stomach. I cook chicken breast from Durham Animal Feeds and always have a few chunks defrosted to st...

How is he this morning? Sounds as though whatever pain relief he had during the op was pretty effective!

I've been thinking of you today - glad the op is safely over and you have everything so well planned for his recovery. The eight weeks will pass swiftly once you have the routine established, and then it will be Spring, and the equinox, and long hours of daylight to mooch around and gradually build ...

I think if they have access to your safe garden that is ample - I wouldn't risk stressing them (or even worse, losing them) by taking them outside it with a harness, especially at 13. You could try a tower with steps or ramps to make it easier for your older cat to climb, but it sounds to me as if t...

I have to agree with the others. Five years ago you loved her enough to recognise that you could not meet her needs, and were very fortunate to have a friend able and willing to help. If you were struggling physically and emotionally at the time the stress would definitely have affected your cat, an...

Many years ago I was given an iodine spray to treat ringworm on a pony, and I believe it is also prescribed for cats. It cleared the pony's trouble quickly and effectively - might be worth asking your vet about.

I have found seraquin, available online without a prescription, quite helpful for Pippin's severe arthritis - Yu-Move is similar but he won't eat that; gabapentin seemed to make little difference but the loxicom (metacam) really helps.

I think your therapist is very probably right and your cats are already leading a very contented life, but there are lots of things you can do to help you feel that you are making it even happier. I would limit treats - not good for their health, much as they love them. Instead think of ways to enri...

Thanks, Phantom. I will add the Avalon to my list of possibles. I am beginning to suspect that Tilly likes the attention she gets when sitting in the wash hand basin as much as drinking from the dripping tap, though!