Search found 839 matches

by alanc
Tue Oct 29, 2019 6:19 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Hair loss - part of a known health problem?
Replies: 5
Views: 1082

Re: Hair loss - part of a known health problem?

I've noticed that the fur on next door's Tay is getting a bit thin on his nose. Attributed it to his shoving his nose into places (like Tilly's dinner bowl) where it did not ought to be! Still, could be due to the kidney problems he had earlier.
by alanc
Sat Oct 26, 2019 1:34 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Willow not eating - any ideas?
Replies: 24
Views: 4801

Re: Willow not eating - any ideas?

Very sad to see Willow has gone. Your first cat is always special.
by alanc
Tue Oct 15, 2019 5:16 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: We have a big day today
Replies: 26
Views: 3386

Re: We have a big day today

And there's my Tilly, who I sometimes suspect of feigning illness so she can go to the vet and be made a fuss of by the Vet nurses all day......
by alanc
Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:35 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Furry thief!
Replies: 9
Views: 1235

Re: Furry thief!

As a kitten, before she learnt the joys of mousing, my Tilly brought in quite a few odd things, including a child's headband with a pair of fake rabbit ears. No idea where she found that!
by alanc
Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:02 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Willow not eating - any ideas?
Replies: 24
Views: 4801

Re: Willow not eating - any ideas?

A good few years ago now, but I got my old girl Sally to eat using cooked Haddock when she became reluctant to eat anything.
by alanc
Sun Oct 06, 2019 8:32 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Mental Stimulation for an Injured Cat Confined to a Crate?
Replies: 20
Views: 16576

Re: Mental Stimulation for an Injured Cat Confined to a Crate?

Hi Llama
I can only assure you that my Tilly coped. As I said up the thread, the first weeks were the worst and she did try to escape a few times early on, but then settled down. She recovered completely, you would never know by looking at her that she had had an accident at all.
by alanc
Mon Sep 30, 2019 6:07 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: We have a big day today
Replies: 26
Views: 3386

Re: We have a big day today

Glad the first part has gone well and Molly has put on some invisible weight. Paws crossed it is good news when the results come back.
Seems like your Henry went the same way as my Badger, who also must have hidden his tumor for a long time.
by alanc
Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:37 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: My cat is caged for six weeks; both feeling desperate
Replies: 7
Views: 4058

Re: My cat is caged for six weeks; both feeling desperate

I had to cage rest my Tilly for over 8 weeks 6 years ago after major surgery to her back leg. She also is (well, was, she is getting a bit old now) an active cat and being a Maine Coon, rather larger than your girl, I expect! We survived - they do calm down a bit with time and accept their fate, alt...
by alanc
Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:54 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Medicine victory!
Replies: 4
Views: 645

Re: Medicine victory!

Savor your victory while you can, I'm sure Idris is plotting his revenge!
by alanc
Mon Sep 23, 2019 6:30 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Panic!!! Not neutered!!!
Replies: 20
Views: 2319

Re: Panic!!! Not neutered!!!

Like Booktigger, I would err on the side of caution and not apply flea treatment until you know for certain the 4 week period has elapsed. Worth getting the vets to check the microchip is present and working as well!
by alanc
Fri Sep 20, 2019 1:51 pm
Forum: Rescue & Rehoming - General
Topic: Adoption: shelter or private sale?
Replies: 15
Views: 2733

Re: Adoption: shelter or private sale?

Didn't have any concern regarding having my home assessed for its suitability, it was the total lack of any response for over a fortnight that sent me elsewhere.
by alanc
Thu Sep 19, 2019 5:27 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Kitten chaos
Replies: 4
Views: 752

Re: Kitten chaos

Congrats on the new kittens, sure they will settle in in time. Other end of the age spectrum, but I remember thinking I knew all about elderly cats when I took Misty on, having just had my c18 year old Sally put to sleep. Misty soon showed how wrong I was!
by alanc
Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:46 pm
Forum: Rescue & Rehoming - General
Topic: Adoption: shelter or private sale?
Replies: 15
Views: 2733

Re: Adoption: shelter or private sale?

"Anyway - maybe shelters take their time getting back to you to make sure they are talking to people who are serious and not trying to adopt on a whim without really thinking it through?" Well, in my case it lost them a potential owner who could not contemplate being catless for another we...
by alanc
Sun Sep 15, 2019 8:57 pm
Forum: Rescue & Rehoming - General
Topic: Adoption: shelter or private sale?
Replies: 15
Views: 2733

Re: Adoption: shelter or private sale?

Further on Mollycats theme, reputable cat breeders retire their Queens and Studs. They will be cats used to the indoor/restricted outside access and can be very affectionate. I know the breeder I bought Badger and Tilly from often has retired breeding cats for sale to good homes. I know the feeling ...
by alanc
Fri Sep 13, 2019 7:20 pm
Forum: Bereavement Support
Topic: Anticipatory grief for my super senior Chuckie
Replies: 6
Views: 1160

Re: Anticipatory grief for my super senior Chuckie

I can only echo what the others have said. It is a hard decision that has to be made. However illogical, we all seem to suffer from guilt at having to make it and a feeling that we have failed them in not being able to magic up a cure.
by alanc
Mon Sep 02, 2019 5:42 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Newly Adopted 2 Year Old Cat HATES ME
Replies: 11
Views: 2760

Re: Newly Adopted 2 Year Old Cat HATES ME

Just a thought, but have you tried giving him an igloo type bed? They give them somewhere where they can hide in comfort and look out onto what may be going on in the room. I had one for my Misty when I first got him. He hardly came out of it for months except to go to the litter tray. Later on, whe...
by alanc
Fri Aug 30, 2019 6:27 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: The joy of food...
Replies: 9
Views: 1273

Re: The joy of food...

Reminds me of the weeks spent trying to get a few ounces onto an elderly cat and then seeing it all disappear seemingly overnight. (PS I'm not letting my Tilly see this thread - she has quite enough ideas of her own regarding the standard of food that should be supplied.)
by alanc
Thu Aug 29, 2019 10:09 am
Forum: Rescue & Rehoming - General
Topic: Adopted cat advice please
Replies: 4
Views: 1195

Re: Adopted cat advice please

When I adopted a pair of cats from the local rescue center (quite a few years ago now) it took one of them about 3 days to settle in and the other about 3 months. After those 3 months, the old chap became very affectionate.
by alanc
Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:58 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Eating Mice
Replies: 16
Views: 2550

Re: Eating Mice

I spoke too soon! Tilly deposited 1 very dead rat on the doormat this afternoon.
by alanc
Thu Aug 22, 2019 8:59 pm
Forum: Bereavement Support
Topic: He's gone
Replies: 14
Views: 2188

Re: He's gone

Very sad to read of your losses, exlibris and Kay. It is never easy, whether their departure is expected or not. Sleep well Backy and Tiffany.
by alanc
Mon Aug 19, 2019 5:37 pm
Forum: Bereavement Support
Topic: How do you support a grieving pet?
Replies: 8
Views: 1588

Re: How do you support a grieving pet?

Tilly was so involved in the events around Badger's death from cancer, that I am not certain how much of her evident grief was due to her loss of her lifelong companion, the traumatic experience she had of coming home for dinner only to be whisked away to the vets to give Badger blood or my depressi...
by alanc
Mon Aug 19, 2019 5:22 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Clumping Or Non-clumping Litter?
Replies: 8
Views: 1830

Re: Clumping Or Non-clumping Litter?

I use Pettex clumping litter. Works well and Tilly is happy with it (as were Badger, Honey Misty and Sally in their time). It is a bit heavy, so a shopping cart might be useful for the amount you will require. I certainly would not consider using a non-clumping litter and on the few times I have tri...
by alanc
Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:54 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Playing chess with the reaper
Replies: 15
Views: 1949

Re: Playing chess with the reaper

Very sad to read this.He put up a good fight and you did all you could for him.
by alanc
Tue Aug 13, 2019 1:46 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Schesir alternative
Replies: 7
Views: 1192

Re: Schesir alternative

Tilly certainly loves Thrive and Canagan (both of which I can get from our local pet shop). However, although a bit delicate at times, her guts are in in full working order, so no problems with inability to digest her food. When I had an elderly lady (Honey) with an inefficient gut my vet recommende...
by alanc
Mon Aug 12, 2019 8:04 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Eating Mice
Replies: 16
Views: 2550

Re: Eating Mice

Tilly and I have had a good many mouse hunts, my mouse catching ability has certainly improved, so I think I have saved about 50% of the mice she caught and brought in alive. When Badger was alive and the two of them were hunting in tandem, my success rate wasn't so good! Certainly, feeding doesn't ...
by alanc
Mon Aug 12, 2019 6:47 am
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Eating Mice
Replies: 16
Views: 2550

Re: Eating Mice

He's just being a cat. Feeding more doesn't stop the carnage, only increasing age! Now she is 9, my Tilly seems to have retired from the mousing business, she hasn't caught anything that I know of for at least a year.
by alanc
Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:40 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Time for a new start...
Replies: 18
Views: 2495

Re: Time for a new start...

What Moobag says is what happened to me after Sally died - I went to the Blue Cross looking for 1 cat and came back with 2!
by alanc
Tue Aug 06, 2019 10:36 am
Forum: Rescue & Rehoming - General
Topic: Adopeted cat
Replies: 3
Views: 872

Re: Adopeted cat

Certainly at least 4 weeks. My old Misty (a timid 9 year old) needed 8 weeks.
by alanc
Sun Aug 04, 2019 9:03 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Time for a new start...
Replies: 18
Views: 2495

Re: Time for a new start...

Seems I'm a bit late, as you have decided to go the two kitten route, but my first cat, Sally was an only kitten and I worked full time (still do) when she was growing up. She was quite happy on her own.
by alanc
Thu Jul 18, 2019 2:51 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Elderly cat does not eat
Replies: 63
Views: 7700

Re: Elderly cat does not eat

Many years ago I found haddock (grilled, steamed or boiled) persuaded my old girl Sally to start eating again. Gave her an extra 2 years.