Search found 1631 matches

by fjm
Tue Oct 08, 2019 7:11 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Semintra long term?
Replies: 6
Views: 2888

Re: Semintra long term?

Mygirls, I assume hypothyroid is a typo - that would be the opposite problem. It sounds as if your cat may need the dosage adjusting, or possibly a different formulation - I would talk to your vet. There are alternatives to medication, including diet, surgery and radio-iodine treatment, but with CKD...
by fjm
Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:16 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Help with cats diarrhoea, at wits end
Replies: 19
Views: 9921

Re: Help with cats diarrhoea, at wits end

It might be worth trying home cooked, if you cannot solve it any other way. It is much easier to feed limited ingredients that way, and might be easier to handle than raw with a baby in the house. If you buy the complete balanced minces (80% muscle, 10% offal, 10% ground bone) you don't need to add ...
by fjm
Sun Oct 06, 2019 7:37 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Advice needed concerning new cat
Replies: 3
Views: 618

Re: Advice needed concerning new cat

It sounds to me as if you have made a good start - you may find the very helpful Catchat information page on reconciling cats to each other: https://www.catchat.org/index.php/new-cat-introductions useful. It is still very early days - one cat has to get used to being confined, and the other to havin...
by fjm
Sat Oct 05, 2019 11:58 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: 2 week old Kittens, questions!
Replies: 2
Views: 450

Re: 2 week old Kittens, questions!

It sounds as if you are doing well. Their mother should take care of cleaning them up until they begin to be weaned, but it would be worth having a tray ready - I would try any easily available, inexpensive non-dusty litter. The kittens will need to be vaccinated at 9 weeks and again at 3 months; th...
by fjm
Sat Oct 05, 2019 11:47 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Deleted
Replies: 2
Views: 436

Re: Sad news from the Vet :(

Such sad news - try to stay in the now, and not dwell too much on what is coming. Suzanne Clothier likened this news to being handed a ticket to grief - you know you will have to travel that road, but not yet. Even if it is just a few weeks, that is hundreds of hours, thousands of minutes, uncountab...
by fjm
Fri Oct 04, 2019 7:56 am
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Cats love to mess with your mind
Replies: 2
Views: 492

Re: Cats love to mess with your mind

Perhaps it is because you were not looking at him - cats tend to make a beeline for those whose eyes are politely averted, rather than rudely staring directly. Or it could, of course, have been feline sixth sense and contrariness! Whatever persuaded him, I am glad he made you feel better.
by fjm
Fri Oct 04, 2019 7:50 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: I am I being flea-ced?
Replies: 11
Views: 1320

Re: I am I being flea-ced?

I would look for a product that is safe for kittens that size (most that have a Kittens and Small Cat formulation), and that not only kills fleas but stops them reproducing as well - that breaks the cycle over a couple of months, and gives you a good chance of getting clear of them. Fleas are increa...
by fjm
Thu Oct 03, 2019 7:11 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Jaundice
Replies: 15
Views: 2246

Re: Jaundice

I am so glad she is back to normal - and very glad you got her to the vet at the first sign of trouble.
by fjm
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:53 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Coco and Chanel dilemma
Replies: 340
Views: 673989

Re: Coco and Chanel dilemma

It is a little sad that they still don't welcome human company, but they are happy and healthy, with full lives and full tummies, and that is a great deal more than they would have had elsewhere.
by fjm
Tue Oct 01, 2019 12:44 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: I'am soooooooooo happy
Replies: 3
Views: 807

Re: I'am soooooooooo happy

I am suffering this too. I am not sure what Pip has eaten that he should not, but I went away for 24 hours and came back to horrible pools in several rooms. Fortunately he prefers hard floors, and usually prefers to go outside - the weather was obviously too bad even for him! I am reluctant to start...
by fjm
Tue Oct 01, 2019 10:52 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: We have a big day today
Replies: 26
Views: 3388

Re: We have a big day today

... And then he came back from the Wet Wild Woods And said budge over and make room in your nice warm bed And by the way the food bowl is empty And the radiators have gone off And all the toys are stuck under the sofa And when I have dried off and had a snooze I will once more be the cat who walks b...
by fjm
Mon Sep 30, 2019 5:52 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 know rather more about crate rest games for dogs than cats, but some ideas might be: Playing whack-a-mouse - for example a small soft toy on a stick that appears in different places from under a blanket or box set against the crate . A box set on its side with some holes cut in the bottom to poke ...
by fjm
Mon Sep 30, 2019 7:08 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: We have a big day today
Replies: 26
Views: 3388

Re: We have a big day today

i hope the news is excellent, and brings some much needed peace of mind. I think you are already prepared for the possibility of mild CKD, and know how to cope with that, so if that comes up it is not the end of the world. You have said Molly has been more relaxed since her treatment - it will be in...
by fjm
Sat Sep 28, 2019 7:43 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Flea treatment for kittens
Replies: 10
Views: 1248

Re: Flea treatment for kittens

I seem to recall using Frontline spray on kittens, but it is 16 years since mine were babies, so no doubt the advice has changed! I would treat the house, if you can find something safe, plus vacuuming, washing everything at a high temperature, etc, etc, and comb the kittens several times a day with...
by fjm
Fri Sep 27, 2019 7:07 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Fussy cat - advice needed.
Replies: 2
Views: 511

Re: Fussy cat - advice needed.

Have you had blood tests done? If there is no physiological reason for low appetite I would try meat - half a raw chicken wing, or some chicken thigh meat, raw or cooked (no cooked bones, of course). If he enjoys those you can consider working out a balanced home prepped diet, and if not you can alw...
by fjm
Fri Sep 27, 2019 7:04 pm
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Renal foods, chunks in gravy?
Replies: 5
Views: 1154

Re: Renal foods, chunks in gravy?

Lots to try - thanks all. She has eaten several small portions today - the trick seems to be to give her just the right amount every few hours, and stay close to make sure she eats it. I am away over the weekend, but only for one night, and the neighbour who feeds them will make sure the bowls stay ...
by fjm
Fri Sep 27, 2019 11:27 am
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Renal foods, chunks in gravy?
Replies: 5
Views: 1154

Re: Renal foods, chunks in gravy?

Thanks - I will try the Hills. I am mixing in some of the home made balanced meat mix to up the protein level, and giving her a tiny portion whenever I see her, adding more if she asks for it. That way I know she is eating the food and not Pippin or the blackbirds (who have raised several stonking b...
by fjm
Fri Sep 27, 2019 9:20 am
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Renal foods, chunks in gravy?
Replies: 5
Views: 1154

Renal foods, chunks in gravy?

I am trying to get some weight onto Tilly, who is in the early stages of CKD. She is eating, but tends to eat a small mouse sized portion and then wander off, plus I suspect her sense of smell may be affected as she is uninterested in food unless it is right under her nose. After some experimentatio...
by fjm
Tue Sep 24, 2019 7:58 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: HELP! 10 WEEK OLD KITTEN! NEED URGENT ADVICE
Replies: 3
Views: 1024

Re: HELP! 10 WEEK OLD KITTEN! NEED URGENT ADVICE

It could simply be curiosity, but I would certainly get him neutered as soon as possible, and in the meantime I would not leave them alone together unsupervised. On average cats first come into season at 5-6 months, but it can be much earlier, and by 18th October she will be 4 and a half months, and...
by fjm
Sun Sep 22, 2019 9:38 am
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Shower question
Replies: 6
Views: 972

Re: Shower question

I once lived by the river in Oxford, on a lovely safe traffic free towpath. I could never understand why my garden was always full of rubber bands until I watched the postman carelessly discarding a couple one day, and Toby dash out to retrieve them. He was the cat that discovered very early on just...
by fjm
Sat Sep 21, 2019 1:14 pm
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Panic!!! Not neutered!!!
Replies: 20
Views: 2319

Re: Panic!!! Not neutered!!!

Hmmmm... I think I would separate them as much as possible if she is showing signs of calling, just in case. You may have an early blooming boy, and it is only for a few days. If she is calling it may be safer to postpone spaying her until she has finished - it would be safer in the early stages of ...
by fjm
Tue Sep 17, 2019 7:14 am
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Separating Kittens from mom
Replies: 5
Views: 770

Re: Separating Kittens from mom

Ideally, of course, the kittens would go from your house to their new home, but given how very well you have socialised them through these important early months I think they will be more than capable of coping with a few days in a good shelter if necessary. A hell hole would be different, of course...
by fjm
Tue Sep 17, 2019 7:07 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Cat vomiting up everything
Replies: 5
Views: 1162

Re: Cat vomiting up everything

I agree with Mollycat - if you cook for your cat you need to ensure all the nutritional bases are covered (calcium/phosphorus balance in particular), and check the calorie content of what you are feeding. It takes time and energy, and if your work is overwhelming a good commercial food may be a bett...
by fjm
Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:50 am
Forum: Rescue & Rehoming - General
Topic: Adoption: shelter or private sale?
Replies: 15
Views: 2733

Re: Adoption: shelter or private sale?

One big advantage of going through a reputable centre is that cats and kittens should have been tested for FIV and FeLV before you meet them and fall in love. I had a kitten from a local farm that died at age 1 from a massive tumour... Plus anything you pay will go towards supporting all the other c...
by fjm
Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:16 am
Forum: Bereavement Support
Topic: Anticipatory grief for my super senior Chuckie
Replies: 6
Views: 1160

Re: Anticipatory grief for my super senior Chuckie

I think there is often relief when the moment you have been dreading finally comes. It does not lessen the pain, but the uncertainty and fear of the unknown are passed, even though the grief remains. I do not think you have anything to regret - he lived a long and happy life, loved and loving to the...
by fjm
Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:27 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Jaundice
Replies: 15
Views: 2246

Re: Jaundice

That is such good news! I hope she continues to recover quickly and is soon back to normal.
by fjm
Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:25 am
Forum: Bereavement Support
Topic: Anticipatory grief for my super senior Chuckie
Replies: 6
Views: 1160

Re: Anticipatory grief for my super senior Chuckie

Mollycat has said it so beautifully. It is an agonising decision, but my own experience has taught me that it is one better made a day too soon than a day too late, once the time has come. My thoughts are with you today, as you prepare to say goodbye to the companion of so many years.
by fjm
Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:43 am
Forum: General Cat Chatting!
Topic: Question on Spaying
Replies: 18
Views: 4456

Re: Question on Spaying

I agree with the other replies. Mine have always come home a few hours after the op, and in my experience the first day is very much sleeping off the anaesthetic. These days I believe they give them long lasting pain relief during the op, but are wary of overdoing it - if the cat feels nothing they ...
by fjm
Mon Sep 09, 2019 7:22 am
Forum: FIV Questions & Answers
Topic: Aggression
Replies: 5
Views: 10846

Re: Aggression

It does sound as if another cat is not the solution for you. I would try lots of more vigorous play, redirecting him when he pounces. Fishing line toys, chasing toys - perhaps even clicker training him to retrieve and do tricks. The devil finds prey for idle paws...
by fjm
Mon Sep 09, 2019 6:36 am
Forum: Health and Behaviour Queries, Help and Advice
Topic: Help appreciated! My usually affectionate cat is no longer!
Replies: 6
Views: 959

Re: Help appreciated! My usually affectionate cat is no longer!

The first suspicion when a cat shows sudden behavioural changes is that she is in pain or unwell - if she is less interested in food that could also be a sign of illness. I would take her to your vet for a check up, just in case. You say she is either outside or watching from the window - is she gua...