Cats

[lexin]

With poor Smokey having gone (and I do miss her dreadfully), I contacted the Anglesey Feline whatsit thingy because I wanted a second cat, and it can take a rescue service months to find a cat which must be kept indoors.

I am thereby caught, because they already had one they were looking for a good home for. His current name is Quata, and he’s a medium haired tabby.

The reason he’s an indoor-only cat is because he has cerebellar hypoplasia, also known as “wobbly cat syndrome”. He’s a sweetheart and not as wobbly as some cats I’ve seen with that condition, but is definitely best kept indoors.

He arrives at my place on Saturday afternoon. I am going to change his name to Geraint, which is a solid Welsh name.

Opal

Opal is over grooming, and I’m not sure why. The area in her middle back is devoid of fur, but she won’t let me put ointment on her, even though it would help. It’s a worry.

I can’t take her to the vet this week as I’m not paid again until Friday, and had a lot of expenses this month, what with cremating Smokey and having to pay the man for repairs on my fence. Fences, as I discovered, are not covered by buildings insurance.

Comments

[emrinalexander]

Geraint is a wonderful name for a Welsh kitty! He could not be a luckier cat in going to live with you and Opal.

[lyorn]

My tabby overgroomed and got a naked stomach when I got ill and stayed at home all day. He just felt that something was off in his world and tried to cope, I guess.

Being ill myself I feared the worst and shlepped him to a full checkup, poor cat. Turned out nothing was missing except some fur and nothing was there that shouldn't except some chubbiness. I got him cat dope (Feliway) and tried for a more peaceful household.

So, it might just be stress/coping with change? Hopefully. Best wishes to you, Opal and Geraint!

[lexin]

Thank you!

[lexin]

It could be that. The section on her back sometimes bleeds and looks awful. I’ve tried to put some ointment on it, but she hates it.

[stranger]

Aww, hoping for you that the new cat will make you as happy as Smokey did, in whatever way he does. Geraint is an excellent name!

Oddly, the cat-rescues here (California) are very big on keeping any cat indoors all the time as a matter of course. Most cats looove the outdoors if given a chance at it, even though there are dangers as well, so this can be a challenge. I'm currently hoping to convince an outdoor cat that being indoors isn't so bad, but I think he's going to remain an indoor-outdoor cat for now. He's liking the regular food, anyway.

[kotturinn]

Welcome in advance Geraint.
Fingers crossed that once you are able to take Opal to the vet it will be straightforward to determine whether it's skin condition, pain, stress or some combination.

[lexin]

It’s pretty much traditional here for cats to be indoor/outdoor, but I don’t agree with that. Two neighbours have lost cats to road accidents and I’m not at home to that.

[lexin]

I’ve already taken Opal to then vets once and she was prescribed Metacam, Gabapentin and a product called Cystaid. They do not seem to have worked. I’m wondering about Prozac.

[kotturinn]

Ah, right. I know someone else with a cat with a tendency to over groom. I believe that's anxiety/stress related. They've been fine on whatever they're currently on, except around Fireworks night, Shall I ask the human involved about the current prescription? I know one of the soft inflatable collars is used too when there's a flare up.

[catalenamara]

Where I live in LA County there's a coyote problem which is definitely a good reason to keep them indoors.

[catalenamara]

Geraint is a great name. Could Opal's over-grooming be a stress response to Smokey's absence? I was given a cat many years ago who had been overgrooming after his owner took a job that required a lot of travel and he was alone much of the time. (I'd go by and feed him whenever she was out of town.) She wound up giving him to me, and the overgrooming stopped once he got used to his new household.

[lyorn]

Poor kitty.

[lexin]

It could be. I’m not sure because it started before Smokey died, but after it was clear Smokey was very ill.

[lexin]

Yes, please.

[lexin]

Oh, definitely. Not many coyotes in North Wales, so I can’t use that as an excuse!

[catalenamara]

They can be very aware of what's happening with other cats in the household. And, of, course, their people. She probably was aware of your worry. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[lexin]

Thank you!

Geraint yay!

[mecurtin]

As you know, the way British cat rescues continue to *insist* on the indoor/outdoor life for cats boggles my mind, given how bad it is for cats and also for birds & the rest of the environment. The cars going around your corner! yikes!

I'm sure Opal's overgrooming is due to the stress of Smokey's illness & death.

Re: Geraint yay!

[lexin]

I know, it's weird and I think contra-indicated. That road near me is busy, and I'd never take and indoor/outdoor cat unless I had a catio.

Opal looks quite a bit better over the last few days, but she's been hiding under my duvet. I leave the electric blanket on so she's nice and warm. I've not tried to introduce her and Geraint yet, I'm planning to do that later this week.

[kotturinn]

The answer is: prednisone ‘lowest effective dose' and it took about six months, plus strict diet of anallergenic food only, to get it under control. Now cat is mostly off the meds & just takes if there's a flare up.