OT: My new cat

I think she's sending a message there. :)

I agree. If you know where she's hiding, you might simply walk over and begin speaking soothingly to her, without touching or trying to take her out of the hideyhole. Just get her used to the sound of your voice.

When Emilie came to us, she spent the first few days hiding under the bookshelf. Eventually, the sounds and smells were not so foreign any more and she did emerge.

Last month, when we had to take Miss Kitty to the V-E-T, Emmie hid in her closet for two days. And, I am pleased to say, once she came out, and realized that she is Top Cat around here now, she has not been back in her closet once.

You better watch out that she's not looking over your shoulder when you type V-E-T like that. She probably knows the letters spell Vet by now.

L ;^)

Usually, it is recommended that a "new" cat be left to come out on it's own - it is obviously frightened in it's new surroundings - or at least of these strange "new" people. She is coming out for food & potty use, so that's a start. With a long-haired, you want to at least find out if she's got mats or needs brushed. If not, leave her be. If she is, you might want to 'lure' her out with either a treat or food. Maybe just sit in the room she's in for long periods (stitching or reading to while the time away) and once she realizes you're not a 'threat' to be avoided, she will start to become friendly.

That's why those of us in the cat groups spell it TED (stands for The Evil Doctor)...

Our cat, Surrey, must be unique as she does not mind going to the vet. Her annual visit for a checkup and boosters is in December so it's dark when we leave the house at 6:40 am for the two hour ferry journey to Kirkwall and it's dark when we leave Kirkwall at 4 pm for the two hour return journey. Surrey recognises her cat-carrier (an enormous thing donated to us by a cat-loving neighbour) and happily jumps in as soon as it is placed on the floor. Bruce

I suppose. But, surprise surprise, my scaredy cat likes Dr. Katie. First time I took them over, Miss Kitty hopped out and started exploring the room, so she got the first exam. Then Dr. Katie said "next" and as I was explaining that Em doesn't like strangers and wasn't likely to be happy being removed from the safety of her black canvas bag where she can't see the strange places she's being taken, Dr. Katie reached in and Em came out willingly, not skittish at all with her. Dr. Katie has the magic where Em's concerned.

The Crown Prince, aka Puff, was okay, not thrilled but okay, until his last visit which involved teeth cleaning and the removal of a big, and thankfully benign cyst from his shoulder. When he had to go back to remove the stitches he was really miserable and clung to me like velcro. He has to go next week for his regular yearly checkup and vaccines and I know I'm going to have to carry him in.

On Sat, 17 May 2008 14:56:59 GMT, lucretia borgia

Is Feliway available in your part of the world? It's a synthetic cat facial pheromone that makes most cats feel relaxed and happier in new situations.

Thanks for taking her; it's often hard to find someone to accept older pets.

Kay

I was talking to my aunt in the UK today and she mentioned that stuff (though she couldn't remember what it was called) my cousin used it for an abused cat they took in and said it made all the difference. I shall call the vet on Monday, thanks.

Good for you on taking in a kitty in need of a home! Sometimes pets just "happen", and can be wonderful. Both of my dogs just "happened"

-- one was crippled at birth, rejected by her mother, and left to die by the family with the litter. She was rescued by neighbor children, taken to Grandma and Grandpa, and hand-raised before she came to me at

Although I'm clearly a "dog person", I have had some great kitties in past years. One was apparently abandoned and probably had been abused, and had some serious adjustment in what was probably the first home where she was actually wanted, loved, and always treated kindly. She hid for almost 3 weeks, coming out when I was at law school or asleep to eat, use the litter box, and who knows what else. However, I just kept saying hello and talking to her and using her name, and eventually she ventured out, first very gingerly coming around the corner to watch me a few seconds before she disappeared again, and then for longer and longer times, but not coming all the way into the room. However, one morning I woke to find her on my bed, and felt as though I had finally gotten her approval. It took time and patience, and for quite a while I felt as though I were talking into thin air at a phantom, but it gradually worked and we became very good friends.

My suggestion is to keep up with putting food and water out, cleaning the litter box, and just talk to the kitty and continue to go about the business of living. I think that if you try to rush it or reach into her hidey-hole to pick her up you will be back at square one. The cat will figure things out, and the vet can wait!

At least you have the option of carrying him. Cash sliced his paw open on the latch of my station wagon last Saturday, requiring three stitches. I'm not looking forward to taking him back to have them out and at 63lbs he'd be an armful anyway, plus he HATES to be carried and squirms fiercely.

The good news is that he's apparently healing very well.

This is what he did just before slicing his foot open:

I used to walk my peke to the vet, until she had a bad experience. Then she would only walk as far as the traffic lights where we crossed to the vet. After that one street nearer home until eventually I could only leave home and turn right at the end of the drive lol

I don't blame him, as I didn't blame her, how silly would they be to want to go where it hurt or was unpleasant !

Oh go on, carry him in lol

You better turn that car in, can't have it damaging Cash lol Loved the youtube footage Bratty.

Well, I do carry him when I have to, and have the scars to prove it. Bratty damned dog...

I tell ya, it's tempting. I'm so grateful he didn't break anything or do more damage than he did. It's also somewhat his fault - I told him to wait and he didn't. As a result, he misjudged and put his foot where he would never normally have put it. See what happens to disobedient boys?

Thanks. I was very pleased with that one and perturbed that our weekend was cut short after the 1st of 4 runs when we were doing so well. Sitting out this weekend, too. *sigh* I think I'm getting a little obsessed with that sport....

Elizabeth

Isn't it amazing that no matter how big a dog is, they can still be like babies when it comes to seeing a doctor? My last dog, the Toy Fox Terror that weighed 9 lbs. had to be muzzled and I had to hold him when we visited the Vet.

Puff is, as usual, a wimp and although he acts like a pet rock and won't walk in the door, once he's on the table he'll just sit quietly and let them do whatever they have to do. At least that's what he's done so far.

I'm glad Cash is healing well. He's beautiful and it would be a pity if he couldn't get back to the agility training.

Lucille

Why not remove the stitches yourself at home? If the cut is sound and well-healed, no reason you can't do it. Even your vet will probably support that - better than putting Cash through too much trauma. And what a great video!

Pat in Illinois

That's not a bad idea, but because the cut is up between his toes, I'm afraid he'll have to be sedated for the removal, which means the vet will have to do it. If it were Harry, I could get him to roll over and let me mess with his paw, but I'm pretty sure Cash won't begin to allow that. He's not a dog who likes to be messed with and I've let him get away with that for four years. Prolly too late now to try to enforce my will on him. LOL!

Elizabeth

Pat > Why not remove the stitches yourself at home? If the cut is sound and

Oh, yeah. I thought it was on the pad. If he's a big boy with a slight attitude you definitely do not want to mess with that. It might really ruin the relationship.

Pat > That's not a bad idea, but because the cut is up between his toes, I'm

I just load up the cat carrier with catnip (either fresh or dried) and it seems to have the same affect. The cat is more willing to go into the cage although not always as willing to come out. :-) Last year I took all five cats to the vet at the same time for a group rate visit but I'm thinking this year I'll split into two groups.

Cheers,