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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1632.0. "NEW TO KITTY NOTES" by FDCV13::JOHNSON () Mon Aug 08 1988 17:11

    We've adopted a year old tortie that FAHS extracted from the ruins
    of a condemned building at MCI in Framingham.  She had 5 kittens
    (7 wks. old).  She is 7 1/2 pounds of skin, bone, lots of un-
    quenchable love and attention.  She has stolen our hearts.  She
    is very sick though and has been hospitalized since last Sat. with
    a respiratory infection, 2 meaty eyes, coughing & sneezing, and
    a fever of 104.
    
    This AM the doctor says her fever's down but both eyes are still
    very meaty and that she's still sneezing and coughing so they want
    to hold her for another couple of days.  We have a 3-yr. old tabby
    named Whiskie (short for whiskers) and were told to keep them separated
    for 5 - 6 weeks.  We live in a 3-bedroom mobile home so picked the
    one with the waterbed in it for our little Ginger.  We removed the
    bedroom door from its hinges and installed a homemade screen door.
    That way the 2 females could slowly get used to each other.  Of
    course being Whiskie's territory, she's a hisser (part Lynx with
    black tuffs on her ear tips).  The only time she cries is when she
    brings home a "catch".  Hopefully, she won't pick up Ginger's
    infection, although the Vet says it's an airborn virus.
    
    Incidentally ..... the FAHS are dynamite people who just volunteer
    their time (including Dr. Nord) and sure need supplies and help.
    
    Ginger has a ravenous appetite but can anyone recommend how to get
    more meat on her tiny body?  Any suggestions would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks from a Mom who loves Whiskie & Ginger!
    
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1632.1Glad to have you.....DRFIX::IVESMon Aug 08 1988 17:3914
    Welcome to the feline notes file.
    
    Does the vet not want you to put the two cats together because he
    doesn't want your cat to catch what the new one has? Also if it's
    air borne virus how will you keep your cat from catching it,especially
    where you have put in a screen door where they can smell each other's
    noses etc?
    
    You must be a very special person to have taken in such a sick kitty,
    with all the expense involved. As you know already you will be rewarded
    over and over again.
    
    Regards,
    Barbara, owned by a Ragdoll named Mocha.
1632.2FSHQA1::RWAXMANMon Aug 08 1988 17:3921
    My Nikki came from the FAHS and you are 100% right; they are absolutely
    wonderful and very dedicated people.  Like your Ginger, Nikki had
    an uppper respiratory infection, but he got his after I took him home.
    Dr. Nord was wonderful in treating him and the FAHS incurred all
    of the expenses.  My other cat, Chaucey, never caught the infection;
    seems it usually comes out during stressful periods, and Chauncey
    was far from stressed!
    
    Anyway, once Ginger feels comfortable in her new home, she will
    begin to eat regular meals and fill out.  Nikki was on the thin
    side though you couldn't tell with all his fur, and now, almost
    6 months later, he is quite the porker.  Time will make all the
    difference, you'll see.
    
    Good luck with your new furface!
    
    /Roberta
    
    P.S.  My neighbor's cat helped me type this reply.  Excuse the typos.
    
    
1632.3CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Mon Aug 08 1988 18:078
    Re: .0
    
    A respiratory infection can seem really awful, but the good news
    is that with proper care they are virtually never fatal.  It took
    Holly three weeks to beat the one she had when I adopted her, and
    I was really worried for awhile there.  The vet told me the non-fatal
    business.
    
1632.4NOSE TO NOSE, KNOWS IT!FDCV13::JOHNSONTue Aug 09 1988 11:3810
    Barb - they've never been nose to nose and from Whiskie's attitude
    as far as she's concerned they never will be.  Of course -- WE know
    different, huh?  Yes because of the virus.  It's been 8 days now
    and Whiskie shows no signs -- hopefully, that's a good sign.  I
    don't know incubation period for the virus.  We miss Ginger terribly.
    The house is too quiet and, once again, Whiskie appears to have
    regained her realm and doesn't care who knows it.  She's a love.
    
    Thanks for the note.
    
1632.5Spay, extra feedings, vitamins, LOVE=lbs.EDUC8::TRACHMANTue Aug 09 1988 14:3123
    Welcome!
    
    I have a little girl that needed weight badly.  She is a little
    over a year old - I found that spaying REALLY did wonders!  When
    they are in heat often, they don't seem to put weight on.  I had
    little experience with females in heat, because I always have
    kmy females spayed at 6 months before their first heat.  I just
    got this little girl on May 15th, a couple of weeks before her
    first birthday, so I waited until she put on about 3/4 of a 
    pound then brought her right in for spaying.  She now weighs
    5 1/2 pounds and looks almost great.  I will feel a lot better
    when she reaches 6 or 6 1/2 pounds - she seems to gain about
    1/2 pound every 3 to 4 weeks (just like her sister Katenka).
    I had some vitamin tabs in the house, and I have been giving
    her one every day since I got her - I'm not sure if they are
    doing anything, but she sure loves them.  Every day when I
    take my vitamins, she jumps on the counter, meows, and knows
    that it's her turn!  It's a real pleasure to watch them go
    from skin and bones to healthy active happy cats!
    
    E.T.
    
    
1632.6CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Tue Aug 09 1988 17:465
    Re: .5
    
    Isn't it wonderful to see them get all healthy, cuddly and glossy?
     One of the best things ever.
    
1632.7Yes, Yes, Yes!EDUC8::TRACHMANTue Aug 09 1988 21:2118
    Yes, it is just wonderful - she now attacks any cat in the house
    just like any other of the kids - she is a freshie , which pleases
    me no end that she feels that much at home.  She knows that she
    is special - when I go down to feed, she waits until I put the
    pan down and then she "knows" that I will go over to the rocking
    basket and play with her for a few minutes - she is one smart 
    little girl!  Her eyes are brighter and her energy level is
    higher.  Hmm. I think that I will give myself a thrill and
    weigh her tonight!!  She knows just when none of the other
    kids will want attention and she knows those times are hers
    alone with me - they are short but frequent & fun.  I am going
    to wait until she weighs 6 lbs. and then take her back to the
    farm and show them that they can't call her Scuzzy any more.
    When they saw Katenka at a year old, they asked me how I got
    her to grow!  Some people give me worms!  
    
    E.T.