Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    
    	I would suggest just getting out the scissors and snipping 
    	away when she least suspects it.  You can sneak up on her
    	sleeping and get a couple before she is aware of what is going
    	on.  Then, be diligent and comb her EVERY day, whether she likes
    	it or not!  
    
    	Karen

    If you don't mind her looking a little funny, you may want to bring
    her to a groomer that will shave her.  I have several persians that
    absolutely hate to be combed but love to be clipped with the clippers.
    The hair grows back within about 6 months.  
    
    purrs
    cin
    

    I agree with Cin. When I first got Pip, my very longed haired tortie
    on white, she was a matted mess. I took her to be bathed and groomed
    at the vet, and she looked great but since she wouldn't let me comb
    her, I couldn't keep the mats away. (I can understand the cat's feelings
    since combing through a mat could be very painful.)
    
    I then took her to a new groomer. First, this groomer insists that
    the human be there with the cat. It seems to make the cat a little
    calmer, not being alone with strangers. What she did was shave Pip's
    mats out, and completely shave her belly and part of the ruff area
    which is were the worst mats are. She then suggested that even
    though there was no fur there, I make a point of beginning to comb
    those trouble spots every night or every other night. With no mats,
    combing became an enjoyable experience, and once the fur started
    growing in, since she was by now used to getting combed regularly,
    mats were no longer forming.
    
    Even though Pip's matting problem is under control, I still bring
    her to the groomer every two months just for a touchup. It is pretty
    inexpensive ($7), and Pip seems to enjoy going to the beauty parlor.
    
    Deb 
    

    Sounds like our Mocha. He was very matted this spring when his
    winter coat started to come out.
    
    I tried everything comb, brush, special comb with sharp teeth to
    cut the mats NOTHING worked, he just hated it all. Finally we saw
    that his favorite place to lay down and groom himself was in our
    bedroom, so we keep the comb and scissors near by and after a few
    pats we took one mat and concentrated on that one. If it was too
    painful to get it all at once we did what we could and worked on
    it the next time he was there. (It's still his favorite place to
    do his watching, and grooming.) Even though this is the only place
    where we groom him he doesn't get suspecious of us when we come
    near him. He still hates it but we are as positive it's going to
    get done as he is in disliking it.
    
    He still bites and scratches with this hind claws but we found
    that soap and water and proxide takes care of them, and they are
    not sore the next day.
    
    I'm sure you will get many suggestions and try them all and the
    next thing you know it will be done.
    
    Barbara

    Portia is long haired and also hates to be brushed.  She doesn't
    mind me combing the back that much, but the belly and the tail,
    and the gets upset.  I try to brush a little every day.  I either
    sneak up on her while she's sleeping -- I can usually get about
    5 or 6 brush strokes in before she becomes aware of what I'm doing.
    As soon as she wakes up, I hide the brush and just keep patting
    her.  Doing her belly gets tuogh since she's always sleeping on
    it.  So, I lie her down on her back, kind of wedge her between my
    legs, and then I alternate brushing her with feeding her Pounce.
    The bricery tends to work for a little bit.  
    
    One thing -- no matter how small a mat is, I cut it out as opposed
    to brushing it out.  Portia has sharp claws, so I try not to put
    her into too much pain!

    Another vote for snipping off a real mat instead of trying to comb it
    out.  Combing really does seem to cause pain when the fur is really
    matted.
    

    Some info I forgot to mention in my original note:
    
    	When I took Katie to the "hairdresser" the woman said the only
    	way to get the mats out would be to have the vet sedate her
        and cut/shave the hair.  They refused to groom Katie since they
        don't sedate the animals.
    
    	Also, a few times Katie's clumps have gotten so big and heavy
        that I've been able to pull them off.  (ouch! :-o)  I know it
        must hurt, but I do it so quick that she gives one short yelp
        and then everything's fine (and her clump is gone).  This is
        probably quicker and (hopefully) less painless than going thru
        the clumps with the comb.  Don't get me wrong...I don't go 
        pulling her clumps out just to save combing...it's just that
        a few of them "hung" there (like there wads of gum in her hair)
        and a quick tug took care of them.
    
        Anyone have any comments about the input I received (from the
        groomer) about the cat having a heart attack from too much
        spitting/yowling?  That really concerns me.  Katie has always
        been an agressive cat and I would hate to think that a few rounds
        with another neighborhood cat would be fatal to her!!
    
        Any inputs folks?
    
        Katie's mom

    Mielikki is a long haired calico that hates brushing, maybe she
    and your kitty (.0) were twins separated at birth? ;-)  Another
    vote for snipping, she's had one so far and when I snipped it, it
    was almost solid.   She's an indoor only cat, so it must be one
    of those things for long haired cats.
    
    

re: growling and spitting

If it was a killer, Hannah would have died months ago!!  If your cat is
otherwise healthy, I don't see getting P.O'd as a threat to her health...
the groomer is undoubtably concerned that your cat is reacting to being
handled by a stranger so strongly....which indicates fear.  I would
suggest you deal with her reluctance to be groomed FIRST, then deal with
the idea of going to the groomers after she accepts grooming.  I can
only relate my experiences with Sam and Hannah, both were just about
ferel when I got them and Sam has long hair.  First, I had Sammy sedated,
shaved down to about 1 inch of hair all over and bathed to make his
little body nice and clean at the vets.  Hannah was sedated and bathed.
Both cats have been subjected to daily (for Sam) and weekly grooming
every since, in spite of growling, spitting, hissing, and other general
expressions of dismay at being handled...I never hurt them, but I
kept the coat up...and over time, they have grown to learn it feels
kinda nice to be groomed.  NOW, I can take Sam to a groomer or I can
bathe and groom at home...Hannah is still learning to really trust me
so I won't take her to a groomer for awhile.  The point is that you
have to keep it up, or the grooming becomes painful....if you do it
daily, it becomes pleasant.  Try setting aside a time EVERY DAY to
pick up the cat, set her on the table, and comb the hair, trimming
away any bad mats she may have acquired in 1 day's time.  Make it
a habit, and she'll adjust to it.     

    To all the snippers, don't.  As has been mentioned before in this
    file, cats can sustain penetrating wounds and cuts and show little
    or no sign of pain.  Once when dematting a Persian we used scissors
    and wound up cutting the skin of the cat's ear.  Didn't flinch and
    it needed four stitches.  To cut out mats get an ordinary seam ripper
    from a sewing supplies display.  Use this to cut outward through
    the mats starting at the skin with the point up.  You can reduce
    a large mat to a bunch of little pieces which can be combed out.
    Less trauma for you and the cat.
    
     

    Re: .10
    
    I'm not sure what you're envisioning we're recommending. I
    use a small manicure sizzors so I can see exactly what's being cut.
    There is no chance of penetrating the skin without my knowing it.
    On the other hand, I'm talking about a short and a medium-haired
    cat here.  Cutting near the ears has never happened.  They get mats
    only way down on their backs, where el plumpo ....ah ...ah where it's
    difficult for them to reach.
    

    re: .07
    
    I don't know where you live, but I think I'd try another groomer.
    I take my Punk to Hair of the Dog on Rt. 27 in Maynard.  His fur
    mats very badly and needs a haircut about twice a year.  They are
    very good with him there.  They suggest I stay outside; he doesn't
    fuss if he thinks it won't do him any good.
    
    These two ladies were the only ones around who would clip my Dad's
    spoiled poodle.
    

    Re: .11
    Karen,
    
    I'm not talking about the tips.  The skin lifted with the mat and
    was cut with the scissor blades.  Can occur when the mat is close
    to the skin.  Seam ripper gives a degree of protection and if the
    mat isn't like a felt golf ball can actually leave the cat looking
    less moth-eaten.
    
    Frank
    

    Well this suggestion won't solve your immediately problem with matts
    but it might help in the future with the dislike of grooming problem.
    
    Bailey used to hate to have me brush her (Bailey is a short haired
    cat so brushing usually consists of running the orange rubber brush
    over her fur to pick up the loose stuff).  The mere site of that
    orange brush would send her flying under the bed.  I would struggle
    with her constantly to try and brush her.
    
    Finally, I resorted to bribery.  I would sit on my floor with Bailey
    between my legs and a box of "Bonkers" slightly open in front of
    me.  Bonkers are Bailey's favorite treats, she'll eat through the
    box to get to them.  She would be so intrigued by the box of Bonkers
    that I would only have to have one hand lightly holding her at about
    her chest level and I'd run the brush down her back.  All the time
    I was doing this I would talk to her softly telling her what a
    georgeous cat she was and how much I loved her, etc.  Every now
    and then I'd give her a treat or a kiss on the top of the head.
    When she finally got tired of it and tried to run off, I'd let her.
    I wouldn't chase after her.  Then when she was back in my area again
    I'd pick her up and place her on the floor between my legs and start
    the process again.
    
    It seems to have worked.  She'll sit there till I've gone over her
    a couple of times now.  I still talk to her, kiss her and give her
    treats and she actually seems to be enjoying grooming now.
                                              
    Jan
    
    P.S.  I know what Frank is trying to say about trimming mats with
          scissors.  My mom has a terrier type dog whose fur mats 
          something awful.  Once when she was trying to trim some of
          the mats on his leg he tried to run off just as she tried
          to snip and she ended up snipping into his skin.  It was
          an awful sight and my mom felt terrible.  I'm not sure he
          even knew it had happened.  A quick trip to the vet and
          a few stiches later and he was fine.  It can happen so
          fast.

    There is a grooming tool along the lines of a seam ripper that you
    can buy. It is a pointed sheath that holds a single edge razor blade.
    Essentially you point it into the mat, with the blade away from
    the cat, and pull it toward you. It just slices through the mat,
    and is virtually painless for the cat (except for sitting still).
    
    Deb

    Thanks Frank for mentioning not to use scissors.  I did it too.
    Sometimes the mats can be so close to the skin it's really difficult
    to get under them and it happens so fast.  After that experience,
    I bought my own clippers.  
    
    .0, I'm not sure where you live, but if your close enough, and your
    interested, we could try clipping her at home, maybe after a mild
    tranquilizer from the vet.  My dtn is 273-5187
    
    purrs
    cin
    

     Absolutly... no scissors!!!!!..Happy  HATES TO BE COMBED!!!!!!!!!!!,,
    BUT we are getting better about it.... heh-heh... I do the same
    things.. we sit down and I SPEAK very softly to her a  lot of 
    huggies and kissy faces, and a few treats... it usualyy takes me
    about 45minutes to an hour to complete the task,, I ALSO
    keep POOKIE in the living room with us... cuz Pookie does want happy
    in her suite  (my room) and beleive it or not when Happy gets
    a little uptight.. she will look at pookie as if to say.. help!!!!
    and of course Pookie looks very disdainfully at her,, and Happy
    quiets down a bit... 
    regards
    kate

    RE .0:

>    I took her to be groomed a few weeks ago and they refused to do
>    it because her mats were so bad.  

    Hmm, I wonder why they didn't just shave her...?  

>    I know that this
>    problem would take care of itself if we kept her inside...

    That's what *you* think!  My Jasper is long-haired (a Persian).  He is
    an indoor cat, and he can get as matted as anything.  I think rolling
    around on the carpeting contributes to it, but I think the main reason
    is just because of shedding and him not being able to remove all the
    loose fur himself.  Like other cats mentioned in previous replies,
    Jasper HATES to be combed!  This means I don't comb him as often as I
    should, which leads to mats...sigh....

    Anyway, a few weeks ago I noticed that Jasper had quite a few mats
    (none really huge, luckily).  I tried combing them out a little at a
    time, using a fine-toothed stainless steel comb (I think it's the kind
    known as a "flea comb").  This was a tedious and painful process.  It
    worked, slowly, but it was a real struggle.  (Thank heaven Jasper's
    front paws are declawed, but he still has teeth and hind claws!)

    Then, at a pet store (Petcetera in Hudson, NH), I saw a "shedding comb."
    This comb is stainless steel, but its teeth are fairly wide apart, and
    the lengths of the teeth are alternated long/short, like this:

			| | | |
			|||||||
		        ==============

    (That doesn't do it justice, but you get the idea [I hope].)  This comb
    works *great*!  The idea is that the long teeth work out the shed
    (shedded?) hair close to the skin, and the short teeth make sure it all
    gets combed out.  Or something like that.  Anyway, it worked great on
    the remaining mats, even though the teeth aren't particularly sharp on
    the ends.  This $6.00 comb saved me a $20+ trip to the groomer.  And
    Jasper's fur is now soft and silky.  He still hates being combed, though!

							-- Nina

    Some of my friends with longhairs use a comb with rotating teeth.
    It seems to work very well.  Anyone ever use it?
    
    

    Hi--
    
    I've gotten some very good advice from "Cat Fancy" magazine (where
    I read about using the small seam ripper for mats--works very well),
    and lately from a book I recieved as a gift, "The Natural Cat" (sorry--
    don't remember the author!).  Billie used to get horrendous mats
    on her back, chest, and "pants", and I had to take her to the vet's
    twice a year to be groomed and often, shaved.
    
    About a year ago, I switched her food to Feline Maintenance Science
    Diet, and *what* a big difference it made!  She's gotten maybe two
    small mats since the new food, and they were easy to care for. 
    I also give her Laxatone (for hairballs) once a week, and now that
    brushing doesn't hurt her anymore, I brush her once (sometimes twice!)
    a day.  She even "asks" for brushing now--and purrs her head off
    while I do it.  "The Natural Cat" suggests some helps in getting
    your kitty used to brushing and grooming that have helpedd me. 
    One tip that another noter has already mentioned is to constantly
    praise the kitty and tell her/him what a beautiful, gorgeous kitty
    they are and how wonderful they will look after they are brushed.
    All this is done in a low, loving tone of voice.  That method is
    even helping us through the perils of nail-clipping, too.  Most
    of what Billie doesn't like is the way I have to squeeze her pads
    to make the nails come out. So now, while I groom her, I will 
    occasionally take her paw and gently squeeze it--she is coming to
    associate paw-squeezing as part of that pleasurable grooming-time.
    
    Try a good diet like Science Diet--you can't believe the difference
    it makes in the cat's coat!  And try to get the cat used to grooming
    each day, even you can only get a few strokes in at first.
    
    Best of luck,
    
    Jane

     RE .19
    Yes ,Auntie Elaine, that is how Igroom your little niece Happy....
    I also use a toothbrush on her to start the getting the matss
    loosened.....
    regards
    kate

    I also use the comb with the rotating teeth.  Birmans don't mat
    so I don't know how it works on the mats, but I do use it to brush
    their coats backwards at shows (makes them look fuller).  It doesn't
    snag into the coat or rip out hairs (those precious few hairs have
    to be treated gently-especially in the summer.)
    
    Jo

    The combs with the rotating teeth DO NOT work on mats!!!  I think
    it's because the base of the teeth are not very strong (since they
    rotate), but any pressure you put on the comb, and the teeth bend!!
    
    my experience, anyway
    cin
    

    Cin, aren't the rotating tooth combs more for preventing rather
    than removing mats?  Boy, I think that I'm glad I do shorthairs!!
    
    

    Yeah, I think so.  I don't like the rotating combs at all.  I saw
    them and just had to try them.  I thought it was a waste of money.
    
    I find that a combination of 3 combs do everything I need, a Large
    Belgian comb, the smaller Belgian Comb, and the Flea Master tiny
    comb with the blue handle.  These little Flea Master combs work
    great for combing around the eyes on the persians (especially where
    they sometimes get the black gook in their eyes.).  
    
    Boy, aren't longhairs fun!!!  Now you know why I'm changing to Exotic
    Shorthairs.  
    
    
    Elaine, wait till you see the two kitties I'm gonna bring out this
    fall!  
    
    cin
    

    Cin, you really know how to hurt a furfcae lover!  Your cats
    are so beautiful - go ahead, dangle one of those exotic babies
    under my nose - tempt me - their coats are so lush and soft
    and wonderful - their eyes are so big and pretty - will they be
    in So. Yarmouth?  Can I hug them?

    No, Elaine, they won't be in So Yarmouth.  They won't be old enough
    to show until the Drummondville show (if I can talk hubby into letting
    me go!).  I will be bringing them and some other exotic kittens
    to Framingham.  
    
    I have a couple of Red Tabby Exotics that I'm bringing to Framingham
    to sell, and will bring the "show" kittens just so they can get
    used to the show environment.  
    
    Oh yeah, I guess you can hug them, as long as you promise to give
    them back.  Now, Elaine, do you have a Red Tabby in your crowd??
    
    haha
    cin
    

    Oh goodie - yes, I have a red classic baby boy - Pashenka - there
    is nothing in the world like red babies!  They are a special breed.
    As I said, you better check my pockets very VERY carefully!!!!
    
    See you in Drummondville ....

    Hi...I'm the originator of this note.
    
    Thanks everyone for all the advice.  The other night (when Katie
    was in a good mood) I sat down with her on the floor and started
    to comb her.  I took the advice of talking in soothing, gentle
    tones to her and saying what a good kitty she was and how pretty
    she'll look after she's combed.  She didn't seem to mind it too 
    much unless I tugged at a clump (which I didn't attempt to 
    un-tangle).  She has a few remaining small clumps on her stomach 
    (which I know she won't let me get near).  At least now she 
    doesn't seem to get so angry when I comb her.  
    
    I'm planning on changing Katie's food to help alleviate her matting 
    problem (which some of you suggested).  Does it make a difference
    whether I buy IAMS or the Science Diet??  My local pet care store
    carries IAMS only.  Is there any difference between the two?  Also,
    what's the $ cost for either food?
                                         
    Thanks again!

    You did GOOD!  Maybe next time or each time you hold her,
    very gently touch her belly - for only a second or two.
    Start getting used to your hand being in that area and
    very gradually win her trust.  A tickle her a little 
    scratch there - it will take a long time, but it might
    work.  I say might because my Nikolas still will NOT
    really let me anywhere near his hind end from his
    hips to his tail - he will BITE me if I get too close.
    I think that he may have been hit by a car during
    the first 8 months of his life when he didn't own me.
    The Vet says he is fine, just some cats are very sensitive
    in those areas.  I do keep on trying - don't think I've made
    much progress - only a little - and he trusts me with everything
    else but that.  oh well.....

    Nicholas and Holly-the-cat, too.  And I thought it was her
    maidenly modesty.....
                                            

    
    	IAMS - $22.50 for a 20 pound bag, feeds three fat cats
    	for five weeks.  Less than $5.00/week.  Can't complain
    	about that.  Next size is 8 pounds, costs about $11 so 
    	you see that you save when buying large quantities.
    
    	Karen

    re:31
    
    Nikki is NOT modest - the way he lolls around on his back with
    his legs hanging every which way to Sunday!  But, touch him
    near his tail and WATCH OUT!    It's funny, after he BITES,
    he very quickly says he is sorry by licking my hand like crazy!
    His way of saying I can't help it, I'm sorry! He has a nub on 
    the very tip of his tail - I think he lost a very small piece 
    of it some where down the line - between age 0 to 8 months.  I guess
    I'll never know from whence he came and who did what to him!
    He sure is a love, though. He is such a sensitive boy - he knows
    when I'm upset or unhappy - he will stay right beside me and just
    sit there with me until he thinks it's ok.  If I get up during the
    night, it takes him about 2 seconds and he is right there with me
    for as long as I am up!  I don't even have to think about it - he
    is always there - it's quite a privilege to be loved by a cat the
    way Nikki loves me!  I'm a lucky human.
        
    
    Nikki says hi to Holly-the-cat!  The touch-me-not-twins!
    
    E.T.
    

Well, Hannah hated having her body combed, but I KNOW barfing up her innards
from fur balls isn't good for her, so we started regular grooming and regular
petromalt doses - like it or not.  i talk gentle, but i hold and comb her
everywhere whether she likes it or not.....surprise! she even comes to be
combed these days.  it was the fact that the grooming is REGULAR and the
fact that we have some chin scratches and talks during and after the
grooming....but she sure didn't like it at first....hissing, spitting, 
biting and YOWLING like i've never seen...my little red-head spitfire 8^}

    Nicholas Peabody, my black himalayian, HATES to be brushed/combed.
    The only solution I can find (and it doesn't allow me to get his 
    belly) is to brush him while he's eating (I hate to do it but it
    beats choking on furballs and he has 23 hours in the day to eat) or
    while he's in the window chirping at the birds.  He hates to see that
    red brush and even bats his paws at me when he realizes what I'm doing.
    Running away is the only solution ..... till next time.
    
    I"ve only had him since x-mas and found the matting to be quite bad
    (but then again I don't have anything to compare it with).  But I
    worked on each one a little before going to work and then when I got
    home and we got almost all of them except 1 I cut out and one was near
    his ear and the vet shaved it off.
    
    Yeh, long haired cats are fun.!!! (I'm be sarcastic)  As much as I 
    love my Nickie, he is more work than I thought.  He's an indoor cat
    and will be 1 June 21.  Sure do love him though and wouldn't trade
    him for the world.  
    
    My sister's friend suggested getting a mat splitter.  Sounds like a
    few of the tools previously mentioned.  I live in Pepperell so the
    store mentioned in note 1607.18 is close by.  Might invest in one
    of those.  Thanks for the tips.  Love this notes file!!!
    
    Deb ( Nicholas' mommy)

    Did you say you have a black himalayan???  What does he look like?
     I'm just curious because I have a blue point Himalayan.  I love
    black cats!!  Fortunately, my himie loves to be brushed!!  
    
    Just curious...Melissa

    Melissa,
    
    Yes, we have a black himie.  He is completely black.  There are a 
    few strands of grey or maybe white on his tail.  He has copper
    eyes.  From what the breeder said when my husband got him black
    ones are rare??? I don't know that much about cats.  He was a
    x-mas present ('88) and my husband got him in Allenstown, NH.
    He has the pug face and from what I can tell from pictures of 
    himies, all the usual characteristics.  In another note in here I
    mentioned Nickie and it started people thinking that maybe he isn't
    a pure himie but rather a persian/himalayan.  I don't know, but I
    do know this woman raised only himalayans.  If I remember the note
    I mentioned this in, I'll let you know.
    
    Thanks for your interest!
    
    Deb
    

    Well, Deb, I hate to disappoint you, but....
    
    Your solid black himmy is a Persian in CFA, and black persians are
    not by any means, rare!!!   If you look on the blue slip that you
    got, it will have the color, and it should say black persian.  
    
    Himalayans, in CFA are a division of the persian class, and only
    the pointed version are considered himalayan....they come in many
    colors, seal, blue, tortie, blue-cream, flame, lilac, chocolate,
    and cream. 
    
    In CFF and many other associations, Himalayans are their own specific
    breed, rather than a division of Persian.  In these associations,
    you can also register the offspring of Persian and Himalayan breedings,
    but they are considered Himalayan Hybrids.  These himalayan hybrids
    resemble a persian in every way, with the exception that one of
    their parents is a himalayan.  So, your solid black himalayan, is
    probably the result of a himalayan/persian breeding, or a
    himalayan/himalayan hybrid breeding.  In associations that consider
    the himalayan a specific breed, the himalayan hybrid is usually
    not allowed to be shown in championship class.  
    
    Also note, that ALL himalayans have blue eyes!!!  Your black
    "himalayan", I'ld bet, has copper eyes.
    
    I hope I haven't disappointed you, black persians (himalayan hybrids)
    are absolutely beautiful.  I'm just wondering how honest the breeder
    was with your husband when he purchased the kitty.  
    
    I also wanted people to understand that a himalayan is a pointed
    cat only.  If the cat isn't marked like a siamese, with a persian
    face and body, then it's not a himalayan...be the himalayan a division
    of the persian class, or a breed of it's own.
    
    is this more confusing now!!!
    
    cin
    

    I just re-read the last note, and it sounded a little harsh....I'm
    sorry if I've offended anybody, I just get a little ticked at breeders
    who do this!!!  I used to breed himalayans, and I was always extremely
    honest with buyers about what the solid himalayans were, but I often
    found that others were not.  
    
    It just makes me mad that SOME breeders will take advantage of people
    who know little about purebred cats.  
    
    sorry!
    cin
    

                   <<< NOTES$:[NOTES$LIBRARY]FELINE.NOTE;1 >>>
                               -< Meower Power >-
================================================================================
Note 1607.40                    Matting hair/fur                        40 of 40
CPDW::BIRSE                                           0 lines   8-MAY-1989 12:45
                     -< Clarifcation much appreciated!!!! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cin,
    
    you're right he does have copper eyes.  I'm glad you clarified 
    this for me.  What a snake she was.  We just love him as a pet
    and that's all he'll be but I feel bad for the others that she
    sold cats too.  Come to think of it.  She told Ken that the
    mother and sisters sold for about $1,500 and ken Nickie for about
    $150.  That's probably proof too that he's not a himalayan.  (I
    don't now).
    
    You haven't dissapointed me at all.  I did want to learn more about
    this type of cat anyhow.  You've been so helpful.
    
    I love this notes file.  I have learned so much.
    
    Oh yeh, let me ask you since you're the expert!!!!  I've been calling
    the vet every 5 minutes asking them questions.  Ken is getting mad he
    said they'll never let me in the door again.  (Forget kids if i'm like
    this with a cat!!).   Anyhow, the breeder said that we should only