Conference misery::feline

    I've had Snookie shaved, he didn't like the sound of the shaver,  and
    would get very mad, and try to bit the vet, so the vet gave him a mild
    anesthesia, just to calm him down.  Snookie was awake, but alittle dopy
    from the shot, he then let the vet shave him.  Afterwards, he was still
    grogy from the shot, and then was OK.... 
    
    It is good that they are taking the cats for the whole day, because by
    the time you get them from the vet they will be dry, you don't want
    them to get a draft, and come down with a cold.
    
    I'm sure they both will feel alot more comfortable after their ordeal
    at the vets, and relax when they are home.
    
    Hope this helps....
    Gloria &
    Goldie, Snookie & Mittens
    

    Let's see, it's been maybe two months since Sweetie was partly shaved
    for an operation and his fur has about half grown back.  The important
    time interval is probably the first couple of weeks when they go
    from "glistening skin" to "a little bit of fur" in terms of the
    human psychological response :-)
    

    Hamilton has had his chest shaved twice. The first time at the
    groomers'. She said he went spatic when she shaved him. For three days
    after that he seemed totally stressed out and acted as if he had a
    cold and wouldn't come near anyone. The second time was at the vets' a
    few weeks ago. They said they had to anesthetize him because he went
    crazy. I don't think it's painful, although I know that a cats' skin is
    very sensitive. It takes a few months to grow back. Hamilton's chest
    hair is just barely beginning to look like it's starting to grow back
    and it's been a few weeks now. Don't worry too much about Chubs. The
    reason Hamilton got so crazy is because he HATES going in the car, hav-
    ing anyone besides Bob and myself touch him, being looked at by
    strangers, being combed or groomed by ANYONE, and feeling insecure,
    which all of these things make him feel. He's just a big, spoiled,
    furry baby. But what a great guy he is in spite of everything!
      Good luck!
    
    b.r., Hamilton & Abigail
     
      

    The only time shaving will hurt a cat is if the one doing the shaving
    accidently nicks the skin, or if the cat gets a razor burn from the
    shaver.  The shavers that vets use are electric, but are still capable
    of causing a nick if not used carefully.
    
    Shaving a cat is like shaving a person.  It doesn't hurt unless you are
    careless. :')  Most cats won't like the noise that the shaver makes
    though, so they may have to be tranquilized.
    
    Jo

    Pippin had her tummy shaved for an ultra sound test in November and
    judging from her behaviour when we picked her up - I think she
    came through it just fine. 
    
    Giudi

    Tiki II had to have his front leg (arm) shaved for various shots when
    he had his kidney problems.  The only aftereffect was that when laying
    down he would cross his arms...so that the shaved part was totally
    covered!
    
    And if anyone commented, he would stand that side away from the person.
    
    So, other than a serious bout of vanity, he did fine.
    
    K.C.

    
    
    I don't think it hurts the cat at all, outside of razor burn and nicks
    mentioned above.
    
    However, I expet that the person doing the shaving is at some
    considerable risk. %^)
    
    

    
    I was recently speaking with an Exotic breeder that lives in a 
    warmer climate (Palm Springs) and she shaves all her Exotics
    unless they are being shown.
    
    
    

    I don't think it's obvious (to those of you reading) just how tangled
    this cat's hair really is.  I imagine that the vet will have to make
    some kind of a deep cut in his hair, just to get at an area where he
    can start shaving.  Even the hair under Chubs's chin is in knots!  My
    guess is the knots are at least an inch thick, possibly two inches.  As
    much as I would prefer him to not have to undergo this (I do not trust
    anesthesia), there is no way that this job could ever be tackled at
    home.  It took an hour to get three knots out on the side of his face
    last night, which shows just how neglected this poor guy was.  His
    sister doesn't have quite as long fur and is ok.  She allowed one quick
    brushing last night, however, that was after coercing & rewarding with
    Pounce treats.
    
    Well, we will find out how Chubs feels in just three days.  I'm sure
    he'll feel very awkward to wake up without his clothes on!  Picture a
    very fat cat with a furry face and thick tail but bald everywhere else. 
    Boy, is he going to look different!  Maybe we should take some "before
    & after" photographs?
    
    Know of anyone that wants a shaved cat?  Well, at least I know one
    thing, we'll get to keep him a few months (at least) because of this
    and by the time his fur grows back, my husband will have such a strong
    bond with him that we'll get to keep him and his sister.  
    
    Mary T, Chubs has got to be related to Huge Herman!!!!  

    
    	Cheryl,  they may not give him full anethesia, but a 
    	tranquilizer instead. ASK the vets assistant what they
    	plan to do! It'll give you peace of mind...And ask if they
    	plan to just shave his whole body or remove the mats and
    	leave as much as they can of the rest of his fur. Yes, mats
    	hurt quite a bit, imagine if you had a rubber band around a
    	pony tail and you had to sleep with it for a month. If left
    	long enough, the mats can cause abcesses, too. I'm sure Chubs
    	wil thank you for this, just try not to laugh when he's
    	looking! =)
    
    	Sherry
    

    THe poor guy.....he must be in some sort of discomfort.
    
    For all the females we've had spayed, the hair grows back  after
    a while, but I've never noticed how long.  My guess is that he'll
    probably do fine.  I think I'd be concerned that he'd catch a chill
    from not having any hair....maybe put a small doggie blanket/coat
    on him?
    
    You are so nice to care for these kitties Cheryl...
    
    Michele

    It took Nique's shaved belly (for spaying) 8 weeks to
    grow back long enough to be considered "fur"!
    
    
    

    We actually managed to get about an inch and a half of knots off of
    Chubs between yesterday and today.  I'm happy to say he only has one
    small casualty - a small bald spot on the back of his neck but shhhhh,
    he doesn't know about this.  :^)  Besides, Chubs doesn't really seem to
    mind the process, which I suspect means that he knows we are only
    trying to help.  
    
    My husband spent about 2 hours trying to brush him.  Tell me he's not
    going to let me keep them both!!!!!!!!!!!!   :^) :^)
    
    And finally, Lea seems to be lightening up after this invasion of her
    home.  She never did get used to my previous cat for the 5 months that
    they were together, although you could tell that she missed him after
    he died.  Lea knows she is certainly outnumbered this time around, hah
    hah!  Zelda, the timid one, will walk right up to her and stare!  I
    think she thinks that Lea is a statue until the hissing, spitting and
    growling starts....  Despite the occasional territorial disputes, it is
    wonderful to have these two new fur machines in our lives.

    I've heard that cats are a lot less sensitive to pain around their
    necks;  this seems to be true as I combed out a monster snarl
    that one of my cat nephews had on his neck without his raising
    a figurative eyebrow.  Lucky Chubs, Lea, and Zelda to have you.
    

    
    	If you want to work on the mats yourself, try using a seam
    	ripper, pull it towards you through the fur, it works great 
    	and you can't stab him with it because the end is blunted.
    
    	Sherry
    

Bandit gets badly matted in the summer time so what I do is take my very
sharp sewing scissors and clip off the mats.  I try to stay about 1/4 inch
from the skin and it works quite well.  You might try this before taking
him to the vets.  If you get the mats off without shaving that would be
great and alot less stressful.

Karen

    What happened to Chubs?  Did you go to the vets or end up doing it
    yourself?  How's his eago?
    
    
    Please let us know what happened!
    
    

    Chubs goes tomorrow to the vets.  A haircut is impossible because the
    hair is not in single mats, it's one giant mat.  It feels like he's got
    chewing gum smeared all over him.  When you pet him, you don't find any
    soft spots because he is full of snarls.  As cute as he is, he looks
    pretty gross.  I don't think seeing him shaved is going to be a pretty
    picture either but the end results will be worth it.  He's going to be
    gorgeous.  :^)
    
    By the way, I introduced him as having green eyes but last night in the
    bright light, I noticed they are only green around the pupil and then
    turn yellow on the outer edge.  Is this typical in cats?  What color
    are his eyes then, yellow or green?  Perhaps hazel?

    Cheryl,
    
    Chubs will do fine, but make sure you've got nice warm surroundings
    for him till he regrows his coat.  Especially when you take him
    home from the vet.  He sounds like a great kitty, and I hope he
    and his pal get along with Lea and you're all one big, happy
    family.
    
    Mary
    

    The vet's assistant said Chubs is all set and I can rescue him after
    5:30.  She says he has a beautiful face and tail but the rest is bald
    and ugly.  :^(  She also said that when they shave a cat, the fur
    usually comes off in pieces or rows.  Not with Chubs, it was one entire
    clump.  Imagine how painful that must have been with all those knots,
    the poor bugger.  I think he deserves some special treat tonight. 
    Perhaps something a bit more exotic than Pounce treats!

    Cheryl,
    
    Did Chubs mind being shaved very much?  I'm interested because I've
    just acquired a stray Persian who is competely matted (more or less one
    big mat) on her chest and tummy, although the rest of her is OK.  I'm
    taking her to the vet's tomorrow for a check up, and I think I'll have
    to ask them to shave her underneath; there are more knots than I will
    ever be able to get out.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Helen.

    I picked up Chubs around 5:45.  The 10 minute ride home was silent, not
    a single meow from him.... he was so sleepy.  Upon bringing him home,
    Zelda took one sniff and headed off in the opposite direction.  Chubs
    came out of his cage and was limping very badly.  He also couldn't walk
    a straight line. (he started limping on Thursday night, then stopped. 
    then he started again on Friday morning but as a previous noter
    mentioned, he stopped once he got to the vets)  We had a really rough
    time with Chubs on Friday night.  He was so out of it and wouldn't lie
    down.  All he wanted was food.  (of course he did, that's why he's
    Chubs :^)  The instructions from the vet were to feed him only after he
    could walk a straight line.

    Over the weekend, we noticed that Chubs was not ok.  He was almost
    lethargic, acting a bit strangely.  He acts like he has a new
    personality.  He cries (like he's in pain) when you pick him up, he
    buries his face to hide, he's spaced out, etc.  I think he's very upset
    about being naked and losing all his fur but now I wonder if there's
    something really wrong with him.  Zelda even growled at him last night
    so something is going on....

    The vet gave us eye medicine for Chubs.  He detests getting this twice
    a day and I believe he's angry with me since I was the one that brought
    him to the vets.  Zelda goes in for her checkup and shots today so the
    vet asked me to bring Chubs along so she could have another look.  I'm
    worried sick about him.  

    Regarding the shaving, it took 2 1/2 hours.  Our round ball of fur now
    looks like he's part cow, part cat.  Now that Chubs' hair has had a few
    days to grow, he feels soooo soft.  He allows you to pet him but he
    won't let you pick him up and hold him.  That tells me something is
    drastically wrong, because Chubs loves affection.  Fingers crossed,
    
    Cheryl

    What did Chubs have done besides shaving?  A leukemia shot can
    produce lethargy for 24 hours.  It can last longer than that, in
    which case a trip to the vet for fluids, etc. is in order, but my
    impression is that as long as the cat gets prompt attention that isn't
    life threatening (not to be confused with the shock reaction that can
    occur within 20 minutes of getting a vaccination.)  Zelda will
    probably growl for a couple of days until Chubs smells like Chubs
    again, and not like the vet's office.  My guess is that Chubs is
    very confused by being shaved, and needs, besides the vet trip to be
    rechecked, lots of cuddling (that he will tolerate -- perhaps in the
    form of chin rubbing, talking softly to him....)
    

    Cheryl -
    
     How about getting an "INFANTS" T shirt?  That way he could be
    warm but it wouldn't interfear with his grooming himself.
    Any of you new Moms out there have one you could donate?
    
    Poor Chubs. Bet he feels awful being naked. Maybe he feels strange
    as it took a long time for those matts to form and he got used to
    them, pain and all.
    
    How's hubby doing in accepting them now?
    
    Keep us posted on Chubs progress.
    
    Barbara

    Chubs did get a Rabies shot (and maybe one other) but the vet said
    this wouldn't have caused him to behave the way he did/is.  Chubs is
    also acting aggressive - he chased Lea across the hall, down the stairs
    and all over the first floor this morning.  This is a big No-no in our
    house because we are trying to make the new cats understand that Lea
    was there first and she doesn't tolerate aggression.  There's four
    bedrooms so there's plenty of room for all the cats, actually, this
    means there's room for one more.  :^)

    I just called home to see how Chubs was doing.  My husband said he
    seems to be better.  He was resting on top of the down comforter and
    Zelda was snoozing underneath, in the middle of the bed.  (Bill says he
    can never find the cats during the middle of the day cause they hide in
    unknown places)  Those two, they go from sleazy living in a deserted
    apartment to goose down comforters and lots of loving and then they
    have the nerve to complain that they aren't getting enough Pounce
    treats.  Spoiled brats.  :^) :^)

    Chubs now weighs a mere 15 pounds.  He has a big belly on him that
    hangs down like a cow's udder and looks rather gross without fur.  They
    also trimmed the hair along the back of his neck, giving him what is
    known as a buzz haircut (among humans).  He looks very peculiar and it
    feels very strange to pet him without that huge glob of hair stuck to
    him.  Some day soon it will all grow back and hopefully he'll forget
    about this little incident!

    The good news is, when I asked Bill (again) about keeping both of the
    new cats, he just smirked and said "don't make me answer that
    question".  So, it sounds like Zelda and Chubs can unpacked their bags
    and stay a while longer!!!!  

    Way to go, Chubs!
    

Don't forget, Chubs not only doesn't *smell* like Chubs, but he doesn't *look*
like Chubs either. Zelda and Lea have probably never seen another 'nekked' 
kitty. So, here's this alien thing that only sounds like Chubs. What would 
_you_ do if you were another cat?

    Chubs feeling his oats!!  Now he can run without it hurting him.
    NO more fur pulling his skin when he runs.  Look out Lea here he
    comes.  
    
    I agree with the other noter, Chubs not only doesn't smell like
    himself but looks like he's from outer space or inner space.
    
    Those naked bodies sure can soak up a bunch of heat from those
    comforters. When we had Mocha groomed a couple of months ago
    he came back with one thigh almost completely bare. (He had one
    big matt there and of couse won't let us near him with a comb or
    brush) NO treat in the world would work with him unless it was
    called Valium. Well, Mocha found the wood car robe in our spare
    room and decided to make it his bed. 
    
    Cheryl be careful of those Pounce treats. My daughters vets said
    they are bad for a neutered male as these have a tendency to cause
    FUS.
    
    Barbara

    I agree about sight being important.  When I brought my cat home from
    the vet with one of those cones on his head, my dogs were absolutely
    horrified!  And he smelled funny, too, from the anesthesia, medication,
    and the general "vet" smell.  It took a good 4 days before they
    realized it was "their" cat after all.  But they definitely reacted
    from sight first, smell second.
    Sarah

    When I brought one of my cats home after about a week at the vet
    (including an operation), the vet warned me to keep him separate from
    my other cats, and then supervise reintroductions.  Sometimes, I guess
    the ones who stayed home attack the one that smells "like the vet"...
    
    Sue B.

    When we brought Tiki home from the vet one time, the vet told us to
    keep Rico away from him.  As soon as we were in the door, Rico was all
    over Tiki, but washing him, and "hugging" him.  He didn't give a hang
    about the "vet smell".
    
    K.C.

    Well, I'm really happy to say that Chubs is doing ok!!  He was half
    back to his normal funky self when I got in from work.  The vet just
    saw him and said he was probably traumatized by the series of events
    that have gone on during the past week.  The vets assistant weighed
    Chubs again and he was only 14.6 pounds.  When she came back with him,
    he had his paws wrapped around her neck and she was kissing him.  I
    think he almost enjoyed being at the vets this evening.  :^)
    
    Zelda came along for her shots and everyone in the office was
    oooohhhhing and aaaaahhhhing over her.  My husband calls her our
    designer cat - she's got the silkiest black fur that shines and the
    neatest front paws that have white scallop shapes around her little
    toes.  She's in perfect health.

    Soon after they were home, Zelda and Chubs were sitting in front of the
    fireplace staring at their reflections in the glass doors.  Conceited
    little buggers but they are both happy & somewhat healthy, which is
    what counts.  

    Cheryl -
     
     Sounds like Chubs and Zelda are all settled in.
    
     Good new everyone is healthy.  (The fur will grow back, the fur
      will grow back...!)
    
    Keep us posted
    
    Barbara & her 3M's

    Finally, about a month later, Chubs has a little bit of fuz for a coat
    instead of a pinkish color.  At this rate, he might look like his
    normal self around Thanksgiving....  but at least he no longer has
    razor stubble.  We are now used to seeing him half naked.  :^)

Dilly, the beautiful Birman, took approx. 3 months to grow all fur back to
the point where you cannot tell the difference when she was spayed.  Once
the fuzzy stuff shows up it seems to go very fast.

    Well, almost four months later and Chubs has about 3/4 of an inch of
    fur on his fat body.  I'm still convinced that he wont look "normal"
    until at least the Fall but he seems to be much more content with not
    having any knots to contend with.  Last night he received his first
    real brushing and combing, as well as a manicure.  He looks like hot
    stuff now.  I can't wait to see him with real hair some day!  This is
    almost as bad as watching a pot of water boil.  :^)

    Let's see, it's been about six months since Sweetie had some hair
    shaved off, and he's almost back to normal.
    

    It's been about 3 1/2 months since Van Gogh was shaved...and in some
    spots the hair is grown in beautifully...but in other spots it looks like
    peach fuzz.   OH but he is so beautiful anyway!!!
    
    Sandy

    Sandy, a month or two ago (4 months since shaving) Sweetie had patchy
    fur also.  I assumed the shorter/thinner areas would never grown back,
    but they did over the next month or two.
    

    The funny part is the front leg grew in beautifully...but the
    back leg has peach fuzz. And of course...his big cute belly has
    only peach fuzz!   It's amazing though...you can't even see the scar!
    
    Sandy

    If anyone ever has to go through the ordeal of having their cat fully
    shaved, it takes about 8 months for the coat to grow back.  This held
    true for Chubs, one very fat longhaired coon cat.  (I'm sure short
    haired cats get their coats back much quicker!)  
    
    I can *finally* say that Chubs looks "normal" again.  :^)  He's one big
    round ball of fur and he knows he's got one of the biggest sets of
    convincing eyes this side of the Mississippi!  Wish we had twelve more
    just like him....

    I can attest to the fact that Chubs has the most incredible eyes!
    They're huge! Even for the size of him, which is also huge! He's such a
    love, as is Zelda, and Lea the witch cat as Cheryl calls her! ;-) I
    look forward to seeing them all again soon!
    
    Y
    
    P.S. I guess I should link this note to shaving. Furby's leg hair is
    growing in nicely. She no longer has a pink leg! ;-)

    This note was brought to my attention (thank you Cheryl) but I
    haven't had time to read each note.  I will - at a later date.
    
    My experience (and Otis's) has been a positive one.  In bringing
    him in for his checkup the vet suggested he be shaved as he
    had matts and dandruff.  She was busy and mentioned a groomer in 
    town (The Canine Chateau in Leominster) who does cats.  Otis is
    a 3 1/2 year old Maine Coon.
    
    I made an appointment for him and it was an all day affair.  I
    brought him in at 8 and he was put in a large cage (pen).  They
    bathed him, cleaned his ears and clipped his nails.  They do
    not use blow dryers on the animals as it frightens them.  She
    would take him out of the pen and work on him for about 15-20 
    minutes and then when he would get antsy - put him back in
    to rest and continued to repeat the process.  He was not 
    anesthetized.
    
    I spoke with the woman - and when I first brought him in
    May of 1991 - she said 30% of her clients were cats.  Otis
    looked BEAUTIFUL.  When we got him home - he was a bit
    embarrased - but the next day we noticed a remarkable change
    in him.  His breathing was better, he pranced around like
    a peacock, he was more loveable, no hairballs and he was
    much more affectionate.  He loved being petted and touched,
    something that, at times, aggravated him before.  Probably
    due to the fact that his fur was matty, heavy and HOT.
    
    It definitely helped him get through the long hot (and humid)
    summer.  I took him again this April - he LOVED it.  Again,
    pranced around like a kitten.  His hair has grown in quite
    a bit and am going to take him again - in a couple of weeks
    before the matting starts.  The charge is $32.00  He is an 
    indoor only cat - by the way!
    
    When I talked to the groomer this April she said that cats are
    now up to 40% of her clients - and she was doing 5 others the
    day Otis was done.
    
    ...plus, he smells so good when he comes home from the "barbershop".
    
    Marilyn & Otis
    

    My Sweetie will just about scratch my hands off if I try to brush her
    long, lovely fur.  She also throws up all the time from fur balls.  I
    spoke to the vet about this and we all came to the conclusion that
    shaving might be in order.
    
    Well, now Sweetie gets shaved about every 6 weeks.  She lets me shave
    her with no problems and it takes me about 5 to 10 minutes.  It's
    really strange that she won't let me brush her but she will just lay
    there and be shaved.  Who can figure it???
    
    Sooooo, no more fighting, no more "throw up" and she's just as cute and
    loveable as can be.
    
    
    Jeanne