Conference misery::feline

    I would take him in to the vet, Carol.  Often kitties just give us
    these subtle signs when they don't feel good.  I noticed that Sweetie
    was a little harder to wake up than usual 2-3 times these past two
    weeks and took him into the vet Monday, to find that his diabetes has
    flared up a bit again.  It's good to catch these things early before
    they get serious.
    

    Hi Carol...welcome back once again!!!!
    
    I definitely agree that he probably should have a vet check...
    especially where he is a positive kitty and has a lower then
    normal immune system.   I also have a positive kitty at home and
    any time he shows any weird signs...I always take him to the
    vets immediately because it's best to get him diagnosed and
    on the correct antibiotic to help him fight off whatever he
    has.
    
    So sorry to hear that your number of outdoor cats is on the
    rise once again.   So sad.....
    
    Sandy 

    hi,
    
    took my own instink and your advices!!!!  We have an appoitment tonite. 
    I will feel better just to get him looked at.
    
    Yes--Sandy, my numbers are back up.  The other female was too far
    along.  The other two females "were" pregnant too!!!
    
    I have shyed away from the Pat Brody shelter.  Is there anyway, do you
    know, I could place the two males or the kittens and mother...then I'll
    keep the rest till, whenever?  I have hated to ask for help again, but
    I sincerely do need it.
    
    Sandy -- do you hae your bunch outside too?
    
    Best of luck,
    and thanks again!
    
    Carol
    

    Sorry Carol but I can't offer help this time around because
    I'm up to my elbows in my own kitty problems with Momma strays
    and kittens...never mind the 13 cats that I do consider mine!!
    
    All I can suggest is you contact shelters or other animal 
    organizations that might help. (there is a list in here somewhere)
    or slowly try to place them in homes one at a time.
    
    It's so frustrating knowing that so many cats are in need of
    homes and medical work......
    
    Glad to see you made an appointment for your kitty...let us know
    what happened.
    
    Sandy
    
    

    Try the Bay Path Shelter in Hopkinton.  They often are at "max"
    capacity, but tend to give priority to a new or expecting mom.  I found
    them extrmemly easy to work with.  
    
    Unfortunately when I considered giving my fluffy to a no kill they were
    full, but they were good at getting me to see a local vet at Edgehill
    clinic in Framingham and next to nothing rates.  ALL their cats get a
    physical and test before being accepted.  Give them a call, at the
    moment I can't remeber the woman's name I dealt with.
    
    Lyn

    Morning,
    
    Thanks for the replys and I will be trying more shelters...  I agree
    with Sandy, money is tight to help anyone and I know Sandy, I'd help you
    in a minute and will as soon as "I" can.  Thank you muchly!
    
    Well we brought Smucky to the vet and we are very glad we did.
    He has a temp of 105 (we were told normal is 101).  I'm worried about
    him.  They gave him a shot of an antibiotic and fluids intraveinously,
    partcially due to being a little dehydrated.  His gums have gingavitis
    which we were told was due to the disease.  I had notice over the past
    3 days his breath wasn't great. He does eat dry food too.  So it just
    recently happen cause his teeth it seems were white just days ago.
    
    He will be on antibiotics for two weeks and we were told this might
    have to be longer if he doesn't perk up and feel better, due to the
    FELV.  This morning he seemed a bit "happier" to me, still quite and
    walking slowly.  We have him his pill, boy he didn't like that.  I hope
    he will drink water during the day...I won't know if he will, they said
    I would have to use a dropper to get water in him if he doesn't drink.
    
    Dot is in with him so it will be hard to know if he's eating or
    drinking.  But they usually want something when I get home.  He's in
    the air conditioning and I hope all will work out.  
    
    I have had allot of losses, I personally have no children and have
    recently recovered from a full hystoectomy, so these are my babies and
    like all of you, I will hate to loose him.  I lost my Scruffy to FELV
    after 7 1/2 years, a year and a half ago.  Just hope Smucky can give me
    that and more time.
    
    I will keep in touch...
    
    Once again, as always, the FELINERS outlet has been here for me....
    
    Carol Weston
    
    

    Carol, the vet should be able to show you a "pinch test" that you
    can use to tell if your kitty is getting dehydrated.
    

    and should be able to teach you how to give fluids. I found that with
    my late Eirene, I could keep her better hydrated ifI gave her Pedylite
    to drink instead of water (actually, I used the CVS generic brand as it
    is $2/bottle less then the brand names.) The cats like it, too.
    
    Deb

    I had a cat with frequent kidney failure, several of her vets sent me
    home with IV fluids and showed me how to inject her twice a day with
    Subcutaneous fluids. It literally saved her life twice, and me a whole
    lot of money and in-hospital charges. 
    
    Are you willing to do the injections?  More direct than pedyalyte.
    
    Lyn

    Thanks all...
    
    I wasn't instructed for IV.  I hate needles, like most of us do, but I
    will do anything for my Smucky.  Remembering what was said, it didn't
    appear that I would have to inject or give him anything like pedyalyte. 
    I was just instructed to make sure he drank.
    
    I am aware of pinching his skin and will do that when I get home today.
    
    I was home, two weeks ago, recuppering.  I wish if he had to get sick
    it was during that time so I could stay with him.  If it was possible
    I'd do it now.
    
    If I have doubts whether I'm checking his skin right or his drinking
    isn't happening, I'll call y vet again (Lancaster hospital) and see
    what I should do.
    
    Will be intouch...
    
    Carol           Keeping fingers crossed for Smucky
    

    the pedylite would be in addition to the sub-q fluids, and instead of
    water. When they get dehydrated, their electrolytes are out of balance
    and they could act like they are disoriented. Pedylite replenishes the
    electorlites and potassium, and becuase it seems to be retained in the
    body longer then water. It would let the cat go a little while longer
    between fillups.
    
    Deb

    I'll be shopping tonite and I'll stop at CVS and see if I can buy it
    there.
    
    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Hope he'll drink it.
    

    
    Well Smucky has turned a big corner.  To me his fever broke yesterday. 
    My husband and I agree he is much better and definitely more himself.
    
    He is still eating little, but, he's eating.
    
    He is drinking -- how much, not too sure, but he is drinking.
    
    I forgot to mention that when the vets gave him fluids, they made (what
    "they" called) a camel's hump.  This was a bump on his upper back of
    fluids and that would seep into his system, some would leek out.  So
    last nite, after my grocery shopping -- when I came home I could still
    feel a smaller bump about the size of a golf ball.
    
    I am so happy to see him back!!!  He actually played with me last nite
    and this morning before I left for work.  He has this little skip in
    his step when he realizes his mom is going into the kitchen... He wraps
    himself around out legs and he's doing all of this.  But we will keep
    on giving him his antibiotics till they are gone and he's taking the
    pill good.  Keeping him in a few more days, it's tough, cause he likes
    to go out just for a little while.  I know he can catch things and all
    of that makes things hard for us and him -- so we try to find some
    happy medium.
    
    I am just very relieved inside -- and hope this keeps up.  We will
    still be watching him.  I did buy the pedydialite yet, will tomorrow to
    have it on hand incase.  Might see tomorrow if he likes it.
    
    Here's hoping we have a good weekend with him.
    
    Carol
    
    

    
    Hello...
    
    Over the weekend Smucky seem definitely better -- we will finish his
    anitbiotics, which is about another week.
    
    One thing he is doing is having diarrhea.  I don't know if it's what
    he's eating or his meds.
    
    He seems hydrated enough, so far.  Any ideas? 
    
    The vet asked me when we brought him in last week, if he had diarrhea
    and I hadn't noticed then.  So I'm hoping it's just his meds.
    
    What should I give him, if anything to firm up his bowels?
    
    Carol
    

    Carol...I do know that antibiotics can cause diarrhea...but 
    the problem could also be worms!!  When is the last time
    Smucky has been dewormed????    You might want to run down
    a stool sample to the vet, just to be on the safe side.
    
    One trick to help diarrhea is to add a little pit of Pumpkin
    to Smucky's cat food.   Most cats will eat it with no problem..
    BUT before you buy it make sure the ingredients say "Pumpkin
    only" and no other spices have been added!!!
    
    Sandy M
    

    Sorry to sound so naive...."PIT" of pumpkin???  Would that be like from
    canned pumpkin?
    ....Carol
    
    I'm also planning on calling the vets..too.
    
    

    yep, she means canned pumpkin.
    
    one othe alternative is boiled white rice, mixed with a little
    hamburger. Also, where it is so hot, and he is having diarrea, now
    would be a good time to use the pedylite.
    
    Deb 

    
    Good idea about the rice.  I do have the pedylite and I'll give it to
    him tonite.
    
    I put a call into our vets and they said just to watch him, look at the
    stools for blood and if he goes down hill again.  But I will give him
    the pedylite, to be on the safe side and I have the rice.
    
    Will ground turkey be O.K., we don't eat regular hamburger or chicken?
    
    How much pedylite should he have?
    
    Carol
    

    Oooppps it should have said a "little bit of Pumpkin"...not pit!!!
    Yes...it is just your normal canned pumpkin you buy in a grocery
    store.
    
    Sandy
    

    if he will eat the turkey, sure (the FIRM likes beef better). It is
    really mixed in to give the cat some fat and protein as well (cats need
    a lot more fat in their diet than we do).
    
    As for the pedylite, as mush as he will drink. The bottle once opened,
    is only good for a couple of days, ans since it has sugar in it, it can
    spoil quickely, so I'd just put it out in the dish as always, but
    change it frequently.
    
    Deb

    
    All this help is great.  I'll wipe up some rice & turkey tonite.  And he
    can have pedylite on the side.
    
    I just feel better about him so much, but I would like to see his
    stools better.  I will consider testing them too.
    
    ---- PINCH of Pumpkin!!! Gotcha Sandy!!
    
    Thanks to all,
    
    Carol
    
    

Re .21:

Why are you gonna wipe it up?  Did you spill it?  :-)

    HA!!!  I meant to say I would "whip" some up for Smucky last nite!!! 
    YA.
    
    Well, I did and he wasn't much interested in eating it.  I was luke
    warm and I even tried to give him some this morning, not interested. 
    He did eat his dry food and some of his moist cat food.
    
    We have a large glass bowl of water in our bedroom, have had this there
    for a few years for moisture in the winter and since our cats love to
    drink from it, we keep it fresh.  Even though they have their bowl of
    water with THEIR food, they prefer the bowl in the bedroom.  Dot was
    out all nite, so I heard Smucky have a nice big drink last nite and
    made me feel good.  Didn't see his bowels this morning, will check when
    I get home.  So I gave him som Pedylite and he drank some.  
    
    According to the vets, if he's drinking water and having moist food
    too, besides dry, he's getting hydrated.  This is good.  He's not
    liking to take his pills anymore, but we are still getting it down
    
    I might try a PINCH of pumpkin tonite.  Should I mix this in his food? 
    Or does he have it straight up?
    
    HA!
    
    Carol
    
    
     I might try a PINC

    
    Boy ------- I can't type lately --- ignore the bottom PINCH, my PC is
    having a brain hemorrage this morning.  and I also meant to say:
    
    
    "I was luke warm"<--- NO!  HA!  "It was luke warm and I even tried..."
    
    		Better?  I was sleepy, not luke warm!!!
    
    			Smucky & Dot's sleepy MOm, 
    					Carol
    
    

    
    
    	Carol,
    
    	Try chicken liver.  I know it's gross smelling but that's 
    	what was recommended by my vet.  You can either cook it or
    	no, mix it in with some cooked white rice, and some ground
    	up Tums (extra calcium).  Maybe he'll eat that.
    
    	As far as the injections go...... I HATE needles and I used
    	to get woozy just watching the vets give my cats shots.  But
    	now I sit on my kitchen floor with the IV bottle hanging off
    	the towel holder and have to inject Chloe with the lactating
    	ringers when I notice her appetite slipping.  Fortunately, I
    	haven't had to do it in over a week, she's responded very well
    	to the treatment.
    
    	Good luck!
    
    	JJ
    

    
    LIVER, yuck!!
    
    Tomorow is grocery shopping nite -- will pick some up for him.  He is
    drinking, still has soft stools to diarrhea, but he is eating some
    catfood and is still his perky self.  
    
    Now that I am "more" aware of his condition and his risk of infection,
    I will watch him more closely.
    
    TUMS for calcium....sounds good, hope he'll eat this!!!  I feel this
    bowel problem is his meds and if it doesn't affect him right now, that
    will be fine, if it doesn't go away, I'm planning on testing them.
    
    Thanking you all for this SOUNDing board. He's a very precious baby.
    
    Carol
    		Smucky & Dot's mom
    
    				Caretaker to:
    						Stripey - Scruffs - Wiskers
    						Tiger - Blackest - Kit
    						Baby and Spot
    

    
    
    	Carol,
    
    	I know.  I have the same feeling about liver.  Dr. Eric told
    	me I didn't have to cook it, it could be done either raw or
    	cooked.  I just looked at him like he had three heads.  No
    	*way* I'm putting raw liver in a food processor. (shudder)
    
    	=)
    

    
    If you can't get him to eat TUMS, and calcium is important, try lactose
    free milk.  My crew just loves Lactaid, and it's had no adverse impact
    on their digestion.
    
    len.
    

    
    Good thinking on the MILK.
    
    Smucky has liked to drink the rest of my cereal milk in the morning
    when I have it.  He really doesn't drink allot, but will this affect
    him in anyway?
    
    		

    Just be careful...because multiple changes to any cats
    diet can cause more diahrea!!!
    
    Sandy M

    
    He's been steady.  He has his dry cat food->which we buy a variety and
    right now I have the one for kidney care.  He always has a variety of
    moist.  He has some water as always.  He has a little milk.  He also
    has some kitty treats which I have stopped.
    
    So the only real change has been to try the rice & turkey -- no go. 
    Tomorrow I'll try the liver--this will tighten up his stools?  I will
    also try, seperately, a PINCH of pumpkin when I go shopping.
    
    I am trying not upset his diet.
    
    --Thanks Sandy
         Carol
    

    re: .29
    
    I try and limit the amount left in the bowl so that they don't
    get too much.  Unfortunately, I have a "bowl patrol" who know
    that bowls=dairy products, so my cereal intake in constantly
    monitored by a minimum of 3 felines :-), one of whom (Red, of
    course) will periodically hook his paw over the bowl and try 
    to pull it out of my hands ("OK, Mom, that's enough milk. We
    want the rest.")  I've had only occasional problems and then
    only if they drink too fast or in extremely hot weather.  I wouldn't
    give them a big bowl every day, but a little bit once in a while
    shouldn't hurt.
    
    Mary-Michael

    
    Dot & Smucky don't drink allot of milk most days.  It's Smucky the
    most if I'm having cereal.  Smucky sits at my chair, stretches to my
    knee cap and is obviously saying "enough Mom, give me the rest". I find
    myself eating faster, just to give him some milk.  Dot comes around
    occasionally.  We have the air on most days now and I don't leave any
    out, due to the heat and diarrhea.
    
    So tonite I'll being buying the chicken liver and we'll see how that
    goes.
    
    Carol
    

    Carol,
    
    the rice is what binds; the meat is for flavor, but I always thot that
    liver caused diarrhea.
    
    Deb

    I know the rice does BIND them, thank you.  And enticing them with meat
    SHOULD make him eat this.  What I need to do is grind up whatever meat
    I get tonite and really COAT the rice so he will eat it.
    
    I made a mistake of just mixing in pieces of cooked ground turkey.  He
    just really picked at the turkey -- so If I blend them together -
    turkey or liver or whatever.......I just hope he'll eat the rice more.
    
    Thank you still..............for all this advice and suggestions.  All
    our kitties get such GOOD attention and babying don't they.
    
    		Smucky is spoiled------but "THAT'S O.K.!"
    
    Carol
    

    re: .35
    
    I have two Birman boys who would turn their nose up at
    ground hamburger for........plain boiled white rice!
    It never fails!  They think it's the greatest stuff on
    earth!  No output problems with these two!
    
    How did I get such weird cats?

    
    Hello!
    
    Well here goes with the Rice & Liver combo.  Smucky has had some, I
    coooked it (yuck) and cooked the Rice and blended them together.  I
    heard him last nite go and boy did it stink!! So I had to get up and
    they where more firmer, he sounded (as he went) a little runny.  He
    then went later in the nite, got up again (I wasn't sleeping well) and
    they where looser.  I have the clump litter so it's hard to see what
    they look like.
    
    He feels fine..so I belive it's the medicine and I'm going to try to
    stick with hi regular food....I think he's had too much change.  I have
    about 4 days of pills left, I feel bad for him cause I don't know if he
    has a tummy ache or not.
    
    One thing I'd like to run by:
    
    My origianl note stated his front right leg was sore and went away and
    came back.  Well it came back Saturday and is already better.  We do
    play a game infront of our loveseat in the LivingRoom.  He drags
    himself along the bottom edge of this couch and we also roll a walnut
    back and forth.  I believe when the soreness started with him, I think
    he might of pulled his leg or muscle too hard in turning around (he
    just loves to play this) and I've been very gentle with his cause I
    bounce his behind up and down when we do this (must sound funny!-it
    is).  So I assumed this is what it is.  We did this a little Friday I
    believe and he started to limp again Saturday-Sunday.  As I said before
    I have felt all of his pads and bones and have rubbed them to make it
    better, careful not to pick him up with that leg.  I did state the
    previous time to the vet and nothing was said during the exam.
    
    Does FELV affect their bones?  Or ligaments?  We'll lay off the game as
    we usually play it.
    
    Carol
    
    

    Carol..has far as I know Felv does not affect bones directly, but
    yet it is very possible for Felv kitties to get tumors.  I don't
    want to scare you...but just be as honest as possible.  Did
    the vet do an X-ray of the leg????
    
    
    Sandy M

    No she didn't.  She DID physically HAND-feel him from the throat down
    all of his body and limbs to his back-end.  Check his mouth, Oh, he has
    Gingavitis (can I help him with this too?)--what a pest I am, aren't I?
    
    No Xrays, but I think she would of made him cry, if he felt pain and
    maybe she would of felt a tumor too.  Should that be enough?
    
    Carol
    

    Carol...it is probably enough for now, but I would just keep
    your eye on the leg and deal with it if it continues to come
    and go.
    
    Sandy

    Thanks Sandy,
    
    Yea I am and will watch for this....he doesn't cry when I check it, but
    it does bother me it's back, not bad, but that it doesn't seem to go
    away and I know cancer does this kind of thing for humans and I assume
    kitties...
    
    On the Gingavitis....it's a side affect to FELV, is there anything I
    should do or could do to his gums.  Like use our mouth wash on them? 
    It does affect his breath occasionally now, never did before.
    
    Thanks..........as always.
    
    		I would like to mention a sad thing I saw on the
    		way to work, a kitty lay sparlded out dead.  My
    		heart went out, cause I was not in a position
    		to stop, nor did I have anything to take him/her
    		off the street....very bloody.
    
    		I know your in kitty heaven and I hope if someone
    		is missing you, their sadness will pass...
    
    			Poo baby
    
    Carol
    

>    all of his body and limbs to his back-end.  Check his mouth, Oh, he has
>    Gingavitis (can I help him with this too?)--what a pest I am, aren't I?
    
    Carol,

We have two kitties with gum problems.  You can try brushing their teeth (good
luck) with a special brush and cleaner from the vet.  Or after the vet has 
cleaned up the problem, there's a new mouthwash for cats; you squirt it on 
their gums with a dropper.  I plan to give it a try after Sophie goes in for 
her next cleaning.  Tatoo probably won't even let me use the mouthwash (she's 
my skittish stray - I keep hoping she'll jump up in my lap someday like Jan's 
Torbie).  Some catsare more prone to this than others (just like people).  
Dry food is supposed to help, but I suspect genetics and early diet set the 
stage.

I have a friend whose cat INSISTS on having his teeth flossed.  When she gets 
the floss out, he comes running.  He even stretches it tighter with his paw if 
she has it too slack!!  You could try this if your kitty is docile.  Her other
cat wants no part of this, other than to watch.

			SQ

    Carol,,,,,I only mentioned to watch the leg because it is very
    possible that it might be the start of something and it does
    not hurt yet when you press, but when kitty puts his total weight
    on the foot it hurts; therefore he limps.  Just keep your eye on
    it....
    
    As far as gingavitis, my Ziggy who is also positive never had this
    problem, but did have a problem with his mouth when his kidney
    was infected.  He had lesions on his mouth, which were cleared
    up with antibiotics and a mouth rinse.
    
    Sandy....
    
    

    .43
    
    Thanks!  I'll check in on the mouth wasy.  Migh try the tooth brush
    too. But we won't have him in for cleaning.  I went through that with a
    cat we had for 7 years, Scruffy, she was an indoor/outdoor cat mostly
    (Smucky I can keep in without crying and screaming)and we had Scruffy's
    teeth clean (she too was FELV) and was not told she HAD to stay in for
    3 - 5 days.  Well I went though HELL wiht her and she was so upset from
    the sodiumpenathoyl and she was NOT a litter box kitty so I had to go
    out with her and follow her, needless to say, it was a most sad and
    tiring thing I went through, never again.  I just want to help his gums
    as much as I can and clear-up his breath.
    
    He does eat dry food and has all along, that's why it surprised me
    cause it came out all of a sudden.  But I will do the best I can.  I'll
    wait a week, right now he's not happy he's still getting his
    anitbiotics.  He is a dosil kitty so maybe I can do the mouth wash and
    hopefully a nice toothbrush.
    
    Thanks!
    Carol
    

    
    YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Smuckey's POOPIES are firm!!! YEA!
    
    He has two days worth of pills left.......(he's really fighting me
    now), my hubby helps - I open his mouth and Steve plops it in.
    
    But he seems better.  Even his breath, bad breath, is gone.  He runs
    and jumps and his leg is back to his regular trot, but will keep an eye
    on it.  He wants to play our game all the time, so I play it a little.
    
    		I sincerely thank you all (for the MILLIONITH time) for the
    comments, suggestions, help and funny notes and experiences.
    
    This NOTESFILE has been a life save on and off for the past 7 years.
    
    Take care.......
    
    And heres hoping we all have GOOD NEWS for a change... with our Fur
    Balls.
    
    		Carol
    
    			Dot & Smucky's Mom
    
    

    
    Just wanted to let you all know that I'm still here.  
    
    And also, I'll be taking Smucky back to the vets tomorrow.
    
    His leg is bothering him again and seems much worse.  He was fine
    Sunday and now, today and Monday he's limping.  We did play, but
    I felt we played lightly--he doesn't cry out, but it does bother him
    and so I cannot let this happen again.  I just hope it's a ligament
    that needs allot more healing.
    
    I also plan on buying him a tooth brush there and the kitty -----
    mouthwash.
    
    I am nervous about his leg, I really don't understand it.  We've played
    this game forever it seems and now, well I can only attribute to that
    and nothing else.  Unless when he goes out, he does something.  But the
    fact that it could be something inside scares me.  
    
    I will let you know after his appointment.
    
    ... Carol
    
    

    Carol...I'm glad your bringing him in.   Keep us posted
    and my fingers are crossed that it's not nothing serious.
    
    Sandy

    
    Sandy, or anyone in the Marlboro - Hudson, MA area.
    
    I need to pick up a CAT CARRIER before Smucky's appointment.  Ours had
    broken.. I'm planning on leaving here around 3:00 to hunt for one. 
    I'll look in the YELLOW pages, but I'm not picturing a place I can buy
    one.
    
    I work at AKO2 - in Acton.  Wait, I think I know of a place on 2A in
    Acton.  They sell pet supplies and hopefully will have one there.
    
    If not, any suggestions?
    
    Carol
    
    

    Carol...I do believe there is a Pet Supply store somewhere on
    RT 2A....but I'm not real sure where it is.
    
    Sandy

    
    Yea,
    
    It is right here in Acton--I haven't gone that way home in a while, so
    I had forgotten all about it till "the bells & whistles" came on as I
    was talking in here.  Glad I remembered.  We've needed a new carrier
    for sometime...
    
    Smucky will be mad at me for a bit, but I need to know what is going on
    and now he is not using the leg at all.  He hops around quite well on
    three legs, but he has cried out a couple of times.
    
    So I will let all know what the vet says, tomorrow.
    
    		Thank you,
    			Carol
    

    Carol..
    
    How did Smucky do at the vets yesterday????
    
    Sandy 

    
    Hi...
    
    It's the end of the day and I'm just able to get in here.  I have been
    swapped back and forth like a ping-pong ball with my assignments
    lately, that I can't see straight!
    
    Now for Smucky...
    
    Our vet checked him over, it was so hard for me to watch cause you
    could tell Smucky hurt, but not so bad he had to cry or anything.  He
    was very upset with me (on the way over!!!! what hollering!) GEEZ
    
    Well the doctor said - there was no LUMPS!!!  So he rulled out tumors
    and cancer.  He asked if I wanted Xrays and I asked if it was really
    necessary, cause I'd have to bring him back tomorrow, leave him for the
    day (I didn't know they put them out and then do the Xrays) -- so he
    said -- watch him for a week to 10 days.  Keep him in (ya!) and then go
    from there.
    
    So I am relieved -- last nite he already put his foot down more.  The
    vet feels it's his elbow.  He is in all day.  Per usual, but I will let
    him out in the front yard, with me, to make sure he doesn't get into
    trouble (and this will keep him from yelling at me all nite to go
    out!).
    
    I'll be keeping in touch.
    
    Thanks for the support!
    Carol
    

    
    Good Morning Feliners...
    
    It's great that it's Friday.
    
    I have a quetion once again.  I bought Smucky his toothbrush and paste
    when I went to the Vets the other day.  They came together.  I'm
    looking for someone out there who has had the experience of letting
    their cats brush their kitties teeth.  Smucky doesn't quite want to
    cooperate.  I have him laying on the carpet and trying not to hurt his
    injury and trying to pry his mouth open.  Can ya just picture this!
    
    I got a few of his front large teeth and he lick the toothpaste up, so
    I hope this will help some with his Gingavitis.
    
    Thanks,
    Carol
    

    
    
    Carol,  another brush that I've seen (but have not used) is 
         a kind that you wear on your finger and the brush in on the
         tip. I feel that might be a bit easier to deal with than a 
         tooth brush.
    
    Shaw

    
    It would help to do some of the TTOUCH circles around his mouth and
    face, and even on the gums to relax him and get him used to being
    touched in that area.
    
    MaryAnne

    It sounds like Smuky might have had a bad bruise, espeically since it
    looks like he is putting his foot down more. 
    
    I've used those rubber "brushes" that you put on your finger (with
    chicken flavored toothpaste). Once the cat gets the taste, it almost
    looks forward to it.
    
    Deb

    
    The flavor toothpaste I was given is Malt.  Don't know if he likes that
    flavor.  I was given a very tiny toothbrush.  The finger one sounds
    good.
    
    Rubbing his cheeks and gums sounds like a great idea.
    
    I didn't give the idea .56, that his elbow might be bruised.  He cried
    out this morning on his own.  But he is putting more weight on it
    again.  I feel if it was much worse he couldn't be doing what he does.
    
    He's feeling great - perky  and still playful.
    
    I'll check on that "chicken" flavor toothpaste!
    
    (We should have CHOCOLATE flavor for us!)<---but that would defeat the
    purpose of preventing cavities!
    						Carol
    

    I don't brush my cats teeth any more, since their mouth
    health improved so drastically when I switched them to
    dry food, but when I did brush them, I gradually increased
    the amount of brushing each time.  You can start out sneaking
    into that area on each side that you can get to by moving the
    lips(?) apart.  Also, they did have distinct flavor preferences,
    although I've forgotten the big fav.
    

    Back...
    
    Well I have rubbed Smucky's "cheeks!" and I AM brushing what teeth he
    is allowing me to brush.  We have made some progress.  He also eats dry
    food and hopefully this all will help.  I plan on stopping by a vet and
    seeing if I can get some of that "chicken" flavor toothpaste.
    
    The Ginavitis set in pretty quickly, cause he has been eating dry food
    all along and his moist.  The vet said it was side-affect from the
    FELV.
    
    Smucky is looking really good.  Walking much better, full of himself. 
    Which makes me laugh.
    
    So, the poops are cleared up, his walk is almost 100%, and his teeth are
    being worked on.         What more can ya ask?
    
    			Well, a cure for FELV would be nice, but, can't
    have everything.
    
    			Take care...
    
    				Smucky's Mom