We have a cat!! here is our story...its a happy ending

[happyjo]

Hi All

This was my original thread, posted last week

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals-and-Nat ure/Pets/Question547818.html

I picked flossy up yesterday, she was so quiet and timid. She has a huge scar on her tummy, and she has to wear this cape/collar thingi to prevent her from biting her wound.

She is gorgeous, she spent the first couple of hours either hiding behind the sofa or walking around sniffing and exploring, oh and she tried to climb up the chimney!!! After a couple of hours she was sat on my daughters knee watching Coronation Street!!

We went to bed and she followed us. She was up and down all night but did spend a few hours on our bed.

She used her litter tray immediatley and has not had any accidents

Today, she has explored my kids bedrooms and slept for 3 hours on my daughters sofa in the loft. The rest of the day she slept in the dining room in the sunshine.

She is so good, and brave after everything she has been through.

I have a couple of questions

( baring in mind I have never had a cat in my adult life!!)

The rescue centre said we need to keep her in for 8 weeks. This seems a long time? Is it because she came from our area initially and keeping her in for this amount of time will stop her trying to find somewhere else to live? Or is it because of her surgery and the risk of opening up the wound?

Also, I have to take her for her stiches out on Friday, any tips on how to get a traumatised cat in a box???


Thanks

Jo xx

[bensmum]

Hello happyjo - glad to hear that you now have your cat. I too have a Flossie (or Florence when she wakes me at 3.30am like she did today!).
She will need some time indoors particularly after surgery like that as she has to heal inside even after the wound outside has faded. 8 weeks isn't really a long time - she will be able to get used to her new home and learn where everything is then when you do let her out she will know where home is.
Get her some toys - cats love to chase things so long bits of string with toys at the end are always popular. They also love catnip toys - mine play for hours with theirs and then they are spaced out for ages!
It is never easy to get an unwilling cat into a box but if you hold her and speak gently to her while graduallly getting her in there she might be better. Don't just grab her and put her in if you can help it.
I wish you all the joy in the world with her - cats are wonderful animals.

[happyjo]

Hi Bensmum
Thanks for your tips. You are right, cats are wonderful... shame its taken me 39 years to realise. My daughters, 13,11,7 are smitten with her.

I just find it sad that at her young age ( vet has confirmed she is 10 months- 1year) she has been through so much, because of irresponsble people!!!

J xxxxxxxxx

[~max~]

Hi! And welcome to Flossy!
She is going to be timid for some time, although that depends on her personality, and she seems to get on with you all quite well! Because of her surgery, she is extremely vulnerable to other animals, so you should keep her in for the 8 weeks. That isn't very long at all, as she is still exploring and will find countless things to entertain herself! She will also leave her scent around the house, and make it "hers" (believe me, it's not your house anymore, it's hers! lol), so that when you do let her out, she will know where to come back.
As for the box, it is easier if you get her used to it gradually. Leave the box down near her bed at all times, and let her explore it. That way it'll be familiar, and won't feel as threatening when you put her in it for the vet trip. On the day, if she starts hissing or trying to scratch, you won't have any other option but to try and do it as quick as possible, wearing oven gloves! Also leave some treats in the box, and a comfortable and familiar blanket / piece of old clothing.
Congratulations, and well done! Keep us updated on her progress. xxx

[Kleiber]

Oh, happyjo, I'm so glad that Flossie seems to have settled in so well. I can only echo what the others have said - yes, keep her in for the 8 weeks, so she gets used to where home is and so that her wound is nicely healed, too. As for getting her into the box to take her to the vet, well, I don't have any more tips than already posted, but 2 of mine are easy - I just pick them up and pop them in, no trouble. The other 3, bless 'em, are a nightmare! I have to resort to all sorts of subterfuge to catch them and then I just have to stuff them in the carrier! I know it's not the best way, but I just tell them it's for their own good in the end! They whinge all the way to the vets and whinge all the way back as well!! The best way, although it sounds rough, is to get her by the scruff of her neck & support her back end & just manoeuvre her into the basket. You never know, though, she might go in quite nicely. Like max said, leave the carrier around for her to see and explore - put some toys in it for her and leave it open, so she can go inside. Cats just love to play in boxes or baskets, so she may get used to it quite well. Good luck, anyway! K xx

[jules77]

another happy story, so nice to hear of animals that have had it so hard have now found their forever homes and are loved and treasured. I would be inclined to keep her in for the time rescue suggest. As someone has already suggested, I would leave the box around so she gets used to it, and perhaps put some food just inside the door (if it is a front opening box?). Think a towel and thick gloves will be your only option if she scratches, but I have seen the vets pick them by the scruff of the neck, I cringe to see it, but the cats dont seem to mind. Good luck with her.

[wolf63]

I am glad that she has settled in so well. Her life will now be one of comfort and luxury instead of being constantly pregnant.

Best wishes to all of you.

[ruthann58]

really glad it has all turned out well for her she will give you years of love and pleasure. my mum always used to butter their feet when we had a new cat its supposed to make sure they get the smell of their new home when they lick it off, old wives tale of course ,but i do it aynway

[happyjo]

Hi

Thanks for all your tips and advice. We all really appreciate it.

She is still doing well, but I have yet to see her drink any water. She is eating well, but the rescue centre said she needs to drink, as she may be dehydrated after her op.

Is there anything else I can give her instead of water to supplement her liquid intake??

I know milk is supposed to be bad for cats... or am I misinformed??

Jo xxxxxxxxxxx

[Kleiber]

Ordinary cow's milk is not very good for cats (mine won't touch it!) but you can buy that special cat milk in the supermarket - rather expensive for what it is, I think, but your little cat might benefit from trying that if she won't drink water. My lot never used to drink out of their bowl when I used to use that for their water. They'd use the dogs' bowl instead, but now (I know this sounds odd), I fill a flower vase with water for them and put it by the kitchen window where I feed them (inside) and all of them drink out of that! Try it, she might just like to be different, too! K xx

[ruthann58]

have you tried her with some rain water

[mccfluff]

murph drinks from the tap, try letting the water run just at a trickle and see how she reacts - i do have water down for her as well she just seems to prefer getting black hairs over the white sink!