For Cat Lovers Only XVIV - Post Pics, Ask Questions, Comments, Etc.

[MsPurrl]

Don't know how, but somehow our big male ginger cat Fergus has a ferocious wound on his right rear foot. He's an indoor cat, so I don't know whether he was playing rough with one of our younger cas or what. Anyway, he has been leaving blood splotches are over the cream-color living room carpet and all over. Of course, it's easy to clean up on the tile; but the carpet is a bitch. I feel so bad for him--just wish he would stay put somewhere so it could coagulate. Poor little guy!

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

Does he need to go to the vet? Hope he heals up soon

 

[indra]

Poor Fergus. :-(
Hope it stops bleeding and heals soon.

 

[MsPurrl]

It's much better today, though he left a lot of blood splotches on the carpet, etc., overnight--I hated having to shut him and the three others out of the bedroom! It looks like it's getting a scab on it, and we haven't noticed any signs of infection. His appetite remains good, and seems normal in everything else. Just hope he doesn't knock it open again!

I've learned that hydrogen peroxide does a pretty good job of getting blood stains off of cream-colored carpet.

Thanks, Mrs. Garrison and indra.

 

[U2Fanatic4ever]

I haven't been very active in this thread lately but in light of recent events I wanted to post an update.

A few days ago we lost our beloved family member Keto.

Keto was 15 years old and had developed a few medical conditions over the years and eventually the medications he was on were not enough anymore and nature took over.

About a month ago, we started getting small indications based on his behavior that something was not right with him. Even though he had medical issues, Keto was a very happy, friendly, playful cat and up to almost the end, his behavior was like that of a kitten rather than an older cat. He wasn't aloof or solitary and in fact he went out of his way to be as close to us as possible. He loved human contact.


As his condition changed, we had a lot of doctors’ visits. He was checked out by his regular vet and we also took him to various specialists. In the end it was apparent that there really was not too much more that could be done. He could have been treated very aggressively and that may have prolonged his life maybe for another few weeks or maybe a little longer but there really was never a hope for a “cure”. In fact the specialists told us that the treatments were so aggressive that he may not have survived the procedures so it was better to let him have a comfortable life for as long as he could.


About 10 days ago, his condition started getting worse. It was now apparent that he was suffering physically. To keep him alive much longer just for our sake would not be right. We decided to make his last couple of days as comfortable and relaxing for him as possible. To take him to be put to sleep was one of the hardest and most gut wrenching decisions we have had to make. We held him in our arms through the entire procedure and made sure he knew that we were not abandoning him in any way and that we were with him all the way through.



Its been a rough time for us but at least now we know that he is no longer in pain and wherever he is, he is healthy and himself again.


I have also now lost my favorite model for my photography. In his honor I'd like to re-post some Keto's pics.



Out Little Lion:

DM, I am so so sorry for your loss! My deepest sympathies to you and your family. You have lost a one of a kind furry being.. We loved all your pics. Now you have those memories to keep close to your heart. My heart breaks for you but Keto lived a full wonderful life with great humans to care for him. Now he is healthy and in a better place..

 

[Sicy]

So sorry to hear about Keto

 

[BonosSaint]

Had a question. We have strays around, including some kittens about 6 months old. (I found a home for one of them). I cannot bring them inside--not my house and my father has allergies particularly to cats. I have my cat, but that's all I can have inside. Anyway, my stray kittens are well fed and up until last night fairly well-sheltered with boxes and blankets and quilts and each other to keep them warm in an area where I can monitor them all night. It was working well up until last night when one of my original older strays decided to claim the shelter and marked it. (My original stray) I created a second nearby shelter, but now the kittens didn't use either shelter and I guess I startled the older cat so no one used it last night. Anything I can do to provide a shelter for both kittens and the older cat so everybody is somewhat protected and not threatened?

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

Do you have a garage they could stay in? If so that might be an option to keep them out of the elements and out of your dads hair. One thing about the garage (if avail) would be you have to make sure they cant access anything toxic like antifreeze.

 

[BonosSaint]

No, unfortunately we would have to put them in the basement which is with the furnace, which means any dander goes in the vent. But I'm monitoring it. We're going to have a bit of a warmup for a week so might give me a chance to come up with some alternatives. They stay close enough though so far so I can watch them.

Thank you.

 

[Drowningman]

U2Fanatic4ever and Sicy, a belated Thank You for your kind words.


BonosSaint: Is it possible for you to create some sort of a barrier between shelters? Something which will prevent the older cat from getting to the younger one's territory

 

[BonosSaint]

It'll take some thought but that might work. Thanks.

 

[BonosSaint]

Bought an outdoor cat shelter for the kittens. So far I'm very happy with it. It is sturdy and insulated and came with a pillow. I added thermal pads and the kittens are using it. Opening might be too small for the older cat. Offers more protection than my handmade one did. Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

[MsPurrl]

Good news, BonosSaint. I hope your kitty friends will be safe!

 

[dazzledbylight]

just a quik drop in....only gotten back more frequent net connection reccently after half a year so more time to lok at more


Ms Purrl

i remember Fergus (as by name) hope all is well now!

DM - so sorry about your Keto. Some very lovely photos.I'm sure he felt lovingly cared for till the end.

Good health to all your fur friends and selves.

 

[MsPurrl]

Thanks for remembering Fergus, dazz. He is doing well (he's sacked out on the couch sound asleep right now ).

 

[The Sad Punk]

Hope Fergus continnues to improve!

Drowningman, only just heard about Keto. My sympathies, he was a truly beautiful cat.

I haven't come here much lately since I don't have a cat of my own, but I sometimes take care of Ben, who kind of just belongs to the whole family. The other night, while she was on my bed and I was on the verge of sleep, she came up to me and started giving some rather concerned meows, then she began nudging my face and doing the whole stealing breath thing (I can't think of another way to describe it). I just figured she wanted to go out or have a midnight snack or something, but instead she just stayed by my face for a while and then went back to sleeping by my feet. Any other time, she would have continued meowing like a jerk, but here she sounded kind of empathetic. It didn't seem to be about her so much as me. What's going on? Is she just doing something for no reason? Is she stealing my mana? Is she alerting me about something? Am I definitely going to die?

 

[MsPurrl]

Hope Fergus continnues to improve!

Drowningman, only just heard about Keto. My sympathies, he was a truly beautiful cat.

I haven't come here much lately since I don't have a cat of my own, but I sometimes take care of Ben, who kind of just belongs to the whole family. The other night, while she was on my bed and I was on the verge of sleep, she came up to me and started giving some rather concerned meows, then she began nudging my face and doing the whole stealing breath thing (I can't think of another way to describe it). I just figured she wanted to go out or have a midnight snack or something, but instead she just stayed by my face for a while and then went back to sleeping by my feet. Any other time, she would have continued meowing like a jerk, but here she sounded kind of empathetic. It didn't seem to be about her so much as me. What's going on? Is she just doing something for no reason? Is she stealing my mana? Is she alerting me about something? Am I definitely going to die?

Are you feeling sad about something or perhaps not feeling well? It just seems as if she was concerned about you and was trying to find out if you were okay.

 

[Drowningman]

Hope Fergus continnues to improve!

Drowningman, only just heard about Keto. My sympathies, he was a truly beautiful cat.

I haven't come here much lately since I don't have a cat of my own, but I sometimes take care of Ben, who kind of just belongs to the whole family. The other night, while she was on my bed and I was on the verge of sleep, she came up to me and started giving some rather concerned meows, then she began nudging my face and doing the whole stealing breath thing (I can't think of another way to describe it). I just figured she wanted to go out or have a midnight snack or something, but instead she just stayed by my face for a while and then went back to sleeping by my feet. Any other time, she would have continued meowing like a jerk, but here she sounded kind of empathetic. It didn't seem to be about her so much as me. What's going on? Is she just doing something for no reason? Is she stealing my mana? Is she alerting me about something? Am I definitely going to die?

Thanks for your kind words Sad Punk.

sounds like you have a friendly cat on your hands. The behaviour you're describing just sounds normal I don't think its anything to get alarmed about.

Maybe she just wanted an extra scratch behind the ear!

 

[MsPurrl]

Whenever I feel down, one look at this little face makes me feel better--our Finnula, also known as Noola, Sugar Doodle, and Princess Porkchop.

 

[arw]

Here's my annual Wesley update…..he's 5 now! I can't believe it! He's still a psycho troublemaker. There's no signs of him slowing down any time soon. He's just as crazy as ever but he's so cute I can't help but do anything but laugh when I see his latest destruction. He has plenty of toys around (and he plays with them all), still loves to play soccer, and he has plenty of outdoor activity to stalk safely from the inside of the house plus we play laser tag or run with a string every day. Even with all of that he still manages to get himself into plenty of trouble every day. In another few weeks it will be 4 whole years since he came home to live with me. There's not a single day that goes by that I'm not thankful for him. He's my best friend and I completely adore everything about him, even during his craziest moments. He's still the biggest purring machine in the world so no matter how naughty he is he'll still come and snuggle up next to me and purr away.

Wesley loves ducks! We still live on a pond and he still loves to stand guard. Today we saw 9 babies swimming along side 5 adults. This is his stuffed duck I found at a gift shop. It was more than I'd normally spend on a toy for him but I couldn't resist it.



Petsmart made a stuffed Wesley last year!


any of you that have been around for a long time might remember Kariann. We're still friends and she came to visit last summer. It was the first time she met Wes and they bonded quickly. This past holiday season she sent Wesley a gift. He wasn't too thrilled but I think he looks so darn cute! It's actually for a small dog so I couldn't quite get the hat on his head.



He's sooo handsome!!!!


Finally…last week was his birthday!

Here's the birthday boy with his much needed new scratching post and a pinwheel we'll put outside on the deck for him to stalk this summer.


He such a big guy now. He's still the sweetest thing in the world and still let's me do whatever I want to him. It doesn't even phase him a bit when I put a tie on him (or a hat or any other goofy outfit).

 

[MsPurrl]

Beautiful update--and a happy birthday to handsome Wesley: you make your mama proud!

 

[cmcmc]

Introducing Barney from Glasgow

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

Barney is a big pretty kitty.

 

[MsPurrl]

What a pretty boy!

 

[arw]

My sister's sweet little Lily passed away yesterday afternoon after a long illness. I said goodbye to her on Friday night. She was too fragile and thin for me to hold her. And I'm on vacation now so I can't even give my boy Wesley a hug for some kitty therapy.

I'm so sad she's gone.....

 

[bono_212]

Barney is one awesome looking cat!

Arw Sorry to hear that

 

[MsPurrl]

I'm so sorry, arw.

 

[Drowningman]

Barney looks like he's having a great time exploring the outdoors.

ARW, sorry to hear about Lily. I can relate to dealing with a cat suffering from a long illness. Its never an easy thing.

But, that suffering has ended and Lily's in a better place.

 

[arw]

Thanks all. Yes Lily isn't in pain anymore but the hole in our hearts is huge. She left us way too soon. I think she was only 11 or 12. Thankfully my sister has her dog to cuddle with. Poor doggy loved Lily so much so it's going to be a huge adjustment for Roxy too. They were best buds for over 6 years. Roxy loved her kitty so much and I think Lily loved Roxy just as much but would never admit it.

 

[MsPurrl]

They're not just "pets"; they are beloved family members.