Impossible Cat

[orange&white]

Don't throw away the catnip. It will keep for months; she may like it later on after she's more comfortable. She might just have spooked from feeling "things" raining down on her nose and didn't know what it was.

I've started giving Misfit treats one at a time, feeding her by hand. She may be a swatter with her claws, but she has a soft mouth. She's never bitten me harder than a love-nip and now she'll take one piece of food at a time from my fingers. That might save you on cat food, and help Drifter keep her girlish figure.

I watched Misfit stalk and chase a squirrel the other day. All over the yard they went, racing and zig-zagging. The rodent got away, but it was fun to watch.

 

[susieqz]

ok, i'll hold it, but she showed no interest when i put it in front of her.
maybe i should import a squirrel. if she would chase things like misfit, there would be no weight problem.
chasing bugs doesn't burn many calories.
nor does sleeping n my feet on the couch.
perhaps she's active at night, but she doesn't sleep much early in the day. so she likely sleeps at night.
i'm not really complaining. yes, chubby, but she likes being with me.
that's more than i ever expected.

 

[susieqz]

we had another boxing match. she tried to whack me with her paw, while i tried to hit her paw with my finger.
this may have frustrated her.
no claws.

 

[orange&white]

Outdoor Misfit is a lean mean fighting machine, while indoor Farrell is the plump little lady of leisure. There is definitely a difference in body fat. Misfit has none. Farrell has a layer. Misfit's out chasing the wildlife and climbing up to the roof, while Farrell lounges in her hammock or homemade tent.

Maybe the boxing match burned some calories.

 

[susieqz]

sigh, i may be stuck with a lady of leisure.
you know, i don't even need a house cat.
but, every so often, we get a snow over 12''.
i refuse to let her die.

 

[maggiedemi]

It might be her winter coat making her look a little chubby. Do you have a scale to weigh her? Maggie weighs 9 pounds and looks a little thin to me.

 

[maggiedemi]

I forgot to ask you, what d-wormer did you use in Drifter's food, was it Drontal? Did you do the second dose 3 weeks later to kill the eggs that hatch?

 

[susieqz]

i have no scale. is there a way to check for fat?
i didn't use the right dewormer. it's bayer that only does tapeworm
i'm not happy with the flea stuff either. last week i applied frontline.
she never showed any signs of fleas, but now i see her biting herself n scratching.
looks like fleas now.

 

[maggiedemi]

Did you get the Frontline down against the skin on the back of the neck? If you didn't get the de-wormer that kills roundworms, then maybe that is causing the dull coat. I know when Maggie had worms, her coat looked dry. I don't know if worms can cause itching or not.

 

[di and bob]

I have had possums around for years with no problems. they completely ignore the cats. I did have a raccoon kill a cat once, so THOSE I don't encourage to stay around.

 

[susieqz]

thanks, guys. i have no idea what the monster that comes in th night is. i just know it's big.
mag, i have no idea if the flea stuff got on her skin. when i poured it on., she jumped n was upset.
i'll get he proper dewormer but i'm afraid to dose her too soon.
you know, every single time drifter gets on the couch, we have a boxing match.
i wonder why?

 

[orange&white]

i have no scale. is there a way to check for fat?

You should be able to easily feel her ribs when you pet her, but she should not feel boney. Her ribs should be covered with a nice layer of muscle. If you have to really press to "count" her ribs, then she has a little too much fat.

 

[susieqz]

thanks.
i can feel the ribs but there is more than muscle there.
i think her fur is even more dull than it was.
she looks n acts healthy but this is worrying.

 

[orange&white]

you know, every single time drifter gets on the couch, we have a boxing match.
i wonder why?

Because you're encouraging it and you both think it's a fun game?

With the flea meds, you need to make sure it gets on the skin, not just the fur. Parting the fur is ideal (Misfit wouldn't allow that), but making sure the tip of the applicator gets under the fur is necessary. I had to do a drop or two with Misfit, then get her back with treats for another drop or two.

You can do a broad-spectrum wormer now. It's been several weeks now. As far as meds go, wormers are pretty safe.

 

[susieqz]

ok, this time tell me the best wormer please.

there is no way i can get the flea stuff on her skin. she hates it.
i saw her chewing on her catnip toy a few minutes ago.
she may be getting interested.

 

[orange&white]

If you can feel her ribs, it sounds like she's in perfect shape.

 

[orange&white]

The canine dewormer with fenbendazole is not approved by the FDA for use on cats in the US, but it is approved in Europe and many other countries. (So there is no "cat-labelled" version here.) It's what I use for my cats (and dog).

Otherwise, a vet can prescribe Drontal tabs. You used to be able to buy them OTC, but now you have to buy 50 tablets at a time (which would be a lifetime supply for several cats).

 

[susieqz]

good. i'll tell you something stupid.
i gave her less breakfast this morn n it really hurt me

 

[orange&white]

My Plan B for flea treatment if Misfit wouldn't allow me to touch her with the tip of the applicator was going to be to drip it on my finger and then rub into the spot between her shoulder blades.

 

[susieqz]

the last canine dewormer i bot i had to throw out because it was FATAL to cats.