Hi. I would welcome advice, especially from anyone who’s rescued a cat with an abusive past. This is further complicated in that Vera is my mother in law’s cat. My MIL is out of town every other week. This has been going on for about 6 years. She initially asked me and my husband to supplement pet sitter visits because Vera licked all the fur off her tummy. Our visits helped at first. But now Vera is 14 and she needs to see a vet asap. I have never known a sweeter or gentler cat - she has never scratched or bit or hissed at me once. But a while back my MIL tried to stuff her in a crate and Vera fought back like it was life or death. MIL is reluctant to rehome Vera because she thinks she will be lonely without her. I have built a lot of trust with Vera but it’s difficult to make enough progress when my interactions with her are so chopped up.
Every other cat I’ve known has been food motivated but Vera is also VERY suspicious of new foods. No matter how tantalizing she will refuse treats or fresh roast chicken, etc.
Vera is obviously depressed, taking to hiding more. When we visit she wants to be petted for 40-60 minutes non-stop, then she usually goes under the bed and then comes back for more. But if you move to fast, or there’s someone else in the room, she’s off.
Vera had had huge amounts of black wax in her ears, one ear much worse. We’ve been using Zymox Otic which helps a lot but aren’t usually able to get her drops 7 days in a row. She’s been constipated lately, which she was eating the peace lily plant to get fiber, but which also caused her to get sores on her mouth and to vomit. I finally just removed the plant since MIL wouldn’t and the sores on mouth are gone. We tried adding a little pumpkin Weruva to her food with extra water but heard she doesn’t like it. I suspect she is having serious dental issues as well. Butthe poor cat obviously doesn’t feel good, doesn’t play or run around like she used to and I also find her limping often. She also has a very productive sneeze and can get very congested
Has anyone had a super skittish cat like this and does anyone know a way to motivate Kitty without food treats? I have found vets who make house calls but they say if she’s that skittish they don’t know how they will be able to do an exam.
One vet gave gabapentin but it has a very strong flavor and this cat is super scared to eat anything that is different from her normal food.
Like I said Vera is terrified of being picked up. I have been able to pick her up once or twice when we’ve been playing, and I set her down before she had a chance to get upset. But usually I would also use a treat to reinforce. And after MIL tried to force her into carrier she’s extra paranoid.
Thanks for any suggestions. It’s so hard to see this cat suffer. My husband is trying to get his mom to rehome, we’d happily take her and have experience with elderly cats and giving meds, etc. But at least MIL is open to getting Vera seen by vet - it’s just a matter of how.
Also does anyone know of any good Kitty chill pills besides gabapentine? My other cat didn’t do well on it - made her kind of trippy one the worst way. I’ve ordered Zylkene but still not sure how I can get it inside Vera…thanks!
Every other cat I’ve known has been food motivated but Vera is also VERY suspicious of new foods. No matter how tantalizing she will refuse treats or fresh roast chicken, etc.
Vera is obviously depressed, taking to hiding more. When we visit she wants to be petted for 40-60 minutes non-stop, then she usually goes under the bed and then comes back for more. But if you move to fast, or there’s someone else in the room, she’s off.
Vera had had huge amounts of black wax in her ears, one ear much worse. We’ve been using Zymox Otic which helps a lot but aren’t usually able to get her drops 7 days in a row. She’s been constipated lately, which she was eating the peace lily plant to get fiber, but which also caused her to get sores on her mouth and to vomit. I finally just removed the plant since MIL wouldn’t and the sores on mouth are gone. We tried adding a little pumpkin Weruva to her food with extra water but heard she doesn’t like it. I suspect she is having serious dental issues as well. Butthe poor cat obviously doesn’t feel good, doesn’t play or run around like she used to and I also find her limping often. She also has a very productive sneeze and can get very congested
Has anyone had a super skittish cat like this and does anyone know a way to motivate Kitty without food treats? I have found vets who make house calls but they say if she’s that skittish they don’t know how they will be able to do an exam.
One vet gave gabapentin but it has a very strong flavor and this cat is super scared to eat anything that is different from her normal food.
Like I said Vera is terrified of being picked up. I have been able to pick her up once or twice when we’ve been playing, and I set her down before she had a chance to get upset. But usually I would also use a treat to reinforce. And after MIL tried to force her into carrier she’s extra paranoid.
Thanks for any suggestions. It’s so hard to see this cat suffer. My husband is trying to get his mom to rehome, we’d happily take her and have experience with elderly cats and giving meds, etc. But at least MIL is open to getting Vera seen by vet - it’s just a matter of how.
Also does anyone know of any good Kitty chill pills besides gabapentine? My other cat didn’t do well on it - made her kind of trippy one the worst way. I’ve ordered Zylkene but still not sure how I can get it inside Vera…thanks!
. Her owner says she’s afraid Vera wouldn’t like our house because of my two cats. That could be true, but being home alone 2 weeks out of the month for six years is worse. We’re looking for someone else with experience with older cats with difficult pasts to give her another rehoming option. We’re hoping if we can just get a vet to check out Vera then the vet can also speak to owner about all the things she needs, st the least she needs ear medicine and diet changes and regular check ups, etc.
my boy hates carriers buy rides fine on my lap. I know it is dangerous and a carrier is better but for extreme cases this might be an option. Have one person drive & one person hold the cat.
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