... former stray, long hair, fur mats and ..
he won't let me comb him - unless it's his mane, or cheeks, soooo
you can imagine what troubles I have.
Gray is a former stray, FIV, and seems to be overly sensitive to touch. He complains, and maybe a hiss or two, or even a growl, if I try to insist. He's a big guy, too - I just don't want to cross him without being prepared.
(He and his family are now inside 24/7.)
Early this year I took him to the vet for a sanitary shave - the groomer got all the mats out - and, without anesthesia - just a lot of sedatives. Once home, he had been so stressed out that he developed a cold. With each vet visit I now expect him to bring home a cold to everybody else - so, I plan on not going unless his life is in jeopardy - because, then all the cats get sick - so, I've run out of places to separate cats - and this boy is a real stinker!
After the visit, I did my best to comb him, but then one knot began, I started to try and get it out - didn't succeed, then another, then they started having babies - couldn't keep up - soon his whole back will be one giant mat if I don't find a solution.
Problem: not enough knowledge, not the right tools, not enough hands and armor.
I'm scared of using the scissors. I tried baby scissors - has a round tip - but they wouldn't begin to cut that soft fur! Tried another scissor - cuticle - ha! - no dice here, either.
I can't hold him down, and have no one else to help me hold him down - so unless I enjoy emergency rooms, I need some suggestions.
So, are there tools that really work? I saw a comb-like object that had a blade in it - interesting - anyone have one? Here's an example:
http://www.amazon.com/Mars-Coat-Stri...3481007&sr=8-7
Some of these knots seem to include skin (not really, but close).
I need to try, I need to learn how to do this for both our sakes - or else I'll have to expect to take him to the groomer every year - and that will probably mean anesthesia (?) - and another bout with the spreading cold virus.
Got any suggestions or links, or tool ideas?
he won't let me comb him - unless it's his mane, or cheeks, soooo
you can imagine what troubles I have.
Gray is a former stray, FIV, and seems to be overly sensitive to touch. He complains, and maybe a hiss or two, or even a growl, if I try to insist. He's a big guy, too - I just don't want to cross him without being prepared.
(He and his family are now inside 24/7.)
Early this year I took him to the vet for a sanitary shave - the groomer got all the mats out - and, without anesthesia - just a lot of sedatives. Once home, he had been so stressed out that he developed a cold. With each vet visit I now expect him to bring home a cold to everybody else - so, I plan on not going unless his life is in jeopardy - because, then all the cats get sick - so, I've run out of places to separate cats - and this boy is a real stinker!
After the visit, I did my best to comb him, but then one knot began, I started to try and get it out - didn't succeed, then another, then they started having babies - couldn't keep up - soon his whole back will be one giant mat if I don't find a solution.
Problem: not enough knowledge, not the right tools, not enough hands and armor.
I'm scared of using the scissors. I tried baby scissors - has a round tip - but they wouldn't begin to cut that soft fur! Tried another scissor - cuticle - ha! - no dice here, either.
I can't hold him down, and have no one else to help me hold him down - so unless I enjoy emergency rooms, I need some suggestions.
So, are there tools that really work? I saw a comb-like object that had a blade in it - interesting - anyone have one? Here's an example:
http://www.amazon.com/Mars-Coat-Stri...3481007&sr=8-7
Some of these knots seem to include skin (not really, but close).
I need to try, I need to learn how to do this for both our sakes - or else I'll have to expect to take him to the groomer every year - and that will probably mean anesthesia (?) - and another bout with the spreading cold virus.
Got any suggestions or links, or tool ideas?