Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Warm Welcome to Purrs! => Welcome to Newbies :) => Topic started by: Tatty on July 17, 2011, 17:06:17 PM
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This is Tatty, and sadly we don't know much about him!
We've seen him potering the neighbourhood since April, and he was in such a poor state, I remember my parter coming in from the garden saying she'd seen the mankiest cat ever! I thought it was a fox as I only saw his tail and it's so fluffy and about 40cm long!
We 'look after' next doors cat (she's adopted us as she isn't keen on the attention their kids give her) and he seemed to have made friends with her. She regualry comes into our house and was trying to get him to come in too. So we set about our mission of trying to feed him and get him to come closer so we could get him to a vet, as obviously he needed some attention. Very very underweight, fleas, ear mites, discharge coming from his ears, mange, sneezing, limping, and not to mention the fact that he hadn't been 'done' and seemed to be a bit blind. Placed adverts everywhere to see if he had an owner, to no responses, so off to the vet he went!
They kept him in overnight as he really wasn't happy about having been put in a carrier, and the next day (thursday just gone) he was neutered and had his ears flushed out as they were really, really bad. :( He had a bit of a temper too, had a go at all the girls at the vets.
We picked him up, brought him back and all hes done is sleep, eat & eat his antibiotics and is looking 10x better than he did! He's been out a couple of times and returned back to the house within the hour, so we're now his new slaves!
So what do we know about him? Well he's quite an old man, the vet wouldn't be suprised if he was in double figures, and he has a bit of an issue with being stroked. Think this is largely to do with his ears being so sore, he'll just hiss and thats enough warning for us to back off! He doesnt like the brush, so grooming gloves it is. He doesnt have many of his teeth, but likes his biscuits. He's been out since at least April and probably longer. It's so so sad. He does however have the most beautiful face and fluffy tail, it's huge! Think he has a dash of maine coon in him somewhere as he is a *big* cat, sadly just a very skinny one!
Would appreciate any advice on how much and what to feed him, and how do we get his coat back to how it should be? Just trying to integrate him into a normal life instead of him living under a bush and getting chased out of peoples houses and gardens on his search for food.
It was suggested by the girl at the vets that we are very 'brave' taking him on due to his behavior, but he's been as good as gold since he's been home. He uses his litter tray, and just sleeps! Don't regret for one minute what we've done, and we just hope we can make his final years, happy ones :)
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Welcome :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome:
And can only say :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: on Tatty's behalf for all the attention, love and most of all fud :)
I think you need to get him blood tested, if not done already, in an effort to see what underlying health ishoos he has to give him a fighting chance..... HyperT (T4), Diabetes and Renal tests are the usual culprits for skinnyness although, with BIG FINGERS CROSSED, may just be he's starving coz that's easily fixed :)
Can I just say I love ya both for what you are doing for this super lad :Luv: :Luv:
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how fantastic that he found you, he looks wonderful!
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Hello and :welcome: to Purrs
The gorgeous Tatty has certainly landed on his paws, he looks very wise in the pic of him sitting on the chair :Luv2:
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Thankyou for such a warm welcome!
@Rosella re Bloods, He was given a good check over by the vets, not sure about bloods thou. Will ring them tomorrow and ask, just dont want to have to put him thru the stress of the vets again, not yet anyway. He got so so so stressed :(
Let him out for the 3rd time an hour ago, just waiting for him to come back... I *hate* this bit! Especially considering the weather...
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:welcome: :welcome: :welcome: :welcome: Bless you both for taking on this handsome lad. I'm sure after a few weeks of TLC, warmth and good food you will see him start to fill out. I assume the vet wormed him during his stay .... I'm sure the combination of living rough and scrounging food will be the main contributor to the skinniness.
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:welcome: he's gorgeous :Luv2:
Cat milk has always done the trick for gaining weight with my cats, I'm sure he'll much better soon. Full bloods would be a good idea including thyroid once he's settled in (although he looks pretty much settled to me) if he doesn't seem to be building up. I'm sure that your vet would suggest those if they suspected them too, I presume they checked his heart/bp etc? there are lots of signs they would look out for.
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His heart and BP were fine, he's been wormed, and thaks for the cat milk suggestion!! Will give him a week or so and if he's still a bit skinny, i'll ring the vet. He's eaten 4 pouches of felix senior, fresh chicken, a tiny bit of wellbeloved, and mackeral today... he's got quite an appetite!! Then again he is a biiig cat.
He did have a really bad flea infestation, of which are pretty much dead now. We frontlined him and gave him some program. Hopefully his coat will start to get better the more he lets us stroke him with the grooming gloves... he's still a bit snappy sometimes.
Just want him to be happy, and know he's safe. He's been on the streets for such a long time :(
This is the 2nd time we've rescued strays, 2 years ago a cat moved her feral kittens into our garden! We tamed them so that the RSPCA would take them,took us 4 months mind, and they were eventually rehomed :D
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What a lucky boy to have landed on his feet by finding you ;D He's lovely :Luv:
Just trying to integrate him into a normal life instead of him living under a bush and getting chased out of peoples houses and gardens on his search for food.
That really got to me, poor boy :(
There's a food you can get online or from the vets called Hills A/D. It's high calorie and would help to build him up, it's not cheap but even if he had a can a day in addition to his normal meals I'm sure it would help build him up.
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Thank you for taking him in and am sure regular feeding and a home where he feels safe and has no stress will help him no end.
I would give him at least a month before taking him back to the vets unless there is a major isuue, he needs to trust you and relax in his new home.
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:welcome: to the forum really pleased to have you here
Thank you for rescuing Tatty you have a heart of gold
I echo what Gill said I am quite sure that after afew weeks with you he will fill out naturally anyway
:ahh:
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Tatty is a BABE! :) Welcome to the forum. :hug:
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Thankyou for *such* a warm welcome!
He is beautiful, just his temprement isn't the best, but he is getting better. He's been confined to the dining room and kitchen whilst he settles in. He has a chair which is now officially 'his' as he doesnt move from there all day!
Started the leave the dining room door open, so he can come explore the house. What we have found that if he wants something he'll come find us. Whoever had him last must have put him outside to use the loo, as he comes and meows if he wants to go out and do his business! He's not done too much exploring, but he's getting there... he's v v v shy!
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Welcome to Purrs!
Tatty looks like a lovely old gentleman :Luv:, well done for giving him a home!
I'm looking forward to seeing lots more photos as he progresses over the next few months.
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I might put some more pics up here of how he was when we first spotted him... will dig them out from his Twitter feed!
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:welcome: What a heart warming but very sad story, the things this lovely boy must have been through, thank god he found you! He is so gorgeous but has obviously been through a tough time, with your wonderful care and attention I am sure he will come around behaviour wise. Look forward to hearing about his progress :Luv:
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Here's some pictures! There's also a video of him at http://twitpic.com/5ev5tc
He's being a pain today, meowing at everyone in the house, yet doesnt want to go out in the rain, and has had a fair bit of food. Think he's starting to want some attention :)
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He's being a pain today, meowing at everyone in the house, yet doesnt want to go out in the rain, and has had a fair bit of food.
Exactly like my two yesterday!
He's gorgeous - and I see what you mean about that tail! :Luv:
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He's gorgeous,he is probably too accustomed to people shooing him away,i think we too would be in in this kind of mood if this happened to us! I reckon that he will turn out to be as good as gold,once he knows that he ahs now got loving owners who care for him. :Luv:
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What a tail ;D
I would recommend, if you havent already, introducing an indoor litter tray for him, so as the weather gets even worse, he doesnt have to go out if he doesnt want.
He will know how to use but dont worry nif he still goes out......some cats do until its snowing or freezing.......sigh
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His tail really is amazing! It's as long as he is!! When he's grumpy he taps it on the floor, as a human would tap their foot, and it sounds exactly the same.
We put a litter tray down the day he came home from the vets and immediatly knew how to use it, and did for the first few days. I think he just prefers to go out to do his business, he'll come find you if he wants to go out. At first we were really scared of letting him out, he could have just disappeared, but he returned within 40 minutes. He's been out twice a day since, and the longest he's been out is an hour.
He's been a bit odd today thou, let him out this morning, he was gone for an hour, came back, had breakfast & an antibiotic then went to sleep. Went out a couple of times after that, after meowing and following me everywhere so i let him out and he and immediatly came back in... then decided to do a poo behind the television!! :O Then went to sleep all afternoon, lol!
He's just gone out now, wandered round the garden and started meowing at me, almost as if to ask if it's ok if he goes for a wander!
We dont feed him before he goes out, so his stomach brings him back, as he's still on his tablets and must complete the course.
He's slowly coming round to being stroked more, and is becomming so far removed from the grump he once was ;)
Thanks once again for the warm welcome, we're doing what any caring human being would do by taking him in, it just saddens me that someone didn't do it sooner.
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He is doing so well, how do you get the abs into him?
Lupin thumps his tail on the ground too and beware of the swishing tail LOL
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He's gorgeous :Luv2: and he certainly landed on his paws when he found you. :hug:
I wonder if the ABs have upset his tummy a bit and thats why he's been out more today and been a bit unsettled.
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Getting him to eat the antibiotics is easier than grooming him!! Just pop it into a piece of cooked chicken, and it's gone! Worming tablet was the same! His tummy has been ok so far with them... think he just wanted to go check the ladies out before his hormones disappear!
Know all about the swishing tail!! He scratched me just over a month ago, caught his ear and he lashed out in pain, didn't run off mind, sat there meowing, and i've been a bit wary of him since. I know he only likes so much stroking and then thats enough, if you carry on he'll have a go. He's getting a bit more tolerant thou.
Very happy with myself this evening! Managed to put a collar on him, without him even batting an eyelid. Only a few days of regular feeding and his coat is already starting to gain some condition.
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His fur is looking lovely :Luv: well done you, I bet he thinks life is great now!
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His fur looks really good and will get full and lush to match his tail anytime now ;D
Do you know cos all my cats so far that could not be given pills, it hadnt occurred to me that maybe Lupin would eat them if needed............duhhhhhhhhhh!
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Coating them in pate worked a treat too :D
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He's probable more responsive to being stroked now he is free off his little hopping friends! He was probable a bit sore and itchy before ;)
He certainly sounds like he has decided you are his new slaves :Luv2:
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Oh My Goodness he's beautiful :Luv:
My girls would have a good old fight over him I reckon! ;D
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How did I miss this??? Tatty is fabulous - :welcome: :welcome: to you both and so pleased you've found him.
I'm about 10 weeks in front of you with Tufty who bore a distinct resemblance back then!
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What a lovely thread I think tatty cat is just :Luv2: :Luv2: as all the others said well done for taking him on and I look forward to more updates.
Andrea x
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welcome to the forum and well done for taking him in. you'll find he'll eventually become your best friend ever- they remember you help them out when they are in need and they don't forget it. we've took on a few strays and this has been the case, even the nastiest ferals have changed into sweet little cats! he's lovely by the way :Luv2:
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Thakyou all so much for your warm welcome.
Little update for you! A week after his op, and he's doing brilliantly... he's just eating so so much! Getting through nearly 2 tins a day, but I'm guessing once he's got some weight back he'll start to slow down. Having a look into the different food that zooplus do and trying him on something different and seeing if it'll keep him fuller for longer.
He's been on his first proper wander today, been gone for a whole 6 hours. Think someone has fed him at some point too, despite the do not feed on his collar :/
So the antibiotics are finished, just need to get over this petting anxiety. I know not all cats like to be stroked, but he's caught me a few times now. Going to try giving him a treat just before he gets annoyed then walking away....
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I'm tentatively going to suggest blood tests again :shy: esp T4 for possible Hyper Thyroid condition.
Thin, coat in not very good condition, elderly, a little aggressive ............. I agree it could be just catching up from being under fed for a long time and adjusting to being neutered (hormones take a few weeks to leave the system) but the 2 tins of cat food a day seems a lot. I assume you mean the large tins?
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Yep, big tins! I do want to take him back to the vets, but I think another trip in a week will really stress him out... He *is* a big cat thou, he's huge, so not sure if he's eating a lot as he's still quite skinny. He is putting weight on thou, he's bulked out a bit more than he was last week.
What other symptoms are there? My partner is hyperthyroid and I'm hypothyroid so understand the condition, in humans, quite a lot lol! And what do they give the cat for it? I'm assuming the cat equivalent of PTU or carbimazole?
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Tufty let me stroke his head and neck with his soft toys quite happily after about three weeks, (I'd had to use some nasty ointment on his eyes at first that stung him and he took a while to forgive me) then i just progressed to small touches around his ears and cheeks, eventually i got to pull on his scruff and after that he was putty in my hands. I found that he was calmer with me stroking him from his level, try lying on the floor with him and tickling him with the end of a comb? Less threatening and he might play with you.
I can now pick him up and he snuggles into my neck for a few minutes before he gets freaked - but even then he's stopped scratching and biting with any fervour, just pushes me away when he's had enough.
I must say he's the most rewarding rescue I've had, and his tufty fur is now cotton soft and fluffy. I'm convinced they do remember who saves them, as Lau said. In which case you're in for some serious lovin' in a week or two :Luv: :Luv:
As for his appetite, Tufty still eats "like a stray" - he polishes off everything in sight and recently gained 0.6 kilos in just two weeks on his urinary tract diet! I have to measure his portions now and put him in front of the water bowl so he fills up his tank on a mix of dry food and fluid (Tufty won't eat wet food).
If Tatty is wolfing two cans per day, perhaps a low calorie biscuit, free-fed available at all times, might help slow down his guzzling habit.
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What other symptoms are there?
I have absolutely no wish to alarm you as it could easily be that Tatty lad :Luv: is just a hungry boy that needs lots of TLC to recover completely but at least this link will let you know what to watch out for. http://www.fabcats.org/owners/hyperthyroidism/info.html Usually very treatable of course.
I also agree that upsetting him with a vet visit for no good reason is not a good plan and, as long as he doesn't seem obviously ill, would leave any further vet visit for at least another couple of weeks. But, ya know what? You're his slave. You know him a lot better than I ever will :) :hug:
ETA if you are thinking of getting insurance out for him, good idea to insure at least a few weeks before he shows any clinical signs of anything ............
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Hows Tattycat getting along? Hmm? Need to know these things... :-:
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Would be lovely to hear an update :)
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Well i'm pleased to say Tatty is doing really well!
Sorry I've not replied sooner, not been too well of late and had a manic weekend, families hey!
He's doing far better than we imagined him to, after much deliberation, we've taken grains out of his diet completely, and he's currently enjoying bozita/grau/butchers depending which one he's in the mood for, he won't eat the same thing 2 days running... With applaws dry in the day time. He's stopped eating the insane amount he was, and he no longer guzzles it down in one! His coat is getting there, he doesn't smell anymore, and it's no longer oily.
His mood has calmed down a LOT! he's much friendlier and really likes to play, he does tend to get a bit over excited thou, goes a bit mad, and because of the size of him, is very very strong!
The main thing we've noticed is he's obviously come from a home with small children at some point. We had a family bbq at the weekend, and over came the nieces. I completely expect him to go an hide in the garden, but he stayed by us all day. He even wanted strokes off everyone!
Been on a few wanders upstairs, but gets a bit scared and runs back down... bless him.
He's getting there! Slowly but surely!
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Ahhhh how fabulous .... so pleased he is happy and healthy in his new home xxx
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Brilliant news!
Of course, more photos would be good too... ;)
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Great news, although I won't believe it until I see more photographic evidence :naughty:
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What a great story! :welcome:
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I have pictures and a video at http://www.twitvid.com/ZRKUA
He's a funny so and so, slowly becomming more sociable thou, comes and sits with me watching tv now, just sits on the windowsil!
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I love that top one!!!!!
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Funny you should mention about Tatty Cat loving children... :Luv2:
...my Sam came from a home where he was constantly abused by a toddler (yeah - grrrrrr) so much so he'd overgroomed all his tummy and leg fur clean off!
We assumed he'd be frightened off kids for life, but quite the opposite. The first time he met my niece (then seven years old) he was hooked and wouldn't leave her alone for a minute (needless to say Emily was likewise smitten!).
Maybe it's just us humans who learn to be unforgiving :shify:
Lovely to see the pics - he's certainly making your house his home ;D
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So pleased that Tatty is doing so well ;D
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He's settled in so so well :)
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:Luv: :Luv: it's lovely to hear how well he's doing, I'm sat he going through the thread going aww bless :evillaugh:
He's so lovely, give him a chin tickle from me :hug:
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He's coming on so well minus the trip to the vets yesterday. Bit of an eye infection, but he's ok.
Had to pop a feliway in the day before last, as he's been fighting, and getting a bit stressed over his territory. Next doors cat (poppy) who lead him in, he keeps chasing her and having a go. So we can't let her in now.
Been feeding him bozita and Origen and he's stopped eating like a stray, finally! He's gained weight and his coat is silk like now.
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You might have to change his name - he's not really tatty any more! :Luv:
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What a difference in only a couple of months. A real handsome clean fluffy chap now and no mistake :Luv: :Luv: :Luv:
Well done you :hug:
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I love the one of him playing, what a difference
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@jezebel yeah about his name! He still won't let us groom him, too much stroking for his liking, so he's still a bit tatty underneath.
He's just so big! 3 ft from nose to tail, and hasnt half put on weight.
Just has a liking to weeing on windowsills at the mo :/
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Weeing on windowsills? Eek. How're you dealing with that one?
I'm asking because we've got one (I think Tufty) who has taken to weeing on the painted bit of the stairs and all I can think to do is place newspapers down until I've positively identified the culprit.
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Have been washing it down with bio soap power and warm water. he's been doing it because he can see other cats in *his* garden.. :/ he's only done it a couple of times upstairs, and not done it down stairs. There has been a lot of cat fights in the day, that he's been involved in, but now have settled and he seems to have stopped.
I'm guessing it's a territory thing? This is the cat that sits on the window ledge in the front room and growls at anyone going past. Also runs at the door when the postman comes. I swear he thinks he's a dog!
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I read somewhere that hanging foil where they wee works, as it makes a noise when their wee hits it which they don't like.
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Good thinking - I'll try the tinfoil trick.
As for the fighting, when we had Tufty neutered the vet told me it could be up to six months before he got the fighting urge out of his system as the big boy hormones can hang around that long.
He still can't resist a good scrap and we're in month 4 now, so you've got a bit to go yet with Tatty, who incidentally looks very much like this smiley IMO.
:cutety:
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Ahh! He still does act like the big man sometimes.
He spends most of his day asleep in hilarious ways, has calmed down so so much from what he used to be like.
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He looks really settled doesn't he? He's lovely.