Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK
Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Maddiesmum on January 04, 2009, 14:51:55 PM
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I am sorry if this post is long and rambling but I am almost in tears as I am typing it and am at the end of my tether I think.
As some of will already know I have had behavioural difficulties with Charlie for several months now. He saw a behaviourist (who I felt was a rip off and my vet agreed - it didn't go via her). My vet and I have talked on frequent occasions about it. I think the problem is that Charlie is constantly frustrated. Where we live is a small avenue at the end of which is an extremely busy road (8 neighbourhood cats have been killed on this road in the last 2/3 years) across which is a huge field. The field is the obvious magnet for the cats. I live two houses away from the road. I have catproofed the garden to keep Charlie safe. I have spent hundreds of pounds of making the garden more interesting for him and on toys and stuff to stimulate him. However the pull of the field is too great for me to compete with. His behaviour is deteriorating and we now have more bad than good periods. For instance today, he started at 7.45 this morning and has only just now settled down for a nap upstairs. He has whirled round the place like a maniac with his hair on end and his pupils dilated and glassy. He has been bitey all day, knocked everything off the kitchen worktop, knocked the bin over. It is not just mad half hour behaviour I know the difference with him now. He is desperate to get to that field, he has started today to try and escape the garden which he hasn't done for ages and everyday spends hours on his outdoor cat tree just staring across at the field and sniffing the air etc. He is turning into a very nervous, frightened and unhappy boy. Few are the times when he wants to pet and snuggle nowadays. My vet is referring me to Sarah Heath who is a vet who specialises in behaviour and she will do a home visit to assess the situation. However, I am afraid I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that Charlie would be better off and happier in a home where he can roam freely. If you think about it, he was a stray who could come and go as he liked, he used to regularly visit 5 neighbours' houses that I am aware of and socialise with their cats. I have taken all that away from him in my misguided attempt to offer him a loving home. I think perhaps Charlie and I are not compatible. I am heartbroken to be even thinking these thoughts but at the end of the day his behaviour is so bad it has reduced me to tears on three occasions now. Not because I can't cope with it but because I can't cope with seeing him so disturbed. I don't know why I have posted this really other than to share it with my Purrs family and get it off my chest. I am currently keeping a diary of his behaviour for Sarah. Another cat might have been the answer but my vet advises not to as Charlie carries the corona virus. :( one very sad and disheartened cat mummy
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You sound like you need a :hug:
This isn't something Ive really had much experience with. I had some crazy foster-cats in the past, but somehow knowing it was short-term made it easier.
What I am ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE about is that you did the right think taking him in - it wasn't misguided at all.
Since taking Mr T in Ive had (and still have) doubts as to whether Ive done the right thing. He is a PAIN at night. As soon as he is on his own he starts wailing and crying. I get up and feed him a teeny bit to settle him, or fuss himand play with him, but I cant be doing that every 2 or 3 hours. Just when I think he is settling down and we have a couple of good nights, he becomes a little :hug: again. I'm aware that I should probably leave him to sort himself out, but its not so easy....
I think you are doing the right thing in keeping a diary and speaking to your vet about your situation. I will keep my fingers crossed the home-visit goes OK - when is it?
Cant really offer anything practical, but sometimes it just helps to have someone else to talk to, doesn't it - and thats what we are all here for :) :hug:
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I really dont know what the answer is to this dreadful dilema all i can do is offer lots of hugs and hope it can be sorted with the help of an expert :hug: :hug: :hug:
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Oh love, I am so sorry. Please don't say that any effort you made to make Charlie safe was 'misguided' as nothing is further from the truth. Perhaps though you are right and he has to be free range or will continue to be unhappy. It's just so hard when they are super agitated and frustrated. I hope the behaviorist can come soon and that she helps - although I think you probably know Charlie better than anyone. Please don't berate yourself; you are such a lovely and wonderful mum to Charlie xxxxxxxx :hug: there should be an emoticon for a HUGE HUGE hug xxxx
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Didn't want to read and run and cannot give any advice but just wanted to give you one of these :hug:
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:hug:
I don't have much advice other than to wait for the behaviourist visit and see what she makes of the situation and what suggestions she can come up with.
If that doesn't offer solutions, then rehoming him may be something you have to think about. Along with the possibility of letting him have free access and accepting the compromise with safety.
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I know its a longshot but have you tried feliway Plugins and a bit of rescue remedy in his water - these helped with our feral additions - the oldest had lived outside for 14 years and the younger 2 for 8 years and they have now been with us for 6 months as indoor cats
Another thing to try would be Zylkene - its a naturel drug for animals and seems to cut down the angxiety felt by cats who feel trapped.
I also have a Corona carrier in baby Beijing - her Mum Gem died from FIP in October and our vet didn't advise us to get rid of her as we have other cats so I would query that one - we have 42 others who are all fine.
Would a companion help keep him amused we tend to play with ours for several hours with the laser pen - Sky the BC killed the Da bird and Sonny got the rest of it - they were so proud of themselves.
Another thing to try is margicol tablets from the health food shop - another feral lady swears by them
We have 20 house cats the majority of them are feral and when we moved here they escaped by breaking a window and we spent 6 months trapping them all and were amazed that the 2 worst let themselves be trapped and came back in to be house cats at our choice!
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there should be an emoticon for a HUGE HUGE hug xxxx
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ooh that's mellow yellow :-)
I found this one that I like as well: (http://thumb14.webshots.net/t/55/155/0/15/8/526601508IPwKLI_th.jpg) (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/1526601508040326394IPwKLI)
hope the thing opens ok! xxxx
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Has he been retested to see if his levels have dropped as this is a possibility :hug:
I hope the behaviourist can offer some avenues to try but ultimately if it doesnt work out you mustnt feel you failed him, you have done much much more than many people would, some cats just arent cut out for a restricted environment even one as enriched as you have created :hug:
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Thanks everyone, he is now crashed out upstairs still. Today has been one of the worst yet. Liz yes he has Feliway both the plug ins and the spray and has been on Zylkene for months. I play with him for about four hours a day (not all in one stretch) to make sure he gets loads of exercise, can let of his steam and can play hunt.
When I kept him indoors for four weeks prior to the cat proofing he really wasn't bothered or stressed and showed no urge to go out at all. It is definitely the pull of that field I have been really keeping an eye on his behaviour etc.
I have to wait until tomorrow as Sarah Heath's practice has been closed over the holidays and will re-open tomorrow. My vet said she will call her then and get back to me.
I have grown very very attached to Charlie despite the fact that I wasn't ever going to keep him at first! The reason I didn't want to keep him was because of the road. I could never let him roam free knowing he crosses that road.
With my others it was different. Maddie and Guinness moved here with my from my previous house which had a very very high wall round the garden and they never really bothered about going outside the garden here. Dragan was hit by a car on his first birthday but luckily not badly injured and survived it. He never went near the road again.
I am really really upset about it all today
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MM no he hasn't been retested. Two reasons really I don't want to put him through the stress of having his bloods taken as he has had so many vet visits this year with one thing and another plus has been spayed and has had his ears washed out. Secondly I am not sure I want the answer. Wuss or what?
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I am sooo sorry you're going through all this. I really do hope the behaviourist vet can come up with something that may help.
Well maybe if a feline friend is the answer, could you not get another cat that carries the corona virus? I know very little about the virus so forgive me if I'm being silly but surely that could be a posisblity as they wouldn't be able to pass it on to each other as they already have it and Charlie could be stimulated by rough and tumbles all day.
If he carries the virus, surely he needs to be an indoor cat so as not to pass it on to others? Again, I know very little about it so sorry if that's wrong. If it's not the case and he's not going to pass it on then surely you could get him a friend that does or doesn't carry the virus.
Also... just a thought but if he is tormenting himself, up in the tree staring at the field, could you not cut the tree down a bit so he can't get high enough to see it. Although it may not sound great, he phrase 'out of sight, out of mind' comes to mind and may make him happier in the long run.
Again, I don't know if any of this helps but just trying to offer some thoughts.
:hug:
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Oh Chrissie I'm so very sorry you are so upset over Charlie, I can understand why. But no way feel you are to blame for the way he is, all you have done is for his own welfare. I know how much you love him and you would do anything in your power for him, which you have done in the past and are still doing.
You speak about the thought of perhaps re homing him, although he may be away from fields I wouldn't think he would stop roaming. I do hope and pray it doesn't come to that and this lady who will be coming to your home can give you the help you and Charlie so desperately need.
I'm sorry I cannot offer any advice, please try not to get too low you are doing more then a lot of people would do to help Charlie. I'm sending you a huge :cuddle: You been there enough in the past for me when I've needed a shoulder, wish I could do more for you now.
Let me know how things go.
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Thanks for the response Deb. The "tree" is actually a cat tree we made for him on advice from the vet/previous behaviourist as he was being tormented by neighbouring cats and needed to be able to elevate himself. Even if he couldn't see the field he could smell and hear it from where we are.
The vet said not to get another cat as Charlie could infect it and if it already had it there could be problems. I was too worked up when I was talking to her to take it in properly so this is something I will discuss with the behaviourist.
The thing is is behaviour scares me half to death sometimes as I think he is having some sort of brainstorm. There are three distinctive personalities, the sweet and loving cutie pie (which we don't see too much of nowadays), naughty playful Charlie and then this other Charlie who is like something demented. It is difficult to explain - my daughter was shocked when she saw him and she hasn't seen him at his worst. I have tried to video it as requested by the vet but it is almost impossible as he is so fast and skitty.
I am truly at my wit's end with him, I have tried everything I can possibly think of to help him settle, everything I have read in books, everything the vet has said but I am absolultely certain that the pull of that field (all of us who have cats in the avenue detest the field, well not so much the field as the road) is at the bottom of it all. He is in constant conflict, smelling, hearing etc and not being able to go and investigate.
I shall see what the behaviourist says but perhaps another final option is to keep him indoors. Doesn't seem fair to me when he has the garden etc that is safe but if it is causing him so much stress it may be that or finding him a suitable other home (which is the last thing I want to do) I think the problem is compounded too by the fact that his behaviour makes me anxious which makes him worse. I try not to react or to distract him but when he is in this mood he cannot concentrate on playing. He drives himself to exhaustion, then sleeps for ages and then his mood improves until next time. The periods between the next times are getting shorter though.
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I so so hope that the behaviourist can come up with helpful ideas and solutions asap. Hopefully your vet will tell her it's urgent? Keeping him entirely indoors may be an option, but he would take time to adjust during which he may have more manic episodes. I was reading up on manic behaviour today and they say be careful not to inadvertently reinforce it by making a fuss of them while they are upset - although personally I have no idea how I could ignore him if he was terribly upset and unhappy?!
I'm so sorry Chrissie, I hope he's calm right now and that you have a peaceful night - is he calmer at night at all? sending lots & lots of love xxxx :hug:
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He is usually an angel at night. Sleeps through til 5 or 6 am though I sometimes hear him partying with his toys. He will be calm for a while now as he has exhausted himself and got it out of his system. I do ignore most of it but it is difficult when he is trashing the kitchen as he has got his foot stuck in the toaster and the grill at the top of the cooker extractor hood! I tend to just go in and put everything back whilst ignoring him. I just try to play with him to distract him from the behaviour and channel his energy into constructive use of his leisure time! The strange thing was Kate that when he was a housecat for the four weeks between me discovering he was crossing the road frequently and the garden being catproofed he never made any attempt whatsoever to get out, never went near the cat flap, quite happily sat on the dining room window watching the garden and birds etc. I think it is because when he is outdoors he can smell and hear things on the field. There are birds, foxes, squirrels, mice etc and as cats have fairly acute hearing I am certain he can hear stuff. He can certainly smell it as he is always sitting with his nose in the air facing the field and sniffing away. My neighbour (who has two cats who used to cross the road but are getting a bit old to now and who has lost two cats to the road) said she wishes they would build on it. Wouldn't change the situation with the road but might make it less tempting? Anyway see what tomorrow brings. Big hugs to you and the Swampster xx
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No advice I'm afraid, just a :hug: Charlie has to be one of the most 'spoilt' cats on Purrs (in a good way), he is so lucky to have you :hug: Really hope the new behaviouralist can offer some help. With my catproofing I have no high areas for the boys to sit on (too paranoid about it beng a launching pad!) and they have never once even tried to jump up the fence, maybe it's different as they don't know what's on the other side of the fence but Charlie does?
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I just love Charlie and I think you should not pre-judge what the behaviorist might say.
I think its that Charlie kniows what is out there rather than he can hear and smell things, he is just a born wanderer and now he is safe in the garden , I would not allow him to raom again.
Concerning the coroner virus, Ithink your vet is being a bit over the top and if another cat had a flu jab, it should be Ok. I believe the really worstcase scenario would be that a cat could catch FIP from a cat who is shedding the corona virus......please correct me someone if this wrong info.
However that really is a worse case scenario and all the bits of the puzzle would have to be in place. Its a most unlikely thing to happen.
My brother has a cat who also carries the corona virus and he had been a neighbourhood wanderer and player with all other cats in the neighbourhood before this was known. My bro went to saee all the other cat owners and known were worried and since then my brother took on a kitten and none of the other cats or the kitten have got ill.
Its one of those things where a little knowledge is maybe a bad thing and in most cases there is absolutely no worry.
Charlie maybe missing other animal company and could it also be that wildlife that used to be able to get into the garden cant anymore cos of the catproofing.
He is still a very young cat I believe, around 2yrs? and there sounds like there is a lot of kitten in him still. You have looked after him so well and its so sad that he is breaking your heart. Wait and see what the behaviourist suggests and then maybe something silly will actually sort things out. I do hope so :hug: :hug:
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What an awful situation to be in and I do hope you can sort something out :hug: I do take it the vet has checked his health, as hyperthyroidism can cause very restless, eratic behaviour.
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When I kept him indoors for four weeks prior to the cat proofing he really wasn't bothered or stressed and showed no urge to go out at all. It is definitely the pull of that field I have been really keeping an eye on his behaviour etc.
I can't help thinking that that might be an answer. It does seem that his behaviour is down to frustration of knowing the field is there and being able to see and smell it but not get to it. Keeping him completely indoors my seem like curtailing his freedom even more, but it may make him a bit happier if the lure of the field is reduced. But I would not pre-empt the behaviourist but will be interested to find out what she says. Try not to feel too bad about it. You have done loads for Charlie and all with his best interests at heart :hug:
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Oh Chrissie I know how much you love Charlie and how hard you have worked with him and others to give him a happy life.
See what the behavourist says and take it from there :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
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I've a book by Sarah Heath, I prefer her style tbh to other books I have read - take a deep breath and see what she says, you are doing everything you can
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I have taken a photo this morning so you can have a better idea re the proximity of the field to the house. It was taken from my back door and the field starts where the tall thin trees can be seen.
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Oh Chrissie i am sorry you having problem with Charlie again, i do hope the behaviourist can help, i do have a book by Peter Neville called Do cats need shrinks? If you want i can send it to you and you can keep it as long as you want. It did help me understand Phoebe's behaviour a bit!
He is a cat Psychologist , you may find some thing usefull in the book to help with Charlie, let me know and i can put in post tomorrow.
Sending you a big :hug:. X
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I can see how close the field must seem to him from your photo. Could you try keeping him totally indoors for a bit in this cold weather and see how he goes? The behaviorist may ask you to do that anyway as a test (?). He may yell a bit at first from frustration. If he plays all night, things can't be too bad - the vet today just told me to write down the length of time of any distressed or agitated behaviour compared to non agitated, as she reckons it's so horrible for owners (and cats) that we tend to think sometimes that it goes on for longer than it does.....you and I both can see if that makes any sense. sending lots of love to you both xx :hug:
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Pav, yes please that would be wonderful as Peter Neville has advised Sarah Heath in the past - she has acknowledged his help in her book.
Kate - it would be difficult to say how long his behaviour lasts for because at the moment it is all the time he is awake. He has just knocked everything off the top of the freezer in the kitchen. An hour or so ago my daughter and her partner came round, he is well used to them and he flew out of the room backwards when my daughter walked across the room. His nervousness is very upsetting to see. I tried to keep him in this morning but he was really wanting to go out and I thought he might enjoy the snow (which he did) but he still sat on top of his cat tree which was covered in snow for quite a while watching the field. His interest in the field is intensifying by the day.
Not heard from the vet yet but she doesn't somedays as she does weekends. I know she will ring me as soon as she can. Thank you for caring during this difficult time for you and please don't worry about us, concentrate all your energies on Swampy xx
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The vet said not to get another cat as Charlie could infect it and if it already had it there could be problems. I was too worked up when I was talking to her to take it in properly so this is something I will discuss with the behaviourist.
I think it would be a good idea to get bloods done again - otherwise you won't know if he continues to be a carrier of corona. Just because he had high titres when last tested, doesnt mean he will necessarilly be a carrier. Its likely, that if he's been well (physically) since he was first tested, that his titres are very low again now, or even zero - if so, he's no threat to another cat.
Hope Sara can help you - she's very good, from what I can tell through reading her books anyway. :hug:
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PS Can you spot the cat on the photo? Charlie with his back to the field for a moment
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Gill, theres no jab for it sadly.
Its very likely he is now a zero as most cats will shake it off and be done with it ;D if he still has a titre i dont think exposing a second cat to a carrier is the right way to go, it may not be lucky and be one if those who ends up mutating it.
With good hygeine in a single cat home you have a very good chance at ridding him of the virus ;D
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I don't want to put him through anything else right now as his anxiety etc is so high. I know at some stage in the not too distant future, if and when we can sort him out, then I will have the test done but I don't know what I will do if his levels have increased! I wish, in a way, I had never had him tested in the first place as I have had FIP in the back of my mind virtually every day since I got his result. My vet says it is highly unlikely and that he is a very healthy cat (apart from the behavioural side of things) in prime condition and she thinks he will probably have shed it. She offered to do his bloods last time I was there but I was just so OTT with worry that I couldn't face it. I would NEVER risk having another cat until I was 100% sure Charlie was clear. What does worry me though is that from what I have read stress is the biggest factor in pushing it over. That is, I think, why I get so anxious when Charlie is stressed. I might be being silly but I can't help it. Little sod has just been down and poked me for his supper and gone back upstairs to sleep now.
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Well thankfully today is a sweet Charlie day where he is mischievous and very very cuddly. I just adore him when he is like this he is such a pleasure. We just had a manic game of Da Mouse up and down the stairs and round the bedroom and he has gone into the garden for a furtle. I hope the field doesn't start calling to him again. Still waiting to hear from vet re behaviourist referral. Fingers crossed we can have a few calm days at least. :)
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Keeping my fingers crossed for you and a :hug:to keep you going ... :)
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Don't have nay constructive advice but just wanted to send :hug: :hug:
Fingers crossed for the behaviourist referral
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So sorry to hear that you are having problems Hun. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Maybe its not so much the field but other cats that he can see. I dont have any advise but sending you love and hugs that you can get things sorted xxx
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To be honest Sheryl not that we have sorted out the problem neighbour's cats by rehoming nine and having the others neutered, and two others have moved house there aren't as many cats around. He doesn't really mind seeing them walking round the fence or walls it is just when Sophie next door sits eyeballing him he gets worked up. He is out on his cat tree right now sitting upright watching the field and sniffing. :)
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I've just noticed Charlie's back - and Charlie's silhouette (very arty pic that) in the photo ;D bless him. Glad he's having a better day today. xxx
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LOL when spotted Kate. For once he is facing away from the field. He is desperately trying to escape the garden again and always at the field side. I think it is driving him nuts. However he is being his sweet Charlie which is lovely. Doubt it will last though.
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Enjoy the moment xxxxx
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LOL it's almost past. He is getting nervy again. Has been running in and out most of the day and trying to get to the field. Anyway has given up now and gone upstairs for a sleep. I think I will start a campaign to demolish the field.
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Vet just rang, she has done the referral so now I just have to wait for Sarah Heath to contact me.
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Well, that's something positive. :) Fingers crossed, Sarah Heath may be able to help. In the meantime, here are some :hug: :hug: :hug: to keep you going.
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have you got a video cam, even on your mobile or ordinary camera? The time I consulted a behaviourist for Max the Sprayer (no more since we moved), she wanted lots of video footage of his "bad" behaviour. It just may save some time (?). Or perhaps she can tell you before she comes around what she is going to need. Chances are of course when she comes, Charlie will be angelic. :hug:
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I was thinking that too, about Charlie being angelic LOL.....he is the most handsome looking cat and nooooooooo way would I let him go. I am sure the behaviourist will be able to give some very basic stuff that all of us never thought of ;D
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Kate I have tried several times to video his behaviour but a) he moves so fast and b) it always comes out dark. However I am keeping a good if somewhat lengthy diary. I received the book Pav sent to me today written by Peter Neville (who in the past has advised Sarah Heath and who is credited in her book). One of the things he says is that a cat that has been used to free roaming cannot successfully be confined without it causing behavioural problems and that the cat should be rehomed to allow it free access again. I felt sick when I read it because I think it confirms my worst fears. Watching him outdoors you can almost see the yearning in him for the field and I feel such a heel depriving him. I just feel I have taken so much away from him in terms of his freedom and control and that no matter what I do it will not compensate. His urge for the field just seems to be getting stronger. I can't understand why it has flared up so suddenly though. Rambling again aren't I?
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Have to say in our furry mob of 43 that a roaming cat can become an inside cat - we have 3 all ferals aged 14 and 8 and came here after being trapped nearly 6 months ago and none had tried to escape - housecats by my choice and they have fun in the house - no outside run for my housecats either
They seem to love looking out at the rain, snow and frost and then shut their eyes and go back to sleep - we had visitors who saw them in July 08 and they thought they looked rough and old and ready for the end - they nearly choked on these words on seeing them at new year they didn't think they were the same cats
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Based on Swampy's case, where he was an outdoor cat during the day for 18 months, until drama no 100 stopped that (stuck in a cellar for a week), I respectfully disagree with Peter Neville if he generalises. Yes, we had to get Max as company and yes, the first few months, or even 6 months I think, were tricky, but he ended up very happy, calmer and less stressed. It's not like you are leaving him unattended. The only potential problem I can see is that it may be tricky to get him another cat as a playmate. I definitely think that helps. But each cat is different and I'd say nothing's impossible with time and patience. I know it's so hard when he's so determined :hug:
I'd be wary of any behaviorist who has 'rules for cats' rather than treats each individually. I hope she can help you with suggestions and ideas that you haven't tried and that can work.
A wild & woolly tired thought, but what would Charlie make of a doggy companion? Could he pass on any lurgies to a dog or is it a mad idea as he hates dogs?
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Tbh, I've never been that keen on Peter Neville. He writes for one of the cat mags and I've read stuff of his before. I'm not saying he doesn't know his stuff in terms of feline behaviour, but I've always found his approach to be very inflexible. Not exactly thinking outside the box, if you get my meaning. He's involved in solving an individual behaviour problem each month in one of the cat mags (or was until recently) and whenever a cat is an indoor cat he never misses an opportunity to say that that is the reason for the problem, before he seems to have assessed the case fully. He seems to be opposed to indoor cats and while I appreciate that his opinion on that will, to some extent, be formed by his years of study and behaviour consultations, I do feel that it's also partly a case of having a personal opinion and being unprepared to accept solutions that dont' support his opinion. Not saying he's rubbish or anything like that, or that Sarah Heath will be either, but do bear that in mind when reading his book and don't take everything he says too much to heart. I don't believe that it's impossible for a free roaming cat to adapt to a confined lifestyle. I have read enough cases where people have successfully done that to make me believe it is possible, if not for all cats.
And stop feeling guilty. You have done nothing wrong. Quite the opposite. You have given a homeless cat a loving home. The fact that you are so upset about this is because you love Charlie and want the best for him. But please try not to get too focussed on what you think you have deprived him of. Because then, all you will see is the problems and you will get everything out of proportion. I'm not under-estimating the problems Charlie has on his bad days, but please dont' blame yourself. Remember that there are times when Charlie is very happy with you. I'm confident that there is a solution to this problem. The difficulty is working out what it is!
:hug: :hug:
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I agree with what is said below, especially if a behaviourist does not look at each animal as a seperate case and treat them as such.
I do hate when psychologists shove all people into identical boxes and expect everyone to have the same pattern of behavior, likewise for animal behaviorists. Cats are such individual characters as you can tell by everything said on Purrs.
I have 4 cats and each one is totally different, even the two brothers
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I wonder how long it will be before I get the appointment? Vet said early in the week she has referred us. One thing I have noticed with Charlie is that his behaviour seems to deteriorate if it is snowy/frosty. Might be co-incidence or might be a connection? Also he does a lot of head shaking when he is in the odd mood. Wonder if its connected
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Maybe the cold gives him earache or maybe he just doesnt like the cold?
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I don't know Gill but keeping the diary has been useful so far as it is easier to see a sort of pattern. He is a bit skitzy today has been frosty and the window cleaner has upset him too I think.
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I am sure the window cleaner did as he was an intruder on Charlies patch :shify:
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hope he's calmer tonight. Window cleaners must be quite scary actually! xxx
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Have had a dreadful afternoon with Charlie. This morning before I went to the Dogs Home I fed him, played with him and let him in the garden for a while. When I looked out of the window there was a strange (not odd strange) black and white cat trying to get into the garden and pushing on the netting. Charlie was trying to get up the fence to it. I opened the door and the cat ran off. That really set Charlie off but I had to go to work so quickly had a mad dash play with him and went at 08.45. When I got home about 1.15 I fussed him and then had a lot of paperwork to do on the computer. He went in and out the garden then did one of his big freak outs. He scares me when he does it because I am not sure if he is going to hurt himself or even drive himself to the point of collapse. Anyway he leapt on my desk and I picked him up to put him back on the floor and he turned quite vicious, biting me and swiped my face. I decided to just let him get on with it and he went in the kitchen, knocked his litter tray and shredded the kitchen roll. Then skidded round the house again until 3.30 when he zonked. Please believe me when I tell you this behaviour is not the normal mad half hour it is absolute dementia. He is like a cat possessed and he meows a lot when he stops running. I can't wait much longer for this appointment before one of us cracks up completely.
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Oh poor you. I dont have any contructove advice Im afraid so have some of these. :hug: :hug: :hug:
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OMG i dont have any advise just a barrel of hugs to you and hope you get this sorted asap :hug: :hug: :hug:
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I wonder if cats can have ADHD? His behaviour sounds very much like it.
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I'm so sorry and hope that he's calmed down. Do you think he has a kitty friend - or enemy - that he wants to get to, not just the field? (the black and white visitor). That could be the trigger for his behaviour. Hard though it is, I think you'll just have to let him tire himself out as it sounds like he's going to bite or scratch you if you intervene - as long as he can't hurt himself I mean. What percentage of the time is he manic and what more calm and playful? Can you see it coming on, or is it like a switch flicks in his head? :hug: :hug: to you and to Charlie xxx
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This cat is new to the area, none of us know it. It has only been seen this last day or so and I think today was the first time for Charlie. He is manic every few days, different things set him off and sometimes nothing. This week there has been the snow/frost, window cleaner, cat and now wind (he always goes off when it's windy). He has almost all the symptoms of hyperesthesia save for the chewing at his tail. His tail constantly twitches, his fur ripples, his pupils dilate, he is over receptive to touch and sound, he runs hither and thither like a madcat he is more vocal. I am going to discuss it further with the behaviourist as my vet doesn't seem to think it is hyperesthesia. One of the vets at the practice did suggest it as a vague possibility a while ago but it all sort of got pushed to one side. It will be good having a long home visit from a vet/behaviourist as time is always limited when you visit the vet isn't it? There's always loads waiting etc. Anyway he is calm right now, he has been on the desk for a cuddle and is all sweetness now he has worn himself out. It is certainly worrying. It comes on gradually sometimes and his behaviour has been much worse since he had his ear wash in terms of frequency. Hyperesthesia can be triggered by anaesthetic too. Apparently it can't be diagnosed outright, it has to come from ruling out other possibilities after tests. Why do I want to scream?
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Your vet sees Charlie for just a few minutes, during which he's not having one of his episodes. Perhaps if you could take a video (even if too dark) he would see what you are on about. Most vets hate behaviour issues as can't really deal with them. Keep on at the vet and ask how he would treat it if it was hyperesthesia - surely it can't be a disaster to try something to see if it helps as right now you are struggling?!
I know how difficult it is sometimes with even the best vet, they have blind spots - mine just will not ring up a neurologist to ask what they think, despite saying he's no neuro expert. And we can't ring up vets ourselves.
hope today is a lot more relaxing :hug: xxx
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I am lucky with my vet Irene, she is very very sympathetic to the behaviour issues and has tried to come up with lots of suggestions to help. She also gives me tips on how to calm my anxiety. I now have an appointment with Sarah for Tuesday 20th at 4.30 and it will be a 2-3 hour home visit with 12 months ongoing telephone support. Her secretary said Sarah is a very straight speaking person and will tell me if she thinks Charlie will never come to terms with his situation but she said obviously she will try and come up with a behaviour modication programme to help him. I rang my insurers who will cover £250 of the cost (I suppose less the excess of £50) so that will help and fingers crossed something can be sorted wihout me having to rehome him which would devaste me.
He is calmer today although has had a couple of small skitzy bits which were probably mad half hours more than anything. He is still bitey if I pet him though. He has had a few games with me with different toys and has now gone upstairs for his afternoon snooze. It's interesting to note that last night my neighbour's cat Sophie (the one Charlie hates) was up on the fence clawing away at the spot where the strange cat had been sitting. Territories eh?