Mobile vet re grooming kylie's clumps

[Mark]

Well it took the vet about 20 seconds with a small pair of scissors and cost nothing  - she did in when Kylie had her eyes sorted out 

I sort of expected some redness underneath but there wasn't any 

One more thing, I was impressed with the new vet as she asked after Alice and asked if I had needed to give her any more Metacam recently 

[Gillian Harvey]

Those little wahl blue trimmers are great for teenyl knots, but theres no way they'll cope with large mats. The other one I suggested will manage largish mats.

By the way Chapelhouse shop is operated as a separate commercial entity to the rescue.

[Mark]

I had those blue ones but they did nothing on Stars fur, not sure if persian fur  is softer than dlh fur but it just didn't cut her fur

the one we have is something like this

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8705716/Trail/searchtext>PET+TRIMMER.htm

It looks like you get the trimmer free with it.

Anyway, I will go to Wahl on Friday and see what they have - they are usually cheaper than going to the shop. They also sell random things like cat dishes 

[Corporal Smokey]

TBH Smoo's fur has never had those lumps in it fortunately. But I can imagine they'd struggle. I thought they might be ok doing it a bit at a time. I know chapelhouse do a range of them so it might be worth an email to them too.

There's a DLH at the other rescue I help at and we've been tackling these monster lumps with a pair of the blue clippers but she'll only take a bit of grooming at a time before getting bity so it's taking time anyway.

[Dawn F]

I had those blue ones but they did nothing on Stars fur, not sure if persian fur  is softer than dlh fur but it just didn't cut her fur

the one we have is something like this

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8705716/Trail/searchtext>PET+TRIMMER.htm

[Mark]

Thanks - Gillian recommended these once before but I'm not sure that they will be powerful enough for solid clumps. Wahl UK is about 15 minutes from here and they have a shop so I will ask in there. Not sure if they will be able to advise but I can try. I'm tempted to get the expensive ones but they will end up sitting in a drawer. I have no intention of letting it happen again and there is 0% chance of me ever having a long haired cat   

[Corporal Smokey]

I have these and they're ace. You might need to follow Dawn's advice for bigger lumps though. You can find them a bit cheaper on the net or but them from PAH but this way I got to help a rescue and you get free replacement for life!

http://www.chapelhouse-persians.co.uk/battery%20powered%20clippers.htm

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I wouldnt go down sedation route either.

I couldnt get Kockas tangles out cos didnt have enough hands but the vets were able to do it without sedation.

[barney]

I took Spangles to the vets for this last month, I held her up, veterinary nurse trimmed her and cut all the knots out. Total cost £9, I certainly would not have her sedated for this...

[Gillian Harvey]

The vets said she will end up with a bald patch - I am quite capable of doing that myself 

 

[Mark]

Thanks Gillian,

I told her I need to speak to my partner. I don't think Dennis will want her sedated either. I just need some help to hold her still and I'm sure I could do it myself.

The vets said she will end up with a bald patch - I am quite capable of doing that myself 

I may just swallow my pride and go next door.

[Gillian Harvey]

I wouldnt have her sedated Mark - as Dawn said, its just easier/quicker for vets to sedate them, in most cases though its unnecessary. I've had cats referred to me by vets and I've always been able to shave/cut knots off with no problem, even though these cats have previously been sedated for the procedure several times at the vets. The reason vets have referred cats to me is because either they, or the customer has become concerned about the amount of times the cat has to be sedated, just to get rid of knots.

For just a bit more than the price of that one off 'grooming' session Mark, you could invest in some professional clippers - these are the one I use http://simply2.co.uk/clippers/clipper%20pages/moserarco.html and they work on really big mats. Battery powered and with a spare battery plus charger.

[Dawn F]

yes its a proper pet one, with the clumps star had they were rock hard and so up close to her skin we couldn't cut them off from the root we had to shave the clump until it got thinner and thinner (like cutting a loaf of bread or something), it happened while we were in italy no idea what is was but they weren't normal knots

[Mark]

A proper pet one?

I don't think clippers would work with hard clumps?

[Dawn F]

its a wahl clipper set we got it from argos about £30 almost like a mens haircut thing with lots of different combs

[Mark]

What did you use to clip her?

I wish I could get OH to hold her down while I clipped.

[Dawn F]

I suppose its easier for them if the cat is sedated, we shaved Star ourselves thought it would be less stress for her, if Gillian was closer i would have got her in 

[Mark]

The vet called me and said she would do it but under sedation. I told her I don't believe in sedation unless absolutely necessary. I told her the pills really affected Kylie when we moved. She said she doesn't use pills. She said she uses and injection to make them sleep, does the job, then another injection to wake them up - anyone familiar with this? - she said she checks their heart forst to make sure sedation is safe.

Call out £20
Jabs £18.50
Trimming - dependent on time but around £20

So approx £60 to get clumps out.

It's not the cost but I will need to speak to OH about sedation before going ahead.