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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 27. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jodie on February 28, 2003, at 23:38:19
Just checking in to see if I'm the only one here
Posted by bozeman on March 1, 2003, at 0:01:23
In reply to Is anyone up???, posted by jodie on February 28, 2003, at 23:38:19
Posted by jodie on March 1, 2003, at 0:05:23
In reply to You're not alone . . . I'm here (nm) » jodie, posted by bozeman on March 1, 2003, at 0:01:23
Posted by jodie on March 1, 2003, at 0:17:13
In reply to Is anyone up???, posted by jodie on February 28, 2003, at 23:38:19
Posted by bozeman on March 1, 2003, at 0:39:30
In reply to Hi Bozeman!!!!!!! How is Zorro? (nm), posted by jodie on March 1, 2003, at 0:05:23
Have to clean his wound twice a day now, got pus behind the scab and that's bad. No new stitches, thank heaven, just keep his current place clean. He thinks he's a kitten, chases me down the hall toward the kitchen at food time. It looks really comical with his bald place and his bandage. :-)
He's gotten really good about the cleanings and medication -- is taking it all very gracefully, much more so than I ever thought he would. You can tell how grateful he is that he's being well cared for. Anyone who thinks cats don't think complex thoughts, has never lived with one and treated it like a people!! They seem to respond in kind to whatever you give them.
Enjoy your TV!!
bozeman
Posted by IsoM on March 1, 2003, at 1:27:40
In reply to Zorro's better. » jodie, posted by bozeman on March 1, 2003, at 0:39:30
I'm so glad Zorro is doing better! Is the pus just a temporary thing? Nothing much I hope. I love your comment about Wally thinking you ARE the bed - like my Medusa. She's been cranky lately as she's feeling a little under the weather. If I go to long between her watery feedings, I can tell her uremia levels build up some & she gets cranky. It can make them feel lousy. When I tried to pick her up tonight to feed her (I had to be gone today), she turned into a wild cat. Got another scratch on my cheek. I'm going to look like I train wild animals soon. Got to clip her claws tomorrow.
Kiss Zorro, Wally, & Sulley for me. What part of you does Wally like to sleep on best? My Medusa loves to sleep stretched across my chest just under my chin.
Posted by lostsailor on March 1, 2003, at 10:24:11
In reply to c'mon Zorro! You can beat her to the kitchen!!. » bozeman, posted by IsoM on March 1, 2003, at 1:27:40
Aurora and I are so happy that Zorro is doing better. Aurora, automaticlly asumed that you hurt your cat on purpose until I explained that it was not pple related. This calmed her a bit and allowed for her to sit in the same room as me but near the door of course.
~tony
Posted by jodie on March 1, 2003, at 19:17:02
In reply to Zorro's better. » jodie, posted by bozeman on March 1, 2003, at 0:39:30
Good!! I am glad he is better. I hope the "pus" thing goes away soon.
Cats are awesome creatures. They think very complex thoughts. They say "thank you" all the time (in there own little way of course, Mike does by laying across my face while trying to sleep & licking me until my face is raw). He is the most talkative cat I've ever had. He will carry on a conversation with me for a very long time. He seems to know exactly what I'm saying to him. Ahhh...Mike, I love him!!!
I hope Zorro continues getting better.
Take care......you too Zorro!!!
Jodie
Posted by bozeman on March 2, 2003, at 23:28:16
In reply to c'mon Zorro! You can beat her to the kitchen!!. » bozeman, posted by IsoM on March 1, 2003, at 1:27:40
Hi IsoM
The boys and I have been sleeping a lot . . . I can't seem to shake this virus or whatever it is. And I know darn well why I have it, it's the fallout of my argument with rabid-wolverine-boy. :-( Some people think I'm avoidant. Maybe I am, because if you get me really pissed off, I have two options -- beat your head in with my bare hands, or the resulting rage-chemical-fallout overloads my immune system and I get sick. Since I've never raised a hand to anyone in my life, and he pushed every last button that I've not yet been able to uninstall, guess which one I'm in right now?
At least I know what causes it. Doesn't make me any less sick, but at least I know why.
Zorro's feeling sassy enough to give me death-dagger looks while I'm cleaning his wound. Vet said it should have kept draining, as we knew he would have a bad infection. The wound crusting wasn't bad per se, but it crusted completely over, hence the pus. So now I have to keep a drain clear until it finishes healing, which it is doing even faster now that I'm doing that. He may only be on meds for another week at the rate he's healing, and we expected at least another three.
Poor Sulley is very lonely, since Wally insists on nursing Zorro, sleeps by his side, grooms his face. Zorro sleeps at the foot of my bed, and Wally sleeps on the other foot, so there's no room for me. Wally loves to sleep on my feet but that hurts too much (joint problems.) So we've worked out a compromise. He sleeps at the foot of the bed until I can't stand being curled into a ball anymore -- then I stretch out and wake him up sliding my feet under him. Then he comes up to the head of the bed and curls up under my right arm, with his head on my shoulder, and stays there until I thrash once too many times, then he moves back to the foot of the bed. Next time I wake up, I pat the bed and he comes back up to see me. Sometimes I wake up and he's laying on my shoulder with his cheek on my cheek (very cute) but his whiskers usually wake me up. If they didn't, I'm sure he'd do that more often. He's a very social cat, bites your chin, presses his nose against yours, sticks his nose in your ear, etc. Once when I had a migraine he came and just pressed his head against my forehead. He's such a snuggle-boy, I can't believe those people at the shelter were going to euthanize him! He was the runt of a large litter that was dumped, and I came along at just the right time. Zorro was lonely and needed a friend, so I went to get him a kitten. Wally was the one I ended up with, as he wrapped his tiny paws around my neck and wailed so loudly when I tried to put him down that I just had to take him. I think he knew somehow, that I was his only chance as they would have done the deed that day if I hadn't adopted him. He was scrawny and sick and had to spend a week in quarantine at the vet, but he's healthy as a horse now and so loving, I don't know what I'd do without him. Sometimes I wake up and he's sleeping in the middle of my chest, with his head tucked under my chin.
Eating butter every day doesn't cure Zorro's hairballs, but he does throw up a lot less often. I guess I'm going to have to start brushing him to get rid of the excess fur, no matter how much he hates it or how much it affronts his dignity. :-) Any ideas on what to use to brush a long-haired, triple-coated, dense-furred cat with an attitude? He's part Russian Blue so he has that triple-layer fur which is nearly impervious. And is crossed with some long-haired something because he has long, silky fur. (Russians usually have coarse fur, so I understand.) Everything I've tried so far, won't penetrate his fur, even one of those bent-wire things that works great on all the other cats.
Hope Medusa's feeling better. How on earth do you know how much to feed her? Trial and error teaches you a lot, I suppose, and Moms can just tell a lot of things. :-)
Zorro's waiting impatiently on the bed, and I must sleep. BTW, I got them a few fresh green beans, and they looked at me like, "Mom, what are these funny toys?" No interest in eating them. Oh, well, it was worth a try. I have another grass crop growing now -- it will be ready in a few days.
Night!
bozeman
Posted by BekkaH on March 3, 2003, at 0:52:49
In reply to Life in kittyland » IsoM, posted by bozeman on March 2, 2003, at 23:28:16
Hello Bozeman,
Have you tried the Science Diet Hairball Remedy? It's a dry cat food that has been very effective for my cats. I tried dry food hairball remedies made by other companies, and they were awful. Most of them gave my cats "the runs," but Science Diet seems to have just the right formula.
Bekka
Posted by jodie on March 3, 2003, at 9:02:40
In reply to Hairball Remedy - bozeman, posted by BekkaH on March 3, 2003, at 0:52:49
Posted by IsoM on March 3, 2003, at 15:53:53
In reply to Life in kittyland » IsoM, posted by bozeman on March 2, 2003, at 23:28:16
I couldn't imagine life without cats. If there weren't cats, I'd have to find another pet that has a similar attitude & lifestyle. I do like dogs but they have to be BIG dogs & I don't want them on my bed. They're too smelly. My cats smell sweet when I bury my face in their fur. Completely diff feel to the fur too.
My Medusa has to sleep the same as your Wally does. The whiskers can tickle, can't they? I have to arrange her sometimes when she insists on sleeping on my chest. Cats have bony elbows & poke uncomfortably in some places. If I sleep on my side, she still tries to lie on top of me so I "roll" her next to me instead. Unlike your other kitties though, mine never hog the bed. I'm boss cat - when I stretch out, I expect them to adjust around me. I've occasionally stretched & shoved one off the bed, but they'll calmly get back on without being upset. (But then I've got a queen size bed to myself.)
I understand about stress & sickness. It's generally when I've been under MAJOR stress that I get sick. Last time was a little over 6 years ago - my marriage was breaking up & I got pneumonia. And I never get sick otherwise!
Make sure you've got your kitties protected against rabies - wolverine boy sounds UNHEALTHY.Three kitties - there's always one that feels left out, isn't there? I suppose my Medusa doesn't mind too much as she dislikes my other two. She can't understand why I tolerate them, let alone cuddle & feed them. And they can't figure why I ever let her in. Poor Sulley, (see? I spelled his name right this time) now HE needs another cat, even if you, Zorro, & Wally don't.
I can see clearly from your description a little Wally holding on tight, crying for you to take him home. It breaks my heart that so many kittens are abandoned or killed each year. I'm glad Wally found a good home with you & Zorro.
I can't offer any ideas on brushing Zorro. I've yet to have a cat that would let me brush him/her. They all regarded brushing as some strange torture & would attack the brush or comb each time they saw it in my hand. That, or either run & hide. ???? My two bean eating cats never cough up hairballs but because Medusa has CRF, I want to be careful with anything I give her. I'll check with the Yahoo CRF cat group I've just joined for some ideas.
I had to experiment with feeding Medusa at first to know how much I could get in her. By searching Google, I found that the stomach capacity of a cat is about 60 cc (ml). But they can hold up to 100-150 cc at one time. But if a cat isn't feeling well or hasn't had food in its stomach for a while, it's best to stick to the low end. So in the morning (after being empty all night), I only give her 50 cc of her watery slurry. A couple hours later, I feed her about 70-80 cc of a thicker mix. It's better for her to have modest amounts every few hours than a large amounts a couple times a day. It helps flush her kidneys more steadily. There's no way a CRF cat can drink enough to manage their kidneys. They wouldn't be thirsty enough. I give her all sorts of extras in her food including enzymes, & it's done her a lot of good. I feed my other two the same food I make for her but they do get other foods too which I don't give her. I love my kitties & treat them well. But then I did the same for my family. I consider it a duty & am glad to.
One day, while preparing a stew, I wish I had a video camera. It was mostly a veggie stew & Mozza (my boy) was sitting on the cupboard watching my every move. He doesn't just like beans but many other veggies too. While I dropped diff veggies in the crock pot, he'd bend his head to one side (like he does when he's trying to be sneaky) & slowly stretch a paw into the pot to scoop out a veggie. A sharp "unh-uh" & the paw would whip out while he look innocent. Finally, I gave him some mushrooms & zucchini to make him happy. Last time I made a batch of Medusa's food, I left the kitchen for a minute & came back to find he had ran off with the broccoli from the pot to eat & not the meat!
About the beans - why not try waggling them around like a toy & get them to play & bite them? It's how Morgana developed a taste for beans. It's funny as I read that one of the oldest cats who lived, loved green beans too. I'm hoping for a long life for at least two of mine.
Posted by BekkaH on March 3, 2003, at 21:49:48
In reply to Re: Life in kittyland » bozeman, posted by IsoM on March 3, 2003, at 15:53:53
> I couldn't imagine life without cats. If there >weren't cats, I'd have to find another pet that >has a similar attitude & lifestyle.
***********************************************Jean Cocteau said, "I love my cats because I love my home, and little by little they become its visible soul."
Posted by kara lynne on March 4, 2003, at 1:02:49
In reply to Re: Life in kittyland - IsoM, posted by BekkaH on March 3, 2003, at 21:49:48
...and make her gently squeak.
Posted by gabbix2 on March 4, 2003, at 12:32:52
In reply to I like to bite my kitty's ear..., posted by kara lynne on March 4, 2003, at 1:02:49
I used to do that to my Kitty, just a nibble, and he'd look up surprised, "where did that come from'?
and then go back to the very serious job of paw cleaning.
When I was very sad and bored once I discovered he had a "magic" scratching spot in the middle of his back. If I scratch it he starts licking the air and moving his head from side to side looking very mechanical.
I used to show it to my friends but I think he caught on, and he doesnt' really do it anymore.
Posted by Ted on March 4, 2003, at 13:28:15
In reply to Life in kittyland » IsoM, posted by bozeman on March 2, 2003, at 23:28:16
My wife has a sweatshirt with that printed on it.
Ted
Posted by gabbix2 on March 4, 2003, at 13:36:37
In reply to The more people I meet the more l like my cat, posted by Ted on March 4, 2003, at 13:28:15
I used to think that was a joke, but the older I got....
Posted by lostsailor on March 6, 2003, at 11:44:27
In reply to Re: The more people I meet the more l like my cat, posted by gabbix2 on March 4, 2003, at 13:36:37
So true. I can only think of one friend that even compares to that of my cat...lol. Despite all I must put her Aurora with my nerosis, she's always by my side. I can handle the bites in return, easily.
~tony
Posted by Zo on March 7, 2003, at 7:05:18
In reply to Re: Life in kittyland - IsoM, posted by BekkaH on March 3, 2003, at 21:49:48
> Jean Cocteau said, "I love my cats because I love my home, and little by little they become its visible soul."
>I am ROFIE (rolling on floor in ecstacy) at that line, much as Wolfie (short for Volfie) does when I croon his name in a particularly idiotic way. Shall have it tattooed at once.
Hi Bekka,
Zo
Posted by BekkaH on March 7, 2003, at 8:27:49
In reply to Re: Life in kittyland - IsoM » BekkaH, posted by Zo on March 7, 2003, at 7:05:18
> > > I am ROFIE (rolling on floor in ecstacy) at that line, much as Wolfie (short for Volfie) does when I croon his name in a particularly idiotic way. Shall have it tattooed at once.>
> Hi Bekka,
>
> Zo
*************************************************
Hi Zo,How nice to see you again!!
Bekka
Posted by Zo on March 7, 2003, at 15:29:29
In reply to I like to bite my kitty's ear..., posted by kara lynne on March 4, 2003, at 1:02:49
. . .SPCA-alert!
Posted by kara lynne on March 7, 2003, at 16:32:53
In reply to Re: I like to bite my kitty's ear... » kara lynne, posted by Zo on March 7, 2003, at 15:29:29
You should hear her when I clip her nails. I'm surprised the neighbors haven't called the SPCA (probably because they're the type of people who shoot pigeons, that I threatened to call the police on). My cat screams like I'm skinning her alive when I do. Unlike when I bite her ear---and she gently squeaks.
Posted by Zo on March 8, 2003, at 3:09:13
In reply to Re: I like to bite my kitty's ear..., posted by kara lynne on March 7, 2003, at 16:32:53
Posted by wendy b. on March 8, 2003, at 14:22:57
In reply to I like to bite my kitty's ear..., posted by kara lynne on March 4, 2003, at 1:02:49
...when Dr. Evil admonishes Mini-Me for doing the same thing:
"No, Mini Me - we do not eat our kit-ties..."
Posted by wendy b. on March 8, 2003, at 15:21:04
In reply to Re: I like to bite my kitty's ear -reminds me of.. » kara lynne, posted by wendy b. on March 8, 2003, at 14:22:57
...my daughter has informed me that Dr Evil says:
"We do not gnaw on our kit-ties."
Mini Me makes a gesture with his thumb and forefinger as if to say "Just a little?" And Dr Evil says something like, "We stroke our kit-ties, we love our kit-ties..."
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