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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Catgirl on September 21, 2004, at 18:54:57
I just bought some ear wipes for my cat and they work quite well! They are called Kitty Ear Wipes (I know, very original name) and are made by Petkin. I got them at PetSmart. My cat tolerated them much better than a Q-tip cleaning and they didn't leave his ears sopping wet.
Posted by Ilene on September 22, 2004, at 17:57:45
In reply to Tip for cat lovers, posted by Catgirl on September 21, 2004, at 18:54:57
It never occurred to be that there would be such a thing as kitty ear wipes. One of my cats gets dirty ears and *loves* having me clean them with a q-tip. He drools when I do it. The other cat's ears stay clean.
Posted by Catgirl on September 22, 2004, at 19:30:44
In reply to Re: Tip for cat lovers, posted by Ilene on September 22, 2004, at 17:57:45
> It never occurred to be that there would be such a thing as kitty ear wipes. One of my cats gets dirty ears and *loves* having me clean them with a q-tip. He drools when I do it. The other cat's ears stay clean.
That's great that your cat enjoys having his ears cleaned! The last time the vet cleaned my cat's ears, they had to muzzle him!
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on September 23, 2004, at 0:50:30
In reply to Tip for cat lovers, posted by Catgirl on September 21, 2004, at 18:54:57
With this new kitty in the home, he seems to go blastic when you pick him up. He even uses his back feet to try to claw you up. I have never seen a cat skirm about so much like this, but I do not know his history. I am trying to pet him regularly and use his new name often. I brush him and I got him introduced to one of my cats. That went really well. The other cat hisses at him. Do you have any suggestions about this wild act he does when I pick him up?
Posted by AuntieMel on September 23, 2004, at 13:42:55
In reply to Re: question about this kitty's behavior, posted by Shadowplayers721 on September 23, 2004, at 0:50:30
He's doing it because it scares him. Remember the last few times he got picked up? To get tossed out of a car, to go to the vet, to come back from the vet. All his pickups led to a car, which is associated with bad experiences.
Time will eventually work, but you could do the kitty version of immersion therapy. Wrap him in a blanket and pick him up for a couple of minutes, talking in a soothing voice the whole time. Snuggling a bit. Don't hold him too long, but be sure that when he gets back down, it's you putting him down and not him escaping. Repeat often, allowing the time to gradually increase.
As he gets used to the idea that pickup doesn't mean car he'll be happy with the idea.
Posted by Catgirl on September 23, 2004, at 17:39:17
In reply to Re: question about this kitty's behavior, posted by Shadowplayers721 on September 23, 2004, at 0:50:30
I agree with AuntieMel's good advice. The only thing I would add is to make sure his feet are supported when you pick him up. Some cats don't care about that, but others get freaked out by the hanging feeling.
I also adopted an abused cat (God rest his furry soul), and he came around. He started out afraid and skiddish. He was especially afraid of brooms. Eventually, he became more trusting and he was always very glad to have a good home.
good luck!
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on September 24, 2004, at 1:10:26
In reply to Re: question about this kitty's behavior » Shadowplayers721, posted by AuntieMel on September 23, 2004, at 13:42:55
Sure sounds like it's going to take time. He is sweet. He loves to sit in your lap. My male persian wants to groom him, but he hasn't wanted that yet. The other persian appears to be jealous or scared of this snow white and cream colored angel that was thrown my way. Boy, he is shedded big time. I bet that can be from nerves too. Poor boy has really been through the works. I appreciate everyone's advice. I can sure use it. My house is feeling like a petting zoo with the new large dog and now a new cat added to the two cats already residing in this little house. It's been good for my depression.
Posted by Catgirl on September 24, 2004, at 19:46:16
In reply to Re: question about this kitty's behavior, posted by Shadowplayers721 on September 24, 2004, at 1:10:26
Doesn't it feel good to have someone to take care of, a furry someone(s) who can't wait for you to get home? :)
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on October 1, 2004, at 1:51:01
In reply to Re: question about this kitty's behavior, posted by Catgirl on September 24, 2004, at 19:46:16
I started to realize that the kitty is totally deaf. The kitty can't hear anything. I knew something was different, but I just noticed the behavior. One of my cats, acts indifferent toward the deaf cat, because he does interact with the other cats differently. The deaf cat wants to touch the other cats with his body when he passes and the others don't like it. Also, he wants to sit next to them. He is way more playful than the other cats too. His meow is barely there. I am trying to be consistent in my hand signals, so he will know what certain sign means. He appears to be very intelligent.
Posted by Catgirl on October 1, 2004, at 19:11:50
In reply to kitty**UPDATE**, posted by Shadowplayers721 on October 1, 2004, at 1:51:01
> I started to realize that the kitty is totally deaf. The kitty can't hear anything. I knew something was different, but I just noticed the behavior. One of my cats, acts indifferent toward the deaf cat, because he does interact with the other cats differently. The deaf cat wants to touch the other cats with his body when he passes and the others don't like it. Also, he wants to sit next to them. He is way more playful than the other cats too. His meow is barely there. I am trying to be consistent in my hand signals, so he will know what certain sign means. He appears to be very intelligent.
Wow! You're the first person I've heard of with a deaf cat. Hmmm, do you think the vet could do anything?
Also, I think that the other cats will get used to his behavior.
Posted by ron1953 on October 1, 2004, at 20:07:43
In reply to kitty**UPDATE**, posted by Shadowplayers721 on October 1, 2004, at 1:51:01
His deafness may be the result of feline distemper. I've seen it before.
Posted by Shadowplayers721 on October 2, 2004, at 0:42:01
In reply to Re: kitty**UPDATE**, posted by Catgirl on October 1, 2004, at 19:11:50
The vet really didn't offer any suggestions except for keeping him inside at all times. He is very active fella. He is running with the other two tonight. He really watches them to know whats going on. He follows them and me a lot. Due to his deafness, he sleeps very soundly. He really is teaching me things.
This is the end of the thread.
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