Timid balding cat
#1
10-20-08, 09:57 AM
Timid balding cat
Hi,
I came looking for why my cat may be balding and found a wealth of information,but I still have one issue.
My cat Precious is a beautiful mainecoon,she was very mistreated as a baby,before we rescued her of course, but she still remains very mistrustful. Infact most of my friends are convinced we only have two cats,instead of the three.
Precious started to go bald on her belly & hind legs, thinking she had fleas I treated her with advantage as I did with all the other animals, I vacumed every conceivable area a flea could,live in or on. All the other pets are doing well, but Precious seems to be getting balder. Now I know I need to take her to the vet,but here in lies the problem.
The last time precious had to go to the vet , my husband & I still bear the scars. I am not talking a little scratch here of there I mean we are so scarred that the when we moved from an apt into our house we both wore leather jackets & gloves just to but her in the carrier. When we got her to the vet the last time, she had to be sedated which cost me $100 each time they had to do it, just so that the vet & assistants could take a look at her.They gave her phenobarbatol,twice during that one visit ,which like I said cost me $200. plus the $300 to have her spayed & needles. I don't know about many of you but I can't afford that every visit,
However that is not even the issue, the issue is getting her into her carrier with out all the stress & drama.We have tried everything coaxing her in with tuna,treats,her sister, but its like she sees that carrier and a demon cat is born.Also I would like to be able to take her out at the vets with out them pulling out such a heavy sedative.
We are a family of 6 and poor precious even though we have had her for 6 yrs now, has only ever gotten to know & trust 3 of us,and the third family member she has started to be friendly with is only a recent development. Is there hope for my poor kitty? & How do I get her to a vet safely and without causing her stress? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I tried to fill in as much info about her as possible. Thanx
I came looking for why my cat may be balding and found a wealth of information,but I still have one issue.
My cat Precious is a beautiful mainecoon,she was very mistreated as a baby,before we rescued her of course, but she still remains very mistrustful. Infact most of my friends are convinced we only have two cats,instead of the three.
Precious started to go bald on her belly & hind legs, thinking she had fleas I treated her with advantage as I did with all the other animals, I vacumed every conceivable area a flea could,live in or on. All the other pets are doing well, but Precious seems to be getting balder. Now I know I need to take her to the vet,but here in lies the problem.
The last time precious had to go to the vet , my husband & I still bear the scars. I am not talking a little scratch here of there I mean we are so scarred that the when we moved from an apt into our house we both wore leather jackets & gloves just to but her in the carrier. When we got her to the vet the last time, she had to be sedated which cost me $100 each time they had to do it, just so that the vet & assistants could take a look at her.They gave her phenobarbatol,twice during that one visit ,which like I said cost me $200. plus the $300 to have her spayed & needles. I don't know about many of you but I can't afford that every visit,
However that is not even the issue, the issue is getting her into her carrier with out all the stress & drama.We have tried everything coaxing her in with tuna,treats,her sister, but its like she sees that carrier and a demon cat is born.Also I would like to be able to take her out at the vets with out them pulling out such a heavy sedative.
We are a family of 6 and poor precious even though we have had her for 6 yrs now, has only ever gotten to know & trust 3 of us,and the third family member she has started to be friendly with is only a recent development. Is there hope for my poor kitty? & How do I get her to a vet safely and without causing her stress? Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I tried to fill in as much info about her as possible. Thanx
#2
10-21-08, 08:17 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
Kukaluk,
I am sorry to hear you are having such a challenging time with Precious. I have worked a lot with rescues and abused animals, and it sounds like you need to work more with her in the future, but I won't go into that right now...
What my best suggestion is to contact your vet, and ask for some sedative that you can give her a while before you take her to the vet. Most vets will generally give you a sedative you can mix into a bit of food and it will calm her down a bit, while not totally knocking her out. One I have used in the past is acepromazine (sp).
After re-reading your comments about your vet, I have to ask...how long have you been using your vet? I do totally understand using sedatives with feral/wild cats, and what we (in our household lovingly call) psycho cats, but having to do it twice is something I've not heard of...
You mentioned that she is going bald on her belly. Has she got any crusty spots or is it simply that she's going bald? Does her skin look ulcerated or simply hairless? I ask because many cats will literally lick themselves bald if they are stressed out. I have one that does that right now. Her belly sometimes is fully naked, along with her back inner legs.
I ask about this because if her skin is fine, just bald, she's eating and drinking fine...there may not be a real reason to actually take her to the vet. You may ask your vet if they will come to your house, I know many do this now. It may cost less than the double dosed meds and torn up skin from crating her.
I would suggest, also, asking your vet if there is a way to put money on account, or make payments. Many vets will work with you especially with these hard econimic times.
One thing I am guessing that you may do is bring the carrier to where she can see it before making the move to put her in? A suggestion would be to use a blanket or quilt to catch her, rather than gearing up and making it more stressful on her.
I would also suggest she be seperated, and worked with specifically to better socialize her more. Working closely with her on a daily basis will help. When we first get a rescue they are in one bedroom, usually mine, and hubby and I spend as much time as possible in there, with small treats, and calming chatter, holding, or petting etc. Usually we don't let ferals out into the household until they are as fully socialized as they can be, and easy to handle.
I hope at least some of my suggestions helps...please keep us posted.
I am sorry to hear you are having such a challenging time with Precious. I have worked a lot with rescues and abused animals, and it sounds like you need to work more with her in the future, but I won't go into that right now...
What my best suggestion is to contact your vet, and ask for some sedative that you can give her a while before you take her to the vet. Most vets will generally give you a sedative you can mix into a bit of food and it will calm her down a bit, while not totally knocking her out. One I have used in the past is acepromazine (sp).
After re-reading your comments about your vet, I have to ask...how long have you been using your vet? I do totally understand using sedatives with feral/wild cats, and what we (in our household lovingly call) psycho cats, but having to do it twice is something I've not heard of...
You mentioned that she is going bald on her belly. Has she got any crusty spots or is it simply that she's going bald? Does her skin look ulcerated or simply hairless? I ask because many cats will literally lick themselves bald if they are stressed out. I have one that does that right now. Her belly sometimes is fully naked, along with her back inner legs.
I ask about this because if her skin is fine, just bald, she's eating and drinking fine...there may not be a real reason to actually take her to the vet. You may ask your vet if they will come to your house, I know many do this now. It may cost less than the double dosed meds and torn up skin from crating her.
I would suggest, also, asking your vet if there is a way to put money on account, or make payments. Many vets will work with you especially with these hard econimic times.
One thing I am guessing that you may do is bring the carrier to where she can see it before making the move to put her in? A suggestion would be to use a blanket or quilt to catch her, rather than gearing up and making it more stressful on her.
I would also suggest she be seperated, and worked with specifically to better socialize her more. Working closely with her on a daily basis will help. When we first get a rescue they are in one bedroom, usually mine, and hubby and I spend as much time as possible in there, with small treats, and calming chatter, holding, or petting etc. Usually we don't let ferals out into the household until they are as fully socialized as they can be, and easy to handle.
I hope at least some of my suggestions helps...please keep us posted.
#3
10-21-08, 08:48 AM
Thank-u very much!
Actually after they sedated Precious twice, we switched vets,not only because of the cost but more because I felt that was a heavy sedative for such a small cat.I don't know much about these things but anyone I have talked to tells me that was not nessasary.
Precious is only balding, her skin does not look red or inflamed in any waythere are no scabs,or anything like that.
Precious is very loving with me & My youngest daughter & will sleep with either the two of us, when she wants something she always comes to us meows and taps us,she has recently started to do this to my husband as well. So when you say we need to socialize her more do you mean with our three teen daughters that she avoids? We have always felt she was smart for avoiding teen girls.lol. All kidding aside should I be getting them to come into my room and getting to know her? We have noticed she is getting better,socially we moved into our house 1&1/2 yrs ago & she use to stay mainly in the basement but for the past few months she wonders the entire house,no matter who is home,she use to only come up when I was home alone.
I am calling my Vet this afternoon to ask for either a sedative or house call. Thank-you very much, you have been very helpful.
Actually after they sedated Precious twice, we switched vets,not only because of the cost but more because I felt that was a heavy sedative for such a small cat.I don't know much about these things but anyone I have talked to tells me that was not nessasary.
Precious is only balding, her skin does not look red or inflamed in any waythere are no scabs,or anything like that.
Precious is very loving with me & My youngest daughter & will sleep with either the two of us, when she wants something she always comes to us meows and taps us,she has recently started to do this to my husband as well. So when you say we need to socialize her more do you mean with our three teen daughters that she avoids? We have always felt she was smart for avoiding teen girls.lol. All kidding aside should I be getting them to come into my room and getting to know her? We have noticed she is getting better,socially we moved into our house 1&1/2 yrs ago & she use to stay mainly in the basement but for the past few months she wonders the entire house,no matter who is home,she use to only come up when I was home alone.
I am calling my Vet this afternoon to ask for either a sedative or house call. Thank-you very much, you have been very helpful.
#4
10-21-08, 08:10 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Kukaluk,
I am glad you have changed vets, as that was something that bothered me with your original post. I have handled, as has several of the vets I have used and worked with over the years, totally feral cats, without really heavy sedation. Yes they were sedated, but not double dosed and definitely not the way it sounded from your post.
As for the socializing, I was not sure how *out and about in the house* Precious was. It sounds like she is making adjustments, and the only thing I would suggest is that if given the opportunity, each member of the household try to touch, talk, pet or stroke her daily if possible...as it is the best way to get her over her skittishness. I applaud you for hanging in there, and keeping her. Many people don't bother if a cat doesn't come around within a few short days.
Since she is only balding, and has not other signs of problems with her skin, it may simply be nerves. Do see if you can manage, without too much stress to get her to the vet, but as I said before, if she is acting perfectly normal in every other way, it may not be critical.
Ask your vet about adding fish oils to her diet to see if that helps with the balding. Sometimes it can simply be overgrooming, and the fish oils are good for the coat and skin, and inexpensive as well. You can get them at most vitamin and supplement stores.
Do keep us posted and let us know how things turn out with Precious.
I am glad you have changed vets, as that was something that bothered me with your original post. I have handled, as has several of the vets I have used and worked with over the years, totally feral cats, without really heavy sedation. Yes they were sedated, but not double dosed and definitely not the way it sounded from your post.
As for the socializing, I was not sure how *out and about in the house* Precious was. It sounds like she is making adjustments, and the only thing I would suggest is that if given the opportunity, each member of the household try to touch, talk, pet or stroke her daily if possible...as it is the best way to get her over her skittishness. I applaud you for hanging in there, and keeping her. Many people don't bother if a cat doesn't come around within a few short days.
Since she is only balding, and has not other signs of problems with her skin, it may simply be nerves. Do see if you can manage, without too much stress to get her to the vet, but as I said before, if she is acting perfectly normal in every other way, it may not be critical.
Ask your vet about adding fish oils to her diet to see if that helps with the balding. Sometimes it can simply be overgrooming, and the fish oils are good for the coat and skin, and inexpensive as well. You can get them at most vitamin and supplement stores.
Do keep us posted and let us know how things turn out with Precious.
#5
10-28-08, 07:11 AM
update.
Hi again,
Thank-you again for your advice, I did call my vet,and they were able to give me a milder sedative,so that I could take Precious into the vet. It was a much more pleasant experience for everyone.
Precious is in good health, the vet felt that she perhaps had something stuck to her fur that she was trying to get rid of. and upon cleaning the basement out this weekend,and finding a can of spilled paint,behind the furnace with little paw prints through it,we think the vet may be right.
I called the vet to tell her it may have been paint precious chewed out of her fur,and was told not to worry? Last I checked paint was toxic?
We have also gotten the older girls to spend some one on one time with precious,thats a little slower going but,we are a patient bunch.
Thank-you again for your advice, I did call my vet,and they were able to give me a milder sedative,so that I could take Precious into the vet. It was a much more pleasant experience for everyone.
Precious is in good health, the vet felt that she perhaps had something stuck to her fur that she was trying to get rid of. and upon cleaning the basement out this weekend,and finding a can of spilled paint,behind the furnace with little paw prints through it,we think the vet may be right.
I called the vet to tell her it may have been paint precious chewed out of her fur,and was told not to worry? Last I checked paint was toxic?
We have also gotten the older girls to spend some one on one time with precious,thats a little slower going but,we are a patient bunch.
#6
10-30-08, 06:41 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Kukaluk,
So glad to hear the vet visit went without such a stressful time for all. Sometimes all it takes is the right vet to help out!
I think that your working more with the girls spending time with Precious will eventually bring her around to being much less antisocial overall. Cats tend to be pretty independent anyways, but at least if all of the family members can approach her and handle her, it makes over all for a better situation.
Glad to hear that overall the news was good for all involved. *Smiles*
So glad to hear the vet visit went without such a stressful time for all. Sometimes all it takes is the right vet to help out!
I think that your working more with the girls spending time with Precious will eventually bring her around to being much less antisocial overall. Cats tend to be pretty independent anyways, but at least if all of the family members can approach her and handle her, it makes over all for a better situation.
Glad to hear that overall the news was good for all involved. *Smiles*
