Clumps on Kylie's back

[Mark]

Good idea. I will see how it goes and call one in if need be. She is only short haired so there shouldn't really be any need 

[Millys Mum]

If you dont want a drive to the vet you could get a groomer to come to you, they will have restraint technique and get it over and done with 

[Mark]

Well I managed about 20 seconds or separating the clump before I got a warning nip - so will do that a couple of times a day over the next few days to see how it goes. when it is a bit looser, I will try to brush her but that really gets her back up (no pun) 

[Mark]

I will try the clippers as it's one big clump really. Wahl UK is in Herne Bay - about 10 minutes in the car and they have a factory shop 

When I used the vet next door, he had a technique of separating the hairs. He said it was something he did when other vets would probably sedate and clip but he managed to do it OK every time.

Thinking about it, we have a spare pair of regular clippers as we cut eachothers hair sometimes . We got a basic pair but they didn't cut neatly enough so we got a premium pair. Maybe te basic ones will do the job? - I don't want to get her fur caught up in the blades 

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

My big lad Boris had to be shaved down the middle of his back, and also one of my ferals.  I'm not sure why some of them go like this unless it's when they don't groom themselves properly.  With Boris, I think because of his size he couldn't reach certain areas properly, and the feral I've got is an epileptic and not in the best of health.  I tried the usual combing it out but I had to admit defeat and get the vets to shave them.  I hope you manage to do her without having to resort to the vets but if you need to get her in, it doesn't make you a bad daddy, these things happen   

[Gillian Harvey]

It's just a small area in the middle of her back about 3 - 4 inches up from her tail. I didn't know short haired cats could get this 

I see it quite often in shorthaired cats Mark - you could try this little battery trimmer http://www.mad4ponies.com/acatalog/wahl_pocket_pro_trimmers.html - if you think she'll tolerate the sound of them running, they're not too noisy and they're tiny - so you can sort of hide them in your hand and then whip 'em out before she realises whats going on!  Or, you could try the matt breaker  http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/prodinfo.asp?number=MATTBREAK&variation= - its a bladed comb and it'll work on smallish knots.

[Mark]

Thanks people. I will keep an eye on her but don't want to put her through the stress of 1/2 hour each way in the car unless she is suffering from it. I will try to do a bit each day when she has her fish which requires 100% concentration from her  . My old vet next door had a great way of separating the fur to un-clump it. I just don't want her getting a sore back 

It's just a small area in the middle of her back about 3 - 4 inches up from her tail. I didn't know short haired cats could get this 

[candyshandy]

Mum has this problem with Oscar - he will not tolerate any form of grooming and I wouldn't mess with him thats for sure!

He is off to the vets to have it whipped off - unfortunately this is the only solution for him.

[Christina]

hi, i dont have much advice on this im afraid, but just wanted to say your not a bad dad. the fact your so upset over it shows you must ba a brilliant dad as you care so much. i hope you find a solution to this. can the vets not do anything for you, like shave/ clip her for you?

[Desley (booktigger)]

I had this problem with Ginger, and I put his supper biscuits in front of him while i did a small part of him every night. And when he had his checkups at the vet, I got them to do some (needed two of us to hold him to do him properly). Surprisingly though, changing his food from Whiskas to HiLife stopped it.

[Mark]

She had this a few years ago - due to her size, she has grooming problems (she is on a diet but not going well) The vet got them out and she managed OK for the longest time. She is no heavier now but has these clumps. She hates being groomed and it is the only time she gets vicious - she will sink her teeth right in so it isn't a case of biting the bulltet with her, she really does get nasty. I am trying to get a couple of swipes a day in the hope that it will loosen over time. I have tried every kind of brush going - the latest is like a hairbrush. I have tried, mitts, the wires ones, hard ones, soft ones etc but she won't have t. I feel like a bad dad as she really shouldn't be in this state.