Topic: Advice please - agraphobic cat in flat (Read 9694 times)

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #38 on:** May 02, 2008, 11:29:25 AM »

Yay, excellent news

Looking forward to hearing more about her when she's settled in

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #37 on:** May 01, 2008, 20:26:57 PM »

Aww, good luck for Mon

Maddiesmum · « **Reply #36 on:** May 01, 2008, 20:25:43 PM »

That's fantastic. Can't wait to see pix of ET (love the name cos I love ET)

wharfevalley catsprotection · « **Reply #35 on:** May 01, 2008, 20:21:20 PM »

Yey!!!!!!!!!!!!

We look forward to LOTS of pictures when she arrives! You must be so excited, I remember waiting for the day Katie was arriving and it was so exciting!

Kate · « **Reply #34 on:** May 01, 2008, 19:04:00 PM »

RSPCA just called - ET's tests have come back negative and she is moving in Monday!!
Logging onto to Parcel pets to order her a bunch of goodies

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #33 on:** April 29, 2008, 08:28:07 AM »

Snap tests are done for speed, they show results in 10-15 mins, but any positives need following up. My vet personally only does tests sent to Glasgow, which i much prefer, and they are only £35ish (although the rescues vet charged me £60 for the same thing!!). I do hope everything comes back fine.

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #32 on:** April 28, 2008, 18:33:02 PM »

Really hope everything works out for little ET

Kate · « **Reply #31 on:** April 28, 2008, 17:38:03 PM »

Oh dear, I hope they do the proper tests as I don't think I can say no to homing her if a snap test shows negative..
Sorry to sound niave and I'm sure you guys are the experts but surely decent vets don't use unrelaible tests? Also, a 5% false positive rate does not take into account baseline infection rates (about 10%) which means the true risk is much lowver. Maybe I'll ring my vet for advice, although if they do come back positive and I find out it's a snap test I will insist on re-testing.

Feeling worried and sad as I so want to home her, she purrs like an outboard motor when you stroke her, you tell she is desperate for a family of her own. (And six square meals a day, she is skin and bone).

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #30 on:** April 28, 2008, 08:19:55 AM »

The RSPCA tend to do snap tests, which can show both false positives and false negatives. Glasgow (who are one of only two places that can do the most accurate test), asked vets to send samples for them to check, 7% of FIV showed a false positive, 5% showed a false negative and 42% of FeLV showed a false positive - I dont think they mentioned false negatives for FeLV. The reason FeLV is so high is that cats can actually shed the disease, so any positives should be rechecked in 3 months, but I know my RSPCA branch don't do that. My vet doesnt do in house tests for it, they send all theirs off. I hope she is negative for both.

Kate · « **Reply #29 on:** April 28, 2008, 07:33:07 AM »

Thansk Desley. Am I right and thinkin g that with vet tests that negative results can be trusted but false positives are an issue? I am not sure what tests the RSPCA use, but I would hope they know what they are doing.....

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #28 on:** April 27, 2008, 20:00:07 PM »

Aww, good luck for the tests, although do ask which test they have done, as the in house tests aren't fully accurate. For the accurate tests, you have to wait for a week for the results.

Kate · « **Reply #27 on:** April 27, 2008, 18:10:46 PM »

Well ET came to visit, she is in such a sorry state! Very thin indeed although the RSPCA offceir did say she was putting on wieght. She ate a whole whiskers pouch while she was here and then came over to myself and OH for some fuss and started purring. So she has won our hearts (including OH's) but as she not been tested for Feliv and FIV we have asked for these tests to be done before we home her (as per my other post OH does not want to take on a cat with these problems, but to be fair he is willing to take on a very sorry looking golden oldie!) We are paying for the tests so hopefully RSPCA do not mind too much. Fingers crossd she will be back in a few days!! Kate

Kate · « **Reply #26 on:** April 27, 2008, 09:57:45 AM »

I don't know ET does suit her at the mo as she looks very much like ET. I guess we'll have to meet her and find out who she wants to be. New litter tray and cat bowl purchased in case she stays! (well temp stuff until I abuse my credit card on parcel pets getting top of the ranage stuff, why I think a cat cares what she drinks her water out of I don't know, although a top of the range hooded tray is a must!)

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #25 on:** April 26, 2008, 22:23:24 PM »

Aww, fingers crossed for Honey's home, and I am glad you get to give a home to a needy oldie. i am sure she will do really well with her - are you going to change her name?

JackSpratt · « **Reply #24 on:** April 26, 2008, 12:43:38 PM »

Good luck with ET, Kate!

Kate · « **Reply #23 on:** April 26, 2008, 11:42:52 AM »

Yes - I have no qualms about keeping her indoors as she is an old lady who just wants a fire and cuddles.

wharfevalley catsprotection · « **Reply #22 on:** April 26, 2008, 11:37:44 AM »

Oooh that's great news Kate! I hope that she likes the house and settles ok (i'm sure that she will!)

Hopefully the brother with get Honey spayed!!!

Kate · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2008, 11:25:22 AM »

Hi all,

Well in a turn of events the friend's brother decided to take honey the cat himself. So the good news is honey has a new home, the bad news is it won't be with me. Meanwhile a maan from the RSPCA is brining the golden oldie "ET" wo I enquired about a week ago round tomorrow, he'll do our homecheck at the same time. If she likes us and we like her than she'll move in straight away! She is quite a state, with her long hair shaved where it had become matted and she neeeds feeding up!

will post tomorrow with another update.

Kate

wharfevalley catsprotection · « **Reply #20 on:** April 24, 2008, 10:58:06 AM »

I think if she's been kept in anyway, even if she does show an interest in going out when she's been spayed, most cats adapt to an indoor life really well.

We re-home lots of cats to indoor situations and as long as they haven't been used to woodland and field etc and we know they're not really bothered about it, then i'm sure it would be fine!

Good luck with whatever you decide

Dawn F · « **Reply #19 on:** April 24, 2008, 09:48:53 AM »

a friend of mine took a cat from cat chat a couple of years ago, the owner was emigrating, he had outside access but didn't enjoy it, he has completely settled into an indoor life

Kate · « **Reply #18 on:** April 24, 2008, 09:46:40 AM »

Hmmmm this adds another layer of complication! If I home her and spay her and then she wants to go out then I will have a real diliema as there is a busy road nearby, I would not want to keep an outdoor cat indoors......oh well I will got to meet her on saturday and make a decision from there. i understand why you lovely rescue people can think the worst of people, as you see the worst.

Dawn F · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2008, 08:42:55 AM »

Kate - she could completely change out of her current situation - sometimes we don't choose the cats, they choose us!

Hippykitty · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2008, 08:34:49 AM »

Desley, could it be possible that there is a local tom who keeps trying to mount her each time she goes out and that she dislikes his attentions and finds it bullying? In this case, spaying may solve the problem of her agoraphobia.

Desley (booktigger) · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2008, 22:22:07 PM »

Good luck in your decision, but if you dont home this cat, do mention that she is putting her health at risk - while she can't get pregnant, she can get pyometra, which is a womb infection that can be fatal in cats, and later in life, there are cancer risks. IT is unusual for an unnetuered female not to want to go outside though.

wharfevalley catsprotection · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2008, 18:09:41 PM »

Hi Kate,

Sorry my reply sounded harsh, it's just when you deal day after day with people who have forgotten to spay their females and then expect us to come and clear up the mess, it gets frustrating. Her being un-spayed may also be contributing to her behaviour and she may find that if she gets her spayed, then she may calm down and be able to go out like the other cat.

Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us up to date.

Dealing with yukky people all day makes me always think that worst in people as more often then not, it turns out to be right!!!

Kate · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2008, 18:05:58 PM »

Hi,

I'm sure the other one is neutered. I really don't think we should be hard on this lady, i think she did intend to get her spayed but with the stress of two very young children time has simply lapsed. The cat does not go out so is not at risk of being pregnant. I'm sure this lady will home her responsibly, the only reason I am allowed to view her is becuase my workmate can give me a cat-care reference! We all made mistakes, I let the insurance on my cat last year lapse and she got sick, I felt so irresponsible, it was just one of those task (renewing the insurance) I kept putting off. Luckily we could afford the bills (over £500 ouch!) and would never be without insurance now. Life is busy and sometime we forget the importantthings, no matter how good our intentions.

but please rest assured i would have this little girl spayed and I will pass on details of RSPCA and CP if I decide not to hoem her myself.

Kate

wharfevalley catsprotection · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2008, 17:59:14 PM »

Hi Kate

I would say that it sounds like the youngster would be much better off in your care than that of the person who is caring for her now. Again, I won't lecture about her being un-neutered but at least you are willing to do this and care for her properly! I only live in a one bedroomed flat and my cat is mostly indoors and I got her when she was a lively 5 year old and she's absolutely fine! Just lots of toys and playing sessions and that's fine.

If she's very lively, it might not be wise to get something that is quite elderly as the youngster might pester the older one and may upset it by wanting to play all the time. On the other hand, when my cat wants a break (even just from me) she curls herself up in the airing cupboard so as long as you're aware of the difference in ages and the fact that the older one may need a break once in a while i'm sure you'll be fine.

If you end up not taking the youngster, can you please make sure that the owner gets in touch with either Cats Protection or the RSPCA so that the cat can be neutered. She sounds like the kind of person who may panic and put the cat up on the internet for adoption where people specifically scout for un-neutered females that they can use to breed in kitten farms. If the cat produces kittens it is unlikely that a charity will be able to take them in immediately and if she doesn't like a litter, boy is she not going to like kitten who just poo and wee all the time!

Sorry for the long reply, just reading about how the cat is being kept makes me very angry. Do you know if the other cat is neutered?

Jen

Kate · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2008, 17:39:20 PM »

Thanks all for your comments. yes I don't know why she is not spayed and to be honest even if she were full of kittens at least I would have the time and love to find them the right homes, where as my workmate's friend sounds completely stressed out. I think this unlikely though as she never goes out. I would of course get her spayed asap. Off to meet her on saturday so I will have more information then, although it may be too late as I am bound to fall in love with her....

I am also meeting a oldie from the RSPCA, who is in need of love as she is longhaired and her coat became matted due to neglect, so the poor little mite has been shaved. It is difficult know what to do tfor the best as this cat is very old and perhaps not very well. Whilst I am happy to take on an oldie I would like not to have go through the pain of loseing a pet for at least another two years and I don't know how likely that is with this cat. On the hand she could flourish in our care and have several years of happy retirement.

tiga · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2008, 16:28:28 PM »

I live in a two bed flat and was looking to adopt two older cats as they needed to be happy indoors. I ended up with Digby and Riley who are between 1-2 years as they were rescued from an indoor situation so were fine to be indoors. I was still a bit worried that they would be bored indoors but they are absolutely fine. THey have lots of toys, cat trees, hiding places etc to keep them amused. I also play with them a lot when I'm not working.

Digby is more energetic than Riley but they are fine indoors - although I think they would be fine outdoors too. If this cat likes the indoors and needs a home I would go for it if you like her once you have seen her.

Hippykitty · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2008, 16:26:17 PM »

Just a thought: she's 14mths old and not spayed.......mmmmmhhhh.....could she be pregnant? She's been going out and may have been 'caught' early in heat and have a tummy full of kittens. Beware about this. I could lecture about how irresponsible it was of your workmate's friends to let her be unspayed until this age. Just be careful you're not taking on half a dozen cats!

If this isn't the case, it does seem suspicious that they want to get rid of her and not the other. Meet the cat and her current owners and see what you think. It could just be a case of them not being bothered with her.

If you take her on, get her spayed and vaccinated etc immediately. Also, don't leave it too long before you get the second cat. If the one you take on is a dominant cat, get one who is a little shy and vice versa. Don't get two dominant cats. In my experience this combination works best.

Good luck.

Kate · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2008, 22:19:57 PM »

Hi,

Sorry to hear about Parsley. It is so sad when cats lose their friends, my last cat Rosie had a sister when she came to us, who sadly died of cancer after just a few months. Hearing her cry for her sister was heart-breaking, I think she did not want to be around without her sister. But it is good to know oldies and youngsters can be close, perhaps I can home 2 cats after all, this younger one and a golden oldie.

Thanks you all your advice,

Kate

JackSpratt · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2008, 20:54:17 PM »

One of my older girls, Parsley was already about seven or eight when I took on Little Cat. We assumed the youngest cat in our group would interact with her most - we were wrong! Parsley and Little Cat had long "running around the house" sessions and became known in our house as "The Terrible Tabby Twins."

Sadly, we lost Parsley to a stroke last year (she was 15) and I have to say that out of the group, Little Cat took the longest to adjust to her playmate not being around anymore. (It as pretty upsetting to be honest.) So if you're considering taking on an older cat too, don't underestimate the impact on the younger cat if it bonded a lot and then lost its friend.

Sorry, just trying to think of all angles! There are increasingly as many young cats needing homes as older cats, sadly.

Kate · « **Reply #6 on:** April 22, 2008, 20:09:35 PM »

Thanks Helen - my thoughts exactly. I guess I could always have an oldie as well, as long as they got on. But maybe an oldie would not want to play with a young one. still, I think most rescues will let you home a cat on a trial basis so could try this approach. It is a difficult one!

Tiggy's Mum · « **Reply #5 on:** April 22, 2008, 20:04:03 PM »

It's a difficult one, I have two youngsters (they are now 1yr 2 months) who for the first year of their life lived in a spacious 2 bed flat. They were absoultely fine as they had lots of toys, climbing towers and of course love and interaction from me. Importantly they also had each other to play with, I personally feel that if cats are indoors (whether through their choice or ours) it's much better to have two cats.

It also seems a 'shame' to not adopt an older cat as they are so often overlooked but this little girl needs a home too, like I said - a difficult choice!

Kate · « **Reply #4 on:** April 22, 2008, 19:36:31 PM »

hi Jack Spratt,

Thanks for your reply. The main issue with this cat is her indoor-ness means she has to have a tray, which the small children keep going through! I think the lady in question is just overwhelmed by it all. The other cat goes out and does not need a tray. you're right she may not actually want the company of another cat, I'll have to visit her to find out. Apparantly this one is a bit of a handful although some of this may be due to the fact she has not been neutered yet. (I would have this done).

Worried if I visit I will just fall in love with her, so i want to think through the issues first. Have just been surfing for cats toys to keep her amused!

kate

blackcat · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2008, 19:33:15 PM »

Once you have resolved JS's question, a younger cat living indoors will do just fine as long as she has plenty to keep her entertained with caves, and climbing places and toys etc.

JackSpratt · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2008, 19:25:59 PM »

Does she actually interact with the other cat? Just because she lives with another cat now doesn't mean that's her ideal situation. Some cats are quite happy to have just human company and others aren't.

I understand you wanting to offer a home to an older cat (If there were more people around that would rescues would have less of a hard time!) but this little one needs a home too.

Also, I'm confused - your workmate said the lady couldn't cope with this cat and her children; but she has another cat? What makes that one "manageable" and this one not?

Kate · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2008, 19:11:15 PM »

Hi all,

Since my post yersterday in the rehoming section a workmate and told me about a friend who is looking to re-home her 14 month year old girl as she cannot cope with the cat and her young children. the cat is, in her words agraphobic, she hates to to go outgoors so much that will climb brickwork to get into an open window. As I am looking for an indoor cat due to a busy road nearby this suits me well. However I was looking for an older puss (or 2) as my flat is one-bed, a spacious one bed and cats can have free rein but it is not a very large flat. My last cats were 10 year old heater-lovers they jus moved from one sleeping place to another so it was not a problem for them. Do you think this cat will go stir crazy in a smaller property? Also she has the company of another cat at present, I worry about her getting lonely. Of course I search for another indoor friend for her in time. Any views? she sounds like a lovely cat, but her welfare must come first.

thanks very much in advance

Kate

Author Topic: Advice please - agraphobic cat in flat (Read 9694 times)