Oriental girl: behavioural & coat condition issues

[blackcat]

I am turning into a very bitter person xx

Michelle, with the year you have had I think I would be buying a submachine gun and taking to the crowds at large!! I am sure the person posting on CatChat would understand that.

[sheryl]

It would be lovely if she could be Grand Champion but with her "problems" she is very unlikey to acheive this so maybe just loving her as a pet would be the best thing for the cat, i am sure her previous owner would understand and want whats best for the cat?

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Think that may be that is a bit harsh Michelle. Belle's present owner is grieving for her friend and perhaps at the moment her promise to her friend is uppermost in her mind. With time, and as the world reasserts itself for her, I have no doubt she will realise that, while her friend was very keen for Belle to go Grand, it is the cat's well-being that would have been her friend's first priority. When we are grieving we don't always think as clearly as we might otherwise do ...

You are right Jo.
I am sorry for the comment i left, I am turning into a very bitter person xx

[blackcat]

Think that may be that is a bit harsh Michelle. Belle's present owner is grieving for her friend and perhaps at the moment her promise to her friend is uppermost in her mind. With time, and as the world reasserts itself for her, I have no doubt she will realise that, while her friend was very keen for Belle to go Grand, it is the cat's well-being that would have been her friend's first priority. When we are grieving we don't always think as clearly as we might otherwise do ...

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

From what I understand, Pam just wants to get Belle made up to Champion - something she promised her late owner just before she died.

Isnt it a shame that Belle cant just be a loved pet !
If you ask me she is in the wrong hands - but just my opinion !!

[Reynard]

From what I understand, Pam just wants to get Belle made up to Champion - something she promised her late owner just before she died.

I think that she is on the right track but sometimes it's good to look elsewhere for thoughts and advice, especially when things are a bit fraught. I've met Belle (and clipped her claws of all things...) and she's a lovely cat if a very wilful little madam. 

Will bounce this thread in Pam's direction tho, so thanks for the advice! 

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

I agree with BC and I think the trauma and everything she's been through, surely it's much better for her being spayed and going as a pet where she can chill out and enjoy life which will also help to get her over her grief of losing her owner.

[blackcat]

I do wonder about the wisdom of continuing to breed from a queen who is exhibiting these sorts of behavioural problems. It doesn't really matter if she is an excellent 'type' if the temperament is questionable. I realise that she is in a new environmnent, but seems she has been there a while if Pam has had time to conclude that a behaviourist is required to provide advice over and above her own (presumed) expertise in the matter. If she is not going to settle down after persistent efforts then IMO she really should not be bred from, her temperament is not one that the breed needs to have continued.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

It might be an idea to get her to try some Rescue Remedy as well, I usually use this on my ferals and seems to help in calming them down.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

I agree with the others regarding the showing and I'm glad Pam's decided against it.......if she's an Oriental, they seem to be pretty highly strung so this would be a big factor I would think with her coat.  What would be the chances of her having her spayed?  This would cause problems among other queens and not the ideal environment for her if she's having to be caged because of it.  Sorry I'm not much help but I think the answers should be pretty obvious to this lady's dilemma.

[Reynard]

Pam's decided to stop showing Belle for a while. She's not had Belle for long and Belle probably misses her meowmy hence the stress issue - Belle was bequeathed to Pam when her breeder passed away.

Belle is a queen, as are Pam's cats. Pam breeds the most gorgeous Havanas btw. 

[Millys Mum]

If she has a behaviourist helping her then trying other peoples suggestions out may hinder the professionals work.
Sometimes 2 dominant cats just wont live together, are her girls neutered showcats?

[blackcat]

I have to agree Michelle, if one of my cats had had that adverse a reaction to showing i would not have repeated the experience.

The coat problem is clearly not dietary, so I guess, it might be useful to go back to the breeder and find out it there were similar probs with littermates or relatives.

As for the other behaviours, will have to think about it and give a fuller response once home. But orientials, like siamese, are cats with attitude so it will require some fairly consistent and appropriate response. Will get back to you once i have thought some more.

[Michelle (furbabystar)]

Just read the message on the other board.

The first thing that jumped out was this cat obv wasnt happy going to the cat show. Maybe all things like that could stop until she is feeling a little less stressed.

Other than that i cannot offer any advice but hope she settles down soon bless her xxxx

[Reynard]

Am posting this on behalf of an OC board member. She was bequeathed a blue Oriental girl when the cat's breeder passed away earlier this year and she is having some real issues with the cat. Firstly her coat condition is not very good - the slightest bit of stress is causing it to really go to pot, and then there is a big problem trying to integrate this cat into the existing group in the home.

Here's the link to the post for more info: http://groups.msn.com/OURCATSONLINE/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=29556&all_topics=0

I've suggested Feliway as it appears to be a stress-related problem, but beyond that, this is a little bit out of my area of experience. I'm hoping that some of you more knowlegeable than I can suggest something...