Archive through January 01, 2014

[aschumacher]

8 Signs your cat maybe a dog !
http://www.wimp.com/eightsigns/

 

[cmcleod]

Allen, that was a great video. I loved the " he's not to bright" part..duhh, where did it GO?
and the last one..he never leaves your side..that so reminded me how Marlin and Fancy are more often then not.

Cath

 

[wshytle]

OK. It's getting like a circus around here. Lynda has decided to go into her first heat which pisses me off. I wanted so bad to have her spayed before now but I just haven't been able to get around to it. I'm paying now. She is soooooo vocal to the point she had me looking at my shotgun last night. It has also helped me determine that the new stray IS a male. He was jumping on her right by the front door this morning so she had to come in. I can't let her out now until she gets fixed which will be asap.

Does anyone know how long these heat cycles last??? I've searched the web and can't find anything as to the length or time involved. I raised labs for over 30 years and they were never this problematic.

Being in heat must drain her of energy because when I bring her in she just wants to sleep quietly (during the day only). I haven't had a good nights rest for 3 nights now and just figured this heat crap out yesterday.

This sort of crap always happens at the most inopportune times...like the holidays or weekends when the vet is closed. I am starting the hunt for an available vet tomorrow morning. I had Barney and Millie done by a mobile vet operation called SNAP here in central NC. It went great and they were home that evening.

 

[wshytle]

Here's a pic of the new trouble maker.

He's a handsome fellow but I honestly wish he had taken up at some other home. I'm thinking about doing the TNR (trap, neuter, return) and just keep him as an fulltime outdoor pet. Even if I do that he will eventually catch on to the routine around here and come inside.

Millie has really copped an attitude with Lynda and boxes her around left and right. She and Barney have sort of accepted the stray guy and have begun ignoring him.

I'm always left on the outside looking in.

Please, if anyone knows how long these heat cycles from hell last I really need to know.

 

[mhomrighausen]

Wayne S. Angel is resting right now so I'll let her know when she awakens about the heat cycle. Your new little guy is one handsome fella. And does he ever look at you like you're one awesome Daddy to him.

 

[fcurrier]

Here, first:
http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/advice/cats/197-how-long-do-cats-stay-in-heat.htm

Then here:http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/15684

 

[wshytle]

Thanks a million Frank-

The reading was very informative...depressing, but informative.

I'm now wondering what to expect from getting a cat in heat fixed. The articles stated that some vets won't do the operation until they go out of heat yet the cat can stay in heat a long time.

Poor Lynda seems quite uncomfortable. She howls almost all of the time and crouches down with her butt stuck up a little. I thought I was fairly well seasoned with what goes on in domestic animals but I never had a clue about this crap.

The stray may have gotten to her but time will tell. She isn't going outside again until this heat crap is history.

I'm calling in the morning to arrange things and I just hope they can happen asap.

 

[wshytle]

I just looked back on the picture I posted of the stray. It looks like he's saying, "come on man, let her back out. All I need is 5 minutes"

 

[cmcleod]

Wayne, well i read your question then saw that Frank Answered it. a good site to read also is catworld.com. I read they can be spayed while in heat, but vets usally dont like to do it then. they can be spayed right after a heat cycle as well. I didnt go in and read what Frant posted as my eyes are huring...sure I repeated what his link says, but just rrying to help.

tonight, so far, no fight with Annie and tootsie. I kept telling Annie what a good girl, what a big girl she is and she likes kudos. Knock on wood we might have a peaceful night here.

Cath

 

[dschwandt]

I hear Ya Wayne...
Too bad it's not this easy to fix.....
Cats off.....Cats on......

 

[wshytle]

David-

I wish it were that easy. I'm taking her in tomorrow to "fix" my problem.

I was down in the woods by the pond with Millie, Barney, and Graygirl today. At one point I looked through the woods and saw Barney with a mouthful of field rat. He had just come off of the field next to the woods. I finished what I was doing and called out but Barney is still at large.

Lynda is actually sleeping right now. She is tired from keeping me awake all night last night.

These cats are a full time job!

.

 

[cmcleod]

David..that is hysterical.

I have been taking pics and Fancy and Hannah look like alien kitties with their glowing eyes. Been trying to take pics when they aren't looking directly at me..but ummm..!

Wayne, yep it's a job when you have a small pride of furkids..but you know you

love them!! lol.. and here you were talking about the Gray dude might find his way into the house. That would be IF you open the door for him..hahaha...guess we'll wait with baited breath to see how long it is before the gray guy is in the house...teeehee.

Annie has been super mellow since Tootsies and her last encounter, when I gave Annie a talking to. I dont know what happened, but when she comes in close proximity to Tootsie, she totally does everything within her power to move away. I told Fancy to talk to his youngin too, so maybe HE did.? lol. Yesterday Annie was peacefully sleeping on the couch and Fancy comes up and starts batting her around..she cried out and then got away from him as fast as she could I dont know if he was doing a " this is what it feels Like " lesson or what? he doesnt do that..normally.

Just when you think you have them all figured out..

YOU DONT.!! lol

Cath

 

[wshytle]

Well, Lynda's gone and being "done" so I plan on taking a long nap today. I'm also having her tested for feline leukemia and if it's positive they suggested putting her down because it could spread to the other guys here. Every day I find out how little I know about these critters. If she is positive the other stray probably is as well. I will still trap him and just go from there. Hopefully she will be fine and home this evening. If that's the case, I don't know how I will have him fixed then release him. I guess I will have to keep him in for a day at least. He can't be petted but I may be able to use Lyndas cage for him for a day until he's back on his feet enough to be returned outside. That's the only way he will have a litter pan, water, etc. for the healing process.

Feedback here would be appreciated for those of you that have done a TNR cat.

I have things to do with all of this anti-southern weather we're experiencing. Hell, it's 25* right now with a high of only 30* today. Next week they are calling for maybe single digits which isn't welcome at all here in the south. I can't seem to get anything done from worrying with the darn cats. Just this morning before daybreak the male stray was bothering Barney so I went out and brought him back in. The stray apparently won't mess with Graygirl. She has probably already put him in his place. I plan to rent/borrow a trap today and start the process. I found I can get a $50 voucher and have him fixed. If he were to harm any of the guys there won't be any need for the trap.

 

[mfrade]

Not sure what I can offer Wayne, but the catch/fix/ release deal seems the way to go if you can. Then maybe put him on a "partial" food plan. He may become dependent and friendly or he may choose to move on. After being trapped and visiting the vet, he may change and not for the better! But who knows right!?!?!

 

[wshytle]

Well, Lynda is back negative for the feline leukemia and sterile...the news I wanted to hear. The large dog cage she has as a "condo" in my living room will be perfect for her recovery. She acts like very little recovery is necessary at this point. I originally put a shelf in the cage for a little altitude and she immediately jumps right up like there's nothing to it. I then figure the shelf could hinder recovery (bust stiches) so it's out for now. I put her food bowl in the cage and it is now occupying all of her attention.

She's showing all of the signs of a tuff country girl and doing fine.

 

[mschutz]

Wayne, Good to hear everything is fine.

 

[mfrade]

That is good news Wayne!

 

[kmcconaughey]

Wayne, good to hear that.

 

[wshytle]

Thanks for all of the kind words guys (and gals). I haven't anyone to share these times with so I guess I'm using the forum to sort of vent. Don't get me wrong, I talk to cats all of the time.

By looking at her you wouldn't know Lynda was operated on today. She is raking her food out of the bowl as usual before eating it from the floor of her condo. She tries to do the same with her water but with less success. She still howls a bit but her posturing seems to have ceased. She was crouching like she was getting ready to pounce on a bug or something while she howled and it appeared she was uncomfortable. I think that's a thing of the past now and I'm glad for her.

I also learned that a lot of vets won't even operate on cats in heat. These people didn't blink an eye at that fact but they did charge an extra $15 which was gladly paid. It worried me a bit but they didn't seem there was any need for worry.

I'm now just waiting for the time when I can open the door once again and she can go out with the herd. She really likes the outdoors.

 

[mfrade]

We are all here to vent and share so let it fly whenever you feel the need.

And it's good to hear the success story 'cause we all feel just a bit that it is our story too!