In the summer when it's hot, the animals do eat less. All I could suggest would be to try to tempt them with goodies.......
Good luck. They are lucky to have you!
tonya
Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Gloria,
What a wonderful human this person is! I can't tell you if this is
'normal' behavior for cats due to a weather change. The ferals
shouldn't be acting any different than any of her other cats in the same
circumstances. I would suggest adding ice to their water bowls during
the hottest times of the day, that may help cool them down somewhat.
How about a plastic pool float filled with water and covered with a
sheet for them to lie on in the shade? The fact that they're both not
eating is interesting. How long has she had them? The first thing that
comes to mind is that perhaps they are depressed about their captive
situation. Could it be they've stopped eating because they want to be
free again? I do hope that's not it, because of the male's FeLV status,
she couldn't release him, even if she wanted to. Does she have plenty
of environmental stimulus for them to keep their minds and bodies
active? I would try adding something new to climb on to the enclosure,
maybe a new hiding place, etc. Is there a way for them to get up high
and survey the surrounding territory? I really feel for her. I know
what it's like to do everything you can to try and help, only to realize
that our intervention is causing them distress. Is the male displaying
any symptoms of sickness besides the lack of appetite? If she wants
someone to bounce ideas off of, or someone to just commiserate, please
give her my email address.
Sending lots of positive energy,
Nina
Gloria B. Lane wrote:
>
>> Date: Thu, 09 Jun 2005 11:20:30 -0500
>> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> From: "Gloria B. Lane" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>> Subject: Question about feral with FeLV
>>
>> Well, in my opinion, you have a wonderful set up there and certainly
>> did the right thing for the ferals.
>>
>> I don't know about the eating - have they thrown up? Diarrhea?
>> etc. Have you tried extremely tastey wet kitty food, or sardines or
>> fried chicken, to see if they can be tempted?
>>
>> There's a more active list, if you're interested, go to
>> felineleukemia.org.- Meanwhile, I"ll forward your message to that
>> group -
>>
>> Gloria
>> in Arkansas
>>
>> At 11:00 AM 6/9/2005, you wrote:
>>
>>> Is there anyone in this group with experience with FERAL cats with
>>> feline leukemia? Specifically - their eating habits during hot
>>> weather.
>>>
>>> We have a feral cat that was shot with a bb gun back in March. We
>>> trapped him and had him treated by an animal eye specialist. He lost
>>> his eye. Only after the eye surgery, etc. did we learn he was
>>> leukemia positive. He was one-half of a bonded couple.
>>>
>>> We have an outdoor enclosure for our regular indoor cats - for them
>>> to spend some time each day outdoors. SO - after we learned of the
>>> feral's situation, we built a SEPARATE enclosure in our back yard for
>>> this bonded pair. His girlfriend is leukemia negative and has now
>>> been through the series of vaccinations. Keeping them separate was
>>> not an option as she was stressing big time (i.e., losing hair with
>>> no physical explanation, etc.). And yes, we have had vet care for
>>> both of them.
>>>
>>> The feral recovered from the eye situation and had been doing very
>>> well until last weekend when he just all of a sudden stopped eating
>>> very much. His girlfriend has also cut way, way back on her food
>>> intake. I live in south Texas and it is very hot here during this
>>> time of the year.
>>>
>>> Both cats still look to be in pretty good shape. If it were ONLY the
>>> leukemic cat that wasn't eating, I would know it was his disease;
>>> however with BOTH of them cutting back, I am wondering if it is an
>>> instinctual response to the weather. Obviously, however, I am more
>>> concerned with him not eating as he has less reserves than she does.
>>> I've tried EVERYTHING I can think of to entice him to eat (i.e., baby
>>> food, sardines, tuna, different canned foods, different dry foods,
>>> chicken broth, boiled chicken - YOU NAME IT). I see him nibbling
>>> occasionally but I can tell from the amount of food leftover that he
>>> is not eating much at all.
>>>
>>> We have fans on them and we've set up a "mister" system on the side
>>> of the cage - placed so that the water does not hit the cats, but
>>> cools the area somewhat.
>>>
>>> Does anyone have any input on a situation where a feral cat just
>>> stops eating when it gets very hot? And if so, how long do they do
>>> this? Getting vet care for him is almost impossible because he has
>>> to be trapped, sedated, etc. I don't want to stress him any more
>>> than necessary and again, so far, he does not look to be in bad
>>> shape.
>>>
>>> Help!!!!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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