Hi Debbie,
First let me say HURRAY! for the neg results on all your cats. Your
story has now been added to so many others on the list in confirming
that mixing doesn't seem to be as big a concern as the veterinary
community would have us believe. Such wonderful news for you and your
babies.
Michelle, one of our list members has a cat that pulls and rends at her
fur over nervous tension. She uses a benadryl compounded transdermal
(made into a cream to apply to the inside of the ear tip) that seems to
work wonders. You could try using an otc antihistamine like benadryl or
Chlorpheniramine to see if it calms them enough to stop the behavior.
I use Chlortabs periodically for my 20lb FIV boy, Starman, when he gets
to chewing on himself (2 to 4mg or .5 to a whole tab daily) and it seems
to keep whatever is making him itch under control. I would strongly
suggest that you figure out a way to deal with whatever is making them
so ill at ease environmentally though. Is there any way to give these
guys their own space? I've used screen doors to separate guys that are
afraid of being in general population so they can slowly be
re-acclimated. That's another long discussion though :-) .
I read your email to your local Humane Society and their reply to you.
I can understand why you are feeling like they don't appreciate your
efforts and why you are upset at their not being more supportive. My
first thought was that they were less nasty then I would have expected.
Just to play devil's advocate... People at shelters and rescues deal
with such horror day in and day out, that they can become overwhelmed
and stuck in their ways of dealing with it. When they hear of someone
with more than a few pets they probably worry that the situation will
escalate into a "hoarder" situation, or, because they don't know you,
think that somewhere down the line, they will have to step in and deal
with things should they become overwhelming to you. You can see how
quickly that can happen when you have a big heart and not enough
resources to deal with all those in need. I stay far away from any sort
of governmental organizations and NEVER give out my "number" to anyone
that might cause trouble for me and mine, (that includes all
strangers). I think it's commendable that you wanted to let them know
that their views on felv are outdated, but sometimes it's next to
impossible to change a shelter's policies about giving these guys a
fighting chance. You have to remember that they destroy so many
healthy, friendly, "adoptable" animals everyday. Killing those that
have less of a chance at finding a forever home might be the lessor of
two evils in their minds, even if it is a subconscious rationalization.
If I were you and someone from the shelter was aware of my numbers, I'd
write back to them thanking them for their concern and let them know
that I fully intended to adopt out as many as I could and that I would
not be taking in anymore animals until my numbers were lessened,
(whether that was my intention or not). You don't want those guys
sniffing around your house and you don't want to make enemies of them,
no matter what the local ordinances are, they can make trouble for you
if they are so inclined.
Finally, I want to thank you for all you do for those in need around
you. I'm glad you found the list, not only for what we might be able to
give to you in support, but because it's always affirming to learn of
others "out there" that are as committed as we are to our fur babies.
Bless you and your entire family,
Nina
Debbie wrote:
As far as nervous chewing - our vet prescribed ovaban tablets. They
seem to work but another vet says they can cause diabetes. What is
this groups opinion on this? I recall years ago they also gave ovaban
to me for male cat I had adopted. He was aggressive and they said it
would calm him down. We have 3 cats out of the 14 that have skin
problems. Sneezy pulls fur out on her hind quarters, Frodo has
dandruff real bad, and then there is Cassie - she has licked the hair
from her hind legs. All were fixed fairly young, except the Sneezy,
the one who chews her hind quarters. She is also Cassie's mother.
Frodo, the one with dandruff is very heavy and he seems to have
allergies. Long haired and was bottle fed.
Any ideas?
- Re: Questions and concerns - nervous hair pulling cats Nina
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