movingforward
Junior Associate
Joined: Sept 15, 2011 12:48:31 GMT -5
Posts: 8,386
|
Post by movingforward on Dec 17, 2015 15:06:39 GMT -5
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 15:53:53 GMT -5
I've decided to come in and work this weekend to help out with this cat dental bill. It kind of sucks coming in on Saturday as I'm off tomorrow burning vacation before year end and and had all kinds of things lined up to work on at home, but I can't see bitching about coming up with the money when there's something I can do about it. Production is dying trying to get all the year end commits out and could use the help. DS is at his Dad's...so...guess I have no excuse. Plus I think if we get a "free" kitten we need this.
|
|
|
Post by mojothehelpermonkey on Dec 17, 2015 16:07:57 GMT -5
I got my kitten when my older cat was around 10 years old. I have only had him for 5 years, so I don't know if he has ever shared a home with other cats, but he has loved the kitten from day one. I think he did a better job of teaching her claw control than I did. My friend got a kitten about a year ago after one of her cats died. Part of the reason she got the kitten was so her other cat wouldn't get lonely. It kind of back fired though because the other cat took months to stop hating the kitten. It probably all depends on the personalities of the cats. My older cat is super mellow, but my friend's cat is one of those nervous types.
|
|
haapai
Junior Associate
Character
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 20:40:06 GMT -5
Posts: 5,984
|
Post by haapai on Dec 17, 2015 16:08:53 GMT -5
I took the dog down to the county pound to scope out cats this afternoon. Hans has been acting bored and lonely recently and since he seems to prefer cats to other dogs, this seemed like the right way to go.
It didn't go particularly well. When I tried to introduce Hans to the nice, calm, mature cat that I liked, the cat tried to crawl onto my head and Hans shat on the floor.
He liked the 12-week old kitten though. I liked the kitten too, but that kitten wasn't going to have any trouble getting herself adopted. Plus, I'm none too sure that I'm going to handle litter boxes well, so I should probably choose an older, shorter-lived cat.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 16:12:55 GMT -5
I took the dog down to the county pound to scope out cats this afternoon. Hans has been acting bored and lonely recently and since he seems to prefer cats to other dogs, this seemed like the right way to go. It didn't go particularly well. When I tried to introduce Hans to the nice, calm, mature cat that I liked, the cat tried to crawl onto my head and Hans shat on the floor. He liked the 12-week old kitten though. I liked the kitten too, but that kitten wasn't going to have any trouble getting herself adopted. Plus, I'm none too sure that I'm going to handle litter boxes well, so I should probably choose an older, shorter-lived cat. Get the kitten. Get the kitten. Get the kitten. (or the cat) (or the cat) (or the cat).
|
|
haapai
Junior Associate
Character
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 20:40:06 GMT -5
Posts: 5,984
|
Post by haapai on Dec 17, 2015 17:05:27 GMT -5
I took the dog down to the county pound to scope out cats this afternoon. Hans has been acting bored and lonely recently and since he seems to prefer cats to other dogs, this seemed like the right way to go. It didn't go particularly well. When I tried to introduce Hans to the nice, calm, mature cat that I liked, the cat tried to crawl onto my head and Hans shat on the floor. He liked the 12-week old kitten though. I liked the kitten too, but that kitten wasn't going to have any trouble getting herself adopted. Plus, I'm none too sure that I'm going to handle litter boxes well, so I should probably choose an older, shorter-lived cat. Get the kitten. Get the kitten. Get the kitten. (or the cat) (or the cat) (or the cat). I had no business checking out the county pound. There's probably a cat heading my way quite soon. My grandmother is 102 and owns a cat. My bird-loving parents (who also own a terrier), cannot take the cat. None of the other children live in-state. And then there is the small matter of how my Christmas card from her was addressed. (I am not married to that dude, and even if I was, why would I change my name?) I might as well be buying that cat tower now. The cat will be showing up quite soon.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2015 17:11:02 GMT -5
Get the kitten. Get the kitten. Get the kitten. (or the cat) (or the cat) (or the cat). I had no business checking out the county pound. There's probably a cat heading my way quite soon. My grandmother is 102 and owns a cat. My bird-loving parents (who also own a terrier), cannot take the cat. None of the other children live in-state. And then there is the small matter of how my Christmas card from her was addressed. (I am not married to that dude, and even if I was, why would I change my name?) I might as well be buying that cat tower now. The cat will be showing up quite soon. But seriously, 102. If I live to be that age, I'm going to screw things like that up on purpose.
|
|
haapai
Junior Associate
Character
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 20:40:06 GMT -5
Posts: 5,984
|
Post by haapai on Dec 17, 2015 17:27:36 GMT -5
I don't think that she was dropping hints. I think that she is aware of losing track of things and seriously wants to be polite and not offend anyone, and that this is the form that she thinks is least likely to offend. It's also possible that she didn't want to scandalize any of the 90-year old youngsters at the retirement home that were helping her send out the cards.
I'm kinda curious regarding how the card for the unmarried cousin and his girlfriend who recently had a child was addressed. I'm not sure that I want to know how the card for the aunts who just got married after living together for 20 years was addressed. I think that a switch just flipped in her mind and she decided that all of the sinners got hitched without telling her about it.
|
|
Tiny
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 29, 2010 21:22:34 GMT -5
Posts: 13,494
|
Post by Tiny on Dec 17, 2015 22:02:13 GMT -5
I took the dog down to the county pound to scope out cats this afternoon. Hans has been acting bored and lonely recently and since he seems to prefer cats to other dogs, this seemed like the right way to go. It didn't go particularly well. When I tried to introduce Hans to the nice, calm, mature cat that I liked, the cat tried to crawl onto my head and Hans shat on the floor. He liked the 12-week old kitten though. I liked the kitten too, but that kitten wasn't going to have any trouble getting herself adopted. Plus, I'm none too sure that I'm going to handle litter boxes well, so I should probably choose an older, shorter-lived cat. This reminded me of this: I bet Hans was afraid that maybe you had brought him to the pound to 'trade him in' for a cat... You should try again.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 10:28:27 GMT -5
Dropped Leroy off at the vet to get his teeth done. Five hours before I pick up the human boy. Now that I think about this. He may think Leroy didn't make it through surgery today when I take him to the humane society and tell him he can pick one out. I might have to prep by assuring him he's fine first...assuming he is of course. Hopefully this doesn't end up as a cruel coincidence. Take old cat to vet to qualify for new cat. Old cat dies at vet on day of getting new cat.
|
|
movingforward
Junior Associate
Joined: Sept 15, 2011 12:48:31 GMT -5
Posts: 8,386
|
Post by movingforward on Dec 18, 2015 10:49:53 GMT -5
Dropped Leroy off at the vet to get his teeth done. Five hours before I pick up the human boy. Now that I think about this. He may think Leroy didn't make it through surgery today when I take him to the humane society and tell him he can pick one out. I might have to prep by assuring him he's fine first...assuming he is of course. Hopefully this doesn't end up as a cruel coincidence. Take old cat to vet to qualify for new cat. Old cat dies at vet on day of getting new cat. Yeah, you might want to wait to make sure old cat if fine first. I am sure he probably will be but older animals (just like humans) have been known to not make it through surgery.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 11:43:19 GMT -5
Well, they called back. He made it through the surgery fine. He had two very bad teeth but the rest she said look really good. Unfortunately, his pre-op bloodwork revealed he has kidney disease, so they had to give him fluids during the surgery which upped the bill. They're also recommending special food for this which they have which I'm going to assume is expensive as hell from the vet. Does anyone here have their cat on something like this and can I get it at like a Petco or something instead of the vet?
|
|
cael
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 9:12:36 GMT -5
Posts: 5,745
|
Post by cael on Dec 18, 2015 11:53:29 GMT -5
What are they recommending, probably the KD or whatever? My cat is on the Purina OM (overweight management) food, and it's a pain in the ass to drive to the vet to buy it, but honestly it isn't that much more expensive than the Blue we'd been feeding her before. Maybe someone at the SPCA knows more about the foods and could tell you if there's a pet store alternative? I'd say ask the vet but they may say there isn't any other kind since they want you to buy it from them.. Funny thing is, my beast has gained a POUND in three months on the OM food in the same amount we'd been feeding her before. it has controlled her calcium issue though, so now I just have to feed her less and she's hangry all the time. Actually I just looked up the Hill's k/d food, and it looks like you can buy it at Petsmart. Is that what they recommended to you? Hill's has a pretty good reputation.
|
|
Abby Normal
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 12:31:49 GMT -5
Posts: 3,501
|
Post by Abby Normal on Dec 18, 2015 11:54:41 GMT -5
There are several foods that have special kidney/renal diets available. You should be able to find one at petco. Find out what the vet wants to give the cat first, and talk to them about best alternatives. It may be a enough to feed the cat a really good qualtity food.
Edited: I would also check the specialty/boutique pet stores in your area. Their staff is likely a lot more knowledgable about food then the workers at Petco. Then you can find a brand that is sold at both, and buy at Petco if its cheaper. But I've never found the staff at our Petco particularly knowledgeable about food.
|
|
cktc
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 19, 2013 22:15:31 GMT -5
Posts: 3,202
|
Post by cktc on Dec 18, 2015 11:59:40 GMT -5
Well, they called back. He made it through the surgery fine. He had two very bad teeth but the rest she said look really good. Unfortunately, his pre-op bloodwork revealed he has kidney disease, so they had to give him fluids during the surgery which upped the bill. They're also recommending special food for this which they have which I'm going to assume is expensive as hell from the vet. Does anyone here have their cat on something like this and can I get it at like a Petco or something instead of the vet? My late cat wouldn't eat the kidney diet food and was losing too much weight so I started buying her cases of the Wellness grain free wet food off Amazon. She made it another 9 months, but I don't know what the average is with kidney disease. Anyway, to answer your question, Petco and Amazon both offer kidney diet food cheaper than your vet.
|
|
movingforward
Junior Associate
Joined: Sept 15, 2011 12:48:31 GMT -5
Posts: 8,386
|
Post by movingforward on Dec 18, 2015 12:02:12 GMT -5
My old cat had to be on a special diet the last 4 yrs of his life. His was for an intestinal issue. It wasn't cheap but it was the only food that helped him.
My current cat's blood work came back last week and his kidneys are borderline. I am guessing he will probably be changed to special food in the next year or so. My vet said there are a lot of different food options for kidneys and we can talk about it when/if he needs to go on it.
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Dec 18, 2015 12:05:10 GMT -5
The marmalade and white is a beautiful cat, but I notice she's declawed. Declawed cats tend to bite because that's their only defense. She'd also have to be a strictly inside cat since she has no claws. Just something to think about ...
|
|
mmhmm
Administrator
It's a great pity the right of free speech isn't based on the obligation to say something sensible.
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 18:13:34 GMT -5
Posts: 31,770
Today's Mood: Saddened by Events
Location: Memory Lane
Favorite Drink: Water
|
Post by mmhmm on Dec 18, 2015 12:07:46 GMT -5
I have two boys. I'm used to psycho. I'm a little worried about claws though. Both of our house cats before were declawed and I never had issues with shredding furniture. None of my cats are declawed and none of them claw the furniture. They've got scratching posts and flat surfaced scratchers to use for that and they do. It's a matter of training and making sure they understand what's okay and what isn't okay. That's not hard to do if you start them young.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 12:08:08 GMT -5
I don't know what the vet carries. I missed the call, so it was just a voicemail from the vet telling me how things went, what I owed so far ($425) and recommending the special diet, but "she wasn't sure how much that cost". I looked online and the Hills Science Diet one is about triple the cost of what I was getting (plain Iams). I've just recently started thinking "hey, I should really switch him to a senior diet". . This has been a rough week. It's kind of putting a damper on the whole kitten thing.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 12:13:58 GMT -5
Just asked the coworker. You want to look for a food with a low phosphorus content and a lower protein content. The other thing that can help a lot is adding the canned mush food into the diet. It allows them to get extra liquid that they need. We do dry free feed + 1/3rd of a can of mush food (again Nutro) once a day. He won't eat canned food. My son has bought it sometimes, thinking it would be a treat, but it always ends up with me scraping the half dried up stuff out of the bowl the next day because he won't touch it.
|
|
Abby Normal
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 12:31:49 GMT -5
Posts: 3,501
|
Post by Abby Normal on Dec 18, 2015 12:16:08 GMT -5
Just asked the coworker. You want to look for a food with a low phosphorus content and a lower protein content. There is debate about the protein content. Most vets still say low protein, but studies are showing that a high protein diet (but the right protein) is better. Moisture content is key. Kidney diet Article is specifically talking about feeding a raw diet, but it give the basics of the nutrition needed for cats with kidney issues.
|
|
Abby Normal
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 12:31:49 GMT -5
Posts: 3,501
|
Post by Abby Normal on Dec 18, 2015 12:17:03 GMT -5
Just asked the coworker. You want to look for a food with a low phosphorus content and a lower protein content. The other thing that can help a lot is adding the canned mush food into the diet. It allows them to get extra liquid that they need. We do dry free feed + 1/3rd of a can of mush food (again Nutro) once a day. He won't eat canned food. My son has bought it sometimes, thinking it would be a treat, but it always ends up with me scraping the half dried up stuff out of the bowl the next day because he won't touch it. You might try adding water to the dry food. That is what we've always done for our animals.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 12:40:13 GMT -5
I'm going to guess that it will be a day or two before he really wants to eat anything, so I can probably hold off on buying anything from the vet today. My quick research says protein is not bad during the early stages, but should be restricted when it gets really bad and phosphorus is the biggie. I don't know what stage he is, but I'm guessing not early because he does pee a lot. He's a little thinner than he was, but not real bad.
A week ago I was thinking old Leroy is doing pretty darn good for a 16 year old cat as he was peeling around the house like a crazy thing. Then I take him to the vet for a rabies shot...
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 20:45:31 GMT -5
Well, that was an exhausting afternoon. First off, the kid is ecstatic! All the tiny kittens were gone or spoken for so we focused on 5-6 month old ones...many of these had pending applications too. There was one. OMG. He was a long hair that looked like an Ewok. They said there was at least 5 or 6 applications with him as first choice, so no hope there. I thought about saying "Hey, forget free, I'll pay for him. Will that get my #24 application to the top?" However, my son was all over the ones that nobody wanted. The ones with broken limbs, one eye, frozen off ears...we are the first request for his first choice. This girl quarantined with ringworm. The people there say she is super sweet and mellow, but people weren't applying for the ones that they couldn't take out and play with. Her name is Tumbles.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 20:49:30 GMT -5
I'm partial to our number two choice. Scout, the crazy man with the broken leg. He wanted me to take him out so bad, but he's also in a can't take out cage and cannot go home until January 13th when his cast comes off. No applications on him yet either.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 20:57:37 GMT -5
On the Leroy front. He is doing really well. He seems very happy to be home and with his boy again. He's lounging on the floor at his feet in the kitchen purring like crazy. I bought a bag of the food from them and they didn't price gouge me nearly as bad as I thought they would. It was $24 for a 4 pound bag of the Hills K/D which is 4X more expensive than the food he was on, but seems to be about what the online stores are selling it for.
The vet was gone, but I asked a tech to see his labs and go over them with me and he is what is considered early stage renal disease. This was a huge relief! They said he's barely over on the creatinine and they think the food will help, which by the way he seems to love. He was already eating just a few minutes after getting home, sore mouth and all.
AND, I think I might have sold my Bowflex today for $325 which will really help with all this. He's going to get back to me tomorrow. I had been asking a lot more, but just said screw it, I want it out of the garage and that would cover most of the cat bill.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 21:02:38 GMT -5
Well, that was an exhausting afternoon. First off, the kid is ecstatic! All the tiny kittens were gone or spoken for so we focused on 5-6 month old ones...many of these had pending applications too. There was one. OMG. He was a long hair that looked like an Ewok. They said there was at least 5 or 6 applications with him as first choice, so no hope there. I thought about saying "Hey, forget free, I'll pay for him. Will that get my #24 application to the top?" However, my son was all over the ones that nobody wanted. The ones with broken limbs, one eye, frozen off ears...we are the first request for his first choice. This girl quarantined with ringworm. The people there say she is super sweet and mellow, but people weren't applying for the ones that they couldn't take out and play with. Her name is Tumbles. You obviously have taught your son a lot of important values like compassion for the underdog. Kudos to you and him. Tumbles will be an awesome companion for many years to come. And she's a gorgeous classic golden tabby.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 21:05:23 GMT -5
I'm partial to our number two choice. Scout, the crazy man with the broken leg. He wanted me to take him out so bad, but he's also in a can't take out cage and cannot go home until January 13th when his cast comes off. No applications on him yet either. Are they offering two-for-one pricing for the holidays? Cause he's adorable too.
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 14, 2024 1:20:18 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2015 21:09:56 GMT -5
I'm partial to our number two choice. Scout, the crazy man with the broken leg. He wanted me to take him out so bad, but he's also in a can't take out cage and cannot go home until January 13th when his cast comes off. No applications on him yet either. Are they offering two-for-one pricing for the holidays? Cause he's adorable too. Well, they're FREE right now. LOL I told him maybe we need more than one. He obviously thinks I'm joking because he just laughed and said something to the effect of three cats being crazy...but I kinda want to put a call in that if he doesn't get any applications we'll take him too.
|
|
taz157
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 20:50:06 GMT -5
Posts: 12,942
|
Post by taz157 on Dec 18, 2015 22:40:30 GMT -5
Of the 2, the 2nd picture cat is my favorite! He's absolutely adorable! Of course looking at all these kitties is getting me to think about getting a cat, but there's too much going on for us to do that.
|
|