Took Seiko (my cat) to the vet this morning. Here's what he had to say.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

The last 8 months have been a shit storm in my life.

I moved in October 2010, to what I hope and pray is a temporary location. I am doing my best to make that happen.

But Seiko's been tweaking.

Since I adopted her in 2002, I have moved 4 times.

1). Santa Clara apartment complex sold to condo developers, forced out.

2). Owner of Campbell townhome had failed love life, threw me out after one year because she wanted to move back in

3). Owner of San Jose townhome had his ear to the ground, saw the real estate bubble bursting, sold the place and threw me out

4). Moved out of the house in Santa Clara because in 2009-2010 my business took it in the shorts and I couldn't afford the rent

Seiko did OK through all of those changes, except the most recent one.

She started exhibiting obsessive behavior..."over-grooming" as the result of stress. She's licked the fur off of her belly, her hips, her hind legs.

She's also dug her neck to where she has a large strip that looks like raw steak.

Through friends, I found a local vet who has been helping me in exchange for my helping him with his Website.

He gave her an antibiotic / anti-anxiety shot this morning because she won;t let me hold her to give her the drops or apply the antibiotic cream. And I have to take her back for another shot on Friday.

But here's what he told me today, and I want to share it with the animal lovers on DU, as well as the folks who don;t "get" animal lovers.

He said "She senses you're suffering, and she is taking your suffering on herself so you don't have to."

And I wanted to fucking cry, because i knew he was RIGHT. I pet her and she cries. She is eating, drinking, and using the box normally. She hasn't lost weight.

She's just suffering so I don;t have to.

If you have a dog or a cat, stop what you're doing right now and go give them a hug.

Seiko's been my special little girl since 2002. I love her so much I can't even express it.

She and I are BOTH going to get through this "season in hell."

[Flaxbee]

1. I'm sorry, Amerigo Vespucci

I know how much joy and comfort a pet can bring (we have 5 cats, had six until about 10 days ago), and they do take stress away.

I hope you and your Seiko can get to a better place. I know how much you love her. She's lovely.

[freshwest]

18. +1

[kimi]

2. Oh,

She looks so beautiful and wise.

Yes, I have no doubt that you will both get through the season of Hell. Hon, hugs to you both.

"I love her so much I can't even express it."

No, you just did. :hug:

[TuxedoKat]

3. Ah...

I'm sorry you and your kitty Seiko are suffering. I hope things turn around soon for both of you. Have you tried those Feliway plug-ins or spray? They are supposed to help cats with stress. (((HUGS to both of you))). :)

[Amerigo Vespucci]

12. Thank you...I know I am going to have to ask the vet about ongoing treatment.

Please see my reply (#11) below for more details...whatever remedy I end up with is going to have to be "hands off."

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Aww. I hope both you and your kitty will be OK soon.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

Animals are so wonderful.

[warrior1]

5. Me and my boy Lance (12 yoa GS)

is sending you guys some awesomely good vibes.

[MorningGlow]

6. I know how you feel

:hug:

About a year or so ago, I was going through a very, VERY rough patch, and I cried myself to sleep every night for months. My buddy, Jasmine, knew when I was crying, even if I did my best to do it silently, and she would climb up on the bed and lay down on my pillow, so she was against the top of my head, purring to heal me. I am grateful she got me through that time. When I stopped crying myself to sleep, she stopped sleeping on my head. But she's always close by, just in case.

A couple of weeks ago I panicked because her urine was very dark. Took her to the vet, who said it could be renal failure, but it could also be dehydration (it was the first phase of our ridiculous heat wave), a UTI, or even a kidney stone. They couldn't get a sample out of her and they wanted to keep her overnight till she peed by herself, but I said no, that I'd collect a sample from her at home.

The next day her urine was back to normal and has been that way ever since. Never did get a proper sample, so we're just guessing it was a kidney stone. Guess what I just passed last month. :banghead:

Yes, our feline brothers and sisters are bound to us more than we could ever prove. But we kitty owners know.

Love your baby girl and tell her you'll be all right. You'll have to be--for her sake. :hug:

[Frosty1]

7. What a pretty little face with those freckles on her nose

I can only imagine what a comfort she must be for you. I will be sending vibes for both of you to come through this storm.
:hug: :hug:

[pacalo]

8. What a gorgeous little girl!

I hope the anti-anxiety medication helps her.

AND that you'll find the ideal place for both of you to settle down in. With a good landlord!

[grasswire]

9. oh gorgeous picture!!

My orange boy Keiko would have loved your Seiko.

Now to the question:

How about finding some Rescue Remedy and trying that? It is a natural calming preparation recommended by veterinarians. I suspect that a main ingredient is chamomile. You can make a weak tea from chamomile and drip a bit on her food.

There is also something called Feliway that is sold by veterinarians and good pet stores that is a synthetic hormone preparation that calms felines. It comes in non-aerosol spritz or in a plug-in.

BEst of luck, and keep us posted. I adore your cat.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

11. This specific vet is big on natural medicine...

...so I will ask him about "next steps." Thanks.

Seiko bit me ( ! ) when I put her in the cat carrier this morning. That's the first time it's ever happened. I tried to time it so that I'd refresh her food and water right before I had to put her in the carrier. What happened is that she cried for new food and water about an hour before we had to go, and she pecked at what was there off and on for the whole hour. She went under the bed to hide five minutes before I had to get out the door. That meant I had to (gently) pull her out from under the bed. When I did, she cried, then she howled, then she threw out all four paws and tried to scratch, then she spun around and bit me. She didn't bite deep, but enough to make it bleed freely. She tried to spin around and bite me a second time but I'd already gotten her in the carrier. She hates going to the vet, and in her current stressed state, who knows what she thought.

I showed up at his office with my finger wrapped in a paper towel because I didn't have a bandage. He had "Tamed Iodine" (no-sting), which he applied, and then bandaged it for me.

He'd previously given me anti-anxiety drops for Seiko, the problem being that you had to get them in her mouth. When she was in the cat carrier in his office (and scared), it was easy for him to show me how to do it (you gently put your hand on top of their head, and tilt it back slightly and their mouth opens automatically).

But when she's home and not in a box it's a different matter. This cat will not be held, for any reason. When I got her as a kitten (from the Humane Society), the day I brought her home, she curled up in my lap. That was the one and only time. She will get "near" you but not "on" you, and if you try to pick her up or hold her still, you do so at your own peril.

So the only way to get something "in" her...other than bringing her to the vet...is to put something in her food that she won't notice.

[emilyg]

14. Get a couple of jars of

chicken, beef or whatever baby food. Mix with that.

[TuxedoKat]

15. Whoa

Sorry this happened, poor you, poor Seiko. It sounds like she is super stressed out indeed. You might want to ask about stress remedies for cats in the pets' forum. Have you had a tetanus shot recently though? The last time I got bit by a cat, my MD gave me a tetanus shot and antibiotics because there is an illness you can (might) get from cat bites if you don't take them within 24 hours. Be sure to call your MD tomorrow right away. (((HUGS AGAIN)))

[hamsterjill]

10. Very true!

One of my long time cats started doing the same thing a few months ago. The vet questioned me about stress. My daughter's wedding was two weeks away. Duh!!! But I believe it is true that they try to take on our suffering. It's part of their unconditional love for us.

And how some people don't love little fur babies, well I'll just never understand that.

[emilyg]

13. Kiss on kitty's nose and a hug for you.

[Angry Dragon]

16. Very pretty girl

:hug:

[KT2000]

17. What a beautiful cat!

They are so amazing.
Could you get her a new toy? Sometimes when we are really stressed in our lives we forget to play - people and cats.
I got a cat tent from IKEA - $8 for my cat. It is her space and it has lots of possibilities for playing and some rough-housing.
Best to you and Seiko.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

24. Big challenge right now is to get her to not hide under the bed

She's with me right now, and the shot the vet gave her yesterday seems to have calmed her down a bit. I'm relieved I don't have to take her back tomorrow (he said the shot is good for one week so I can do it next Wednesday).

I have a cat toy she loves...it's an "aerobic cat toy" that is a long, bouncy wire on a stick with a little rubber thing on the end...you use it to play "cat and mouse." When she's a little more "herself" I'm going to try playing with her again.

[KT2000]

32. Wow - I did not realize

that she was that stressed. The vet is on top of it though. She has to break that anxiety loop that she has gotten worked up into. Now I see that quiet time is called for. Best wishes to you both.

[hifiguy]

19. All good vibes to you and Seiko.

She is a beautiful kitty. And my big ol' guy Butch sends his best purrs.

Nothing is worse than seeing your cat or dog suffer, especially when they have been there so steadfastly through their person's worst times. :hug:

[Raffi Ella]

20. aw, sweet kitty! she's so pretty.

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. Vibes to both of you.

[musette_sf]

21. good girl

so sweet

My girlfriend Cleo did the same for me. I miss her so.

Try Feliway, I had success with it.

And if you would tell me the name of your vet, I'd appreciate it. Been trying to find a more holistic vet for a long time.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

25. Just sent his contact info to you via PM

I think you can tell from this thread how I feel about Seiko (and this isn't the first Seiko thread I've posted here)...so I cannot give a testimonial greater than trusting this man with my special little girl. As I have come to know him better I can see that this man is one in a million. It was that comment he made...the one I based this thread on...and knowing he was absolutely right.

[Demoiselle]

22. Bless you both. What a beauty!

[Patiod]

23. Thanks - my little Frankie enjoyed his unexpected hug

He needs those anxolytics - he's been gnawing at his feet since he was a pup.

Hope things pick up for you and Seiko.

[Curmudgeoness]

26. Hugs to Seiko, hugs to you, and hugs to my Sammy.

I hear that it is very rare for an orange cat to be female. I wish you the best of luck, it is so hard when we are trying to do the best thing for our furbabies and they just do not understand.

And please try to deal with your stress issues too.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

28. That's exactly what they told me at the Humane Society.

I was told that it was rare for a female cat to have this coloring.

I had two cats that I loved and protected for 15 years. They died within a few months of each other, both from age-related breakdowns of their internal organs, etc.

For 15 years they were a part of every single day of my life, 24/7.

I went through my time of grieving and then went to the Humane Society.

And there was Seiko, 7 months old.

Female cats can be aloof. Seiko certainly is. She has her loving moments, and she has her "leave me the hell alone" moments.

So the first time I went I said "cute cat but not the one for me."

Then I went the second time. The cages were being cleaned and she sat in a metal cat carrier on the floor. She looked up at me through the opening and I could FEEL my heart breaking.

But I still said "No, she's a female cat."

But I went home and couldn't get her out of my mind.

I prayed about it and said "Lord, if she's there on the third visit, she's coming home with me.""

The Humane Society has little "paws" painted on the walkway to the kennels. I walked back there and looked at those paws and put my hand on the door knob and just said "please" and walked down the hall and THERE SHE WAS.

I almost RAN back to the office with the tag from her cage. They have to be spayed or neutered before you bring them home. When I went to pick her up, I had the bathroom all set up with food, water, her litter box, and nice soft blankets for her to sleep on.

They tell you to confine them to one room for about two weeks so they can "acclimate" themselves to their new surroundings, then you can let them roam the rest of the home on "supervised visits."

I'd go in the bathroom to see her and talk to her and pet her every couple of hours. I didn't want to disturb her and I kept the visits brief.

Around 11:00 that night, I left the bathroom after my visit, and when I got to my room she cried and cried and cried.

So I said "What's the worst she could do?"

So I opened the door, and she marched down the hall, turned around, came back, went out to the living room, jumped up on the sofa, curled up in a ball, and went to sleep.

And my heart broke AGAIN.

Animal lovers "get it."

For people who don't, it can never be explained.

It can only be felt.

[Curmudgeoness]

31. Been there, done that myself. Just got Sammy to help me

get over my last two (within a few months too). Hard. But I guess I am lucky that no one told me to confine this lover---he walked the house for about 10 minutes, then just laid down. And came to sleep with me that first night. Mmmmmmm.

I am really glad that Seiko was still there on your third trip. I know how bad you would have felt if she was gone. Good luck.

[graywarrior]

27. To Seiko,

from Kamere


who has lived in multiple places in NE and Florida including in a car during the past 5 years


Meow,
Meow meow meowmeow!

Purrrrrr

Translation:

Dude,
It gets better!

Purrrrrr

[Amerigo Vespucci]

29. Thanks graywarrior...

...it does get better, and it is getting better. Today was a major leap forward. I intend to keep putting one foot in front of the other until the last two and a half years of my life constitute a "learning experience" and nothing more.

[graywarrior]

30. Keep looking at your feet.

Recognize that they are on the ground. Stay in the present. Right this minure, everything is ok.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

33. You're right...

I went to see a potential client today that I'd first reached out to on Monday. At the time he said "I know a Website is a really good idea, and I want one, but I just don't have the money right now."

I said "I understand, but why don;t we just talk and see if there is something that can be done for you?"

So we talked this morning and on August 11th I'm going to go see him, pick up a check, and get started on his site.

The only reason it's August 11th is that he is raising his prices (it's a restaurant) and he wants me to have the current info.

He said "I have a brother in Redwood City who also has a restaurant. After you finish my site and I have something good I can show him, I'm pretty confident he'll write you a check to do a site for him, too."

:toast:

[graywarrior]

35. See?

stuff works out

[LiberalEsto]

34. What a beauty!

AV, have you switched brands of cat litter recently?
Sometimes the chemicals in different types of cat litter can affect cats by making them itch and lick off their fur. I've read that fragrances are usually the problem. Can you try a fragrance-free variety and see if that helps? Changing litter brands helped somewhat with one of my cats.

But stress can definitely cause this too. Her fur licking started when my daughter got a dog, and a year later we got a second dog. Even though they all get along now, the licking has continued.

Good luck with this and I hope you both feel better!

[Amerigo Vespucci]

36. Yes, but after she'd already licked off her fur

I had a friend get me into Costco on his card and bought the mega-huge "Scoop Away," but this was well after she'd licked off her fur.

My preference has been to use Arm & Hammer unscented. When this stuff is gone I will most likely switch back to it.

[LiberalEsto]

39. I stopped using Costco's Scoop-Away

because it was scented. I think it contributed to my cat's problem.

[applegrove]

37. What a darling.

[ellenrr]

38. Sorry for your troubles....

I wouldn't say she takes on your suffering, but cats are so sensitive, they feel our anxiety, and respond to it.
So she knows your love too.
Once she stablizes you might want to try Neem leaves and/or oil.
I give it to my cat bec. she has allergies that cause her to scratch until she bleeds.
I apply the oil externally and put the powdered leaves in her food.
http://organixsouth.com/theraneem.html

best to both of you.