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Original poster

Urgent cat help please

19 replies

BuffysMum · 04/12/2006 16:28

Pedigree nightmare new cat rehomed from RSPCA. He keeps trying to be sick but only bringing up a bit of fluid. Has been eating my organic growing lettuce so obviously feeling sick. We're on day 2/3 of these. He's eating okay.

Do short hair cats get furballs???? What can I give him if he's got a furball stuck????

He's also had a runny tummy & a bit of blood but he is stressed from moving home AGAIN and he is a pedigree so I think is a bit sensitive.

If I take him to the vet the RSPCA will pay but as he needs his vaccination on Thursday (not earlier) I want to hold out if possible. He seems okay in himself whereas was clearly unwell and not eating Sunday.

Any advice re furballs etc. Previous cat was a moggie and only ever ill when got fleas and then at the end when he had cancer.

TIA

OP posts:

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 04/12/2006 16:31

IMHO ring the place you got him?

or the vet

Yes short haired cats get fur balls

We get more fur when brushing from our SH than the LH one

It is denser iyswim

Have you been brushing him?

Is he coughing?

Are you feeding same food as he had before?

EdieMcredie · 04/12/2006 16:32

Take him to the vet ASAP.

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 04/12/2006 16:32

what kind of pedigree?

JessaJingleBells · 04/12/2006 16:34

Short hairs do get furballs. One of ours is particularly bad and is sick almost every day .
You can get furball treatments in most pet shops and in the pet areas of larger supermarkets, often a squeezy tube of gunk and you have to squeeze a dollop into their mouths (great fun!). You could also start brushing the cat regularly to try to minimise the ammount of loose fur available for it to swallow .

Original poster

BuffysMum · 04/12/2006 16:39

He is a somali (a show champion - sorry probably mega in bred IMHO) - rehomed from ill breeder via foster home so we don't know what he used to be fed and the vet he was registered with had never seen him! He has had runny tummy and a blood issues in the foster home but has seen a vet who seemed to think all ok so I'm not keen to rush him to the vet.

He is wretching but not bringing anything up the few times I've seen him wretch.

Will go try get some stuff. We haven't groomed him yet as can't find the comb or brush but will go buy one.

Is plenty interested in the roast lamb in the oven.....so he's not really ill! Will try rule out fur ball before going to the vet.

OP posts:

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 04/12/2006 16:49

Has he got access to a bowl of clean water?

My2kidsmum · 04/12/2006 19:33

Don't know if this will help, but you can get food specially for cats which suffer from hairballs. You'll probably get it from your vets - it's by Hills and I think it's called Hairball Control or similar. It's designed for cats which suffer from them and I think it helps them "pass through" easier, rather than making them sick. Just a thought, but it may be worth asking your vet about it on Thursday?

Good luck

PeachyIsNowAChristmasFruit · 04/12/2006 19:43

Yes they can get hairballs and I find iams hairball variant is great for this. However, blood needs checking out and pedigree breeds are more susceptible to all sorts of health issues 9well, restricted gene pools ahve that effect) and I would take a cat with blood appearning to the Vet ASAP. I know its expensive (mine cost me another £40 tonigyhta s he's picking at his skin, the two of them are averaging £30 a week atm more's the pity) but if you love the cat and have taken responsiblity for him, then you need to get him checked.

PeachyIsNowAChristmasFruit · 04/12/2006 19:45

if you've got, or can get, one of those tough nylon cleaning pads they can make a good emergency groomer until you geta proper brush.

Original poster

BuffysMum · 04/12/2006 22:17

Well he's going to the vet on Thur and I haven't seen any blood since the weekend. I want him to see the same vet as saw him a few weeks ago as I really have got so little to tell them. If he turns out to have long term health problems I don't think we'll be keeping him, money is an issue and I'm not sure that we're a calm enough household for him. It's only been 9 days and he does seem happier the last couple of days so perhaps it's going to work out. The wailing on & off all night is not endearing though! I just suspect that he has IBD or something like that and the stress of a cattery and then coming to us is part of the problem at the moment.

Groomed him & he loved it! Our previous cat tried to take your hand off!

OP posts:

EdieMcredie · 05/12/2006 09:12

Are you sure it is furballs and he is not coughing?

IWhoooooshYouamerryXmas · 05/12/2006 09:22

Somalis are fairly highly strung and also have sensitive tummies so I wouldn't worry unduly as he is seeing the vet Thurs.Keep up with the grooming-mine love it to.
Could he have something stuck in his throat?Mine have had both fish bones and sharp grass seeds embedded in their throats before now which vet has had to remove with large tweezers.

Original poster

BuffysMum · 05/12/2006 13:21

Thanks everone, he is def eating ok and being calm and fiendly so he is obviously feeling ok. I got the wrong end of the stick he is not seeing the vet thur but I will make an appt to see one this week.

Whilst at foster home he has a whole load of jabs which could have added to the whole tummy thing. I am concerned he could have got a chiken bone stuck when he knicked the chicken leg Sat!!!

It is def not a cough and the time I heard him be sick it def sounded like he was trying to bring up a fur ball. I think I will but him on science plan mixture of sensitive stomach and furball. I suspect he may have overgroomed these past few weeks from stress hence furball theory.

All solid poo now and no signs of blood. Feeling more relaxed about him, he didn't wail last night so perhaps he can stay after all - lol! He seems interested in going out too so hopefully in a few weeks time he can venture out as I know the nieghbours will make a big fuss of him too.

OP posts:

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 05/12/2006 13:38

I think he really enjoyed being groomed

and so i think it has helped him to settle

here is a link to the somali cat club

Living with Somalis is a two-way experience. For all the affection and care you give your Somali, you are rewarded with love and fun.

A Somali needs a close relationship with its owner to be really happy - with a Somali you are not only the carer and cleaner but a foremost friend.
Somalis are very loving cats needing affection as much as food - indeed many of them will ask for a cuddle before eating, no matter how hungry they are or how special the meal.

Somalis also give a lot of affection. A Somali won't sit in the corner and hope to be noticed. He will be on your lap, rubbing your face and nuzzling your neck. With a Somali you will feel loved. Somalis are quiet cats but they do like to have a conversation. If you speak to a Somali you will usually get a chirrup in response. Somalis probably chirrup more than they meow.

Somalis are intelligent cats capable of working things out and they like to be involved in the goings-on of the household. If you're cleaning out a cupboard your Somali will be there to help! They remain playful all their lives and mums have just as much fun as the kittens with all the toys.
If you have only seen Somalis at cat shows, you need to see them in their own homes where they can relax and be themselves.

Original poster

BuffysMum · 05/12/2006 18:36

What the somali cat club doesn't say is that some somali's do not chirrup they just constantly wail instead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We do not mind the constant demand for attention (previous cat was like that), he doesn't sit and chill yet though. Today was a breakthrough as he sat next to me on a chair (so I didn't clawed to death with the padding) and happily got lots of strokes and attention whilst I got some PC stuff one handed.

Hope he starts to chirrup soon......

OP posts:

RTKangaSANTAMummy · 05/12/2006 19:44

One of our cats loves the computer and comes and helps me type every evening when she comes in

Original poster

BuffysMum · 05/12/2006 21:11

Although Merlin has only ever been a house cat we'll be letting him go out in due course, at least his claws won't be razor sharp then! I think as well he will have more stimulation being allowed to venture. Previous cat loved sunbathing on the shed roofs and visiting the cat lovers next door but 2 etc.

He's sat on dp very chilled which is so nice after a hard going week with him. He's sussed the cat flap on the new litter tray too so we're not being stunk out anymore although he does have bad wind!

Any other tips about having a somali?

OP posts:

IWhoooooshYouamerryXmas · 05/12/2006 21:14

Oh bless him-please give him a chance-he sounds lovely and just needs some time to re-adjust

Original poster

BuffysMum · 05/12/2006 21:24

He has a very interesting relationship with dd4 - she wails (screeches) back at him, he jumps on top of the cat post, she shakes cat tree!!!!!

He is still calm enough to let her stroke him when she's not screeching though, and he's quite happy with the older ones. I'm hoping dd4 calms down soon, 5 weeks without a cat and she's obviously forgotten the rules and he is very exciting.

I hope it works out too I'm not a cat lover as such (into dogs) but rubber melted my heart and I hope Merlin does too.

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