loose tooth

[drinkyourmilk]

We are getting our first cat this week, a Devon Rex. Family seem lovely, and are giving him up through for a very valid reason. Owner has text to say that he is loosing a tooth and has a red gum, it may take 2 weeks for it to happen. He is 6 years old, so it seems a strange age to loose a tooth. Can someone more experienced advise please? Is it a breed thing, or do I need to enquire further? I'm a little concerned
thanks

I appreciate all the advice BTW, you've all been so helpful. I'm excited to have a cat, but appreciate I have much to learn. I've read all I can on the net, and will join the rex club for breed specific advice (like how to keep him entertained! I've read they are like duracel bunnies!)

I do believe he is posing!

The only reason I said 'contact details' is that, for example, I don't actually have vet records as such for Seniorboy. I've seen all the copious detail on the practice's computers though and I don't imagine it would be difficult to either obtain a copy or to authorise someone else to contact his vet to discuss them. One of the vets who post might wish to comment on common practice in this regard.

By the way, have you checked out the Rex Cat Club?

They haven't any cats needing a home on the website at the moment but it's always worth checking with a club's welfare officers if you're looking to help one - very often cats never make it as far as the website because people who have already expressed an interest are contacted directly they become available etc.

It might just be interesting to you generally as well. 🙂

Rubbish - what a gorgeous cat! So full of character.

And Drinkyourmilk, hopefully the family come through for you with vet details. I can only imagine how excited you are so I hope you get peace of mind.. and your kitty into your life on Wednesday!

I've had a poke around on the site this evening , I will join at some point asoon I think it would be a great source of info and cute photos
she has offered to let me take him to the vet. Humm. Going to talk to her tomorrow. She's being great about answering my questions

Well that's good. He's already 'your boy' emotionally, I think?

Taken him to his existing vet? Or one of your choosing? Hmmmm indeed!

I'm assuming his 'new vet'? I could be wrong of course.

I'm afraid that underlying everything, a 'charge' just doesn't sit well with me in the circumstances. It simply wouldn't occur to me to charge for rehoming a cat which is a family member - especially if you were levying three hundred pounds and he might also need dental work.

That's just me though - and I can see that some people might need to.

I get where you're coming from re. the shocking charge Cozie. Especially with the added cost of a dental. I reckon a nominal charge, to discourage people who just think, "Free cat, yay!" is a good idea, but £300 seems a bit steep. I could understand if the current owner's fee was to go towards his dental work, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Have you met your lad yet Drink?

Drink, yes, they are nosy little buggers, they like to hinder help with whatever you're doing. They'll hop on your shoulder and ride about, to supervise whatever you're doing. Even epilating. A Flying Frenzy cat toy helps wear them out.

They're very vocal, but more croons and chirrups. And they wag their tails when happy! And mine loves it when I imitate the noise he just made back to him, we can have a 10 minute conversation of err-erngnah! noises (he doesn't miaow).

I didn't know about the website you posted Cozie, but another one is Devon Zone.

They're very child and pet friendly, I have a v. neurotic moggy, (MCat) who spat and swore at him for months, but the little curly bloke (Little Monsieur) never once showed any aggression. Now they're proper bro's. thick as thieves.

As you can probably tell, I love my little alien cat.

As I said, it's just me. If anything, I'd be going for a charitable donation rather than actual money in hand because I take the point about discouraging the 'free cat' people.

What do breed rescues require as a donation to funds these days? About £150 is it?

If that's the case in regard to the £150 donation juxtaposed against the cost of £300 Cozie, I'd be wondering if he was an entire tom-cat, used for breeding.

But once you've met the little beastie and fallen in love... difficult decision.

I'd rescue him, but I'm a bit of a pansy when it comes to cats...

I have met him, and he is as sweet as can be. I asked about knees and heart, how he was with children, food & foibles. Forgot to ask about seeing current medical records. The cost grates on us too. I was prepared to pay, but a dental bill pushes it to (I suspect) £500- 600. Thing is, if I had already bought him then I would have just sucked it up. Gah. We've been looking for a Devon that's fairly local for some time.

Have you looked on here and here?

I've always had my kittens by phoning up and chatting to people, I must admit. There are a lot of good breeders who don't advertise new or forthcoming litters.

Sorry - that gives the impression that I'm doing it every couple of months when that's not so. I've been lucky in that my own Siamese boys have been pretty long-lived.

Thanks Mantra, those are two sites we've been looking at.
Spoke to a vet this morning who confirmed that this poor cat probably has underlying issues. She advised me not to buy him, so I've spoken to the owner and pulled out. I'm very sad, he is so sweet.
Had a look on the sites today, and will continue the search

You've all been so lovely and helpful, thanks

Admit it cozie - you are a crazy cat lady

I'm so sorry to hear that Drink but I think you've made the right decision. There is a little purry one out there for you and whilst it sounds like you've got your heart set on a Devon Rex, a little visit to your local rescue might bring you face to face with the cat of your dreams..

Best of luck - cats are just wonderful animals and I hope you find the right one soon (or rather, they find you)

Ah, I'm so sorry Drink, you must be sad and diappointed. It took me a fair while to find my little pixie cat.

As well as the sites, have you put "Devon Rex cats for sale in area Drink lives in" into Google?

Have you put your name down on the waiting list with any of the breeders? Or did you specifically want an adult?

I'm so sorry but I think you've made the right decision.

When DH and I were looking to adopt a cat one of his customers suddenly announced she had become 'allergic' to her three cats and did we want one of them (I know people do suddenly become allergic but there was more to this - she only became allergic when she had the chance to move away).

She didn't want to rehome them all together and the other two were going to Cats Protection together (he was closer to one of the others but she wanted to split them up as it would be better for him). We went and met the cat and I felt so sorry for him and wanted to take him there and then - he was terrified of everything and everyone. The only way I could get near him was to lay on the floor and wriggle on my belly towards him. Apparently the owner had been there when he was born but couldn't tell us how old he was and various other things didn't seem right and in the end we had to say no. He wasn't the right cat for us and we wouldn't have been the right owners for him. He needed someone who would be around all the time to try and build his confidence.

I felt terrible but I know he went to Cats Protection with the other two and he wasn't on the website for long so I'm sure he found a good home and hopefully he has/had a good life. We ended up with Harry who suits us perfectly so I'm sure you'll find the right cat soon.

Thanks ladies. stop, I have allergy to other breeds sadly otherwise I would have looked to our local rescue. I do have us down for any Devon or Cornish rexs that come in.
I think an older kitten would be OK, but we do have to leave them for approx 4 hours a day. We are now talking about getting 2, so a younger cat would have company in that time .