The Further Adventures Of Newboy

[RubbishMantra]

I don't think anyone's begun a new thread yet?

Hope you don't mind Cozie. Newboy's Fairy God(cat)mothers love hearing about his progress.

Are you ok doing care work with your back and hips? Ask for thin clients maybe? :)

Back is technically fine - I'm signed off by the surgeon but it takes about a year to see whether I'll get feeling back in my leg and foot
They've said there's no direct lifting, it's all via hoists etc

It all looks great. Seriously, job done - just sail in and bask in serene confidence. :)

I’ve come to the conclusion that he’s actually suffering from a form of PTSD. Boo Hoo for me but as long as he’s safe, warm and managing.......?

Sad thing is that his previous owners loved him desperately.

Hmmm. He is much better than he was when he arrived, much better.

It must be bloody hard work though, and not what you were expecting exactly. If I were you I would be missing the cuddling horribly by now.

Let's think about some options. PTSD wears off in the end, incidentally. And good input into him will take a long time to come out, so reaping the rewards was always going to be slow.

My parents's cat was the most traumatised animal Battersea had ever seen. Took 2 years to fix, he's very happy and loving. Also, um. quite demanding and entitled now. :)

Newboy is in the best place he could possibly be, and all hope is not lost. I am consulting literature on the subject.

Quick one - has thyroid been tested?

Well Yes - I miss the cuddling but I’m really only concerned about him. However long it takes, eh?

Not a chance of testing anything - would mean touching him, getting him in his carrier and to vet. I don’t know if that can be done.

Home visit from vet? Doped beforehand (both of them)?

Mr C has had sedation for this purpose.

How is Mr C given the sedation? (He was fine once he was actually at the vets.)

Smokey's story made me howl.

Oh he was fine, if a bit dazed, but it came in handy because it killed the panic attack, for which were all grateful, He hasn't needed it since because I talk to him, lift him into the nurse's arms, and wrap him in my jersey.

At first glance, my entirely unscientific recs are:

1. Talk to vet & ask her/him to supply Newboy with SSRIs.
2. After a month he might be ok to get blood tests at vet. If not, keep going as before.
3. Get vet to suggest a behaviourist - PTSD is fixable.
4. Go to Aldi, buy gin. Drink it.

I think that the suggestion is best.

PTSD I can sort - it just takes a while.

To be fair you're doing well. Ollie had Prozac at one point, and I did ask if it was meant for me or him. Best stick to the gin

Yay! Am delighted to find my first ever behavioural therapy programme has met with such a cooperative client.

Three times a day, not necessarily with food. See you at the next session

I've had prozac and it worked. I'd do it like Smarties if I had PTSD, I tells ya.

He’s curled up fast asleep (seemingly) on his radiator bed right now. An advance from huddling beneath the tablecover on one of the chairs, I think.

Exactly. He really is making strides, you know.

It might be easier for us sometimes to see the steady improvement gradient through a pc screen than it is for you to observe day in day out in situ - not to mention how you are run ragged commissioning heated pet palaces from the world's top architects.

All I can say is that he better use that darned LWT when it finally arrives!

It would salve my bad guilt feelings about making him live in an icebox if nothing else. (I’ve probably already blown the utility company’s computer re revised power consumption figures.)

Much better than lurking under a cover. Has he one eye half open watching you?

Nope. He doesn’t seem to.

I could wake him out of a trance, though, by unclipping a treats bag.

Sweets to the sweet. I am dragging a Lightly Warmed tabby off to bed now - knackered after vet fiasco. Sleep well... why not leave a treat on the bed both of you when you drop off and see what gives.