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Post by newpig on Sept 6, 2007 8:31:58 GMT
I closed Huxley and Heidi up in the cage in the utility room last night and put Bronte and Dino in the kitchen which is next door. Pleased to say no fur was pulled between Bronte and Dino although I did find Bronte on top of the microwave this morning!
Dino still won't go near the utility without growling and I don't think Bronte as even seen Heidi and Huxley yet. H&H are having a good play around the utility room now and Bronte has squeezed herself into a corner in the dining room. Dino is lounging on the 3-tier scratching post. Glad to say all using the litter trays although I am watching Dino like a hawk!
Not sure whether to keep Dino and Bronte inside today or let them out. Looks like might be a lovely day so should let them out but a bit worried that Bronte will take a huge huff and not come home. I strongly suspect someone is taking Bronte into their home and feeding her and I do not want to lose her. I got Dino and Bronte new ID tags yesterday and also put a little barrel tag on Bronte with a note asking not to feed her as she has a home.
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Post by mweekieme on Sept 6, 2007 8:39:50 GMT
Awww Huxley and Heidi are totally gorgeous cats newpig. Heidi looks as thought she has dipped her nose and mouth in ink lol, so sweet. Just be warned that not everyone looks at barrel tags. I did exactly the same thing with "Cabbie", but unfortunately the barrel got taken off and he was still fed at this other house. I'm sure with time, both Bronte and Dino will get one well with Huxley and Heidi (or at least toloerate each other). Just take introductions nice and slow and things should be fine. Mweekie!
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Post by newpig on Sept 6, 2007 8:49:08 GMT
I have always get ID tags on them but last year they kept disappearing with so much frequency that we couldn't afford to keep replacing them - sometimes just the tag and others the whole collar. They do hunt about a lot through trees so it is possible they were losing them but we are not 100% unconvinced that someone was taking them off. I don't think the barrel will do any good but had to try something to satisfy myself. Why do people do it - she always wears a collar and is well cared for, and chipped, so clearly she is not a stray. So frustrating!
I love Heidi's little black nose - she is so sharp featured as well that it really stands out. They are being really loving which surprised me as they came from a rescue but it is lovely.
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Post by beckee on Sept 6, 2007 13:10:23 GMT
Oh that is annoying if people feed healthy cats without enquiring first isn't it?
Have you tried just sticking something actually onto her collar for a few days faying DONT FEED ME!! lol saves anyone having to unscrew the barrel to get the message!
I would let Bronte and Dino out if that is what they are used to..Keeping them in, especially where they are frosty with each other will probably stress them out more in the long run. Be ready for Bronte to disappear in a strop if she is likely to do that but just keep reassuring them and being consistant.
Sounds like its all going well so far anyway and that the new kitties know they are onto a good thing!
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Post by newpig on Sept 6, 2007 14:14:48 GMT
I kept wondering what to do put thought I didnt want to put something on her collar that would catch or that she would just pull off but never actually thought of just writing or sticking those words on her collar - that's the next job then!
Heidi and Huxley are now roaming freely around downstairs whilst I am home and in the house. Dino is out for a ramble. I decided to keep Bronte in as she would not even go near the back door. She is remaining in a corner behind a leather box but seems ok and is purring for me. She is lashing out with her claws and hissing when H&H come in but hopefully will get used to them.
I'll try putting up some photos of them out of the cage...
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Post by beckee on Sept 6, 2007 14:46:13 GMT
Its all going well then!
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Post by newpig on Sept 6, 2007 19:13:02 GMT
I knew Bronte would be like this as we went through the same thing when we got Harry and Dino - she stayed upstairs for 2 weeks and hardly ate or anything. We had a weekend away booked and our neighbours were looking after them. When we came home, they had been cooped up in close quarters without us constantly refereeing, and they were all cuddled up together best of pals. Cats Anyway here are some snaps from this afternoon Two of Huxley and then one of Dino to show how alike I think they are 2 of Heidi with her lovely markings on show One of Bronte behind the box (she is behind me now and she keeps standing up to stretch, peeking around and sitting down again)
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Post by piparmaru on Sept 7, 2007 14:12:37 GMT
aww they are very sweet, looks like they are all settling in well, hopefully they will get used to each other in no time .. it's a hard call as to whether you let in out or keep them in .. it's suggested that you keep the older ones in for a few days as well so that they can get used to the new arrivals. It also stops H&H wondering why they can't go outside as well ... or jealousy ..
Just a thought, with someone else feeding your cat, possibly it's not someone else purposely feeding them, but that they go into the home and help themselves to buiscuits or left over food .. we have a few cats here that do that if there are biscuits outside.
Our cat also goes 2 houses down the road, in through the cat flat and helps himself to their biscuits and food .. he will also go and have a sleep in the house as well ... there's nothing that we can really do to stop him, the only thing that she can do is to lock the cat flap so that he can't go in, but then her cat can't go out during the day either ..
She reckons her cat doesn't come up to our house and isn't a fighter .. phffp! we've seen him up here, he comes up here specifically to pick fights with our cats .. but she doesn't believe that. Her cat is one of those Siamese with that terrible howl .. it sounds awful!! lol
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Post by beckee on Sept 7, 2007 16:59:47 GMT
hehe My Taffy is part siamese and has the yowl! I think its cute! She does it most when she has something she wants to play with...a fly, a hairband...a piece of paper!
Lovely pics new pig..I can see the likeness between the two boys..and Heidi has beautiful markings!
How are they doing today??
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Post by newpig on Sept 7, 2007 22:54:51 GMT
H&H are as playful and bouncy as ever and they have pretty much run mental round the house all day. Not to get too graphic but they have quite upset tummies but even though I am mixing in some of the food they were used to I think it is just the change in diet.
Bronte actually finally came out of her bolthole this evening and even let Dino sit on my knee whilst she was at my feet on a stool so that was quite amazing. She and Dino are still very watchful and still hissing and growling but at least she is interacting now and Dino is decreasing the noise and letting them get a little closer.
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Post by newpig on Sept 9, 2007 8:51:04 GMT
I had forgotten how playful young cats are - I have been out and purchased lots of toys but of course they are ignoring most of them and destroying the house!! They are full of energy and fun but clearly have lost out on cuddles especially Heidi who is still quite timid when we approach her - especially when hubby tries to pick her up for a cuddle. Bronte has actually started coming out from behind the box and even sat down beside Dino to eat last night. I bought her the plushest sleeping bag bed yesterday thinking it might be a nice bolthole for her but so far she is just curling op on top of it.
Bronte and Dino are still hissing a bit at H&H but it is getting less each day although Bronte did lash out (didnt hit him but just warned him off with a waving paw) at Huxley last night.
Bronte even sat at my feet this morning with Huxley behind me and she didnt say a word but did start growling when they were chasing each other round house in high spirits.
Am still keeping Bronte in all the time but Dino is going out during the day now.
Young cats - high spirits - a house covered in wooden floors - Hmm I can see a need to redo the floors to get rid of scratch marks coming on!
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Post by beckee on Sept 9, 2007 10:08:08 GMT
Ahhh we all know that lots of pets and a well kept house is a combination nightmare! lol
Whenever I have introduced a new cat or had kittens in for fostering, the original cats have gone through quite a period of growling or hissing! Lola would go and sulk and then view everything from up high looking cheesed off, Taffy would be first in to investigate and would end up growling and washing kittens at the same time, like she couldn't make up her mind!
And Sid would try and squeeze on my lap next to the kittens, hissing like mad but trying to get some of the milk if I was bottling them! Then the next minute he'd be playing with them, then back to hissing again!
As long as you are not having any clouds of fur and too many yowls then I'd say its all going really well!
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Post by newpig on Sept 10, 2007 11:46:46 GMT
am so stressed now as just discovered more runny poos and this time there was blood in it. Heidi and Huxley are both off to vet this afternoon and just praying nothing too badly wrong with either of them. Heidi is very thin and am so worried that there is something seriously wrong with her.
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Post by beckee on Sept 10, 2007 19:48:31 GMT
Hi newpig..Only just seen this as haven't been online today..How did the vets visit go? I hope its nothing too serious and can be sorted out nice and quickly!
I guess the Cats Protection checked for all kinds of diseases before putting them up for adoption so with any luck it will all be tied in with nerves and stress of moving homes.
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Post by newpig on Sept 11, 2007 8:28:33 GMT
I called the CPL and they said that there had been no history of upset tums with them. Vet thinks they may have initially just been reacting to all the stress and changes but that they may have a little infection. And Hux has a very small cough. So she gave them some really strong worming medication which is in liquid form and they despise. Vet gave it to them yesterday and they were spitting it out, clawing and hissing. Hubby and I gave it to them this morning and even though they were wrapped in a towel they went mental and Heidi has scratched the hand of me! They are also on antibiotics and only getting dried food. There were some sold poos last night but someone has had a runny one again this morning.
However, they are in great spirits.
Bronte is still hissing and growling but now she is wandering about the house a lot more. Dino has rubbed noses with them a couple of times but still hissing a bit. And last night Huxley hissed back at Dino for the first time and Heidi growled back at Bronte for the first time. I guess that means H&H are feeling that this is their territory now?!
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Post by beckee on Sept 11, 2007 13:10:14 GMT
Oh there is nothing nicer thamedicating an un cooperative cat! lol
Nice red raw hands for a while then!!
awww you are doing great though newpig. Sometimes with all the best will in the world you never know what you are taking on when you get 'second hand' pets but doing whatever they need to help them be 100% is part of the adventure!
Come on guys, be brave and take your yucky medicine! The more you take now, the quicker you will get better and it can all stop!!
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Post by newpig on Sept 11, 2007 19:51:12 GMT
the best of it was I had to get up at like 4.00am or something as hubby was on a red eye flight to London and the vet had warned us it would take the 2 of us to dose them. So had to get it done before he left. He is home again tomorrow evening so next dose then. Heidi left me with such a sore hand and it was stinging so badly that I could not get back to sleep Ah life would be so dull without all our furry, scaly, feathered friends
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Post by newpig on Sept 16, 2007 8:40:14 GMT
well Heidi and Huxley were back at the vet on Friday as their stomachs are still not settled although no more blood so that is good. They are on a new set of antibiotics which they detest and are proving very difficult to get into them. If they do not work then will have to send sample off for analysis.
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Post by beckee on Sept 16, 2007 13:56:04 GMT
Oh how frustrating!
i hope it turns out to be something easy to sort and that these antibiotics clear up their runny tums.
How are they apart from the toilet issues?
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Post by Val Amirault-Vale on Sept 17, 2007 6:46:37 GMT
Gosh newpig, seems like it's one thing after another! I hope all goes well so you won't have to send any samples off for analysis. I've got my fingers crossed. Is it my imagination or are there an awful lot of vet visits going on right now in Wheekers?
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