Tips needed please - blind and deaf foster coming soon

booktigger

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Not sure this is the right place, so if not, feel free to move

Well, as soon as I can place Oscar anyway!! My offer of swapping didn't go down well, so hopefully the vets friend will want him, I should know on Mon.

This little one was picked up by the rescue Zi is from 2 weeks ago, but they have cat flu at present, so they really dont have the space, but as they found her in the road on their way home, there was no option, she is living in a cage in a kitchen at the moment. She is either a black, or a faded tortie, I couldnt work out when I first met her (and no pics yet), vet just said she was very old. I am not sure how long she will have, I must be bonkers after already losing two cats this year!!

She did initially have a placement lined up for next week, but they had concerns in case the person's dogs were too much for her, so they asked me instead (I made a big fuss of her when I met her, I had to sit on the cold floor for half an hour cos I made the mistake of picking her up and putting her on my knee - she didnt want to move). She is going in the bathroom, as my stairs dont have backs, so it would be too risky for her to go near them, and as she is very old with no sight or hearing, I think it will be fine for her, she will have a nice bed in front of the radiator and everything close to her. She can find food, drink and litter tray with no problems, even though she had only been there about 24 hours when I met her.
 

white cat lover

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Not sure I can offer much advice - I know you know what you're doing.


Just always go slow - perhaps stomp the floor so you are sure she knows you are coming to prevent any "freak outs". Her nose will compensate greatly for loss of sight/hearing.
 
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booktigger

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I dont - have never had a blind or a deaf cat, so one that is both is a bit daunting to be honest!! I had backed off from offering to take her when I realised, but they asked, so I agreed!!
 

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I know that deaf cats (and dogs) can feel vibrations, because their other working senses pick up for the ones that are missing. Poor baby. And her sense of smell will pick up a lot for her, so that will help. I know there is a website that addresses these concerns for dogs; I will try and find it for you.
 
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booktigger

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Well, she is coming tonight, the vet gave me a book about blind cats last night, but I wont get much chance to read it, so might be a steep learning curve
 

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I used to look after my neighbours deaf cat. I found the best way of letting him know I was there, if he was asleep or had his back turned to me was to blow gently on the nape of his neck, very gently though.
Best Wishes
Chris
 
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booktigger

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Well, she is here, and worse than I remember, I will be surprised if she has more than a few months (and sadly I am generally right), I will be getting some basic bloods done on her in the next couple of weeks, unless the vet wants more doing. She needs a good doing over, her fur is yucky and her claws are really long, she always walks with her head to one side, she did have really bad ears when she turned up, so it might just need more time to clear. She does have a good appetite, but is very thin, so I Am hoping it isn't a bad reason why she eats so well. She is very purry, but hates being picked up. she is either a black cat faded with age, or she has a fever coat, as she is a mix of black and brown bless her.
 

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Make sure you get her ears checked over again ASAP - sometimes the ear infection is a lingering one that'll keep popping up.
 
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booktigger

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I can't see anything in them, but she will be going to the vet next week (want to try and get her fur etc looking a bit better) - her ears aren't hot though, I keep checking that. I think she is arthritic as well, she wees standing up (she actually looks quite pitiful when she has a wee, as her head is always to one side, and she stands up)
 
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booktigger

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She is booked in for bloods this week rather than next, as her back legs seem quite weak, but I don't want to give her any arthritis meds without bloods. She is happily eating biscuits now, despite the fact she has shunned them previously, and apart from a bad day on Sun of not wanting to eat, she is doing well, she just keeps sitting in the kitchen staring at the floor. She is used to other cats around her though, so I am wondering if that is what she is missing, we have another blind and deaf cat coming in at the weekend, so i think I will put them together, Jeannie will have seen the vet by then, and the new one is at the vets at the moment being checked out
 

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I just wanted to say that you are such a good person for doing this, I really admire what you do. God bless you and many Prayers and for your kitties and you.
 
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booktigger

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Thanks - I personally think i am stupid at times!! If this new one comes at the weekend and our fosterer takes the 5yo for me, I will have 6 cats, and 5 of which will be over the age of 10, two classed as disabled, and fortunately my two just have a touch of arthritis, Kizzy has her own issues bless her, but they are behavioural not medical.
 

aswient

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Definitely not stupid, I'd call it "caring". Continued Prayers for you and your kitties.
 
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booktigger

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:-) The plan was to try and slow down the back end of the year, as I really do need a bit of a break, but that obviously isn't going to happen, although as I will only have 2 cats available for rehoming (I doubt we will advertise the blind and deaf cat), I am restricted on space.

Jeannie is having some bloods done tonight, I was hoping to give her longer to build her up, but she is weeing more and her legs do look very arthritic, so I dont want to give her anything without seeing what is going on first. Fingers crossed for her.
 
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booktigger

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Thank you. As suspected the vet wasn't very positive, her thyroid feels a bit dodgy, and she is in agreement that if her organs are fine, it will be a miracle. She does seem to have earmites too (although in her 'good' ear), but we are holding off on that till we know what else is going on, we will know this afternoon, as they are in house basic tests. The vet wouldnt like to guess an age, just at the very youngest, 14, but I would put her a lot older. Her fur really is in poor condition, and she had a very frothy wee just before I left the house, and did drink a lot last night, so I will be amazed if her kidneys are fine. If the suspicions of kidney and thyroid issues are right, I wont be doing any treatment, just loving her for as long as possible. She hates being picked up and moved about (I assume due to being blind and deaf) and due to being deaf, she practically screams, so I couldnt put her through regular meds, and her back legs are very weak, vet found that out the hard way last night when she did smoething and Jeannie ended up lying on the table as her legs didn't support her, and they were worse after the appointment, so unless we can do something about that, it isn't fair. Will have to have a long talk with the rescue over this tonight.
 

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Poor little Jeannie, she's lucky to have you, I'm in tears right now. Jeannie and you are always in my prayers. Please keep us updated.
 
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booktigger

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Well, me and the vet were gobsmacked by her test results - two things are very slightly high, but more indicative of inflammation/infection than anything else, so she is on a/b's for a week. Vet doesn't want her on MEtacam for her arthritis, so I have tried her on Molly's ArthriAid this morning and I need some more Seraquin for Zi, so will give her some of that when it arrives (wish I could get one thing they all like!!). So, it seems her poor fur, thinness, seemingly poor health is more neglect and she just needs lots of love and building up, which I am happy to do, especially now that we know there is nothing sinister (although of course tumours can't be ruled out, but there was no physical signs to indicate them). The poor girl to be dumped on the streets in such a state, but her luck has changed now and I am relieved that the week ended on such a positive note, especially as Thurs was such a bad day.

In 2 hours, I get to go and pick up the next blind and deaf cat, who apparently is a boy (am sure I got told it was a girl), think he is called George, and he has had bloods and a dental done this week, so at least no more worrying over health. He is a little tabby and white.

I am off work this week, so hopefully you will get to see pics!!
 

aswient

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I'm so happy things seem to be turning around. I believe where there is a lot of love good things happen. Good luck with your other kitty coming. Enjoy your vacation with them, and I can't wait to see the pictures.
 
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