Big Head the Cat finally made it to vet

Hello,

just wanted to give an update. It seemed that every day I made an appointment for the vet for the Big Headed Cat he wouldn't show up for breakfast. How did he know????

But today I went into work really late and was able to get him into the vet.....something that he did not like at all.

This whole time I was assuming that he was an elderly cat, he has no interest in playing and only likes to eat and sleep, he walks real stiff and is missing a bunch of teeth, but surprisingly the vet told me he is between 2-4 years old, and more than likely lost his teeth because he is an intact tom and gets into trouble.

Big Head is pretty healthy but he does have a bad case of ear mites and feline version of Herpes which makes his eyes water and tons of crusty bits in his eyes. So BH got his ears cleaned, checked for worms (none found), eye medication (something I am not looking forword to doing for the next week, you have to put the cream right on the eyeball!!!)

Everything else is ok. Total bill $145.00 and it will cost about the same when I get him the Feline Lukemia test and the snippity snip for him. I thought he would bolt as soon as we got home but he stayed for dinner and then took off. I walk around the neighborhood walking trails at night and he caught up with me a few blocks from our house, he then followed me home to get his nightly pets and scratches. For the first time ever he was purring! He has never done that before.

I will keep you updated if my wife caves with letting him inside, def not till we get him checked for the Feline Lukemia and get his neutured so he doesn't spray, for now I plan to get him to use our garage at night and I am thinking of replacing the regular door with a door with a cat door in it. (its a detached garage)

Big Head is a fortunate kitty to have you looking out for him.
I think he knows it too.

He knew who to adopt. I think he was purring to let you know that not only is he not mad about the vet, but he knows it means you're taking care of him.

I hope they eye stuff helps. Our little Flowerbelle had herpes so far progressed by the time she got rescued that we fought for 7 months to save her eyes, but she ended up having to have one removed. We give her lysine paste from the vet - but you can just buy a lysine supplement and sprinkle it as an additive into his food. I wouldn't know how much to give, but you can ask in the health forum - or PM Momofmany - and I'm pretty sure someone will have the answer. It will really help in the long run with his immune system given he's already got the virus. (Sadly, it is very common in kitties that have been living outdoors).

Just FYI, none of our other kitties have gotten infected from Flowerbelle. You know - just in case that day comes when he might move inside.

Laurie

Originally Posted by xocats

Big Head is a fortunate kitty to have you looking out for him.

I think he knows it too.

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He may not have liked the vet, but he knows you are taking care of him and he is cool with that. And he is letting you know. You have been adopted!!

Bless your heart for taking care of this sweet boy!!!I also had a "big head" cat show up my kids named him George Lopez!! lol we got him fixed up and found him a new home here is my "big head"

It is so great that you are taking care of BH. My Orange Cat also is feral and has a big head. Had him spayed a short while ago, and he has become the sweetest boy in town. Still fights and roams sometimes, but most of the time he just wants to sit by me outside and get loved on. He knows you are taking care of him, and he will be yours.

Originally Posted by LDG

We give her lysine paste from the vet - but you can just buy a lysine supplement and sprinkle it as an additive into his food. I wouldn't know how much to give, but you can ask in the health forum - or PM Momofmany - and I'm pretty sure someone will have the answer. It will really help in the long run with his immune system given he's already got the virus.

Click to expand...

I don't recall if you've ever told us his weight and the dose is generally based on their weight. For preventative (e.g. daily) use, 500mg daily for an average size cat (10-13 pounds). During flare ups, different vets will give you different answers, but I double the dose and I've heard some vets prescribe 3 times the dose.

I buy powdered lysine, as the paste is way too expensive to use every day. A can will last a single cat about a year. You can put it in their water or mix it with wet food. And since its not really a medicine, any of your cats can take it.
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