Taming a feral 2 year old kitty boy - Page 4

OK, I was finally able to get myself back together and check the thread. I am sorry if I was not clear in the morning but I could barely see the screen from crying. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart for caring so much, it means the world to me!

We did not expect this at all. Sweet Pea has been sleeping in that carrier for four weeks now; he has his blankie inside and the feliway plug is pretty close to it. This carrier was his safety place long before the kitty tree became one.

We removed his bed, his cube and his box but he just did not want to go in the carrier although it was the only closed space left to go into. I covered his tree with a sheet so that he would not be tempted to jump on it. He kept running around the room, jumped on the sofa and everytime we would coax him to the carrier he would jump over and run like crazy. I have been feeding him next to the carrier gate for days too. I think he knew we would close the carrier door and he panicked that we would keep him in there; he associated the whole think with being kept in the cage. God, how I wish that I could erase his first month with us from his memory!

We coaxed him with the cardboard and used one of the wire mesh gates that we put for introduction to block one direction of running. The wire mesh gate was in the room and that was the only thing we could think of to use on top of the cardboard pieces. Now he may be afraid of both the cardboard and the wire mesh gates, we will see!

And we talked to him over and over again about the reason for the trip; we told him that he is always safe and that Dr W knows all about him and she loves kitties, and he will be back to his room sound and safe...

I called our vet and asked her if there is anything we can give him to sedate him if we simply can not put him into the carrier; she said she can give us a pill but it's bitter so it has to be hidden very well in food (he does not like pill pockets).

We will look for another carrier that looks very different from the ones we have, I will see what I can find and let you know. I will make sure to spray it with Feliway and I am thinking to spray the wire mesh gates too, it can't hurt.

My poor husband looked like a character from a horror movie with blood dripping on his forehead and face. He has a long scratch on his cheek but it will heal. Sweet Pea was on the couch and jumped on my husband to get to the window, that is how it happened.

I cleaned where he peed with Urine Off but the room smells a little, I don't know if it's in the air or I missed a few drops somewhere.

I will take his poop sample to the vet tomorrow to have it checked for worms.

He is eating so I am happy about that!

I am exhausted and worn out, but tomorrow will be a better day!

THANK YOU again for all your help and love

Marina

Our little baby was at the door this morning when I went in with breakfast and he was all over me for asking for pets. I simply could NOT believe it! I really thought he would not want to have anything to do with me (us) for a long time. But he circled me over and over, rubbing himself against my legs and purring his heart out. I petted him for a good 10 min on his back and on his head, giving him chin and cheek scratches. He wanted pets before he wanted food!!! We were BOTH IN A BLISSFUL STATE. He forgave me How can this be? Another miracle for sure

He is not going yet to Joe...

Laurie, yes Sweet Pea knew allright what was going to happen. Are you able to pick up your two babies and put them in the carrier? It is absolutely amazing how intelligent they are and they definitely communicate telepathically. I always say that kitties are much smarter than most people I know...We will focus a lot on the karma next time and will not take anything out of the room, definitely...

I keep finding pieces of scabs in the room and have no clue where they come from. I haven't felt anything on his back, sides and head. They are not dry blood like, kind of hard to explain...

Marina

Patches meowmie, I will post photos. They are very dry and dark in color and I am pretty sure they do not contain blood or infection. I saved some pieces to take them with me today to show our vet (I took his poop sample which came back negative) but somehow I misplaced the baggie.

Laurie, that is incredible! Absolutely Flowerbelle is telepathic (she is compensating bigtime for the loss of hearing). I just love stories like this...
Oh boy, you have had some very sick kittens didn't you? Tuxie was sick also when he came home...

I love Flowerbelle's name, it is lovely!!!

This is a funny story. Our RB Heidi spent a longtime almost three years at the local HS; she was a character and a princess and they allowed her to live in their conference room. Therefore she got to eat people food all the time and got used to it. She loved ham. When she came home we had a very hard time with this habit. We could not say "ham" because she would show up at our feet in a split of a second. Then we started spelling h-a-m thinking she will not figure it out, but nope she knew all right.

Marina

Tuxie and Flowerbelle must be small kitties to fit in those tiny places (or did this happen when they were still kittens)?

Yes, they are amazing and complicated for sure...

Marina

OK, I have an answer for the scabs. Sweet Pea must have a keratin horn on his paw and he is picking at it. We took Sammy in today to see Dr W since yesterday I noticed a pretty big growth next to his ear on top of his head. It must have grown pretty fast because we have never noticed it before. I showed Dr W Sweet Pea's scabs and she said it's a horn, nothing to worry about.

Dr W did not like some cells she saw in the sample so we sent it to the pathology lab. We have to wait a week or so to get the results back for the sample from Sammy's growth. Another thing to worry about...

The intros are trying. For two nights in a row when Leo comes up in the hallway and starts hissing and growling ( I think it's a growl but am not sure, it is a strange sound), Sweet Pea gets scared and hides behind the door or goes on his kitty tree. He looks soooooooo sad. He tried to even show his belly to Leo and folded his pawsies but Leo hissed at that too...He also wants to come out of the room (probably wants to investigate the rest of the house) and play with Tubi and he cries when Tubi walks away from the gate. So I just don't know what to do different to help them all...

I promised the babies that I will finish my avatar and siggy and told them to be understanding since there is so much to do all the time...


Marina

Hi everybody
I have not been on the forum for a while but have not forgotten about updating. Things have been difficult. Sammy was diagnosed last Friday with fibrosarcoma, most likely indirectly related to vaccination. He had the tumour removed the Monday before and had to wear the e collar for 10 days. Today we took him to a holistic vet and we are starting a holistic treatment for him. We pray for a miracle...He is doing well right now and I ask him everyday to stay strong.

Sweet Pea is a very beautiful and very loving boy During our play sessions he runs into me and plops himself on the floor next to me when he is tired and then he gazes up with loving blue eyes. Then he gets cautious and walks away...He wants to come out of the room but Leo is still hissing and running to the gate. We are praying for peace and acceptance. Tubi on the other hand spends a lot of the time at the gates, talking, reaching with his paw and just hanging out with Sweet Pea. They carry a lot of conversations, its' so cute to listen to them.
On the 22nd it will be 3 mos since Sweet Pea has been home...They went so fast..

Please pray for us, we could use all the postive energy we can get!
Marina

I hope spring is good to all of you and your sweet babies

Although I have not been on the board lately Sweet Pea and I talk about you everyday. He is simply a delight to be around, extremely loving and very very playful. I get nose kissies everyday from him and when I see how long he has come my heart just melts with joy. Tubi and Chloe are visiting him in his room and Leo is much better too; he has not visited yet but he and Sweet Pea touch noses and paws through the gates. I don't know if/when we will be able to pick Sweet Pea up. He does look at my lap often and I can see he is thinking about it...But everything is at his own pace...I took this photo in one of his serious moments, he really is a goofball

We had to add fiber (the petalive brand) to Sweet Pea's wetfood because he became constipated. Pumpkin was making things worse and we did not want him on lactulose, he is too young for it. It helps him but he does not like the taste, so I have to give it to him in Salmon or Tuna wetfood.

We send you a big hug and big thanks for all the help!!!
Marina

Hi everybody and Happy Easter to you and your families!

We took Friday and Monday off and decided to dedicate the whole time to the kitties. Leo went in Sweet Pea’s room on Friday for a visit; he was interested in sniffing around and just hissed a couple of times at Sweet Pea (good hisses not mean ones). We wanted to keep the visit short so I was trying to lure Leo out of the room by shaking a bag of treats (I was in the hallway outside the door and my husband was inside the room with the boys). I was using the treats because sometimes leo gets upset when we pick him up. Tubi came in the hallway and as Leo approached the door to come outside, Tubi managed to get in the room and jumped on Leo. Sweet Pea got scared and ran on the kitty tree, Leo and Tubi got scared and darted outside and Chloe who was in the hallway got scared too and ran downstairs. I am thinking Tubi was upset that Leo was not coming fast enough for treats and since he wanted treats also he got upset with Leo. Although this incident happened, we think overall the visit went well.

For the past few days we have been feeding Leo and Sweet Pea wetfood together; I am in the room with Sweet Pea and my husband is outside in the hallway with Leo, the gates are off and the door is cracked open, the boys are eating as close as possible. They just look at each other and their food and gobble everything up. No hissing or growling or bad looks at all.

Sweet Pea has been outside of his room a few times to roam around. This was the scenario today. I was with Sweet Pea upstairs and my husband was with Leo in the kitchen playing with him. Sweet Pea checked first the upstairs and then he went downstairs. When I went down the steps to be with him he got scared and ran back upstairs for his room, that’s when Leo saw him and his pupils got dilated. He did not run because my husband got him distracted. I quickly went and put the gates back up as soon as Sweet Pea was is in his safe room. Then I gave Sweet Pea, Tubi, Chloe and Tubi treats in front of the gate. Right after this my husband played with Leo for a good while.

Last night Leo and Sweet Pea were playing peekaboo and pawsies ate the gate but then later (a few hours later) Leo hissed at Sweet Pea at the gate.

I think overall we are making progress, it’s just taking time!

Thank you so much for asking about Sammy. He is doing well and is under the care of a holistic vet who recommended Neoplasene (homeopathic chemo) and Transfer factor. We did take Sammy to an oncologist who recommended either the removal of the entire ear (internal and external) or radiation (for this Sammy would have to be boarded at a facility in Columbus for three weeks where he would receive radiation daily under anesthesia). We decided against these procedures because the stress of such drastic surgery or being away from home and in a cage would do him a lot of emotional harm; he would feel abandoned since he spent two years at a shelter before he came to live with us.

Enjoy your holiday with your babies!
Marina

PS I can't remove old photos in order to be able to attach new ones, there is no option for doing that and it looks like I reached the allowed attachment memory.

Hi everybody, here is an update on what has been going on in our household.

For over three weeks we have been carrying two play sessions, evening and afternoon, at the gate. I am inside the room with Sweet Pea and my husband is outside in the hallway with the other babies. We are using Da Bird and change the refills after a few days but we use the same kind of refill at any given time on both toys (otherwise pouting and unhappiness occurs). They all loved the little mouse, then got bored with it and now we are using the bunny tail- Sweet Pea is crazy about it, it must remind him of the little animals he caught outside.

After each play session we give treats at the gate. When both Joe and I are home we feed the wet food meals at the gate also.

A week ago we started switching Leo’s and Sweet Pea’s places, Leo goes in Sweet Pea’s room and Sweet Pea goes in the rest of the house. Sweet Pea is so cute walking through the house, he talks to himself a lot. He knows the house already.

Today we organized a face to face interaction between Sweet Pea and Leo. Since boys are biiiiiiiiiiig mama’s boys, I left the house to do some shopping and Joe supervised the session. We figured this way they will not have to think about getting affection from me and possibly get upset. Before I left I put vanilla on both boys. Tubi and Chloe went in a bedroom and waited there. With the exception of two chasings followed by abrupt stopping and watching, they just looked at each other; Leo chased Sweet Pea. Joe had Da bird out and Sweet Pea played a lot with it and Leo just watched. After an hour of this, Sweet Pea went into his room and I came back home. We fed them at the gate and while they were eating Joe lifted the gate up. The boys continued eating and when they got done Sweet Pea attempted to sniff Leo’s nose. Leo did not like this, hissed and smacked Sweet Pea, pretty hard smack (he reacted the same way about a month ago when Sweet Pea escaped his room into the hallway and also attempted to touch noses). Then Tubi who was next to Leo in the hallway, jumped into Sweet Pea’s room (redirected aggression maybe?) as soon as he witnessed the hissing/smacking, ready to cause some trouble. He has done this before, when there was a disagreement he chimes in.

So, we think that overall the meeting went great. Sweet Pea has to learn not to get into Leo’s face I guess; there is no way we can teach him that.

These are my questions. Should we continue with this face to face interaction everyday and increase the duration? When is it OK to take the gates off completely? When is it OK to allow Tubi and Chloe to be a part of this face to face interaction. I know Sweet Pea and Leo have to get comfortable with each other before we introduce the twins. Sammy does not mind Sweet Pea at all, he keeps to himself and he sleeps a lot anyway; he was on a kitty tree today when the interaction occured.

Joe recorded today three cute videos of the two boys.

I will start another thread about a kitty girl who showed up on our deck two weeks ago.

Marina

Thank you Laurie. I remember you telling the story about Billy. Our kitties have never been very close to each other so hearing about Billy brought a tear to my eyes. Him missing his brother so deeply for sooooo long is very touching. I have a huge weakness for black and white kitties and I think Billy can't be any cuter then he already is. Lots of kisses for him from me! He sounds like the eternal optimist for sure, how sweet is that!

Today I left the house and Joe handled face to face beteween Leo, Sweet Pea, Tubi and Chloe. There were two chasing incidents between Leo and Sweet Pea. When I came home after an hour and a half, the gates were down, Sweet Pea was on the couch in his room looking sleepy and the other babies were hanging out in the house. We fed them wetfood and who came in the kitchen to eat? YES, Sweet Pea did. We did not have the camera ready to capture the five of them eating together. Gosh, I am so emotional, it was unbelievable to see them like this and think back to when I first asked for help on the forum...We could not have done this without you! THANK YOU

I uploaded some pics and am in the process of uploading some photos in my photobucket account. Here are the links for two photos Sweet Pea and Leo, Sweet Pea and for the video we took today May 2nd, first time all four together.

Marina

Thank you!

Yes, we are not there yet. Since Sat Sweet Pea is out and about in the house with the rest of the gang for two hours, one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. We let them be for some time and then we play and after that we have something good to eat. Leo has chased Sweet Pea with some hissing and swatting.

What would be the best thing to let the two of them interact or redirect Leo? I know they have to work out the hierarchy...

Oh and Sweet Pea has kitty acne. He will not let me wash his chin with medicated soap. He eats and drinks from porcelain bowls that are washed twice a day. Our RB Heidi had acne and it cleared up with the soap.

Marina

Sweet Pea has been free in the house for almost two weeks and he LOVES it. He is in love with the kitchen and everytime I open the fridge he is at my feets.

He does not go much in his room anymore, I am not sure if it's because he got tired of it or he is afraid we will put the gates back up and keep him in there.

We call him Squints because when he wants pets he lifts his head and squints his eyes.

Leo and Swet Pea are doing very well, even playing together. It took a while for Leo to understand that he is still very much loved and will always be. We praise him sooooo much!

They are working out the hierarchy among themselves I( mean all five of them), some chasing and hissing and head smacking and they have divided the house whcih was to be expected. It makes me cry when I see Leo and Sweet Pea touching butts at feeding time or together in the windowsill.

Sweet Pea seems to have established himself above Tubi; he does the dominance hold with Tubi and Tubi cries out because of Sweet Pea's nails. But they also play a lot together, they do the "you are it tag game"

The hard work paid off and it is amazing and simply a MIRACLE!
Marina

THANK YOU for sharing the joy with us

Yes we celebrate on the 22nd five months since Sweets has been with us but it feels like five years.

Our Siamese son is getting more and more comfortable each day, discovering new things and new places. It's hilarious to see how and what they learn from each other. Tubi is a begger at the table (he does not get people food but begs anyway) and guess who is following suit? Yep, Sweet Pea!
He also weaves himself around our legs to the point we can't walk (just like Charlie does) and on top of that his coat matches our flooring so often we can't see him and walk into him.

Right now he is snoozing in our bedroom on the armchair and Leo is on our bed.

Oh, we replaced the insect screens with pet screen and changed the way we use the doors; have to practice tons of caution.

Now, we have to pray that he will trust us enough to take him to the vet eventually.

Marina