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Overweight cat, can't clean her genital area.

post #1 of 11
6/25/10 at 12:31pm
Thread Starter 
Zelda has become overweight. She is 4 years old and I got her a year ago. I think it's because of overeating. I've started to separate and feed her twice a day measured amounts. But I'm really not sure how much I should be feeding her. If she is let out of the laundry room while the other cat's food is out she'll eat their food so fast that she vomits.

Last night I was brushing her out and I was trying to get the fur around her butt area. She loves to be brushed until I get to her butt fluff. I noticed it smelled like urine, and saw a couple mats around that area. I had my husband help me to restrain her while I shaved what I could, then I gave her a bath. The smell is gone, and there aren't any obvious signs of infection. I scheduled an appointment at the vet. I am going to request a urinalysis and a weight loss plan.

Is there anything else I should do? Anything I should ask the vet?

Should I get her a lion cut until we get her weight under control?
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post #2 of 11
6/25/10 at 12:45pm
You are wise to want to help her reduce to a healthy weight. Sounds like you are following the correct course of action. My advice would have been vet visit first.

I recommend in addition to the urinalysis have a super chem (blood work) done too to check all organ function, especially liver.

Canned food is better than dry for weight loss and control.

Exercise is very important. You can start by feeding her on something she has to jump up onto to get to the dish. Not anything that will be difficult or cause stress. Just a small jump, at first.

You will want to start some kind daily routine of Game time with her. She may be slow to show interest at first but don't give up. I can give more suggestions in this area if desired.

Also, very important that weight loss is very slow, it's dangerous for a cat to lose weight too quickly.
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post #3 of 11
6/25/10 at 1:54pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, I'll ask a vet about the blood work (this reminds me my GSD is due for her senior panel).

I haven't been able to get her to eat any of the high quality wet foods. I'm reluctant to try lower quality because I wouldn't want her to get diarrhea. Diarrhea can be really troublesome with her long fur. Right now she eats Taste of the Wild dry. At first I separated her during feeding because there has been conflict between her and Vivi over food, and Zelda guarding the food so no one else can eat. After a while I stopped shutting the laundry room door, but still fed everyone in their spots. She'd finish her own food and then graze from the other bowls all day.

She loves Da Bird, but Edea tends to take over at play time. So I may have to confine him so Zelda gets some quality play time. I've found that if the toy goes out of sight she'll rush over so it doesn't "get away". Before she put on so much weight I could have her jumping through the air for that toy.
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post #4 of 11
6/26/10 at 5:09am
I have my long hair Persian given a "Sanitary Clip" and I'm hoping I don't have to start having Chickster given it too, she is a very fluffy Tortie. But the Sanitary clip helps keep that urine smell away and it also makes it easier for me to use a warm wet cloth on his tooter if he has some poop on it, which is rare lately, thankfully.

The Sanitary Clip was fast and easy and only took a few minutes and cost about 9 bucks at my vet, BUT my cat has no testicles or tinkie winkie, so it's a pretty easy process.

He also has problems trying to clean himself, when he leans over to do it, his belly skin flaps used to cover everything up. So I started assisting, as much as he resisted, he started liking it

Chickster is getting fat, so I put a strip of felt tied to the end of a small tree branch and she goes wacko nuts over it. I do it for short periods of time throughout the day.

Chickster always took over when I'd try to play with Boo, but now that Boo is not too interested in "playing" (Except with strings of floss while I supervise closely) Chickster has all the toys to herself.

Good luck
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post #5 of 11
6/28/10 at 6:07pm
a laser light is always a big hit in my house. I can get her to at least run 1 flight of stairs and up and down the hall a couple times. Anything is better that doing nothing!
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post #6 of 11
6/28/10 at 10:49pm
Hi, I too have an overweight cat, and I am working on him losing weight by getting him to eat more canned food, adding fiber to it - per his vet advice, to make him feel fuller, and adding water to it too, and less dry food.

He too has problems cleaning his butt, so his butt is shaved, and I help him by wiping him bum with alcohol-free baby wipes.

Your kitty is only 4 yrs old... So yes, I would definitely discuss with the vet a diet plan, and I would also shave his bum, but... I would not order the blood tests - I would ASK the vet his opinion about it... If he thinks he needs it... and IMO he is probably not going to... He is far too young, and he is probably fine, this is just due to him being fat and not able to clean himself properly... Not due to internal disease or anything IMHO.
Now - if he goes like that for years, then yes, chances are he will be prone to develop a series of diseases that are obesity related, but he is very likely not there yet...

Just discuss with your vet... He is probably fine, and just needs some help getting himself clean while he lose weight and can do it on his own again...

Good luck!
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post #7 of 11
6/29/10 at 7:11pm
my Bella is also very plump. I put her on a diet shortly after I got her. I noticed she couldn't reach her "business end" or her lower back by her tail when she groomed herself. So i keep her bloomers trimmed and help clean her as necessary. She is losing the weight VERY slowly which i think is much safer for her. She gets a little canned food twice a day and 15 to 30 minutes of play a day. It was hard at first to get her motivated to play but after a while she really got into it. Now when she wants to play she will sit and stare at her toy until I notice her.
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post #8 of 11
7/31/10 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
Just an Update.

We went to the vet and Zelda had vaginitis from infection, but it wasn't a UTI yet. She got a round of antibiotics, and a sanitary clip. The vet gave me some instructions for diet. I also wipe her off with a warm washcloth twice a day. We went back today for a recheck, to get a weight and, to get her another sanitary clip. She lost a tiny amount of weight and is clear of infection.

She was so well behaved while the vet was was checking her out, and while she got her clip. I just held her like a baby and the vet tech clipped away, no struggling or anything.

Eventually she should hopefully be able to groom herself and wont need the clip, or my assistance in wiping her.
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post #9 of 11
8/1/10 at 9:08am
for Zelda to get well soon!

I kind of skimmed over all the responses, but have you talked to your vet about what her ideal weight should be? Most cat food will give you instructions on how much to feed. My vet told me to stick to the low end of what the instructions say, because they want to sell more cat food so the "high" end is usually too much.

Good for Zelda being such a good girl at the vet! Holland absolutely hates going to the vet, she is always very difficult.
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post #10 of 11
8/1/10 at 7:19pm
Thread Starter 
We didn't discuss a specific weight. We're just aiming for her to be able to reach her privates. The vet told me that giving her canned food for one of her meals is a good idea. And for her kibble the vet told me to reduce the amount by 1 tsp. I'm also confining her during meal time, so she doesn't steal the other cat's food.
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post #11 of 11
8/1/10 at 7:20pm
I am glad you got some instructions from the vet
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