Severe Calico Attitude - Page 2

My cats are not declawed, but I know some cats that are, and when I was around them, they did everything that a normal cat does. They ran around, played, pounced, chased each other, and toys. Just like my cats do. I didn't even know these cats were declawed, until their owners told me.

Hey all,

Just a new-comer here I just wanted to say that I hope you don't get rid of her, it sounds like she is playing with you like she might her littermates. The suggestions about positive reinforcement for good behavior have already been given, but I would also like to suggest using a laser pen to play with her. Especially for your grandmother. The laser pen is very distracting, and your kitten can chase it at a distance from you or your grandmother. Which will effectively tire her out, without harming either of you.

And just a small word on why some vet techs or vets lack "compassion" or are not bleeding hearts....This is my best guess from the vets I've shadowed in school, but they try not to get too attached to any of the pets that come in when they have preform surgeries or see pets sick. Complications can always arise, and it's heart-breaking to lose a pet you like very much...Not that it is any excuse to treat a patient unkindly! I'd never want a doctor to be rough or uncaring with me. But I can see why some vet techs who have been in the practice for a while sort of lose their zest for animals. Very disheartening

Most still will form some sort of relationship with an animal they see regularly or at least they should. I know the vet tech was sad when I had to take Attitude in for her final appointment(I made the appointment for her to be put down, I knew if I didn't make the appointment for that specific reason I'd want to try to keep her longer.) She was sad(and so was the vet, she wasn't one Attitude regularly saw but she had still had prior experience with her), I mean anyone who can put an animal down and not be upset about it in the least is not someone I would want to take care of my animals. I'm not talking bleeding heart, outwardly crying, just showing some compassion. No one will ever mourn Attitude as much as Paul and I did but it felt good to know they cared. The other vets were also upset, they don't want to lose an animal and it's especially hard when they see the animal constantly during the final weeks- months of it's life or it's an older animal that they know well. Attitude saw the vet at least every 2-3 weeks during her final months and even before then was a fairly frequent visitor. If I called for an appointment they knew chances are it was going to be Attitude because Nuts never needed anything.

Ask a vet/tech what is one of the worst parts of their job and if they don't say having to euthanize animals then they need to take some time off because they are burned out. I know a semi-retired vet(the original owner of the vet hospital I took Attitude and still take Nuts to, he's been our vet since 1984) who still says having to put an animal to sleep is the most horrible thing they ever have to do.

Every year they donate money to the vet school research fund in the names of pets they have lost over the year. That means a lot to me because it means they care(Attitude's 'final' bill was less than $75 and I know chances are the donation is that amount or more per pet so they essentially eat the cost of the final bill with their donation. Even after I lost Attitude the vet who had done a fungal test on Attitude called and said it was negative and that gave me comfort knowing there really wasn't anything else that I could have done. When Nuts went in for his yearly the vet still remembered Attitude and asked how we were doing and how Nuts was doing as well.

When Attitude got her first positive leukemia test they gave me all my options and left putting her down as the very last option and said that as long as she was healthy there was no reason for her to have to go anywhere until it was her time. That she had to potential to live a long happy healthy life(but not glossing over that you don't know how it will effect different cats), I have proof of that a dead Attitude and Nuts who has seen the vet twice for non-routine things and both were inconsequential and is healthy as a horse. Same age, same litter, same environment, one just happened to be healthier than the other.

Sorry to hijack this but I just wanted to say that of they can't show any true compassion whatsoever to my face I can't trust them with my pet.

Taryn

You are right, because if the vet doesn't care, they won't treat your cat or dog with the respect they deserve. And if something is wrong, they won't even bother to find out what it is.

Welcome to TCS! Sorry your post almost incited a riot, though. Declawing is a sensitive issue for most of us, so I hope you're not offended.

My Callie was declawed, but she was already declawed when she adopted me. She was a life-long nipper when she got overstimulated, too. I think what you've seen is that when you brought Haya home, she was scared and in a new environment, so she was all lovey and "good". After becoming acclimated, having surgery, and coming back home, she's now showing you all her kittenness! I think most of what you're seeing is normal behavior.

I have an 8 mo old kitty and there are only certain times I can pet him without him "attacking" my hands. He's in play mode when he's attacking and ANYTHING is a toy. When he's sleepy, just woken up, and just hanging out are okay times for me to pet him. When he's playing, on the prowl for some toy to attack, or hungry are not good times to try to get him all snuggly and love on him. So, take it slow and take cues from Haya on when she says it's okay to love on her. Know that most kitties, as they mature and get older, will calm down and will accept being petted better and at more times.

Get some dangly toys, toys on a stick, a laser pointer, some soft balls or a mouse, and a toy called DaBird. When she's kinda reaching for you to scratch at you, divert her attention to a toy. I think she's wanting to play and rough house with you, like she would do with another kitty. Kitties that age still like to wrestle and jump all over each other. Of course, another kitty for her to play with would be a great diversion!

If she does happen to snag you, don't strike out at her or yell at her. An over dramatic "Owwwwwwwwww!" usually conveys that they've hurt you. If she bites, tell her sternly "NO!" (again, not yelling, but use a firm voice) and GENTLY push into her until she releases. Cat's expect their "prey" to try to run away, so they clench down. Gently pushing towards her is unexpected and she should lessen her hold on you.

Also, know that some kitties don't like to have their tummies rubbed. Trying to do so will leave you with battle scars. Neither of my current kitties like having their tummies rubbed, so I don't even try.