Just Trapped a Calico - taking for Surgery Tomorrow

Willowy said:

I guess Pfizer bought Shering-Plough: http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/25/04...th-acquires-Schering-Plough-animal-health.htm
To be legally recognized, rabies vaccines need to be given once, then again a year later (actually it must be given before the one-year anniversary), and only then can be given every 3 years (on the chart: "1 year later & triennially"). It really has nothing to do with how long the vaccine is effective for; it's all legalities. So that's what clinics need to put on the charts, or they could have legal trouble.

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That all makes a lot of sense - in any case - this will be Callee's last rabies as long as she lives in this household - mostly because she will be an inside girl now. 

My mind needs to get into a different mode of thinking.  Callee seems to be more feral-like than what I anticipated.  I have to go back to my "First Grade Feral-Born and Socializing Class" now.  

It's funny, but it's hard to transition, or start all over again.  I'm still socializing the three feral-born that we brought inside 2010.  They're no longer fearful - it's just that there's very little touching allowed. .  It's been slow going, but many rewards

Today I'm releasing her into my husband's bathroom - the tub has sliding doors, and they will help her feel she's got a place to hide.

I put a carrier inside the tub - all nice and comfy with bedding, and a rug.  The idea is when someone needs to be in the bathroom she'll run to her nest. ??  Hope that works out that way.

I'm putting her litter pan (which she has no idea of what it is) and her food and water on the floor outside of the tub.

I guess I'll have to go get some sand-dirt from outside to put into the pan - she doesn't know what that corn stuff is.

I am grateful that she took advantage of the shop towels, and paper towels last night - a good sign that her systems are up and running. 

I will cover the bathroom door frame with a screen door so there is sufficient air-flow, and she can become familiar with what happens outside of her little safe-place - and the other cats will get to see her, too.

So, it's slow and easy for a good outcome, taking it a day at a time - and punting.  Back to the Forum Classroom to get some refresher courses on how to do this.   It's amazing how much I've forgotten. 

Hi Gloria !!!!!!!! I am so glad to hear that Callee IS doing so well and finally has a voice. AND you ARE doing a great job - no class needed GREAT idea about the bathroom :nod: She will soon feel secure and once a routine is cemented - I think you will see much progress :cross: It does take much time and even more patience with these babies. I have no doubt that Callee will come around - it is just all about trust and more trust :lol3:. Once you have established that - then progress goes more smoothly. I think the dirt/sand from outside is a good idea OR you could try to get some Kitten Attract litter from Dr. Elsey's. OR the litter herbal attractant that Dr. Elsey's makes. That mixture is perfect for outside feral cats coming indoors for litter box training :bigthumb: Have a great day and keep us updated

GloriaJH said:

I guess I'll have to go get some sand-dirt from outside to put into the pan - she doesn't know what that corn stuff is.

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What I did with my feral girl after I trapped her was offer her one litter box filled with dirt from outside, and one box with Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter. She chose Dr. Elsey's. That stuff is magic!! Except that after a while I remember that I can't stand clay litters so I gradually switched her over to clumping pine, and then on to a combo of cracked pine and paper pellets. So ya, I agree with Feralvr to give the Dr. Elsey's a try. Or if you have the space for 2 boxes, see if Callee has a preference.

Looking forward to hearing how the Feral Socialization Classes go! My sweet Cinnamon Girl (there's a pic of her in my profile) is a total love-bug now. Gets freaked out by other people in the house, and you can't pick her up, and she's not a lap cat, but she's a **** for getting pets and belly rubs and kisses from my hubby and I. 

Well, my question in the other thread was answered in this one. :lol3:

CONGRATULATIONS on trapping that beautiful girl! And SUCH a love you are. :heart3: So... you are fostering her - right?

:rub:

LDG said:

Well, my question in the other thread was answered in this one.

CONGRATULATIONS on trapping that beautiful girl! And SUCH a love you are.

So... you are fostering her - right?

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Laurie, I don't know if it's called "fostering" - but I'm not releasing her, for sure.    I let my husband know last night, and he's such a Sweetie! and didn't seem surprised.

Let me tell you a short story about Callee's name.  I decided on my own that I would name her "Callee".  When my husband came home from work we were talking about her and he called her by name.  Now, I didn't even notice he used the name that I had come up with - AND- he didn't know that I selected that name, either.

After a few moments it struck me that he called her by the name I had chosen.  Now, it may have been a coincidence, but... .

He said he was thinking about her as he was driving and thought that it would be a good name for a calico.  Pretty amazing!  I told Alan that I wanted to spell it C-a-l-l-e-e.  Our son and his wife spelled their girl's names with double ee's, and the 18th was his birthday - so it seemed only right that I would honor his birthday by spelling our newest addition the same way.  

Right now, she's in a carrier - in the bathtub, and to my knowledge hasn't ventured out.  When I put the trap, with her in it, into the bathroom, and opened the door it didn't take her long (after I left) to get out of it.  After all, she'd been in it since Tuesday night!  She yelled a couple of times as she crouched on the bathroom rug, then disappeared into her new retreat.  Haven't heard from her - hopefully she'll be quiet tonight and I can sleep, she sounds so sad and pathetic when she does speak out, and I like to cuddle her and tell her she's loved and it was going to be okay. 

She didn't eat her "breakfast", so I put in a different food, and some kibble.  Hopefully that little girl will eat. 

Oh I got the chills reading about her name! :lol3:

How's she doing? :cross:

LDG said:

Oh I got the chills reading about her name!

How's she doing?

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Yeah, I sort of think she's suppose to be with us.    It was just too easy to trap her.  I had been observing her as she came for food, the time, her preference (Wellness Turkey & Salmon).  I set the trap out just before I thought she'd show up.  The only food I put out was her fav - inside the trap this time.

(You see, there are several other cats that are eating at my table, and I didn't want them inside the trap, I wanted her!! So, another miracle that she was THE one that got inside the trap.)

I was able to watch her come for the food, look around, find the food in the trap, walk into the trap and begin eating,  YIKES, that darn trap wasn't releasing the door!!!, I stopped breathing.  I had just tested it - maybe I reset the bar too much ????  YIKES!  Then I heard the wonderful sound of the trap slamming shut.  Now I could breathe.

I immediately went out with a large towel to cover her.  She was spinning and spinning around, but quieted down immediately when I put the cover over her. Whew!!

I brought her inside and put her into the laundry room, closing the door so she'd have lots of quiet - and the other cats wouldn't try to check her out.

So, the trapping ease - a miracle - and the naming of her - just makes me smile from ear to ear - seems like confirmation we should have her, huh! 

So far she's spending most of her time in the seclusion of her nest -  inside the carrier  - inside the tub.  Her carrier is even covered giving her more privacy.

She's going to need to get her nights and days straightened out, though.    I feel like I've just brought home a new baby being awakened several time during the night with her crying.  One thing, though - I think she's like our other young feral-born female who must make comments before she goes potty - come to think of it, our oldest has always made comments prior to the litter pan entry, and he even says something when he exits - so maybe that's what she's doing because she did have some deposits in the dirt/litter this morning. 

Today I bought the litter that was suggested, and a new litter pan.  I have both pans there for her to choose.

She's a little piggy.  She's eating everything I've put in her dish - Merrick, Wellness, and Taste Of the Wild, and Royal Canin Urinary SO kibble.  Her urine smelled a little strong and the Merrick, Wellness and TOW are all grain free and I've read that all grain food may be a little hard on the urine output - so, maybe the RC will help her a little, or, maybe she's just getting through the being trapped and surgery stress, and things will even out soon. ?  

I've been leaving the light out in the bathroom (no windows), but just turned them on to try and keep her awake (sure!) so her clock will get corrected. Well, I can hope, right? 

She's in my husband's bathroom, and he's been out of town since Friday - but will be back tomorrow - so, I'm going to have to come up with another plan for her at night.  Right now the set-up is ideal.  What's good is she is inside the carrier, so all I have to do is close the door and transport her to another location - which may be my bathroom.  Okay, no one promised this would all be easy.  

Thanks for your inquiry, Laurie!  

Sounds like she is doing well. Are u spending some time in there talking to her?  This will help her. 

Oooooo Gloria - that is unbelievable about Callee's name !!!!!!!!!!!! ESP ESP ESP :lol3:

I am SO happy to hear she is eating up a storm now. Maybe your husband won't mind her staying in his bathroom.. AND btw I wish I had my own bathroom :winkblue: Anyway - I would still recommend her staying in a small room for sure - and your bathroom will be just as good as your DH's. :nod: Sounds like Callee has a new meowmy :heart3: She seems very special to you as well she should

RAFM said:

Sounds like she is doing well. Are u spending some time in there talking to her?  This will help her. 

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Time - what a wonderful resource - of which I have little of. 

The door is not closed, I have a screen door covering the door opening - and she can hear all kinds of activity during the day.  When I take her food, I do talk to her.  I've found that whispers are accepted better - after all, they do have great hearing.  Whispering doesn't seem to frighten them as much as talking out loud.

But, thank you for the reminder - I'll try to make more of a point to be in the bathroom talking to her. 

StefanZ said:

Pain killers after surgery may be treacherous. The cat may feel it is just to move as usual.

While with no pain killers she takes it easy a couple of days. Which is exactly what is needed just after surgery.

So unless she isnt in excessive pains, pain killers are not necessary.

What is necessary is a nice, warm, dark, spot to be in, where she feels comfortable and safe.

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After I got my cat spayed she was still a we bit groggy from being under and would not rest for anything. I don;t think she sat down for longer than an hour that night. no matter what she would just walk around the apartment meowing a tiny bit even after having the meds that the vet gave me for pain. Wish I could remember what they were.

Callee, April 21, 2012 UPDATE



Dear Callee - probably our straw that broke the peace in our household of cats. 

Of course - most of the problems have been due to human error. 

Firstly - she's more of a feral than I thought she was.  I thought she may have been lost from a family and once trapped she'd settle in to being in a safe place.  HA!

 - She's probably been on her own since she was a small kitten ??.

Secondly - I thought I had her litter box trained - HUGE mistake, huge!  Every room I put her in has been peed in.  Yes, I used the litter to attract her - and, like I said I thought it was working.

I didn't find this out until I put her in the family room where she promptly started using the sofa as her pee spot. I've cleaned the sofa as best I can, and it is now covered with plastic shower curtains.

Then, one of the male cats that as NEVER had a problem with peeing outside of the litter pan, started peeing all over the places he is allowed - I suspect every place that Callee peed.  I was shocked to see him pee on a leather chair for the first time - he had NEVER done that sort of behavior.  (Yes, I considered a health issue - and watched him to make sure it wasn't.)

Simon would be the one, he is super intelligent and extremely sensitive - ugh!

Then, there's Gray - our former stray - and until he was neutered - a prolific marker  outside, but never inside the house.  He hasn't had any problems until Miss Callee arrived - now I have two sprayers.  

FUN Anyone?

Callee loves our oldest, and most easy-going cat - KiKi.  And KiKi loves most any animal that comes his way.  I let KiKi in with Callee, and our other Calico (medium hair) Phoebe.  Phoebe and Simon are brother and sister.

Until the second week in April Callee would only come out of her hiding when my husband was in the room - alone.  

Bringing KiKi and Phoebe into the room has helped Callee come out from hiding.  KiKi is playing and grooming her.  Phoebe only tolerates Callee - Phoebe is Calico, too - so now we have two Calicos and all that comes with the attitudes (they are real!!) of a Calico.

I wish I could get a full pic of Callee - she has the most beautiful markings.  

She's beginning to fill out - she was only 6 pounds when she was spayed.  

So, our cat household has been turned on it's head with the addition of Callee.  

Gray Family has reduced area - now only in the office space - along with their outside enclosure.

Simon spends time, mostly, by himself when the other two (KiKi and Phoebe) are in with Callee.

Callee now seems to have been only peeing in the litter pan - KiKi may be helping with that - he uses her litter pan - especially if he can't get out of the Family room when he needs to go.  

I hope that we'll be able to get Simon to warm to Callee - but, this is going to take time, longer than I want.  I'd love to be able to work Callee into the KiKi Family zone so the Gray Family can get their space back.

Well, that's my story - only to add --- even IF I knew all the issues we'd have with the addition of Callee - I'd do it again - I'm not a quitter.     I just hope that I haven't hurt Simon during this process - he's getting a lot more lovin' now  to make up for his loss of companionship of the other two during the day.

The Three (KiKi, Phoebe, and Simon) once had the whole house to play in and call their own, now they are living in one of the 4 zones we've designated.  Sometimes I feel sad knowing that our Original Three have had to give up a lot.

g

hno: That is always an issue.... the spraying that comes with the addition of another kitty. Especially since Callee has been peeing. Then those boys will mark over it. Make sure you use a good enzymatic cleaner. Laurie has an excellent article. I will go and find it for you. Just so you have it on hand. :nod: Here it is http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-remove-cat-urine You are awesome and I love your comment on how you would not change anything about bringing Callee in. You are not a quitter - that is FOR SURE!!!!!!!!!!!! I bet things will work out and smooth out as time goes on. I hope Simon will soon accept Callee too :cross: I always try to tell my other cat's that they need rescuing just as the newbie did. Doesn't always work :lol3: We do have to make many adjustments in the home in the hopes that all the cats can live inb harmony. Sounds like you have a great plan, Gloria!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the update

Thanks for the words of encouragement! 

Thanks for the link to Laurie's article.  Funny, I've been using white vinegar and alcohol on the hairballs, and that's all I had when all the peeing began so that's what I used.  I figured we'd be throwing out the sofa - but now that I have information - maybe we'll be able to clean it up, but, ???. 

My husband went to the store and brought home the stuff like Laurie talked about in her article, the kind that I have to keep applying.

  At least it is better than the vinegar and alcohol that I was using.

I've been isolating Simon in our bedroom - mostly to try and observe his peeing in the litter pan to rule out health issues. Tonight he escaped out into the hall - I saw him, but couldn't do anything because I was in with our FeLV (Buddy) and didn't have my hands washed - besides Buddy was on my lap getting his butt patted and I didn't want to interrupt his lovin' time.

After Buddy left my lap I left his room and disinfected my hands, then went on the hunt for pee.  I was sorry to find it - on the front door - probably another cat had sprayed the exterior and so Simon responded. Or, the pee that I had just cleaned up just with bleach didn't do the job like the enzyme cleaners would and Simon still could smell where he had peed before. ugh!  Simon has always been the one with the great nose, so it's not surprising that he is so upset with the other cats' pee.

First I bleached and mopped the door and floor, then I applied the repellent spray.  Hopefully that will hold until we can buy the recommended product. 

Callee:  tonight she has really decided we're safe to be around.  She's picking up on our habits and noises we make in the kitchen. She's out and about even with me there.  Climbing up on the cat tree and laying on a shelf - her eyes are showing that she's not afraid any longer.

I think what's really helped has been KiKi and Phoebe being in there with her.  Their presence seems to have been the key to her beginning to accept her new home.  I pick up KiKi just to show Callee that I'm okay - she's taking it all in I can tell by the way she's watching me hold and cuddle and talk to KiKi.

Callee wanted to play with Phoebe, but Phoebe hissed at her, so Callee got down off the tower, tucked her tail between her legs and went back to her bed.  I felt so sorry for her, she looked so dejected.  Fortunately, KiKi let her play with his tail after a little while, and all was well with the world.

I'm tired, it's 11:40 pm, and I still have other cat things to do before I go to bed, but I'll share the odd way Callee plays with KiKi in another post.

Hope I don't have too many typo's - I've just gotta go, so hitting submit and crossing my fingers that this post makes sense. 

OH GOOD... I am glad that you found Laurie's article so very helpful, which it is I use StinkFree - because you can get it from Petsmart. But the Nok Out is really well liked here as well. I think once you get those areas properly cleaned then the marking will stop :cross: Callee really sounds like such a love, Gloria... :rub: :heart3: I think she just wants a friend and Kiki sounds like the willing participant. :lol3: In time, I think they will all do just fine. It really takes time for the kitties to sort things out. Finally, for me, after one year, Perla is accepting of Wendall I have learned over the years that it seems eventually, they all do find a way to make living together peaceful.

OH and don't worry about typos or being tired. Sometimes, I just type as I think and that makes for a very funny post and might not make much sense :rofl: Hope you have a wonderful day with the kitties today :cross:

Boy, Callee has her moves.

My husband said he was watching Callee and KiKi play and she had an different move we hadn't seen before.  KiKi was laying on the floor batting at her, and she turned her butt towards him and backed into him.

I got to see her in action last night - she's very camera shy so unable to get a movie - if I do, I'll post it.  Soooo funny to watch!

I wonder where she learned that technique?!!  

Silly little girl :lol3: I do think that is a goofy move and have seen a cat do that. Especially if they are in heat So it could be a habit and she is showing her love to Kiki :kisskiss: Some kitties just love to put their rears right up close to another cats face - it is how they know each other - :lol3: by butt smells :rofl: Would love to see a movie of her

Feralvr said:

Silly little girl

I do think that is a goofy move and have seen a cat do that. Especially if they are in heat

So it could be a habit and she is showing her love to Kiki

Some kitties just love to put their rears right up close to another cats face - it is how they know each other -

by butt smells

Would love to see a movie of her

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Boy, I'm glad that I know she's been spayed, then!     I just knew she hadn't invented that move - it's really too cute.  

Today she wanted to play with KiKi - he wasn't interested and tried to ignore her - yep - she stuck her butt in his face and he forgot he wanted to be left alone - funny, too funny.

Each day seems to be steps forward, she even let me use my little Electrolux stick vac to vac up stuff - I didn't push it wanting her to just become familiar with the vac sound - it's really a very quiet little machine.  I realize that we might have a step backward from time to time, but for now, I'll enjoy the progress.  

Getting a video of her move isn't going to be easy, but that won't keep me from trying.  

I let one of the cats from Gray's family, Gray, Jr., into the room (from his zone) with Callee (she was in there by herself) - he's very timid, and Callee was stalking him., She was too much for him, and he was afraid to walk past her to escape back into his home zone.  To help him, I stepped in between them so he could hurry to the door to get out of the room.  It's this sort of fearlessness that reminds me of our other Calico - Phoebe - tough little critters. 

:lol3: Callie definitely has CATTIDUTE!!!! I think she will be running things over there - at least let her think she is Can't wait to see a video of her! She is so pretty too. :love: