Jezabelle's Progress Thread

[kittykatattack]

Hey everyone,

So, a few weeks ago, I made a thread asking a few simple questions about care for a cat whom I couldn't handle after being spayed due to how traumatized she was after being dumped off. I figured that, since she's recovered from being spayed, I'd make a new thread for her.

I found Jezabelle on Craigslist the day she was dumped. After being thrown from a car while in a box, she was transferred from a veterinary clinic in Hutto, TX to a shelter in Georgetown, TX. I initially closed the thread because I wasn't sure if it was the right time for me to have a cat, but I kept thinking about her over the weekend. I eventually decided to get her because she 'called' to me from her picture and her story. Two days later, on a Sunday, I went in to see her, but could not hold her because of how traumatized she was. The shelter was concerned that I would not want her because of her aggressive behavior. I knew this was because the original Craigslist post (before it had been edited by someone who claimed to 'not be from the shelter') said that the shelter was full and that after her three-day period was up, she would likely end up being put to sleep. I told them I wanted her anyway, so that day, I signed the paperwork, then picked her up the next day after she was spayed and had some infected ovaries removed.

This Monday will be the three-week anniversary of me bringing her home.

I wanted to make this thread because of something that happened today. As you've probably guessed, I haven't been able to touch her. She has started to come closer to me, though, and progress has been immense. This morning, though, I woke up and looked down because I felt a pressure near my legs.

Jezabelle was sleeping in the bed with me.

This was the first time this has happened.

IMG_20130504_093501.jpg

• kittykatattack
• May 4, 2013

(Please excuse the laundry near her bed and plate of catnip. It has been the laundrypocalypse in my household.)

Even though she hissed at me when I shifted the first time, then after when I told her I had to get up (both to use the restroom and to rush to post here and on Facebook,) I am thrilled beyond belief of her progress. She's getting better every day.

 

[ondine]

Wonderful news! She is coming around on her terms and is very lucky to have found a wise owner like you.

 

[catspaw66]

It is a good thing to let her know what you are doing. The sound of your voice is soothing to her, even if she can't completely understand what you are saying.  Keep on doing the things you are doing now.

Thank you for rescuing her.

  I wish you many happy years together.

 

[di and bob]

Wondreful news! I think in time she'll be fine, you'll be holding her in a few months! A lot of females are really standoffish to begin with, and when you think of all this poor girls been through it's a miracle you've gained her trust this fast! I'm so happy for you (and her)) thank you SO much for taking her in and saving her life. Good luck, and praying for many years!

 

[kittykatattack]

So, new update. I got up this morning after having some terribly bad post-mania Bipolar exhaustion the past few days. Jezz was acting kinda funny (more playful funny than anything) because she kept running in and out of the closet and messing with her litter box. So, I changed it, and then she 'burred' at me (which is new because she's only done this a few times.) After I tossed her litter out and came in, I told her I was going to open the window because it's overcast and cool, and she first made a move to jump in my office chair, then seemed like she was growling at me when I was trying to crawl onto the bed to do it, then walked right around me, then jumped up when I was less than five inches away from her and looked at me, flicked her tail, then laid down.  That was new.

 

[ritz]

Oh, that's a good sign too.  The first time Ritz jumped up onto my bed I about died and went to heaven, I was so pleased/blessed.  (Ritz lived the first four to six months of her life on the streets.)

Keep on talking to her; she won't understand a word you're saying but will understand your tone.  (Note to self:  cats don't understand sarcasm.)  Try to play with her, to get out some of that energy.  She's probably feeling a lot better now that she's had infected ovaries removed.

 

[kittykatattack]

I was able to get up onto the bed with her while she was in it, and she didn't hiss. She's also making subtle signs that she wants to play, but isn't sure how to go about it. <3 so cute.

 

[ritz]

Another sign of progress  

She may not know how to play.  Because she is still somewhat timid, try playing with her using the feather at the end of the stick/wand or DaMouse/DaBird.  She can pounce ("kill") the prey at a safe distance from you.  You can also try balls with bells in them--roll them down the hall AWAY from her and see if she'll go catch it.

 

[kittykatattack]

She's actually terrified of the catnip birdie on string. Every time I've tried to play with her with it she's batted it away and hissed. She does pounce on her little plush pillow the lady at PetCo gave her. 

As to bells, she seems more amused by them than anything. I've yet to see her actually chase one.

The hallway idea would be good, but I have to keep her confined to my room until I get her settled in more, since the roommates have cats and an elderly chihuahua, which is the major concern on his part and not Jezz' (well, hers too, since the chihuahua loves cats, haha.)

 

[catspaw66]

Try giving her a piece of paper crumpled into a ball. Roll it away from her and see if she chases it.  Also, some furry mice toys might spark her interest.

 

[kittykatattack]

She was playing on her own! I heard a commotion and was trying to figure out where the noise was coming from (I thought it was outside,) then turned around and saw her batting her toy reindeer around. When she batted it toward me, she stopped and looked at me. Sadly, she did not reciprocate when I tossed it for her, but at least she's playing.

 

[catspaw66]

See, here we are trying to figure out a playtoy for her, and she had it all the time.  I am so happy to hear she is playing.  Just wait, she will be playing fetch before long.

Sugar and Spice are having a wrestling match as I type.

 

[kittykatattack]

It's been one month! YAY! <3 Here's a video of her being cute. I missed her playing (which was funny because I saw her fly across the floor at one point,) but she looks cute here too.

IMG_20130513_055225.jpg

• kittykatattack
• May 13, 2013

 

[ritz]

Oh how cute!

Ritz poses like this too, sometimes.  Wonder if her paws are cold?

 

[kittykatattack]

I live in Austin, so... I dunno, haha. It has been getting chilly at night here.

Sleepy kitty shot!

IMG_20130513_152645.jpg

• kittykatattack
• May 13, 2013

 

[kittykatattack]

I had a real breakthrough this morning while I was laying awake trying to go to sleep. She was laying on the dresser beside my bed when I lifted up my hand and she swatted at it -- more in a playful way than anything. So, I thought, why not? and started playing the finger game with her. She obliged and played with me for about three minutes, haha. No hissing, only claws two times (which I don't blame her as it's just a flexing paw thing)--just her playing with me.

It was so cute. <3

 

[kittykatattack]

Ok, so... I have a question. Jezabelle's doing fine (she and I are playing together more [finger game] and she's been playing on her own,) but I'm noticing a potentially-bad problem. Her claws. This morning, she dug her claws into the plush lining of her bed and got stuck, then had a hard time getting free until I held the bed in place (to which she was not pleased and there was hissing, haha.) I also just noticed that her reindeer toy was stuck to her claw until she flung it off.

I have a little scratch board that's supposed to hang from a doorknob, but I've since moved it twice in order to try and get her to use it (which she hasn't.) I put it near one of her new favorite spots (because she likes this Walmart mat I got to protect one refinished cabinet/end table, which I had to move because she epicly rolled over and then off of it onto the floor in her sleep,) so I'm hoping that helps, but... I dunno. She hasn't scratched anything yet (which I've found rather surprising, but it keeps confirming she was a pet before I got her,) but I'm worried about her claws getting too long and her getting stuck in something. (My roommate's little cat got her claws stuck in my futon bed months ago and I had to yell at her while she was downstairs to come up here and help me free her, which I know I couldn't do with Jez.)

Thoughts?

 

[catspaw66]

You really need to trim her claws or have your vet or groomer do it.  If they are long enough she is getting stuck, they are not far from growing into the pads. Here are some suggestions on claws.

www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-best-take-care-of-cat-claws 

If I remember correctly, she is still a little skittish about letting you touch her. If she sleeps soundly, you might be able to get 1 or 2 at a time before she wakes up. There are several things used to clip claws, special scissors, human toenail clippers (this is what I use), and devices that you buy on TV that look like small grinding wheels (yeah, I can see a cat sitting still for a humming whirling device close to their paws) that I would not let near MY nails.

Once you get her into the habit of letting you trim, it is easy to check and trim claws. For Silly, all I have to do is rub her belly, and she will let me do almost anything to her.

If you have to take her to the vet sometime soon, ask them to do it for you.

 

[kittykatattack]

Low and behold, once I move the thing, she started using it, haha.

I'd be happy to trim her claws if she'd allow me to handle her. At this point, she's only just starting to play with me, and I'm fairly certain a vet would have no way to trim her claws unless they knocked her out (which I sadly do not have the money for a vet visit as of now.) I'm still in the 'her way or the highway' stage, but she's coming around slowly. I'm going to see if I can find a cheap cat tree/scratching pad (one of the fancier ones) and put that in the room as well. Hopefully that'll encourage her to scratch more.

 

[catspaw66]

Just keep an eye on Jezabelle, and if her claws start getting close to her pads, take her somewhere to get them trimmed. Does she seem to prefer a horizontal or vertical surface for scratching?