The Pets Thread

[The Nal]

Brilliant. Once again stolen and shared elsewhere

Stolen? Thats an otter disgrace!

[Spindles]

excuse me while I re-attach this rib.

Seriously though, I should be paying you commission for the amount of stuff I repost elsewhere

[worm]

Off to a real vets to sort out my eldest cat's skin infection gone mad. It's developed into a solid independent mass around the base of her tail and it's constipating her severely. The local vet said it was cancer at first and suggested putting her down. I made him do an x-ray. It wasn't cancer, it was a swollen bladder. Then he gave her some antibiotics and asked to bring her back. They did jack shit. He then suggested putting her down. The man is obsessed.

So I'm taking her to a skin specialist vet to see what the problem is and if there's anyway to remove this obscene abnormality. This is all because my usual vet wasn't available. I'm so fucking annoyed. She's perfectly healthy otherwise.

Edited September 8, 2012 by worm

[feral chile]

Off to a real vets to sort out my eldest cat's skin infection gone mad. It's developed into a solid independent mass around the base of her tail and it's constipating her severely. The local vet said it was cancer at first and suggested putting her down. I made him do an x-ray. It wasn't cancer, it was a swollen bladder. Then he gave her some antibiotics and asked to bring her back. They did jack shit. He then suggested putting her down. The man is obsessed.

So I'm taking her to a skin specialist vet to see what the problem is and if there's anyway to remove this obscene abnormality. This is all because my usual vet wasn't available. I'm so fucking annoyed. She's perfectly healthy otherwise.

And then change your vet, if there are others around.

I've always regretted putting my border collie down without a second opinion. She collapsed suddenly, and we had to carry her in from the garden. We called the vet out, and he arrived already armed with a fatal injection, because from her symptoms he said she had heart failure. I had to insist that he actually examined her, and he convinced me that putting her down was kinder, as she would have a slow painful lingering death and all her organs would slowly fail.

A while later, I met a lady out walking her dog, and she mentioned that her dog had suffered heart failure, but was now under medication. The dog seemed fine.

The vet I've got now is really good, and is keeping our old cat going with a good quality of life, even after times where she's seemed so poorly that I was inclined to have her put to sleep.

It's like some vets can't see past the age of an animal.

[Spindles]

Reading this just reminds me I'll have to face this one day. It might sound selfish but I'm hoping my cats outlive me. I've been lucky with their health so far (2 aged 5, one aged 4 so in the prime of their lives) and long may that last.

Best of luck mr worm.

[feral chile]

Reading this just reminds me I'll have to face this one day. It might sound selfish but I'm hoping my cats outlive me. I've been lucky with their health so far (2 aged 5, one aged 4 so in the prime of their lives) and long may that last.

Best of luck mr worm.

Our cat's 18, so hopefully there are many more years of feline company for you to enjoy

Edited September 8, 2012 by feral chile

[worm]

Thanks people.

She's been kept in for a contrast-scan and biopsy. They reckon it's a long standing tumour with a history of secondary infection. Unknown if it's benign or benign turned malignant. Either way, it's disrupting crucial organs and may have disrupted the nervous system via the spinal chord. There are options, such as surgery if benign and operable, surgery and catheterisation with a view to palliative care if not and, of course, the unmentionable. I was told that the situation is 'guarded'. We'll see.

Either way, they've got an awesome patient at there place. She's never cried out of fear in her life. Do something she doesn't like and they'll receive a knowing growl though. Well, they do say that cats take after their owners.

Edited September 8, 2012 by worm

[feral chile]

Thanks people.

She's been kept in for a contrast-scan and biopsy. They reckon it's a long standing tumour with a history of secondary infection. Unknown if it's benign or benign turned malignant. Either way, it's disrupting crucial organs and may have disrupted the nervous system via the spinal chord. There are options, such as surgery if benign and operable, surgery and catheterisation with a view to palliative care if not and, of course, the unmentionable. I was told that the situation is 'guarded'. We'll see.

Either way, they've got an awesome patient at there place. She's never cried out of fear in her life. Do something she doesn't like and they'll receive a knowing growl though. Well, they do say that cats take after their owners.

Fingers crossed then culty, at least you know you've got her the best attention.

[The Nal]

[The Nal]

Can any cat lovers give me a few bits of info? Thinking of getting one.

Just looking for info around costs of food per week and any other bits I may need - carrier etc. Im at home most evenings and weekend but in work 9-6 on weekdays.

Ive grown up with boxer dogs so I dont underestimate the care needed in owning a pet.

Edited November 12, 2012 by The Nal

[feral chile]

Can any cat lovers give me a few bits of info? Thinking of getting one.

Just looking for info around costs of food per week and any other bits I may need - carrier etc. Im at home most evenings and weekend but in work 9-6 on weekdays.

Ive grown up with boxer dogs so I dont underestimate the care needed in owning a pet.

If you get a kitten, you'll need to spend time house training the cat. So you'll need a litter tray. You can get scratch posts and a nest for the cat to sleep in, but mine never used either. Toys can be good, though again, mine has more fun finding her own bits to chase around the floor. Things that roll or have a tail are good as they stimulate the hunting instinct.

If you get a long haired cat, you'll need grooming products. I use a comb and this for coping with matts.:

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/matt-splitter-for-small-matts-by-mikki-26687

With food, it depends what you buy.|Mine uses pouches and is a light eater, so I probably spend less than a fiver a week on food for her, if I didn't include cat treats.

Cat litter only costs a few quid - I prefer the wood pellets, because it's easier to clean and less dusty than the clay based stuff.

Vet bills can mount up - we've spent £200 in the last month buying medication, an examination, and blood tests because our elderly cat has fits. So insurance is a good idea, but doesn't usually cover prediagnosed conditions or animals above a certain age. They tend to live longer than dogs, too.

Pitfalls - poorly housetrained cats announce their presence to visitors by their pungent aroma, and once a cat decides not to use a litter tray, they're difficult to retrain. They'll wreck your sofa, bed, carpets, anything they can scratch. They'll wake you up at night by calling you in that caterwaul they use with other cats, they'll try and attract your attention by knocking over ornaments etc.

And strangely, you'll find that none of it matters, because when that cat chooses you for its owner you'll feel so honoured you'll overlook everything!

[guypjfreak]

i need a memory ....................

worm i hope your cat gets better old son if not you can have one of mine.....its a she and she keeps sh..ting so shes on death row again lol i can always pop her in the post if you want

Edited November 12, 2012 by guypjfreak

[The Nal]

Cheers. Ill have to give it a think. Will be after XMas anyway.

[thetime]

Just noticed this thread and after a bit of advice.

Got a fantastic 2 year old dog(well not according to the wife) and is well trained, good with other dogs, great with my 3 year old but one little problem when I take him for his walkies.

There is another dog that attacks him violently everytime we see this other dog. The other owner does not seem bothered as ive told him he should learn how to train the dog or dont let him of the lead, his reply is what can he do and im like train him to be less aggressive or keep him on the lead. My dog is a pretty big dog but a bit timid and this other dog literally takes great big lumps out of him and theres times my dog just jumps int he canal just to try and get away.

This is the only place I can really let my dog of his lead, I dont want to change walks and keep him of his lead.

Well what im wondering how do I report it? I dont know who they are and dont really want to follow them to there homes to see where they live.

[The Nal]

Report him! Dunno who the authorities over there but they exist in every country.

Cant have a dog that aggressive off the lead! What if he bites a kid?

Report it to your county/city council. They'll direct you. Tell the owner youre going to do it next time you see him. It'll make your dog more aggressive too. Only bad things can happen from you not reporting it.

Edited November 13, 2012 by The Nal

[thetime]

Report him! Dunno who the authorities over there but they exist in every country.

Cant have a dog that aggressive off the lead! What if he bites a kid?

Report it to your county/city council. They'll direct you. Tell the owner youre going to do it next time you see him. It'll make your dog more aggressive too. Only bad things can happen from you not reporting it.

Yes I think your right nal, the little one sometimes comes with me and she wanted to the last time but was to muddy. The last time he attacked my dog I had to stand in between mine and his dog to stop him biting him more, daughter would of been petrified.

[The Nal]

Yes I think your right nal, the little one sometimes comes with me and she wanted to the last time but was to muddy. The last time he attacked my dog I had to stand in between mine and his dog to stop him biting him more, daughter would of been petrified.

Thats a disgrace. The owner shouldn't have a dog if he allows it to behave that way. Randomly attacking other dogs and being aggressive in public? Nah. No question, report him asap.

[fred quimby]

Just noticed this thread and after a bit of advice.

Got a fantastic 2 year old dog(well not according to the wife) and is well trained, good with other dogs, great with my 3 year old but one little problem when I take him for his walkies.

There is another dog that attacks him violently everytime we see this other dog. The other owner does not seem bothered as ive told him he should learn how to train the dog or dont let him of the lead, his reply is what can he do and im like train him to be less aggressive or keep him on the lead. My dog is a pretty big dog but a bit timid and this other dog literally takes great big lumps out of him and theres times my dog just jumps int he canal just to try and get away.

This is the only place I can really let my dog of his lead, I dont want to change walks and keep him of his lead.

Well what im wondering how do I report it? I dont know who they are and dont really want to follow them to there homes to see where they live.

Sadly my Dog does this. We have had it 3 years (from a cats and dogs home). Lovely with people and dogs that it has got to know but any others boy does she want to do the pack dominance thing. We walk her always on a lead and is muzzled but if we are playing with the ball sometimes other dogs run over. I do get her and tell the other owners to call their dog away but sometimes this doesn't help, as they don't. We have gone to various training (where she is sometimes fine) and even going to she Ceaser Millan to she if we can get her out of it. The wife wants to get rid if it carries on but the kids hate the idea. Me I didn't want a dog in the first place.

As I say as soon as she gets to know a dog she is fine, but I can't sdaly take any chances.

[worm]

Thanks people.

She's been kept in for a contrast-scan and biopsy. They reckon it's a long standing tumour with a history of secondary infection. Unknown if it's benign or benign turned malignant. Either way, it's disrupting crucial organs and may have disrupted the nervous system via the spinal chord. There are options, such as surgery if benign and operable, surgery and catheterisation with a view to palliative care if not and, of course, the unmentionable. I was told that the situation is 'guarded'. We'll see.

Either way, they've got an awesome patient at there place. She's never cried out of fear in her life. Do something she doesn't like and they'll receive a knowing growl though. Well, they do say that cats take after their owners.

She died from cancer last month.

[The Nal]

She died from cancer last month.

Really sorry to hear that mate. Had a boxer die of cancer aged 7 before so understand how you must feel.

[worm]

Really sorry to hear that mate. Had a boxer die of cancer aged 7 before so understand how you must feel.

My best and most trusted mate for 15 years.

Cheers.

[fred quimby]

She died from cancer last month.

Sorry to hear that.

[feral chile]

She died from cancer last month.

I'm so sorry to hear that culty. I still miss my border collie, so know what a great loss it is.

[feral chile]

My cat's just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, so will be on meds for life with them, as well as phenobarbitone.

[Katster]

What is that feral? Will she lead a normal life on the meds??