Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   I know you are all up to speed with the Roxy situation. I'm very concerned TDKers. Something else is going here, and I would like to have any ideas you guys might have about what could be the problem.

   She's been with us for 2 days now. When she got here, she got out of her carrier and went and hid behind the bedside table thats in the room. And that is where she still is. She hasnt moved an inch, not to eat, drink or use the litterbox. No wet food can tempt her to move. Because I suspect she's been abused, I dont want to force the situation and try to remove her from her hiding spot - and I'm also 100% certain that she will bite me if I try to do that. If I stick my hand in there, she growls & hisses at me. I usually then leave my hand there, without apporaching her, just so she can catch my scent and realise I'm not going to hurt her. I can get to scratch her behind the ear after a few minutes, but thats where it get weird. She'll lean into my hand, even start purring, and then while she's doing that, she'll start growling and hissing. Just now she peed hersef as well, and started shaking :(

   Even the ferals I've had to keep in my home calmed down after a day or so, and would at least eat when no one was around. Short of her being in pain, I have no idea what could be going on. We're off to see dr Peck tomorrow, but if anyone has any ideas, it would be much appreciated.

   Posted 1 year ago by Skyron #

2. 

   I don't have any words of wisdom, Skyron, but it makes me sad to hear how afraid she is. I hope with time, she will come around. What makes me sick, is what was done to her to make her this way?? :( I hope things improve!

   Posted 1 year ago by katthays #

3. 

   Patience and love....lots of both. Bring some food and water close to where she is and let her pick her time to approach. Bless you for taking in this kitty, it sounds like she's had a rough time so far, and in her mind she does not yet know that she's found a loving home.

   Posted 1 year ago by Siobhan #

4. 

   Maybe put something with your scent near the bedside table?

   Posted 1 year ago by JoanfromNewJersey #

5. 

   I think Siobhan is right, Roxy is confused about what is happening to her. As she sees you more and more everyday I think she will relax and be less afraid. You're so wonderful for taking her in, Skyron. I wish you both the best.

   Posted 1 year ago by HuddysMama #

6. 

   Sending purrs & headbonks for an improving situation. Aw, little Roxy...Sky luvs you!

   Posted 1 year ago by jeankit #

7. 

   Oh, poor Roxy :( Have you tried tuna or yogurt, Skyron? Something even stinkier and yummier than wet food to entice her to eat?
   Hopefully Dr Peck says she is healthy (physically, because she sure isn't mentally) and she just needs times to adjust and realize that she will get nothing but love from your house. Poor pumpkin pie...she's been through so much. (((Sky and Roxy)))

   Posted 1 year ago by roxysmommy #

8. 

   Poor little baby girl. She must be so scared and confused. It's going to take time to win her over. Is she in a room where none of the other cats can bother her?

   Besides letting her sniff at you, are you talking to her? The more soft gentle conversation she hears, the calmer she'll get around you. Are you sure she's not leaving her hidey-hole in the middle of the night?

   Do you think she might have a UTI or other infection? If she's been kicked or thrown around, she could have some internal damage that's causing her pain. A cat in pain tends to hide.

   If there's no physical problem, the best way I can think of to help her is making sure she has her own safe place with food and water she can get to without exposing herself to the open. And just keep talking to her, sitting with her and letting her see that you aren't going to hurt her.

   Posted 1 year ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

9. 

   She has a room to herself, the other cats cant bother her. I cant be sure that she's not moving around, but i am sure she hasnt eaten or had anything to drink, and the litterbox hasnt been used (i gave her a few inches of clumping litter). She's still sitting in the same position she's been in since she got here; behind the bedside table, face almost tucked into her chest, facing a corner in the wall, so it really doesn't look like she has moved at all. I'll see what dr peck has to say tomorrow. If there isnt anything physically wrong, i might ask him to give her a mild sedative or something along those lines. If this is all just fear, its gonna take months to get her to come around :(

   Posted 1 year ago by Skyron #

10. 

    Ah, but the reward when she does warm up, will be worth all this worry and work!

    Posted 1 year ago by Siobhan #

11. 

    I really hope it is something curable, or that she is just needing time to warm up. With not eating, drinking or expelling anything for two days, I am worried too. I have no insight, but is she peeing where she is? I understand what you mean about not wanting to traumatise her further, I really hope she is ok.

    Posted 1 year ago by metsa #

12. 

    {{{Roxy}}} It's OK sweet baby, you're safe now. Nobody's going to hurt you.

    I hope you can help her, Sky.

    Posted 1 year ago by Kilroy #

13. 

    I'm sorry. I'd recommend you put a shirt or coat of yours in under the bed with her so she can get used to your sent. Put the most delicious NON-dry and dried food in there and just let her be. Do not rush things. Go very slow. She is already a timid cat, and she's in a new environment. Give her time to adjust. Also, as you say, she may have been abused.

    Posted 1 year ago by Mojo #

14. 

    It's unfortunate to have to bring her to the vet so soon. I wouldn't do it this soon unless you're absolutely certain she hasn't eaten a thing in two-plus days. It'd be best if the vet could come to your place but I guess that's not usually an option. The cat may be totally stressed out from an extended negative home environment and now having just moved...Poor Roxy! I hope she gets better soon.

    Posted 1 year ago by Mojo #

15. 

    Sky you are a very patient person with animals, Roxy is in good hands on that part! I hope that she will calm down enough so that she will begin to eat and then thrive under your care.

    Posted 1 year ago by SoxsMom #

16. 

    I think it's all fear. (ALthough of course you could be right, she could be physically hurt as well.) Poor Roxy. That is the way that Libby behaved when she was trapped as a feral kitten, down to the purring when being scritched and then growling as well. She spent the first two days wedged into a shelf under a bureau so that no one could even see her, let alone touch her. I have seen cats in the shelter behave like that as well in their quarantine cages when they first come in. Mostly they tip over their litter boxes and hide under and behind them. If you have Feliway as a diffuser, I would plug it in in that room and I would definitely ask the vet for a mild cat tranquilliser if you don't have Feliway -- does Dr Peck do house calls? It sounds to me like she's been both well loved at one time and (recently) abused and that's why she doesn't know how to react any more to kindness. {{{Roxy and Sky}}} As everybody says, if anyone can bring her round, you can. The shirt with your smell and Ann's trick of extended fingers with yoghurt on are good ideas too, as are leaving her food, water and litter tray in reach of where she is, so when you do leave the room, she only needs to move a few steps to use them.

    Posted 1 year ago by jcat #

17. 

    It does sound like she has been abused and loved, she just doesn't know how to react. If you can let her come around on her own, I would use the Feliway or Rescue Remedy if you have it. Maybe quiet time with her, while you are reading or just talking would bring her out to see what you are doing. Everyone above has such good ideas, I can't add anything. {{{Roxy & Sky}}}

    Posted 1 year ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

18. 

    It is a shame you'll have to get her to the vet so soon; that handling may not help with her fear issues, but then again, you might be surprised.

    You've already been given great advice, but all I can think of is: go slow and easy with Roxy. She's obviously terrified and very conflicted about contact with humans. She's sensitive, and has apparently been through a lot.

    She may always be on the skittish side (like my Violet). But you may be lucky and get her to the point where she actively seeks affection, even while retaining some remnants or echoes of feral behavior.

    Posted 1 year ago by anncetera2 #

19. 

    How's Roxy?

    Posted 1 year ago by Emma #

20. 

    Hi Emma! Glad to see you! I'm always wondering where you are and what you are getting up to :)

    Roxy went to the vet today, unfortunately dr peck wasnt there, so another dr had a look at her. Physically there isn't anything wrong with her, aside from the fact that she's painfully thin. The vet was rather upset, saying a cat coming out of a home-environment shouldn't look like this. She weighed in at 1.8 kgs, and she's 3 years old. She should be at least 4 kgs for a cat her size.

    So roxy (i'm calling her foxy roxy) had her shots updated, and she was dewormed. She has to go back in 3 weeks to be dewormed & weighed again. If she doesnt gain some weight they are going to run fiv/felv tests. For now, all rox has to do is eat her little heart out and relax.

    Posted 1 year ago by Skyron #

21. 

    {{{Roxy}}} I hope you didn't get too stressed out by the vet visit, sweet thing. You don't have to be scared anymore, I promise. Nobody's going to take your food away, either, so you just eat and eat and let the nice lady take care of you. She loves you already.

    Posted 1 year ago by Kilroy #

22. 

    She has actually started talking to me after the vet visit. She's still hiding behind her bedside table, but she answers me when i talk to her, she's quite vocal. Can only imagine what she must be saying to me . . . Probably not the fluffiest of terms.

    I forgot to say on my previous post, she ate some food this afternoon! Friskies select turkey & salmon entree. The girl has expensive taste.

    Posted 1 year ago by Skyron #

23. 

    I would definitely use Feliway and put something you've worn near her. My Sheba hid inside the recliner for almost a week. I put food, water and litter next to it. She must have come out at night because after a couple days she used all. Of course, we were upstairs sleeping, so no one was around. Could you put her somewhere by herself for a week or so?

    Posted 1 year ago by Sheba's Mom in Raleigh, NC #

24. 

    Eating is good though :) You just keep talking, Roxy, tell Aunt Skyron all about those mean people who scared you, and then let it go. You're safe now.

    Posted 1 year ago by Kilroy #

25. 

    She has a spare bedroom all to herself. For now she's alone in there. I'm going to wait untill the vet isn't thinking about fiv & felv anymore. Then the fun of introducing her to the rest of the fluffy family will start.

    Posted 1 year ago by Skyron #

26. 

    It sounds like she may already be starting to realize that you won't do her any harm. Let's hope the abuse was for a short enough time that she'll quickly overcome her fears and let you give her the love and attention she deserves.

    Posted 1 year ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

27. 

    And tell her that her Auntie Emma is praying for her. What a sweet little creature, and what criminal elements she was exposed to before she came to you.

    Bless you, Skyron.

    Posted 1 year ago by Emma #

28. 

    Looks like we've turned a corner already! I left a sweater i was wearing in her room yesterday, so she can get used to my scent; when i went to go give her her dinner, she was sleeping on it :) No more hiding behind the bedside table! And she didnt hiss at me when i went to stroke her :) And she dove right into her food :)

    I'm going to swop out her litterbox with one from the rest of the fluff family. Maybe the introductions will go faster than i had hoped for.

    Posted 1 year ago by Skyron #

29. 

    Hurray for Little Roxy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted 1 year ago by roxysmommy #

30. 

    FABUOLUS news, Sky! Keep it up little Roxy!

    Posted 1 year ago by linda #

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