Daily Kitten Chat Forum » General Chat

31. 

    When the AC in my car was broken, I used to fill 2-liter soda bottles with water and freeze them. When the cats had to ride somewhere in their carriers, I wrapped each bottle in a kitchen towel and put a wrapped bottle at the back of each carrier. That way, the cats could get close to the bottles if they were overheated and move away from them if they got too cool. Just having a 2-liter chunk of ice in the carrier probably cooled it down inside anyway.

    When I was bringing Penny home from her first or second trip to the vet, it was a very hot summer day, I was stuck in a traffic jam, and "4-55" air conditioning doesn't really work when you're stopped. Penny climbed behind the bottle of ice, laid down on her back between the bottle and the back wall of the carrier, and went to sleep.

    Posted 3 years ago by Leeny #

32. 

    Terrific idea, Leeny! Thanks!

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

33. 

    Do you think she might not be drinking because she feels out in the open, and therefore, not safe? You can't really cover her cage in this heat (which we are suppose to have for another day), but maybe you could put her cage in a corner or behind a couch or something. She just might not want to bend her head down when she feels like she's exposed on all four sides.

    Posted 3 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

34. 

    I put a sealed frozen block (it's one of those deals that locks to the inside of an igloo cooler) underneath one side of her bed. The cage is put into a cubby hole.I have the door end open,but have a light sheet covering the sides. Then I put a piece of cardboard on top to darken it. Then I've got a floor fan on the opposite end of the room,aimed at the cage. When I stand by the cage,it seems to get a nice gentle breeze by the time it hits the cage.
    She seems to be sleeping right now,as comfortable as one can get I guess. She's just not eating or drinking anything. I did put several small ice cubes into the water as well. She loves milk,but,passed that up as well earlier.
    I'm getting real nervous about it all. Most cats have enuf common sense to eventually drink.But,she doesn't seem to be using hers.I don't know whether to put her back out onto the front porch after the sun goes down & it's cool out there,or if I should keep her inside. The raccoons didn't bother her last night,but I had the sheet pulled completely over the cage.
    Should I start to panic soon? I don't want to over-react,but,I haven't seen her drink or eat anything since Wednesday. Unless she drank water in the middle of the night,she's sure to start dehydrating with the awful heat we're having.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

35. 

    This may sound like a strange suggestion, but would one of those water bottle feeders used for pet rodents work for a cat? It would be a little higher up than a bowl.

    I don't suppose you can get close enough to her to do that skin pinch test for dehydration. I wouldn't disturb her. She may just need some more quiet time to get over the stress of being caught and then spayed. She probably still smells funny to herself and the procedure may have been harder on her because she was pregnant.

    I wish I knew more. You have been so kind to her, Susie!

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

36. 

    That frozen block under her bed should be helping; it's kind of like putting a heating pad under young kittens' bedding, but in reverse. As for the water, could she be drinking when you aren't watching, Susie?

    Posted 3 years ago by Leeny #

37. 

    If she is/has,it would be at night. That's why I'm thinking about setting the cage back out on the porch tonight. Buddy & Squeekers don't bother her out there. They're both too old as well to give a hoot. All they care about is staying high up away from the critters,eating,treats & more treats. It would be so much cooler out there for her,but,I would have to cover the whole cage with the sheet to protect her from the coons. Last night I had to squirt a skunk 3 different times to get it to scram & all that was out there was water.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

38. 

    Here are some hints on Petfinder for beating the heat: http://www.petfinder.com/journal/index.cgi?article=552

    Posted 3 years ago by Kitten Whisperer #

39. 

    Well, after going back & forth,I decided to keep Ms.Hissy (I love that as a permanent name for her) inside for the night. Not only did I get a couple hrs. sleep (the most I've gotten in one night for months),but,she drank the entire bowl of water!! Yay for Ms.Hissy!! I can't tell if she ate any kibble. If she did,it wasn't much. But as long as she drank,it's a start to her recovery.

    It looks like I'll be getting a visit today as well from our very own TDKer,Karin. She'll be bringing gifts from all my beautiful TDK family to defray Ms. Hissy's spa costs. I can't Thank you enuf for all your support!!
    And for my own sanity & piece of mind,I will be getting a signed receipt from live-in non-helper!
    His favorite thing to do is bring up things month's past of what he contributed. He also complained yesterday about the litter box in his bathroom for the 3 Muskateers(Misty,Spunky & Rusty). I told him I was out of litter & he would have to scoop it himself & to shut up while he was at it. He came back with 'where did all that $40.00 go I gave you?'(that was last week). I laughed & told him where the receipts for it was. Half went to Kibble & canned food for them. The other half for food he stuffed down his throat.

    Anyways...I'm so excited about Karin's visit today. She'll be able to see Hopper & Ms. Hissy both close up. After talking all these months about the years endured trying to catch them both,it just seems fitting that at least one TDKer be allowed to see them in the flesh!! lol.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

40. 

    What great news, Susie! Pictures maybe of the two of them? So glad she drank. So now, just one more to catch?

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

41. 

    Yay for Ms. Hissy! I wouldn't worry too much now that she is drinking water. I'm sure that ferals are used to a less than regular supply of food. Susie, could you take a few minutes and give us a little background on Hopper and Ms. Hissy (geeze, I love that name!) and the rest of your ferals. How long have you been doing this? Do you know where they came from in the first place? I am only asking cause I came to TDK kind of in the middle of all this and would like to know a little more. How many kits have you trapped and had spayed? Etc.,etc.

    Posted 3 years ago by Shelley #

42. 

    pj...There are no more to trap. Hopper & Hissy (I love this new name for her) were the last fertile felines to trap in the neighborhood. Yaaaaaay!!

    Shelley...It all started with a neighbor that moved outabout 13 yrs.ago & left Hopper behind. Then about 3.5 yrs.ago a careless,irresponsible neighbor (they're still living here & claiming to be Born Again Christians-her husband is an ex-heroine addict) brought Hissy into the park,then abandoned her. The 2 started mating. I trapped & homed her first litter(5). Her 2nd litter (Naughty,Pretty,Runt & Knight)were more of a challenge. By the time I was able to trap Runt & Pretty,they were pregnant by their own brothers & Hopper.
    I trapped,fostered & homed Runts & Pretty's litters. In the meantime Hopper & Hissy continued to mate as well. I got Hissy's 3rd & 4th litters rescued & homed (but not without LOTS of help from my TDK family & 2 rescue groups,which neither is in our county). As of today,I still have Naughty & Pretty from litter #2. And I still have Prettygirls 3-Misty,Spunky & Rusty.
    And of course,sad as it is,Hissy wasn't able to birth her 5th litter. Hopper has wreaked havoc for at least 13 yrs. I've been trying to trap him for 6 yrs. Ms. Hissy for 3 yrs. Of course,thru-out those yrs.there were others abandoned on my doorstep from other irresponsible people. Those were saved. Some still remain here & others have passed over the bridge. But, they All had a name & my love.

    Like another TDK said here...the kitty faucet is finally shut off. I consider myself so,so Lucky & Blessed that the kitty population didn't grow larger than it had & that I'd met all of you at a time in my life when I was slowly sinking in quicksand. The emotional support I got from TDK Clearly saved my life,more than once.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

43. 

    "The emotional support I got from TDK Clearly saved my life, more than once."

    ...me too...

    Posted 3 years ago by CSBM #

44. 

    I too would love to see more pics of Ms Hissy and Hopper and all the others. Susie, you have done a wonderful job.

    Posted 3 years ago by miu #

45. 

    I will bring my camera to try and take pictures of Hopper and Ms. Hissy. I have a digital camera but it doesn't always take the best of pictures indoors. I try to do the best I can with it. I will be meeting at Susie's at 2pm today.

    Posted 3 years ago by SylMiaFelixsMomma #

46. 

    I was hoping you would, Karin, I remember Susie said once she didn't have a camera. Bless you and have a safe trip.

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

47. 

    pj...I do have a digital camera. Our very own sweet 2bpurring sent me one she was no longer needing awhile back. I'm still learning how to use it. But,some time back I sent a few pics out to some of our TDK members that were taken with the camera. My problem is that I'm computer illiterate & have no idea how to get them on the puter,etc. Especially if they need sizing down. I look at the puter & run away screaming.
    You should've seen me this morning. Emotions in high swing.At my age,I know it's not hormones. I figure it's either the full moon,or the fact that I've met the Greatest People on Earth here on TDK.
    On T.V. they were playing that ad for 'A Better life',the one with the song 'You Raise Me Up'. Every single time that song plays,I cry like a baby because it reminds me of all you. There couldn't be a better song on earth than that one to describe how I feel about all of you.

    Thanks & {{{HUGS}}}

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

48. 

    Hugs back to you, Susie! I've been telling other friends of this marvelous little lady from California who has taken on a herculean task with ferals and has finally had much deserved success. When I told my mom you finally had caught Ms. Hissy, she cheered! I had told her about you in the first place because you are about her size. She's 4'10 1/2 inches on a good day and weighs about 100 lbs soaking wet, so you reminded me of her.

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

49. 

    Wow...she is my size. I've got a couple inches on her in heigth,but I'm slowly shrinking. lol. And Thank You for the wonderful compliment. It was all a test of patience,that's for sure.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

50. 

    Susie, my dad was 6'2" and 190 lbs. Can you picture them dancing? When I was a kid, I was embarassed, but as I matured, I thought it was sweet.

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

51. 

    They say nice things come in small packages. ;-)

    Posted 3 years ago by SylvesterMiasMomma #

52. 

    Susie, This website may have some resources for you. www.fixnation.org
    They help TNR folks with spay neuter. They're based in Los Angeles but perhaps they can help you.
    :)

    Posted 3 years ago by caroline #

53. 

    Thanks caroline. At this point tho,I think it's safe to say...I won't be needed to google much now that I've finally caught the last fertile (no longer) male & female.

    CHEERS to Hopper & Hissy...May they live Long,Healthy, & Prosperous (with lots of lizards to play with anyways).

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

54. 

    Susie, glad that Mz. Hissy (do love that name) finally drank water, thought maybe she would after getting some of the anger & spitfire out that she is feeling (caught, caged, surgery, caged, still caught, etc) towards the world right now. And that is a great Cheer!!! May both of them, the King & Queen live long, healthy, & prosperous no-longer-productive lives and yes with lots of lizards, butterflies, and bugs to play with!!!

    Posted 3 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

55. 

    Susie, I think California should proclaim a holiday in your honor. I already appreciated everything you do for the cats around you; this afternoon, I am even more aware of the exceptional quality of your caring.

    The local paper here carries a syndicated column by a woman who is supposed to be the archetypical Southern Belle, who relates anecdotes about her life. Today's column was about all the tremedous effort she put forth to rescue two starving kittens in a drain pipe. The effort consisted of (1) feeding them in the pipe for several days and (2) bringing them to live outdoors in her yard. She doesn't think this effort was worth it, though, because (1) one of them gave her cat scratch fever (obviously vet care is not part of her rescue plan), (2) her dachshund doesn't like them (I wish I could send SuLee for a visit), and (3) it would cost a lot to have them spayed because she makes too much money to qualify for low-cost services (she didn't mention whether she planned to go through with the surgeries). Because of all this bother, she doesn't plan to rescue any more kitties. If this is what being a Southern woman is about, I think I'll go home and burn my GRITS T-shirt.

    You're a heroine, Susie. Take joy in all that you have accomplished.

    Posted 3 years ago by Leeny #

56. 

    Leeny...Thank You...you have me blushing. I know I wanted to help these kits with as few casualties as possible. But,with Hopper & Hissy,it turned into a challenge of the wits,almost at the exspense of my sanity. I've realized in the end,some cats are smarter & more stubborn than people. Those 2 definately came close to stripping my sanity & common sense.
    But,with that said & done,it won't be a success until I can release them back to wence they came. Hissy is still not to where she should be & so I'm having to delay letting her loose. She ate a small amt.of tuna last night(she's only eating after I've gone to bed). She still has eaten no kibble(just dumped it trying to get out) & oddly,she drank no water.
    I know Siamese are stubborn,but,you'd think by now,she'd give in. I hope when I do let them out,that she doesn't run away so far that I can't keep an eye on her. I'm fighting w/myself to let her out today because her daughter,Prettygirl was quite traumatized by her being captured. I've only seen her twice since last Wednesday & seen her eat only once herself. I pick up all food before dark because of the skunks & coons so if she's not coming home,she's not eating.
    Right now I don't feel too heroic,but,I'm so thankful for your compliment.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

57. 

    Susie, has she been using the litter box? If so, I sure wouldn't worry about the eating and drinking part right now.

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

58. 

    pj...she is indeed using the box. And ,she is one VERY angry kitty today. I swear I heard her say to me "Let me out" this morning. lol.

    Posted 3 years ago by feral #

59. 

    From the news, it sounds as if your weather isn't going to be any cooler today. Hopefully she will get thirst enough to drink. What about tuna juice?

    Posted 3 years ago by paulajeanne #

60. 

    I have upload the pictures I took and emailed them to all the people in my contact list. If they are too big to view, let me know and I can re-size them and try to resend.

    Posted 3 years ago by SylMiaFelixsMomma #

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