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Kari White | 7 years ago
Any Advice For Traveling In A Car With Cats. We Have 2 Cats And They…

Any advice for traveling in a car with cats. We have 2 cats and they are about 9 months old. we enjoying camping. They will go into the crate on their own and we buckle them in. They have their own blanket and toy. Our vet is about an hour drive normally they meow for a bit then quickly calm down. For this first time camping trip the 2.5 hour drive going up they were ok after meowing a bit. Arrived safely..new place so it took them a bit to get used to it. I went outside for a few minutes after an hour of being there, my husband was inside with them and both cried at the door till I came back. That night (several hours after we arrived) one of them was panting. I assume due to anxiety but that shortly passed. I took them in another room and stayed with them. The next day both of us went outside for short periods of time and they were completely fine and they were fine the day after. At home they are independent except at night they will sleep with me. The trip home both meowed but one continued for a full 2 hours. Do you think a larger crate for travel? Put both of them in 1 crate together? I am going to try and do short trips around the block and reward with treats when we get back. I prefer to have them with us when camping versus getting a sitter. These are short trips mostly 2-3 days in total with a 2.5 hour drive each way. Any other suggestions?

3 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    If they’re a close, bonded pair, traveling together in a larger carrier may help.

  2. Krista Magnifico

    My advice is to use a large carrier full of shredded newspaper. Avoid feeding a meal about 3 hours before leaving. Place towels over and around the carrier to block out noise and light. If the vomit or defwcate pull over. Close all the doors and roll up the newspaper to throw away. Then add more shredded paper. Never leave a door or window open with the cage open so no one can escape.

  3. Kari White Post author

    Thank you both. Thankfully no motion sickness or accidents. We did stop feeding about 4 hours prior. Whew!! Will look to try all suggestions…1 large crate…shredded newspaper and definitely cover. I think it is the road noise that annoys him.

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Shiria | 7 years ago
Does Reflux In Premature Kittens Exist? I’m Asking Because We Got 4 Tiny Premature Kittens Yesterday…

Does Reflux in premature kittens exist?
I’m asking because we got 4 tiny premature kittens yesterday with their mother. She didn’t have milk when the were born, so the little ones were bottle fed/syringe fed the 2 days before they came to us.. However since she still showed interets in her babys they stayed with her. They had around 70gram according to their owner. When they arrived, they were cold and crying. One died a few minutes after they arrived, despite slowly warming up. It had tiny bits of milk in its nose.
(they were fed ca. 60 minutes earlier)

When they were finally warmed up two were drinking, one was fed with a syringe. All were urinating normally, one had a bit of bowel movements (yellow and soft). I placed them to their mother who was very worried about her babies and cuddled around them immediatly. She had a heat pad below her box to help keeping the temperature. She was extremly nervous, so I left her alone for the time being.
When I looked after them for the next feeding, the second one was dead. Milk around nose and mouth. I checked for cleft palate, but there was none visible.
The other two also showed no signs of a cleft palate. However, they felt cold again despite lying on their mothers belly.

I warmed them up again and this time I didn’t put them back – as it seemed that the despite mother and heat pad below they could’t keep their temperature. So they stayed in the box we use for raising kittens.

One was drinking, one was not. The none drinking was tube fed. When I looked after them a ca. 15 minutes later the non drinking one hat milk running out of its nose and mouth. I cleaned it immediatly and it started breathing again – but I guess it still got something in its lungs, as it died a few minutes later.

The remaining one was now warm, still urinating normally and drinking. But it couldn’t settle down. It was always crying and seemed restless. The next two feedings went normally – as dfar as that is possible with such a tiny one. When I wanted to feed it in the late evening I found it dead – a bit of milk running out of nose and mouth. It was the smalles one of them with only 67 gram.

I’m very worried that I did something wrong… They were not the first babys I bottle fed (or syring fed/tube fed). But it’s not like I’m very experienced… Usually the ones I get are at least full term… I only had one premature Baby before, that also died after 2 days. It had only 53 gram when being born – but it was with me since birth.
None of the babyies I cared lost as much milk through their nose – and especially not their mouth. The only ones that did this, had a cleft palate. The healthy babys may choke at some milk at the beginnig when they try to figure out the bottle – and may show a bit milk at their nose when doing so – but they never showed those problems. They were fine later,

These ones died more or less immediatly after I took them in – and that’s why I’m asking myself, if I did something wrong – or if I should do something different next time – as all of them showed milk at nose and mouth. The third one looked like it had spit our everything it drank earlier and the last one also had more than just a drop outside of nose and mouth. I only fed tiny amounts – ca. 1ml each feeding, to get them started, was that still too much? The previous owner said nothing about problems with feeding – and I used the same milk as them.

It seemed all aspirated milk because it came back out of their stomach (reflux).
I know reflux is not unusual in human preemies – but what’s with cats and is their a way to avoid that? (If that’s the reason for their problems at all). But if not why came the milk back up?

1 Response

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  1. Sarah

    Good morning. I’m so sorry that you had this experience. While I cannot truly answer your question about reflux, I just wanted to say that the fact that you cared so much and tried so hard does not go unnoticed. Thank you so much for trying?

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Shiria | 7 years ago
Has Anyone Experience For REM Sleep Disorder In Cats? Ezra Is An Ca. 8 Year Old…

Has anyone experience for REM Sleep Disorder in cats?
Ezra is an ca. 8 year old female cat. When she was in our shelter she seemed to be somewhat slow in her movements/reactions. She also had a weird way to walk – she moved her front legs a bit like a prancing horse. She also was a bit wobbly on her feet.
Otherwise she was very affectionate and cuddly, always eating good and didn’t seem sick.
However very often in the morning we found her bed wet. When we were around she always used the toilet and we never saw her urinating in her bed.
When we gave her to the vet, they found out, that she already was neutered and had an urinary tract infection. It was succesfully treated, but the problem still remained.

X-Ray and Ultrasound showed nothing special, same with bloodwork.
Her movements most likely were due to ataxia. Wether due to an accident or if she was born with it nobody knows.

So we found a new home for her and we informed them about her “problem”. I had contact with the new owners and it turned out she only pees when she sleeps. It looks like she has a seizure while she’s in deep sleep and she urinates during that. She may fall down from the chair our wherever she sleeps on due to her rapid movements – and wakes up confused.
When she’s in such deep sleep it is hard to wake her up, but possible.

An MRI then was done without result.

Medication for epilepsy was tested, but she became very quiet and tired with them, without solving the problem, so they were stopped.

Des anyhone have ideas what could be done to help her? Ezra itself doesn’t seem to suffer from this, as she doesn’t realize she’s peeing. When she wakes up she just goes away. But the danger of falling down is still there. The peeing is also a problem, which is why she is not allowed to sleep on the couch or bed when nobody is around.

The owner uses special pads on her chairs etc. depending on Ezras sleep those sometimes are completly shredded.

Maybe someone has an idea how to help in this situation?

3 Responses

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    What an interesting kitty. My initial hiught was perhaps cerebellar hypoplasia. But I will do some research and digging and see if I can find anything. It is so wonderful to her that she found a home inspite of her uniqueness.

    1. Shiria Post author

      Hello,
      I know it has been a year by now. But Ezra is back at the shelter for a few months now, since her new owner died.

      She roams free at aour station now, as she won’t really find a new home (but is obviously still up for adoption). When she came back another epilepsy medication was tried, but with same solution than before, so it was stopped.

      Her problems still remain. And now that she moves freely we can often see her “seizures”. She nearly always falls down from where she sleeps during that. Luckily she mostly sleeps on the lower things. When she falls down she wakes up, but sometimes will just lie there, looking absent – as if she only slowly realizes what has happened.
      What I noticed too – she is extremely sensitive on her whole back and sites. When you touch her there, her whole fur will twitch (rolling skin syndrome?) and/or she may start licking herself or hands in reach and/or scratching with her hindlegs in the touched spots (seems like a reflex caused by touching her there).

      However she still demands attention and loves cuddling.

      A while ago she as started pulling out her fur on the left and right site of her back symmetrically on small areas. Blood works came back fine, the skin is fine, too. No parasites either. It looks like she is grooming herself, like cats soemtimes do with their theeth, but she starts pulling her fur during that. I think she pissibly has some sort of “frong feelings” there?

      So I’m just curious if you could find something?

  2. Shiria Post author

    I thought about “cerebellar hypoplasia”, too. I guess that’s what I meant with Ataxia. (We call them “Ataxie-Katzen/Ataxia Cats”. We sometimes have kittens, that show wobbly gait, problems with judging distance and similar – however despite this they are still normal, playful, active kittens. The worst case was a little red tabby whose mother most likely had contact with cat-parvo. He could hardly stand when he got old enough to leave his box. His littermates were wobbly, too but not like he was. He had a hard time to walk at the beginning. But after he got the possibility to run around and train hismucles, he learned how he can run and walk – it still was wobbly, but he was not falling over all the time anymore.
    However none of the kittens ever showed the symptoms Ezra does when she is asleep. And none of their new owners ever called because of soemthing similar.

    Please let me know if you find somwthing. I would love to learn more!

    It seems there is not much to be found for her specific problem. But maybe I’m looking wrong as English is not my native language. I only found a Youtube Video and some short texts on google, but nothing really helpful.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
My Cat Alice Is A Year Old I Think Shes Pregnant…. Shes Been More Lovey…

My cat alice is a year old i think shes pregnant…. shes been more lovey dovey recently and has been kneading me at night her belly is gettin alot bigger than usual and her nipples are showing better. Today when she stood up from laying on mu bed it was a little damp… idk what is going on with her

8 Responses

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  1. Cheyenne Elliott

    Shes been vaccinated im iffy on spaying her my 3 year old brother plays with her and wont understand that shes in pain. I will see how long my waiting list is that the vet

  2. Anonymous

    You control the interactions between her and your brother, NOT the baby. Keep them separated until she’s fully healed. Spay her NOW – the world has entirely too many unwanted kittens in it already. Tell the vet it’s an emergency. And please, keep her inside.

  3. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Please see your get for helping to get your cat diagnosed and prepared for whateveright be at hand. It is also imperative hat she be vaccinated and spayed ASAP. .

  4. Cheyenne Elliott

    She just sat on my arm and it got wet…. she then started cleaning herself down there…. what is going on?!

  5. Cheyenne Elliott

    My brother controls homself. He doesnt listen. Im not going to keep her locked up and left out because of it. Not to mention i dont let her outside she sneaks out. Hasnt gotten the chance since. If she is pregnant
    I plan on keepin all the baby’s

  6. Shiria

    Get her spayed as soon as possible. Better to keep her locked up for 14 days than to risk her life every time she gets in heat!
    She depends on you to care for this and ti is your responsibility to superviye your brother when he plays with her.

    We have a cat at the shelter that gave borth to 4 kittens – it was a planned pregnancy. Shew was extremly protecting of her babies and attacked ther previous owners daughter. The owner herself said that she didn’t supervise everything the daughter did – so it is possible that one of the babies meeowed and the mother cat worried and attacked.
    By the way – she is the sweetest cat ever now that she’s in our shelter with her kittens – and the previous owner also said that she’s extremly sweet expect this one time. And they risked all this just because they didn’t spay her.
    So if she starts to get babies – never let you brother alone near her! You will have to control their interactions for even longer now, as if you just got her spayed.
    After spaying you have to control them for 7-14 days, if she has babies you have to control that for at least 3 month, depeneding on her behaviour even longer.

    So please get her spayed. We have so, so many kittens every year in our shelter, we don’t need any more!

  7. Krista Magnifico

    And what happens when all the babies start having babies? In one year you will have 6 cats. In two years you could have 20. From here it could be close to a hundred a year. The average cost for a cats care in the first year is about $300 to $500. It is time to start thinking about your pets andyour responsibilities as a pet parent. And ask your parents for help in getting her spayed and vaccinated immediately.

  8. Anonymous

    To answer your question: we don’t know what’s going on. You need to take your cat to the vet and get her spayed ASAP. They will tell you what’s going on.

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Debbie Molnar | 7 years ago
Are Heart Worm Preventatives Necessary For Cats Living In The Northeast? If So, Does A Cat…

Are heart worm preventatives necessary for cats living in the Northeast?
If so, does a cat needed to be tested for heart worm before you begin a preventative like Revolution?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    This is a topic full of much debate. Most of the vet specialists feel that we should not overlook or ignore the possibility and prevention of heartworms in cats. Typically we do not test for it before using a preventative, like Revolution as most positive cats have very few worms and there is a greater chance of getting a false negative on a test.

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suerena schaefer | 7 years ago
I Have 5 Cats And 2 Dogs. All Of Our Pets Area Rescues. …

I have 5 cats and 2 dogs. All of our pets area rescues. We just took in our second rescue dog. She is 7 mths old and is terrorizing the cats. I need some advice on how to have a happier home with all the pets. The cats are indoor/outdoor but spend most of their time outside. 3 of the cats tolerate the new dog the other 2 won’t come near her. I did the proper introductions, I’ve given the cats a “safe space” but nothing seems to help the last 2 cats. The biggest problem is that the new dog likes to chase the cats. She is a small dog, smaller than the cats. She doesn’t nip at them or try to bite them, she’s just curious and wants to play with them. All of my cats love my other dog who is 11 years old. They were raised with him, sleep with him and play with him. I’m sure the chasing and the spontaneity of the new dog freaks out the cats because they are nor used to that. I am at my wits end trying to figure this out. Countless hours of research has not helped at all. I am not giving up not am I giving any of my pets away, as has been suggested. I know this can work out, I just need help. Or just possible reassurance that my cats won’t be permanently scarred and things will work out as time passes. My anxiety level is at an all time high and everyone tells me just leave them alone and let them work it out. I don’t think I can do that. HELP!!

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    A safe place for the cats is a place the dogs can’t get to. It is the place that they can hide and take refuge from. Also it is time to start training the dog who is harrassing them. This might include crating them for periods where the cats can come and range freely, keeping the dog on a leash attached to you at all times outside of the crate so you can train and in general establishing boundaries and safe calm scenarios. It takes time. And a lot of dedication. And patience. And most importantly safest for your cats.

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Delaney Donelson | 7 years ago
The Cat I Recently Adopted Has Started Meowing In The Middle Of The Night And…

The cat i recently adopted has started meowing in the middle of the night and wandering around my room. I always check that he has both food and water as well as accessibility to his litter box. I also make sure to leave my door open so that he has freedom to come and go. Ive had him for 3 weeks and he has just started doing this. Anyone have any ideas? I read that it might be because he is bored through out the day but.. ive bought him every type of toy imaginable and he has free roam of the house.. so im not sure what more i can do to tire him out for bedtime. The meow isnt normal is a low bellowy noise. Reminds me of the meow my previous cat did when our other cat died..

4 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    He may still be going through an adjustment period… this might be part of it. Our cat meows very loudly (like a call) right after we all get settled into bed for the night for only a few minutes. Then she gets settled herself. You could try redirecting your cat when this behavior starts. Maybe call to him and see if he will come and settle back down? Another thing to try- you mentioned that you had lots of cat toys- perhaps a good play session with your cat right before bed time will help to get him tired enough to sleep longer into the night. Hope these suggestions are helpful?

  2. Delaney Donelson Post author

    Dr.Magnifico, we adopted him in hopes he would get along with and be a companion to our cat Mia… but they dont seem to like each other too much. He refuses to leave the room if he knows shes in the hallway

  3. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    Cats are nocturnal creatures. Maybe he is bored or lonely? Maybe a companion for him to play with while you sleep will help.?

  4. Delaney Donelson Post author

    They seem to be doing okay right now, both laying on my bed relatively close to one another. Which never happens, at least not without growling.

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Delaney Donelson | 7 years ago
My New Cat (have Had For 3 Weeks) And Resident Cat Refuse To Tolerate Each…

My new cat (have had for 3 weeks) and resident cat refuse to tolerate each other. I brought Louie home with the knowledge that they might never like each other but they would at least learn to tolerate. The first week seemed to go pretty well because when we let Louie roam and get a feel for the house Mia avoided him… but now… things seem to be getting aggressive. It doesnt matter where Louie goes or what hes doing (even just sleeping) Mia wants to attack him. Granted, as soon as he sees her he starts growling… but he only started doing that after she batted at him the first time. The episodes seem to be getting more and more aggressive. I would keep him in my room but its clear he wants to roam. And i find it unfair to lock her in a room after 6 years of letting her roam around the whole house. Before we got mia 6 years ago we had an older male cat, they got along well but he passed about 2 years ago. And according to the shelter Louie was surrendered with a sister but she was adopted without him. I need help on this one

2 Responses

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  1. Delaney Donelson Post author

    Thank you Sarah, the baby gate didnt work… i had one up and then a door screen up but no wwy to secure the screen so he found a way to get out of his own space. For the most part, he does confine himself to his own space still but now its more so the residemt cat that is ckming to him. I have thoe litter trays and food/ water areas still seperate so theres really no reason for him to HAVE to leave his room or for her to come in to his room but they still do. I just dont want this to be a stressful situation for either of them. Mia has never been a fan of any large cat toys (trees or posts) both of my cats are declawed (adopted that way) so they dont tend to “scratch” other than the occasional carpet scratching after a stretch. Shes afraid of the tree we have for her and hes too heavy for it, he knocked it over. (Hes 22 lbs) Any other ideas are welcome

  2. Sarah

    3 weeks in is still a fairly new situation. This will take more time than that. Having said that, keeping them together but separate may help. For instance, a baby gate or two could possibly help you confine them and keep them separated when not supervised, but still allow them to see each other and continue getting used to each other. It also gives them their own space which may help with the adjustment period. Just make sure each has access to their own litter tray and food and water. A few kitty “distractions” might also be helpful- for instance a cat tree and some scratch posts. If they have an outlet for some pent up energy, they may not use it on each other. Don’t give up? There are lots of people on this website that have lots of helpful ideas to share. Hopefully they will add more. Best of luck!!

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
Cat Pooping On Carpet

cat pooping on carpet

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  1. Jana

    Not a lot of information here. In general, cats who stop or refuse using the litter box might do so because of pain. Cats get arthritis too. I’d start with a medical evaluation.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
I’ve Just Brought Indigo, My 3.5-year-old Male Cat, From My Father’s Acreage To My One-bedroom…

I’ve just brought Indigo, my 3.5-year-old male cat, from my father’s acreage to my one-bedroom city apartment which I share with two cats already. I knew it would be a handful going in, but Indigo is very, very important to me and I desperately want him to have the longest, healthiest and most love-filled life possible; he was primarily outside, even during cold Canadian winters, and unless I was home to visit, and my father is a way very often which causes me to worry about my pets that get left behind. Indigo’s an extremely confident and friendly cat and I think things have gone quite well considering how huge of a change it’s been. He does not hide, he’s eating and drinking, playing, etc., and is getting less freaked out by traffic noise and neighbors with each passing day. All three cats are getting along very well, although it’s very crowded and I do realize I may need to rehome one of my cats to improve the quality of life for all of them, as well as myself. I also intend to take him out to a park across the street on a harness once it is warmer out so that he still gets to enjoy the outdoors like at home.
My concern is that Indigo’s personality seems to have changed a bit, especially towards me. It’s like he hasn’t forgiven me for bringing him here. He and I have had a special bond and it’s heartbreaking for me to think he’s not happy here, or that I may have harmed our bond. He is usually the sweetest, happiest and most loving cat, but he hasn’t been very cuddly with me, or really responding/purring when I pet him. I’ve had friends over and he seems to much friendlier with them, even literally walking over me to go sit with someone else. He still sleeps next to me at night, but he just lays down instead of cuddling/kneading first. I’m doing everything I can to make him happy, and I know its still very early on in the new situation to tell (been here less than a week), but I just can’t help but feel that I’ve ruined our bond by bringing him here to keep him safe. How best can I maximize his quality of life and win back my cat’s love?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello,
    First of all I applaud your devotion to your cats. As you mention he seems to be acclimating amazingly well. Please understand that this is in my opinion the most important part of this situation. Secondly, I do not believe that cats are capable of punishing or holding grudges. So I don’t think that this should be a reason to explain his change in behavior.
    Cats are very intuitive and intelligent creatures. He is doing the best he can and he sounds like he is excelling in his ability to adapt and overcome big (really big) changes. Please don’t take anything personally. He doesn’t love you less he just has had to learn to survive differently. Be proud of him for this and be patient. It is the most important part of being a parent. Loving unconditionally and staying devoted through thick and thin. Best of luck.