Zoe to the vet Update #22 Another update #25

[Catty1]

It's 5:30 a.m. I have dozed fitfully since 4:30 a.m. I am never up this early but couldn't get back to sleep.

Last night Cole was lying down on a shelving unit I put by the window in my office. It has a pillow and a comfy mat. The edge of the short curtains was on the pillow and mat and he started to slip.

I went to help him but he semi-fell to the floor, right in front of Zoe. She did a banshee freak-out, thinking she was being attacked. She went at Cole so fiercely that he peed himself. I hauled her out.
Oscar waited outside the office door for her and chased her under the bed and hissed at her. Cole's protector I guess.

Not long after I went to bed Zoe got up and lay down by my left side and went to sleep. Oscar was on the other side of me. About 2 am Zoe spotted him and lunged for him; I had my hand on her so pulled her back. She went under the bed, a favourite spot.

4:30 am - Oscar is watching Zoe who is giving little growls under the bed. I had taken two small rags and sprayed Feliway on them...I know it doesn't work fast, but I had to try something so early.

ANYway, Zoe went on another banshee attack on Oscar. Again I pulled her away and she ran under the bed. I then noticed I needed a couple of bandaids, one on my right hand and the other on my left foot.

When I brought Zoe home just over 2 years ago things were going very well. Then there was another 'accidental' attack where all three of them went on a gallop out of my room and down the hall. Zoe, 9 lbs, was sandwiched between Cole and Oscar, each 16 lbs on a good day. They got to the living room and she attacked, banshee screams and all. Cole wet himself again. I kept Zoe separately in my bedroom for 3 or 4 days.

:(

I will call the vet tomorrow. My regular vet is not in til Tuesday. I think Zoe needs a good checkup at least, a geriatric one, and maybe something mild and long term to take the edge off until she gets more comfortable with my two.

I wish I could turn the clock back, but I can't.

Prayers and good thoughts for Zoe and a more peaceful household, please. Thank you.



So I will call the vet tomorrow

[phesina]

Oh poor Zoe, and poor Oscar and Cole and you, Candace! I hope the vet will come up with something that helps.



>
>Prayers and good thoughts for Zoe and a more peaceful household, please. Thank you.



You have them from us, Candace. :love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[Catty1]

Thanks, Pat.

Things got quiet enough that I crawled back to bed about 7 and slept for another 2 1/2 hours. I needed it.

Cole has stayed hidden behind a chair; he threw up a hairball (though I'm sure the stress didn't help). I gave him some petmalt on his paw and fed him there. He ate all his breakfast and is doing well.

Oscar is hissing at Zoe; Zoe is making funny sounds at Oscar. They did have a chase/run-in but nothing as serious as earlier. I'll fix each of them up with a Feliway collar...heck, let's do the whole lot!

At least things have settled down for now.

[pomtzu]

Yikes!! :eek::eek::eek: I sure hope things settle down for you - and sooner rather than later!

I can't imagine having a fighting crew. When I had multiple cats, they never fought, and my son's 2 cats don't either. I did have a dog that would tear into one of the others occasionally - he was a fear biter. As long as no one startled him tho, he was fine. And Myndi would on a rare occasion show Sparky who was the Alpha dog, but it was always a quick snap at him, then all was forgotten.

I don't think my nerves could stand a battling bunch!

[Catty1]

pom, it doesn't happen all the time. But what you said made me think that Zoe is a fear fighter. She IS half the size of the other two, and if one is accidentally falling in her direction, she certainly would see it as an attack!

She is fearful and distrustful of them both, though. She does touch noses on occasion with Cole. Oscar is the alpha cat and often all he has to do is stand still and just look at her to remind her! This usually happens is she is lying on my legs and he wants the spot.

Will keep you posted.

[cassiesmom]

Thoughts and prayers for you and your fur-kids, Catty1!!

[Queen of Poop]

My dear, little Zoe, I do hope your visit to the white coats goes well and you are ok. Perhaps, like me you need a little help to take some of your anxiety away. I am a much happier boy, though still really jumpy, since I've been on Prozac. I wish you all the best.

A fellow anxious kitty,

Diego

[Pinot's Mom]

Candace, I'm so sorry this is going on. It must be stressful for all involved. :(

Even if we didn't have the health reason for Pinot to be an only kitty, I'm afraid she would react like your Zoe, as she is so skittish. I hope you can get things calmed down.

[Catty1]

I found the Sentry brand calming collars, 3 in a box, individually packaged for about $45.

I was going to collar all three kittys. However, since Zoe is the skittish one I put one on her. The package says it will take a couple of weeks to notice any changes.

She doesn't even know it's there! By the time I got home later today, Zoe and Oscar were within inches of each other, united under the banner of "You're late with our dinner!"

Cole seemed fine but didn't each much. That's usually a sign of tummy trouble, as in hairballs. That I can manage.

I will call the vet tomorrow. I'll see what the vet says. If it can wait a week or so til I get some more work that would be great. But if Zoe needs to go in, she will, no worries.

Thanks everyone.:love:

ETA: Gayle, that's right - Diego would just suddenly up and attack his sister, right? That's like Zoe - if she thinks she is being attacked, she attacks! If she thinks Oscar and Cole have her cornered, she makes those weird sounds in her throat - even if she is not really cornered!

I just wanted to get something started right away ie the collar. I can always add meds to the collar.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm sorry to hear this. I hope that things settle down soon. I have to deal with cats fighting with each other on a daily basis.:( My two girls just don't get along well with their brothers and they only tolerate Sky. This morning I woke up to Pearl & Ziggy growling at each other so they also fight with each other.:( I've tried feliway plug-ins and spray and also the calming collars and nothing seems to work. My girls love me but no one else. Ziggy will growl and hiss at both Alani & Blaze even if they just look at her from across the room. I sure hope that your home will become peaceful again. Good luck.:)

[Catty1]

Thanks Tracey and everyone.

I think Zoe would like to be an only cat...but that won't happen!

I've heard a couple of hisses tonight but nothing serious.

KAK, I wish things could improve for you.

Nancy Efrusy is a pet psychic that did some really neat things for pets and owners here. It crossed my mind to contact her.

Nite nite everyone.:love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

Candace, I have talked to Nancy in the past when I was having problems with my RB Starr and also some behavioral problems with some of my other cats. I do remember her saying that Ziggy thought that there were too many cats and not enough food. I thought that was funny since she gets plenty to eat since I don't free feed any one. Before I adopted her, she was rescued by another PT'er who had more cats than I did. I just don't do well with female cats. They seem to be the ones that want to be only cats.

[Catty1]

Zoe is physically fine except for ugly tartar on her back teeth. We're trying some dental dry food. She was SO affectionate with the staff and a really good girl for her urine and blood draw! She hadn't had access to a litter box after her breakfast so had a nice full bladder. The staff put Zoe back in the carrier, but not the towel...her bladder emptied the rest of the pee on the way back. I tried to wipe Zoe off, but she insisted on doing her own cleaning. I rinsed out the carrier in the tub - there was enough pee to slosh around a bit.

Am waiting for a scrip from a local pharmacy to be filled. Liquid SSRI for both Zoe and Oscar. It takes a couple of weeks to kick in but will hopefully stop the escalation between Zoe and Oscar.

She hadn't had a checkup in 2 years so decided to get the geriatric panels done. Got more petmalt, biotene water additive, weight control food for Cole, dental for Zoe, and the larger bag of Meditreats. Total was $340.00 for everything.

Her test results will be in tomorrow. The vet will call me tomorrow or Friday (she's off Thursday).

Thanks for all the good thoughts.:love:

[Catty1]

I picked up the liquid meds today - $82 and change for the two kitties. That wasn't as bad as I thought.

When I got home there was a message from my vet. All Zoe's blood work looked great except for a weird calcium level of 3.25. It's a bit high. The vet and I talked and I am going to lay off evaporated milk and warm water as a treat for a month then see about a blood recheck. If the level is normal, great. Further tests mean the blood has to be sent away frozen and costs $230.00 :eek:

The idea with the meds was to see if they work then taper down to Feliway. That means getting ANOTHER round of meds to taper down. My vet said to try the calming collars for now, and to check with the pharmacy on an expiry date for the meds. If they will keep then we'll just watch the calming collars and taper from them if they work. I'll be out $82, but won't have to spend that again if the collars and then Feliway work.

Kinda wish I could return the meds. Anyone want some feline Prozac? ;):D

And of COURSE, cats being what they are, last night and today have been completely quiet. :rolleyes:

ETA: I had literally JUST saved this message when I heard a hiss. *sigh* :rolleyes::D

[Queen of Poop]

I'm glad Zoe's a mostly healthy girlie!

I keep a couple of break away collars and feliway on hand even though Diego is on the Prozac. If Cali gets to playing nicely he is determined to put a stop to it regardless of his meds. When an issue arises I spray both collars with feliway and apply one to each cat. That way Diego gets his own dose and if he continues to go after Cali he gets a dose from her too. Thusfar I've had no problems once I collar each cat.

I hope you can get peace in the household soon.

[Catty1]

Well, only one more week til the collars should START showing results. The meds take the same length of time, so no biggie.

I can keep the bedroom door open at night. Nothing horrid happens. If Oscar gives chase (his tail was less poofy today) Zoe is usually under the bed already. If not, I put her in the bedroom and close the door. And I shoo Oscar away.

Zoe hasn't screeched but she did yowl when Oscar and Cole kind of had her cornered.

Mom thinks I have too many cats. The HS is full of kitties looking for homes. Even though Zoe was the last to arrive here, I could never never give her away!:(

Prayers for improvement in the near future.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I hope that the collars and meds will work and that everthing will settle down in your home. Good luck.:) My parents have been telling me that I have too many cats for many many years now. They even thought that having 2 at a time was one too many.;)

[krazyaboutkatz]

I picked up the liquid meds today - $82 and change for the two kitties. That wasn't as bad as I thought.

When I got home there was a message from my vet. All Zoe's blood work looked great except for a weird calcium level of 3.25. It's a bit high. The vet and I talked and I am going to lay off evaporated milk and warm water as a treat for a month then see about a blood recheck. If the level is normal, great. Further tests mean the blood has to be sent away frozen and costs $230.00 :eek:

The idea with the meds was to see if they work then taper down to Feliway. That means getting ANOTHER round of meds to taper down. My vet said to try the calming collars for now, and to check with the pharmacy on an expiry date for the meds. If they will keep then we'll just watch the calming collars and taper from them if they work. I'll be out $82, but won't have to spend that again if the collars and then Feliway work.

Kinda wish I could return the meds. Anyone want some feline Prozac? ;):D

And of COURSE, cats being what they are, last night and today have been completely quiet. :rolleyes:

ETA: I had literally JUST saved this message when I heard a hiss. *sigh* :rolleyes::D

Hi Candace, I wanted to let you know that my RB Storm also had high calcium levels for several years. He was eating a vet prescription diet of Royal Canin Urinary S/O for his urinary problems. Later when I changed vets and diets for all of my cats to grain free, his calcium levels improved within the normal range. What kind of food is Zoe being fed? This could be due to her diet.

[Catty1]

AHA! KAK, thank you!

Since Oscar blocked early in 2012 he has been back on the Royal Canin SO. It was easier to have all three on the same kibble.

Since Zoe went to the vet I have her on Dental kibble and got Weight Control for Cole (Oscar likes it too, which is great!).

I'll use up the RC SO on Oscar.

I'll also let my vet know about the calcium and SO. She's really open to things like that.

Thanks again!:D

[krazyaboutkatz]

AHA! KAK, thank you!

Since Oscar blocked early in 2012 he has been back on the Royal Canin SO. It was easier to have all three on the same kibble.

Since Zoe went to the vet I have her on Dental kibble and got Weight Control for Cole (Oscar likes it too, which is great!).

I'll use up the RC SO on Oscar.

I'll also let my vet know about the calcium and SO. She's really open to things like that.

Thanks again!:D

You're very welcome.:) Let's hope that this is being caused by her diet and nothing more. If it is being caused by diet alone, it still may take a while for her calcium level to get back into the normal range. I would wait at least 6 months and then get some more bloodwork done on her. Good luck.:)

[mrspunkysmom]

Just saw this thread. I hope the situation continues to improve. A few of mine like to argue and fight, too.

[Catty1]

Well, well, well. It's just about the end of Week 3. The collars were supposed to start showing results this week.

Things are MUCH better. Zoe, Oscar AND Cole all sleep in my bedroom. Zoe is atop the cat post looking out the window or on her special 'mat'. Oscar and Cole are on the bed. When I am in bed Zoe and Oscar are on the bed at the same time - in different spots of course! It is SO nice to have Cole back on the bed; he was so scared for quite some time. I started grooming him often again, and rubbing his tummy. It's so nice to hear him purring and coming for head and neck scritchies again!

Of course, there is a session of hissing every so often, but NOTHING like the banshee flip-outs that were happening before.

On the 19th I am to call the vet. Zoe will be having her calcium level rechecked and we will likely transition to the Feliway collars. That is, I buy the Feliway and collars and dose them twice a day.

The Dental food has really reduced a lot of the tartar Zoe had on her back upper molars! My vet suggested this to see if we could avoid the cost of a dental cleaning. So far, so good!

Things are good now. On to the collars!

Thanks for all the good wishes.

[phesina]

Oh. what a lot of wonderful good news! Happy dances here!

May all go well with the vet next week, and may the Feliway collars really do the trick.

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is great news!!!:) I hope that the peace continues.:)

[Catty1]

Zoe and Oscar have graduated to fabric cat collars with Feliway squirted into them twice a day. Little wriggly Zoe is hard to dose in the evenings, but I'm 1 for 2 so far. ;)

Her calcium levels were redone one month later. I can't recall the normal level - let's say it's 2.5. The vet left a message saying it's 2.6 - and that is down from 3.25!

He said that since she is doing well in all other areas that this is fine, but I can call if I have any questions.

So all is well...just need to see how the actual Feliway dose affects Zoe in the next week or two.

Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers. I am forwarding them to Merlin and Sparkler. :love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so glad to hear that everyone is doing well. Thanks for keeping us updated.:)