I don't think Mr. Magoo is going to work out

[catlady1945]

It is probably best to take him back if you are not comfortable with him.

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

I really sympathise with your dilemma. Although Connor's disability is not as bad as Mr Magoo's, I DID feel that I was under so much more pressure to MAKE it work, especially knowing that he would go back the the shelter:
1) After having experienced life in a home
2) with the shelter staff now being aware that he is deaf (they hadn't realised before
3) knowing that the shelter is NOT nn-kill and there were no guarantees that he would be re-homed.

As I have said in previous posts, I have been badly bitten, but what pushed me over the edge was when Connor bit Ally and SHE needed vet treatment. Now SHE is 9 out of t10 times the aggressor - she looks for trouble with Connor all the time, but that doesn't make it easier to see her being hurt, and she is my first cat, and is also much smaller than Connor.

I am in a different situation from you - I am lucky that there is enough space in my house that the cats can be kept apart if needs be. This space has given us all the amount of time we needed to settle down and adapt, and although there are still days when they fight, it is not a constant daily issue like it was before.

You have my full support with whatever decision you make. You have tried so hard to make the situation work out, but you have to do what is best for your surrent cats. Maybe all the acticity is making Mr Magoo more aggressive - perhaps he would do better as on only cat, or with another special needs cat. The problem with opening your home and your heart to these wonderful creatures is that we also open ourselves up for such heartache!

One other idea - what about getting in touch with local media - your regional TV station or newspaper. Nothing like a heart-wrenching story to motivate an animal lover!!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

CCL, I'm so sorry to hear that things aren't working out with Mr. Magoo. I agree that you should follow your heart and that your current furkids safety should come first. You have my full support in whatever you choose to do.

[Kirsten]

CCL, I'm heartbroken as I'm reading this, I'm so sorry things don't work out well.

Well, maybe it's true and they just need more time, but I can understand your concern so well! After what has happened to your wrist, it's no surprise that you're fearing for your resident cats!

And since you think Mr. Magoo is displaying alpha male behavior, I really wonder if his behavior will ever change. Well, I don't have much experiences with introducing one cat to another (the only time I did it was when I brought home Lily, and luckily that worked great), but I would think there would be a bigger change if Mr. Magoo's agression came from fear or confusion. Obviously it's not like that and he wants to dominate, and this could be a constant problem.

I wonder why he never behaved like that in the shelter? You have described him as a very friendly and loving cat there.

I agree it would be hard and sad to bring him back there, it would be nice if he could find a good place as a single cat, or in a household where he could have an extra room.

I really don't envy you for the situation you're in, but please don't feel you have failed!! You did what you thought was the best for him, but like with every living creature, some things are unpredictable. I'm so sad for you!

One other idea - what about getting in touch with local media - your regional TV station or newspaper. Nothing like a heart-wrenching story to motivate an animal lover!!!

I think that's a good idea! Here in Germany, we have shows on tv where they're introducing pets that are looking for a new home.

[catcrazylady]

Thanks everyone for your support! All the advice and opinions have been very important to me.
Does anyone think that I should try medicating him before I do anything else? I hate to do that to the poor fellow because he already has so many issues to deal with and I know some of that medication can do more harm than good.
Do you all think the activity of nine other cats might be more than he can ever handle? It's a lot for me to handle!!!
I'm fresh from some sleep and I'm on a new mission to find this guy a wonderful home. I wish I could afford to buy a new home with lots of extra rooms but that won't be happening anytime soon! Finding him a home isn't going to be easy either!
He needs to be an only kitty or at least almost an only kitty but he also needs an experienced cat owner because of his biting. It is going to be hard to find someone who is experienced but doesn't have any cats.
Keep praying and offering any advice that you think might be helpful. I'm listening!

[PayItForward]

CCL,

I don't think he needs to be an only cat, I think he would settle with other cats but he would have to be isolated in a spare room for a significant time before introductions can even begin.

But that is good news in rehoming him. as you need to place him with an experienced cat owner who can/will be able to take on and love a special needs cat.

These experience cat owners are very likely to already be owned by several cats already.

What about doing a special write up on his needs in a honest poster with cute photos.

I did this one for Jen's cats, maybe you could write something like this....
http://www.piftails.com/main/article.../OneByOne.html

I can help if you would like me to ?

Media interest would help him and maybe your charity too.

Good Luck

[Kirsten]

Personally, I don't really like the thought of medicating him... but maybe that's just me. If his jaws weren't so strong, I would recommand to let them work it out the feline way, but I agree that the risk is too high in this case.

I think it could be very well that the 9 cats around him are stressing him. After all, he's in his cage most of the time and they are not! And he isn't familiar with them yet. And maybe he also senses your fear now. You probably don't show it to him, but he has bitten you so bad and you know what damage he can do to a human or another cat, so you're extra careful, and I'm sure he knows, and to him, it must look as his first little victory in dominating his new family!

I wish you all the luck in the world, whatever you decide to do.

Kirsten

[sasvermont]

Well CCL, I am a strong advocate of medicating when in a difficult situation. I think it mellows out the stressed kitties (note that maybe more than one, if necessary) until they become familiar with each other. Then the ho-hums set in and you can cut out the medications gradually. Gabe, a former kitty of mine, was given Amitriptyline in a cream for his ear and pills. I used the cream ..... on a couple of occasions. It works and it sounds ideal for your situation. If you PM me I will give you more information about the pills etc.

Hats off to you for trying to get Mr. Magoo a life. Did you do anything wrong? I doubt it. You did what you thought was right. You/we are not mind readers and cannot tell what a cat really needs...even when the cat lives with you for years.

Speaking of cats, while I was typing this missive, my door bell rang and it was a neighbor saying that one of my cats had pushed a screen out of a corner of the window and was dangling from the outside sill, then would climb back inside. It was horrible to watch, according to the report. I closed the window until I figure out how to better secure the screen. Chloe, of course, was the guility party. Maybe I should medicate HER!

Also, CCL, rehoming is an option. Why take him to the shelter? I would run an ad in the local paper about his problem and I bet you will have some takers. I think he should be the only cat and then be introduced to a kitten, after he is adjusted to the new home, unless you keep him. I could be wrong.........

No one here, I suspect, would be willing to take Mr. Magoo, especially if he is aggressive, so who the heck are we to sit in judgment of you. We are not. I do think we ALL admire what you have done and tried and give you so much credit for trying. None of us want to harm our exisiting crew (house full of pets) and understand your concerns....completely. Many of us have "been there, done that".....and know what stress comes from difficult pet problems.

Fondly,
SAS

[catmandu]

Perhaps , if SCrappy mag Goo got some publicity , then someone would adopt him , and make him , the only cat! You shouldnt judge yourself , too harshly , as you couldnt have forseen , that Magoo , would be so aggressive. The Papers , are always looking for Human intererst Stories , maybe they could help. Found Cats , are praying for Mr. Scrappy Paddington Magoo!

[Felicia's Mom]

I admire what you tried to do. I wish you luck in whatever choice you make.

[catcrazylady]

Newest event this morning. Mr. Magoo was crying so pathetically to get out so I closed off the room so no cats could enter. It was just me and hubby. Magoo walked straight over to my chair and started rubbing on my leg. I was petting him and he was headbutting me. I thought he was being sweet and then all of the sudden he whipped his head around with mouth wide open! I jerked my hand back immediately and he quickly lowered his head down and tried to bite my bare foot!!! I felt the touch of those teeth and thankfully jerked my foot out of his way! That's all I would have needed was my foot to be like my wrist! I pulled my legs up in the chair and he actually looked for them! By all outward appearances you would have thought this was a sweet and loving moment!!!! I have done the same thing with him everyday and he loved being loved. He came to me so I didn't force anything on him.
Hubby immediately said that's it! Every time he walks by we pull our feet up now. I don't know how I'm going to find a home for such a nasty biter but we can't live like this. No one can.
Please keep praying that a miracle happens quickly!!!

[Craftlady]

I've been reading all the updates and responses have had great with suggestions etc. Dont beat yourself up, you've done everything humanly possible for Mr. Magoo now it's a matter of safety and welfare of yourself, hubby and other fur babies. I

This is a special circumstance since Mr. Magoo was out fending for himself and seemly doing a pretty dern good job. Although he hasn't figured it out yet being rescued was best thing for him. I would suspect if he was always in a home and then given up for adoption the situation would be so much different with his behavior.

We will continue to keep good thoughts and prayers that there is someone out there for Mr. Magoo.

[Barbara]

From your and Julie's experience I think the integration of a special needs kitty is quite more difficult. Mr. Magoo may think that as he cannot see he has to take care of himself by using his teeth. And I am sure he is mixed up too.

I support whatever you decide to do. I have seen it several times at Pet Talk that a situation was not working out and the reason was never that someone wanted to take the easy way

[Kirsten]

I'm so sorry he even goes after you during the cuddling moments now.

It's so hard to tell what's going on in his head - if it's "only" his blindness or some bad experiences he might have made in the past that make him act like that now.

Kirsten

[lisalee]

It truly breaks my heart to read this. It actually breaks my heart more to think there are not more people who care that have no pets that could give this poor kitty a loving home as an only kitty. THAT'S what really breaks my heart. You are a very kind person in trying to help, knowing that you already have many kitties.

I also would give it more time. I know that's easy for me to say, but I just remember seeing Mr. Magoo and how happy he looked getting brushed. The poor boy does want love so bad, he's just so confused and being blind is probably so hard for him. Oh no, I'm gonna start crying again.

Have you tried rescue remedy? That can be put on his food or rubbed on his ears lightly. What about Feliway?? That is a spray or a plug in that he does not need to be medicated for. It's suppossed to be highly effective in stressful situations. Have you also tried a person who specializes in feline behavioral problems? If you do a search on the web you should be able to find someone to help, possibly??


I'm just trying to help Mr. Magoo and your family hopefully be able to live in peace together. Maybe that's not possible, I really don't know. I just know I would need to try and give it more time.

All by best, prayers sent to all

Lisa & Sash