Barney is an Angel Now.

[sasvermont]

I have been following this thread closely. You and your friends are going right to the top of the list for saving this little guy.

My suggestion is that you might want to consider a heating pad rather than a heater. My thoughts, however lame, are based on dry air creating sinus problems vs. warmth for tired bones. I think a heating pad would cost less to run and could be put on a timer.......tucked under his covers..... Just a suggestion.....You know best, I am sure.

When is his ear surgery going to take place? Are you going to wait until he gets buff? Poor little guy. My heart just breaks when I see the posts and videos/pictures.

You and your hubby are truly saints.

P. S. Hi Barney boy!

[Emeraldgreen]

My suggestion is that you might want to consider a heating pad rather than a heater. My thoughts, however lame, are based on dry air creating sinus problems vs. warmth for tired bones. I think a heating pad would cost less to run and could be put on a timer.......tucked under his covers..... Just a suggestion.....You know best, I am sure.

When is his ear surgery going to take place? Are you going to wait until he gets buff?

LOL! I don't know if we'll ever reach the 'buff' stage but that would be awesome!
JennLibrarian had the same thought about a heating pad a week or so ago in a PM and my only concern is that he has peed his bedding a couple of times and I'm wondering if he could get electricuted?? I know that sounds ridiculous but it does worry me. The last 2 times he peed were on the way to the vet in the cage and on the way home when Angela took him. And when he rode in the car over to our house. He peed in the bed when he was first taken in from outdoors but that seems to have stopped. I'm just not sure if he will have an accident one night or not. Maybe they make them with some kind of plastic safety cover. If so, I think it is a good idea.

Today I brought back 4 cans of the diabetic wet food to the vet because he doesn't like it much. And Angela found this great canned wet food that is low glycemic at the pet store that he really likes. I bought a bag of the Purina DM and I just about fell over when she told me that it was almost 37.00!! The bag is so small (6 pounds). But I decided to get it because for the past few weeks he has been eating Orijen (dry food that is partially raw) and I don't think it agrees with him. Thankfully he loves the DM and it has really small tiny pieces that suit his small mouth.

I returned an unopened bag of Orijen that Angela bought and bought him a case of the Merrick low glycemic canned food today and it comes in neat flavours like 'Thanksgiving meal' and 'TurkDuck' and I think one is called Cowboy Kitty or something like that. He's a nut for this stuff and can't get enough. I also picked up two more bags of chicken Pill Pockets. He eats his meds no problem with these.

We were at the petstore and we spotted a small cat scratching post and it was only 12.99!! So my husband said "let's get it for him". We had just done our recycling of our cans and water bottles and he said we could use that money on the tree. We're usually naughty and get fast food and coffee with this money but not today!
Here is the tree:



I put it in his cage but he was too distracted by the plate of Cowboy Kitty that was being dished up for him. But I do think he is going to use it because I remembered that in a video I took a week ago, Barney stood up and was pawing at Terri's curtain. We weren't sure what he was doing but then I thought about it and realized that he was probably trying to scratch his nails!! I don't know why we were so clueless at the time. I guess he was so weak that it didn't occur to us that he would even think of doing that.
I think I will spray it with catnip spray and see if that will peak his interest. Once again, Gary's little grey mouse has captivated Barney and saved the day. He loves it and it's always near him. Kind of like a little security blanket.

Thanks for you posts everybody!
I'm going to tuck in Barney Frog right now.

[Catty1]

Barney Frog! ROFL!

He's got a great "pad" there.

I hope he likes the scratching post...it'll give him a minor workout.

He is eating so well...he just HAS to gain a little weight.

You can do it, BF! Shock the vet!

[Moesha]

The Purina DM comes in 12 pound bags also. That's what I purchase and I think it is around $45. I know that's alot, but if you know that he likes it, it is a better deal to buy in bigger bulk. My vet used to only have the smaller size until I asked them if it came in larger bags. Now they have both. That's what I do anyway. Go Barney!!

[Medusa]

Just yesterday I gave away some cat tunnels because my Fur Posse just doesn't use them and they're taking up space. I considered sending them to you but it would cost more in shipping than they're worth. How nice that you're thinking of Barney's comfort and not just fattening him up. What a lucky boy he is.

When I was rescuing, I put heating pads in all the outdoor shelters, kept them on low, and tucked them in between blankets. Everything I've read, though, has said not to use heating pads ever because the cats could get badly burned. There are heated cat beds that you plug in and I bought one but I couldn't even tell that it was on so I returned it. Maybe try a hot water bottle? Whatever you try, I know Barney will love it, that little love sponge. Barney Frog. Sooo silly. LOL