Vertical blinds

**Miss Meow** · 12-26-2002, 04:09 AM

We had a scare with Pickles today. He was sunning himself in the window and rolled over the vertical blinds and got caught.

Normally when they play, the connector breaks from the blinds and they can escape, but when Pickles rolled over, he tied the string around his leg and couldn't escape. I ran over to help him and couldn't undo it as it was too tight. Shane was out the back and I was screaming for him to come and help while trying to hold Pickles to stop him tightening it further. Poor little Pickles was in a blind panic and squealing like mad. Shane cut the string with a knife and Pickles went into hiding. Thank goodness he didn't break or dislocate his leg during his struggle.

I didn't realise until later that I have more than 20 cuts and bite marks on my hands and arms. And several bruises (no idea how I got those). Pickles is covered in splotches of my blood.

We are sharing antiseptic wash now; me for my arms and him for his ringworm ... We are leaving the curtain strings disconnected so it can't happen again. I suppose the moral is if you have verticals, just double check that they disconnect easily, especially if you have a new cat who isn't used to them

**wayne0214** · 12-26-2002, 05:26 AM

Poor Pickles. Cats do have a way of getting into things that somehow we overlook I have vertical blinds in this house, but my furkids sleep on tables next to the windows, in order to sun themselves. But it is understandable about Pickles getting himself caught in a venusian blind cord or curtain strings. That would be too scary for a cat.

I hope that all the scratches and cuts will heal soon and that there is no infection from them. Has Pickeles come out from hiding yet? Keep us posted on his emotional recovery.

........wayne

**Cataholic** · 12-26-2002, 01:49 PM

Pickles, you poor thing. Tell Mommy to cut every single tie on the blinds..the ones you use to make them open/close and raise/lower. Too tempting, too scary for you little guys. Also, maybe Mommy could always leave the blinds a little bit off the ledge (sill) so that you can't get caught up in them. I am glad you are ok.

I hope Mommy's wounds clean up. Antibiotic soap/antibiotic ointment should do the trick. Never a dull moment in Austrailia, is it?

**krazyaboutkatz** · 12-26-2002, 11:17 PM

Poor little Pickles. Nicole, I sure hope that both of you will be okay. I didn't realize that he has ringworm. I must have missed that thread. Please take care.

**AmberLee** · 12-26-2002, 11:38 PM

Ewww, your post brought back a nightmare-ish memory. A coworker's grandchild was accidently killed on the cord of their blinds.

Such a horrid, insane accident. I try to keep my cords to one side where kids and pets can't get to them. Still, the consequences boggle my mind. So glad your baby is safe now, and sorry that you are hurt. I am glad however, that the damage is no worse than it's turned out to be.

{{{hugs}}}

**lynnestankard** · 12-28-2002, 11:31 AM

OUCH!!

{{{Hugs}} for you Nicole and poor ol' Pickles getting in a pickle with silly old blinds - you both sound as if a hug would do no harm! Hope your both recovering real good!

Lynne

**Miss Meow** · 12-28-2002, 08:50 PM

Things are back to normal now. Jasmine is still a bit skittish when there's a loud noise, but the others are fine. The curtains have been tamed.

KAK, I don't think I posted about the ringworm. Pickles has a couple of big bald patches and some small ones; Tabasco only has two small ones. We are having some luck with the pink antiseptic wash from the vet's, scrubbing the patches with that to remove the fungus and a bit of Fungafite cream. It seems to have halted the spread.