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Dog lover turned kitten mother, LOTS of questions..



 
 
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  #1  
Old July 7th 03, 12:44 AM
Nicole Johnson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Dog lover turned kitten mother, LOTS of questions..

Hi all! Yes, I have converted. I still love my great dane, but the newest
love of my life (Hailey the supposed maine coon) has me stressed. In all 21
of my years, I've never owned a feline, so perhaps having rescued a 4 week
old kitten that insists that I'm her mommie from which she can nurse.
While I'm crazy that she has fallen in love with me, I'm terrified that I'm
going to do something wrong and kill her. So I'm going to start out slowly
and ask a LOT of questions!

1. I've learned that milk causes diarreah (I can't spell), but are there
special nutrients that are in a cat mother's milk that she is missing in her
kitten chow?

2. Longhair beauty that she is, we're having a.emm...pooping problem. Yeah,
it sticks. I've trimmed the hair down around the "area" but it still gets
stuck. I've been using baby wipes after she's gone (god, thank you for baby
wipes) and they work well...takes away the smell and gets ride of the
doodie....but is there any way to keep from having to wipe her?

3. Declawing...Yeah, I'm sure you are all going to hate me for it, but it's
getting done. She's an indoor cat and I'm afraid that she's going to scratch
the babies. What age do vets usually recommend the procedure?

4. Spaying..what age?

I have more questions, but I'll let ya'll get to these!! Everyone's
expertise would help!
Thanks,
Momma-Kittenhead


  #2  
Old July 7th 03, 01:50 AM
Karen Chuplis
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

in article k.net, Nicole
Johnson at wrote on 7/6/03 6:44 PM:

Hi all! Yes, I have converted. I still love my great dane, but the newest
love of my life (Hailey the supposed maine coon) has me stressed. In all 21
of my years, I've never owned a feline, so perhaps having rescued a 4 week
old kitten that insists that I'm her mommie from which she can nurse.
While I'm crazy that she has fallen in love with me, I'm terrified that I'm
going to do something wrong and kill her. So I'm going to start out slowly
and ask a LOT of questions!

1. I've learned that milk causes diarreah (I can't spell), but are there
special nutrients that are in a cat mother's milk that she is missing in her
kitten chow?


KMR "Kitten Milk Replacement". Available from vet and pet stores.

2. Longhair beauty that she is, we're having a.emm...pooping problem. Yeah,
it sticks. I've trimmed the hair down around the "area" but it still gets
stuck. I've been using baby wipes after she's gone (god, thank you for baby
wipes) and they work well...takes away the smell and gets ride of the
doodie....but is there any way to keep from having to wipe her?


She'll grow out of it, although, you might consider keeping a poop shoot
shaved as she gets older. But, once she figures things out and learns to
groom herself, you'll be fine except for the occassional dingle.


3. Declawing...Yeah, I'm sure you are all going to hate me for it, but it's
getting done. She's an indoor cat and I'm afraid that she's going to scratch
the babies. What age do vets usually recommend the procedure?


Are you prepared for what could happen? Early arthritis, urinating, biting?
Millions of babies are raised everyday with cats with claws and survive just
fine. I did. Your fear is totally unjustified and so is the procedure.
Consider, if you must, or if a problem (highly doubtful) would crop up, Soft
Paws. Getting her used to claw trimming now would make her very easy to keep
trimmed. There is NO need to declaw. That's all there is to that. Have you
even considered these options???

4. Spaying..what age?

Most people do it between 4 and 6 months.
I have more questions, but I'll let ya'll get to these!! Everyone's
expertise would help!
Thanks,
Momma-Kittenhead


Really consider your options (THERE **ARE** OPTIONS) to declawing. It is
terribly inhumane. I'd suggest you rehome her before doing it. It's terribly
selfish of you when claws won't be a problem if you just trim regularly.

Karen

  #3  
Old July 7th 03, 01:50 AM
Karen Chuplis
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

in article k.net, Nicole
Johnson at wrote on 7/6/03 6:44 PM:

Hi all! Yes, I have converted. I still love my great dane, but the newest
love of my life (Hailey the supposed maine coon) has me stressed. In all 21
of my years, I've never owned a feline, so perhaps having rescued a 4 week
old kitten that insists that I'm her mommie from which she can nurse.
While I'm crazy that she has fallen in love with me, I'm terrified that I'm
going to do something wrong and kill her. So I'm going to start out slowly
and ask a LOT of questions!

1. I've learned that milk causes diarreah (I can't spell), but are there
special nutrients that are in a cat mother's milk that she is missing in her
kitten chow?


KMR "Kitten Milk Replacement". Available from vet and pet stores.

2. Longhair beauty that she is, we're having a.emm...pooping problem. Yeah,
it sticks. I've trimmed the hair down around the "area" but it still gets
stuck. I've been using baby wipes after she's gone (god, thank you for baby
wipes) and they work well...takes away the smell and gets ride of the
doodie....but is there any way to keep from having to wipe her?


She'll grow out of it, although, you might consider keeping a poop shoot
shaved as she gets older. But, once she figures things out and learns to
groom herself, you'll be fine except for the occassional dingle.


3. Declawing...Yeah, I'm sure you are all going to hate me for it, but it's
getting done. She's an indoor cat and I'm afraid that she's going to scratch
the babies. What age do vets usually recommend the procedure?


Are you prepared for what could happen? Early arthritis, urinating, biting?
Millions of babies are raised everyday with cats with claws and survive just
fine. I did. Your fear is totally unjustified and so is the procedure.
Consider, if you must, or if a problem (highly doubtful) would crop up, Soft
Paws. Getting her used to claw trimming now would make her very easy to keep
trimmed. There is NO need to declaw. That's all there is to that. Have you
even considered these options???

4. Spaying..what age?

Most people do it between 4 and 6 months.
I have more questions, but I'll let ya'll get to these!! Everyone's
expertise would help!
Thanks,
Momma-Kittenhead


Really consider your options (THERE **ARE** OPTIONS) to declawing. It is
terribly inhumane. I'd suggest you rehome her before doing it. It's terribly
selfish of you when claws won't be a problem if you just trim regularly.

Karen

  #4  
Old July 7th 03, 03:00 AM
Cathy Friedmann
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Nicole Johnson" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Hi all! Yes, I have converted. I still love my great dane, but the

newest
love of my life (Hailey the supposed maine coon) has me stressed. In all

21
of my years, I've never owned a feline, so perhaps having rescued a 4 week
old kitten that insists that I'm her mommie from which she can nurse.
While I'm crazy that she has fallen in love with me, I'm terrified that

I'm
going to do something wrong and kill her. So I'm going to start out

slowly
and ask a LOT of questions!

1. I've learned that milk causes diarreah (I can't spell), but are there
special nutrients that are in a cat mother's milk that she is missing in

her
kitten chow?


Milk causes diarrhea only if a cat's lactose-intolerant. Of 4 cats, none of
mine has ever shown a problem w/ milk, so far. (Given to them as small
treats; not a lot at any given time.) Her kitten food should be fine.
There is a product (or two) - KMR (or is it KRM??) - Kitten Milk Replacement
that's available at pet supply stores if you want to try & see if she'd like
her food supplemented.

2. Longhair beauty that she is, we're having a.emm...pooping problem.

Yeah,
it sticks. I've trimmed the hair down around the "area" but it still gets
stuck. I've been using baby wipes after she's gone (god, thank you for

baby
wipes) and they work well...takes away the smell and gets ride of the
doodie....but is there any way to keep from having to wipe her?


I'd say just keep wiping & keep her hair trimmed back there. Eventually
she'll (hopefully) clean herself, although you may have to come to the
rescue now & then - forever after. g

3. Declawing...Yeah, I'm sure you are all going to hate me for it, but

it's
getting done. She's an indoor cat and I'm afraid that she's going to

scratch
the babies. What age do vets usually recommend the procedure?


I don't know.

4. Spaying..what age?


Two months at the earliest, up to about 5 months. That's probably early
enough to catch her before her first heat.

I have more questions, but I'll let ya'll get to these!! Everyone's
expertise would help!


Good luck, & may she have a long life! :-)

Cathy

--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon


Thanks,
Momma-Kittenhead




  #5  
Old July 7th 03, 03:00 AM
Cathy Friedmann
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"Nicole Johnson" wrote in message
thlink.net...
Hi all! Yes, I have converted. I still love my great dane, but the

newest
love of my life (Hailey the supposed maine coon) has me stressed. In all

21
of my years, I've never owned a feline, so perhaps having rescued a 4 week
old kitten that insists that I'm her mommie from which she can nurse.
While I'm crazy that she has fallen in love with me, I'm terrified that

I'm
going to do something wrong and kill her. So I'm going to start out

slowly
and ask a LOT of questions!

1. I've learned that milk causes diarreah (I can't spell), but are there
special nutrients that are in a cat mother's milk that she is missing in

her
kitten chow?


Milk causes diarrhea only if a cat's lactose-intolerant. Of 4 cats, none of
mine has ever shown a problem w/ milk, so far. (Given to them as small
treats; not a lot at any given time.) Her kitten food should be fine.
There is a product (or two) - KMR (or is it KRM??) - Kitten Milk Replacement
that's available at pet supply stores if you want to try & see if she'd like
her food supplemented.

2. Longhair beauty that she is, we're having a.emm...pooping problem.

Yeah,
it sticks. I've trimmed the hair down around the "area" but it still gets
stuck. I've been using baby wipes after she's gone (god, thank you for

baby
wipes) and they work well...takes away the smell and gets ride of the
doodie....but is there any way to keep from having to wipe her?


I'd say just keep wiping & keep her hair trimmed back there. Eventually
she'll (hopefully) clean herself, although you may have to come to the
rescue now & then - forever after. g

3. Declawing...Yeah, I'm sure you are all going to hate me for it, but

it's
getting done. She's an indoor cat and I'm afraid that she's going to

scratch
the babies. What age do vets usually recommend the procedure?


I don't know.

4. Spaying..what age?


Two months at the earliest, up to about 5 months. That's probably early
enough to catch her before her first heat.

I have more questions, but I'll let ya'll get to these!! Everyone's
expertise would help!


Good luck, & may she have a long life! :-)

Cathy

--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon


Thanks,
Momma-Kittenhead




  #6  
Old July 7th 03, 04:04 AM
Nicole
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In response - Yes, I've looked at the alternatives. Soft Paws (they even
come in cute colors!!), training, sprays, the other procedure that starts
with a T that I can't spell (tendenoniton or something), laser surgery, nail
clipping, living with it.....so I asked a breeder in the area, because I
didn't want to do something that would hurt her....she told me this...
"if Hailey is an inside cat, she doesn't need to protect herself (she's an
only child). If declawing was so inhumane, no vet would declaw any animal."
It took a lot of convincing, and my vet even let me watch a procedure...so
we're going to go through with it. I realize that it's a VERY controversial
topic, but I appreciate your advice! I'll keep ya posted!
Momma-Kittenhead


"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message
...
in article k.net, Nicole
Johnson at wrote on 7/6/03 6:44 PM:

Hi all! Yes, I have converted. I still love my great dane, but the

newest
love of my life (Hailey the supposed maine coon) has me stressed. In

all 21
of my years, I've never owned a feline, so perhaps having rescued a 4

week
old kitten that insists that I'm her mommie from which she can nurse.
While I'm crazy that she has fallen in love with me, I'm terrified that

I'm
going to do something wrong and kill her. So I'm going to start out

slowly
and ask a LOT of questions!

1. I've learned that milk causes diarreah (I can't spell), but are there
special nutrients that are in a cat mother's milk that she is missing in

her
kitten chow?


KMR "Kitten Milk Replacement". Available from vet and pet stores.

2. Longhair beauty that she is, we're having a.emm...pooping problem.

Yeah,
it sticks. I've trimmed the hair down around the "area" but it still

gets
stuck. I've been using baby wipes after she's gone (god, thank you for

baby
wipes) and they work well...takes away the smell and gets ride of the
doodie....but is there any way to keep from having to wipe her?


She'll grow out of it, although, you might consider keeping a poop shoot
shaved as she gets older. But, once she figures things out and learns to
groom herself, you'll be fine except for the occassional dingle.


3. Declawing...Yeah, I'm sure you are all going to hate me for it, but

it's
getting done. She's an indoor cat and I'm afraid that she's going to

scratch
the babies. What age do vets usually recommend the procedure?


Are you prepared for what could happen? Early arthritis, urinating,

biting?
Millions of babies are raised everyday with cats with claws and survive

just
fine. I did. Your fear is totally unjustified and so is the procedure.
Consider, if you must, or if a problem (highly doubtful) would crop up,

Soft
Paws. Getting her used to claw trimming now would make her very easy to

keep
trimmed. There is NO need to declaw. That's all there is to that. Have you
even considered these options???

4. Spaying..what age?

Most people do it between 4 and 6 months.
I have more questions, but I'll let ya'll get to these!! Everyone's
expertise would help!
Thanks,
Momma-Kittenhead


Really consider your options (THERE **ARE** OPTIONS) to declawing. It is
terribly inhumane. I'd suggest you rehome her before doing it. It's

terribly
selfish of you when claws won't be a problem if you just trim regularly.

Karen




  #7  
Old July 7th 03, 04:04 AM
Nicole
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In response - Yes, I've looked at the alternatives. Soft Paws (they even
come in cute colors!!), training, sprays, the other procedure that starts
with a T that I can't spell (tendenoniton or something), laser surgery, nail
clipping, living with it.....so I asked a breeder in the area, because I
didn't want to do something that would hurt her....she told me this...
"if Hailey is an inside cat, she doesn't need to protect herself (she's an
only child). If declawing was so inhumane, no vet would declaw any animal."
It took a lot of convincing, and my vet even let me watch a procedure...so
we're going to go through with it. I realize that it's a VERY controversial
topic, but I appreciate your advice! I'll keep ya posted!
Momma-Kittenhead


"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message
...
in article k.net, Nicole
Johnson at wrote on 7/6/03 6:44 PM:

Hi all! Yes, I have converted. I still love my great dane, but the

newest
love of my life (Hailey the supposed maine coon) has me stressed. In

all 21
of my years, I've never owned a feline, so perhaps having rescued a 4

week
old kitten that insists that I'm her mommie from which she can nurse.
While I'm crazy that she has fallen in love with me, I'm terrified that

I'm
going to do something wrong and kill her. So I'm going to start out

slowly
and ask a LOT of questions!

1. I've learned that milk causes diarreah (I can't spell), but are there
special nutrients that are in a cat mother's milk that she is missing in

her
kitten chow?


KMR "Kitten Milk Replacement". Available from vet and pet stores.

2. Longhair beauty that she is, we're having a.emm...pooping problem.

Yeah,
it sticks. I've trimmed the hair down around the "area" but it still

gets
stuck. I've been using baby wipes after she's gone (god, thank you for

baby
wipes) and they work well...takes away the smell and gets ride of the
doodie....but is there any way to keep from having to wipe her?


She'll grow out of it, although, you might consider keeping a poop shoot
shaved as she gets older. But, once she figures things out and learns to
groom herself, you'll be fine except for the occassional dingle.


3. Declawing...Yeah, I'm sure you are all going to hate me for it, but

it's
getting done. She's an indoor cat and I'm afraid that she's going to

scratch
the babies. What age do vets usually recommend the procedure?


Are you prepared for what could happen? Early arthritis, urinating,

biting?
Millions of babies are raised everyday with cats with claws and survive

just
fine. I did. Your fear is totally unjustified and so is the procedure.
Consider, if you must, or if a problem (highly doubtful) would crop up,

Soft
Paws. Getting her used to claw trimming now would make her very easy to

keep
trimmed. There is NO need to declaw. That's all there is to that. Have you
even considered these options???

4. Spaying..what age?

Most people do it between 4 and 6 months.
I have more questions, but I'll let ya'll get to these!! Everyone's
expertise would help!
Thanks,
Momma-Kittenhead


Really consider your options (THERE **ARE** OPTIONS) to declawing. It is
terribly inhumane. I'd suggest you rehome her before doing it. It's

terribly
selfish of you when claws won't be a problem if you just trim regularly.

Karen




  #8  
Old July 7th 03, 04:11 AM
Priscilla Ballou
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article nk.net,
"Nicole" wrote:

In response - Yes, I've looked at the alternatives. Soft Paws (they even
come in cute colors!!), training, sprays, the other procedure that starts
with a T that I can't spell (tendenoniton or something), laser surgery, nail
clipping, living with it.....so I asked a breeder in the area, because I
didn't want to do something that would hurt her....she told me this...
"if Hailey is an inside cat, she doesn't need to protect herself (she's an
only child). If declawing was so inhumane, no vet would declaw any animal."


It's illegal in many countries. Animal cruelty.

It took a lot of convincing, and my vet even let me watch a procedure...so
we're going to go through with it. I realize that it's a VERY controversial
topic, but I appreciate your advice! I'll keep ya posted!
Momma-Kittenhead


Oh, please don't. I don't want to hear about how you're mutilating your
poor kitten. Don't you understand that you're cutting off its toes?
That it's likely it'll have trouble balancing? It'll be in pain,
possibly for the rest of its life?

How anyone could do that to a creature they claim to love is beyond me,
but then human parents main and mutilate their children. We have laws
to take their children away from them. I'm just sorry no-one can take
that poor kitten away from you before you do this to it.

Priscilla
--
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum,
minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
(thanks be to topfive.com)
  #9  
Old July 7th 03, 04:11 AM
Priscilla Ballou
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article nk.net,
"Nicole" wrote:

In response - Yes, I've looked at the alternatives. Soft Paws (they even
come in cute colors!!), training, sprays, the other procedure that starts
with a T that I can't spell (tendenoniton or something), laser surgery, nail
clipping, living with it.....so I asked a breeder in the area, because I
didn't want to do something that would hurt her....she told me this...
"if Hailey is an inside cat, she doesn't need to protect herself (she's an
only child). If declawing was so inhumane, no vet would declaw any animal."


It's illegal in many countries. Animal cruelty.

It took a lot of convincing, and my vet even let me watch a procedure...so
we're going to go through with it. I realize that it's a VERY controversial
topic, but I appreciate your advice! I'll keep ya posted!
Momma-Kittenhead


Oh, please don't. I don't want to hear about how you're mutilating your
poor kitten. Don't you understand that you're cutting off its toes?
That it's likely it'll have trouble balancing? It'll be in pain,
possibly for the rest of its life?

How anyone could do that to a creature they claim to love is beyond me,
but then human parents main and mutilate their children. We have laws
to take their children away from them. I'm just sorry no-one can take
that poor kitten away from you before you do this to it.

Priscilla
--
Minutus cantorum, minutus balorum,
minutus carborata descendum pantorum.
(thanks be to topfive.com)
  #10  
Old July 7th 03, 04:15 AM
Cathy Friedmann
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Nicole" wrote in message
thlink.net...
In response - Yes, I've looked at the alternatives. Soft Paws (they even
come in cute colors!!), training, sprays, the other procedure that starts
with a T that I can't spell (tendenoniton or something), laser surgery,

nail
clipping, living with it.....so I asked a breeder in the area, because I
didn't want to do something that would hurt her....she told me this...
"if Hailey is an inside cat, she doesn't need to protect herself (she's an
only child). If declawing was so inhumane, no vet would declaw any

animal."
It took a lot of convincing, and my vet even let me watch a procedure...so
we're going to go through with it. I realize that it's a VERY

controversial
topic, but I appreciate your advice! I'll keep ya posted!
Momma-Kittenhead


Uh-oh... though thinking yourself prepared, you have no *idea* the can of
worms you've probably opened yourself up to w/ this one, I'm afraid. The
declawing issue has got to be the biggest source of arguments & flame wars
on cat ngs, w/ the indoor-outdoor issue probably in 2nd place. I'm not
pro-declaw, but otoh I'm not vehemently against it, either. Two of my cats
have been front-declaws (one was my decision back in '86, & the other came
that way when I adopted her in '93) - w/ no resultant problems that I can
tell. Although, I assume as w/ any surgery, there must *sometimes* be
adverse after-effects.

Cathy

--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon



 




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