does this happen in your house????

Big-boned Cogsworth

Cogsworth

Cogsworth shows his wares

Cuddly old Cogsworth found his way into his family's hearts when they saw him at the RSPCA.  He was a thin little street waif then but quickly established his preference for  24 hour eat-in snacks and lots of sleep between.  The sorry result is a rather large belly...
Problems later in life because of that belly will include diabetes, arthritis, chronic pancreatitis and liver troubles. 
Cogsworth has bravely recognised that he needs to slim down.  His plan:

• only two meals a day
• no cat biscuits
• no cheese, no pate or liverwurst, no treats of any kind except for cuddles 
• measured amounts of canned food and roo meat
• slow weight loss over about 6 months
• weigh in every 2 weeks
• entertain staff by chasing ribbon, butterflies and mice; running through their silly cardboard tunnels; and climbing the cat tree twice a day.

We watch with interest, Cogsworth!

Mellow Morris

Morris waits in his coccoon

Morris' family found him in a carpark.  He soon snuggled his way into their hearts and made friends with Jasper, their older cat.  Jasper was desexed when he was only 5 months old and has remained a very affectionate and kitten-like cat so Morris hopes to follow in his paw prints.  Today we will desex him. Tomorrow he should rest but by the weekend he will be back to his normal active self.  

Lap wanted

Desexed male short haired grey 12 year old cat, fully vaccinated and up to date with health checks, is looking for a new home, preferably with comfortable lap in front of fire.
Present owner not allowed to keep him.  Originally rescued and owner doesn't want to surrender him to RSPCA.
He is fully toilet trained and has no bad habits, but likes sitting in the sun outside on fine days.
Phone Hall Vet Surgery on (02) 6230 2223 for more details if you have a place for him in your heart.

Cats on the prowl

Male cats hit the tiles in late winter and spring looking for females and trouble.  Adrenaline levels rise and even the most placid felines - entire or desexed - will ready for a fight with intruders.
Already this winter we have seen a couple of cats with abscesses that have come up after a brawl in the backyard.  Sometimes the scratches and bites are obvious and carers bring their cat in for preventative antibiotics and pain relief.  More often the first sign is a swollen face, a lame foreleg or pus discharging from a soft lump.  If not treated with antibiotics and drainage of the pus, blood poisoning and infection of deeper organs develops.
Wandering cats cause anxiety in some inside cats, too.  We see cats marking doors and windows, passing blood in their urine and overgrooming because they are feeling anxious.  These behavioural problems are much harder to treat and it is almost impossible to prevent strange cats wandering through your yard.  Refer to the Indoor Cat link to the right of this blog for some suggestions to try at home.  Sometimes we have to supplement your efforts with calming medication (for the cat!).

Our star Asta!

Asta the Norwegian Forest Cat playing after her spey today

Young cats like Asta recover rapidly after desexing.  They have pain prevention before surgery and more during the operation.  Cuddles during recovery and a warm bed to curl up in afterward ensure that they are happy and ready for dinner when their carers come to pick them up.

Cat retirement condominium

Nicholas on heating pad in fleece lined bed... he has elbow arthritis and demands comfort.







Tabby is the quiet achiever.  She also has a heating pad but even though she is older does not have the arthritis troubles that Nicholas suffers.  Perhaps because she is more of a home body and doesn't jump fences.