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Saturday, February 11, 2012

Home Again

Recovering under the dining room table

Well, it's been an interesting day.   As you can see I did manage to get four cats into four carriers and off to the humane society we went this morning.  Marmalade, however, was not among the four!  For the first time ever, he was very leery of us and would not come up on the porch this morning.  When I stepped outside, he ran into the bushes to hide.  Sigh.  So, poor Socks got to go in his place.  I was ticked with Marmy, to say the least.  I'm sure Socks is, too. ha.

They said they would still be under anesthesia throughout the evening and even if they woke up, not to let them have any food or water.  The males will be fine by tomorrow afternoon and can go back outside.  Whiskers, however, will take 2-3 days and we should try and make sure she doesn't pull her incision.  Her little face was smooshed up against the door of her carrier and I opened it to pet her head.  She opened her eyes only for a moment and was back out.  I didn't see any harm in leaving the door open but when I got busy in the kitchen she stumbled out like a drunk, walking sideways, crying, and obviously trying to get away from where ever she thought she was.  After a stressful few minutes we got her back inside the carrier and she conked back out.

So, I guess everything is fine except I'll breath easier when I see them all awake and acting like themselves! :)  I don't remember doing this with our two pet cats years ago...no carriers or anything!  I do remember the vet wanting them there the night before and when you picked them up at the end of the next day, they were alert, hungry and ready to play! 

One thing I am a little upset about is that this morning they asked me if I wanted their ears notched.  They said that they put a little cut on the very tip of one ear, which is a universal sign that the cat has been spayed or neutered.  At first I said no, but after a bit of coaxing, I relented.  They said it would be best and if anyone else ever took them in, the vet would know they had already been fixed.  There was no extra charge, so I said it was OK to do it.  Well, I've only seen Whiskers ear, but they took too much off!  Oh dear.  I thought they were cutting a little "V" into the tip but they just cut the whole tip off!  I certainly would pass up a kitty with an ear like that for one that had perfect ears.  Very upsetting.

The best news is that they didn't have any illnesses and all got to come home with me.
Now, I'm tired!  Being Dr. Doolittle is exhausting! ha. 
Thanks for all of your concern and good wishes.
I made reservations for the next 5 and they sent the 5th carrier home with me.
It's March 10th and I work an auction that day, so my oh my will that be a full day!



81 comments:

  1. Home again? Well... almost all of each of them!

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    1. Yep, everyone left part of their ear and..um...other parts. :)

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    2. Well, they all have my sympathy, for the ears and "other parts."

      But I'll bet Marmy's out somewhere, laughing his little kitty butt off!

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    3. Marmy and the 4 little ones were on the porch for dinner tonight. Little sneak.

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    4. Little sucker knows he's safe for another month! He's been reading your blog, haha!

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    5. You think he gets WiFi in that little heated home I set up out there? lol....

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    6. Whiskers spends a lot of time in your lap while you're on the computer, so I'll bet she warned him, not knowing that she was slated for the same trip!

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    7. Silver, has Orson been sending warning emails to Marmalade? :)

      Betsy, I've never heard of cutting their ears off. That's too bad.

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    8. No, he hasn't, but Orson discussed the whole neutering ordeal in a post on my old David'Z RantZ blog, IIRC.

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    9. Just the tip, Rebecca. :) But it certainly isn't a notch like I expected.

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    10. Silver, was he for it or against it?

      Betsy, sorry I worded that badly. :)

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    11. For it or against it? What do you think? Here's the link to the conversation he and I had: http://davidzrantz.blogspot.com/2009/02/curse-of-cat-person-or-is-it-possible.html

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    12. My, he's an opinionated little guy isn't he? And not just about neutering. :) They do say that animals start to take after their owners after a while don't they? :)

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    13. Well, both Orson and myself were a little harsher on that blog than I am on my Foxyblog... or in real life, for that matter. Betsy can back me up on that... if she's of a mind to. :)

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    14. Silver, I forgot to mention that I still haven't found a word. Everything either sounds too harsh, or too sappy. I guess you're stuck with sw___ for now. :)

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    15. Well, when I said you remind me of my husband that was actually a compliment--albeit a little backhanded. :) Maybe Betsy can come up with a word to describe you.

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    16. After two years of knowing me, maybe she could... but I don't know if she'd dare to post it on her blog!

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    17. "Complicated" is the word that came to my mind. :) That's not too sweet for you, is it Silver?

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    18. I could live with that. It fits both of us, actually.

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    19. haha...that's intersting. The Mister says I'm complicated, too! But most women are, I think. :)

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    20. I don't know about "most," but I've always found that the best ones are! Who wants boring and predictable?

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    21. Hmmm, I'm not sure if I'm complicated or not. Hubby sometimes says he can't tell what I'm thinking.

      Yes Betsy, complicated is a good word. :)

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  2. Awww their poor little ears! :-( That is most upsetting! I am so sorry for that, how sad!

    Oh but thank you a million times over for taking these gorgeous kitties to the vet's. They are in the bestest care with you and I'm so so glad they have a wonderful friend in you.

    Awww Marmalade! Hopefully next time!! Thanks a gazillion times over again for caring for these gorgeous kitties. It's really made my Sunday!! Take care
    x

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    1. Oh, I know Kitty! I cried when I saw Whiskers ear! I'm sure I'll cry when I see the other's, too. I don't think I'll have it done to the next group.

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  3. Yes, I've tipped many a feral kitty ear, and always tried to take the least off, whereas some of my co-workers just lopped it off at will.
    It's OK if the cats are going to continue being feral, also easy to see they have been 'snipped and tipped' but if they are going to turn into someone's pet, I wouldn't do it.
    Glad to see you have them all home safe, and no problems.
    Sorry about Whiskers ear :(
    ~Jo

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    1. Oh, I know it isn't the end of the world. ha. But this group I hope to keep if they will stay. I wish they had said 'cut off the tip of their ear' instead of 'notch it'. I had a completely different picture in my mind. And it's a healthy bit gone, too. Sigh.

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  4. Hi Betsy!Im was so in a hurry to hear about this LOL.Glad it all looks like its working out.But poor marmalade he must of known what was coming ha.I remember back when we got some neutering done,our cat was a bit drunk.But our recent neutering he was very alert and awake.I wanted to say too that when we were down in Atlantic City last summer the cats along the boardwalk all had that done to their ear.I asked someone what that was because im like you wow they took alot off.The guy told me its so they know they have been fixed.They dont do it around here.

    Good luck tommorrow,maybe whiskers will have to get a cone on her head to keep from biting her stitches.My other cat a while back did.She kept biting and biting.They are hilarious with one of them on,they look like a lamp shade lol.

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    1. Oh a cone...that's all I'd need to deal with. lol. That might push me over the edge. haha.

      The first time I ever saw an animal with a cone on their head was back when The Mister and I were in a car accident while on a trip. We had to have our car towed late in the evening to some God-forsaken place. It was dark, creepy, and out in the middle of nowhere. There was a huge black doberman that was the watch dog. His name was Satan. lol. The man working said he wouldn't stop biting himself so he had to wear it. haha. What a night that was!

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  5. Hi Rebecca ah dear you enjoy teasing Silver I was reading:)

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    1. Can you think of a word to describe him? Other than sweet--he doesn't like that. :)

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  6. REally?? I dont know Rebecca, but you can call him Silver (lol)
    Some persona you cant describe with a word dear

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    1. Hi Gloria. ;)

      Did you have a nice day? Hope you baked the sadness away! :) What did you end up making?

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    2. See, Rebecca? Gloria doesn't seem to think I can be summed up with one word!

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    3. Oh, probably not, I was just trying to spare you from the dreaded sweet. :)

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    4. Betsy finally I made chocolate hearts, hope you see later I made the post!

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    5. I like complicated a lot better than sweet. For me, anyway.

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    6. Nice! I'm come and take a look! I still need to bake something for Valentine's Day!

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  7. I think you would like are nice and easy!

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    1. I left you a comment on your blog. Those are BEAUTIFUL! You did a great job....all of your food looks so professional!

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    2. Thanks Betsy I made all today and the coffe anchocolate mix are really NIce!!!

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    3. I love coffee and chocolate together...a very nice combination. Sometimes you can't tell it's coffee...it just makes the chocolate taste richer!

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  8. I'm fairly certain any qualified vet can tell by looking between a male cat's hind legs if he is neutered or not. If they cut the male cat's ears, they're morons. (Just my take on it.)

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    1. Martha ~ I had that same thought earlier this evening. I've never had trouble identifying a neutered male cat. lol...

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    2. Well, different vets may have different procedures, but if you were to only look at Orson, you could not tell he'd been neutered.

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    3. Seriously? My 2 pet male cats were definitely missing a couple of things. ha.

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    4. Well, I don't want to get too graphic, but you can't tell Orson's missing anything, because of what they did leave on him!

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    5. I guess, after looking it up online, it is a fairly common practice with feral cat colonies. I wouldn't want my pet cat's ear clipped though. It just doesn't seem right. Aren't those ear tips sensory devices of some kind?

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    6. I know their whiskers are!

      I haven't even seen the other three's ears. I'll probably cry all over again. :(

      Everyone is still sleeping.

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  9. God bless you...I don't know anyone who has gone to such lengths to help these little kitties. You are an angel my friend! :D

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  10. what a day you have , you certainly are a angel to the beasties,

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  11. LOL Marmy does not want to go snip snip just yet
    He must have know you were going to the vet
    Sensing some change in routine
    And finding it quite obscene
    My two never had to go through the cage stuff either up here
    I took them in in the morning and they were both back by nightfall, a little drunk acting I fear..lol
    But no cage what so ever though
    Glad they are all back safe and sound at your show
    Even with less of an ear
    Maybe Marmalade was right to fear..haha

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    1. Yep, Marmy's the smart one
      and he's lucky at ton.
      Next go-around I'll make sure nobody touches their ears
      So he really has less to fear!

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    2. But if they others tell him of it
      He may once more take a fit
      You'll have to get tricky with him
      As he surely isn't dim

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  12. Bo Cat always disappears when it's time for the vet. She hasn't been in years and years. Somehow they just know something is up. Probably those little sensors on the tip of their left ears let them know.

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    1. oh gosh. I did have to laugh at that...thanks, I needed to break the grief. lol...

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  13. oh my so sad on the ears....ack...glad you got a few of them done...hmmm...they may be leary now...smiles...it was a good thing though...hope recovery goes well...

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  14. You just amaze me!
    I'm so glad I know you. You make me want to reach out more.

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  15. Glad to hear that the kitties made through safely. Now you get to be on "nurse" duty. I thought it was interesting the "cage" with skulls on it...maybe you need to "reserve" that one for Marmalade.
    Nancy

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  16. That begins to look like a special baby care unit! I hope they do all soon get back to their old selves. I guess they're like kids, down one minute and then bouncing around again the next.

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  17. I had to come back and see if you were able to catch four of them. Good job!

    I've never heard that before about notching the ears.

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  18. I am so glad that you were able to catch four of them, that is almost half and that is such a great accomplishment considering at one time you were lucky if they came near you at all.

    I am also thinking that if you keep them inside for a few days and give them a lot of attention while they are recovering then that will go a long ways towards taming them. Also if you have anyone who is thinking about adopting one then right now is the perfect time to take them. Something about them changes during this time and if held and loved while sick then they remember this.

    Jericho was given to us and ran the streets and we knew if we did not fix him then he would die in a fight or get hit with a car. He would disappear for a few days at a time then come home starving. We got him fixed and kept him in the house for a while and from that point on he pretty much stays nearby during the day and then comes in at night. We did find out that he goes inside a house across the street, they have almost a dozen cats and we think they thought they were taking in a stray, but they now know he is ours so they let him in but put him back out. I think he likes their food better than ours.

    Anyway I am so glad you took Whiskers in because she is the oldest female and would be the first to have a litter. And if you ever catch either of the two mom's then I know they would thank you if they could. We had a wild cat that we caught and got fixed. From that time on she stayed in our backyard. We fed her and took care of her as best we could. She only let us pet her sometimes but rarely left the yard. I think she was tired of having babies and was thankful to us for adopting out and keeping some of her babies while ending her being attacked by the male tomcats. The screeching she would do was terrible to listen to. She is buried in the backyard, all safe and secure.

    But as to the ears, maybe if you tell them to only take a tiny piece and write the note and tape it to the cage then maybe they will not mutilate them so much. They just cannot be that insensitive. But at least they will survive.

    I think you and others who do this should get "Adoptive Mommy" awards. So if I had a plague then I would give you one. You're all the best!!

    God bless.

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    1. Mrs. U ~ I did set up food/water/litter inside for them. They said the males could go outside today but to keep Whiskers in for a few days. She likes to come in anyway, so that shouldn't be a problem. But...she slipped out the door this morning and off into to 11 degree cold. :( I hope she decided it's too cold and comes back soon. I'm worried about her!

      As for the ears...whoever did the other three just took a tiny nip off..looks find. I guess someone different did Whiskers and was way too generous with his cut. I won't have the others done at all.

      It would be great to catch the dad or two moms. I do have a trap and will try that now that I know how the whole process goes. The dad has started to hang around here more and cause trouble, so I'd love to have him fixed and relocate him. ha.

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  19. Betsy! wow what an adventure!! i'm so glad to hear that were all healthy and came back home with you :-) sorry to hear about those ears, that sounds a bit like middle age ... yikes! don't worry they were beautiful cats and they will still be! hope they will feel back themselves soon! Mr. T had to been put to sleep 3x times during his life (mostly back pain related) but each time it was a diff vet and each time he would handle it in a diff way ... i think it depends on the kind of anesthesia they use ... hope that Marmy will be easier the next time :-) ...

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    1. thanks, Birdie. Hopefully in a month, Marmy will forget and I can fool him. ha.

      How are you feeling? All better now, I'm hoping!

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    2. yes, let's hope he will forget but you may give him some special treats ... lol ...
      feeling better now, even though the little one still has a sore throat ... but it's getting better :-), thank you for asking!
      hope you have a calm Sunday! :-)

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  20. I do say...who has more fun?? Ha!! Glad everything went well! Poor kitties! And to lose some of their ear...sheesh!!
    Best of the luck on the next five.
    Hugs
    SUeAnn

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  21. I'd say Marmy had a keen instinct for knowing when trouble is afoot!

    I didn't know about the ear notching thing. Hmmmm... Will you let them do that again on the next round? Hope they are all feeling fine this morning, Betsy! Well done!! blessings ~ tanna

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    1. Tanna ~ no, I won't do it again to their ears. Fortunately, the other three don't look so bad! But it's not worth it, in my opinion...especially if I want to find homes for them.

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    2. I'm with you on that one, Betsy!! I think these have found their home... I'm just sayin'! LOL! You have a huge heart, girl!

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  22. What a day you and the kitties have had! Mission accomplished...or part of it, since you still have the others to neuter/spay. You are wonderful for doing this. That Marmalade is a smartie; he clearly knew something was going on that he did not want to be a part of. Good luck catching him for the next round.

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  23. you have 4 cats? how lucky! i don't even have one :(
    good to hear they're all healthy!

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  24. Glad to hear they are all well. Nice that you are taking such fine care of them.

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  25. I have never heard of this ear notching! It sounds awful! Poor little babies...

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  26. sounds like a full day. some animals are incredibly astute and keyed into intentions. it's wild to witness. the ear thing is interesting.

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