Topic: Help me choose a Healthy Rescue Cat Tomorrow
Annie C
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14
posted
Last Dec 20th I had to put my Sweet Nellie Girl to sleep. She had diabetes. Her blood count was 605.
Any how I have a 12 year old very sad male cat. He sleeps all day next to me in my chair. He's getting lonely. I just want to make sure the cat I choose doesn't have Lyme or Co's I'm getting a cat that might be a few years old.
Any suggestions on breeds. My male looks like a Russian Blue. Without the round face and ears. He 30 inches from nose to tip of tail. Very funny playful and calm. Except for the vacuum. Then he's out of sight.
Please help. I've had 4 Shelties two at a time. This will be my 4th cat.
-------------------- May God Bless you every day. And Never say never and do not give up no matter what. We need you to help others. Posts: 1288 | From Tetons Wyoming | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Can you have it tested for bartonella first (that seems to be the main concern of TBD with cats. That will help you get one that has a better chance of helping you in good ways.
Beyond that, other than understanding certain personality characteristic of a breed (more active vs. climbers, etc.) go with your HEART. Look into their eyes, spend some quiet time there before you decide.
Can you take one home for a "guest" visit before making up your mind?
The vacuum likely really hurts their ears. I can relate.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy the process of finding a good buddy to bring home. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged |
I hope you find a cat that will make your Russian Blue less blue!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
What about an adult black cat?
I have 3 black cats and they are the sweetest cats ever.
Black cats take up to 4 times longer than other cats to get adopted just becasue they are black-superstitions etc. It's not right.
Look for clear eyes, teeth with no sores at the gumlines, no swelling around the anus, clean ears-no itching or thick waxy deposits.
A healthy cat will look relaxed, but take some interest in it's surroundings.
You will know the right cat for you. Trust your instinct and judgement, Annie.
On Youtube, Galaxy Labs, has a video about a cat with bartonella. It sleeps A LOT.
I also have a blind cat. She is so sweet. She doesn't know she's blind. She zips around just like the others cats
You'll find a good cat, and a good cat will find you
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
| IP: Logged |
Annie C
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14
posted
Thank you for all the fantastic data for a new to me furry child. I wonder if my Nellie girl had Bart. I pray not cuz it will hurt worse in my heart. And never to think why have her tested.
Thanks again about being able to choose the one for my sad cat.
-------------------- May God Bless you every day. And Never say never and do not give up no matter what. We need you to help others. Posts: 1288 | From Tetons Wyoming | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
Every kitty I have had has had white paws and white fact--tabby cat. They all have been very loveable
I miss my latest cat a lot, but don't miss the shedding!
Hiker53
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8878 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
I had a blue and a maine ****. ***** are large for the most part. She wanted constant attention. Almost too demanding.
Harley, the blue, was aloof but cool. He was my husband's baby.
Siamese are way too active. Heinz 57 are the best. They seem to know they have been saved. Grateful and loving.
I miss them all.
Good luck...
Shoot...for some reason it wont take the word after maine but cat lovers know the breed I mean
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
If you like a cuddly, friendly cat, pick her up, hold her and see if she purrs.
That's how we picked our last kitty to be a companion for another kitty who's kitty friend had passed away.
I'd also get the kitty tested for feline leukemia. It's an extra cost, but worth it. It's a very painful illness and I had a kitty pass away from it when he was only 2. The vaccines for it can cause cancerous cysts (one of my cats that I had vaccinated after the other cat passed away contracted that).
If you keep the cats indoors, they will be less likely to get that (and ticks).
As for breeds, Snowshoes are awesome cats: smart, sociable, playful and loves other kitties.
I also like the cats with white mittens.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yes, it's really important to test for FeLeuk, or you could be endangering the life of your lonely cat.
Try to get a girl, if possible. Girls and boys tend to get along better than same-gender cats! And try to get a cat who's younger and smaller than your boy (less threatening) and spayed or neutered (less aggressive).
Your 12 year-old may miss his beloved companion, but he's not necessarily going to like another cat. As he's an older cat, try to minimize the stress that a new companion will cause him--stress in itself can make him sick.
Rather than getting the friendliest cat toward you, tell the shelter you need the cat who gets on best with other cats.
I once took in a feral cat who was terrified of me, but loved her cat companion so much she would snuggle up with him. Then after three years she finally let me pick her up! And then became my most loving cat!
BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
Randibear, we had a Maine C00n! Such a sweet boy. And so vocal. Chirped and trilled. Had this dainty meow that we could hardly believe came from this huge cat.
He was so mellow. Let the dogs sniff and harass him.
Total lover. We got him a female kitten when he was two and he was sure we'd brought him a concubine. He adored her. They were never apart.
Annie C
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14
posted
I just got Maggie the cat home. She's beautiful. Her markings are almost indescribable. She has these Aztec looking 2-3 inch wide. Striping the length of her body. Hr had has different markings. More spotted
She was spayed yesterday. When I bright her home of course she behaved like a cat on a hot tin roof. So I put her in the very large carrier with food and water. I let her rest and Saber kept going to check her out.
So then I opened the door and the first thing she did looked at her food dish. I've put her in the litter box two separate times. I think she knows now. Right now Saber and Maggie are in my bed room. Oh I forgot to tell you I held her in my lap and she purred. Yeah yeah. I don't have pics of her yet. That require for her to stand still for 3 seconds.
Saber just came out so I'm guess Maggie is chillin out sleeping she still a little druggy from her spay yesterday.
I want to thank you for all your helpful pointers. I used them all. Also if they don't get along I can taker her back and maybe choose another one.
-------------------- May God Bless you every day. And Never say never and do not give up no matter what. We need you to help others. Posts: 1288 | From Tetons Wyoming | Registered: Oct 2000
| IP: Logged |
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
Too late. Bet your hooked. I could never do that either.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
| IP: Logged |
randi.. You don't have to "channel" your thoughts to a pet. They KNOW when someone is behaving unkindly and they will respond appropriately!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Yay! She sounds like a sweetie!
I bet they will get along great!
If they were going to fight... they would have done so already. Saber would have already made a fit because she would have had a funny vet smell and he would have been territorial.
I bet he went in to have a sniff, saw that she was hurting and gave her some space.
How sweet.
It warms my heart.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
| IP: Logged |
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Wonderful news!!! Makes things better for all!
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic