BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja

Subject: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 11:25 AM

That should read: Tasmanian Devil, Bucking Bronco, and Ninja of a thousand, flashing swords. What do they have in common? They are the all-at-a-time alter ego of our cat, Kipling, when we try to crate, medicate, or hold in anyway! He's also inhabited by a banshee as he uses his very loud Siamese "don't fuck with me" yowl whilst we try to do so! He's always been a bit feral, but will also sit beside me and sleep with us, purring happily away.

He has a yeast infection in each ear. He weighs 12.6 lbs of pure muscle with barely any nape of the neck to hang onto. He's so terrified at the vet's, he trembles and tolerates, barely, their ministrations. At home, with Roger, me or both of us, we have to close all bedroom and bathroom doors and corner him. Or, sneak up on him when he's happily ensconced on our bed. Then all hell breaks loose. We can usually dose one ear, the other is long gone, leaving, one time, the palm of my hand shredded. Other times, we've been lucking not to draw back a stub.

I've never had a cat I could not dose with meds. I love our vets, but they are not getting the picture. I've called twice, the last time to see about home visits to help as he has to have this for two weeks. They suggested trying an ointment first, instead of the watery stuff. What they don't get is this is not a case of hold the nice kitty in your lap, or wrap a towel around him, or sit on him even, and he'll "tolerate" it. I intend to call them back tomorrow, BUT have any of you had any experience with treating feral cats or an idjit like this one?

Please don't suggest putting him in a pillowcase. There is no way we could do that.:-)

Thanks!

katatwit'send

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 12:46 PM

I've heard that vets sometimes use a 'happy spray' aerosol. It temporarily renders the cat calm and dopey, so a quick procedure can be done without getting your arms ripped to shreds. Maybe your vet can advise? I sympathise so much, kat. Over the years I've wrestled with Cat Devils, trying to do this and that for their own good. I must've lost pints of blood! Siamese seem to be the worst, they're so agile and strong. I'm always afraid of breaking one of their little legs, their bones are quite fragile. Blooming things, they don't deserve us do they?!

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 12:58 PM

I had a vet laugh at me when I said it was impossible to give our Susie a pill. I wanted the liquid medicine which could be squirted down her throat.
So he tried to show me how to pill a cat.
LOL 20 minutes later there were two technicians holding her down while the secretary sprayed water in her face and the vet wrapped her in a towel and shoved in a pill. He massaged her throat until she swallowed, let her loose and watched in frustration as she coughed the pill onto the floor.
I got my liquid medicine.
You have my sympathy, kat.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 01:00 PM

One suggestion - sneak up with a large bath towel in hand. Wrap the towel around as best you can and hold him down while the other, more cowardly participant, administers the meds. The jump back and run.

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 01:19 PM

Siamese cats can be hell. My parents had one that would attack anyone coming to the door. The mailman took to leaving the mail with the neighbors.
This was in warm San Antonio, so my parents depended on a well-latched screen door to keep this attack cat from destroying visitors.

He was a perfect gentleman in the house with my parents.

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 01:53 PM

Tried the sneak-up-towel to no avail, Sins.:-) This vet finally gave me injectable antibiotics for the other cat. As loving as he is there is no way to get a pill or liquid down his throat.

The Siamese is docile at all times except if you try to pick him up. Never comes out when strangers come until they've been awhile, then sashays back and forth for a back rub.

Siamese used to be temple watchcats in Tibet so they certainly have it in their genes to be fierce!

Thanks, ya'll!

kat

Thanks, Eliza, I will ask the vet for that.

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 07:40 PM

Have you considered using some of those lead-filled x-ray protective sheets instead of a towel? Or chain mail?

There really isn't a good answer because in addition to claws they have teeth. If there IS a happy spray, use it on the cat and then take a couple whiffs yourself when you get the job done.

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: frogprince
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 08:00 PM

Seriously, I would think about heavy leather work gloves, at least for the party doing the hanging on. Got an old leather coat for protection on up the arms?

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 08:27 PM

Kat-

Just loads of sympathy from us. We'd never try to pill our Burmese, in fear of our lives. She'd never forgive or forget such an affront.

The calico Maine cooncat, in contrast, angers quickly but forgets quickly and generally can be outmaneuvered.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 08:57 PM

Hmmm...a kitty strait-jacket....

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 10:55 PM

Thanks, my friends, for your understanding and support. We bought Nature's Miracle calming spray for cats, but you can't spray it on them, only around them and it did nowt. We've withheld his moist food all day, but he still will not be caught.

I am going to ask the vet for a tranq I can put in his food to calm him down for the interim. Other than that I am flummoxed by a cat; something that's never happened in a long line of being owned by them!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninga
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 11:00 PM

I would board the cat at the vet's till the problem's cleared up.

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: Rapparee
Date: 29 Apr 12 - 11:39 PM

Now THAT'S a great solution!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 10:58 AM

Too expensive and traumatising. This cat remembers! It took him ten years before he'd get on the furniture and about that before I could briefly pick him up...just long for a kiss on the top of his head,him pushing away the whole time, then jumping out and away.

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 01:12 PM

I wonder... is there a Happy Spray aerosol for HUSBANDS? One squirt and they're totally in your power, biddable and docile...hmmmm!

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: Wesley S
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 01:59 PM

" is there a Happy Spray aerosol for HUSBANDS? "

Yeah - It's called bacon.

Kat - I understand what you're saying. Our cat Gypsy { an indoor cat } was the same way about meds. If it was in her food she wouldn't eat it. And the only way to hold her and give meds without losing a quart of blood involved a full suit of armor.

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: Becca72
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 02:31 PM

I have used Feliway spray in the past with some success...that might be the same stuff you already tried, though. You do have my sympathy.

Funny story about one of my boys - the two 6 year olds are part Siamese and part tuxedo cat. The Siamese part is the front half apparently, because they are both very vocal.
Normally my first order of business when I get home from work is to head directly to the bathroom so I can turn on the water faucet for Mikey, who will NOT drink from a bowl. Well a couple of weeks ago I got home and he was not waiting for me by the door. My neice was already home so I assumed she had taken care of him. So I go sit down and start talking to her...about 5 minutes into our conversation from the bathroom - "haaaawhooooa" I had to verify with her that I wasn't crazy and that he had, in fact, just called out "hello". It was quite pathetic...like he was using his dying breath to beg someone to give him a drink.

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: Amos
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 02:34 PM

May be we need a gas aerosol product that can be sprayed over them while they sleep and will knock them out with one whiff.

Brings back memories of trying to shampoo a pair of twin Abyssinians. They sure looked funny afterwards but they never trusted me again.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 02:53 PM

Becca, my Siamese Smokey Pokey says "Haowloh" in the morning when I first approach his bed. He also for some reason says, quite clearly, "Laptop!" I wonder if he wishes to go online?

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: Becca72
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 03:05 PM

LOL, Eliza - perhaps he has some shopping to do..?

Subject: RE: BS: Tasmanian Devil-Bucking Bronco-Ninja
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 03:09 PM

I wouldn't be at all surprised Becca. Or maybe Online Cat Dating... (Although as he's been neutered, he'd have to remain what I call a Gentleman Friend!)