BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens

Subject: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 01:12 AM

Does anybody know a practical method for helping tailless kittens keep a clean butt? I guess there's a pinch-muscle at the base of cat's tails..and that kittens with no tail don't have an adequately developed pincher-offer.

It would be really nice to be able to do something like oil their back end so they can leap cleanly from the litterbox..washing them frequently naturally gets rid of the unwanted lumps, but I'm not sure it's the healthiest way for them (plus, it's icky)

The tailed kitten of the same litter doesn't stash a stinkball and the tailless ones don't seem to have anything wrong with them. The mamacat had the same problem when she was a kitten (which is why I'm leaning toward the pinch-muscle theory)

Thanks,
M

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 05:53 AM

Melissa, if you go to a site called VetInfo, and access rectal and colon problems, you will see that Manx (and other tailless breeds) can be missing not only their tail but the nerves at the anus which control defecation. It seems that a special diet which firms up the stools can help. Sadly, only cleaning each time can sort this out. I don't know if, once grown up, the cat can clean itself a bit. Many people euthanase their tailless cats because of the fecal problem. It's very sad. I wish you well with your little kitty.

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 06:08 PM

Thanks Eliza. I'll look at that site and see what I can learn..

The texture of their vile gumdrops seems right so they probably don't need a firming diet. Since their mamacat outgrew the problem, I think the kittens will too. They're otherwise perfectly sensible little beasts..and now I'm wondering if maybe a different type of litter would help (wondering if the clumping kind is maybe sticking on their low-slung deposits and adding to the problem)

I've remembered what I did for the mamacat when she was wearing icky accessories back there..dumb that I didn't think of it days ago!

Thanks,
M

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 09:29 PM

I'm thinking of spreading things in the area that kitty likes to eat/lick, in the process cleaning herself. Would that help?

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 10:03 PM

..this reminds me why I vowed in my early 20s never to share a home with any cat again;
and why I eventually stopped seeing women who kept cat litter trays in their bedrooms....

Same goes for women who keep pet rats in their cardigan pockets.....

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 10:10 PM

Eb, I was thinking about introducing them to my dog in case she'd like to help with clean-up.
I'm not sure an appealing flavor would trick them into cleaning themselves more assertively..mamacat obviously isn't interested in keeping them from stashing gumdrops (but she does clean them nicely after I wash them..) and the kittens probably aren't quite big enough to undertake that type of cleaning yet.

I'll give them haircuts tonight and see if that helps.
I'd completely forgotten that I did that to/for mamacat when she was carrying the disgusting accessory..it'll probably work for them too.

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 10:40 PM

The yuck factor of this thread is exceedingly high....


Eeeeewww!

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Melissa
Date: 05 Jul 12 - 11:08 PM

I agree, Joe..it's pretty icky

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 01:41 AM

I've never followed up on it, but have noted warnings that clumping litter can be sucked up, both into lungs and intestines from "cleaning," and has been suggested as a cause of some problems in mature cats. It's evidently a slow cumulative process - if it really is a problem, but I've avoided the clumping (and especially the "hard clumping" stuff) for the most part.

I haven't been sufficiently frightened of it to "do without" on a couple of occasions when the clumping litter was the only thing in stock when we "urgently needed" some fresh litter. Unfortunately our best source of non-clumping litter only stocks it in 50 pound bags, and, according to claims, I'm the only one in the famdamily who can (barely) lift - or drag - one of them.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Becca72
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 10:34 AM

Stolen from a blog on the subject:

BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

1.Clay is strip mined to produce clay cat litter.
2.Used clumping clay cat litter NEVER biodegrades in the landfill.
BAD FOR CAT'S HEALTH & HUMAN HEALTH

1.Clay litter contains silica, which is a known carcinogen when inhaled.
2.Clumping clay litter contains sodium bentonite which expands to 15 times its volume and forms an INSOLUBLE mass when it contacts liquid. It does the same thing when cats ingest it as they groom themselves after using the litter box.

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 10:59 AM

The best litter we've found so far has been pine pellets. Environmentally friendly, cheap AND naturally anti-stinky too as wood is anti-bac. We buy a big bag online and keep it stashed in the cubby hole under the stairs. Much better than the clay we used to use. And if you're not squeamish, you can tip it on the compost heap to recycle.

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 02:39 PM

Personally, I've never minded cleaning cats' bottoms or coping with all sorts of unpleasant 'messes' such as vomit etc. (My Siamese vomit at the drop of a hat!) I suppose it's no different to babies' nappies.
But if the kitten's anus isn't kept nice and clean, one risks infection of the anal glands, which is painful and distressing for the cat. I would imagine the mother cat won't want to clean her baby's bottom if it's a case of large amounts of fecal matter. I totally agree about the cat-litter. I've used a product which is recycled newspaper pellets. Very envo-friendly and inert. I do so hope the little one will soon grow out of this problem. Have you consulted a vet who is familiar with tailless cats and their special difficulties? It might be a good idea to get advice now, before problems get worse (touch wood they won't!) Have you a photo of your cats Melissa? I'd love to see them!

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 09:08 PM

clumping clay IS nasty stuff.
It also turns out to be a good deal cheaper and a lot less toting..and is easily available. Mostly, the cats prefer tending those activities outside.
I put litterbox product outside. This is a clayey area and I've found that the clumps do powder fairly quickly and the same weeds/grass that grows all over the farm grows on the powdered clumps.


John
The thing about clumping litter possibly lining lungs is apparently real..a friend of mine who lived in a house where the guy was going through about 250lb of the stuff per week was diagnosed with LitterLung (which isn't what they called it, but it seems like a good enough name for it since I don't know the real one)

Eliza
I don't have any recent pics (just a few from when they were much smaller) but have been thinking it's about time to take a few. They're awfully cute.
If I do end up taking a new batch soon, I'd be glad to show them off!

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Melissa
Date: 06 Jul 12 - 09:13 PM

one of the three was clean without my help..maybe they're on the cusp of outgrowing the problem

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 Jul 12 - 07:56 AM

Would love to see them Melissa!
What breed are they by the way? (forgot to ask) Are they Manx?

Subject: RE: BS: Cleaning Tailless Kittens
From: Melissa
Date: 07 Jul 12 - 08:44 AM

Yeah, must be Manx, Eliza. They've got the size, body shape and legs.
They'll be good company in case I ever get a ship and need mouse-eaters!