This is Torts as a three week old

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you ladies who have raised families. Motherhood is the toughest job you’ll ever love. (Thank you to the Peace Corps for providing such a stealable slogan.) I just spoke with my own Mom and congratulated her on raising three kids who not only get along, but never moved back home and stayed out of prison. Yea Mom and Dad! Great work!

Now I don’t have kids, at least not the two legged variety. My babies have usually have four legs, but sometimes we have math issues that leave them with only three. And most of the time they only stay with me for a couple of months. I hand raise orphan kittens, and care for cats recovering from traumatic injuries.

This three of a kind and a pair is certainly a winning hand. Little Torts is the dark on kitten on the left.

Most of my babies come from any number of Animal Alcatraz facilities. Most are scheduled for euthanasia.

So far in 2012, I’ve taken in a five-week old orange tabby (back leg) amputee, and seven bottle babies. I still have five four-week olds. Last night, my Mother’s Day promised to be a less than joyful day. The tortoiseshell kitten, Torts, was fine one moment, then suddenly started doing what I call the frog –walk, a spastic gait that appears to either be from a stroke or rear leg paralysis. Lethargy quickly followed. The kitten had plunged into a downward spiral. It wasn’t looking good for little Torts.

I’d seen this before, many years ago. Diagnosing a stroke, the junior vet at the clinic I used at the time, pulled the blue juice out of the cabinet to euthanize my three-week old foster kitten, Pip. Fortunately, the clinic owner stopped her. Instead of giving that kitten the notorious Texas lethal injection, Dr. Ed Aycock gave Pip glucose and wormed him. Three hours later Pip reverted to his happy little self.  Five weeks later, he went to his forever home.

Last night, when Torts started began her frog walk, my hubby put her in a homemade kitty-sized oxygen chamber. Despite the praziquantel label, which recommends worming kittens old than six weeks, I wormed the baby, gave her corn syrup, plumped her up with some subcutaneous fluids and kept her warm. After that it was up to God and Torts.

The night went from bad to worse. The kitten’s condition continued to deteriorate.  Several times, Torts appeared to stop breathing, but the stethoscope assured me she had a strong heartbeat. Then, at 04:30 as I gave the chamber a final reluctant glace before I trudged off to bed, I found Torts sitting up staring at the corner of the box. When I squealed with delight, she looked at me as if to say, “How’d I get here?”

I pulled her out of the air chamber and held her close. Torts entire body trembled with the loudest, most vibrant purr I’ve ever heard. She immediately told me she was hungry. Still not interested in solid food or even kitten gruel, I warmed up some kitten formula (Thanks Hartz!) She drank the whole bottle. This Mother’s Day afternoon, she was ravenously downing her kitten gruel.

Today, I’m so tired, I feel like I’m moving under water. My legs have so many scratches from kittens using them as climbing posts, my extremities look like a road map. But as I look around the room, I see five tiny kittens snuggled next to various bewildered resident cats, who never signed up to be babysitters. Torts slept solo on the coveted hammock bed. As I write this she woke up, stretched and then drifted off again to whatever adventure her slumber permits her.

Despite the sleepless nights, the interrupted work, the frequent trips to the vet, I love fostering kittens. It truly is the toughest job I’ll ever love. Today, I look at a tiny kitten who, not only knocked at Death’s door, but had all but the white tip of her tail inside, and I smile. If I was playing puss poker,  I’d be holding three of a kind and a pair of ladies. For me, that translates to a winning hand and a happy, however exhausted Mother’s Day.

Aikiou (pronounced “IQ”) is a food puzzle, made of human food-grade polypropylene, that makes a cat think as well as work for his food. Place kibble in the tubes. The cat must manipulate his paw to retrieve his dinner. Feeding tubes measuring different lengths provide three levels of difficulty. One tube, which lies flush with the surface, holds 1/5 cup of goodies. The other tube extends one-inch above base. It holds 1/3 cup. The optional tube, rising four-inches above base, holds ¾ cup. The tubes are set into a stony-looking highly-textured base. You can wash it in the dishwasher.

This product is really well thought out. It provides challenges on so many different level. Naturally, they must figure out how reach in for the food, but textured base has crannies and crevices the the food falls into. So pulling the kibble from the openings is only half the challenge. The cat has to continue to work the kibble free from the fissures before he can eat. It’s a brain game and a feeder.

I tested this product on my ten-week old foster kittens as well as my mature test cats. I introduced them to the product using deli turkey. After that I placed kibble inside. To make it more challenging, I set toy mice on top of the food.  The kittens caught on right away. Even Peg, a six-year old front leg amputee, retrieved the food without a problem and appeared to enjoy the challenge. Some of the Rainbolt Test Kitties even passed up food bowls of dry cat food in favor of pulling the kibble from the tubes.  They especially enjoyed the medium tube, but none of mine had long enough legs to use the longest container.

It sells for $24.95 to $30 plus shipping. The optional level three tube sells for $8.99. You can buy it directly from the manufacturer’s website or amazon.com. For more information call (877)424-5468 or visit the website:  www.aikiou.com.

Groucho measures the distance of a Shot-Puke

It’s 2012! You know what that means? (No, I’m not talking about the end of the world.) I’m talking about the London Summer Olympics. As summer approaches an end and the cats slip into their light coats preparing for the Dog Days, isn’t it nice to know that there is a day dedicated to the advancement of furballs? Yes, the last Friday in April is National Hairball Awareness Day.

So what does a holiday as dignified as National Hairball Awareness Day have to do with the 2012 Olympics? Spring training, of course. With the onset of shedding season, my own cats have started practicing for the Olympic events, Hairball Shot-Puke and the feline equivalent of Javelin throw, Projectile Vomiting. (Between events, think how much fun feline competitors can have in the broad jump sand boxes.)

Hairball Hurling

My house is full of winners. Nixie, my Tonkinese, has mastered both distance and accuracy.  She can lob a round halfway across the room and hit the inside of my bedroom slipper. During her early March practice trials, she launched a wad on a stack of completed income tax forms.

I have a few kitties who are looking ahead to the Winter Olympic for the inspiring event, Hurling. Some of my guys are so accomplished at Hairball Hurling, they can wait until I go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and drop one next to the bed. As I approach the bed in the dark, anticipating sliding back between the covers, all warm and comfy, I feel that sensation: that unmistakable warm squish between my toes. What a way to learn my cat has hairballs! I can tell you even after jumping in the shower and scrubbing the skin off my feet, I just won’t feel clean again tonight.

Keeping himself tidy is a fulltime job for a cat. She spends almost the entire day removing loose hair from her coat with that amazing barbed tongue. She can’t spit out the fur trapped in those barbs so she swallows it. In small quantities, the hair moves through the digestive system with no problems. However, when kitty is shedding and ingests too much fur, the results can provide an opportunity for organic weapons manufacturing and gastronomical land mines.

During the normal grooming process the fur is ingested and mixes with gastric secretions that winds itself in a tight ball. The hair can accumulate in such large quantities, that the hairball cannot pass through the pyloric sphincter (the valve that controls food leaving from the stomach into large intestine.) Eventually, the cat hocks the mass up, leaving gastronomical landmines.

As always, if the vomiting persists, see your veterinarian. The problem may not be hairballs at all.

What can you do to disqualify your kitty from Olympic class projectile vomiting? The most effective and easiest is to groom him frequently. If you remove his hair before he has a chance to do it himself, you will probably eliminate or at least reduce hairball production.

To make sure hairballs are moving in the appropriate direction, use commercial hairball remedies or add ½ teaspoon of safflower oil to your food. If that doesn’t stop the barfing in a day or two (or if kitty is ralphing more than a couple of times in a day), show some of his athletic abilities to your vet. The problem might not be hairballs at all, but a much more serious issue like kidney disease.

More than a Hairball

• Don’t automatically assume if your cat vomits, its hairballs.

• Don’t misinterpret chronic vomiting for hairball problems. Repeated vomiting in one day, or over a longer period of time could indicate a serious illness.

• You should be able to see the fur in an actual hairball

• Use hairball remedies according to directions as a preventative.

• If the vomiting persists or your cat develops other symptoms, see your veterinarian.

Preventing Hairballs

• During shedding season shorthaired cats should be brushed out twice a week.

• Medium to long coated cats should be brushed every few days.

• Persian length coats require daily brushing.

• Use a soft slicker brush and never use more pressure than you would on your own skin.

• Begin brushing cat’s haunches and work your way toward his head. Start from the tip of the hair.

• When you finish, give him a high value treat like bonito flakes or pea sized pieces of turkey.

They come into your life long enough to find a place in your heart and then it’s time to kiss them goodbye and send them to their new life. Davy has gone to live with Sandy Reid, an Animal Allies of Texas volunteer. She cleans cages and socializes (translate that to mean plays with) kitties at the Highland Village Petco AAT adoption center.

Davey will be living with Sandy, her husband and their blind Chihuahua. I’ll miss snuggling with him. I’ll miss watching him. You haven’t lived until you’ve watched an impaired cat in that moment of realization…that moment when he figures out how to use the rest of his body to overcome this impairment. Little Davey was wobbling around the house the same day his leg was amputated. That night he actually scaled my husband’s recliner in order to sit in Weems’ lap. What a little trooper.

The day I brought home my first tripod foster cat, I was very concerned about the vast needs of poor little Peg, whose leg had been shattered after being thrown from a car. My vet, Dr. Granville Wright of the Animal Hospital on Teasley Lane in Denton, Texas assured me I would have a harder time adjusting than Peg would. He told me, “Don’t worry about her, Dusty. To cats, the fourth leg is just a redundancy.”

He was right. Peg hops clumsily around the house like a bunny rabbit. But when she runs, she moves much faster than I do. She has amazing balance. I have even taught her to sit up for baby food. Peg’s emotional scars took longer to heal. Shy and slow to trust, decided it would be best to keep her.

So to Davey, all the animals out there with challenges, to those wonderful people who adopt challenged pets. as well as those who rescue them and nurse them to health, “Thank you.”

To everyone else, last week was National Volunteer Week. Take Sandy Reid’s lead and volunteer to help a rescue group or shelter in your area. There’s no feeling in the world like the joy and sadness you feel when one of your babies leaves you for that forever family.

Sandy, thank you for opening your home to my sweet little Davey. People ask me how I can give them up. It’s hard. Really hard. But one must leave before I can open my door to a new needy cat. And there’s always another one who needs me even more.

ChanChan left her spay stitches alone but still slep and ate comfortably

This flexible Elizabethan collar consists of thin laminated fabric shield secured with a drawstring. The water-resistant shield can be dunked in a water bowl or even machine washed and air dried. A simple bow knot holds it in place. When the cat moves the collar flexes. Flip it back to keep it from bumping the whiskers. The collar is made in the U.S. The manufacturer warns that the entire head needs to rest inside the cone for full body protection. (This collar measures from inside edge to the outside edge.) Trimlines come in five sizes.

This product received a two-week field test when Sam had ear surgery. My vet sent him home wearing a rigid e-collar. Sam wouldn’t eat or drink unless I held the bowl for him. Fearing he might develop hepatic lipidosis, I tried the Trimline. I could instantly see the difference in attitude, and he could eat on his own. During his recovery he experienced an excellent quality of life. After two weeks with untrimmed rear nails, the collar received a few punctures, but did not rip. He never removed the collar, and couldn’t scratch his ear.

Economically prices, cat sizes sell for $10 and $12. Large dog collars run about $25.00. You can buy it direct from the manufacturer in lots of 10 to 20. You also can get it from your vet or www.amazon.com. For more information call (800) 371-0216 or visit the website: www.trimlineinc.com.

I See Spot SeeCone™/StyleCone™

I See Spot Cone Collar allows Nixie a full field of vision

The SeeCone, made of a soft 20-gauge clear vinyl, allows your cat/pet unencumbered vision. The StyleCone is made of whimsically printed waterproof fabrics like plaids or polka dots. Velcro strip closures provide adjustable width. A toggle keeps the drawstring secure. The collars’ flexible construction allows the cat to eat, drink and sleep as comfortably as if he were wearing nothing at all. It’s so flexible you can flip it backward to protect whiskers. Machine wash it and dry flat. It’s made in the U.S.

StyleCone prevented Eiu from accessing her hips or ears. Once she became accustomed to it, she walked about the house in a relaxed manner. The SeeCone allowed her to navigate freely.

The cat-sized SeeCones sell for $25 including shipping. The cat-sized decorative StyleCones™ sell for $30. The large size for 30-pound dogs cost $29-$36. You can buy them directly from the manufacturer. Get more information or purchase the e-collar by calling I See Spot at (877) 586-8719 or visit www.iseespot.com.

Davy Jones wonders what life has in store for him the evening after his surgery.

Every time I try to step away from animal rescue, I get sucked into it yet again. Meet Davy Jones. He’s an adorable little sucker, isn’t he? He’s neither a 1960s rock star nor the one-legged fiend that presides over all the evil spirits of the deep in The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle (1752).

The 21st Century Davy was found by a homeowner who kept hearing a kitten calling for help. The homeowner finally located the five-week-old kitten tangled up in wiring beneath the woman’s mobile home. Poor Davy was hanging from his badly infected hind paw–swollen to the size of an adult cat’s foot. With no money to care for the injured kitten, the woman took him to my vet for euthanasia. Fortunately, Dr. Epstein has a huge heart. She amputated the dead leg and handed him over to me to foster.

While getting tangled underneath the home may have been a near-tragic accident, the rubber band someone slipped on his hind leg was 100% a human assault.

Has anyone seen my leg? I seem to have misplaced it.

I’ve had Davy four days. Other than canned cat food, Davy loves nothing better than climbing up on the couch and sawing logs next to my husband or me.

I look at this sweet, trusting kitten and wonder what would possess someone to place a tight rubber band on him? I can come up with no answer except someone is as evil as the character the kitty was named for. Obviously someone intentionally harmed Davy, but fortunately someone else was protecting him. Thank you.

His wound is healing nicely. And he’s adjusting to a three-legged life. His only real challenge is surviving the itching and learning how to go to the bathroom again. He needs to balance when he assumes “the position.” I was impressed how quickly he mastered that. After three days, he’s avoiding the special low-sided recovery litter box I set up for him. Instead he’s climbing up into six inches into the big boy potty.

He’s so tiny; Davy won’t be old enough to receive his first set of viral shots until next week. After that, the search will begin for his forever home. So until further notice, I guess I’m back in rescue. *sigh*

Nixie enjoys drinking from Ebi's Fountain

Running water is more attractive to a cat (and many dogs) than static water in a bowl. While adequate water consumption is important to any cat, it becomes especially critical in aging cats and cats suffering from kidney disease. Artist Eberhard Basler handcrafts utilitarian one-of-a-kind ceramic pet fountains worthy of any art gallery. Not only do these works of art provide fresh, filtered water for your cat, they fit in perfectly in with your decor.

The fountain has four parts: a wide base bowl, a lid, a charcoal filter and pump. Assembly only took a couple of minutes. The fountains come in several different sizes that hold from .5 gallon to 2.5 gallons. A low voltage aquarium pump with a transformer powers the unit. It also has a pre-screen that captures cat hair and other debris before it spills into the reservoir and filter. It uses a Drinkwell® filter, available from any pet supply store. You can customize the unit by choosing the size, style, color, filter, pump and even the water spout. Other filter options are also available.

The water arced out of a frog’s mouth on my unit. (You can order from any number of colors, sizes and spouts.) The flow provided the soothing sound of trickling water, and the pump made almost no noise. The cats were immediately drawn to the fountain.

If you’re not careful when you remove the lid, you will spill water all over. Other than that, it’s easy to clean and reassemble. This product earned four paws.

The units come in Small (holds up to one half gallon or more depending the height of the bowl), Medium (approximately one gallons) or Large (up to 1.5 gallons), XL (approximately 2 gallons) and an XXL (approximately 2.5 gallons). They sell for $179.00 plus shipping, $189.00, $209.00, $229.00  and $249.00 respectively.

Order it directly from Vera Basler Artists Group by calling 727-475-1114 or visit the web site: Ceramic-pet-fountains.com.

Foster kitten, Chester, reluctantly shows off a cat harness

In January, Rainbolt Test Kitties and I celebrated my 14^th anniversary writing product reviews for the Tufts’ publication, Catnip. The euphoria of that milestone dissipated quickly after learning that Tufts’ would no longer run product reviews or use any freelance writers. My hardworking little product testers will miss seeing their photos in such a prestigious publication every month, and some of our fans have said they will too. But not to worry, you’ll be able to read weekly reviews right here at Confessions of a Cat Writer.

Nixie loves to pose for photos, even when it's products she doesn't like.

The cats informed me that they will not miss testing nail clippers, cat shampoos or Elizabethan collars. They don’t know that their job description will still include evaluation of  pill poppers and restraint products, but we will expand our scope to include some fun stuff too.

The reviews will start next week. Same cat time, same cat station.

A Prayer to St. Gertrude

Blessed St. Gertrude, ask you I pray
watch over my kitty cat this and each day.

Protect him from those who might wish him harm.
Keep him at home all safe from the storm.

Give me the sense to care for him well,
and provide me the strength never to yell.

And Gertrude, a last thing I beseech from thee,
Protect my chair from sharp claws and my carpet from pee.

Amen
©2012 Dusty Rainbolt
(Feel free to use it, but please give Dusty Rainbolt author credit)

Christmas and Hanukkah are quickly approaching. Have you finished your shopping yet? If not, here’s my Recommended Giving List for the over-the-top cat lover (with a sense of humor). All of these items make great and affordable stocking stuffers.

Any of the products below can be purchased at Amazon.com. If you shop online, why not benefit your favorite animal charity by shopping at www.AdoptAShelter.com? This shop-to-donate website is easy and free to both you and the charity. AdoptAShelter.com donates a portion of your purchase to the animal charity of your choice. You don’t have to fill out a form, join up or remember a password.

Happy Shopping! And have a Merry Christmas or Happy Hannukah!

Cat-in-a-Can Inflatable Cat
If you would like to have more kitties around the house without having to scoop more often, Cat-in-a-Can is for you. The vinyl inflatable cat comes in a 2.5-inch tall tin. A manual inflator allows you to blow up the calico to her full 12.5-inches in a minute or so. She’s easy to care for and doesn’t scratch the furniture. You’ll pay $12.90 at Amazon.com.

I gave my husband an inflatable calico last year.

Crazy Cat Lady Cat Food-Scented Soap
Bathing with this pungent soap will ensure that you are constantly in the company of cats. Each pink bar comes in a fancy gift tin. This soap really does smell like cat food. Believe it or not, it received five stars from Amazon reviewers. You can get it for $3.29.
I washed my hands with it a few minutes ago.

Crazy Cat Lady Action Figure
There she stands—ratty bathrobe (like mine), checkered pajama bottoms (mine are leopard print), headband (nope), wild hair (pony tail), and a fanatical look on her face (not me.) And she’s surrounded by six cats of different breeds that own her heart and soul. Two additional kittens hide underneath her hair and inside robe pocket. The poseable action figure stands 5.25-inches tall.  Warning: Choking Hazard! Contains small parts. Not for kitties or children under three. You’ll pay around $12.18.
I have this action figure on my fireplace mantle.

Crazy Cat Lady Game
This is a board game that has “cat ladies” of all genders collecting and giving away kitties. Just roll the dice to acquire and lose kitties as directed by board squares and player cards. Gain more cats by landing on spaces like “Save a Cat Stuck in a Tree” and “Rescue Grumpy Old Cat from Pound.” But watch out for spaces that take cats from you like “Beware of Dog” and “Kitten Distracted by Bit of Fluff.” It comes with a game board, spinner, four game pieces with plastic stands, 50 plastic cats and four Wildcat cards. Manufacturer says it’s for players 12 to 16 years of age. Don’t know many teens that would like it, but both adults and little kiddoes had a blast. Expect to pay around $16.75 from Amazon.

Wanna play?

Crazy Cat Lady Mini Milk Bottle Drinking Glasses

If you’ve ever had fresh milk delivered to your doorstep you know firsthand the undeniable appeal of a classic milk bottle. These sleek Mini Milk Bottles capture that same appeal in a 10-ounce drinking glass size. Fun artwork and the unique shape make these a great addition to your table setting. Each set includes two 6.25-inch tall glasses. You’ll pay $9.84 at Amazon.

I’ve ordered one. It’ll be here in a few days.

Cat Butt Coasters

These are cat butt coasters for drinking glasses. Everyone needs coasters. What’s the big deal? You know the cat drinks out of your glass when you’re not looking! It’s $5.00 from Amazon.

I’m planning to order a set for special occasions.

Cat Butt Chewing Gum
This gum doesn’t smell or taste like a cat’s butt (not that I know what it tastes like. Eww) You get eight pieces of peppermint gum per box. Give it to someone you either love or loathe. A little pricey. $5.24 for eight gum squares.

Used it as a stocking stuffer a few years ago.

Mark Grace Bad Bill Butts Ornament
This three-inch porcelain snowflake-shaped ornament is perfect gift for grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Commemorate each holiday season with a new ornament. The adorable anal image is printed on both sides. Comes with a golden hanging cord. Only $12.75 from Amazon.

Don’t have it, but would love to hang it on my Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

Edna, Crazy Cat Lady
This Chronoscope series figure by Reaper Miniatures is entitled “Edna, Crazy Cat Lady.” It’s an elderly human lady holding a walking cane in her right hand and a cat in her left hand. It includes six separate cat figures.  Some assembly may be required. Pay $5.91 at Amazon.

Don’t have it. Don’t want it.

Cat Butts Magnets & Field Guide
Just watch your cat-loving friends connect with this charming, magnetic mini kit! Five popular breeds immortalized on die-cut magnets with a bonus hairball piece, too! The Educational North American Cat Butts Field Guide rounds out this epic gift. It costs $6.95 at Amazon.

Don’t have this one. I know what a cat butt looks like

Crazy Cat Lady: A Magnetic Sculpture Kit
The Crazy Cat Lady is an icon in America. This kit celebrates that brand of kindhearted, single-minded devotion with a magnetic Crazy Cat Lady figure and 12 metal cats that will jump on her the first chance they get. Amazon’s asking $2.57 for this one.

Don’t have it.

Emergency Meow Button
Missing your cat? Caring for a kitty with laryngitis? You need an Emergency Meow Button! Just press the button and you’ll be treated to the reassuring sound of a cat’s “meow.” Great for teasing the dog. Each plastic device has a hole in the back so you can hang it on a wall. Requires two AAA batteries (not included). Pay $11.98 at Amazon.

I don’t need this one, as someone’s always talking to me.

Zombie Pet Shoppe Play Set
After a hard day of relentless pursuits and brain-eating, it’s always comforting to come home to a cute little rabid zombie pet. That’s why many zombies are shuffling over to the Zombie Pet Shoppe to find a companion. Inside, they can choose from all sorts of decaying undead pets that are looking for a home. Each set includes five 1-inch to 1.5-inch tall, hard vinyl zombie cat, dog, bird, fish and bunny. It’s an Amazon bargain at $10.99.

Not yet.

Zombie Dog Handler
This 5.5-inch tall piece is a companion piece to Edna, the Crazy Cat Lady. Buy it through Amazon for $6.66.

Nope.

Cat-Opoly
This is Monopoly with cat breeds replacing real estate names. If you like Monopoly, you’ll like it. The tokens are a milk bottle, mouse, sardines, cat food, fish, and ball of yarn. Buy it from Amazon for $26.47.

It’s okay. Not as much fun as the Crazy Cat Lady Game.Christmas and Hanukkah are quickly approaching. Have you finished your shopping yet? If not, here’s my Recommended Giving List for the over-the-top cat lover (with a sense of humor). All of these items make great and affordable stocking stuffers.