The Forum Chit-Chat Thread

dashoonage · 06-09-2022 7:49am

you mean moved into her greenhouse....

Graces7 · 07-09-2022 5:00pm

The little island cat who has been coming for food for a while ( his owner said he never fed her as he did not have time.) has made amazing and delightful progress. Never one iota of aggression from him and if I am outside he follows. Now he has decided to take up permanent residence atop the bottom of my bed. Huge progress for a little cat left outside for years. He walked oddly; back legs out diagonally. We thought it was inbreeding. But as he has gained weight that has eased too and he looks as he is, a sturdy, healthy and affectionate little cat. Happy cat; happy me.

madmaggie · 07-09-2022 11:13pm

I'm almost afraid to go into the greenhouse. 10 angry eyes and 5 hisses. Those little kittens are firey like their mother.

Graces7 · 08-09-2022 8:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119585493#Comment_119585493

HE KISSED ME! Walked all the way up the bed (I am on semi bed rest ) and KISSED ME! It made my year!

Mollyb60 · 08-09-2022 10:37am

My cat has taken to jumping up on my work-from-home desk and then pushing his bum into my chest as a request for back scratches. It's adorable.

Graces7 · 08-09-2022 4:20pm

ON dark days when pain is bad and we are weary..these little furry ones give us so much love.

Even after all these years it humbles and delights. This one especially as he had such a hard time and now his eyes are at last free and clear of lingering hurt. he turned a corner as they say... All we do and all we can do is love them, feed them, give them all they need.

madmaggie · 09-09-2022 1:54pm

Little mother cat is quickly becoming a pet.

When the kittens are weaned, I'll have her spayed.

Graces7 · 16-09-2022 1:52pm

Well. some good news here..... Next week will see two new rescue cats arriving... I am delighted. It has not been an easy matter with my home being offshore but I am in touch with someone in a small rescue who will be bringing them over.

madmaggie · 17-09-2022 12:21am

I went into the greenhouse today, and mammy cat called the pusheens over to meet me. Lovely that she trusts me with them.

Graces7 · 17-09-2022 6:56am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119629210#Comment_119629210

Awww.. that made me smile. Thank you!

Graces7 · 18-09-2022 7:30am

Littlest cat after demolishing his raw drumstick ( LOVE watching him eat) has leapt atop my bed... then run all the way up to sit on my neck and gaze into my eyes! Awwww... He hs never done this before..

This was a totally neglected wee farm cat, with splayed back legs who Oliver bought home a year or three ago. The "owner " knows but dare not say a word and i say nothing. Nor have I ever spoken any criticism. Just loved his cat,,

He was never fed. Never any attention. Outside ...

Tonto is safe here.. But how lovely a character he has.. Comes blackberrying with me... Utterly devoted..

Who needs a dog!

Graces7 · 21-09-2022 5:12pm

A parcel came today. Lovely big box... So I unpacked it... and within a few minutes... yep you guessed.. Oliver was curled up in it. Ears just showing above the top..

They already HAVE two big boxes in the kitchen but hey! A NEW ONE>> WOW..

The other two, the island cats, now order me to OPEN THE DOOR.. LET ME OUT... LET ME IN... with all the aplomb of life- long house cats...

Graces7 · 23-09-2022 5:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119632870#Comment_119632870

HE LOVES ME!"

Iam fending off a full scale "assault"!On my front, face as close as he can get it,, purring loud... These folk who ignore cats etc really miss out! Every day more demonstrative. If there is one thing I am doing right in this life it is caring for little cat. How anyone could ill treat them or neglct them.. An dhe refuses to budge.. lol and almost tears..

wotzgoingon · 28-09-2022 9:50pm

These forums are great.... I'm just here reminiscing about my late dog and remembering the time I was having an issue with hedgehogs annoying my dog through the fence and coming into a certain death as he used to kill them when they came in. Nothing I could do about it as it was a fenced garden and I would let him roam around the garden at night alone as he liked to do that.

Anyway the helpful people from this forum said that dog should be shot. Great people here alright.

Mod edit: Wotzgoingon is banned from this thread for this post.

muddypaws · 29-09-2022 8:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119678125#Comment_119678125

Nope, there's absolutely no way that happened. Advocating violence against animals is against the rules of this forum. Perhaps you posted elsewhere on boards?

DBB · 29-09-2022 9:36am

Wotzgoingon,

I appreciate that you've not always been told what you want to hear on this forum, buy you've never been given poor advice, based on the information you chose to provide with each post you make.

So, I'm taking a very dim view indeed of you coming back to this thread months after you were effectively trolling, to disrespect those that gave you honest advice in good faith, and to tell lies about the advice you were ever given here.

Wotzgoingon, you are hereto banned from posting in this thread again. If you choose to post in the forum again, be advised that your posting style and attitude must improve substantially.

Thanks,

DBB

mindhorn · 21-10-2022 8:16am

Is the Irish Kennel Club the best place to check if looking to buy a puppy? Posted a separate thread re Tibetan Terriers but didn't receive any replies.

DBB · 21-10-2022 7:32pm

There are very few Tib breeders in Ireland, but they're easily found via Google! You should find that they all seem to be reputable and generally tick the boxes for what people should look for from a good, ethical breeder. This is not a breed that has fallen victim to puppy farmers, fortunately.

Try giving the breeders a call and chat about what it is you're looking for?

18-11-2022 1:11am

You know it's properly cold outside when your Newfie wants to sleep outside! But you know it's not frosty yet when he gives up and comes inside.

If you're cold, he's cold, yes but he's delighted.

madmaggie · 18-11-2022 1:23am

Poor old 22 year old cat is getting very wobbly on the legs. The vet put her on anti inflammatory for a week, then possibly pain relieving injection.

She's such a good cat, still using her litter tray, and devouring cooked chicken. I'm afraid if the legs give up completely it will be time to say goodbye.

18-11-2022 2:28am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119888231#Comment_119888231

22! A credit to you for keeping her so well. My tomcat is 13 and he is stiff some days, we put him on Arthriaid and he was like a kitten again, bit typical cat, he refuses to eat food with Arthriaid on it anymore. The vet gave me an option of an injection he can have every 30 days but it's 90 euro. I am so torn honestly, Ok want to do the best for him but 90 euro a month? That's more than I spend on my own meds! The only thing wrong with the boy is his stiffness, I could be looking at 1100 euro a year for nine or more years.

Faith · 18-11-2022 9:17am

I hope my cat lives to 22!!

Budgese, we have the world’s fussiest cat and last year we had to give him gabapentin every day for a couple of months. The only way we could get him to eat it was mixed in with a cream cat treat like https://www.zooplus.ie/shop/cats/cat_treats_catnip/pastes/malt/209698

Could you try something like that and see if it helps? My cat will do basically anything for one of those, even tolerate being in the same room as the puppy 😅

madmaggie · 20-11-2022 1:27am

@[Deleted User] The vet mentioned an injection, and did say it is expensive. I'm bringing her back next week. She is a very determined little cat, I can see she is annoyed with her legs not doing what they should. When I help her, she gazes up at me and purrs. I put her litter box closer to her bed, but she was having none of it. Back to it's usual location in the utility, even though it's an effort for her to get there.

As long as she can get about, and can eat and toilet, and is not in pain, that's what I want for her. But I know the dreadful day is coming.

madmaggie · 24-11-2022 1:00am

Update, her condition became worse, the legs gave up and she developed organ failure. PTS yesterday. She had a very long and very happy life, never knew a moment's unkindness.

DBB · 24-11-2022 1:05am

Aw no... so sorry to hear that madmaggie, she'll surely leave a huge void behind her. But... wow... what an incredible and long life she had.

Take care of yourself now.

Faith · 24-11-2022 9:20am

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that, madmaggie. It sounds like she had an absolutely wonderful life with you and she'll always live on in your memory.

SillyMangoX · 25-12-2022 3:14am

Merry Christmas Boardsies :) I hope you and yours have a very good one. Excited for Miso’s first Christmas!

also I really miss the complete madness of secret Santa. Came across Peach’s personalised bowl she got in her first one today and it brought back such fond memories 🥰

25-12-2022 4:19am

Happy Christmas everyone! One of my kitties, Oreo, is obsessed with Christmas decorations so to save our few remaining lights we decided to give her her Christmas present early. I was about to throw it upstairs for her when she jumped at my hand to take it; I caught her with a perfect uppercut straight to the face. Funny enough she didn't care!

Graces7 · 01-01-2023 6:35am

The two "island cats" are now full house cats. Happy and settled and thriving. The second was left when his lady died and my neighbour actually brought him to the gate .

He has been loved and a house cat and has settled very well and is a delight. Clearly used to being on beds etc,

He had that scratch when he arrived.. All cleared now.

Mollyb60 · 09-01-2023 11:22am

Almost 2 months now since we first took our 8 year old shy cat to the vet. We thought she had been injured by a falling box as she was limping a bit, had lost weight and was being more fearful than usual. Her red blood cell count was way down which did suggest an injury, but subsequent blood tests didn't show it recovering and in fact it went further down about 2 weeks after that. We've had countless blood tests and other tests since then to try find out what's going on. She lost a lot of weight, didn't respond very well to steroids and has been pretty lethargic since mid November. We've reduced the steroids to half a tab a day but now she's having ups and downs where every other day she won't eat at all. The vet doesn't know what's going on with her. We've run a full blood panel, chest xray and ultrasound. No masses found, nothing abnormal apart from the low blood count. The red count improved a small bit last week and she put on 100g of weight but now she's barely eating. She ate some chicken yesterday but wouldn't touch anything else. I don't even know what's next if she doesn't pick up. It's so stressful.

Faith · 09-01-2023 3:23pm

I'm really sorry to hear that, Molly, that must be really hard. Was the red blood cell count the only thing that was out of range on the bloods, or were there others? Does she have a fever or anything?

Did the vets prescribe anything for the anaemia?

Mollyb60 · 10-01-2023 3:07pm

Thanks Faith. White blood cell count was abnormal too (can't remember if it was too high or too low) but that seems to have gone back to normal now. Which is why we initially thought it was an injury or infection she was fighting. But that was mid November so I don't know why she's still anemic. He hasn't prescribed anything specifically for the anaemia only steroids.

She's having a good day today after 2 bad days. She ate barely nothing for the past 2 days but is eating everything today.

Faith · 10-01-2023 3:41pm

It's great to hear she's eating again. Hopefully it continues now! Now's a good time to give her whatever she likes to eat, even if it's kitty McDonalds or human food!

But just in case it reverts - has FIP been ruled out? It's uncommon in older cats, but not unheard of. Some vets might not think of it when the cat is older though. If you have access to the blood test results, a common marker is a low albumin:globulin ratio (less than 0.6; you may have to work it out yourself if it's not done on the results). Clinically, you tend to see lethargy, loss of appetite, maybe diarrhoea and a persistent fever. You may see neurological issues like falling, difficulty walking or jumping, tremors. Bloods tend to show high protein, low albumin, high globulins (hence the low A:G ratio), anaemia, high white blood cells, low red blood cells. In the very unlikely event that it was FIP, then don't believe any vet who tells you there's no treatment available because there certainly is!

Otherwise, you could ask about Vitamin B12 shots? My cat had anaemia due to FIP and B12 shots weekly helped a lot. You can also request appetite stimulants such as Mirataz which is a topical cream, or try an anti-nausea medication like Cerenia in case that's playing a role.

Mollyb60 · 11-01-2023 11:09am

Faith, thanks so much for all this info I really appreciate it. She's an indoor cat so I'm not sure how she could've picked up FIP (had to look it up lol). There's been no other symptoms apart from lethargy and the low blood count. Definitely no diarrhoea, fever or tremors. There's a slight hitch in the breathing that we noticed but the chest xray didn't show up anything obvious in her lungs. The vet did a full geriatric blood panel so I'm hoping he would've noticed any other abnormal results like you mention. I might ask for a copy of them to see if I can check that albumin/globulin ratio.

We've been giving her tuna (her high value treat) and chicken too on the bad days and that's all that she'll go for. Fingers crossed she's turned a corner and will just improve now. 1st Breakfast went down well this morning, 2nd breakfast has been picked at but at least she has something in her belly.

Faith · 11-01-2023 2:30pm

No worries! I went through the mill with my kitty when he had FIP (it was an atypical presentation) so I developed a lot of knowledge about cat well-being 😅.

There’s a Royal Canin “recovery” food that we found amazing when our cat wasn’t eating. He’s a fussy eater that only grazes at the best of times, but he ate this really well. It comes in both liquid and powder form and is high in calories and highly palatable. Might be worth a shot to get calories in? It’s typically available through vets, but you can get the liquid on Zooplus too: https://www.zooplus.ie/shop/dogs/canned_dog_food/royal_canin_veterinary_diet/recovery/1019889?variantid=1019889.0&gbraid=0AAAAAD9Xn6X4_6nAquYmwjIlR_gAwfQIQ&gclid=CjwKCAiA2fmdBhBpEiwA4CcHzZxlSt4qJ9OBlZfNvWXCCKcSqWW_03KyxHf5Z_BdYoBvbFgdP_oSQhoCuxsQAvD_BwE

mymo · 22-01-2023 2:40pm

Hi everyone, it's been a while, got very busy and didn't try login after the big crash.

Hope to pop in more often, i see some familiar names.

Sybil had to have her knee fixed 2 weeks ago. Luxating patella, wouldn't go back in. Has spent 2 weeks in puppy jail (she's heading for 5 but still the baby), not happy with the prison snacks. Prison is a child's playpen.

But healing well. We can walk to the end of the road tomorrow it'll be a slow and steady build up, but back to walkies soon.

Oliver doesn't walk far now, he's heading for 15, blind and arthritic. Librela working well at the moment and still wants to go walkies

Tiffi still wants to walk, but tires faster, at almost 14 she's losing some sight too now.

Graces7 · 23-01-2023 5:27am

Abed and wakeful here. Oliver is on my pillow. His favourite place. Dominic is on my feet. And not sure where number 3 is. What IS his name!

This one...

Outside somewhere curled up asleep.. Hunger will bring him in. They are all good peckers!

Mollyb60 · 07-02-2023 11:40am

Poor little Sionna has been shaved to within an inch of her life for a bone marrow biopsy. Results are inconclusive for a cause but it appears like it's immune mediated disease so we'll move forward with that and treat the anaemia. (hopefully the image works - the damn site has been blocking random images for me lately)

VonVix · 14-02-2023 6:31pm

Since I was last here I adopted my fourth dog, a Chihuahua! I have always liked Chihuahuas, but this little girl is something else entirely. She has been the most incredible addition and is doing so well with my three boys. Even though she was kept in a crate for 6 years of her life, the way she is so sweet with everyone is just unbelievable. I am so happy we rescued her, because when I saw her I had zero intent of looking for a fourth dog, but she found me. We love her to bits.

sunbeam · 17-02-2023 5:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120210627#Comment_120210627

What a sweet girl. Hope she's feeling better Mollyb60.

Graces7 · 18-02-2023 6:18am

Two new ( to me) needy cats arriving soon. I am so looking forward to them. From a rescue in Dublin.

My current two and the lad belonging to my neighbour who spends his nights on my bed when they eject him are well settled

Graces7 · 18-02-2023 6:04pm

Oh the wee lad in the photo actually "belongs" at the farm way up the lane. But he got lonely so Oliver brought him home for r and r and he prefers my bed at night to the cowshed as they do not let him into the house. He is very chatty!

apache · 23-03-2023 6:49pm

Just love seeing that Naturo ad. The dogs are all lovely and the song is very catchy. Every time it comes on I smile.

apache · 28-05-2023 8:47pm

Didn't really want to start a new thread about this. Walking along with the dog on a lead and a man comes over and starts patting her. She's moving away from him very uncomfortable. It's lucky she's not reactive or she would have bit him.

You should really ask permission before you go and pat a dog. It mightn't end well. And then where would we be??!

apache · 24-06-2023 6:50pm

Watched Virgin news earlier and there was a piece on a hen sanctuary in Kildare. All battery hens rescued from confined dark cages living now in the sanctuary looking for new homes. They had never been outside before. I often think about battery hens and the horrible life they have.

Anyway it was lovely seeing them in open spaces.

zedhead · 11-07-2023 9:32am

Our little Milo is heading in for surgery on Thursday. A few months ago he stopped wanted to go for walks unless both my husband and I went and we went in the car first. The vet ruled out pain and first (Milo hates being touched so is very difficult to examine, and at home is was a full of energy as ever) so we got a behaviourist in to help. After the 2 hour consultation she had noticed issues in his gait and said that there probably was some pain. We got some xrays done and its grade 3 luxating patella in both back legs.

I'm very nervous, particularly of the recovery. I've read a few of the older threads on here which have been helpful but I am so nervous of trying to keep him calm. We have baby gates for the stairs but no pen or crate. And he reacts any time someone comes onto our road, and goes crazy if someone comes up the drive. I want to get a pen before thursday but my husband thinks it will be ok. We have loads of enrichment ideas to keep his mind occupied, but its the running around when he is agitated i am worried abut.

tk123 · 11-07-2023 11:12am

I put a sign on the gate when Bailey was recovering from one of the surgeries - basically post/parcels only and no election/sales with a picture of Snoopy on crutches 🤣 If he’s not used to being in a pen/restricted he may freak out and do more damage. Last time we restricted Bailey to one room at a time with baby gates and room dividers. If you have a local FB ask if anyone has baby gates they’re not using - you’re bound to get a few offers. You can tie/stick them together with tape etc to make a pen (I did this when Rory was a baby with the gates etc we already had rather than buy a pen) and it worked fine.

Everything will be ok!

dashoonage · 11-07-2023 12:15pm

I did one room at a time with Jessie as well.

I put a sign on my gate as well cause tk123 told me too and it was a great idea !

zedhead · 13-07-2023 2:21pm

Thanks @tk123 and @dashoonage We dont really get many callers other than post and parcels but it would be just our luck for it to start next week so will put a sign up.

The surgery got moved to Monday so a whole weekend of additional worry but a little more time to plan. I think a crate will def be too restrictive and he'll hate that but I want a larger pen area so we can keep him off the slippy laminate floors - we've hardly any carpet in the house but can put a rug in a penned area. So at least if he does react to something he won't slip/slide on his legs. It will also keep him from trying to jump on the couch if we have him in the sitting room. He doesnt love being picked up and i dont trust him to not jump up/down even if we are watching him.

Along with the blocks on walking, his extreme reactions to noise/people outside was one of the things we were looking for guidance from the behaviourist for so we really struggle to keep him calm no matter what we try. Its going to be a tough couple of months but worth it if he won't be in pain anymore.

tk123 · 13-07-2023 6:11pm

I got cheap yoga mats in tesco last time and lined the sitting room floor to make it non-slip... this was in the old days though - everything is covered with mats and rugs these days lol! I barricaded the couches with backpacks, stools, laundry baskets - anything I could find. Bold Bailey waited until I was on a work call and managed to sneak up and sit on the arms of the couches lol!

The Forum Chit-Chat Thread

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