Meet Franco

[MM3]

Hi all, at the weekend we adopted our 2nd Savannah cat from Sylisticat in Scotland. He is 1yr and 4months old and was a very active stud cat apparently. He is at the moment quarantined in our upstairs bedroom (very large room) as he is still intact. (unbelievably no spraying)
We won't be introducing him to Vito until his hormones settle down after his neutering op, he is scheduled for this next Monday.
He is a beautiful friendly boy, a little nervous at the moment , with all the changes he's had, but hopefully he'll settle in and become Vito's life long friend. Here are some pics of him, the last one is of him as a kitten. . View attachment 28139 View attachment 28141 View attachment 28142 View attachment 28143

Beautiful

 

[MM3]

It’s amazing what we all as cat parents will do for our babies. That’s why this group is the ultimate best. Because of all the love and support. I know all these babies are lucky. And stunning!

 

[Vito]

It’s amazing what we all as cat parents will do for our babies. That’s why this group is the ultimate best. Because of all the love and support. I know all these babies are lucky. And stunning!

Absolutely agree, the guys here at Savannah cat chat are amazing and have always been happy to give advice when required not to mention the genuine concern when one of our Savannah children are sick, everyone was great when Vito had a medical issue, always find it a great comfort.

 

[WitchyWoman]

How are things coming along between Vito and Franco?

 

[Vito]

How are things coming along between Vito and Franco?

Hi Witchy
Well, there's been a few positives this week actually the play pen has certainly been beneficial, when Vito is around, we put franco in the playpen and Vito is going right up to him, there's the odd flaring of nostrils from Franco but no lunging, hissing or defensive behavior. Giving them both equal attention and playtime and Francos hormones definitely seem to be diminishing (slowly but surely) in fact it is just at bedtime now when we retire Franco to his bedroom, he's spending all day and evening in the main area of the house and is becoming very chilled. Don't feel it's time yet to let them both loose together, the signs are definitely there that Franco is still a little unpredictable. We tried Franco on the harness this evening, all went well, no major issues, he's stopped lunging and trying to go after Vito. Vito is still wary but that's understandable after what happened few weeks ago, I don't want to speak to soon but I'm taking it as quite a positive week. Totally dedicated to giving them every chance to settle, it's been 7weeks now since Franco arrived, a lot of extra work and constant supervision still going on. Fingers crossed we keep making progress, thanks for asking after them both.

 

[Vito]

Hi all, just a wee update. Franco escaped his quarters on Sunday evening and manage to attack Vito, was a nasty attack but no major injuries, few scratches here and there. Vito now EXTREMELY wary of Franco.
We discussed the matter at length with our vet and have made the decision to start Franco on Gabapentin to see if it helps calm him down a bit.
Like I've said previously, Franco is very very lovable and 100% bombproof with people, so much so that he will sit and groom me and loves being around us but as soon as he claps eyes on another cat, the red mist descends.
Started him on the Gabapentin this evening, vet recommending 50mg every 8 hours.
Any of you guys used this drug for aggression before, if so I'd love to hear your experiences.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I've used it only for control of pain. I put my F2, who has FLUTD and gets frequent bladder infections, on either Gabapentin or Buprenorphrine depending on severity of symptoms.

The Gabapentin knocks him out and he gets the shakes and is uncoordinated while on the med. The coordination issue is a listed side effect. I don't like what it does to him so I use it sparingly. His dose is every 12 hrs so if Franco seems over sedated ask your vet if you can either lower the dose or increase the time between doses.

You'll still have to address behavioral and environmental factors that trigger his aggression. I would hate to see him have to take this med his entire life. Imo, it would be better for him to be in a home where he is the only cat rather than live sedated. I highly recommend consulting with an animal behaviorist. Although Marilyn Krieger (thecatcoach.com) is in the US, there should be a way for you to do a phone consult with her. I used her this month in desperation to resolve aggression issues between my F1 and my F2 who has FLUTD (due to the stress of living with the aggressive F1).

The 90 min. consult cost $305 USD and she gave me a ton of info and suggestions to try. After 2 wks of implementing most of her suggestions, there is marked improvement in the F1. You can buy her book Naughty No More (available on Amazon) to get some ideas on how to deal with aggression but her detailed analysis of your personal situation is the best route to go if you are able to do that.

 

[Vito]

I've used it only for control of pain. I put my F2, who has FLUTD and gets frequent bladder infections, on either Gabapentin or Buprenorphrine depending on severity of symptoms.

The Gabapentin knocks him out and he gets the shakes and is uncoordinated while on the med. The coordination issue is a listed side effect. I don't like what it does to him so I use it sparingly. His dose is every 12 hrs so if Franco seems over sedated ask your vet if you can either lower the dose or increase the time between doses.

You'll still have to address behavioral and environmental factors that trigger his aggression. I would hate to see him have to take this med his entire life. Imo, it would be better for him to be in a home where he is the only cat rather than live sedated. I highly recommend consulting with an animal behaviorist. Although Marilyn Krieger (thecatcoach.com) is in the US, there should be a way for you to do a phone consult with her. I used her this month in desperation to resolve aggression issues between my F1 and my F2 who has FLUTD (due to the stress of living with the aggressive F1).

The 90 min. consult cost $305 USD and she gave me a ton of info and suggestions to try. After 2 wks of implementing most of her suggestions, there is marked improvement in the F1. You can buy her book Naughty No More (available on Amazon) to get some ideas on how to deal with aggression but her detailed analysis of your personal situation is the best route to go if you are able to do that.

Hi witchy
Thanks for your advice, going down the route of meds wasn't taken lightly at all, and not something we really wanted to consider, it really is a last resort. I'd never ever consider it long term whatsoever as I agree, a lifetime of sedation is not acceptable at all. The hope really is to just help "chill him out" as the vet put it, and if we start noticing an improvement in the way the cats react with each other then the plan would be to start reducing the meds until he was no longer on them. We have consulted with a behavior specialist at the hospital and following all her advice. I shall definitely get a copy of Marilyn's book, we will try everything.
We realize that it may simply not work out and in the interests of Francos welfare we may have to rehome him. The thought of this totally breaks our hearts as we love our boy so much and the bond he has built with us over the last few months is so strong, but at the end of the day it's what's best for him that matters. I shall continue to post any progress here, if there is any. Thanks again for your help.

 

[WitchyWoman]

I know you're doing your best and hope my post didn't come across as critical because that's not the way I meant it.

One of the things Marilyn suggested to me that you might try if you are still using a crate to bring the cats in the same room, is to use a towel or washcloth -- one for each cat -- rub it on your body to get your scent on it and then rub each cat with their towel/washcloth. The purpose is to get the cats to smell like their primary resource. I'm doing it but because I'm also doing so many other things that she suggested, I don't know if or how much it's helping.

 

[Vito]

I know you're doing your best and hope my post didn't come across as critical because that's not the way I meant it.

One of the things Marilyn suggested to me that you might try if you are still using a crate to bring the cats in the same room, is to use a towel or washcloth -- one for each cat -- rub it on your body to get your scent on it and then rub each cat with their towel/washcloth. The purpose is to get the cats to smell like their primary resource. I'm doing it but because I'm also doing so many other things that she suggested, I don't know if or how much it's helping.

Hi witchy
Didn't think your reply was critical at all, far from it, any advice or suggestions are much appreciated, as is any from any other sav parents.
We've actually been doing the scent transferal method for quite few weeks now, not sure if it's having any effect as yet but we continue to keep doing it.
In hind sight, wish we had introduced a kitten to Vito and I'm sure it would have been much easier.
Just trying to give Franco every chance to settle in a loving home before we sadly admit defeat. Really hope that's not thecase but have to be realistic.
Thanks again for your reply.