Traumatized Savannah f5

[kokogal]

Also I just want to applaud your efforts on trying to make her more comfortable. Your situation is heartbreaking.

 

[Patti]

I think for how let her hang out in the bedroom but leave the closet open - you may find that she sees that as a retreat and will go in there on her own. The only reason I was concerned about the bedroom was because of the peeing issue, but if you think that is under better control let her stay there... you may wake up one night to find her sleeping on the bed with you.

As for the Prozac - I would take one day at a time, but there's no harm in calling your vet and talking to him/her about it, what form you can get it in (pill, liquid, etc.) and at what point you might decide to initiate it. Realize that you won't see the full effect of Prozac for probably a couple of weeks so you will need to be patient with that as well.

 

[MYNXX]

For what it's worth, I don't think wanting to put an animal or human on an antidepressant when they seem highly stressed and unhappy is selfish at all. We fill tons of antidepressants at my pharmacy for animals and have heard countless stories of how it has changed the lives of the animals for the best. Usually we see cases of anxiety presented in inappropriate elimination. Unfortunately there is such a negative perception of these drugs when they do such wonderful things for millions of people and animals. It may not be for her, but I think it's at least worth it to have a discussion with your vet.

Thanks for that - My vet is not liberal with her time. So I have been left to my own research, and it all points to do it. So I think I am going to - I will start in the morning when I know the sedative is gone. She is currently making more of a point to hide, on a top shelf, so we brought our dinner in there, and tried to start the process.. Letting her just get used to us. It was another stressful event from bedroom to closet, but now that she is there i am thinking it was a better choice. Now I am just trying to negotiate when will it be ok to look her in the eyes, or try to pet her. I can see her quickly resorting to hiding and avoiding us, and part of this is to change that. I am guessing that give the night, and generally a few days of limited eye contact and no touching, and then slowly start in. Sound like a good plan? Thanks again!!!!

 

[DumaLove]

Thanks for that - My vet is not liberal with her time. So I have been left to my own research, and it all points to do it. So I think I am going to - I will start in the morning when I know the sedative is gone. She is currently making more of a point to hide, on a top shelf, so we brought our dinner in there, and tried to start the process.. Letting her just get used to us. It was another stressful event from bedroom to closet, but now that she is there i am thinking it was a better choice. Now I am just trying to negotiate when will it be ok to look her in the eyes, or try to pet her. I can see her quickly resorting to hiding and avoiding us, and part of this is to change that. I am guessing that give the night, and generally a few days of limited eye contact and no touching, and then slowly start in. Sound like a good plan? Thanks again!!!!

I wouldn't try to pet her at all, wait until she comes to you.

 

[Patti]

I am just trying to negotiate when will it be ok to look her in the eyes, or try to pet her

I would not plan on doing this - ever - until she shows that she is ready to come to you. You really need to NOT make any plans or create any kind of schedule based on your timing - this has to be about her, and what her time schedule is.

 

[Pam Flachs]

I would avoid direct eye contact for the time being. For the first few days or a week or so, I would not look at her face at all, then try very brief looks, and slowly blink and look away and act as if you don't see her. Don't try to pet her now. Any time you are with her, try to behave matter-of-factly, as if it's normal to have a cat living in your closet. Just let her get comfortable where she is for the time being, even if it takes a few weeks, a month..or longer. You've received a lot of good advice on how best to bring her around...I'm not sure if allowing her access to your bedroom by leaving the closet door open will help or hinder her progress in accepting and bonding to you...play it by ear. If you see no progress with her confined to the closet in a few weeks, you might try opening the door, but leave it open so she can retreat to the closet as a safe zone. I'd try to make sure the area under your bed or dressers are blocked so she cannot hide there (perhaps indefinitely). Be sure to add a cat tree or two and some other high areas she can retreat to in the bedroom.

 

[MYNXX]

I would not plan on doing this - ever - until she shows that she is ready to come to you. You really need to NOT make any plans or create any kind of schedule based on your timing - this has to be about her, and what her time schedule is.

Understood. Thank you

 

[MYNXX]

I would avoid direct eye contact for the time being. For the first few days or a week or so, I would not look at her face at all, then try very brief looks, and slowly blink and look away and act as if you don't see her. Don't try to pet her now. Any time you are with her, try to behave matter-of-factly, as if it's normal to have a cat living in your closet. Just let her get comfortable where she is for the time being, even if it takes a few weeks, a month..or longer. You've received a lot of good advice on how best to bring her around...I'm not sure if allowing her access to your bedroom by leaving the closet door open will help or hinder her progress in accepting and bonding to you...play it by ear. If you see no progress with her confined to the closet in a few weeks, you might try opening the door, but leave it open so she can retreat to the closet as a safe zone. I'd try to make sure the area under your bed or dressers are blocked so she cannot hide there (perhaps indefinitely). Be sure to add a cat tree or two and some other high areas she can retreat to in the bedroom.

Got it! Yes I have gotten a lot of great advice and extremely grateful!! I cannot stress that enough. I am beginning to fell encouraged enough to see the light with this. I saw her try so hard in the beginning. I should have waited on the vet, but I was concerned that was her spraying. I dont think it was. All in all thank you again! I will let you know how this goes. She is such a sweetheart. I just hope I can find trust with her again. I felt like I was so close. Didn't know i needed to quarantine them separately till today, and i think that would have done a lot. Hopefully this handles it in time before she locks in the pattern.. I see her wanting to,,

<3 time, and love they say.... Thanks again!

 

[Patti]

I see her wanting to

I think this is the case in the majority of these situations - it is natural for a kitten to want to bond to someone (human or fur) but because of whatever previous experience, environment, or just genetic makeup has interfered she just doesn't know how, she doesn't know how to trust... and it is not something that will be easily learned after all this time so patience, patience, patience is key...

 

[MYNXX]

Also I just want to applaud your efforts on trying to make her more comfortable. Your situation is heartbreaking.

Thank you much! I definitely in retrospect see how much I did wrong, and really how much she tried. Time and love they say. I am here. Not gonna give up on her. <3