Ziggy, et al.

[Chris Elliott]

I agree that there are real similarities. He is very trusting of me, and if I go outside he will wait at the door for me to come back. He loves sleeping with us. I do push things--like petting him right after giving him his food, as he would always turn and hiss then. He's doing that much less.

I think he will eventually accept positive reinforcement and not expect negative, but it's just going to take time. I have to remind myself that it's been less than 3 months, and we've come far.

And I love this forum. It's very reassuring to see that other folks are dealing with similar issues and have or are working through them.

 

[Carykd7kau]

I agree. The forum is great. I have found people who love cats like I do. Reassuring there are folks like that. Thought I was strange.

 

[Chris Elliott]

Latest Ziggy news...last week I noticed a bit of a wound under his chin that was oozing black stuff. He went to the vet Thursday and she said it was an infected pore or follicle. Went home with antibiotic ointment, with next check today. Today the vet sedated Ziggy and cleaned out the wound. Found a cyst with thick walls the shape of a follicle.

We are leaving tomorrow for two weeks. We have a good sitter to take care of the cats. Ziggy has an appointment Monday, August 4th, to remove the cyst under general anesthesia.

The vet believes the cyst developed from an infected follicle, so it's very unlikely to be anything worse.

Our regular vet is on maternity leave and will be back on the 4th to do the operation. I'll be consulting with her, but does anyone have a strong opinion about sending the cyst off to a pathologist?

Ziggy has taken his visits to the vet rather hard. He was quite distressed this afternoon after I picked him up. He's been hiding under the bed, but he lets me pet him and he purrs. He did eat much of his food, but I had to put it under the bed with him.

He is good at the vet until they put him in a cage, and then he gets wild. Both times they've had me come back to get him out as he was lunging at the tech "like a tiger". They like him still and understand he's afraid.

I'm concerned about going away so soon, but have no choice. I have folks expecting me in Toronto. And I'll have to take him back to the vet soon after we get back. I'm sure it's going to take some time to regain his trust.

On the good side, Oni is doing much better with the boys. She isn't playing with them yet, and she still hisses, but she's been licking Jax some (bracketed by hisses some of the time). And she's standing up to Ziggy when he tries to chase her--and she's finding out he wants to play. She is much happier, friendlier with us, and downright silly sometimes. And she's watching the boys play intently. Progress...slow, but steady.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Chris, so sorry to hear about Ziggy. I was saying to someone today how one of mine manages to get sick or develop an icky right before I leave for vacation. Their timing sucks. As far as the pathology report -- that's got to be your decision. You can trust the vet to determine if it looks suspicious or you can say you what it done no matter. Whatever brings you peace of mind.

 

[Chris Elliott]

Chris, so sorry to hear about Ziggy. I was saying to someone today how one of mine manages to get sick or develop an icky right before I leave for vacation. Their timing sucks. As far as the pathology report -- that's got to be your decision. You can trust the vet to determine if it looks suspicious or you can say you what it done no matter. Whatever brings you peace of mind.

Thanks. I trust both my regular doctor and the woman subbing for her. They're both really good. I'll see what Dr. Perreault thinks on the 4th and go from there.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Sending healing thoughts to Ziggy. Poor boy getting so stressed at the vets. My Maliik is the same way while there but back to his old self as soon as he gets home. Have you tried calming collars or the clipnosis thing with him or tranquilizing him before you leave the house?

 

[Chris Elliott]

Sending healing thoughts to Ziggy. Poor boy getting so stressed at the vets. My Maliik is the same way while there but back to his old self as soon as he gets home. Have you tried calming collars or the clipnosis thing with him or tranquilizing him before you leave the house?

Thanks!

I have the Felliway diffusers at home, but haven't tried the collars. I've only used the clipnosis thing for trimming nails. The vet is only like 1.5 miles, so it might be ok to try the clips for the trip.

I'll talk to the vet about trancs.

My intention was to slowly start giving him car rides to someplace fun. Before this happened, we just sat in the carport with the engine on once... I'll have to see if I can get him back into the car without really stressing him out once this is over.

 

[Patti]

Poor Ziggy, I'm sorry he's having to go through this, and that it is so stressful for him. Was sending it out to pathology your idea or something the vet brought up? If it's from the vet then I'm guessing they're saying they aren't 100% sure that this is just a follicle. However, once your vet actually excises it and is able to get a good look at it, she should be able to tell better if it looks benign or malignant. What I would probably due in this situation is tell her prior to surgery if it looks suspicious to send it off, but if it looks benign then don't worry about it.... that's just me though, you have to go with what your gut is telling you.

I like the idea of the calming collars, if it works for Ziggy - some cats respond well to them, others do not. Unfortunately, vets don't typically like an animal sedated before surgery because it can interact with the anesthesia which could potentially lead to problems. However, I would ask her if you could give him something for your follow-up visit. If she says no - and this is just me again - if he is doing well and healing well I would weigh the benefits of a follow-up appointment vs. the stress it is going to cause him and probably skip the follow-up, and substitute it with a call in/verbal update on his progress instead.

 

[Chris Elliott]

Poor Ziggy, I'm sorry he's having to go through this, and that it is so stressful for him. Was sending it out to pathology your idea or something the vet brought up? If it's from the vet then I'm guessing they're saying they aren't 100% sure that this is just a follicle. However, once your vet actually excises it and is able to get a good look at it, she should be able to tell better if it looks benign or malignant. What I would probably due in this situation is tell her prior to surgery if it looks suspicious to send it off, but if it looks benign then don't worry about it.... that's just me though, you have to go with what your gut is telling you.

That's the way I was headed. Thanks!

I like the idea of the calming collars, if it works for Ziggy - some cats respond well to them, others do not. Unfortunately, vets don't typically like an animal sedated before surgery because it can interact with the anesthesia which could potentially lead to problems. However, I would ask her if you could give him something for your follow-up visit. If she says no - and this is just me again - if he is doing well and healing well I would weigh the benefits of a follow-up appointment vs. the stress it is going to cause him and probably skip the follow-up, and substitute it with a call in/verbal update on his progress instead.

Good point. I'll get a calming collar before the 4th and see if it helps.

 

[WitchyWoman]

Have you ever asked the vet if she'd do home visits for routine stuff.