Urgent

KittyWitty_2

One of my beloved cats died a few months ago and my rescue cat I adopted a few years ago seems to have been badly effected by his passing (she's a very loving placid cat who was treated badly before I had her and therefore was already sensitive) They used to spend a lot of time together you see.

Anyway she's just recently started what I can only think to class as a form of feline self harm, biting at herself, not eating enough..I think she may have depression. I need to get her to a vet as last night she bit her leg until it bled

Money is very tight right now, I live with my mum who is on a low income due to lost work hours and due to my own health issues I live hand to mouth with my disability. Sadly being on disability doesn't qualify me to use PDSA services, and all the private vets around here are so ridiculously expensive. Is there any way of getting her looked that is affordable, I could PM whereabouts in the UK I live if anybody would need that information. I just wish she'd been young enough when I got her to be able to be insured...I'm so desperate. I can't bare see an animal suffer, but with what vets charge it's sometimes a choice between vets bill and keeping a roof over your head (vets shouldn't be allowed to charge so much money to care for animals!!!) :mad:

BitterAndTwisted

I'm sorry that I can't offer you any proper help or advice but perhaps if you posted this question on the CatChat and PurrsInOurHearts forums you might get some help there. Lots of the folk who post on those sites are connected to rescues so they might be able to advise.

Poor little grieving pusscat. Poor you.

KittyWitty_2

Thank you, I will look on those sites...there is really nothing worse than seeing an animal suffering in any way.

gettingready

You do not say where you are?

Celia Hammond Trust would help if you are anywhere near one of their branches....

http://www.celiahammond.org/

They do not turn away an animal in need...

Hugs for you and hope you cat gets better..

My cat Tiger who we had to PTS some time ago used to lick himself to the point of having sores on bald patches of skin - sevaral diagnosis and various medication and finally has been put on Prozac but I have stopped it after few days as could not watch him being so disoriented. While on Prozac he was walking on the edge of the bed and falling off etc etc.

Those self harming spells with him were on and off...

Loanranger

Could you contact the rescue organisation where she came from and ask for their help?

KittyWitty_2

My baby girl didn't come from a rescue centre, brought her in from the street, found out her history later on, broke my heart.

@gettingready So sorry about your Tiger I didn't know they put cats on Prozac, although I am aware of antidepressant medications existing. Just hoping she'll be OK. I can understand her being depressed, I'm not over my boys passing, miss him terribly every day, my baby girl isn't in a position to be able to talk it out when she's sad about something though.

I deeply appreciate the replies, I'm going to make sure she gets sorted one way or the other this week, if it means struggling to pay other bills, then that's how it's going to have to be, she's too important to let her carry on like this.

gettingready

KittyWitty - few days after we had Tiger PTS , we got 4 (yes FOUR) kittens..

I would suggest you get another cat to keep your girl company but if you are already struggling financially that may not be the best idea

Tiger did not like other cats, took him ages to make friends with my dog Zara but when he died, Zara was grieving with us.. she is now busy with the 4 monsters and one of them, ginger (same as Tiger) is absolutely always attached to her one way or another (sucks her feet, massges her, sleeps cuddled up with her, swings on her tail) so she is over the moon being a "mum" to them.

Another cat may be a solution but also another problem so I really do nto know what to say...

Just remember how we felt when Tiger used to pull his fur out and seeing those sores on his skin, it was terrible...

Hope your girl gets better soon and you find the help you need.

Flibertigibit

I just googled "Helping a grieving cat" and quite a lot came up, including this which is really more about helping you cope with the loss of a pet, but you are still grieving yourself and they may also have ideas re helping the cat.

PET LOSS SUPPORT

Helping your cat to overcome grief can be especially difficult if you are having trouble coming to terms with the loss of your cat yourself. Sometimes it helps to share your feelings with someone who knows from personal experience just how distressing the loss of a pet can be. The Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS) offers confidential telephone and email support for anyone who is experiencing or anticipating the loss of a pet as a result of death, illness, loss and theft, enforced separation or an accident. Emotional support and practical information is provided by trained volunteers. The service is run by The Blue Cross and the Society for Companion Animal Studies.

The Support Line is open daily 8.30am to 8.30pm. The service is free and confidential. Some mobile phone networks may charge. 0800 096 6606 or pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk
See also Coping with pet loss at: https://www.bluecross.org.uk

Also this article which, like several others I glanced at, advised against getting a "replacement cat" too soon. It is not unusual for us to have more than one pet in our lives. We have more money and leisure time to spend on our pets than we did years ago and so more and more of us are choosing to live with two or more animal companions. This is great for us, as it means that we have more furry friends in our lives to keep us sane. However this also means that animals are more likely to form bonds and relationships with other animals, whereas in the past this was not the case.

Cats are not pack animals like dogs and so are quite happy being the only animal around. In fact most of the time they give other animals a wide birth. However now that more and more cats are being homed together, their relationships with each other are changing. It is now not uncommon for cats to form very close bonds with other cats in their family circle. They can now often be seen grooming each other and sleeping together on the same cushion. So we should not be surprised that they will grieve the loss of another cat, just as we do with our human family and friends.

However knowing if a cat is grieving the loss of another pet is not as easy to identify as in humans. After all cats cannot express how they are feeling to us in words and do not shed tears in the same way as we do. However cats do show other signs of grief that are very similar to our own. Loss of appetite, sleeping more, sleeping less and increased vocalization are all signs that could indicate a cat is distressed.

Other signs of grief are, pacing and looking around the house for days, as if trying to find their companion. Looking out of windows and mewing for no apparent reason. A lack of interest in their favourite toys or food and a general listless behavior that is out of character. Of course many of these signs can also be contributed to ill health and so if the behavior continues it may be advisable to consult with a veterinarian.

To try and help a cat through a period of grieving, we can pay more attention to them and make more of a fuss of them than we would normally do. However we should not give them treats but rather we should try and distract them with a game. It is all too easy to give a cat a treat to console them when they are mewing or not eating their usual food, but to the cat, we are rewarding the behaviour and they will continue to do it.

It is also important not to rush out and try to replace the pet with a new one. Often people think that this will help their existing cat to get over the loss. However this is often a mistake. Cats should be given time to come to terms with the fact that their companion is not coming back. It also allows them time to establish their own position in the household again. Many owners have reported that a once shy and quiet cat, completely changed after another cat passed away. This can be easily explained; the cat may have been subdued by the other cat and was suppressing their own personality. Once left alone for a while, they as it were, "come out of their shell". So it is good to give them time after a death to find their feet again.

Once sufficient time has passed and the cat's behavior is back to normal, then it should be fine to introduce another cat to the home. This of course is very much reliant on the cat's personality and the likelihood of accepting another pet, but then only individual owners can make that judgment.

More cat health and cat care tips can be found at our site http://www.our-happy-cat.com A feline friendly community full of helpful advice and fun things to do to make sure you have a happy cat and a happy you.

Copyright 2007 Kate Tilmouth

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kate_Tilmouth.

Of course, I think you should get her checked over by a vet, but I understand it's expensive, and really it sounds more like a behavioural problem which time and love may heal better than medication. Another idea is Feliway (http://www.feliway.com/gb) - excellent for cats experiencing any kind of stress - but also expensive (but cheaper on Ebay and maybe not expensive compared to a vet). Also, if you have a good relationship with your vet it might be possible to explain your circumstances and ask if your payment can be spread over time.

rita-rabbit

I found the plug in Feliway to be good for this. Initially tranquilisers were prescribed but I didn't like having a dopey cat so reduced the dose by 50% & when sufficient fur grew back stopped it. She still has a small bald patch but has returned to her normal loopy self.

You may need to consider getting another cat.

Good luck with this sad time.

Swirley

I'm sorry about your cat passing away. I would 2nd the advice on not getting another cat yet - it may make the problem with your kitty worse. As for vets, if you're living with your mother who is on a low income herself, could she not take the cat to the PDSA? So long as she is getting some housing or council tax benefit, they will be able to treat your cat. Sorry I can't help more.

paddypaws101

I am so sorry to hear about your cat. The thing is, you may think that her issues are all about grief...but there may be some medical issues which only a vet can properly identify. Sorry that may not be the information you were hoping for, but I can tell you want what is best for the cat.
Once the cat has had a once over from the vet to rule out any illness, then I would also highly recommend Feliway, and Bach Rescue Remedy which can ease her anxiety ( if that is what it is )