No pics, just a lot of chat catching up. With OT this week, holiday parties, and a new cat in the house, I'm just beat down to my socks. ( kitty updates )
The important things for cats is to feel they have their own space. Even when cats feed together, they're often super stressed by the proximity unless they're sibs, and even then they can still find it stressful. You could try using a Feliway plug-in to help Knightley destress, and giving him an opportunity to escape Tilney's attention by being on a higher perching post would make him feel more in control. Zylkene is something else that could help Knightley to be more zen about a new kittie in the house
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Being FIV positive doesn't make any difference as long as Knightley isn't immune suppressed (it's like the difference between being HIV positive and having AIDS; everyone with AIDS is HIV positive, but not everyone who is HIV positive has AIDS).
As far as how weedy a virus is, Feline herpesvirus is a relatively fragile virus and doesn't remain infectious for very long in the environment (about 48 hours) but calici can remain infectious for up to 10 days. It really depends whether Tilney is actively excreting virus and which one it is. Knightley's shots being up to date is going to help. Make sure you wash hands between handling Tilney and playing with Knightley.
Tilney sounds like a great little guy and deserves having found such a loving home. :)
Thanks so much. Tilney is indeed a wonderful little guy-- so happy and easy-going. I wish I could convince Knightley that it's not a huge tragedy that he's here. The longer they're separate, the calmer Knightley becomes-- but I can't keep poor Tilney locked up, no matter how sweet his temper. The little guy deserves some play time
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1. Rub Tilney down with a small hand towel. 2. Rub Knightly down with same towel. 3. Go back and rub Tilney down again with same towel.
You exchange each cat's scent this way, and when each cat has the other's scent on him, it helps them to accept each other. As they groom themselves, they'll be taking in the scent of the new cat and making it part of themselves.
Agree with Elenya about keeping them apart until Tilney is 100%.
It's not that hard, actually, provided Tilney remains agreeable about being locked in his room. So far he's okay if he has company, but it has to be dedicated company; if I start using the computer, he'll keep tackling me until I pay attention.
Yes, cat scent rubbing should wait. So far Tilney does run around to stretch his legs, and Knightley keeps well away. I'm taking the vet's word that this is a wimpy bug and won't hang around for long. I don't want poor Knightley to get ill!
Thank you so much for looking on the bright side. I feel as if I've let both Bingley and Knightley down-- Bingley by giving in to him going outside after dark, and Knightley by heaping all this extra stress on him. I honestly thought a companion would help, and it seems to have backfired. I'm going to have to just go through the work and keep these guys separated until Knightley can adjust. It's hard on me, feeling so guilty. At least Tilney got proper medical care; that's the only upside I'm seeing right now. Regarding Bingley and Knightley, I feel like a big fat failure. It's tough times for old Mariole right now. *hugs you*
*starts looking for cheap flights stateside in order to smack Mariole upside the head*
You. Are. Not. A. Failure!
Cats mostly just don't get on. Let Tilney recover from his virus, then just give them space so they can ignore each other as much as possible (let them have separate areas to eat and toilet). The secret with cats is not to force them to be friends. If they are, yah! bonus, but expect hiss-and-run for some time. Older cats often feel threatened by kittens, because they put out big macho danger signs with raised fur and wagging tails, and the kitten just... plays with the tail. Very Scary for the adult, and it's because the kitten is too stupid to be scared. :D It's like you're a big hunk of a guy who's got some really, really little guy cornered, about to beat the crap out of him, and... he laughs at you. You'd be wondering if he was a secret ninja master who was about to beat the crap out of you As far as poor Bingley's concerned, I'm always very sad when people keep cats in for the sole reason that they're scared the
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I've been thinking about what you said about letting cats lead their lives and take their risks. Poor Knightley has been crying to go out this week. I can't let him because I have to leave for work, extra appt's and so on keep me out late, and by then it's long dark. Today my boss was kind and sent his team to work at home-- actually a day off, although I do have a few things on my list. So I'll be home when it's warm and sunny and can take Knightley out under supervision. I just don't trust myself (or him, with the Tilney stress) to go out unsupervised. But I think he'll enjoy it and it will give him a welcome respite. Tilney is a high-energy guy; when he gets bored, he torments his big buddy. *sigh*
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As far as how weedy a virus is, Feline herpesvirus is a relatively fragile virus and doesn't remain infectious for very long in the environment (about 48 hours) but calici can remain infectious for up to 10 days. It really depends whether Tilney is actively excreting virus and which one it is. Knightley's shots being up to date is going to help. Make sure you wash hands between handling Tilney and playing with Knightley.
Tilney sounds like a great little guy and deserves having found such a loving home. :)
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2. Rub Knightly down with same towel.
3. Go back and rub Tilney down again with same towel.
You exchange each cat's scent this way, and when each cat has the other's scent on him, it helps them to accept each other. As they groom themselves, they'll be taking in the scent of the new cat and making it part of themselves.
Agree with Elenya about keeping them apart until Tilney is 100%.
You're getting there! :)
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Yes, cat scent rubbing should wait. So far Tilney does run around to stretch his legs, and Knightley keeps well away. I'm taking the vet's word that this is a wimpy bug and won't hang around for long. I don't want poor Knightley to get ill!
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You. Are. Not. A. Failure!
Cats mostly just don't get on. Let Tilney recover from his virus, then just give them space so they can ignore each other as much as possible (let them have separate areas to eat and toilet). The secret with cats is not to force them to be friends. If they are, yah! bonus, but expect hiss-and-run for some time. Older cats often feel threatened by kittens, because they put out big macho danger signs with raised fur and wagging tails, and the kitten just... plays with the tail. Very Scary for the adult, and it's because the kitten is too stupid to be scared. :D It's like you're a big hunk of a guy who's got some really, really little guy cornered, about to beat the crap out of him, and... he laughs at you. You'd be wondering if he was a secret ninja master who was about to beat the crap out of you As far as poor Bingley's concerned, I'm always very sad when people keep cats in for the sole reason that they're scared the ( ... )
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