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23rd June, Sharon wrote:
"The cattery had an unsolicited newcomer; a tabby-brown male sterilised adult. till now, we've got no slightest idea who could be THE ONE (I mean the 2-legged) that 'dump' the poor cat at the cattery. i personally wish that whoever did this, but may have forgotten to update us as an oversight, to do so now, else it would be grossly irresponsible as a guardian of the 4-legged. how cld anyone can ever simply leave an innocent cat (or any 4-legged for that matter) at the cattery without confining the cat in the first place. Shakia , for one, is known to be agressive towards any newcomer. What would happen if there was really a big fight between the newcomer & Shakia?! I sincerely hope whoever left the cat at the cattery would own up because he/she owes it to THE CAT as a responsible guardian. The new cat a lovely looking cat & is as big size as Oliver . However, he spends most of his time hiding in the carrier, probably still adjusting to the new environment & also to the hostility of Shakia, & more possibily the thought of having an irresponsible guardian whom dump the cat the cattery discreetly without informing any of the volunteers." 1st October 11.57pm; Sharon wrote: "hi all, sara sent mystique to the clinic at abt 2.30pm for dr ang's further examination & running of tests to ascertain & thereby rectify his condition. dr ang called at abt +5pm. the x-ray taken showed a suspected tumor as a mass is visible in the abdomen. there's also a suspected foreign body or hairball & thickened intestines. further tests showed elevated liver enzymes; swelling liver & jaundice. the only good news out of the tests was normal kidneys, blood count, etc. under normal circumstance, mystique wld be opened up, but he's definitely not a suitable candidate to undergo a surgery currently, as the likelihood is he'll die on the surgical table given his poor liver state, of which dr ang is not in favor of a surgery for mystique, not unless he's stronger, at least. however, another fear is, shd mystique be under any viral attack the surgery wld become redundant as he'll not live (a quality life) long thereafter. then, euthanasia will be a more humane option for mystique as a quicker relieve for him. i gave dr ang the green light to do or run tests she deems necessary, & thereafter, advice us as appropriately. i met salie at the clinic after work in the evening, expecting the worst for mystique ... ie euthanasia was really in my mind. surprise, surprise ... mystique was tested -VE for fip, felv!! although he's test +ve for fia, it can be cleared with administration of antibiotics, vibravet. had mystique been test +ve for fip and/or felv, there's only decision to consider - euthanasia. mystique is currently put on drip (very much dehydrated). he's also given laxative to help expel the foreign body, shd it turn out to be hairball, as well as vibravet (jabs). he's considerable pale at the moment & unless he starts eating & gets stronger, surgery will not be considered. can see he's in very much discomfort. dr ang will review him again on friday & will consider surgery if he's picking up & reacting to medication. will call the clinic tomorrow & update accordingly. regards sharon siow Dr Ang just called. Mystique is recovering well. what Dr Ang initially felt & captured on x-ray as a lump is now all gone. he is also pooing & peeing well. So it can be concluded that the suspected foreign body is hairball which Mystique was able to pass out with the introduction of laxatives. He's also eating well & bright. Dr Ang will run another liver enzymes test to make sure his liver is ok. Barring any negative results from the test, Mystique is due to rejoin the gang at MC tomorrow. Mystique was back at the cattery at about 2.45pm, saturday. He really enjoyed the taxi ride...looking at the other cars and environment. he started crying once we are out from the taxi. sharon wrote: "mystique continues to be confined to monitor his intake of food. we realised he will only eat with someone around. he is extremely spoilt & he prefers to tinned food & snacks. he's still very skinny but at least doesnt look as miserable as last week. hope he continues to improve & there'll be a kind soul who is willing to take him home." " Mystique has been adopted by Anne Law. Zack and myself delivered this baby boy to her on Saturday 27/10/01. Was he given a warm welcome or wat!! Anne took time off and spent so much time and money to get things for him (she and girls were so excited abt his arrival and has been cleaning the house to give him a warm welcome) , lots of can food (his fav), a collar (only home cats has this luxury) and other toys. When I released Mystique, he was so scared, he hid under the washing machine and wouldnt want to come out. But he is settling down well in his new home. He has his own eating bowl and place to sleep (and lots of human TLC touch that he has been longing for). I m sure he will be back to his normal gigantic size in no time and oh ya, Stormie has grown so huge....her belly is bouncing here and there. Anne & girls really pampers the cats!!! Thank you Anne and for the girls, a BIG thumbs up for u all!! Update on Mystique (click here for slideshow of Mystique) 11.26am;Ann wrote: "Hi Morning! Sorry we have been too busy taking pictures of my very extended family - did not have time to even switch on the pc! OK - Mystique took another 1/2 hour before he came out from hiding. Because of this, he was not 'separated' from the rest of the gang like Stormie was. He nosed around, and decided the top of my piano was the best spot for observing the passing-bys. He did not need much coaxing with food - canned fish. He seemed to instinctively know which was his bowl, and wolfed down about 1/3 of the large can (I split it between all 3 of them). He then hid in a corner, then later, under my bed. Since my daughter put on the collar for him, he became noticeably more relaxed. Guess he felt he belonged - he was purring, kneading (opening and closing his paws) and greeted us with loud meows when we got close to him! He was accompanying Charis (the old one who put the collar on him) while she was cleaning up her room the whole evening - Charis was really pleased with that. He settled early and slept out (in the living room) in one of the boxes Stormie previously used. Last night, he ventured into my room during the night for a while. Not sure if he slept in. The only problem now, is to encourage him to use the litter tray - as both have odours from the other 3, he has been peeing on my floor-cloth. Stormie is wary of him, and hissed at him (& vice versa). The geris were angry with me, but I can handle them. They are coping / co-existing with these 2 new comers. funny enough, Stormie is getting closer to Natasha (my dowager). We managed to 'waste' nearly a roll of 36-exp film on them within 24 hours - you should be able to get to see the pix soon. We can sense that Mystique feels happy. My younger daughter, after looking at him for a while, and observing his reaction, declared with some finality in her voice - we are going to keep him, he is staying - even though she had not really 'played' with him, or even spent time with him. will keep you posted. Preliminary verdict - Mystique is home. God Bless Anne, the girls and the KATZ+++ "Hi! Guess you might be keen to see Mystique. He would not cooperate with me! Every time he saw me with the camera, that is the look I get! Still, I shall get a better pix of him.... BTW, I decided to get him a collar when I learned that Mystique had the marks / indentation on his neck that indicated he used to have one. The collar would mean a lot to him, I know, it's like a sense of belonging. He's proud of it too, not once did he play with it, trying to get it off, when he sits up, he lifts his head as if to "show-off" the collar! Incidentally, just want to comment on how 'fat' Stormie is - she used to jump onto the kitchen cabinet at the sink area 'coz she knows that's where I prepare food. Well, last night, she tried, and nearly fell! uh-hum, mommy had to push her back side up in order to finish off the landing! (tut, tut, tut!) More pix of my KATZ family - another time? God Bless Anne, girls, KATZ Ann wrote:- "Hi all, Mystique is eating well-ish, provided I don't feed the same can food twice in a day. (getting picky isn't he?) I answered my own question about chicken - does he like chicken?! He nearly got himself cooked along the way when I was preparing / shredding the meat for him and the gang. He is also eating dry food, but does not like Science diet - seems he does not like these special formulated dry food, prefers the commercial (additives ++) types. I have to put them in my hand, mixed with Friskies before he would eat some of them. Mystique has been renamed TUSKI (finally, thought we could never come up with a name). Named after a Japanese animation character who never backs down from any fights - sounds familiar? He is having trouble with ALL the cats now. Zipper and Natasha have retreated to my bedroom - their sanctuary. Their food bowls, kitty tray are now in my bathroom, and they hardly venture out. But Tuski comes in when we are around. He is OK, and everybody is safe and happy provided he stays under the bed. Even a peep onto the bed invites calls and growls. They had a fight again this morning , tho' no one was hurt. I feel very sorry for Tuski. I believe that tho' he may not be the most sociable cat, he is trying to fit in. But his previous episode has got himself a bad name, and now, all the cats are hostile to him. I think this morning, he really just wanted to be on the bed, but the others hissed, he would not back down, then furs flew and he was the only one left on the bed. (sigh) I am trying to integrate them, but how? I know he feels dejected, he 'talks' to me, as if to say he is sorry. I know we can give him plenty of love and care, but will that be enough, knowing that he has many restrictions - will he be happy? On the other hand, Zipper and Natasha go on hunger strike whenever they get upset. They only started eating (rather than nibbling) over the weekend, and then this happens again. The only one who 'benefits' is Stormie, as her relationship with the 2 geris improved. She's learnt not to be overtly playful with them, esply their tails, and they accepted her hopping and jumping about. They are not maternal to her, but that's OK, at least they don't fight, not even hiss. Will try to work on the 3 cats. Hopefully they will relent and let him join in, albeit just the corner of the bed. Incidentally, I have to remove the collar from Tuski, the area round it has gone bald, there were clumps of hair all over the place. He is not sneezing anymore, and appears to be happy - kneading and purring. Hope he can integrate in superficially. Am becoming concerned. Any pointers? Anne 
************************************************************** Ann wrote:- Sorry about the LOOONG silence. Have been very busy work wise, and trying to keep it low at home. Stormie and Tuski are still alive and kicking (in every sense of the word). My mom is getting to like Stormie, despite her rascal behaviour - who can ignore those doey-eyes?! Tuski is the difficult one. He is still peeing everywhere - on my cupboards, my books, on the breakfast top, even on my CPU! Thank goodness he did not do too much damage on the last item. No matter what I did, he just would not do his business in the litter tray! My mom is most annoyed with him due to this last horrible habit, and of course, worried. We will be away next week for 5 days, during which time, my flat mate would be looking after them, but to impose further work on her due to the cats unsocial behaviour is really asking too much. Stormie is really fat now, she looks like a trussed up chicken! She is still an absolute monkey. Her favourite spot is the top of my monitor. Tuski is eating well, and learning to eat as much as he can, as soon as we put the bowl donw, otherwise, 1/2 his food will be stolen by Stormie (you can understand why she is getting rounder). They are still fighting - Stormie tries to avoid him, but occasionally would like to show some bravado and initiates fights. Tuski's favourite spot is my piano top, but occasionally he would perch on top of my TV. Recently, he is starting to jump onto our laps, plonk himself down and kneads (a painful experience as his claws are sharp!). But I see that as a good sign, and he has reduced his sudden reaction of lunging out with claws extended. One of the volunteers (Sui Song? or some similar names like that, who is a student) emailed me, asking to see Tuski. Sorry, somehow lost her email address. If you know who it was, please let her know it is OK to visit any day after 12th December. Weekdays, evenings except Tuesdays & Fridays, weekends, nearly all day. My update so far. Very busy. Please inform me when you guys are getting round to the meeting the Chek Wee was telling me about. Since I am sourcing for various sponsors / lobangs, might be able to help? See ya. Anne, Girls and Katz - under one roof!! Ann wrote:- Will try to get the vitamins as you suggest. Regarding the marking, will be getting Tuski another litter tray - new, high sides (he seems to love jumping into boxes and do his biz there, though not the pees) - hope that would encourage some sanitary habits. Tuski slipped into my room last night. Zipper stayed on the bed, right at the far end (coward). Natasha went down to the floor - challenge? Poor Tuski was only under my bed! He reluctantly went off when we took out the water spray. I know he was hurt - Charis and I made an effort to sayang him outside the room. He even enjoys the occasional carrying. He probably wished he'd never started that initial fight! Once he is less inclined to extending his claws, I shall give him a bath - perhaps smelling the same might help him to get accepted more readily. It is getting to a month now, and the high tension has somehow subsided. I am sure they will tolerate each other. Stormie is the one who still has the abundant energy to start a fight. She is teething and she has a preference to ---big toes! All members of the family have been subjected to her gnawing on our toes, my mom inclusive! Sentosa has changed somewhat, but I'd rather be there enjoying myself than sweating away and running around in circles! OK, must go. Anne |
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12th December 2001
Hi ya, Sorry for being soooo quiet for so long. Went away for a week. The cats were looked after by my flat-mate. Guess it was a harrowing experience for her, as she is not really the animal kind. Anyway, she survived the 41/2 days, and so did the cats! My mom has grown used to Stormie (told you, who could resist those doey eyes of hers??) She's kind of resigned to the fact that I have 3 cats, but 'hoped' I would only keep Tuski for a temporary measure only. Tuski did not help with his spraying. Due to heavy workload, I have yet to get a proper kitty tray for him, but I managed to find the base of my hamster cage for him to use. I think he has been using it, as I had not really smelt any 'fresh' pee. The cage base is only a temp measure as it is rather small. Also managed to wash all 4 cats this evening - it was a hairy experience, in every sense of the word! I have hair (cats') in my eyes, my nostrils, my mouth, my body...I was apprehensive with Tuski, as his claws are sharp! He hated it too, but I had to, they all stink! Been flea hunting on my 2 geris. They got these uninvited guests when Stormie came. As I did not do a good job previously, all I did was getting rid of some. The bathing 'flushed out' a lot of fleas and I got at least 15 between the 2 geris just during the bathing! That was followed by drying, rubbing and more extermination. I had a hard time with Stormie, as she has much darker hair and she wiggles so much! With Tuski, I did not observe any fleas running to the surface when I bathed him, and I was just thankful my skin remained intact, as well as managing to clip his claws somewhat. Though he meowed blue murder, we could tell he was happy as he jumped onto Charis and started kneading once he got himself relatively dried. Tuski is still malting badly, especially around the neck area and a bit from the back of his ear. I forgot what remedy to use for the malting. Please tell me again, so I can get the necessary medication. Tuski is getting less bony, but for the malting, I would have taken more updated pix of him. BTW, reckon you can get in touch with Swee Sung for me? Meant to write and arrange a suitable time for her to visit Tuski and gang. Must go, shattered with the move in the office. Email in office is down due to the move, so pls bear with late replies. God Bless Anne, Charis& Janice Zipper, Natasha, Tuski and Stormie (Both types of beings arranged in chronological order) |
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5th January 2002
Hi all, Sorry have not been writing to update you guys. Saw that you had recorded your visit anyway, hope you were pleased with the visit, despite the fact that you waited for so long! Tuski has reduced his spraying, but he is still doing it nonetheless. Seemed that he HAS to do it to ‘mark’ his presence. Is there any way of curbing it? It is very frustrating, not to say smelly. Many of my things have been damaged, and some ruined if I did not find out in time and wipe the urine away with solution. His favourite seemed to be, of all things, my shoe rack. No matter how often I wipe down the surfaces with the solution that was supposed to deter spraying, and taking the smell away, Tuski won’t budge! Sometimes I get so annoyed with him as I return home from work and I was greeted with more cleaning up! Then he would do the unexpected like jumping on me, or one of my girls, and starts purring, and kneading…..(sigh) Salie mentioned some flea medication; may I have the name again? Would be going to parkway parade one of these days, so will try to get some. Finally, just realised Stormie is 6 mths old or thereabout now! How time flies! Anyway, need to know where to go for sterilisation, besides the commercial vets. Please let me know. Must go, take care, will get more pix. By the way, thanks for dropping by with your gifts for them as well. Both of them are eating very well, and I mean, very well. Tuski’s sides are definitely not sunken anymore! He is heavier to carry, and pleased to say, less prone to extending his claws. God Bless Anne, Charis, Janice & Zipper, Natasha, Tuski and Stormie |
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30th January 2002
Hi people, Greetings - long time no write! I have been very busy, and unwell, so been quiet for a while. Cats are well. Situation remains status quo. Stormie is still stealing everyone else's food, and getting very bold wrt human food as well! She is having difficulties jumping up the bunk bed! One night, I saw her dangling, with her hind legs wriggling left & right, and the tiny tail bobbing up and down, as if she could use that tiny tail to lever herself up the side of the bed, it was quite pitiful though very comical. So I pushed her up from below, to get her onto the top bunk. Do you know what she did then? she ran to the end of the bunk, jumped down the bunk, and repeated her attempt all over again! (with the same result and needed the same help)- sigh! Tuski - he is such a darling. We see him jumping onto our laps, kneading us (which can be quite painful with his very strong kneading and very strong claws), and during the time when my younger one and I were unwell, he jumped onto our bed and slept near us, as if to console us - isn't he a sweetie?! He is still marking, there are good days and bad days. I chose the cold shoulder treatment once when he really did a big job - all over my guitar case and the bags around it. I looked him in the eye as I was cleaning up the mess, then deliberately avoided him when he came near. He knew what he did displeased me, and sat a short distance away, head down, paws tucked in - remorseful looking. then I took him to the 'crime scene' and told him 'bad boy'. he lowered his head, and I guessed he kinda got the message. anyway, whenever he twitches his tail, we would say firmly "Tuski, no spraying!" so far, it seemed to have worked - except once, when we are not at home. Perhaps because of that, his 'smell' has reduced somewhat, and my geri cats are willing to wander right up to the door and even about 10 cat-paces outside! I keep Tuski away, for as soon as they see him, or hear him, they stiffen up - guess they have good memories. On Saturday, I noticed that tuski has a swelling near the side of his mouth, near the jaw. the swelling was causing some discomfort, as he would not even let me stroke near the area, and it seemed to extend right up to his ear - he kept scratching and flicking his head. The swelling has since subsided much, and the subsequent flicking. I will continue to check on him, and may have to take him to the vet. Is your regular vet at MC Dr Ang? Where does Dr Ang practise? The reason being is that if Dr Ang had treated Tuski before, at least there is some form of medical records I may find useful. Secondly, I do need to take out one day and take our dear Stormie to have her spayed. with our windows opened, I am concerned the day may come when she can't control her urges and /or there may be uninvited guests who will be confronted with Tuski - he may not be defending Stormie, but as he ALWAYS rise to the occasion for a fight - I hate to see what awaits my return from work! So much for now. Thanks and take care - any exhibitions or fundraising events coming up? m busy with our Flag Day, but do keep me posted. Take Care, anne, gals & katz |
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From: Anne Law Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 3:26 PM Subject: Tuski 
He was fine, doing well, putting on weight and was obviously making an effort of not getting into fights. He came to our room to sleep and during the day, he would stay around the kitchen area - his favourite. However, since last week, Tuski started staying away from everyone else, only venturing out for meal times. Sometimes he would hide in the box near the freezer, sometimes in the toilet. We thought it was because the kittens were getting too playful for him. His dish was always empty. But, with so many cats / kittens each eating everyone else's food, it was difficult to assess who is not eating. Last week, when I opened a can of tuna, he jumped up onto the table to watch me prepare food for him. I noticed he lost weight and was put off easily by other cats approaching. He ate the tuna up and went into hiding again. Last Saturday night, I noticed Tuski's mouth was swollen, and realised his weight loss could be due to a sore mouth. By Sunday, he was hiding underneath the freezer again, like when he first came to our place. I kept calling him, his call was weak, so I coaxed him out, and found that he had urinated on the floor and had just lied on it. I washed him, scared that he might scratch me like he did before, but I need not have worried - he was just lying there, hardly moving at all. That was when I saw that the swelling had gone down (which was good), but it was an abscess which burst, and he had puss and gunk on him lips and gum. I cleaned the wound up with saline water, and cut away some dead tissue with a pair of sterilised surgical scissors. He walked off and sat at the window sill, so I prepared some dinner for him, which he hardly touched. Tuski did not attempt to clean himself dry like most cats would, so towards the end of the evening, I wrapped him up in a towel, and carried him in my arms. Tuski must have enjoyed that, he was purring the whole time, his tail wagging weakly, and I dried him the best I could without rubbing him. Then I changed towel and sat there, cuddling him, realising how sick he really was. He was trying to 'knead' me by moving his paws, but the movt was weak. He turned and made himself comfortable in my arms and slept for a while before I put him into a box to rest. This morning, I came out to find the box empty - I was so happy - then I found him, flopped onto the floor, wet with urine. He was too weak to stand. His eyes glazed, his calls pitifully weak, he flopped any way I held him. I carried him and cuddled him for a while, willing him to live. By the time I put him in the carrier to be taken to the vet (around 8.30 am), his breathing was very shallow, within a few minutes, he breathed no more. I just don't understand what had happened that could take him away so fast? Within a week, he went from a lively (though not boisterous) happy cat to such a weakling who could not even stand? Are there some diseases in my place that is killing off all these cats? 3 kittens and 1 fully-grown cat? All within less than 6 weeks?! Could I have avoided this? I took his self-imposed solitude as wanting some peace and quiet - the 2 kittens are really all over the place, and, with Stormie around, I thought he'd rather be left alone than be caught in a fight....I checked his bowl and I did see him eating, though less than before, perhaps I should have been more observant.... I feel really bad, 'coz I wanted to be able to give him a loving home. Janice was very upset, as he always rub himself against her legs when she returned from school. At night, he used to sleep next to her until Zipper found him one night (Zipper was sleeping near me) - they shared the bed the whole night! In fact, I was going to post this pix of him up for all to see how well he is doing - and now......Please remember him the way he was. anne and the girls. |
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Page updated : 1st April 2002; Singapore
