Cat in a fight - Advice required - is HC out there!

[Nosha123]

Harvey Pickle Pants had to go to the vets last night - neighbours cat beat him up whilst he was having a 'private moment' in the garden and not only did I (the human) have to snip poo out of his long fur around his backside (not pleasant I can tell you!) but he also seemed to have a painful back leg. So - I promptly slung him in his box and went to the vets (�150 later!). Nothing serious - suspected as soft tissue damage (not cuts visible no fractures). So 1 x anti-inflammatory and some painkillers later Pickle settled for a slightly restless night (more paranoid something was going to come in thru the catflap I think)! So.. this morning he was all over me like a rash - would not leave me alone... to the point he was sitting upright and then falling over onto me as I sat on the bed getting ready for work. HC... my question is WHY!!!! Did Pickle think he might be packed off to the vet again if I see him limping so he is pretending he is OK.. or is he genuinly grateful that I got him seen to and is feeling a bit better now... I'm a bit confused (and a bit worried) as he was literally smothering me with affection which isnt like him first thing in the morning! Whats he trying to tell me! I wish I could speak 'cat'!!!

[carmalee]

HPP has had a nasty fright - his world has been upset - he wants his Mommy and that's you! We all need a cuddle when we are feeling lost and lonely.

[Nosha123]

But I gave him sooooo many cuddles last night! I had to even drive one handed as my other hand was in his box stroking him all the way to the vets (oh well apart from when I was changing gear!)

It really upset me seeing him so needy this morning! Cant wait to get home and see he is OK....
His brother used to stick up for him and go and beat the other cats up but he died aged 7 in August..... Maybe Pickle needs someone to fight his battles for him!
It's my fault he is such a wuss!!! To much mothering!!!

[carmalee]

give him time to get over it - we had a cat brought in to be rehomed was getting beaten up on a regular basis when the owners re-located. He settled into kennels well but was nervous of other Toms for a while. think of it from his point of view - been beaten up whilst going about my lawful business , had my bum fiddled with (nasty scissors round my nether regions)- put in a carrier, then into a car then that man with the white coat and all those horrid smells at the surgery, back home with Mum who is obviously worried about me. hand me the smelling salts!! Nosha you sound like a smashing, caring owner - he'll be fine.

[saxy_jag]

Some animals need longer than others to get over these things. He's probably feeling very insecure right now, just like a child. And wouldn't you be if you'd been attacked by a thug whilst you were just minding your own business. Indulge him and make the most of it.

If you have to go out and leave him for any length of time (if you have to go to work, for instance), give him an old jumper or something in his sleeping place. Something that smells of you.

[wolf63]

Normally my little master Frankie or mistress Merlin would answer but they are currently living in luxury in a cat hotel as I have been away.

I used to think that cats were aloof and confident animals but since adopting OAP George a few years ago I discovered that they are easily stressed animals.

I had soft tissue damage in both shins once and it is really sore and they area feels weird - swollen and spongey. I am sure that he is feeling out of sorts and wants his mummy to make the world safe for him again.

I hope that it doesn't result in you having to accompany him when he needs to go out for a 'private moment'.

I would never advocate cruelty to animals.... but try and scare the 5hit out of the attacker and make sure that it stays out of your/HPP's garden.

It is weird being able to type something without a cat sitting in front of the screen and another trying to climb my leg to tell me that he is 'starving'.

[ruthann58]

oh bless him give him a cuddle from me poor little man

[Kleiber]

Hey, Nosha123, what the others have said is right - cats are really sensitive animals (and I know that what wolf says is with tongue in cheek - she loves her two very much!!). My lot (all 5 of them) have different characters, but all of them love the comfort and security of their home and their Mum (me!) and if they're hurt, frightened or unwell, home is the place they want to be. Don't worry too much about wee Pickle - it's good news there's nothing too serious wrong. Just give him lots of love and cuddles (and try a water pistol on the marauding neighbour! The cat, I mean, not the human!!) and he'll soon be fine. Good luck, love, K & the Gang!!

[Eve]

HC here, sorry I'm late, only just heard down the cat grapevine!!!

Let me find the sucker that did that to my mate Harvey, I'll smash his face in!!!

Us cats usually like to do our macho thing, all independant and aloof and ruling the roost and all that but underneath it all we all want a bit of love really and something make us remember that and we let our slaves be mummies for a while.

If we were really bad we tend to go off on our own and sort it out cos we're dead ard like.

We expect our slaves to feed us and all that day to day stuff but we do appreciate it when they do that little bit extra to look after us when we're hurt or in pain.

[wolf63]

HC might be able to give you some legal advise HPP. There must be a way for you to legally 'disappear' this thug from your territory. In places like South America people 'disappear' so why not try it here.

Failing that Frankie's sister Merlin will come down and beat the cr4p out of him - she is big and is built like a little bear cub. She don't take no prisoners - so to speak. She beats Frankie up regularly - sometimes resulting in a trip or two to the vet.

Best wishes Harvey - may you be allowd to crt4p in peace.

[terambulan]

You drove your car one handed for the sake of your cat....never mind other motorists or pedestrians safety. I've never heard anything so stupid.

Kick the bluddy cat out to fight its own battles.....its a wuss puss! Never ever drive like that again!

[peachybabe]

Just to let you know that I'm sitting in work, craftily scanning AB, and come across this!

I am now struggling to hold in peals of laughter and tears!!

Thanks for that! (My manager is now sitting opposite me looking at me as if I've cracked!)

[Nosha123]

what so funny Peachy.. the fact he was having a'private moment' and got assaulted! Can you imagine if we were sat quietly on our toilets having a 'moment' and someone kicks the door in and punches us! Poor Pickle Pants!

Glad to say he is feeling a bit better now.. and smelling much sweeter too since he had a major bum washing session yesterday!!! Thank gawd!!! I nearly puked cleaning the klinkers in his bottom!

[Nosha123]

By the way Peachy... I didnt mean the first para to sound as if I was being 'off'! I am genuinely curious as to which bit you find funny!!!
ha ha

[Nosha123]

Thanks for your support HC and Merlin (funny name for a girl though!)
I'll let Pickle Pants know and he will meaow if he needs some muscle as back up!

[peachybabe]

Nosha123 - I must point out that I am an animal lover.

No, not just an animal lover, I am as completely daft about all my animals as you obviously are!! Budgies, cats, dogs, hamsters, rabbits, guinea pigs, tropical fish!! They even ALL get Christmas Pressies!!

The problem I had with the whole of this "discussion" is a problem that I have with many of the discussions on AB.

I can identify with them!!!!!!!!!!

I too have removed poo from the bums of budgies, cats, rabbits and dogs. As far as the dogs go, every morning we do a bums/whiskers and poo patrol!

Having read the answers that are coming in to your question, I'm SOOO glad that I'm not the only daft person that comes on this site!!!

[Nosha123]

Oh Peachy you are funny!!!! Now I am the one GIGGLING out loud at my desk... whiskers bum and poo patrol! Very very funny!
And if you are anything like me I expect your feathery/furry babies come before your Husband/Boyfriend!!!! ha ha
Poor Hubby is always complaining about the lack of room in the bed as I have to accommodate Pickle Pants on one side so I am squeezed into the middle and he is pushed out to the side.
I used to have 3 cats.. and they ALL slept on the bed with us! It was a case of very careful positioning of one leg - other leg and arms and then lie there all night and dont move!!!!
Mad aren't we!

[mazzywoo]

Oh Nosha-how I can identify with what happened to your poor Pickle! We have 3 cats, one of whom is Rosie, a persian girl and we are getting very good at bum-washing and poo snipping. One of our other cats, Callie, was set upon whilst she was um...having a very private moment and she was petrified (so bum washing for her too) She was afraid to go out for ages after that. It seems that puss-cats often get attacked by others while they are in a vulnerable position! Hope Pickle feels better soon. hugs and purrs from Callie, Rosie and Mc Murphy xx