Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

Dave_ph · 05-01-2009, 09:25 PM

I just adopted a Ragdoll. She had been wandering the neighboorhood last weekend introducing herself to everyone. She had some obvious skin irritations and was very skinny so I assumed she was lost. At points she was lying in the road.

Sunday at noon I encouraged her to follow me in. She spent a few hours nuzzelling my neck or curled up in my lap. Mostly in my lap because she was cover with fleas that I didn't want in my hair. At about six that night I went out and found the only flea reatment I could. I didn't know about 'Sargents' at the time. When I dropped a half dose on her she bolted and shook as much off as she could. She avoided me for the next hour hiding in a back room. After an hour I convinced her to come out and she let me pet her but curled up far away on the sectional couch. She slept there for a few hours. I went over to turn off the light and she bolted again. She was hesitant, rubbed up against my legs ocassionally but wouldn't let me touch her on the head. I left her inside the next day and she finally tenatively wanted to go out Monday night. I didn't want to hold someones cat so I let her out.

There's more to that but this is getting long. I didn't see her again till Tuesday. She was outside a neighbors house, not the one she went to when she left Monday night. I knocked and spoke to the owners to explain where thier cat had been. The husband told me that she was a Ragdoll and shouldn't be out but that she kept getting out and that she was peeing around the house and they didn't know what to do with her. They had bought her and 2 other Ragdolls and said that she was a former champion show cat. He also said they didn't know what to do with her becasue they didn't want the fleas around the other cats. An hour later he came to the door with her and said he and his wife were willing to give her to me. I said no because she'd be alone 11 hours a day on weekdays while I was at work and I thought she'd miss her cat friends. She had done quiet a bit of meowing like she was looking for someone while she was in my house.

Well, she was out again last night. I let her in for a while and finally slightly helped her decision to go out, or stand in the door looking out. An hour later she was still on my doorstep so I let her in and made the decision to be owned by her. She was still skittish and being DRIVEN CRAZY by fleas constantly biting and scratching herself. I called what I'ved decided is the worlds best cat vet in the morning and got her in for a full checkup and left her with the vet for the day. As soon as the vet saw her that morning she said, 'Yes....Ragdoll and a perfect example of the breed.'

She's back from the vet now. She's a 5 year old who only weighed 8.3 pounds so she hasn't had a full dose of flea meds. I'm under orders to spend the next 2 weeks fattening her up on expensive high calorie food. The way she eats now that shouldn't be a problem. The vet also gave me instructions on the best litter and there haven't been any accidents since I bought that.

My girl is still skittish. She's more relaxed, her posture is better and she did hop up on the computer desk next to me before but she hopped away when I went to touch her. She's decided to hide in a far part of the house for now. Not very Ragdollish but she's been through a lot in the last week and I'm giving her her space.

eeyoredag · 05-01-2009, 09:32 PM

Congrats and welcome to the forum!! Bless you for taking in the raggie. In time I'm sure she will tell you how much she appreciates what you are doing for her. She sounds like a wonderful kitty. Sounds like you two were meant for each other.
Dorothy

Dave_ph · (This post was last modified: 05-01-2009 09:55 PM by Dave_ph.)

eeyoredag Wrote:Congrats and welcome to the forum!! Bless you for taking in the raggie. In time I'm sure she will tell you how much she appreciates what you are doing for her. She sounds like a wonderful kitty. Sounds like you two were meant for each other.
Dorothy

She's up and around now but still doing a little biting like she has fleas. Poor kid. I'll leave her alone and let her de-stress tonight. I think I'll need another raggie to keep her company days while I'm at work.

Oh, before this I had been looking through cat rescue sites. I had cats in mind but hadn't taken the plunge. I'm glad this little sweetie found me. I hadn't know the breed existed.

suzieq3006 · 05-01-2009, 09:44 PM

Congrats on your new addition and a warning for you.....ragdolls are very addicting lol. I am sure she will warm up to you very soon. Enjoy! Sue

eeyoredag · 05-01-2009, 09:45 PM

I think that's a wonderful idea to have a buddy for her since you work long hours. I'm still waiting for my first raggie to be born. I'm hoping to hear Monday or Tuesday.

Everyone here is very nice and they say you can't stop at just one raggie. I have to say I haven't even got my first one yet and I'm already thinking about another one but will have to wait for a year or so. It will take that long to save up the money.

You'll get answers to all of your questions here so ask away. There are very experienced people here and they don't mind sharing their knowledge with us newbies. Does your raggie have a name? When she is more comfortable with you you'll have to take pictures and post them. We love pictures here.
Dorothy

jellybean · 05-01-2009, 09:47 PM

Awww what a sad story that poor baby .I'm so happy that you have her now were she is safe and being taken care of.
People like that just make me so angry.,not very responsible.She must just be a bag of bones.
Well it sound like she is getting the right meds ...lots of love and some good food.
Welcome to the forum ,what is her name and would love to see pics.

Dave_ph · 05-01-2009, 09:55 PM

I was told her name is Fay so I'll stay with that.

dannilou · 05-01-2009, 10:24 PM

nawwww bless ypur heart for taking in a in my opinion miss treated cat. cant wait to see pictures of this beautiful girl.

Dave_ph · 05-01-2009, 10:56 PM

dannilou Wrote:nawwww bless ypur heart for taking in a in my opinion miss treated cat. cant wait to see pictures of this beautiful girl.

Ohoh. SHe's been eating a lot but throwing up soon after. She had a big breakfast this morning but I didn't find the vomit till I got home tonight. She ate at 7:00 but as far as I know she didn't upchuck. She just ate again and vomited. An amazing amount. It's the weekend. No vet for 2.5 days. Sad

dannilou · 05-01-2009, 11:02 PM

dont you have an animal hospital in your area. or look in the yellow pages (or phonoe book, dunno what they call it where u r) most vets have an afterhours number. have u given her any dairy when the vommitting first started??? to think what dairy does to us when its off, its just as bad for cats. what did u give her the meal before the vomitting started???