Conference misery::feline_v1

    Poor Ben!
    
    I was just so upset that I typed reply before reading the last 9 lines
    of your message.  But, I think I have a suggestion for you.
    
    Try either Goop (mechanics hand soap which is creamy in texture and you
    rub into the coat while dry, then shampoo out several times), or Dawn
    Dishwashing (blue color) detergent.  Both of these are excellent grease
    cutters.
    
    Remember to rinse, rinse, and rinse some more.
    
    Grrrrrr, I'd like to douse these type of folks with vaseline myself! 
    And then tar and feather them afterwards!!!
    
    Please keep us posted on Ben's progress.
    
    
    --Roberta
    

    When I was in school some years ago, I wanted that slicked back look.
    Well, I used a product similar to vaseline.  It was an awful
    experience!  I was told by a hairdresser that all we could do was to
    keep shampooing!  Today they have Dawn.  That will probably be your
    best bet.  If it can get rid of stud tail, it must help with vaseline
    too.  I can really empathize with poor Ben! I have been there.
    Karen, Ruby, Stinky Wing

    My kids (human) also tried this - the only way we found to get it all
    out wa to load their hair with powder to absorb the grease, and then
    shampoo out the powder - but even that took a couple washes.  And the
    powder would probably be bad for him to ingest, much worse than the 
    vaseline itself, so if you try this, be *very* careful to get it all
    out.  hmmm - I wonder if one of the "dry" shampoo products would be
    good - the powder variety...  do they still have them?
    
    Linda

    If Dawn dishwashing liquid doesn't do the trick I would consult
    a professional groomer or your vet.
      Nancy DC

    
    Thanks very much for your suggestions (and moral support!).
    Thank you also for the mail you've been sending me offline.
    
    To be fair, I think I should mention that the person who 
    slimed Benjamin is emotionally handicapped and almost always 
    incapable of making proper judgements.  She's never shown
    any hostilities towards Ben before, and I had no idea that
    leaving her alone with him would bring these kinds of results
    (it never has in the past).  
    
    Steps have been taken to prevent leaving her alone with Benjamin
    again.  
    
    Thanks again for your support and advice!
    
    dm & Benjamin
    

    
    	You may also want to try an Elizabethan collar until you
    	get all the vaseline out since you're worried about him
    	getting ill form licking it off...
    
    	I'm glad you're being understanding with her...perhaps she
    	didn't intend malice, just wanted to see what he would look
    	like...(?) Hope everything works out okay...
    
    	Sherry
    

    
    Well, Rusty came over last night, and we bathed Benjamin
    again (Benjamin has already learned to react when Rusty
    picks him up and carries him into the kitchen!).  We used
    Dawn and really coated him in it, and worked it in well.
    Rinsed, and did it all again.  
    
    Benjamin, of course, took off for behind the couch as soon
    as we put him down.  Five hours later (3:00am!) I was woken
    up by an almost completely dry Benjamin who wanted to get 
    under the covers with me (back to his old self again).
    
    He looks like a cat again (soft and fluffy) instead of a wet
    rat.  
    
    Thanks for your advice and comfort.  
    
    dm & Benjamin
    
    ps.
    
    I got together with the young lady who is responsible for 
    the whole incident last night.  Thankfully I was able to 
    stop being angry and forgive her before we got together.  
    She really does have a sweet heart.  Thanks for your
    encouragement in dealing with her, too. 
    

    
    My vet told me NEVER to use dish detergent on my animals ESPALLY
    dawn!  it *can* casue skin problem and make them very very sick when
    they clean there fur..
    
    dont mean to alarm you..but watch for her eyes to water and check her
    tougne and the wetness of her mouth..if you notice a difference take
    her to the vet..but hopefull and wishfully she will be fine!  
    
    next time if there is time..take her to the nearest dog/cat groomers
    and let them deal w/ it..they have quiet abit of neet stuff to get
    alomost everything off
    
    Louisa

    Louisa,
    I have just recently recieved another opinion from my vet that differs
    from yours.  I was told that Dawn is closer to the PH of a cats skin
    and therefor is less harmful than other kinds of soaps, especially
    human shampoo.  I myself was afraid to use the stuff but at the
    insistance from other breeders who use it regularly, I tried it.
    Recently I had a persian in for a shot and that was when I posed the
    question.  I actually use the Dawn with a toothbrush next to the cats
    eye.  This is to clean away any of the tears that stain along side the
    nose.  If you are familiar with what a persian looks like you will know
    what I am talking about.  So far, she doesn't mind my doing this and
    actually seems happier for it when I am done.  Also, she never "cries"
    while I am using the soap, so it must be okay.
    Karen, Ruby, Stinky, Wing

    Dawn - especially blue Dawn - is used regularly by breeders for
    pre-show shampoos.  The blue Dawn is very good at making white fur
    really white.  I would think that if it caused a skin problem it
    would not be used so frequently.
      Nancy

    
    I was nervous about using the Dawn around Bailey's eyes, but after
    seeing Cin in action with the DWeeBs, I saw that there wasn't a problem.
    I use it before every show and make sure that he is rinsed well. It is
    amazing that it doesn't irritate  the eyes, but it doesn't.  Hmmmmm,
    maybe I'll test it on me. :')
    
    BTW, when the oil spill occurred in Puget sound, rescuers tested many 
    types of "shampoos" to remove the oil from all species of wildlife 
    and found that it was the safest and most effective product.
    

    I use Baby Oil to cut the grease of stud tail on my whole males, and
    then shampoo the baby oil out with Dawn.  My vet has approved this
    method as being safe, so I no longer worry about it.  But, I am sure to
    rinse the cat well.
    
    Jo

    Poor Ben.  I'm glad it turned out okay.
    

    
    Well, Benjamin did indeed pull through it allright.
    In total, Rusty and I washed him 3 separate times
    (twice on Christmas... great present heh, heh, heh,
    and once the next day).  
    
    Except for some flaking (like dandruff) Benjamin 
    didn't seem too affected.  The vet wasn't too con-
    cerned about his coat/skin being damaged, he thought
    it was more important to limit Ben's intake of 
    vaseline.  No bouts with diarhea (thank goodness) 
    or vomitting.  
    
    He's back to his normal, happy self.  He would like
    to thank each of you for your suggestions, and Rusty
    would like to thank those of you who helped me deal with
    it emotionally (especially those who wrote in mail).
    
    dm (and Rusty) & Benjamin