Conference misery::feline_v1

    Tell the vet that she ate a moldy muffin and her eating habits haven't
    been the same since then.  You can also tell him that she would eat
    with gusto before, generally eating both her food and her sister's, but
    is now not even finishing her own.
    
    Also, might take a stool sample in for him.  Check the box for signs of
    diarrhea.  Note whether or not she has vomited and tell him that.
    
    If you are worried, then take her in or call the vet.  That has always
    been the way that I have operated my cattery.  That could also be the
    reason why I my vet bill looks like the national debt!! :^)
    
    Jo

    Changes in eating habits in cats are a good indicator of their health.
    Generally if a cat is ill, but is otherwise running around and eating,
    well, then you don't worry too much, but when the cat stops eating then
    that's a danger sign.
    
    I would also call the vet as Jo suggested.  A phone call doesn't cost
    much and could put your mind at ease.
    

    Thanks for your replies.  I did call the vet who advised me
    to check the color of her gums and take her temp.  
    
    But, when I got home to do those things, I discovered the
    problem:  she had swallowed about 2 feet of twine!
    What a mess! (The cats' room AND Elua) But after a bath
    and blow dry, she was back to her normal self and ate a hearty
    dinner.
    
    We try to keep  string out of their reach for fear that they
    may get tangled and choke themselves, but it never occurred to
    me that one of them would EAT the string!
    
    Happy Weekend!
    Pat and Elua
    

    Yes, and it can be fatal. NEVER NEVER try to pull out
    the string if you notice that it is still partly inside the cat,
    as it can twist and cut the internal organs.  In that circumstance take
    the cat to the vet ASAP.
    

    You were lucky.
    
    
    Keep string, thread (even deadlier), yarn, ribbon etc away from
    your cats.  A friend of mine was awakened one night to find that
    her scottish fold had gone into her closet and openned a container 
    of embroidery floss.  He selected the color of choice and proceeded
    to eat it.  She woke up to find a bit of floss dangling from his 
    mouth.  She panicked and called Angel memorial who told her to
    gently pull the floss out.  Since he'd just eaten it it was in
    his stomach still.  
    
    Nancy

    Reading the last 2 replies gave me more of a scare than 
    finding the problem.
    
    Over the weekend, though, I had a "search and destroy" mission
    in the house looking for any more strings, etc.  I've read it
    in the NOTES somewhere --cats DO force you to be a better
    house keeper!
    
    Pat
    

    especially bad are the strings that meat cuts come tied up
    in, since they taste and smell like food.
    

and decorative ribbon used to wrap packages are IRRESTIBLE to my brood...I
think they are treated with something that smells like food to the cats.
Ribbon can be just a lethal as twine or string.
Anyway, be very, very careful....I've been there and I know how terrifying
it is.  Now, my roommate and I unwrap all presents in the garage before
bringing them into the house - at least to remove all ribbons from the packages.
Then, when unwrapping them, we throw out the paper immediately.  Yes, they
eat that too.  I figure the chemicals aren't GOOD for them, even if they are
not fatal.

    Well, this is as good a place as any to put this.  While we're on
    the subject of household items that are dangerous to animals....
    
    You know those plastic loops that hold a 6 pack of cans together?
    Well, Jack taught me to cut all the loops before throwing them in
    the trash.  He reminded me that birds and other animals can get
    their heads caught in the loops and it can be deadly.  So remember
    to cut those plastic loops - or if you can, recycle the plastic.
      Nancy DC