Conference misery::feline_v1

    
    
    	Sorry to hear about PC. It takes time. Make sure more than
    	ever you show affection to Franny. Even though Franny may
    	want to be left alone, kiss and hug her... She is in mourning 
    	like us humans go through..
    
    	Bless you.
    
    	SueJ & Alex

    I suggest an increased diet of snuggles, hugs and kisses!
    
    I hope she gets back to her normal self soon!
    
    Lisa plus PR&F.
    

re: fact that other kitties are not as affectionate as PC and Franny

Of my 2, Becky was always the love-kitty. It was beneath Josh's dignity to 
allow himself to be kissed, or sit on anyone's lap (at leas in public).  When 
Becky died.  Josh became an incredible PEST.  Always in my face.  Walking all
over me when I sat down.  He had to be touching me at all times.  When I got
Hannah, who sort of took over Becky's role of love-kitty, Josh resumed his 
aloof role.  

I don't know whether it was Josh's way of grieving the loss of his sister, or
if he was trying to help me, or both, or what. 

What I'm saying in sort of a round-about fashion is that the purrsonalities
that your other kitties may change when a 'role' is vacant.

I also agree that Franny is probably grieving the loss of PC - just like some
people who want to be alone.  Give him lots of attention, but give him time
to do what he needs to do.


kathy

    The best diet in the world is *lots of hugs and kisses*.  No-one can
    ever get enough of them.  Your kitty will understand and come around in
    time.
    
    Hang in there....
    
    Sandi and the Storm Troopers
    
    

    
      I can feel so much what you are going through, it was 2 weeks
    ago today that I had to put my Sylvester asleep due to tumors 
    resulting from FeLV.  It was the hardest thing I had to do, (it
    brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it) but
    I promised that I wouldn't let him suffer and after almost a week
    I had to put his feelings before mine.  I brought the vet to my house 
    cause I wanted him to die at home, but he left behind his little
    friend of 8 yrs which is my little female cat.  She is so lonely for
    him (and so am I), it's really hard because she doesn't understand
    what happened and she is constantly looking for him.
    The only advice I can give is pretty similiar to what others have
    said, which is ALOT of TLC and extra time spent.
                                                    
    Best of luck...
    Diana                                 

    Diana -
      Perhaps a new friend for Sylvester's housemate would help.
      Nancy DC
    

    
    Nancy,
    
    I have thought of a new friend for Tykey my little girl in time
    I will, I just can't bring myself to do that right now, I guess
    you would call it a mourning period still.
    
    Thank you
    Diana

    I want to thank everyone who responded. Franny is still moping - but he
    slept with me for a short time just last night.  I keep giving
    him alot of attention - as has been suggested. But I had to go get
    him out of the closet first. He never swent in  there before but the 
    strange thing was that the closet where PC spent her last night at home. 
    (She  never went into the closet either except for that last night. ) 
    Well I  brought him into bed and he stayed there for about 1/2 hour and
    then he left. 
    
    He just hasn't been the same since PC passed on. But maybe with alot of
    extra hugs, he'll be okay. A major concern tho is that  a tramatic
    event can set-off a remissive case of leukemia. I talked about this
    with my vet- she says not to worry about it as there is nothing I can
    do about it. But I worry anyway.
    
    I just willhope for the best - while I give him extra attention.
    
    Thanks again - eveyone.
    Pat
      
    

    We'll be thinking about Franny, Pat and praying for continued good
    health.
    
    re: Getting another cat - that's always a very personal thing.  For
    some folks its something they need to do right away - like for me
    when I lost Kathryn.  For others, they need time for the pain
    to fade a little.  You'll know when the time is right.
      Nancy DC

    just an update on Francis- last night I brought him into the bedroom
    (yet again) when I went to sleep and I know that he stayed for
    quite a while before getting up and leaving. This morning he came
    back on the bed and did "pushy paws" for the first time since PC died.
    And when I left for work he was still on the bed. So I am beginning 
    to feel that he might be okay.  Last evening when he was on the couch,
    one of my female kitties (Dory) started grooming him, and she was next
    to him this morning when I left. 
    
    Pat

Francis has probably 'informed' your other cats in whatever language they use
between themselves that he is ready to start being social again, and Dory is 
probably doing what she can to 'comfort' him - letting him know that he's still 
an okay kinda kitty.  I think grooming is the feline way of giving 'hugs and 
kisses'.

    Looks like Francis is interviewing for a "new" pal! :-)
    

    glad that francis is becoming more social to you and the other kitties. 
    pc woulda wanted it that way...
    
    diane, stanley & stella
    

    I hope I am not tiring people about my tale of Francis but I have
    a need to "talk" with people who will understand my concern. So
    thanks in advance for listening. Here's what happening - last month 
    I lost one (PC) of my two wonderful cats, both of whom are(were) FeLV+, 
    to a tumor. Franny is lonesone without his constant companion. Then I
    had  unexpected surgery and was out of my home for a couple days. My
    daughter did come in twice a day to feed the cats and dog, and my
    mother stopped by during mid-day. But "I" wasn't there. I have been
    home for 3 days now, and Franny's appetite is way down, he is drinking
    alot of water, and he is lethargic. He doesn't do "pushy paws" anymore.
    I am making an appt for a check-up with Dr. Nord at Fram. Animal
    Clinic. 
    
    In the meantime, any suggestions as to what I should do. I am
    so worried.
    
    Pat  
    

    
    
      Pat,
    
      This may sound repetitious, but again my suggestion would be to
     give Francis alot of TLC and extra time.  He may feel like you
     were taken away from him too, as like PC was and now your back, so it's
     maybe kind of having to rebuild that constant attention with him
     again.                      
     I am constantly giving my little Tykey ALOT of extra attention
     and love since she lost her longtime companion Sylvester to Felv last
     month, and it is taking alot of time (for both of us) and she still 
     looks for him, which of course breaks my heart and i'm sure if I went 
     away for a couple of days she would wonder where I went and be terribly
     lonely and maybe even wonder if I was coming back.
              
     Diana & Tykey

    I think the check-up is the best thing for Franny right now.  But
    if it is only the lonesomeness that is bothering her...did you ever
    think of taking in another Felv+ cat.   I know a shelter that has
    some gorgeous cats who have tested positive...but are in wonderful
    condition.  Some of them are so gorgeous...and others have such
    a wonderful personality. 
    
    Just a thought....but please make sure Franny has a check-up first.
    And provide alot of TLC....
    
    Sandy

    I have other cats but he and PC happened to both be  FeLV+ cats
    and it also was coincidence (?) that they were companions. One
    of my other females has taken over the responsibility of grooming
    him, which he allows her to do, however, he refuses to play with
    her or w/the others.
    
    The vet hasn't called back yet, but in the meantime I am giving him
    lots of extra TLC.
    

    Just keep giving him hugs and kisses, best medicine there is.  By the
    way no you are not tiring us out with your concerns.  It's nice to know
    that you care about your cats enough that you would bother to write. 
    Let's face it most people wouldn't.
    
    Kim
    

    Ditto, on Nancy's last paragraph!!
    
      It's not tiring in the least!! I sure hope your baby gets back to
      normal soon!
    
    Bonnie

    Thanks for all your replies- they mean alot to me.
    
    I think the extra hugs and kisses are good for Franny, but I also
    took him to the vets this afternoon. She couldn't find anything
    specifically wrong, but did take some blood for tests.  I
    will know the results tomorrow.
    
    I gave him baby food tonight and he did eat that. 
    
    Thanks again to you all for your support - you are very special people.
    
    Pat
                                 

    Any news on Franny, Pat?
    
    Lou Pierce (she writes in here sometimes) has a beautiful white cat
    named Nephra. She's such a sweetheart! When Lou's Mom passed away,
    neph was TOTALLY bummed out for about 6 months (I'm almost positive
    she said 6 months). She wouldn't let anyone near her & wouldn't eat,
    or go out, or do ANYTHING! She just kept going into her moms room &
    sitting there, THAT'S IT! Well, the little furface is finally coming
    around! I was over a few weeks ago (this is about a year later now)
    & she was letting me pet her & she was giving kitty love, & playing
    w/ me. It was really nice!
    
    Lou also has a multi cat/dog home, FWIW.
    
    Just thought this may be helpful, I don't remember if Lou already
    responded in this string! I just think it may take some time for 
    Franny baby to come around, but I can see why you might worry that the
    stress may set off some of the feluk symptoms. I sure hope all the
    tests were OK!! Give the kid a kiss for me & PLEASE let us know what
    the doc sed!
    
    Bonnie

    The tests showed that Franny's liver has a problem of some sort and only
    a biopsy would tell us for sure what it is.  On a normal cat, a biopsy
    would not be too tramatic, however, with Franny it is not advisable at
    this point. He is being treated with an antibiotic (don't know which
    kind) but the vet administers it via a shot. He has had two shots
    so far, and is now eating almost up to his usual amounts. He also
    has started doing "pushy paws" which really pleases me.
    
    The vet said that between losing PC and then losing me (time in the
    hospital) Franny became "stressed out". She would like to see how he
    responds to the medication, and to lots of love and attention. Well,
    considering that I won't be returning to work until at least May 13th,
    he is getting LOTS of love/attention.   So time will tell with him, but 
    for now it looks hopeful.
    
    Thanks to everyone for all your encouragement. I appreciate each and
    every one of you.
    
    Pat                                                                     
    

    Pat,

    Glad to hear that Franny's appetite and affectionate purrsonality are
    returning!

    Cindy

    yes, I'm glad too! "Pushy paws" is definitely a good sign!!
    
    Get better soon, franny!
    
    Bonnie

    Be sure to let us know how Franny is doing.  Sounds like you're
    on the right track.
      Nancy DC