The answer is actually none.
Despite that "I-am-going-to-murder-you-while-you-sleep" look on his face, Tux is pretty compliant. If this had happened to either of the other cats, there would be a lot more blood on the floor. But Tux... I call him my little Hippy protester - as soon as I try to get him to do something he doesn't want to do (with the exception of taking a bath) he just goes limp - passive resistance is his ploy. That doesn't mean I get off scott-free - he finds other ways to retaliate (leaving a little "landmine" at the bottom of the stairs is one of his favourite ways).
Of course, if someone else (ie Dave) tried to put him in a baby shirt, it would probably end in tears. I'm the only one he allows to man-handle him like that. The vet says they have a much easier time poking and prodding him if I'm there to hold him - I think he just trusts me.
As it is, life in the baby shirt didn't last very long. He's a bit of a Houdini cat, and it didn't take him long to figure out how to twist his legs out of the sleeves. But it was worth a try.
Instead, I've had to get inventive...
We had a few weekend bleeds so I was trying to keep it under wraps and him out of the cone, but I had no more vet wrap left, so I used gauze, wrapped around a pantyliner. Every time he licked it, he'd pull the gauze apart and I was worried about him choking on the fine strings.
Saturday night, I sewed a little cuff, and threaded some elastic through each end.
 |
| "Enough with putting crap on my paws already!!!!" |
Sunday night, I gave up and went to shoppers and got some more of the self-sticking wrap the vet used. I also grabbed some of that white first aid tape and some absorbent pads.
He got wrapped about three times on Sunday night. The first two were too loose, and he got it off easily. The second was too tight, and I'm pretty sure I cut off his circulation - it didn't take long for his paw to swell.
Completely exasperated, I got fed up. I grabbed one of the absorbent pads and taped it to his leg with the first-aid tape - fur be damned! I'd cut it off later if I had to. I looked him right in the eye and said "get that off you furry little brat!" and went to bed.
The next morning I woke up to Tux, sitting smugly in his pet bed outside my room... the bandage on the floor beside him....
This cat is too smart for me....
8 comments:
Wowzers! He is determined!
(But, it is a very cute story.)
Oh no...he is one clever kitty. Dear Old Doggie was the same way with hers. I found them all over the house and in the yard. I went through quite a bit of that purple stuff and it ain't cheap. I still cringe when I see it.
I'm with Dee, this was a very cute story. I could sense there was frustration on both parts. Doesn't he know you're just trying to keep him healthy? Sheesh!
Pumba's never gotten out of his shirt or tried to. He hasn't had to wear one for awhile now. I can do pretty much anything to him, he meows a lot, that's about it. The only thing he gets nasty over, and it was WAY worse when he was younger, is claw trimming. When he was younger it took two of us, and he had to be wrapped in a comforter with just his feet sticking out, lol.
That's cats for you; it's one of the reasons I've never tried to stick a collar on any of mine. Maybe knit him a legwarmer?
He doesn't make it easy for you, that's for sure. I would be frantic by now, while you seem cool as a cucumber. When will you check his blood sugar level again?
I'm with Dee, as my response is WOWZERS, too! What a cat!! When he says he's not into it, he means it! I think he's got that, "Fine. I'll show you!" attitude down to a fine science.
awww they are smart creatures!!! Hope he is well very soon
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