We've had some steps forward with Sophie and the kittens, this weekend

[Siwsan]

Yesterday I turned around to see Madoc and Sophie standing nose to nose. No hissing, no growling, just eye contact.

This afternoon, Morgan was sitting next to me and Sophie hopped on the chair and settled down very close to Morgan. Morgan then proceeded to start grooming Sophie. Of course, when the other 3 kittens came ambling up, I could see that Sophie was getting a little nervous so I moved the kittens to the play room.

Sophie is reacting to this whole scenario by not eating nearly as much as before so she's lost some weight. Maybe it's because she's nervous. She always finish chicken or tuna so as soon as the kittens were stowed, I gave her some tuna, which she immediately ate up. I'm going to try mixing a little tuna in some tuna/white fish cat food, and see if that perks up her appetite enough to get more calories into her. She did eat a bowl of dry food, last night, so maybe she's finally adjusting.

She's going on 14, has always been pretty slim, and still pretty frisky - even with the subdued appetite - so I'm not really worried this is anything but an adjustment thing. The whole decreased appetite started when the kittens 'territory' expanded from the play pen to the den.

Sophie settles down with me, after the kittens are put to bed, and spends most of the night either sleeping or waking me up. I forgive her for the waking me up part. I'll definitely start paying more attention to her, though.

[niyad]

1. A lapful of kittens-what could be better? Glad that Sophie is adjusting, even if her

appetite is off a bit. Your report today is very good sign.

[Karadeniz]

2. What's the fur loss on the darker one's back about? Over grooming? Stress? One of my cats

Recently started having difficulty urinating. Diagnostic tests didn't show a major problem, fortunately, except that the urine was a bit off normal. My vet suggested stress, so I bought the Science Diet CD Stress, dry, and that seems to have done the trick! So if you think the fur loss is over grooming due to stress, you might want to try that food.

Thanks for the updates... much appreciated!!!

[Siwsan]

3. That's partially just the flash/reflection but I've noticed that she has been doing more grooming

The fur is a little thinner in a couple of places on 'lower' back and she's not quite as shiny as usual, but there aren't really any 'bald' patches. Yet, anyway. She did have quite a patch, once before. I don't remember what was going on but it might have been when I was dealing with my mom, sister and aunt, and barely had any time or energy for anything else. And for a while the fur on her legs was looking pretty sparse, but it's grown back, just fine.

I have considered getting some CBD for her but I'll look for that Science Diet food.

I feel bad that I haven't been paying closer attention to her. I'm just going to pile on the affection and the nutrition.

[Karadeniz]

4. I had a Pomeranian who developed terrible fur loss, scratching and scratching, leaving her skin a

bloody mess. My vet diagnosed seasonal allergy and for several years a steroid in the winter helped. Eventually she had to always wear a Tshirt to protect her skin. By chance, I had a very fragile foster kitten whom I finally decided to put on a homemade raw diet. From the second I prepared the food, Annie was beside herself with excitement and wanted some. Naturally, she got what she wanted! Within a few months, the itching stopped, her hair grew back, the Tshirts went. It was a food allergy all along! Eventually, all my cats and dogs were on the raw diet and that continued for years and years until two rounds of steroid injections told me that the preparation was ruining my hand.

Next best is canned food. My vet spent an hour with me going over all the nutritional info. I decided on Tractor Supply's 4Health chicken, or is it turkey, and rice. With my numbers, we went through a case of their large cans every day. Again, my hand betrayed me! Too much scooping and slicing! I couldn't tolerate another injection, too painful.

So, now we're on Science Diet dry food!