Conference misery::feline_v1

    I don't often recommend this, but it might do some good.  Have your
    vet prescribe a mild tranquilizer (note "mild").  Keep her isolated
    in a familar room, where she can't even hear the dog much, if possible.
    Try to spend as much time with her as you can, play with her if
    she will play. (Play therapy is very good stuff).  When she ventures
    out of the "safe" room, make sure she always has a place to retreat
    to, and try to keep things slow at first, i.e. don't panic her.
    
    Dave

    One thing that I would reccommend is that when you move her there,
    make sure that you stay there that same night, and make sure that
    the cat knows that. It will make the cat realize that she isn't
    being given away.
    
    Deb

    RATTLE::LANDRY
     HI THERE, I AM AN AVID READER OF THIS FILE.. AND I THOUGHT I WOULD
    INPUT TO YOUR INQUIRY..... I AM POOKIE THE PERSIAN'S MOTHER, KATE.
    AND I AGREE WITH BOTH REPLIES... FIRST A TRIP TO KITTY KAMP(AKA
    THE VETS) TO GET A MILDA TRANQUILZER.. VERY MILD.. AND ALSO YOU
    SHOULD TALK WITH HER ABOUT THIS.. I CHAT WITH POOKIE EVERYNITE....
    WHILE WE ARE GETTING BRUSHED.... AS AMATTER OF FACT I WENT OT HAWAII
    FOR 3WEEKS, I PREPARED HER FOR THIS BY TALKING TO HER ABOUT IT..
    IN A SOOTHING VOICE..
    IE,MUMMY IS GOING ON VACATION BUT SHE IS COMING BACK,, AND LEE(
    THE POOKIE SITTER) IS GOING TO TAKE OF YOU, VERY GOOD CARE OF YOU
    ETC... MUMMY WILL BE BACK ETC.... BE A GOOD GIRL... AND YOU SHOULD
    DEFINITELY PLAY WITH HER AND STAY WITH HER IF POSSIBLE.. AND MAKE
    A TAPE OF YOUR VOICES... USING HER NAME, SO WHEN YOU ARE NOT THERE
    HAVE SOMEONE TURN IT ON, THINGS LIKE WHAT NICE HOUSE NANA ( YOU
    MOM ) HAS.. WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK... DONT WORRY.. IT WORKS MY POOKIE
    WAS JUST FINE THE 3 WEEKS I WAS GONE....... SHE DID NOT SPEAK TO
    ME WHEN I GOT BACK.. BUT .. THATS A CAT FOR YOU.. I MEAN REALLY
    WHAT CAT GETS TOYS FROM HONOLULU, HAWAII.... MEOWR.... HOPE THIS
    HELPS.... MEOWR FOR NOW....
    

    Hi Anna--
    
    I know what you are going through!  The advice that others have
    given about a mild tranquilizer is good.  I use a product called
    Ace Promazone (don't quote me on the spelling), and for Billie
    (she's 9-10 lbs.) I've found that a reasonable dose is 1/2 a tablet;
    a whole one if it's a long or stressful trip.  The only side effect
    that I've noticed with her (besides the usual lack of appetite)
    is that once we are at our destination, and she is out of the carrier,
    she is groggy and stumbly until the drug wears off.  She may also
    hiss at me, too--she doesn't understand why her back legs won't
    work, and she's complaining about it.
    
    About the actual move--I would put her in her carrier, and take
    her to the room where she'll be, and then let her out.  Stay with
    her for a while so she can used to a new place with the comfort
    of her "people" right there.
    
    About the poodle--I have to share this with you.  You just may be
    pleasantly surprised about your cat's reaction.  Two weeks ago,
    my in-laws and their toy poodle came to visit with us for the weekend
    (matter of fact, I entered a note earlier about how to deal with
    it).  The dog lives with two cats, and likes them, and is very
    easy-going.  But my cat is another story.  I've had her for 10 years,
    9 of which was spent with me alone, where she had the run of the
    place.  Last year I moved in with my SO, and she had to get used
    to that.  She has NEVER had another animal in the same house with
    her, and always got very upset and LOUD when she saw a cat or dog
    outside "her" house.  So I had a lot of worries about the weekend
    visit.  It was amazing!  I held Billie, and Ma held Peppy, and we
    VERY gingerly brought them together.  No fireworks--just a lot of
    interested sniffing.  When we finally put them down on the floor,
    Peppy made a token rush at Billie, who gave him a token swat, and
    that was IT.  The rest of the time they either ignored each other,
    or Billie tailed Peppy all over the place.  They actually played
    once, too.
    
    Anyway, didn't mean to get so long-winded, but I know what it's
    like.  You'll see--it will work out quicker than you think.  Keep
    in touch and let us know how it goes.
    
    Jane

    Not everyone is as lucky with quick adjustments as described in
    .4.  If it takes more time, I'd suggest the slower, the better.
    
    I typically introduce a new animal by keeping old and new separated
    by closed doors.  There is *lots* of sniffing under the door, and
    that gradually lessens -- but I might let it continue for a week
    or two, depending on whether any of the animals are appearing
    anxious.  Then there are supervised SHORT introductions. By the
    time there are long and/or unsupervised times together, most of
    the novelty and anxiety has worn off.  They may or may not become
    fast friends, but things are pretty peaceful.
    
    I certainly agree that you should BE WITH the cat when you first
    move in.  If it is a weekend, then you will have 2 full days to
    be with the cat while you unpack, re-arrange furniture, etc.
    Wait as long as possible before leaving the cat alone in the 
    strange (and strange (dog) smelling) environment.
    
    Hope all goes relatively smoothly,
    
    	Penelope

    I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO REPLIED TO MY MUCH NEEDED ADVICE.
     I MUST ADMIT I THOUGHT MORE OF YOU "FELINE NOTERS" WOULD REPLY,
    BUT YOU CAN'T ASK FOR TOO MUCH.
    
    WE WON'T BE MOVING UNTIL THE END OF JULY, SO I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME
    TO GET READY.  WE ARE MOVING IN THE SAME CITY SO IT SHOULDN'T BE
    TOO DIFFICULT TO MOVE THE KITTIES.  WE HAVE DECIDED TO MOVE THE
    BEDROOM, PUT WITS-A-WITS IN HER CARRIER AND LET HER LOOSE IN THE
    BEDROOM.  WE WILL BE STAYING WITH HER ALL NIGHT, SO THERE SHOULD
    BE NO PROBLEM.  IT WILL ALSO BE DONE ON THE WEENEND (FRIDAY) SO
    SHE HAS 2 DAYS TO RECOUPERATE.  I AM NOT TOO SURE ABOUT THE
    TRANQUILIZER - SHE MIGHT FEEL MORE AFRAID IF SHE IS DRUGGED AND
    DOES NOT HAVE ALL HER SENSES.  I WILL DISCUSS THAT WITH THE VET.
    
    THANKS AGAIN!!
    
    ZILDJIAN, PARADIDDLE, MICHAEL AND ANNA.
    

	Hi all,

	Re: .0, .3 & .6

	I hope the move goes smoothly, just give the cat lots of time,
	attention, re-assurance and patience and everything should be
	fine.

	I realise that I am new to this notes file but no-one else has
	mentioned this yet, please try to use lower-case when entering
	notes (if your terminal is capable of it) as not only does this
	make your entries easier to read but uppercase is considered to
	be SHOUTING !!

	There is a conference called Etiquette on HUMAN::ETIQUETTE which
	explains the rules and regs. of noting, it also gives quite a 
	few good tips.

	If you wish to add this to your notes the entry for this 
	conference is topic #775 in TLE::EASYNET_CONFERENCES, access this
	topic and hit KP7 to add it to your notes file.

	Hope this helps.

	CJA