Conference misery::feline_v1

    I would take him straight to the vet for a check-up. Runny eyes
    aren't good!
    
    
    Lisa plus P&P.
    
    

    Runny eyes are also a trait that go along w/ Persians and Hymies.  But
    it would be a good idea to have him checked out by a Vet anyway.
    
    Sonia

    I agree with .1 on the vet trip.  You want to be safe, not sorry
    you brought home the "new kid".  
    
    
    
    Lynne & Casey, B.K., Rusty & Pepper

One of ours has a leaky eye gland that run all the time, but it's not a 
problem for him.

One caution:  If the vet says it's one of the common eye infections,
he'll prescribe one of two eye ointments.  Some of these are contaigious
to other cats (watch them for early signs) and HUMANS!  We were treating
all 5 indoor cats for one of these, and while I was in Boston, I learned
my wife was at the Doctor for eye problems --- it was the same dang thing
the cats had.

I avoided it by religiously washing my hands after contact with the cats,
and avoiding putting my hands in my eyes.

Hope it's nothing...

Klaus, Katrina, Phantom, Nutmeg, Coconut, Georgina, Algernon, Bailey,
Bosco, diane and i (bill)

    Usually, runny eyes aren't "left over" from a cold but more likely
    a part of a current cold.  Since he is a brand new cat, he should
    be checked out by the vet right away.  I usually isolate all newcomers
    for at least 10 days, that way, if they end up getting sick, they
    haven't infected the whole household in the meantime.
    
    Give the cats time, and don't force them on each other.  They have
    to work out the pecking order amongst themselves.
    
    Jo

    I am taking him to the vet this afternoon.  I am concerned about him
    making the others sick.  Thank you all for answering.
    
    PS What should I do about the matted hair.
    

    Since he is already traumatized, (new home/new surrounding etc)
    I would take him to a groomer and have him bathed and groomed. It
    is worth the price.  
    
    Mocha hates to be combed/brushed and I was finally talked into taking
    him and it was the best thing I ever did. The groomer says he is
    a doll and he comes back all nice. (Know she is talking about someone
    else's cat). Maybe when all the matts are gone he will let you groom
    him. Mocha will not let up touch him so he gets groomed about every
    two months. He gets bathed on one trip and just groomed on the other.
    
    These are the charges we pay here in Nashua
    
    Bath and groom  $25.00
    
    Groom only      $ 5.00 - $10.00 (depending on how matted)
    
    Enjoy your new kitty.
    
    Barbara
    

    If you decide to groom him yourself, you can buy a matt remover.
    It has a plastic cover and a small blade inside.  They are made
    so that you cannot cut the cat's skin with them.  At this point,
    cutting them out might be better than trying to comb them out. 
    Cutting would be less painful for the cat.  
    
    The best way to cut out a matt is to cut from the surface of the
    skin out.  That way, you don't cut the skin.  Cut in the direction
    the hair grows, rather than across it.  It will take less time to
    grow back to where it isn't noticeable.
    
    Since you know that he matts, you will probably want to start him
    on a regular grooming schedule.  Cats with matting coats need to
    be combed every day to prevent matts from forming.  If the matts
    form under their legs, it can inhibit their walking.  You have to
    keep them from matting, whether you do it yourself, or pay a groomer
    to do it.
    
    Jo

    I use a small manicure scizzors to cut out tough to comb mats,
    but I hold my fingers around it so that I can't accidentally
    jab the cat if s/he squirms.  I think in your case, cutting the
    mats is better than combing, since they are so bad and the cat is just 
    getting used to you.  Things will be easier in the future since you will
    be starting from a better state.
    
    The vet's assistant actually bathed Sweetie when I took him in from
    the shelter to be checked over;  it made a world of difference.  Cats
    groom themselves, but after being stray and in a cage for so long,
    your puss could probably use a leg up.
    
    Things will calm down with the other cats after they have had some
    time to get adjusted;  your new cat is probably terrified that
    s/he will lose a new home, and so is being mean out of fear.
    Lots of cuddles and no reinforcement for bad behavior will help 
    (no cuddles after a spat, but lots of cuddles at other times.)
    When Holly starts to play Czarina of All Russia, I find that isolating
    her for a few minutes in a room improves her behavior magically, since
    it's the exact opposite of what she is trying to achieve.

    My rule of thumb with introducing new cats is "If you don't see
    blood, ignore them"  It sounds worse than it is and they'll work
    it out alot faster on their own.
    
    I also second the suggestion of a groomer.  Where do you live? I
    have a friend in Mansfield who is a professional groomer.  She'll
    come to your home and her prices are pretty reasonable.
      Nancy