Carole is available for bi-coastal house calls, speaking engagements anywhere, phone consults nationally and internationally. She also sees patients by appointment at Westside Veterinary Center in Manhattan. Her latest book is The Complete Guide To Understanding And Caring For Your Cat. Her recently released CD of spoken cat advice and soothing music is Caring For Your Cat, The Wilbourn Way.
Come back to Carole's home page monthly for cat news and Carole's most recent replies to behavior inquiries from worried cat guardians. To have this home page emailed to you after the story update, click here. You will receive this exact page by email, and it will link you to the other pages in her site, and to the rest of the IDA web site.
THE WILBOURN WAY (AKA Cats on the Couch) August, 2010
THE MESSAGE IS IN THE SUBTEXT
IT TAKES TWO
Orion, my usually exuberant cat, looks like he's in mellow wind-down. But, actually, he’s had his nail trim, and now it's time for toss and fetch. Orion did his part. It's my turn now.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WHITE HOUSE
(Orion, a former rescue, will represent cats and offer nuggets of wisdom regarding Beau, the rescued First Dog—a Portuguese Water Dog.)
PLAY WILL KEEP US TRIM
BO, LET'S MOVE IT! We have to take the lead as to what we need. Food, indeed, but it's play that will keep us trim. Obesity can be physically grim and dangerous. Let's Move, our First Lady's campaign to fight childhood obesity, is the key to longevity for all of us creatures—human and nonhuman. Go Bo!
REIKI TREATMENTS FOR CATS
I am very pleased to have completed my formal training as a Reiki practitioner. Reiki is a healing practice that promotes balance—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It usually consists of a "light touch" treatment that can bring rapid stress reduction and relief from pain and anxiety. But non-touch treatment is given when it is not possible to use light touch because of distance or a cat who may not be amenable to such contact, where learned symbols are used instead. Reiki is not a substitute for veterinary medicine, but can be used in a complementary fashion. The side effects of medication, radiation, and chemotherapy can be eased with Reiki treatments and can be particularly comforting in end-of-life compassionate care. I am now incorporating Reiki in to my cat practice to treat the "total cat," and even his or her guardians.
SUNNY TINKLES IN THE SHOWER, SINK AND ELSEWHERE
"So it's a fetish," said Dan. "Yes, I answered, but there are some other reasons that contribute to Sunny's 'tinkling' here and there." A few months ago, Sunny started to urinate in the shower and sometimes the sink. When Dan and Ann plugged up the shower drain, the carpet and Ann's purse became her target. The vet did a urinalysis and exam to rule out any medical problem, and I arranged to do a session with Sunny, a three-years-old spayed calico, and Galileo, her neutered domestic partner. Sunny appeared immediately to meet and greet me. Galileo, unlike Sunny, showed up after my musical CD had played for a while and the atmosphere was quite serene. After I finished their case histories, I explained that Sunny's misbehavior started soon after Dan and Ann returned from their honeymoon. Sunny's preference for tile became her tinkling target to communicate her separation anxiety. In some way, the tile helped to cushion her angst and make her feel good. Ann mentioned that Galileo had become more interactive with them, and I pointed out that this added to Sunny's anxiety. Here are some of the recommendations I included in my treatment plan:
- Remove the plug from the shower so Sunny will return to her comfort from the tile instead of the carpet and other objectionable spots.
- Provide a porcelain pan in addition to the regular litter box that Galileo uses exclusively and Sunny uses for defecation.
- Praise them when they use their litter box.
- Acknowledge Sunny verbally whenever Dan and Ann interact with Galileo to compensate for his need for more people attention.
I requested a progress report with any questions and said that Sunny's prognosis was a seven with ten being the highest.
I HAD TO BOARD MS. LATTE
Hi Carole,
I am stationed in Guantanamo Bay Cuba with a vindictive housemate. He told the Housing Office I had a cat in the house, so I had to take my Ms. Latte to the vet, where they said they would keep her till I get ready to leave in 42 days. When I put her in the cage, all she would do is cower in the corner and hide under her blanket. Will this traumatize her? Or will she be her old self when I get her home?
Thank you,
David
Hi Guardian David,
We are so very sorry about your uncooperative housemate and non-cat-friendly housing administration but glad Ms Latte will be safe. Is there a friend who can keep her for now?
In the meantime, here are some tips to make Ms. Latte’s vet stay less stressful and more comfortable:
- Arrange your schedule so you can visit her as often as possible.
- Provide her with a cardboard box that she can curl up in with a sock or another of your belongings.
- You can offer her catnip if it relaxes her.
- She may enjoy being brushed.
- Download my "Hanging With Your Cat" musical Mp3 to soothe Ms. Latte. (Refer to the top of this page for my site and more info.)
- Tell her how pretty she is many, many times, and you'll be back to see her. She may not understand your words but will be sensitive to your voice and body language.
Spending so much time in a cage will be difficult for Ms Latte, but your visits will make a world of difference. In Defense of Animals joins me in thanking you for taking such good care of her in the midst of your military service. We wish you all the best on resuming life with your beloved cat.
THE ELEPHANTS NEED YOUR HELP
You can help prevent the sale of elephant ivory. Please visit http://www.idausa.org
You can now follow Carole on Twitter.
QUESTIONS TO CAROLE
Please consult with your veterinarian first to make certain that your animal companion's problem is not due to any medical condition.
If you have a question for Carole, you can email her at thecattherapist@idausa.org. We're sorry that Carole won’t be able to answer all questions, but the answers to many questions can be found in her IDA archives.
Oscar the Cat Predicts Death
Oscar is the feline resident at a nursing home in Providence, Rhode Island who seems to have predicted the deaths of 25 of the residents. In case after case, when he has curled up next to someone, it usually means they have less than four hours of life left. I was interviewed about Oscar by NBC-TV. Read all about Oscar on their site. To watch my video, click here.
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