Question:
We have a male tabby cat that we adopted when he was about 1-1/2 years old. His name is Shamrock, and he was a stray. He is now 6 years old and has been blind for two years.
We took him to a specialist who diagnosed him with severe retinal damage, most probably from an antibiotic (Baytril) he received for a urinary-tract infection. My concern is that we will be moving to a new home soon. Shamrock has adjusted well to his surroundings in our present home. But we took him to the new house once, and he curled up in a corner and trembled. Do you have any suggestions? We're hoping that getting our furniture in will help. We also have a Feliway plug-in.
C.S., Virginia Beach, Va Oct 11, 2009
Answer:
Some cats suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when subjected to home relocation. It is always best to get all furniture, carpets and other materials moved in first because these have familiar scents, including the cat's own scent marks. In the new house, there might be odors of prior resident cats (and dogs) that might upset your cat. Using Feliway room diffusers to spread the cat-calming pheromone everywhere might help. Do not use room fresheners and synthetic scent odor removers because these could make your cat quite ill. A light dose of Valium or natural herbal extract of valerian may help allay your cat's anxiety.
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