I've been away a long time but need help

[momtopj]

Some of you may remember Isabelle, my Himalayan that is now 2 1/2. Her hair is really becoming a problem even though we brush her constantly. Yesterday I took her to the vet for a grooming because she had two mats near her hind quarters that I couldn't do anything with. We always get her clipped underneath and near the tail for sanitary reasons. That's what I thought was being done at the vets. When I picked her up today, she had been SHAVED ALL OVER. I completely flipped out. The groomer wasn't there so I couldn't ask any questions. I suppose the mats had to be cut out and that she looked awful after that and they had to shave her. I couldn't believe it though. We get her groomed every two to three months and keep her looking pretty good between times. These mats weren't any worse than some she had about a year ago. I never dreamed they would shave her.

A few questions:

How long will it take her fur to grow back?

Will it grow back the same as it was?

Is there any way to prevent a long haired cat from getting mats? We brush her daily.

Since she is indoors all the time, will this make her sick?

I'm pretty upset about the whole thing. I really thought they would have called me if this drastic measure was necessary. Has this ever happened to any of you? It's really not even a cute lion cut. She still has her tail but not her mane. What's up with this???

[TheSkeptic]

A few questions:

How long will it take her fur to grow back?

Will it grow back the same as it was?

Is there any way to prevent a long haired cat from getting mats? We brush her daily.

Since she is indoors all the time, will this make her sick?

I'm pretty upset about the whole thing. I really thought they would have called me if this drastic measure was necessary. Has this ever happened to any of you? It's really not even a cute lion cut. She still has her tail but not her mane. What's up with this???

Answers:

Don't know because I don't know how close they cut it.

It will grow back as beautiful as before, but with daily brushing maybe the mats will not come back.

You are already doing the brushing, but I don't know everyting about cat grooming. (Actually I know very little.)

She should be fine if kept indoors. We do this at the shelter all the time to some pretty bad shape cats and dogs and so far none have gotten sick from the shaving.

[Traci]

Talk to your vet and find out how this happened.

In some instances, the owner will request mats be taken off, but some cats require anesthesia to do so if the mats are severe and matted close to the skin. In these cases, full shaving may be necessary to get the mats out. However, when you dropped off Isabelle, they should have told you this was possible and should have requested your permission prior.

If there's a new groomer at the clinic, next time, request of your vet that the groomer is fully aware of your preferences, the type of cut (lion cut if applicable), and nothing more.

The fur may take several months to grow back fully..it will come in soft and fluffy, but the end result will be the same as when it was prior to the grooming. It's probably not pleasing on the eye to you, but she won't mind

Brushing is usually the only way to prevent new mats from forming. This should be done as many times a week as necessary, with a soft bristle brush designed for cats. The longer the fur and undercoat, the more frequent the brushing should be. Additional things you can do are ensure she's eating a good high quality diet, and ask your vet about EFA supplements if he thinks they are a good idea, he can recommend one for you (i.e., Linatone for cats).

She will be fine, she won't catch a "cold" or illness from being shaved as long as her indoor environment is warm. If you're concerned, keep one room in your home warmer than others, or provide her a warm, fluffy, fleecy bed she can curl up in if necessary.

[momtopj]

Thanks Traci,

I guess I am still in shock. I found out that there was a phone call--to my husband. He was home with my sick child. It seems he said to do whatever was necessary to get rid of the mats and didn't specify a "style." Oh well, perhaps it's like a bad haircut. It will grow back. She just looks so pathetic. Good news is she doesn't seem too concerned about it. She's playing and sleeping on my head like usual. In addition, I'm not waking up with hair in my eyes. I think I would have been OK with this cut if it had been done a little more stylish like the cute lion cuts I've seen pictures of. Hopefully it won't take too long to grow out a little. Thanks for your advice and words of encouragement. I would love to hear from those of you who do shave your cats occasionally.

[Tambrey]

a note about matted fur...a friend of mine told me this hint...her mom showed Persians...

get a seam ripper from the fabric store...get one with a rubber safety cap on the sharp point, and do not lose the safety cap!!
When you feel a mat, use the seam ripper to slide between your cat's skin and the matted fur, and it will cut right off without much other fur gone...

[momPaws]

Tambrey- great tip.
momtopj- that must have been quite a shock! I hope all turns out fine.

[Traci]

Robin, I would just advise that next time, verbally state directly to the groomer exactly what you prefer. At the time, the groomer should be able to examine the fur and if the mats are too severe, then you can discuss how they will be removed. Rule of thumb is to never let them get so out-of-hand that they require anesthesia to remove.

The lion-cut is generally the standard for cats, but if the mats are only in one place (rear, or hind legs and thighs, etc) and if they are not too seriously attached to the skin, then a short cut may be all that's necessary (like about a half-inch)

I've only shaved my cats on occasion, that is if they have had severe diarrhea due to illness, or mats that I've missed, but I don't give them any special kind of cut, I simply shave where the mats are the worst.

On another note, if your kitty happens to be slightly overweight, this could be a reason she isn't grooming herself normally, resulting in mats.

[momtopj]

Thanks for the tip Traci,

Isabelle has always had to have anesthesia for any kind of grooming (shaving her tummy, sanitary cut, etc). She just isn't very nice to the vets at all. Once, I really thought they weren't going to let me bring her back. She isn't mean at home, but apparently she's a handful at the vets. We comb and brush her on a regular basis, but I still miss some of the mats on her back apparently. If I miss a day brushing her, it seems they just appear out of nowhere although I know that's not possible. In any event, we usually take her in about every 2-3 months. She is 2 and 1/2 and has never had to have this kind of cut. It's our fault for not being clear (me with hubby and him with the vet). It just kills me to look at her right now. I am enjoying less hair around the house but I would rather vacuum and see my little furball with her hair. I really wouldn't mind it so much if she didn't look so pitiful.

As far as being overweight, I don't think she is. She weighs about 10 lbs. and eats really good food (Nutromax). She hates canned food (go figure--it's my first cat like that) and won't eat the dry food if we put any kind of supplement on it. We've just been brushing her and getting the hairball control formula. I wish I had been a little more prepared for the hair issue with a Himalayan. It is really a problem with her. I had a tabby persian before and he never shed like this. Fortunately, she rarely has a hairball and is pretty meticulous in her grooming, but we could brush another cat off of her at least every other day. I've never had a cat that sheds this much.

I really appreciate all your wonderful advice. I wish I had more time to spend here and online in general. This "working for a living" is really cutting into my free time

[Traci]

If you mean she recieves anesthesia each time she's groomed, I'd be concerned about that, frequent anesthesia in a young cat isn't a good idea.

Perhaps consider changing the diet (I'm not fond of Nutro products) to a higher quality. Have you tried EFA supplements, such as the Linatone? Sometimes all it takes is the appropriate EFA, I've had relatively good luck with Linatone, but not all cats like it. Talk to your vet about it, and the diet.

I had a himalyan, but she didn't have a shedding problem, her fur was rather silky. My persian mix, however, needs to be brushed frequently (his fur is rather cotton-y). Another consideration is dry air in your home. If you have, for example, forced gas air, this can cause dry air, so maybe consider putting a humidifier in your home.

[momtopj]

We do have gas heat and we do have a humidifier. I'm not sure what to do about the grooming/anesthesia bit. I've been to two offices and no one will groom her without it. I suppose we could just skip the grooming if it is really dangerous. I had no idea. Neither place ever mentioned it. I wish I had just a groomer place to take her. Sometimes I think they are a little more creative in their approach. We take our dog to a groomer rather than the one at the vet and it's much better. They don't do cats, though.

We've tried linatone. I actually got that suggestion from this board a year or more ago. She won't have it. I tried it on her food and straight out of a syringe. I think the big deal is that she won't eat canned food. Our previous two cats ate mostly canned food along with a little dry and I really think that made a difference. Isabelle is just a completely different creature than any of our others have been. My husband says she's just like me, high maintenance. Who listens to husbands anyway.

I have always been really happy with Nutro brand foods. What would you suggest instead? It must be something we have access to as ordering it doesn't work well for us. I'd love to tell you I plan ahead, but with two kids, a husband, a cat, a dog and 80 students, I would be lying. Our local pet store carries Science Diet, Eukanuba, Nutro, and Iams. Any of those OK?

Thanks again for all your input. I really appreciate it.