The night before last when it was time to go to bed, I scooped Moo up like I always do. "You ready for bed, Moo Moo?" I always ask. He's always ready, of course.
Anywhos, when I picked him up, I felt something kind of solid under him. It felt like maybe a milk cap or something weird was stuck to him. So I flipped him over and took a look -- he had a big tuft of fur that was kind of all stuck together. And it was hard.
What in the world did he do? He doesn't get these chunks of hair like some long-haired kitties do. It was like he got into something. I searched the whole house, but I couldn't think of anything. We tried to brush it out, but that was useless. It was solid and clumped all the way to his skin basically.
So, first thing in the morning, I called the V-E-T to see if we could have them shave it off. (I also didn't trust myself holding both him and scissors.) It wasn't hurting him at all and he didn't seem to care about it, but I didn't want it to get any worse and stick more hair and pull at his skin.
So I packed Moo up in his carrier...
Oh hai. I'm the co-pilot. Always buckle up for safety, too!
Mom, you got your seat belt on too, right?
This is my bald spot. You can see that even my skin is cow-spotted!
Here's where I feel like a horrible mommy. I do have Yankee Candle tart warmers that I use all the time. They are safer than candles, I think, because there is no exposed open flame and you can't ever "forget" to blow them out -- it only burns as long as the little tea light will go, so no accidentally leaving candles lit when you leave or overnight. I thought I was keeping them far away and high enough and in areas the boys never go... but apparently Moo must have swiped one and got some of the wax on his thigh furs.
I have no idea how he even got near it! I never burn them when I'm not around, and certainly nowhere where he would go -- but the vet was right, it did kind of smell like the "Pink Blush" that is currently my favorite scent. Poor Moo!
Good thing, though: He was not hurt and isn't hurting. She shaved off the little clump of hair and now he has a bald spot that will grow back just fine. And I'll be even more careful about where I put things like that -- like in a place where there's no way in the world that boy could go near it.
Lesson learned, and I'm glad he's OK! Everyone please be extra-careful with things like this around kitties. I thought I was being safe by using tarts instead of candles, and we even still had a little issue.
In the meantime, Moo is not the least bit phased by his spot. He keeps licking it, but other than that, he could care less and he doesn't feel a difference.
P.S. Did you see my post on Catster yesterday? It's about how Pimp got me evicted a long time ago! Read it here.
Mew, Moo!!! >^.^< Their fur is an amazing thing, as though it was ink that leaked onto their skin! Hopefully, Moo will learn from this, too... Moo, mew!!! >^.^<
ReplyDeleteI sure am happy that Moo is okay! Wax on, wax off!
ReplyDeleteOh, that is so weird that he got that on him! It's amazing on what the kitties can get into--I don't know if we can ever really "kitty proof" our house!
ReplyDeleteYes I read yesterday's post about Pimp and wonder why my comments weren't posted. Something wrong with my lost cat story and love of him?
ReplyDeleteMoo must have really liked the smell of that tart! So much so, he had to wear it!! teehee And I am very excited to know that MOO is cow spotted through and through! :)
ReplyDeleteAs for your being "evicted"..About 45 yrs ago. I was told to either get rid of my cat or move my entire family (hubby/2 children). I found a bank that would lend me enough $ for a down payment and we moved into a small house. If wehadn't made the jump to "homeowner" at that point, we may never had done it. My thanks to my cat for getting me "evicted"!
ReplyDeletewhew glad everything is ok, you are such a great Mom!
ReplyDeleteWow - I'll bet I have cow skin then too. Amazing. It's a good thing Moo wasn't hurt - just a little glued together. he he
ReplyDeleteMy cow cat Leo isn't so worried about keeping himself clean. I try to brush him as much as I can but he doesn't really like that either. Last year I gave up and brought him to a groomer who shaved him! I was so surprised to see his skin was just as spotted as his fur - where it would have been black fur he had black skin! The white spots were pink skin. Leo was not very happy at being shaved and sulked for a day or so. I still have a picture of him being naked.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb! Definitely not. It sounds like it was a great comment. I'll check the spam filters and see if maybe for some reason it was caught in there. Did you comment on the post itself on the site or on Facebook or somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteFeel free to comment here, too! I would love to hear your story. Love of cats is my favorite topic. :)
You probably do have cow skin! It is cute. If you ever had to get shaved, you'd still be a cow kitty! ;)
ReplyDeleteGlad that was all it was. You gotta be more careful, Moo Moo!
ReplyDeleteFive years ago, we trapped a stray kitty who had been hanging around. He was very scared and lashed out with teeth and claws whenever we got near. Anyway, once we were able to handle him, we realised how terribly matted he was. We ended up having to shave his whole body right down to the skin except for a strip down the middle of his back. We have pictures of his "mohawk". ;-) The fur came off in sheets it was so bad. We kept a 3" x5" clump and show it to him every once in a while to remind him why he needs to be combed. LOL BTW, he is now the sweetest kitty we have ever had.
Awwwww... I'd love to see that picture!
ReplyDeleteBarb, I see your comment there!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.catster.com/lifestyle/my-cat-got-me-evicted#comment-476911721
He could have just sat on one and melted it. They are soft. Or one got soft in the sun and he sat on it. If you hold them long enough they will soften in your hand so imagine a cat sitting on one for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI love this story! Thank you for taking that baby in!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it's too funny that you show him his clump to remind him that he needs to cooperate with the brushings. Hahhaa. So silly!
Well, if that's what he did, I hope he learned his lesson! He did smell awfully good though... ;)
ReplyDeleteOur Angel Tigger once passed too close to a lit candle...and wanted to know what that smell was (he singed his tail furs)...mom burns candles in a MUCH higher place now. :)
ReplyDeleteWhew, had me worried there....I'm glad the boy is ok!
ReplyDeleteX's
Years ago my very multicolored tortie Cleo had to have surgery for a bladder stone. Her very cute formerly furry belly was very VERY cute multicolored skin underneath! We hated that she had to go through the surgery but we sure enjoyed that spotted bare belly until the fur grew back! So glad your Moo is fine!
ReplyDeleteMeow Moo and mommy - this kind of "accident" could have happened to my little boy as well. He has to sit on EVERYthing, no matter what is beneath. His silliest spot to place himself is my metal apple-divider! Not exactly soft... Happy that Moo is'nt hurt and that his parent took him to the vet.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're okay, Moo! How is your weight loss program going?
ReplyDeleteAwwww poor baby lol Glad to see he's ok! And awwww even his skin is that of a Cow kitty xD
ReplyDelete~ Kieli ~
We like how your skin has cow spots, Moo!!
ReplyDeleteA waxident!
ReplyDeleteOh hai, Nicole. Moo here.
ReplyDeleteMom says I'm doing good on my diet. She thinks I lost a little weight. I don't like eating meals though. I want my food out all the time. I am not the smartest kitty, and I don't "get it" that I have to eat all I want at on time when she puts the bowl down. So then I go back later and it's not there any more. I am getting the hang of it though! We're going to weigh me again soon and see exactly how I'm doing.
That doesn't sound comfy at all! ;)
ReplyDeleteTHAT is so adorable. I hope you took lots of pictures!
ReplyDeleteMe too! Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteOof! Yes, we have to be very careful with candles so our kitties don't get hurt. They don't realize it's hot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a catastophfeeee! Glad Moo is okay!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Moo is fine! :)
ReplyDeleteTigger's Mom
Puffy and Winky are so glad Moo is OK! And now they wonder if they have spots underneath their furs, too...but they don't wonder hard enough to want to find out! ;)
ReplyDeleteyep! I have to watch my two kids as well, my little boy when he was younger jumped up on the stove and burned his whiskers off, being too eager for some dinner... poor boy but they grew back, lesson learned i closed the kitchen door when cooking! also watch out for oil burners too.... liquid is inviting to little kitties!! : )
ReplyDelete