[June]

June, it is very, very important that you be very, very patient and loving semasa handling PP or any cat semasa nak bagi ubat or applying any medication so that the cat associate that with a good experience. I know that you have been through a lot of stress bcos of the accident, but in order to successfully look after PP from now on, you need to understand some things and do it correctly so that it will not be hard and get harder each time as PP resists.

PP is an animal and all animal handlings must be calming to the animal and rewarded with treats, mostly food, then petting and soft calming words.

Dr. Hasnol Ismail is one of the finest vets where cat handling is concerned and I learned a lot from him dulu as well as good internet sites and the book "Animals In Translation".

I have learned that first and foremost, EVERY TIME before you get to the cat, you need to calm yourself down and think lovingly of your cat. Dr. Hasnul will tell you that the already anxious and scared cat will feel your emotions and feelings and get even more scared and stressed. Everything is passed on to the cat!

Then calmly, start talking softly and lovingly and stroke the cat. Observe it calming down and purring.

Then gently hold and tilt the head (go read up or learn form the vet how to gently and calmly position your hand and fingers at the head. There is a position where when you tilt the head, the mouth opens by itself. You should have asked the vet all the how-tos and demonstrate and let you practise while at the clinic itself. These are all homework.)

Jangan paksa or scold, the animal is build up in his brain that it is an unpleasant experience and it will be near impossible for you. Even one unpleasant experience is enuf to the cat to associate that it is horrible.

PP will not understand that it is good for him and that he will not get injured and die with the treatment and that you are not hurting him. As it is he is injured and an injured animal can claw and bite in defense. He does not understand, but you have to understand how the animal brain works.

You should see how Dr. Hasnul handles cats, how he coos to them and is sooooooooo calm! And you should see and observe how the frightened cat calms down and relaxes in his presence.