We have a one year old Classic Red male fixed MC. Lately he has been getting sick and throwing up what looks like hair balls.This only happens about once a week, but we are concerned. We only feed him dry food (Purina Cat Chow) and I brush him weekly, sometimes twice. Is this normal for this breed or does he have something wrong with his digestive system? I feel foolish calling the vet. I seem to call him everytime I see our baby twitch the wrong way, but we love him very much and would be very upset if anything was wrong with him. Thank you for any help you may have in this matter.

-- Anonymous, May 29, 2000

Answers

Try Science Diet hairball remedy or Iams hairball remedy.

-- Anonymous, May 30, 2000

Just last week I put my much beloved friend of 15 years to his eternal sleep for a cancer I initially thought was just a tough hairball. So, I can say without the slightest doubt that if you dearly love this friend, you'll take him in for a check up. Try to note when the animal vomits in relation to his meals, and the consistency of the vomit. Also, look carefully for any blood streaks in the vomit. And please do not make the mistake I did when I thought the "problem" over when the vomitting seemed to occur less often. Your cat could be shutting down his eating to limit the pain. Make sure he hasn't lost any weight; a loss of one pound on a 15 pound animal is something to be concerned over. Finally, note his water habits. Is he drinking the same amount of water, and urinating in the same place all the time.

Don't worry about feeling foolish; its the price we pay for loving these critters so much.

---dave k.

-- Anonymous, June 01, 2000

Hi, my female maine coon was having a lot of problems with fur balls. I added Hills Science Fur Ball formula to their food and my vet gave me this tube of stuff (cannot remember the name of it, I am at work and it is at home)that you give them about 1/2 inch of every few days. And, the good part is ... they love the stuff. The first time any cat took something from the vet willingly. I am like you, don't want to go to the vet for every little thing, but sometimes you have to. I put this cat in a cat show with my purebred male maine coon and two weeks after the show she started pulling her hair out on her back. It was too much stress (the show bath and actual show) so we went to the vet and got that cured. If you want the name of the stuff, let me know and I will get it for you. Deborah

-- Anonymous, June 11, 2000

I have two MC's, I get what is called "Cat Lax" from my vet. I give them this twice a week it really does control the hairballs. It is liver flavored and the cats love it.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2000