Last year I sold two persian kittens to a family - they kept in touch, and everything was going wonderfully - I had a lovely photograph of the two of them at Christmas and they looked really good, and well cared-for.

On Thursday night I had a phone call from the family, asking if I could help groom them, before they went into kennels for holiday.   I arranged to go round this morning and omg!!   They were both absolutedly matted to hell - and it was obvious that I couldnt sort the pair of them out in half an hour - which is what the owners wanted - as they were going out for the day.   

Now I've always made certain that anyone taking on a persian kitten realises that you have to groom on a regular (daily) basis - and I've generally had one of mine (who has sneaked out and avoided being groomed for a couple of days) as an Awful warning of what happens if you leave it.

I dont think this poor pair have been groomed since they would have started shedding their coats, probably February/March - when I questioned the owners they became rather defensive - well we didin't know you would have to put so much work in - etc etc etc.

The outcome is, that I have them both back with me again.    I've finished grooming out Bluebell - I've had to hand strip and cut the poor wee thing - her fur came off her back and haunches in one large felted piece.  She obviously has earmites as well.   One good thing - at least they have kept Frontline up, because she doesn't have fleas!    Im about to embark on the same process with Rio - who, to make matters worse is also in season! The owners were supposed to have had them spayed - but I understand "they were told it was better to have a litter first".    So Monday, it's up to Uncle Vet's for the pair of them.

Hopefully though, I think I have new homes sorted out for the pair of them.

So here I am, with my back breaking from standing over the grooming table for 3 hours, my house is still a tip (generally try & muck out the kitchen/living room/bathroom on a Saturday) AND I'm faced with extra vets bills - plus an extra girl in season in the house!!!

Margot

Oh i feel so sorry for them, i have seen it on the tv before when they have to take the clippers to them and they come away in felt pieces,i bet the cats feel better for it to be off now, we have a powder puff and she gets groomed twice a day, as she can matt and tangle, i love having her on my knee when settling down at night and combing her through, i really believe she loves it also as she just goes to sleep through the whole process.
I Hope you find really nice for ever homes for them with people that will take care of them.
Carol

I can't even USE the clippers on them at the moment - the mats are so thick, I'm having to get into the mats and then cut them out using scissors, very very carefully - which is why it is taking forever!

I suppose my break is over now - back to the grooming table!!

I've left two messages on answerphones....I'm sure I'll have the responses before I've finished grooming Rio!

Margot

That's just terrible Margot - it must be heartbreaking to see animals that you invested so much in (emotionally as well as financially!) in such a state.

Keep us posted!

Margot,

I know just how you must feel, I had to work on a pair of shih tzus when I did a grooming course last year, like you I had to deal with mats that even a surgical blade wouldn't tackle I was so angry at what the dogs were having to go through - and they were strangers to me, it must be so much worse when you feel responsible for them.  Why don't these owners understand the pain and distress this kind of matting causes?

Oh no!

Poor puddy tats!

I have a similar row with my mother, she has a moggy who, for a short haired cat has extremely thick fur..... not especially long, but its really really thick, AND the ppoor animal is so fat she cant turn to groom herself.

Ive been spending half an hour a week cutting, pulling, brushing the matts out of this cats back, which isnt helped by the fact that the poor thing is so under socialised she hates human contact anyway!

Why my mother, who insists she loves animals, couldnt spend five minutes every couple of days brushing the cat i dont know!

Glad you got the kittys out of that home!

Em