Bathing Beverly

Yesterday I got bold and decided to give Beverly, our newest cat a much needed bath. She is the one who we tried to have spayed only to find she was already spayed. We try not to handle her too much because of her prior injuries which leave her very sensitive to touch on most of her body. There is a large patch on her back that is always scaly and flaky but there were no fleas. That meant she had to being shedding a lot of dander to upset my allergies.

Anyway, I was prepared for a struggle with my heavy winter coat on, the hood over my head and securely fastened, etc. I got the temperature of the water adjusted and the tub cleaned out before I even went to pick her up. Struggle was hardly the word for what ensued. She yowled like she was being killed-slowly. She jerked herself from my grasp at least twice, scrambling over the counter top in the bathroom and knocking containers of stuff into the tub and onto the floor, and slammed into the bathroom door getting out into the rest of the house. I had some trouble catching her each time as she was NOT a happy cat at this point. She was also soaking wet and dripping water everwhere. I finally got her hugged against me firmly enough to manage to get her soaped and rinsed. I applied cream rinse to help prevent future matting. She did let me towel her somewhat. She wanted nothing to do with me most of the rest of the day.

Being unable to groom herself all over like most cats I did have to do some combing but she didn't much like it and only allowed it for a minute or two each time. There are still areas that need a good grooming. She has always looked scroungy because of lack of grooming. I told Jack to remind me to get a tranquilizer for her before trying to bathe her again. We have another cat who fights almost as much but she isn't in the main house as much so I only do her about once or twice a year if I suspect she has picked up some fleas.

Reminded me of the How To Give A Cat A Pill piece. If I can find that one I'll post it. It's rather long but so very funny.