I'm new, but I've learned so much already!

[urstwile]

Hello everyone,

My name is Nicole, and I'm new to this board, but so far, I've learned so much.

About me: I live in San Diego, CA. I have two cats, one whom I've had for 9 years (Darla), and a newcomer that my husband and I found over the July 4th weekend at a party (Coco). Oddly, I also found Darla as an approximately three month old kitten stray, in my apartment complex back then. The vet says Coco could be as old as 10 years, but it's hard to tell for sure, because she's also missing some teeth. She's a chocolate brown cat, most likely Burmese, so the vet says, very small (not just weight, but overall length and size).

Darla is solid black, and very much a diva. Coco has a long road to go before she feels comfortable, she'd apparently been on her own for a very long time, and is very malnourished, to the point where her bones are clearly visible sticking up through her fur. I was able to get some good advice from this board as to what to feed her to help get her back in shape, as she is very hungry, but is prone to diarrhea and very stinky poo. She seems to be slowly on the mend, taking well to canned chicken, to which (after your advice) I'll be adding rice and yogurt to her daily feedings.

I've taken her to the vet once, the day after we found her, and they wanted to wait a few days before doing tests on her, wanting her to eat some more first, before subjecting her to all kinds of stress that tests might have on her very weak system. I plan to take her back in about a week and a half, once I see how she's responding to food.

Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself, and say that I am very glad to have found this board. From what I've read so far, you are all very caring people, in love with your pets, and I stand to learn a lot, not only about caring for my new foundling, but also about my resident kitty, Darla.

[Rottielover]

welcome to the forum.....you def will learn alot, as have I. This is a very caring forum, and very passionate about the animals. Do feel free to ask as many questions as you feel need to.

[Luba]

Welcome to the forum

[glasslass]

Hurray! Glad to welcome a fellow Californian! Envy your weather, but good that strays don't have to suffer the extreme cold our Canadian members have or the extreme heat we have in the Central Valley. Sounds like Coco is lucky to have found you! We like pictures on this board! Hint! Hint!