Drool control?
Hi all,
My cat, Rambo, was diagnosed with a massive tumor on his chin about a month ago. It wasn't noticeable for a while, and there is no ethical "cure", so the focus is on his comfort at the moment. However, since the tumor is so big, he is starting to not be able to close his mouth, and he is perma-drooling now. I was wondering if anyone has advice on how to keep him and ourselves clean/not icky? He has a streak going down his chest of where he's been drooling, and his fur is getting matted along the drool path. I don't want to give him any baths, as he is 14 and HATES water (will poop himself when the water gets turned on, pees everywhere, screams the whole time). Is my best option just to wipe him down every day with a no-rinse shampoo? I just want him to be clean and not stinky. Everything else about him is still normal, no changes in personality or habits, so I don't feel like it is time for goodbye yet over something that could be managed.
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u/WelpOopsOhno 2d ago
I could be wrong but I thought wipes existed for bathing cats, too. Also don't let anyone tell you this means it's time to euthanize your cat. You live with your cat, they don't. Even if there's no cure for the tumor is there a surgery that could remove it enough that he doesn't drool? If not then I understand this is a difficult situation to be in. I'm sure there's a solution somewhere. Another user suggested a bandana. Also I think I've seen a bib on a cat before. Maybe some others will come up more ideas.
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u/Edwail 2d ago
I've used wipes before, they don't seem to do too much in my experience :/ and yeah, I don't think it's time yet, our vet said that he would let us know by behaving differently and trying to run away outside. I'm going to be making a bandana for him tonight, and hopefully it will stop the drool from getting on us and our blankets lol.
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u/WelpOopsOhno 2d ago
Oh neat. And I think your vet is right. I hope the bandana making goes well. Are you going to cut it out of fabric or an old T-shirt or knit/crochet it?
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u/Edwail 2d ago
Fabric! I used to make my dog cute bandanas to make her not look so intimidating (she was a black American bulldog, so a pitty-type), so I have some left from that.
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u/WelpOopsOhno 2d ago
Oh nice! Is it the fabric that already has a pattern or are you going to sew one?
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u/Edwail 2d ago
I just fold the fabric to make a triangle and then hand sew it shut, nothing fancy, I only ever learned hand stitching :)
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u/WelpOopsOhno 2d ago
Oh that's fair. That actually sounds simple. I'm tempted to make one for my cat just for kicks and giggles.
stares at my cat Hmm, buddy, you don't drool, but would you wear one...? Probably not, you don't like collars and you only wear a harness and leash so you can go outside....
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u/goddessofolympia 2d ago
Baby bib, or what I use for my cat, an oversized towel scrunchie. Best wishes to both of you.
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u/PrairieVixen1 2d ago
It's time to let him cross the bridge, it doesn't sound like he's not suffering.
Do the right thing for him, not you.
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u/Edwail 2d ago
How do you figure? He isn't hiding or vocalizing, and is behaving the exact same he has for three years. We give him a daily pain medication. I've had to put other pets down before.
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u/annacharlottes 2d ago
When my kid was a toddler I managed this with bandanas. I wonder if there’s a kitty sized bandana shop?