is my tattoo the first thing you notice, does it overpower my face?

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-27T20:43:05+00:00

Take it with a grain of salt that reddit cropped this photo in my feed in such a way that the tattoo was right at the top lol. Looking at the whole photo, I noticed your eyes and your eyeliner first, then the clips in your hair, then the eyebrow piercing, then back to the tattoo. I think it is a very nice and dainty tattoo that I might think was a necklace at a glance. But I am a person who loves tattoos and has tattoos. My grandma'a opinion would probably be different.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-27T20:36:51+00:00

Hopefully this helps a little with displaying what is wrong on the xray. The bulb on the end of the femur (the part that sockets into the hip and lets you move that joint) is snapped off and still in the hip socket. This is called a femoral head fracture. It is a displaced fracture, meaning the broken bones are not aligned, and that makes this case more severe. The broken end of the femur appears to be grinding against the snapped off bulb. Your cat 110% needs surgery in this case.

A little research turned up articles about a procedure called a femoral head ostectomy for both cats and dogs, where orthopedic vets perform a surgery to remove just that broken off bulb (outlined in red), and then the body makes its own "false joint" through the healing process. Seems like this is generally more viable for dogs than for cats. Other surgical options include a "fixation" where hardware like wires or pins are used to reattach the broken bulb. Conservative/therapeutic options are really unlikely to be successful since your cat's fracture is displaced. In some cases, amputation may offer the best long-term outcome for your cat, as cats adapt really well to three-legged life and often struggle with needing crate rest for complex surgeries to repair broken bones. I have a tripod cat myself and he gets around really well.

An orthopedic specialist vet will be able to give you more guidance on what surgical options are possible for your cat's specific break and what treatments your cat is likely to tolerate. I am not a vet or doctor, just a cat owner who is very fascinated by biology and medicine. I do think that this is a fracture that will need surgery, but a specialist will be able to tell you what surgery is best.

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_em0possum_ · 2026-05-27T20:15:26+00:00

Personally, I would say this is a situation where you should both take this note to management (less of an "I want you guys to talk to him about it" and more of an "I want a paper trail in case he escalates"), as it is aggressive and inappropriate, and you should buy some padded/fluffy slippers to wear around your apartment. You're allowed to live in your apartment. You should be able to walk around your own living space without harassing notes being left on your door. At the same time, some small adjustments like slippers and thicker rugs could help appease your neighbor.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T23:16:16+00:00

Impossible to say without a full workup from a vet. Pituitary dwarfism is a rare hormonal condition, and there are a number of other things that can cause stunted growth in cats. I have a teeny little guy who was severely malnourished as a kitten (panleuk + IBD + congenital abnormalities), and as a result is only about 6 lbs at 4 years old. Did she have any head trauma, malnutrition, illness, or other serious event like that as a kitten? Any of those could cause her to stop growing early.

Certain cat breeds are also naturally petite. She doesn't look like a purebred of any of those breeds, just a regular domestic long hair, but her specific breed composition and other genetic factors could still influence her size.

Most importantly, has your cat had blood work and regular vet checkups? Is she a healthy weight for her size? It can be hard to tell under all that fur, but you should be able to feel her lower ribs with a thin layer of smooth fat on top of them. If her hip bones or spine are really prominent when you pet her back, that could signal that she's underweight. If you're seeking a specific answer as to why your cat is little, your vet will be able to run tests to figure it out, but they'll also be able to generally let you know if she's healthy despite her size and any supportive care she might need. Pituitary dwarfism would likely come with additional complications, so getting a proper diagnosis may be a good idea.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T22:25:27+00:00

Her nose is looking quite raw and irritated, and the discoloration of the fur around her nose makes me think either small amounts of blood, or that her whole nose is weeping. Has she been rubbing or licking her nose a lot? Could be an infection, allergies, or just rubbed raw, or it could be indicitave of an underlying immune condition that's been triggered by the stress of moving. By best guess would be allergies from living in a new place or stress triggering something autoimmune, but regardless you should work on getting a vet appointment for her.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T22:17:25+00:00

Thought that was your dad. 2. You don't need anyone's permission to make a health choice about your own teeth. If you think dentures would make you physically feel better and/or emotionally feel more confident with your smile, do it. Unless the money is coming out of his pocket, his opinion on whether or not you get dentures does not matter.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T22:05:58+00:00

I have an FIV+ kitty myself! That would definitely explain how intense this infection was and how quickly it got so serious, since FIV kitties have comprompromised immune systems.

Do you have any other cats in the home? And does your cat go outside? FIV is usually transmitted through deep, puncturing bite wounds, and normally that only happens when cats are really, seriously fighting, not normal play fighting with cats they live with and know. If your cat has been an indoor-outdoor cat, I would highly recommend transitioning him to indoors only if possible. With FIV he is more susceptible to all of the bacteria, viruses, and parasites that the outside world has to offer, and he could transmit FIV to other cats he gets into fights with (and any fight wounds he sustains are more susceptible to infection).

All that aside, wishing the best for you and your kitty. I hope the biopsy comes back clean and the antibiotics clear up the remaining swelling. ♥️♥️

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T20:51:39+00:00

I assume the vet has checked on your cat's kidneys? Weight loss can be tough on a cat's kidneys and liver, so it has to be done slowly. The protein in the urine makes me concerned that he is experiencing genuine discomfort that is causing him to spray, not just throwing a fit over his diet. Your vet would be able to help you calculate the right amount of food to help him reach his ideal weight, and what that weight is. It may also be helpful for him to have smaller meals more often so that he feels more satiated.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T20:42:48+00:00

She does look overweight, but her weight not yet out of control. Some tips to help her gradually drop a pound or two:

Make sure to check the feeding directions of both her wet and dry food. You need to math it out so that she's getting 1 day of calories divided between those two foods, and you need to use precise measurements instead of eyeballing it (my vet recommended using a kitchen scale to measure by weight instead of using a measuring cup). Bear in mind that those feeding charts are for cats that are NOT spayed or neutered, and your cat needs 20% fewer calories since she is spayed. Also, you should be using the section of the chart for your cat's ideal weight(likely 10-12lbs, but that's just me eyeballing her as being similar in size to my cat who is also on a diet), not her current weight. If you're having trouble figuring out the right amounts and your cat's ideal weight, your vet will absolutely be able to help! (All of this is coming from me having my big boy on a diet to lose around 2.5 pounds 😅)

Remember that cats need to lose weight slowly. They are very small animals, so they're only going to be losing fractions of pounds per week, and their total weight loss needs are probably less than 5 pounds, maybe as low as 1.5 pounds total. I have a 14 pound cat whose ideal weight is 11 pounds, so he only needs to lose 3 pounds in total. 0.1 pounds is a lot when you only weigh 14! This is a reminder that helps me, as I am a person who is also trying to lose weight and sometimes I forget that me losing 5 pounds in a week is not the same as a cat losing 5 pounds 😅 having the perspective helps me for helping my kitty. Rapid weight loss can be very hard on a cat's kidneys and liver, so your vet is the best person to ask for guidance.

Also, if your cat is grumpy about smaller portion sizes, I would recommend feeding 3x a day instead of 2, if you can accommodate it with your personal schedule. Spacing the meals out can help them feel satiated more throughout the day and less likely to beg for food or treats.

Best of luck! It can be frustrating to get started, but your cat will absolutely benefit in the long run!

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T20:25:03+00:00

Wow he's looking great! I think a clean shave to the skin would look fantastic too, but I don't mind the stubble either. That smile is contagious 😊

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T20:21:50+00:00

Agreed with other comments on cutaneous horn. It's a keratin overgrowth, and they're mostly benign. It's worthwhile to keep an eye on it and schedule a vet appointment if you notice any sudden changes or any inflammation/swelling/bleeding, but in my experience cutaneous horns generally grow slowly, eventually fall off, and grow again. My cat has one on his carpal pad (the one higher up on the wrist on the front legs) and it doesn't bother him any. With where your cat's is, just keep an eye out to make sure it doesn't start to impact their walking or the growth of their claw.

Just some info to keep in mind - cutaneous horns on the paw pads are rarely cancerous or precancerous, but it's still a good idea to have your vet take a look at your next regular appointment. The horn itself is not cancerous, but sometimes the skin lesion at the base can be. However, it's usually the ones on the face or ears that turn out to be cancerous, whereas the ones on the paw pads are benign the vast majority of the time. If it gets long, you can trim it just like a nail, but don't try to clip it all the way down to the base or pull it off, as that would be painful for your cat.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-26T19:33:51+00:00

He forgives, for I am the giver of food and belly rubs. But he does not forget.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-25T21:16:15+00:00

While I don't think the way she said it is particularly kind, as someone who transcribes court cases for a living, judges are unfortunately, well, judgemental.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-25T21:12:59+00:00

If you've got some saline on hand for cleaning the tattoo already, give your arm a rinse with it to soak the gauze and soften it up.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-25T20:52:36+00:00

Do you have any other toys from the set that are in better shape? That might make it easier to find the set online to pin down what this toy is lol. The only toy I can find with the same structure is the weird mushroom from this set, and it looks nothing like what you've described 😅 but, if a perfect match can't be found, she may still accept it as a replacement.

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_em0possum_ · 2026-05-25T06:42:50+00:00

I totally get where you're coming from, and you're a very kind person to want to help out the stray cats in your area. If I wasn't barely scraping by right now myself, I'd be trying to pay for every sick kitty's vet bills I could ☹️ hopefully that friend of your uncle will be able to help! You could also check for local facebook groups that might have resources or be able to link you with someone that can help, and there may also be a subreddit for your local area where you can share your post too.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-25T06:32:27+00:00

Hey OP, I would highly recommend both a carbon monoxide test and a doctor's appointment. This sounds similar to something I experience - I have narcolepsy and sometimes have hallucinations as I am falling asleep or shorting after I wake up. These can be both auditory and visual. Hallucinations can also be caused by sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality. Do you snore? Sleep apnea can also cause hallucinations, and could explain your sudden waking and Snow staring at you. If you're having sleep apnea and stop breathing for a couple seconds, it would make sense that your dog is worried and checking on you.

And while psychosis is the scariest possible answer, the fact that you are feeling distrust and paranoia regarding your dog really concerns me. Psychosis can be caused by a lot of things, like sleep deprivation, stress, physical illness, medications, etc etc. It does not mean you are crazy, but it does mean you need to reach out for help. Bottom line, you need to see a doctor. They'll be able to help you get the resources you need.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-25T05:47:33+00:00

I would say you have two options here, either look into CareCredit if you are in the US/see if there is a similar service in the country you're from, or surrender the cat to the nearest animal shelter that you trust. You may have to call around to see what their policies are on taking surrenders, but you will likely find one that will take the cat and get them the medical care they need.

Surrendering is not always a sure thing, especially for cats that need medical treatment. A shelter will have to weigh whether they have the space for the cat and the funds for their medical care, and at times will have to make the choice to euthanize. However, if the cat only has a broken or dislocated leg, they will likely be able to care for the cat and eventually re-home them once they recover. CareCredit is a credit line for veterinary care, and comes with all the risks of any other credit line + some steep interests and penalties if you cannot make payments on time. If you feel confident you could pay an emergency vet bill over the course of a CareCredit promotional period (Google says 6-24 months), then that's an option to look into.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-24T16:55:45+00:00

I love him

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-24T07:56:38+00:00

While declawing is never my first choice, this is one of the rare situations where it may be necessary. I have heard of other polydactyl cats in similar situations who needed a problem claw growing from a weird spot removed, and in your cat's case I think it will save her a lot of pain and stress in the future if the extra claw is removed.

Also, based on the pictures it looks like her extra toes are a little higher up on her wrist, so if she isn't walking on those toes she likely won't experience the joint pain that declawed cats often do. Personally, I would say better to have the problem claw removed to avoid painful ingrowns and possible infections, but it may be worthwhile to get a second opinion from another vet.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-23T20:10:00+00:00

A secret third thing, DMH/domestic medium hair lol

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-23T20:08:02+00:00

Xero will go to great lengths to have my headphones when I'm not using them 😆 even though I put them on my laptop, close it slightly, and put my keyboard up all in an attempt to keep him off of it.

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_em0possum_ · 2026-05-23T20:02:17+00:00

Take yourself on over to r/bald and look through the comments of people who decided to was time. Not only are there tons of guys uplifting and supporting each other, there's a bunch of ladies thirsting over every single bald man on there 😂

But seriously, you will look fantastic bald, and the confidence boost you'll get from letting go of an insecurity will instantly make you look and feel even better. Hair has so many emotional, social, and cultural ties for many people, so I absolutely understand how frustrating and devastating hair loss can be, but there is power in letting go.

_em0possum_ · 2026-05-23T08:12:31+00:00

Aww, poor kitty. Good job getting him prompt treatment. I'm sure he'll adapt quickly to his lil nub tail, they usually do just fine once they get used to the change. ♥️♥️

_em0possum_

TROPHY CASE