Hair-balls

In 'James Herriot's Cat Stories we read about a large, sleek, handsome neutered male cat who was at home in a tiny, but thriving sweet shop. He sat at the end of the counter (it was the middle of last century), placid and dignified, watching the owner of the shop whom he greatly resembled, serve his customers.

One afternoon Herriot, a vet, was asked to examine Alfred because Geoff, his master, was concerned by his loss of appetite and lack of energy. He could find nothing wrong with the animal and gave him a vitamin injection, but Alfred continued to deteriorate and was put on a course of mixed mineral and vitamin tablets. When these and other drugs and treatments failed to halt the loss of weight, the cat was brought to the surgery, but X-rays and blood tests showed no abnormality.

Alfred began to look gaunt; his fur was lacklustre, his eyes dull. His master too, lost weight and was showing signs of depression, but then, when the animal started to vomit, something was said which provided a clue to the problem. Geoff revealed how, before his illness, Alfred had groomed himself obsessively, and Herriot thought, 'Hair-balls.'

An operation revealed a large, matted hair-ball in the cat's stomach and several smaller ones in other parts of his digestive system. The operation was a major one and recovery of both Alfred and his master took about a month, but this story had a happy ending.

Our Banjo, like Alfred, is a large neutered male with a luxuriant coat. He occasionally regurgitates hair-balls. I have learned that he needs to have his fur combed with a fine comb, especially when he is moulting. Provided I am careful not to pull any matts he might have, he purrs loudly to show his appreciation.