
06-27-2011, 09:51 AM
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105 posts, read 466,232 times
Reputation: 132
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Some months ago I had a thread on here about Edward's eye infections. Everyone was so helpful; thank you again. The vet put some drops, turned off the light, and showed me where the eye was scratched. I could not figure out how that happened, but then it occured to me that his over-the-eye whiskers (is there a name for those) were exceedingly long, took odd turns at the end, and maybe the problem would be resolved by trimming them.
With much trepidation, I did trim them, and there has been no incidences of infections since, though I have the med in the refridgerator, just in case.
What is the name of those whiskers, and, given that he is ordinarily not going outside, at all, are there any dangers in trimming them down. I even wonder if I should have the vet remove them???
TIA
Connie
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06-27-2011, 05:48 PM
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2,890 posts, read 4,959,590 times
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The only danger is that whiskers tend to be sharper on the cut ends. Just keep them short enough so that they don't bend back into the eye. It is unlikely that your vet would want to remove them, just keep them trimmed.
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06-28-2011, 07:42 PM
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Location: In a house
13,262 posts, read 33,261,971 times
Reputation: 20198
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Those are his eyebrows. Also you probably don't need to be told, but just in case someone reads this thread and doesn't know - never trim, cut, or pull out the whiskers on either side of his nose (unless of course one is bent and sticking into his nostril or something).
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06-29-2011, 06:57 AM
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5,704 posts, read 11,069,921 times
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Thing is, those eye brow whiskers are sensory tools. They help with spatial aspects and balance.
And since they are sensory, my concern would be, does it hurt, to cut them?
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06-29-2011, 07:05 AM
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Location: In a house
13,262 posts, read 33,261,971 times
Reputation: 20198
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No, it doesn't hurt to cut them. As in, it doesn't cause them pain. There aren't any nerve endings in the whiskers. But it will interfere with their balance somewhat. The nose whiskers are particularly important because they provide the cat with their own version of super-peripheral vision. The whiskers are (theoretically) the same length as the width of their bodies. They can know just by putting their head through a hole, whether or not the rest of their body will fit.
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06-29-2011, 07:11 AM
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5,704 posts, read 11,069,921 times
Reputation: 7664
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Thanks. I did know that whiskers are supposedly the width of the body, though I have seen some cats who didn't read the memo, LOL. My tiny little Bridge Angel girly never got bigger than 6.5 pounds but she had HUGE whiskers!
But anyway, it's good to know it doesn't hurt them to have them trimmed.
So back on topic, to the OP maybe just snip the wonky part?
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06-30-2011, 10:06 PM
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1,812 posts, read 2,631,056 times
Reputation: 751
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i dont think you should cut them also talk to your vet like a few posters said he needs them.
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