My cat will roll on the grass, as well as on carpet and the couch, so I think it's in part a grooming thing and in part a back-scratching motion, as when horses roll. In the house, as well as outside, it's sometimes a "look at me, pat me" gesture, although she then sometimes runs away in mock (or real) alarm as I bend over to oblige. But she most frequently rolls on the gravel drive, and comes up glittering with mica specks.

I agree... this species seems to do great in sloggy soils and constantly wet pots as well as more typically maintained 'somewhat damp' ones.... though they also tolerate drying out to some degree (as do many Chamaedoreas). The darker it is indoors, though, the more they seem to become susceptible to rot, so keep it bright (just no direct sun as already mentioned). Low humidity is tough on many house palms... hard to do much a bout unless you commonly go about the house spraying your palm foliage (preferably with deionized water). As long as one avoids toxic build up of salts they should do OK. Brown tipping can be an adjustment to your 'non-greenhouse' conditions, a sign of salt build up, super high mineral content in the tap water, excessive drying out or low humidity (a good thorough watering monthly to 'rinse out' the salt build up helps.. .or better yet, put your plant outdoors when it rains (rainwater is magical when it comes to cleaning out soils in potted plants)).

Ask your surgeon about the fentanyl pain patch. It's a patch that is applied to the cat's skin and will provide pain relief for up to about 100 hrs before needing to be replaced. Another option is to see if an oral pain med can be compounded into a transdermal gel that can be applied to the inner ear flap. Or you can just use Pill Pockets, which I have found to make administering oral meds quite easy in most cases. From what I learned when researching Somer's mammary cancer, though, the surgical center will typically keep the cat hospitalized for a while after mastectomy surgery specifically for the purpose of providing adequate pain relief. It is, from what I was told, a very painful surgery. Laurie

Also highly in favor of sub-cutaneous (fluids administered under the skin, nicknamed sub-Q fluids.) I would get a second opinion, ie see another vet and ask him/her to show you how to give fluid treatment to your kitty. Or else try to prod your current vet into giving fluids a try. Be sure to use size 20 needles. For some reason most vets prefer size 18 which is a bigger diameter and uncomfortable for the patient. However they will provide 20 gage needles if you request them. My current kitty is 18 yrs old like your cat, and she gets fluids once a week. The two cats I had before her both were on fluid treatment at home (per order of my vet) first once weekly, and later twice weekly. They both lived into their 20s and the therapy vastly improved their quality of life. I also gave my little sheltie fluid treatment twice weekly for her last two years when her kidney function began to deteriorate, again as mandated by my vets. In all my CRI (chronic renal insufficient) pets, the fluids alleviated nausea, improved appetites, renewed my animals' energy, and just made my pets SO much more comfortable. If you've ever suffered from dehydration (during an illness for instance) you know how miserable this is (headache, grogginess, nausea, etc.) Once an animal becomes accustomed to receiving the fluids, they will lie quietly for the treatment. My cats have all laid on my lap and purred. I think after a few times they began to connect the therapy with feeling better immediately afterwards. I give/gave fluids while watching TV and it is a relaxing experience, not painful or stressful for me or my pets. There are a lot of instructional web sites and CRF/CRI groups right here on yahoo that can help answer questions for you. These were invaluable to me when I was just learning to give fluids. A vet tech instructed me, but it helped to also have these resources. Also there are many places who sell at a discount lactated ringer solutions (the bags of fluid) as well as 20 gage turamo needles and the lines that attach the needle to the fluid bag. However with only one kitty to treat, you're probably better off just getting your fluid supplies from your vet. Don't assume there is nothing you can do for your cat. Sub-Q fluids should vastly improve both your cat's quality of life as well as longevity. Your cat cannot get the amount of fluids needed to help counter CRI simply by drinking. Good luck and hope kitty feels better. Nutrition is important, but it comes in a pale second when treating CRI. Sub-cutaneous fluids should be the first and foremost treatment.