Travel advice for two kitties

I will be moving my two kitties and myself soon. Not so bad from a human perspective, but these kitties only go outdoors/for car rides when they go to the vet, and my oldest is 22 (not a typo) with kidney failure, so she drinks often and a lot. Does anyone have any sage advice that just might help make this trip less stressful--for all of us?

Planning on moving from South Carolina back home to California. I purchased a car out here so we've decided to drive it back. Of course, boyfriend wants to bring his cat (who is somewhere between 7-9 years old), and of course I agreed. Much rather take him along than let him stay here (his mom has 14 dogs, etc.). This presents a huge list of firsts for me: First road trip across the country, first road trip I'll be driving, first road trip with any kind of animal and the list goes on. We're not leaving until the second week of September, so we have a long time to prepare for this trip.

So far the plan is to start the cat off in the morning with a walk and watering and to do the bulk of our feeding at night in the hotel. I'm thinking of stopping every 2 1/2 to 3 hours for breaks which would include more water and walking. I have a list of things we need to buy prior to the trip: Collar, harness, leash, tag, kennel, bowls, blankets for the kennel, dog first aid kit, small bag of his food. On top of that I need to get him up-to-date on his shots and somehow manage to find paperwork of his neuter for licensing in California.

Also, in addition to road trip advice, I really would love some advice about how to go about introducing this cat to my dog when we get there. Both are male and neutered. I know my dog gets along with other cats fairly well; but, I know that the only reason his cat was ever neutered was because he was fighting with another non-neutered male. My only thought was to get them away from the house to do introductions and crate them separately at the house until we're comfortable with their behavior.

Poor Buddy

Came home from morning errands and discovered he is having Sudden liquid diarrhea, with no apparent cause. Same food, no weird changes in home, UTD on shots... I have no idea what's going on. I watch him constantly when we are outside, and he's always on a leash. Maybe he ate a blade of grass with some sort of lawn chemical on it when outside? (Since people spray for weeds, fertilizer, etc, that is the only thing I could think of.)

I called my vet earlier and was advised to give him Flagyl. I still had some on hand, so we can do that for a few days. But I forgot to ask, and now the office is closed for the night, so I'm hoping Petfo folks would know...

My question is: Do I need to also have him fast tonight if he is already taking Flagyl? Or should I give him a little rice perhaps?

Poor Buddy keeps checking his bowl for his dinner and giving me "that look". (sigh)

Kitten rescue question

We rescued a kitten a few weeks ago. Long story short, she managed to get herself stuck underneath my car and rode 500 miles from Kansas to Texas. We've named her Dorothy of course (due to the fact that she's not in Kansas anymore, I know, I know, bad joke). I haven't been able to get her into a vet yet, since I have to wait until my husband comes home in a few weeks.

Anyway, in the past few days, I've noticed what looks to be a scab on the bridge of her nose. She is not sneezing or scratching. It goes from the right corner of her nose and up between her eyes. Is this something I should be concerned about? If so, I want to get her into the vet immediatly. She appears to be about six weeks old now. Any help would be greatly appreciated. She's already purred her way into all of our hearts and we want the best for her. Thanks in advance.

Update from last night's Wildcats

Last night I posted about the litter of kittens we found on top of a canopy above the spa we don't use. I never knew they were there until I heard them crying. After getting some useful advice on the forum, I soon realized how little I knew about cats. I went out this morning and because I couldn't see or hear them, I figured the mother came back and moved them. Just in case they were somewhere around, I contacted a rescue and a woman I talked to said if I did find them, she might be able to take them. Later I went out with my son and we did hear them cry and they were still on the canopy, but one had fallen off, my biggest fear. I realized I had to get them all down. We got all 6 of them, not knowing what to do next. I didn't even know how old they were. Now I'm wondering if I even did the right thing. I called the woman from the rescue, described them to her and she said they sounded about 4 weeks old. Oh, and about them being wild...they are absolutely adorable, sweet and cuddle right up to you! No wild in there!! She said she would take them.

Now I'm worried about the mama cat. I called our ASPCA to rent a cat trap, told them everything that was going on. They said if I were to bring the kittens in, they would immediately euthanize them! I am so thankful for my "new" rescue friend. I gave her a small donation when I gave her the kittens. Something I'd like to continue to do because she's pretty remarkable!! I told her about the mother cat and she said if we got her, she would take her. I told her we would have her spayed, knowing finding the home is the hardest part.
Okay, I know this is long, but I'm just overjoyed this turned out better than I ever imagined. If it wasn't for this woman, it would have been more difficult for me. She's my hero and I now know all the hard work and dedication these people have!!

Aggressive dogs who attack

Yes, almost always incidents like this stem from dogs being improperly trained, or abused, or even taught to be aggressive on purpose.

I have to wonder though, if it is possible for a human to be born with a diseased mind, chemically imbalanced, and driven to act out evil, is the same possible for a dog? I'm talking about a defective mind incapable of being taught right from wrong.

I've heard people say "no dog is born bad", but I don't think we can say that for humans. If we did, every evil deed a human does would be excusable because they had to have been improperly raised or abused. Is it easier to blame humans for their actions, but not dogs, or is it actually medically impossible for a dog to be "born bad"?

I guess what I'm wondering is, can a dog be born with mental health issues that would make him irrational and unteachable, despite even the most seasoned professionals training?

Thoughts?

Please remind me I'm doing right by my cats

by not letting them outside no matter how much they beg.

They're used to having a little outdoor patio and in my new place, there isn't anything. (There's a side yard that cannot easily be fenced in/netted off.) There are lovely big windows and lots of light and things to look at and fresh air coming in, but they want to be *outside*. It's not a super-busy street and there are other (domestic) cats that roam, but I just feel ... if I let them out there, I may never see them again.

ah, it's breaking my heart...

How to introduce a kitty to the outdoors?

My kitty, once recovered from her spaying, so a good week to two weeks, is going to have to be an outdoor kitty for a while till an apartment that allows kitties opens up, due to her staying with my Step Father (I still buy her food and stuff, but my husband and I are currently homeless till a place that allows cats opens up.)

Her grandfather -don't worry, he's fixed-, an experienced outdoors kitty, will be there with her, but I'm still worried. Is there a method to go about this? Or should I plead her case more to allow her to stay inside?

I already treat both cats with flea and tick preventive, ect and both fluffies have all their shots up to date.