I tried the tv/monitor degaussing thing with a CD too, and to be honest, no apparent difference.  I strained to try and hear something in the first couple of seconds and thought I did, but no nothing.  I used my 17" computer monitor by the way, held the CD up to the monitor with label side facing flat against the screen about an inch away.

Robs, sounds like you need to clean your tv screen.  All that static is a sure sign of too much dust build up.  Hope you and the cat have recovered by now.