CAUSE SIGNS & TREATMENT OF A CAT ABCESS

THE SIGNS
Bacteria which are trapped under the skin following a bite wound can multiply for several days before any signs of infection are seen. Swelling and pain at the puncture site are the most common signs of infection; When cats are afflicted with an abscess they generally run a fever, quit eating, sleep more than usual (like 22 hours a day instead of the usual 21!) and may exhibit pain. The sooner a treatment for a cat abscess is administered, the sooner the health of the cat can be restored. . Many times a pocket of pus, called an abscess, will form. . The most frequent sites for bite wounds are the face, legs, back, tail and over the rump.
THE CAUSE
When a cat bites, the teeth go through the skin, and then it releases quickly. This results in small puncture wounds in the skin, with small holes. These holes seal and virtually disappear within hours, trapping bacteria from the cat's mouth under the skin of the victim. The type of bacteria which live in the cat’s mouth thrive in an environment where the oxygen concentration is low. Once the wound seals shut, bacteria can begin to multiply at a rapid rate. The organisms most commonly involved with cat bites are Pasteurella multocida and Streptococcus.
TREATMENT
Once the cat abscess opens and the pus has a way to escape, the healing process can take over. The purpose of intervening in a case of a cat abscess to to assist the cat in this process by facilitating the escape and cleaning up of all those dead and dying defenders, plus, often when the pus drains the offending instigator of this whole process gets swept right out of the cat with everything else! Some gentle flushing of the wound cavity cleans things up quickly, a touch of antibiotic prevents the damaged tissues from being reinvaded, and the painful pressure from the abscess is relieved. READ MORE HERE;http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/abcat.html
CLICK ON HEADER TO SEE OUR ENTIRE ALLEY CAT FORUM PAGE

CHOOSING A CAT- CAT OR KITTEN? MALE OR FEMALE?

CHOOSING A CAT
Do you want a male or female cat? Generally females are cautious, gentle, and quiet but unless you have your cat spayed, you will have to contend with heat cycles. Males are larger and more outgoing, though unneutered males tend to spray urine to mark their territory, roam, and are prone to fights with other cats.
Do you want a long- or short-haired cat? Long-haired cats are glamorous, but it will be someone's job to keep it that way. Long-haired cats shed a great deal and tend to get hairballs more frequently.
Do you want a purebred or mixed-breed cat? If you want a purebred cat, make sure you buy it only from a reputable breeding establishment and know what you're looking for before you actually buy.
Do you want a kitten or a cat? Kittens are cute but they require more time and patience. Older cats require more socialization but generally are easier to care for. READ MORE HERE;http://home.howstuffworks.com/cat-care-tips.htm

CAT VACCINATIONS WHAT SHOTS TO GIVE YOUR CAT OR KITTEN

WHAT TO VACCINATE YOUR CAT FOR

Feline Panleukopenia (feline distemper) is a widespread, potentially fatal viral disease. Most cats will be exposed to it at some time, so vaccination is critical. Kittens whose mothers have panleukopenia during gestation or who survive the disease themselves often suffer permanent brain damage and other lifelong problems.
Feline Rhinotracheitis is a viral disease that causes severe upper respiratory infection. It is widespread, and although vaccination won't prevent the disease, it will make its symptoms more mild.
Feline Calicivirus is a viral disease of the upper respiratory system and is responsible for nearly half the upper respiratory infections in cats. Once infected, a cat can continue to carry the virus and suffer runny eyes and sneezing all its life, even if it is treated

Rabies is perhaps the most frightening of the viral diseases that threaten pets because it can affect any mammal, including people, and it is always fatal once symptoms appear. The rabies virus, which attacks the central nervous system, is spread in the saliva of an infected animal, usually by way of a bite. Rabies is fairly common in wild animals, including skunks, foxes, raccoons, coyotes, and bats, which can pass the disease on to domestic animals.

(FeLV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), chlamydia (see Common Feline Diseases), and ringworm. The AAFP recommends that FeLV and FIP vaccinations be given only to cats who might be exposed to the diseases through contact with other cats. The decision to vaccinate against chlamydia or ringworm should be based on the cat's risk of exposure.

READ MORE HERE;http://life.familyeducation.com/cats/disease-prevention/45702.html

HALLOWEEN CANDY AND YOUR CAT

Watch out for decorations that you cat might get into white indoors. Keep away items that your cat could eat or try to eat. Make sure to keep your cat away from electrical cords that your cat could chew on. Make sure that you keep your candy away from the cat because chocolate can kill your cat just like it can kill your dog. Don't let your cat eat pumpkins either. Cats can actually choke on pumpkin seeds, so be careful!
READ MORE HERE;http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/412720/halloween_safety_tips_for_your_cat.html

CAT URINARY PROBLEMS

If your cat is straining to urinate and only produces a few drops of urine or none at all, he needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Your cat could be experiencing urethral obstruction, and if the problem is not solved, he could die within just a couple of days. What is urethral obstruction, and why is it life-threatening? The urethra is a tubelike structure that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Sometimes, mineral crystals or stones form in the urethra and block the path to the outside. The blockage is called a urethral plug. Because a male cat's urethra is longer and narrower than a female's, urethral plugs are most often seen in males (whether or not they are neutered). Once a plug has formed, urine builds up in the bladder. This is not only painful to the cat, but can quickly cause kidney damage. The kidneys' job is to release poisonous wastes from the body; when kidneys don't function properly, these poisons accumulate in the bloodstream. The final result, if not treated: a painful death. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE AND SYMPTOMS HERE; http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:3lnLGw3k0_0J:www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx%3FID%3D54+CAT+URINARY+BLOCKAGE&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=11&gl=us

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR CAT GETS BURNED

The major goal in treating burns in your dog, horse or cat is to relieve the pain and heal the burn without infection or major scarring.

First degree burns usually don’t require any medical treatment, since the fur of your dog or cat will have protected it more than likely from being burned.

Second degree burns need to be checked by a vet if they exceed an area of more than two fists. The blisters that usually occur with second degree burns should be left alone if they look normal. The skin will start healing on its own underneath the blister. The function of the blister is to protect the new skin from infections and further damage. The only thing you can do is applying a light gauze to the blister. Then, once the blister bursts it is important to gently remove the dead skin, for example by washing it off the affected area. READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE; http://www.natural-animal-care-products.com/Burns-Scars.htm

The Photo above is of a burned heroic mother cat whom saved her 5 kittens from a burning building...Read This Amazing Story Here; http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cnn.com/US/9604/05/briefs/am/scarlett_large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cnn.com/US/9604/05/briefs/am/&h=261&w=300&sz=20&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=ell-YXq5RtI5UM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3DCAT%2BBURN%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7GGLR%26sa%3DN

CAT OWNERSHIP IN DISASTERS

PET EVACUATIONS IN A DISASTER
In two epidemiological studies of evacuations from disaster, risk factors for household evacuation failure, pet evacuation failure, and pet rescue attempts were characterized. Risk factors were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Case households were defined as those which either failed to evacuate as a unit, evacuated but without their pets (dogs or cats), or evacuated without their pets and later attempted to rescue their pet. Control households were those that either evacuated as a unit, evacuated with their pet, or evacuated and did not attempt to rescue their pet.
READ FULL REPORT AND GET TIPS HERE:
http://www.animaldisasters.com/Pet%20Owners.htm

FIRE SAFTEY FOR YOUR PET CAT

Plan your family's (including your pets') safe evacuation in advance.Remember their usual hiding and sleeping places. During a fire, they'll be terrified, and are likely to hide in their favorite retreats.Always have a carrier readily available for cats and small animals and leashes for dogs.**Purchase Evacsack for a space saving and economical emergency transport.In a pinch use a pillow case as a carrier.If there is time before safely exiting with your pet(s), call 911.In a multipet household in which individual collection may be unrealistic, herd the pets outside through doors or windows, if this is safe and feasible.
Read Full Report and Tips Here:http://www.geocities.com/ttylerbin/

ANTIFREEZE IS POISON TO CATS

As winter approaches, many people will "winterize" their automobiles, including a change of antifreeze. Dogs and cats find antifreeze quite tasty and will drink it when given the opportunity. Antifreeze can be deadly even in small doses, around five tablespoons can kill a medium sized dog. A cat can ingest enough to prove fatal by just walking through a puddle of antifreeze and then licking its paws. Not just dogs and cats are at risk, all animals are susceptible. When ingested animals suffer from drunkenness, weakness, depression, staggering, possible seizures, renal failure (kidney) and even death. They may drink lots of water, urinate large amounts and vomit. Antifreeze should be kept away from your pets and all spills should be cleaned up right away. If your pet comes in contact with Antifreeze take him/her to your local veterinarian immediately. Treatment for antifreeze poisoning needs to be started as soon after ingestion as possible to be effective. The earlier treatment is started, the greater the chance of survival. Once kidney failure develops, most animals will die. Read Full Report and Other Winter Hazards Here: http://www.elmorehumane.com/tips.htm

FAT CAT ? PUT YOUR CAT ON A DIET

Obesity in cats is as rampant as obesity in people in the United States. It is your job as a responsible pet owner to help fluffy trim those extra pounds. And it will be hard on both of you.
How did this happen? Obesity in cats has the same root causes as obesity in people: too much to eat, especially carbohydrates, too little exercise, and too many snacks. Many cats are fed "free choice", which means there is food available all the time and the cat eats whenever it wants.
Free choice feeding has probably been the biggest single factor contributing to feline obesity. Although kitty kibble is fast and convenient, it is loaded with carbohydrates in the form of flour and sugar that hold the other ingredients together. Read more:http://qualitycatresources.com/putting-a-cat-on-a-diet-2007-09-11

CALIFORNIA PROPOSED CAT SPAY / NEUTER LAW

AB1634 - California’s Proposed Cat Neutering Law
They’re rioting in Texas! The McAllen, Texas Monitor is adding fuel to the flames by reprinting an article from the Orange County, CA Register - they want nationwide protests. The government is getting into our private business again. What is the big deal? The furor is caused by a proposed California law, AB1634 that requires neutering of animals that come into contact with animal control officers. The owner will be fined (unless they neuter their pet, then). Oh whoa-is-me.
The proponents cite the hundreds of thousands of euthanized animals each year and the cost to catch and house them until they are put down. The detractors say, "It is not the government’s business". The proponents say that an un-neutered female cat can have 100’s of kittens in her lifetime. Actually the number varies depending on your source from 100 to 70,000 (including the offspring of the first cat’s kittens and grandkittens). The opponents say, "It is not the government’s business". No one even mentions the number of kittens that can be fathered by an un-neutered male cat. READ MORE;http://qualitycatresources.com/ab1634-californias-proposed-cat-neutering-law-2007-08-09

CAT LITTER / SWITCH YOUR CATS LITTER SLOW

SWITCHING CAT LITTER
For many cats, the slightest change in what they're used to can create stress. So if you're thinking about changing their brand or type of litter, plan ahead and decide the best way to do it based on your particular cat.
Method #1. Gradual Transition. When a cat enters the litter box, she expects to encounter the same scent (or lack of) and texture on her paws every time. If she steps in and is confronted with a foreign scent or texture, it could potentially create enough confusion for her to feel as if another location would be a better option for elimination. Unfortunately, her location choice might not be to your liking.
If you have to change brands or types of litter, add just a little of the new kind into the current litter at a time. Each day, increase the amount of the new litter so that the transition lasts about four or five days. To maintain an appropriate litter level, just start removing some of the current litter in the box.
If you're switching from a traditional clay litter to a clumping formula, keep in mind that the new litter won't perform as expected during the transition. READ MORE;
http://pets.yahoo.com/blog/catbehavior/2881/switching-litter-take-it-slow/

CATS AND KITTENS TEETH

During its lifetime, a cat has two sets of teeth, a deciduous set and a permanent set. Kittens have 26 deciduous teeth (molars are absent); adult cats have a total of 30 teeth.Deciduous or “milk teeth” begin to appear when the kitten is about four weeks of age. At six weeks of age all 26 deciduous teeth are present. From 11 to 30 weeks of age, kittens lose their deciduous teeth. During this time they may eat less because of sore gums.When the deciduous teeth fall out, they are replaced by 30 permanent teeth. The permanent teeth should be in place by about six months of age.A cat's teeth are well-suited to rip and cut. Twelve tiny teeth in the front of the mouth (incisors): six in the upper jaw, six in the lower jaw do some scraping. They are flanked by two upper and two lower canines, sometimes described as “fangs,” designed to hold prey and to tear flesh. Ten sharp premolars and four molars act together to cut food. READ MORE: http://pets.yahoo.com/cats/health-and-nutrition/244/a-cat-s-teeth-timetable-and-functions/

IS MY KITTEN / CAT A MALE OR FEMALE ?

Determining the sex of a kitten may be difficult especially before about 8 weeks of age. The male and the female kitten's genitalia look remarkably similar. If kittens of both sexes are available to compare, it makes the process easier and more likely to be correct. In the male kitten, the scrotum is located below the anus and above the back of the hind legs. The testicles are descended into the scrotum presumably at the time of birth. READ MORE @ PET EDUCATION http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1388&articleid=923

CAT LEUKEMIA / FELINE FELV WHAT IS IT?

How is FeLV spread? Cats persistently infected with FeLV serve as sources of infection. Virus is shed in very high quantities in saliva and nasal secretions, but also in urine, feces, and milk from infected cats. Cat-to-cat transfer of virus may occur from a bite wound, during mutual grooming, and (though rarely) through the shared use of litter boxes and feeding dishes. Transmission can also take place from an infected mother cat to her kittens, either before they are born or while they are nursing. FeLV doesn't survive long outside a cat's body—probably less than a few hours under normal household conditions. READ MORE;http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/felv.html

SUPPLIES EVERY CAT OWNER NEEDS

If you are going to get a cat or kitten here is a list every cat household needs:
Litter box and litter. The litter box, or pan, should be shallow enough for the cat to jump into easily, but the sides should be high enough to contain scattered litter as the cat scratches in it. Commercially sold plastic litter boxes are excellent. Some have high-domed lids on them to keep flung litter from spreading throughout the house.
You probably won't have to worry about training your cat to use the litter box, but you will need to show your cat where to find it. Cats are fastidious and have a keen sense of smell. It is important to clean the pan daily.
Never place a litter box close to where the cat is fed, because cats believe these two duties are quite separate, and they will choose to do one or the other elsewhere. Many people put the litter box in the bathroom, away from high-traffic areas.
Cat dishes. Each cat should have his or her own food and water dishes. These must be shallow; cats like to keep their faces and whiskers clean while they eat.
Grooming tools. Although cats groom themselves, they generally love to be brushed and combed. Long-haired cats must be brushed daily to prevent their hair from matting. Even short-haired cats enjoy the attention and the stimulation of being personally attended to. Use a daily brushing ritual to keep an eye on your cat's overall health and on skin and coat conditions. Some rubber brushes have special teeth that dig down and remove loose dander and dead skin cells. Metal, fine-toothed combs are designed to extract fleas from the coat.
Nail clippers. You also can use human-nail clippers. Read our tips for trimming your cat's claws (see link below) and, if you have trouble convincing your companion to cooperate, ask your veterinarian or groomer for additional advice or a demonstration.
A scratching post. Cats can be easily trained to scratch on a scratching post instead of the sofa arm or mahogany table leg. The scratching post should be untippable and covered in sisal rope or the webbed reverse side of carpet (a fireplace log is also a good alternative). Do not cover the post with the same kind of fabric that you are trying to protect in your home—upholstery or carpeting. That will only confuse your cat.
An inviting bed. Cats will sleep where they want to, which is usually with you. If you do not want your cat in bed with you at night, you must provide a more appealing option, such as a soft pillow or an inviting old comforter. Anything soft and warm, especially if it has your scent on it, can attract your cat. But let your cat discover it; a cat who is forced to lie down on a restricted spot will summarily reject that spot. And consider rethinking your policy against animals in bed. A purring companion at your feet is a better sleeping aid than anything you can find in a drugstore.
Toys. Many common household items make great cat toys. Ping-Pong balls are fun to chase. Or you can make a "mouse house" by cutting a hole in the bottom and the side of a paper bag; flick a wad of paper inside the bag and watch your cat ingeniously fish it out.
Avoid string, ribbon, or rolls of yarn. Cats' barbed tongues make it difficult for them to spit anything out once they begin to swallow it. Besides the potential for choking, string can cause serious problems if ingested.
When buying commercial cat toys, pick one that you could give to an infant. There should be no parts that can come off and be swallowed. Keep small children's toys away from cats. Contrary to the myth that cats only eat what's good for them, toy soldiers have found their way into cats' digestive tracts.

WHAT IS A CATS TAIL USED FOR?

The tail of a cat is used for balance, and for communication. Their tails help them when they jump or walk on a narrow space, and are also used for communicating fear, anger, and aggression.
A cats tail is one of the best ways of telling thier mood. A still, raised tail
means a friendly greeting. A sudden whip of the tail shows a threat of
impending attack. A highly excited cat waves its tail from side to side in
jerky, rapid motions. The top of a tail moving means slight dissatisfaction or
impatience. A relaxed cat allows the tail to hang straight down. A tail held straight out behind them indicates caution.