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
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
CAT LEUKEMIA / FELINE FELV WHAT IS IT?
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 12:27 PM
Labels: CAT ADOPTION, cat care, CAT DISEASES, CAT DISORDERS, CAT HEALTH, CAT ILLNESSES, CAT LEUKEMIA, CAT SHELTERS, CAT SYPTOMS, cat vets, ebay, FELINE FELV, GARFIELD, KITTEN, KLIBAN, SICK CAT
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
ALLERGIC TO CATS ? IT'S THE SALIVA NOT THE HAIR !
Cat allergy is by far the commonest allergy to pet animals and up to 40% of asthmatics are sensitive to cats. The cat allergen is much more likely to cause sensitisation than that of the dog.
The Cat Allergen
A tiny protein particle, the "Fel d 1" allergen is found mainly in the cat skin flakes and saliva. The protein is produced in the cat salivary glands and sebaceous glands of the skin. Cats are fastidious groomers, so they deposit the Fel d 1 protein on their fur by licking themselves.
An allergen is a material, which is capable of provoking an allergic reaction, such as pollen grain, dust mite or animal dander. Cat allergen — the allergy causing material from cats - is not cat hair but a protein present in the dander and saliva of cats. The allergens become airborne as microscopic particles, which when inhaled into the nose or lungs, can produce allergic symptoms.
Although individual cats may produce more or less allergen, there is no relationship between the pet’s hair length and allergen production, and no such thing as a non-allergic breed.
Male cats are more allergic than female cats, because testerone increases Fel d 1 production by the sebaceous glands.
Where is Cat Allergen found?
Cat allergen is present in largest amounts in homes with cats, but has also been found in homes where cats have never been present and in offices or public spaces where animals are not allowed. Cat allergen is particularly sticky and is carried on clothing from places with cats to other locations. It is almost impossible to not be exposed to some level of cat allergen. Of course, levels of exposure will be much higher where cats are present, and these levels are more likely to cause allergic symptoms.
Because cat allergen particles are particularly small (1/10 the size of dust mite allergen), they remain airborne for prolonged periods of time. Cat allergic individuals are more likely to have a rapid onset of symptoms when entering a room with cats, because there is always allergen, which is airborne and can be easily inhaled. Opening windows, using exhaust fans and using high efficiency air cleaners, can decrease the amount of airborne allergen.
Soft furnishings, such as carpets, sofas and mattresses, will hold cat allergen even after a cat has been removed from the home or banished from the bedroom. It has been shown that it can take as long as 20 weeks for levels of allergen in carpets to decrease to levels found in a home without a cat, and up to 5 years for cat allergen levels in mattresses to decrease to such levels. Removal or treatment of the carpet or sofa, and encasing of the mattress, will reduce the continued exposure to these reservoirs of allergen.
Cat allergen is also found on vertical surfaces such as walls. Attempts to decrease cat allergen exposure in a home should include wall cleaning. If the cat is removed to a restricted area of the home, it is important to realise that airflow through the duct system in a hot air heated home could spread the allergen. Efficient vent and furnace filters could help trap the allergens and reduce the spread. READ MORE:http://www.allergyclinic.co.nz/guides/7.html
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 8:01 AM
Labels: ALLERGIC TO CATS, ALLERGIES, ALLERGIES IN THE HOME, CAT ALLERGY, CAT HAIR, CATS, PET ALLERGIES, PET CAT, PETS, SALIVA, SNEEZING
Monday, October 15, 2007
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.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 3:03 PM
Labels: CAT ADOPTION, CAT BEDS, cat care, CAT SHELTERS, CAT SUPPLIES, CAT TOYS, cat vets, ebay, GARFIELD, HAPPY CAT, KITTEN CARE, KLIBAN, LITTER BOX, PET KITTEN, PETS
COMMON CAT HAZARDS-KEEPING YOUR CAT SAFE
HERE IS SOME TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR CAT SAFE!
Unplug dangling cords. Some cats like to chew on cords. Until you know for a fact that your cat isn't one of them, it's best not to risk electric shock. Also, be alert to potential fire hazards—lamps can tip over while you are out of the room, causing the shade to ignite and start a fire.
Beware poisonous plants. Many common houseplants, like Easter lilies and philodendrons, are toxic to cats and can kill them if consumed. Follow the link at the bottom of this page for a more complete listing of toxic plants.
Remove tablecloths from unattended tables. New kittens will be especially curious about what's up there on the table and will try to use the tablecloth to climb up. The result could be broken china and crystal and an emergency trip to the vet.
Cover garbage disposal switches. Natural climbers, cats usually find their way to the kitchen sink sooner or later. Many have been known to play with electric switches such as the one for a garbage disposal. Special covers are available at hardware stores to help avoid disaster.
Keep drapery cords out of reach. It's a good idea to use childproofing devices to wind up dangling cords—cats can strangle themselves by catching their necks in the loops.
Close the dryer door. Cats love to explore, especially dark, quiet places. Always check inside large appliances before closing their doors to make sure your cat is not inside.
Make sure your screen door has a securing latch. Cats are safe indoors; they are not safe outdoors. Don't run the risk that your cat could slip out unnoticed.
Pack away precious breakables. Cats in a new home will explore. They will jump on tables, cabinets, sideboards, and bookshelves to investigate their strange domain, and they may accidentally knock over or break fragile items and knickknacks.
Cover your furniture. If you don't want cat hair on your upholstery, put an old sheet on your most enticing sofas and chairs. That way your cat can enjoy the furniture along with you without shedding fur all over it. Simply remove the sheet when guests arrive.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 2:52 PM
Labels: CAT ABCESS, CAT ADOPTION, CAT BEHAVIOR, cat blog, CAT FIGHT, CAT FOOD, CAT HEALTH, cat safety, ebay, GARFIELD, INDOOR CATS, KITTEN SAFETY, KITTENS, KLIBAN
Keep Your Black Cat Safe At Halloween
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 9:26 AM
Labels: black cat, CAT ABCESS, cat blog, cat meow, cat safety, CAT SHELTERS, ebay, halloween, KITTEN, KLIBAN
Sunday, October 14, 2007
HOW OLD IS A CAT IN HUMAN YEARS? CAT AGE CHART
Cat's Age Human's Age
6 months 10 years
8 months 13 years
1 year 15 years
2 years 24 years
4 years 40 years
8 years 48 years
12 years 64 years
14 years 72 years
16 years 80 years
18 years 88 years
20 years 96 years
21 years 100 years
It was once thought that 1 year in the life of a cat was equivalent to 7 years of a human life. Recently, a new scale has been accepted: after the first 2 years, the cat's life proceeds more slowly in relation to human life and each feline year is approximately 4 human years. The general consensus is that at about age 7 a cat can be considered "middle-aged," and age 10 and beyond "old."
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 3:13 PM
Labels: CAT ADOPTION, CAT AGE, CAT BEHAVIOR, CAT BODY, CAT HEALTH, CAT SITES, CAT VET, CAT VETERINARIAN, CAT YEARS, GARFIELD, KITTEN, KLIBAN, OLD CAT, PET CAT, PETS
WHY DOES A CAT SPRAY?
WHY DOES MY CAT SPRAY
Cats spray either to mark territory or to express
unhappiness about changes going on around them. Cats mark their territory in several
different ways: by scratching, rubbing against an object, or spraying.
Urine marking (spraying) is different from a housetraining problem. The cat backs up to an
object, points its tail straight up in the air, and sprays a nasty, smelly shot of urine. Both
males and females spray, though most often a male cat is the offender. There are several
approaches to solving this problem, and you may have to try them all.
If your cats are not spayed or neutered, get it done immediately. Sexual excitement often
triggers marking behavior. A passing cat outside is enough to start it. Altering by six months
of age prevents the habit from developing. An unneutered male or a female in heat can be
especially obnoxious howling, trying to get outdoors, and spraying the door because of
frustration. Spayed or neutered cats can still spray, although they typically do not.
Changes of any kind in your cat's environment can also trigger a bout of spraying, as he
expresses his frustration, confusion, and stress. Some situations that can cause a cat to
begin spraying:
Moving to a new home
Getting a new cat or dog
A new baby or family member
New furniture or rearranging
Moving the litter box
Dirty litter box
Changing brands of litter
As you see, cats are very sensitive and don't have a lot of ways to tell you about their
unhappiness.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 12:49 PM
Labels: CAT, CAT ADOPTION, CAT BEHAVIOR, CAT BRAIN, CAT SPRAY, CAT SPRAYING, CAT URINARY PROBLEMS, CAT URINARY TRACT, CAT URINE, cat vets, CATS, CATS MARKING TERRITORY, FELINE, KITTENS, MAD CAT, MALE CAT
NEW LOST A CAT SITE
LOST OR FOUND A CAT? HERE IS A GREAT NEW LINK THAT WILL HELP YOU OUT!http://
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 12:30 AM
Labels: BLACKWHITE CAT, CAT ADOPTION, CAT ADS, CAT SHELTERS, CATS, FOUND CAT, KITTEN, LOST AND FOUND, LOST CAT
Saturday, October 13, 2007
WHAT IS A CATS TAIL USED FOR?
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.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 6:35 PM
Labels: CAT ADOPTION, CAT BODY, cat care, CAT HEALTH, CAT SHELTERS, cat tail, cat vets, cats tail, GARFIELD, KITTEN, KLIBAN, tail, VETERINARIAN
WHEN IS KITTEN SEASON
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 1:15 PM
Labels: ANIMAL SHELTERS, BLACKWHITE CAT, BREEDING, CAT BREEDING, CAT BREEDS, CAT HEALTH, CAT TOYS, CATS, KITTEN, KITTENS, PET CAT, PETS, SPAY
Friday, October 12, 2007
HOW DOES MY PET GET TAPEWORMS
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 1:39 PM
Labels: CARTOON CAT, CAT, CAT ADOPTION, cat blog, CAT COLLECTING, cat furniture, CAT SHELTERS, cat vets, cat worms, CATS, dog worms, dogs, ebay, FELINE, FLEAS, KLIBAN, Tapeworms
UPDATE-KILL OR NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTERS ARGUMENTS
The Quandry: "Kill" or "No-Kill" Shelters?
No Kill Shelters Only Accept "Adoptable" Pets You'll hear the argument that "no kill" shelters carefully pick and choose the animals they take in, to guarantee that they are adoptable.
Read the full story and others by franny syufy's About.com:cats
your guide to cats
http://cats.about.com/cs/adoptingcats/a/shelter.htm
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 1:09 AM
Labels: animal shelter, CAT, CAT ADOPTION, CAT LINKS, CAT SHELTERS, cat vets, FELINE
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Technocrati- claim your blog today
Hi Alley Cat Forum Fans,
I just wanted to let you know I have found this site called Technocrati Technorati Profile
you can claim your blog through them and post and link to others, check it out and claim your blog today!
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 11:34 PM
Labels: blog, blogging, CAT, CAT ADOPTION, CAT BOARDING, cat information, CAT LINKS, CAT TOYS, cat vets, ebay, KLIBAN, search engine, site links, the alley cat forum
CATNIP AND YOUR CAT ! WHAT IS CATNIP ?
The leaves, stems, and seedpods of catnip are covered with microscopic bulbs called trichomes, which store the essential oil until they reach maturity and burst. External forces, such as a hungry bug biting into a leaf or a passing animal brushing up against the plant and bruising the leaves, can also release the oil.
That the essential oil is contained inside the fragile bulbs may explain why cats are seen rubbing up against, and even chewing, the leaves. Cats gain nothing by ingesting the leaves because the biological activity of nepetalactone is most likely centered in the olfactory tissues. But chewing the leaves will rupture the tiny packets of oil and release nepetalactone into the air.Because nepetalactone is volatile and will degrade over time, cat owners should store catnip in a freezer to preserve its potency. That way, kitty's next 'nip trip will be as wild and crazy as ever.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 3:49 PM
Labels: CAT, CAT HEALTH, CAT LINKS, CAT TOYS, CAT VETERINARIAN, CATNIP, CATS
WHY DOES A CAT HAVE WHISKERS
Why do cats have whiskers?
Also known as "tactile hairs" or vibrissae, whiskers are the long, thick, flexible hairs on a cat's face. These hairs are located in horizontal rows on the whisker pad, the puffy area between the top corners of your cat's mouth and the outer edges of his nose. Whiskers, like hair and nails, do fall out and are replaced. But whiskers are different from the cat's body hair in a few ways:
Whiskers should never be cut or trimmed (we'll discuss why later).
Whiskers are two to three times thicker than the cat's hair.
Whiskers are rooted very deep in the cat's face, in an area rich in nerves and blood vessels. In addition to having the long tactile hairs on their cheeks, cats also have shorter ones above their eyebrows, on their chin and on the back of their front legs. Since we are most familiar with facial whiskers, let's look at what they are good for:
Navigation
Mood indication
Measuring an opening Whiskers help the cat feel his way around. Whiskers are so sensitive that they can detect the slightest directional change in a breeze. At night, for example, this helps a cat slink its way through a room and not bump into anything. How? The air currents in the room change depending on where pieces of furniture are located. As the cat walks through the room and approaches the couch, he'll know which direction to turn based on the change in air current around the couch.
In addition to having sensory properties, a cat's whiskers are also a good indicator of his mood. When a cat is angry or feels defensive, the whiskers will be pulled back. Otherwise, when the cat is happy, curious or content, the whiskers will be more relaxed and pushed forward.
But the whisker's primary use is to help a cat judge whether or not he'll fit through an opening. A cat's whiskers are roughly as wide as his body -- sort of a natural ruler. The whisker tips are sensitive to pressure. You'll probably see a cat stick his head in and out of an opening before he puts his body in. He's judging the width of the opening, and is determining if he can fit into it. An interesting note: cats don't have a true collar bone, like humans. This allows them to turn and twist their way through very narrow openings
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 3:44 PM
Labels: CAT, CAT ADOPTION, CAT BODY, CAT LINKS, CAT SHELTERS, CAT SITES, CAT WHISKERS, KITTEN, KITTENS
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
BEHAVIOR STAGES OF A CATS LIFE
Here are some normal behaviors for each cat life stage:
Birth to 16 weeks
Just learning her way around, your kitten may be playful, but most likely shy. Click here for more information on how to care for your new kitten.
16 weeks to 1 year
Your kitten will likely still be very playful and spunky. At approximately six months old, you should spay or neuter if you are not planning to breed your cat.
1 to 8 years
Your young cat is in her prime. Remember your annual visits to the veterinarian.
8 to 12 years
Your pre-geriatric cat may begin to slow down, but her behavior shouldn't change much.
12+ years
Your cat is entering old age. You may begin to notice some health problems. Your cat will move slower if her joints begin to stiffen. She may also become easily irritated.
Final Thought
In any health-related issue, whenever you have concerns about your cat, consult your veterinarian. He or she is familiar with your cat and her medical history and has the professional skill and knowledge to identify and treat whatever might be the problem.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 9:01 PM
Labels: AGE, BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS, CAT, CAT HEALTH, CAT YEARS, FELINE
WHY SPAY / NEUTER YOUR CAT
Spaying or neutering your cat prevents unwanted births and reduces the influence of sex hormones on your pet's behavior. In seven years, an unspayed female and unneutered male cat can produce up to 781,250 kittens. Homes cannot be found for most of these animals and many either end up in shelters or on the street. Only a lucky few are adopted; the rest are either euthanized or die from trauma, exposure, starvation or disease. By spaying or neutering your cat, you do your part to prevent this tragedy.
Behavior problems can also be prevented or minimized by spaying or neutering your cat. Sexual behavior in both male and female cats is reduced following surgery. In 90% of male cats, neutering eliminated roaming, urine spraying, and fights with neighborhood cats, regardless of their age when neutered. Female cats no longer show "heat" behavior (soliciting mounting from males). Overall, being sexually intact increases the risk of relinquishment to a shelter. There are, however, large individual differences and not all cats undergo a behavior change following spaying or neutering.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 8:56 PM
Labels: CAT, CAT HEALTH, FELINE, FLEA, NEUTER, SPAY, VETERINARIAN
Monday, October 8, 2007
RINGWORM ON YOUR CAT
How do cats become infected with M canis?
Ringworm is contagious. Spores are the infectious stage of dermatophytes and are produced by M canis during an infection. They are typically found in clusters around infected hairs and can only be seen using a microscope. Infected hairs are shed into the cat's environment. Cats may become infected either by direct contact with an infected animal or by exposure to a contaminated environment or object such as grooming tools, clippers or bedding. Spores in the environment are very robust and without treatment can remain infectious for up to two years. Spores attach to the skin and germinate to produce hyphae that invade skin and hair. It is not known how many spores are needed to start an infection. Self-grooming, particularly licking, may be an effective way of harmlessly removing spores from the skin and haircoat. Intact skin is very resistant to infection. Mites and lice are generally uncommon. The point being made here is that some degree of self trauma is probably required to enable fungal infection to develop and that ectoparasite infestation may be an additional predisposing factor.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 10:11 PM
Labels: CAT DISEASE, CAT FUR, CAT RINGWORM, CAT SKIN, FELINE DISORDERS, GROOMING, RINGWORM, SKIN DISORDERS
HEARTWORM IN YOUR CAT
When it comes to heartworm disease, dogs and cats have a lot in common. But new research shows that in cats there is the potential for more severe reactions and even sudden death. Indoor cats are also at risk for heartworm disease. Cats get heartworm disease the same way dogs get it. Mosquitoes transmit the disease by biting an infected animal, then passing the infection on to other animals they bite.
Cases of heartworm disease in cats have been reported across the United States and many other countries. Heartworm disease is most common in areas where dogs are also at risk.
What are the signs?The most common signs of heartworm disease in cats - coughing , vomiting, breathing difficulties, weight loss, and lethargy - are often mistaken for other conditions such as asthma, pneumonia and digestive problems. In fact, most common clinical signs of heartworm disease in cats resembles bronchial asthma.
PreventionOnce a cat is diagnosed with heartworm disease, managing the disease can be difficult. Treatment, as well as non-treatment, is very risky, because there's currently no approved product for treating adult heartworms, and the onset of clinical signs is impossible to predict in cats that are left untreated. Even if the disease is treated, your cat may experience severe complications or even death when the worms die. Prevention is the best medicine. Ask your veterinarian about heartworm disease prevention for your cat. It will help give your feline friend the best chance for a long and healthy life.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 9:56 PM
Labels: BLACKWHITE CAT, CAT DISEASE, CAT HEALTH, CAT VETERINARIAN, CATS, HEARTWORM, HEARTWORMS, MOSQUITOES, SICK CAT
Saturday, October 6, 2007
GROOMING YOUR MATTED CAT
Here is a few tips to help you with dematting your cat.
Grooming your cat regularly with a brush or comb will reduce the occurrence of mats in the fur. Unfortunately, many cats wind up with matted fur because they hate to be groomed. Here's how to deal with the problem, which occurs most often in longhairs.
1. Attempt to remove the fur mat after the cat has eaten. Cats tend to be more relaxed after meals.
2. Adopt a calm and soothing demeanor as you approach the cat.
3. When the cat is relaxed, try to work out the fur mat with your fingers.
4. If the fingers don't work, get scissorsSnip down the middle of the fur mat, far from the skin. It's quite easy to snip the skin accidentally on longhaired cats, so work carefully.
5. Slowly work apart the fur mat with your fingers, Snipping away a little more if necessary. Reassure the cat in a soothing voice as you snip. If she becomes upset, stop and come back to the task later.
6. Once you've worked apart the fur mat and it's clearly away from the skin, cut it off.
7. Reward the cat's cooperation with a kitty treat or petting under chin, behind ears etc.
8. If the cat has several fur mats, remove them at separate times. The cat will quickly lose her patience after you remove the first fur mat. Build trust with a gentle approach and treats to make future grooming encounters easier.
9. Bring the cat to a professional groomer or a veterinarian if the cat is unapproachable, if the fur mat is in a delicate area or if the mats are extremely tangled cat may have to be given a tranqulizer to get the job done, sedation is much eaiser on your cat then the trauma. Even if taken to groomer might be a good idea to get a kitty relaxer pill from your vet first!
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 9:58 PM
Labels: CAT, CAT FUR, CAT GROOMING, CAT HAIR, CAT SKIN, CAT VETERINARIAN, GROOMER, HAIRBALLS, KITTENS, KNOTTED FUR, MATTED CAT
Friday, October 5, 2007
HOW A CATS BRAIN THINKS
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 7:39 PM
Labels: CARTOON CAT, CAT, CAT BRAIN, CATS, FELINE DISORDERS, KITTEN, KITTENS
FEEDING THE ORPHAN KITTEN
HERE IS A CHART FOR AMOUNT OF FORMULA YOUR KITTEN SHOULD BE FED:
Birth to 1 week: 24cc
1 week: 32cc
2 weeks: 54cc
3 weeks: 80cc
4 weeks: 104cc
5 weeks: 128cc
As a guide, a kitten should drink about 8cc's of formula per ounce of body weight per day.
HERE IS A FEEDING SCHEDULE FOR KITTENS:
Birth to 1 week: Feed every 3 hours (8 feedings per day)
From 1 to 3 weeks: Feed every 4 hours (6 feedings per day)
From 3 to 4 weeks: Feed every 5 hours (5 feedings a day)
From 4 to 5 weeks: Feed four to five times a day.
FROM 4-6 WEEKS OLD YOUR KITTEN SHOULD START EATING ON HIS OWN ALITTLE AT A TIME, AFTER YOU SHOWING HIM HOW OF COURSE BY PUTTING LITTLE BITS ON HIS/HER NOSE AND MOUTH.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 7:24 PM
Labels: CAT, CAT FOOD, CAT HEALTH, FEEDING YOUR CAT, KITTEN, KITTENS, ORPHAN KITTEN, VETERINARIAN
Thursday, October 4, 2007
CAT VACCINATIONS
HERE ARE THE CAT DISEASE VACCINES YOUR CAT SHOULD HAVE ONCE A YEAR;
1. FVRCP :
Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus - viral diseases of the eyes, nose and throat (upper respiratory infection) plus Panleukopenia a viral disease of the blood and intestines (feline distemper or infectious enteritis).
2. FeLV :
Feline Leukemia - a viral disease that impairs immunity. Usually fatal.
3. Rabies:
a viral disease fatal to humans and other animals. Vaccination is necessary for all cats. Some rabies shots are good for 3 years check with your vet to make sure which one your cat gets.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 3:21 PM
Labels: CAT HEALTH, CAT SHOTS, CAT VACCINATIONS, FELINE DISORDERS, FELINE LEUKEMIA, RABIES, VETERINARIAN
DOES YOUR CAT HAVE EARMITES
These are the signs:
1. excessive and persistent scratching around the ears
2. head shaking
3. restless behavior
4. the ears are painful to the touch and the pet may cry out in pain
5. brown material present in the ears
6. a foul-smelling odor.
The villain is ear mites, tiny parasites that live on the surface of the skin lining in the ear canal. Ear Mites pierce the skin surface to feed, causing inflammation and discomfort. If left untreated,bacterial infections and loss of hearing may result. Kittens can acquire an ear mite infection from their mother. Ear mites can be transmitted from one household pet to another.If ear mites are present in a multiple-pet household or a kennel or cattery, it is likely that if one animal is treated, the mites will move to another resident. The best preventive measure is to treat all residents for mites. Left untreated ear problems can have very serious consequences such as:Inflamed ears, Painful ears, Chronic Problems ,Constant medication, Hearing loss,Discharge and odor, intense scratching, ear infections, Sores, Painful blood clots,surgery and high veterinarian costs.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 2:54 PM
Labels: CAT DISEASE, CAT EAR, CAT HEALTH, CAT VETERINARIAN, EARMITES, KITTENS, KLIBAN, SIGNS OF EARMITES
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
RHINOTRACHEITIS-CAT DISEASE
Rhinotracheitis is a herpes virus. Just like herpes in people, it keeps coming back. It is almost certainly the most common cause of chronic, non-responsive conjunctivitis in cats. It doesn't respond to any anti-bacterial agent because it isn't a bacteria. Anti-viral eye drops are available but may not be very effective, either. There is some evidence that administration of L-lysine is helpful in control of this condition. I am not sure how helpful. It can still be useful to use an anti-bacterial ophthalmic drop but the best recommendation is to use one that will work well against gram positive bacteria, which is gentamycin's weak area. A triple antibiotic drop with polymyxin and bacitracin may work better than gentamycin in this case. This is especially likely in a cat that had pneumonia because of the high probability of rhinotracheitis being involved in that, too. Unfortunately, if this is the problem, chronic non-responsive disease until the body can finally develop immunity for a while is not uncommon. Sometimes, nothing seems to aid this process.
Posted by THE ALLEY CAT FORUM at 7:51 AM
Labels: CAT DISEASE, CAT HEALTH, FELINE DISORDERS, KITTEN, KITTENS, RHINOTRACHEITIS, VETERINARIAN