HEALTH FOR CATS: May 2013

Thursday 30 May 2013

About Cats: Finding Lost Cats

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

Memorial Day has passed and Summer is just around the corner. Prepare yourself and your kitties for triple-digit heat, starting today.

Also, I'm waiting for all those Adopted Shelter Cat entries to start coming in. In the meantime, stay cool, and see you again in June.

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Cat Picture of the Week: Leopard

Photo: Cat Picture of the Week, Leopard
Photo Credit: © Guest, Melanie King

Leopard joins us today all the way from South Africa. Her photo and story mark the fourth and last of the Cat Pictures of the Week for May, 2013.

Despite her temperamental dispositon, Melanie and Leopard are bonded as well as any human and cat can be. Leopard had been surrendered to the South Africa SPCA as a youngster, when she adopted her in 2007. It is possible that her aggressive tendencies led to her surrender. On the other hand, it is possible that abuse to this young kitten led to her distrust of humans. In any case, Leopard has found sanctuary in Melanie's home, while she rules it with the velvet paw of the wild beast she was named for.

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Finding Lost Cats

One of the most frightening events in a household with cats is when one of them comes up missing. Although most indoor-only cats don't stray far from home, finding a lost cat isn't always easy

In my many years as a pet parent, I've had those same panicky feelings from time-to-time, combined with the guilt of responsibility on a few occasions. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take as soon as you've verified the cat is not in the house, which are detailed in this article.

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Kittens' First Six Weeks

The first six weeks in a cat's life set the stage for his personality as an adult cat. Health-wise, this period is also extremely important to the developing kitten, as very young kittens are susceptible to a number of threats, such as fleas, URIs (upper respiratory infection), and "fading kitten syndrome."

Kittens may never grow again at the accelerated rate of this period, and witnessing the changes in their development from week to week is an unforgettable experience. The knowledge you'll gain here will help ensure they will grow into strong, healthy cats.

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Simba, 1994 - 2013

Photo of Tuxedo Cat, Simba
Photo Credit: © John C. Hanson, Jr.

John Hanson is a very special man, and has been not only a longtime reader, but a kind and generous friend for many years. He has supported me when I most needed it, and I treasure his friendship. So when his best feline friend, Simba, went to the Rainbow Bridge in April of this year, I could do no less for John. John has written a memorial to Simba, and Memorial Day seemed a fitting to publish it.

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Thursday 23 May 2013

About Cats: About.com GuideCats

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Cats

Cats

Cat Basics

Health & Behavior

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From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

As promised last week, our main feature today is a photo gallery of GuideCats - cats who serve as assistants to About.com Guides. I'd be lost without mine, as they keep me grounded (and on my toes.)

This weekend we mark Memorial Day in the U.S., and today tribute is due to the victims and their survivors of the terrible tornados in Oklahoma. Words can't express our sorrow.

Hold those you love close to you this week. You know who they are.

About.com GuideCats

Photo of GuideKittens Melody and Cupcake
Image © Jane Anderson, Guide to Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity

This compilation of GuideCats (and GuideKittens) is not just a buncy of pretty faces. The stories accompanying the photos are funny, endearing, and sometimes poignant. However, they all reflect the love and respect we About.com Guides have for our furry office assistants, as well as the devotion they have for us. Take for example, Melody and Cupcake, pictured here. Their human mom, Jane Anderson, is the only purrson I have ever known who actually labeled one of the cubbies in her desk organizer, "Cats," because, of course, her kitties love to sleep there.

Enjoy the wide range of Guide Cats and my fellow Guides who keep them gainfully employed.

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Checklist of Information for Your Cat Sitter

I rarely am away from home overnight, because of the worry about our cats while I'm gone, particularly with cats with health issues. Fortunately, we have at least two professional petsitters in our commiunity, at least one of them with vet tech experience. I still will leave a printable Checklist for Your Cat Sitter the next time we're gone overnight.

Our cats are always happier right here at home. Their separation anxiety is bad enough, when we're gone, without having to be left at a boarding facility. It's important to make sure the surrogate caregiver knows exactly what to do for your cat, both in terms of routine care and what to do in case of an emergency. The printable checklist will nicely serve that purpose.

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Before You Buy Pet Health Insurance for Cats

I'd have gone bankrupt long ago if I had not had personal health insurance. And in 2011, when my Joey was hyperthyroid and needed radioactive iodine treatment, his Pet health insurance, paid enough for that treatment to cover his policy costs for the year. We all have different financial situations, and our cats all have different health needs. You may, in fact, decide against it, depending on your own situation, and your willingness to gamble.

After paying astronomical veterinary bills for care of my now-deceased cats Shannon and Bubba, I decided to amortize my veterinary costs by investing in pet health insurance for Jaspurr, Joey, and Billy. Jennifur is covered by... Read more

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Cat Picture of the Week: Lucy

Photo: Cat of the Week, Lucy
Image © Guest, Chelsea S.

It was love at first sight when Chelsea S. and Lucy, this week's Cat of the Week first met at the Tampa Bay SPCA five years ago.

Today, they still play together and are closer than ever, and Chelsea rarely has any problems with her, with one exception. Though Lucy is only six pounds, she can throw a hissy fit when it is time to go to the veterinarian. That sure struck a chord with me.

We still have time for one more Cat Picture of the Week for May, so read more of Lucy's story and find out how you can submit your own tuxedo cat's photos and story.

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Thursday 16 May 2013

About Cats: Feline Heart Disease, Cats and Birds

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Cats

Cats

Cat Basics

Health & Behavior

Photos & Forums

From Franny Syufy, your Guide to Cats

We're back with more health issues on the home front. I consider them important information for all cat lovers, because both diabetes and heart disease affect far too many cats, as does fatty liver disease. At least two of them can often be prevented.

On the lighter side, a bit of humor about cats and birds, and a brilliant little tuxie named Thomas. Next week, a special new photo spread about some "working cats." Until then, I'll be lovin' on some special cats of my own. I hope you will too.

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Billy Has HCM

Photo of cat watching hummingbirds at feeder Our Billy, who was tentatively diagnosed with feline diabetes last week, was also diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) on Wednesday, May 8th. His diabetes diagnosis was also confirmed at the same time.

We were supposed to have taken Billy to the specialty vet last Friday at 8 a.m., but he had hidden underneath my son's king-sized bed, and there was no way of getting him out and into a crate. So Wednesday, we decided on a sneak play and during our 10 a.m. deck time with the cats, Lance left for a few minutes, brought the crate up from the garage, then came out to the deck and grabbed Billy, who had been watching our hummingbirds feed. He was able to crate him and we were out the door in five minutes. It was about 11:15 and I had called ahead...read further.

Fatty Liver Disease

I am not a veterinary professional. My knowledge of medical conditions of cats is limited to personal experience supplemented by lengthy research; the investment in veterinary textbooks, dictionaries, and manuals; and a distance learning veterinary assistant course I took several years ago. Having disclosed that information, it is particularly gratifying to receive occasional emails thanking me for helpful information in the topic of feline health. Feline hepatic lipidosis, aka fatty liver disease is often the subject of these emails...learn more.

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Cats and Birds Redux

Because our home is in a forest populated with brown bears, raccoons, mountain lions, bobcats, rattlesnakes and other wild critters, my cats must stay indoors, unless in a safe area, closely supervised. At the present time, the only location for that is our large deck, which is 20 to 30 feet above ground. Although we keep no other bird feeders there, we have a hummingbird feeder hanging there, and our cats love to watch the hummingbirds there on our twice-daily outside time.

A couple of days ago we were sitting there in the early evening, almost mesmerized by the sounds of crickets, overlaid with the soft click,click, and gentle whir of the hummers beaks and wings. Suddenly, a loud...read more.

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Cat Picture of the Week: Thomas

Thomas, a one year old tuxedo cat, was a "volunteer adoptee" when he wandered through the rain to Brenda's house as a young kitten. He is the second Cat of the Week for May, 2016.

Thomas is good buddies with the older cat Max, who he may have followed home, but Maggie is slow in accepting him, although she seems to be slowly coming around. Thomas is willful at times, and Brenda says he "doesn't know the meaning of 'no'" For that reason she advises quickly teaching tuxies the meaning of boundaries, as they are very curious and enthusiastic. Read more of Thomas' story and find out how to submit your own tuxy's photos and story.

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