HEALTH FOR CATS

Thursday, 6 February 2014

About Cats: Respiratory Disease in Cats

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From Franny Syufy

By complete coincidence, Tuesday I learned that I have pneumonia, and apparently have had it for quite some time. Respiratory disease currently seems to be a running theme in our family this week.

Don't forget with Valentine's Day coming soon that we've designated February as Hug-a-Cat Month.

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Respiratory Disease in Cats

We have been plagued with upper respiratory disease in most of our cats for the past three months.

Photo of Kittens Gaither and Sage
photo © Franny Syufy

First, one of our newly adopted kittens, Sage, was diagnosed with a URI shortly after he and Gaither were adopted. The symptoms were sneezing wet mucous, coughing, watery eyes, and when we took him to our veterinarian, a temperature of 103+. A couple of weeks later, it was Gaither's turn. He had all the signs of Conjunctivitis, commonly called pinkeye, in one eye, which rapidly spread to the other....read more

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February is Spay & Neuter Month

For several years, the last Tuesday in February has been designated as "Spay Day U.S.A.," and February has been chosen as Spay and Neuter Month by countless humane societies and animal advocacy groups. There are many ways you can contribute to this effort, starting with spaying and neutering your own cats.

It is hard to believe that in this enlightened age, ..learn more

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Cat Olympics Show and Tell

Today is the first day of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. We cat lovers have had our own Kitty Olympics year after year, since 2008. As in previous years, Cat Olympic Events will continue daily, year-round, unlike the human Olympics, which are only held biennially.

Now is your chance to be one of the first to submit your own cat(s)’ Olympic competition photo and story to the Cat Olympics Show and Tell. You may select from Power Sleeping, Mouse Hockey, Bird Watching, ..learn more

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Cat Picture of the Week: Powder

I am happy to announce our first Cat Picture of the Week for February, 2014: Powder, a handsome white cat.

Photo of Cat Picture of the Week: Powder
photo © Liz Arrington Turnbill

Powder has lived with Liz since the day he was born. His feline mother, a tuxedo cat is also part of Liz's feline family. He was very vocal and demanding as a kitten, but at almost nine years old now, he has all the love and attention he wants, so he is content to just purr.

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Sunday, 2 February 2014

About Cats: You, Your Cat, and Cat Photos

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From Franny Syufy

First, I have good news: I have decided to continue the Cat Picture of the Week. If in the early months there have not been enough entries, I'll reach back to the previous year, since those cats should also have a chance for the honors.

As far as white cats, they must be pure white, and not a mixture of other colors. One reader will be disappointed because she submitted a beautiful cat who is white with a large black/tabby cap on her head, an even larger black patch on her back and a fluffy black tail. I won't be able to approve it, nor am I able to move it to another Show and Tall category.

As a reminder, here is the list of monthly featured cats.

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Question from Jay:

"I have a Tabby Tortie and a black oriental mix – both rescues – that I would love to send pictures in for. My problem is that I’m not sure how to do it. I have tons of pictures in my phone and a couple on Facebook, but I don’t know to get them posted onto your site. If you could provide directions somehow to do that, I would love to send my photos to you! I’m just somewhat technologically disadvantaged…"

My Response: Since you are clever enough to use your smart phone to post photos on Facebook, you can use it to submit photos using your phone. Your cats are both Domestic cats which are featured in August. Don't wait until then though. Use this form to submit their photos in the part where it says "Talk About Your Cat." But please send each cat's photo in a separate submittal. I rarely use two cats' photos in the Cat Picture of the Week features.

How Can I Send You A Photo for Cat Picture of the Week?

Sorry, but I have never accepted photos directly for my Cat Picture of the Week feature, Many years ago, I thought of a way to surprise and honor my readers by giving their cats this kind of recognition. It has always given me as much pleasure as it has the recipient. As above, each Cat Picture of the Week is selected by me from that month's type of cat.

80 Ways to Share Cat Pictures With Other Readers

Don't forget the other ways to submit photos for publishing. I often feature them on my blog or as illustration for articles. For example, you can choose Funny Cats, such as Silly Sleeper Cats, or Container Cats. Or Special Cats, such as Special Needs Cats, or Cat Memorials.

How About Holiday Cat Pictures? Don't forget Valentine's Day is coming soon!

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No Photos? Try User Answers

User Answers are a quick and easy way to share ideas with other readers. I do not yet have an index, but will work on one soon. Here are some popular topics to start with:

Indoor-Outdoor Epiphany
Things Cats Hate
How Do You Buy Cat Food
Passions About Cats
Kitty-Whipped
Economic Euthanasia

Thursday, 30 January 2014

About Cats: Review: The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Art of Purring

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From Franny Syufy

I hope this new book review is worth the wait. I'm currently reading its prequal, The Dalai Lama's Cat, which I will review in February.

And speaking of February, that's the month devoted to white cats. Since I've received no new white cat Show and Tell entries this year, I created the poll featured here. While 59 people (79%) voted a resounding NO, apparently none of them have white cats.

Don't forget Valentine's Day is coming soon. Let's also make February Hug-a-Cat Month, since we all know how much they love and depend on us.

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Review: The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Art of Purring

When I received an offer to review two of David Michie's books, including an advance copy of The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Art of Purring, I eagerly accepted. Since The Dalai Lama's Cat and the Art of Purring was the latest in the series, it is reviewed first.

Rinpoche (pronounced rin-po-SHAY) is an unforgettably beautiful, cat, with a vocabulary which would challenge many humans, and the book is filled with almost every emotion we know, but mostly love and acceptance. I've dubbed the book a "timeless classic" in my review, and I happily stand by that assessment.

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Poll: Cancel Cat Pictures of the Week?

I'm seriously considering cancelling the Cat Picture of the Week series. Why? Because for both January and February, there has been little, if any response to my requests for the corresponding Show and Tell pictures. As of today, the latest white cat Show and Tell photo I've received is from November, 2013, after the cat's death in October.

It would be a shame to discontinue this series, which has been around from at least 2005.The photo shown here is Frodo, who was one of the Cat Pictures of the Week for 2005 However, it does consume a considerable amount of time,. . read more and vote in the poll

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February is Pet Dental Health Month

While February is officially Pet Dental Health Month, the effects of gingivitis and periodontal disease in cats can be so far-reaching that, actually, every month should be dental health month.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three years. With that knowledge in mind, I was horrified when I recently took my two kittens for individual vet appointments, and found that Sage at nine months, and Gaither at almost seven months both have dental disease. Sage has indications of early stomatitis, and Gaither has gingivitis. Since...read more

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Top Things a Cat Needs for Survival

I wrote the list of Top Things a Cat Needs for Survival almost six years ago, but it is as true today as when I first wrote it.

Certainly, most cats can "survive" without all the things on this list. However, my goal is not only to help my readers' cats survive, but to allow them to thrive.