Archive for September 2009
General Information about FeLV
What is Feline Leukemia Virus and can I catch it?
Feline Leukemia Virus is a virus that is specific to cats only. It is considered to be the most common cause of serious illness and death in domestic cats. It causes a breakdown in your cat’s immune system causing your cat to become susceptible to many diseases which it might otherwise be able to fight off. It CANNOT be transmitted to humans (including children) nor can it be transmitted to other species such as dogs. The National Cancer Institute and the National Institutes of Health have written a CancerNet Factsheet which is available via gopher. See the References section for more information on this. Read the rest of this entry »
Feline Leukemia Virus FAQ
Written by Erin Miller [ ermiller@dgsys.com] with help from James Golczewski, PhD; Edwin Barkdoll, DVM-to-be; Cindy Tittle Moore; Jeff Parke, DVM; C.M. Newell, DVM; Barb French; Richard Kinoshita; and Ann Huber. Additional thanks to Wilf Leblanc, Dan Kozisek, Karen Kolling, Isako Honshino, Patty Winter, Harold Lemon, Jill Kronstadt, and many members of the Cat Fanciers’ Internet Mailing List for their comments.
The purpose of this FAQ is to answer frequently asked questions about the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). The Feline Leukemia Virus is a virus which suppresses your cat’s immune system. A cat that becomes infected with the virus becomes susceptible to many ailments or breakdowns in its system. The virus was somewhat inappropriately named because it is different than the disease Feline Leukemia.
Introducing your new cat to other animals
You may need to introduce a cat to other animals (but first make sure the new kitten or cat has been seen by a vet to reduce the risk of transmitting illnesses or parasites to your other animals). The key to this is patience. It may take several weeks to a month to achieve desired results; it may take overnight. Do not give up and don’t lose your temper. It depends on the temperament and ages of the animals involved. Read the rest of this entry »
Caring for a new kitten
Generally, a very young cat doesn’t need the full run of an entire house. Use your judgement, but leaving it in one room until it is a little older can save both of you some anxiety. A kitten will need a different diet than an adult; most brands of cat food also come in “kitten food” versions. Kittens have small stomachs and big appetites; they need to be fed several times a day. Read the rest of this entry »
What Kind of Cat
Many people are attracted to cats or kittens because of their looks. Consider her characteristics as well, since the kitten you choose today may be a member of your family for 15 years or more. Are you looking for a very active, playful cat? Do you need a cat that will be especially gentle with children or elderly people? One that won’t be frightened by a barking dog? Or a calm, affectionate cat that will sleep on your bed at night? Read the rest of this entry »
Should You Get a Cat?
Your cat will depend on you throughout its life, and with proper care may live 15 years or more. Are you willing and able to care properly for it and provide a stable home for that long? An astonishingly high percentage of cats change owners at least once in their lifetimes, and that does not count those that didn’t make it out of the shelter. Read the rest of this entry »
Behavior in Cats – Hair Damaging
I have a four year old, long haired cat (I have been told he looks like a
Maincoon). Last August he had fleas and I treated him with a flea dip.
Afterward he kept twitching his tail and seemed to be annoyed by something atthe tip. I thought maybe he still had fleas and I examined his tail and the
rest of his body, but could find nothing wrong. Then he started to bite the
tip of his tail. I took him to my Vet and he was placed on antibiotics for a
week and given a collar to keep him from reaching his tail. Read the rest of this entry »
Pills, Dosing and Medication of cat
Giving pills
Kneel on floor and put cat between knees (cat facing forwards). Cross your ankles behind so cat can’t escape backwards; press your knees together so cat can’t escape forwards. Make sure your cat’s front legs are tucked in between your knees so it can’t claw you. Put the palm of your hand on top of its head and thumb and index finger on either side of its mouth; the mouth will fall open as you tilt the head back. If it doesn’t, gently push down on the cat’s lower front teeth eith your middle finger of your other hand (the first two fingers are to hold the pill). You may wish to stop at this point and use a flashlight to examine the cat’s mouth to see what you are doing. You want to drop the pill in on *top* of the tongue as far *back* as you can. Keep the head tilted back and stroke its throat until pill is swallowed. Then let your cat escape. Read the rest of this entry »
Bengal Cat FAQ
Bengal cats are bred from Asian leopards. Asian leopards have recently come off the endangered species list. So what of the Bengal Cat? Well, it’s name come from the Asian leopard’s scientific name, Felis Bengalensis, (some even speculate that the late Mr. Bill Engle, B. Engle, had some thing to do with the name), so no, it’s not a tiger by any stretch. Bengals carry some of their ancestor’s (the Asian leopard’s) wild nature true, such as a love for water. Read the rest of this entry »
The American Curl
Author: Karen O’Brien, CFA American Curl Breed Council Secretary, karenob@msn.com.Copyright © 1995 Karen O’Brien, All Rights Reserved.”What did you do to their ears? Are their ears always like that? Did you use a curling iron?”Yes, their ears ARE always like that and no, a curling iron was NOT used to achieve those extraordinary ears! The curled ear is a natural genetic mutation and first time admirers are always surprised by the American Curl’s unique ears and impressed by their overall striking beauty. Curls quickly become a favorite with all who come to know them. Read the rest of this entry »