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Buying a Cat or Kitten
Do I
Spay/Neuter or not?
Does my cat need a companion?
How often and how do I groom my cat?
Are pet shop kittens alright?
Why do purebred cats from known
breeders cost so much?
Health Issues
I want to de-claw my new kitten!
Will I be best suited for a longhair or shorthair kitty
I think my cat has allergies!
I have allergies. Is there a breed of cat that wont affect my allergies.?
Food and Nutrition Issues
- What kind of food do I feed my cat/kitten?
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Can my purebred cat go outside?
How will my kitten/cat get along with my small child?
My bed or the cats bed?
What type of litter is best for my cat?
Behavioral Issues
- Why does my cat chew on lamp cords?
- How do I introducing a new cat to my household?
- Can't I train my cat to do ANYTHING?
Cat Grooming
- How do I trim my cats nails?
- How do I give my cat a bath?
- How often and how do I groom my cat?
What else is in my house that can harm my cat/kitten?
Q: At What
age should I get my kitten their shots? What Shots should they receive.
Answer: Most breeders have
their kittens vaccinated when they are between 6 and 12 weeks old. This
period is for "kitten" shots. Three diseases are generally
covered; Feline Panleucopenia (sometimes called feline distemper),
Calici and Rhinotrachetis. A fourth disease is sometimes added,
Chlamydia. If shots are started at 6 weeks, then a series of 3 shots
should be given at 6 , 9, and 12 weeks. If shots are started at 8 weeks
or older, a second shot should be given 4 weeks later or at 12 weeks of
age. These shots are valid for one year.
If the cats are ever outside, they should be vaccinated against rabies
as well. One shot is given for rabies. 4 months is acceptable in nearly
all areas. Some allow for 3 months of age. This first rabies shot is
valid for one year. Subsequent shots are valid for 3 years.
A series of shots are given for 2 reasons. To provide protection when
the mommy cats immunity wears off, and in case the kitten does not have
a really good immune system, the first shot "wakes up" the
immune system and begins to establish immunity. Follow up shots provide
a booster effect toward developing immunity.
Q: We
recently got a new kitten. She is a solid Himalayan. We noticed she had
little red sores and streaks under her fur about 3 weeks after we got
her. The fur is falling out around these areas, and she scratches a lot.
Now both of my children have similar sores. They really itch and seem to
be spreading. What is this?
Answer: Your cat and your children probably
have skin fungus. It is often called ringworm. Although it is not a worm
at all. It is more closely related to mushrooms. It is one of the very
few diseases that transfers from cats to humans, called zoohotic. And it
is very contagious, as you well know, to just about anything that has
fur or hair. Call your doctor and also your veterinarian. Fungus is no
longer the scourge it once was. You no longer have to shave your
children's heads to get effective treatment. It will be easier to treat
the cat if she is clipped down. But only if you are not planning to show
her for several months. There are now several products that can be used
topically that are available at your drug store; Tinactin, and Nizoral.
Creams and ointments can be use on both cats and people. Tincture of
iodine and mild bleach solution can be used on humans. Iodine is
poisonous to cat! BEWARE! There are also several drugs that treat the
disease systemically. Your doctor and Veterinarian can prescribe them.
There is also a recent homeopathic treatment called baccillium, that is
working well in many catteries. There are some unusual varieties of
fungus that can invade tissues besides skin. So you should definitely
contact your doctor and veterinarian before trying to treat this on you
own.
Q: I am
pregnant and my Dr and Husband want me to get rid of my Siamese cat. The
doctor says cats carry some disease that can harm my baby. My husband
just wants our baby to be safe. So do I. But, my cat was my first baby,
and I don't want her to go. What are they so concerned about, and is
there anything to this.
Answer: There is validity to what they say.
But, over the years it has been blown way out of proportion.
Toxoplasmosis is a disease carried by many animals including small
birds, lizards, frogs, sheep, goats, cows, and cats. If a pregnant woman
does contract this disease, it can be extremely harmful, even fatal to
her unborn child. So, obviously it is very dangerous. But, the
unfortunate part is that few house pet cats actually carry the disease.
If the cat lives indoors, is fed well cooked or commercially prepared
food and does not hunt small bird, mice, etc, it is very unlikely to
carry the toxoplasmosis. You would be more likely to contract the
disease by eating undercooked meat. You can also take additional
precautions just in case to add to your safety. Exposure to the disease
is from "oocysts" a form of egg in the cats stool. The oocysts
do not become infectious for the first 48 hours. To insure your safety,
you should adopt safe handling of cat waste. The litter pan should be
completely changed each day, and the box disinfected. New litter should
be used each day. Scooping waste material does not provide adequate
protection. It can still contain the microscopic oocysts. If you can't
get someone else to do the litter pan, then use plastic or rubber gloves
- plastic bags or litter pan liners so you don't touch the litter
barehanded. And good cleanup afterwards. No reason to have to get rid of
your "Meser"(aka Siamese) if you are careful.
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