June Features Adopted Shelter Cats
June is just a week away, and for the month of June we focus on adopted shelter cats, such as the beauty shown below, Lucy. We will honor adopted shelter cats in June by the selection of one each week as the Cat Picture of the Week.
Photo Credit: © About.com Member Tootsie347
Lucy was adopted by her then 71 year old mom after a previous cat had passed away at 17. They have been best friends now for over five years, and share a wonderful bond. "Tootsie," now 76, wrote that she'd do it all over again, even when she is 90! I pray they both have a long and happy life together.
Cat Breed of the Week: Havana Brown
The Havana Brown is unique to gaze upon, and even more delightful to enjoy as a companion. Browns are very people-oriented and will often extend a paw to gain attention. With its charming manner and soft, gentle voice, the Havana Brown would make an ideal pet for a single person.
Susitnaladys Trudy of Mokolea AKA Trudy was featured on the Cat Fanciers Association's website under the Havana Brown Breed Profile, as the CFA National Best of Breed for 2001-2002 show season.
Photo Credit: © Diane Mounib, Mokolea Cattery
Cat Picture of the Week: Lucy
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.
Image © Guest, Chelsea S.
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.
About.com GuideCats
With the wealth of cats who work as office assistants for my fellow About.com Guides, I seized the opportunity to recruit some of them for an About.com GuideCats photo op.
Image © Jane Anderson, Guide to Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity
This compilation of GuideCats (and GuideKittens) is not just a photo op, though. 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.
Among others, you'll see Yoshi, the GuideCat for Allen Grove, of College Admissions, and Aglaia, who encourages David Beaulieu, the Landscaping Guide, to plant more catnip. Cats are drawn to plants by a magical allure. In addition to Landscaping, we have GuideCats for both Gardening (Three GuideCats) and Container Gardening. This is just a beginning, though, so please bookmark About.com GuideCats and stay tuned. In the near future, I hope to add several more feline executive assistants from About.com, including my own four GuideCats.
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Checklist of Information for Your Cat Sitter
I can't remember the last time I was away from home overnight. and a large part of the reason is the worry about our cats while we're gone, particularly with Billy recently diagnosed with diabetes, and the spectre of possible insulin injections holding over our heads. Fortunately, we have at least two professional petsitters in our commiunity, at least one 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.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
Suggested Additional Reading:
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 another pet health insurance company so I can compare costs vs benefits. I have the peace of mind knowing that I won't need to go into debt should any of my cats have a severe, long-term illness in the future.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
More About Pet Health Insurance
Pet Health Insurance Company Interview: VPI
Pet Health Insurance Company Interview: Petsecure
Pet Heath Insurance - 16 Tips and Questions To Ask
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 diseaseis often the subject of these emails.
Symptoms of fatty liver disease include inappetance, anorexia, rapid weight loss, and vomiting, symptoms that also may occur in other diseases including hyperthyroidism, liver cancer, CRF (chronic renal failure) or pancreatic disease. Because rapid weight loss is associated with fatty liver disease, this condition can also "piggyback" into the other diseases. Fortunately fatty liver disease, if diagnosed in time, can be completely reversed. My cat Shannon, who lived to 19 years, was in danger of fatty liver syndrome, on top of CRF and FIV. Thankfully, by working as a team with our veterinarian, we were able to divert this additional burden to his health by feeding him a liquid gruel of baby food meat (no onions), canned cat food, and low sodium chicken broth. I used a plastic basting syringe to feed him, very slowly.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
Associated Feline Diseases:
Feline Hyperthyroidism
CRF (chronic renal failure)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Syndrome)
Cat Breed of the Week: Exotic Shorthair
The Exotic Shorthair could easily have been called "Shorthair Persian," as it is cousin to that breed.
People who love the look and sweet personality of the Persian, but who don't care to be a slave to daily brushing, will find the Exotic a perfect pet. Selectively bred to develop the short plush coat, the exotic in every other way resembles the Persian, including its quiet, affectionate disposition.
Photo Credit: Gizmo, © Photo Credit: © Melissa Niven
About the Breed | Share Your Exotic Shorthair Story
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Cats and Birds Redux
A little bit of Monday lightness. As I have pointed out before, cats are predators, and even domesticated cats will kill birds, given the opportunity, such as being allowed to run loose outside.
Image © Franny Syufy
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...
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. His is the second Cat of the Week for May, 2016.
Image © Guest, Brenda
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.