Feline Blogs & Information
Cat of the Month ~ May 2008
The Siamese is one of the earliest breeds of Oriental cat. The breed originated in Thailand (formerly known as Siam), where they are one of several native breeds and are called Wichian Mat (which means Moon Diamond). They are medium sized and lithe cats that have a very amiable personality – they are though also sensitive and nervous souls.
Moggy is a hoggy … China’s Xu Jirong holds his cat, which weighs 15kg and sports a 77cm waist
[Image Copyright 2008 Daily Telegraph News Limited]
Reader…
Just stumbled on this post… Interesting stuff.
I know lots of folks who kiss their cats (including myself). Now there’s a revelation. This article does make you think about cat handling issues. I’m sure (from my own experience) that it’s mainly the young and elderly who are most at risk….here’s the short article.
I’d be interested to hear any ‘tales’ you might have of cat ailments you’ve caught? Cat scratch fever!…I’ve not caught it yet, touch wood.
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Steps to Prevent Disease Transmission from Cats to Man
At special risk are persons who may have a suppressed immune system, such as: infants, the elderly, people who have had their spleens removed, and people with long-term or debilitating conditions such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS and renal failure.
The list of possible zoonotic diseases is extensive and this module only attempts to highlight a few which are more commonly found.
ALLERGIC SENSITIVITIES Allergic skin and respiratory reactions are quite common in personnel working with cats and other animals. Consult your physician. Wear protective clothing to prevent direct contact with cats, waste, carcasses and other body products.
CAT SCRATCH FEVER caused by Bartanella henselae causes regional lymphadenitis usually associated with a history of a scratch or bite by a cat. Cat-scratch disease is usually self-limited; however in the presence of the HIV, causes severe disease.
RABIES This virus is transmitted by infected saliva, usually by a bite wound, but viral laden saliva may enter preexisting wounds or abrasions. The virus travels up a nerve to the spinal cord and finally reaches the brain. After a variable incubation period, rabid animals or humans will exhibit signs related to central nervous system (CNS) disfunction, and once this occurs, death is inevitable! For this reason, persons bitten by cats should always see a physician and discuss the correct course of treatment. Most animal caretakers will choose to take a series of pre-exposure vaccinations, which will facilitate treatment should they ever be bitten by an infected cat. Cats may be infected by exposure to infected bats.
RINGWORM caused by Microsporum canis is a highly contagious fungal disease. It occurs most often in temperate and tropical climates. People become infected by touching a contagious cat and then failing to wash their hands. When a cat is confirmed positive people should wear protective clothing such as a gown and gloves. Asymptomatic animals may also contaminate and infect susceptible people.
TOXOPLASMOSIS caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Clinical infections are relatively uncommon, but extremely hazardous. The method of exposure is through the feces, therefore wearing gloves when cleaning litter boxes is very important.
Despite all this, I know I for one wouldn’t be without my moggy!
Ed.
We all get these from time to time, and moggies are no exception…
So, first off, you had trouble getting out of bed
You got yourself a stiff neck
washed your hair and couldn’t do a thing with it
You felt like you had a hangover and you weren’t even drinking last night
Your new diet really doesn’t seem to be working out
You pulled a muscle when you tried to exercise
Your new hat looked better on you in the changing room
You find that you just keep losing things
You feel like you’re always in the wrong place at the wrong time
The boss bit your head off at work
You got caught in the rain at lunchtime…
..then the lunch you had didn’t seem to agree with you
You feel trapped
Uninvited guests turned up at dinnertime
On top of that you think you’re coming down with the flu
And finally, you’re alone in the house at night when you think you hear a noise from below
Many thanks, Jan!
Hi reader, Norm here.
I’m back after my long winter break holed up in my kennel (pic to follow – Ed). I know, kennels for dogs ‘n all that, but it does keep me out of those strong winds we’ve been getting round here lately. It’s like someone running a cold hand across my back….and the wrong way at that…eventually I get to cowering all round the garden as I try to make my way…no I don’t like it at all! So was I pleased to get this kennel. Cats and rain you know they don’t mix either much. 🙄
So Xmas, here’s me thinking they brought me a new litter tray made of cardboard and, as usual, I had to go in and investigate. Well when I got in there, there was all this silver and gold snake like stuff mmmm tinsel they call it I think, but my overall impression was of the scent of a previous visiting moggy (that would have been Gingerbread ,Ed) and I wasn’t having any of that, so I duly nestled down and sprayed the whole place (look away now, reader) to ensure that no other cats would be using my tray again. Suddenly, the whole world started to rock and the box floated into the air in the arms of my keeper (I can’t repeat the words that were flying from his mouth, they would make your hair curl) (it wasn’t me!, Ed) and I knew I’d done something wrong. Next thing I was out on the back lawn in the freezing cold (box n’ all) and wondering what all the fuss ‘n bother was about. I just snuggled down and went to sleep in that same box. Well, it made a change from the kennel.
Please watch out for my next post reader, I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
Ciao,
N.
Heres’ one for the festive season.
