The Cat's Meow, a book review

I read a good book this week. “The Complete Cat’s Meow: everything you need to know about caring for your cat” by Darlene Arden is written with a light, engaging style that feels as if the author is talking directly to you. It is an excellent cat care guide but even more it is a totally readable book. What I mean by that is you could use it simply as a guide book referring to it only in need or you could read it cover to cover just like a storybook. I recommend reading it through to get all the information the author can offer.

What I really liked about this book is the way it follows the needs of a cat in a chronological fashion from kittenhood to the adult. The author has done her research talking with breeders, veterinarians, behaviorists, nutritionists and trainers to get the best information out there for the cat owner. As a veterinary technician I am especially impressed with the way she discussed vaccines and the diseases they protect against. I liked the section that dealt with many of the diseases that affect cats although she did leave out one condition, hyperthyroidism. I may have to blog on that in the future since my own cat Lady suffers from that condition. Arden also included a section on many of the more popular and the less well-known cat breeds using information garnered from people who know the breeds best. Most interestingly she included mixed breed cats among the breeds, definitely a plus in my opinion.

The author takes us on a journey that includes choosing a kitten, introducing a new cat/kitten, cat behavior & nutrition, a list of feline diseases and ways to train a cat. Though she uses the example of raising pedigreed cats she treats it in a way that is useful for the person who is raising mixed breeds and rescues. Included in the center of the book is a selection of full-color prints of lovely cats. In the back of the book is a good list of references including a list of sources for shopping for cat toys and supplies, a list of websites that provide information about cat care and finally an index that is easily explored.

I read a lot of cat books but keep very few, this one, however, will be staying on my bookshelf. “The Complete Cat’s Meow” is a great addition to any cat book library.

Ghost cats

B.W. Huckleberry

I’m proud of the fact that all of my present cats are ex-ferals or the offspring of them because it took a lot of work and dedication to work with them. Yet I miss something that only traditional, domestic cats can give. Whenever I have visitors my cats all disappear, well except for a couple of brave souls who venture down after a time. When I had normal house cats, way back when, they were always present for visitors and even tried to force themselves on people.

Lando Calrissian was one who refused to be ignored. If someone didn’t pick him up he’d jump up in front of them expecting them to catch him. I don’t have to tell you that he startled many people that way. Lando’s brother, Zeit Geist, made his presence known in a different way. You see, Zeiter had muscular dystrophy so he couldn’t jump but if you sat down he’d be on your lap, glued to you as quickly as he could. If you remained standing he’d glue himself to your feet so you couldn’t move.

Haberdasher remained a little aloof but he did accept the occasional petting, waving his tail haughtily in the air. Baryshnikat was more of a show off. He liked to be in the middle of everything so if you brought anything with you he’d be in or on it. He was usually the first to find visiting coats and boots too. Gabrielle’s Galaxy was the lone hold out. She never lowered herself to accept visitors. No one was worth her time. But she did have to be in the room just out of reach in order to see what was happening.

Now in most cases no one even sees the cats I have now. If they stay for any length of time they might see Mewdy Blue or his brother Question as they come downstairs to investigate. And once in awhile Fargo will peer down the stairs and maybe even slink into the room but you’d never touch him. No, my cats are like ghosts that leave only their toys behind to attest to their presence.

Japan's survivors

Check out this video from CNN about the dogs and cats that are in the mandatory evacuation zone in Japan:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/04/13/ac.japan.quake.dogs.cnn?hp

Spring Fever and other Calamities

Spring brings life to the world, one that has been sleeping all winter. It also brings life to mother cats and dogs. It is a time when kittens and puppies begin to populate the shelters, a time when adult pets are overlooked for all the cute, fresh faces in cages. This is also the best time to be sure your cats and dogs are spayed and neutered so they don’t add to the problem.

Another thing spring brings to the pet world is spring fever. Your pets will smell those wonderful scents and feel the warmth of the sun and hear all those curious sounds from the big world outside. They may be drawn to the experience. You may be like me and throw your windows open as soon as the temperature outside is warmer than that on your thermostat. Before you leave the room, however, be sure to check your screens. Your pets may get excited by the great outdoors and lean too heavily on the screens and if they aren’t secure she could fall out.

Also watch your doors more closely during this time. Any normal pet may be tempted to follow you out of the door as Mewdy Blue did one night. He is an indoor-only cat but gets spring fever every year. One night I was carrying something in the door and didn’t watch for sneaking cats. Mewdy Blue snuck out and was gone for nearly 24 hours before finally slinking meekly back home.

Spring also means severe weather in most locales so you need to be prepared. First figure out what types of emergencies might strike your area and make a plan for your protection. If you have to take shelter within the house will your pets follow you or will you have to carry them with you? Will they panic or should you cage them during the event? What if you have to evacuate, what will you do with your pets then? Many emergency shelters do not accept pets. Can they be boarded somewhere or will there be time for that?

Make a packet of emergency supplies for possible evacuation that should include food, water, bowls, identification papers, rabies certificates, leashes, medications and other necessities. Perhaps the best way to be sure your pet is easily identified is to have it microchipped. That way if your pet gets lost in the confusion of an emergency you have a better chance of finding him.

Your dog is going to enjoy his time outside even more this time of year but before letting him run loose in the yard check to be sure you don’t have any poisonous plants sprouting. In some areas you might also find poisonous or toxic critters running, or hopping, about. Be aware of what critters might be indigenous to your area and keep a watchful eye out for them.

Spring is a great time to renew and refresh the spirit but taking a few precautions will make that experience a safer one.

Japan's animals

Everyday I read about the animal victims of the Tsunami and earthquake and make a prayer for their health and recovery. Here's one article:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13217715&page=1


Then there is the video of a dog heroically guarding his ailing companion:


http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/steve-dale-pet-world/2011/03/from-japan-devoted-dog-wont-leave-his-injured-friend.html#more

But please be careful if you are going to donate money to any charity claiming to give aid to Japan's needy. Donate only to well-known, recognized charities like the Red Cross or
http://www.searchdogfoundation.org/zcom/donation/display.do?compid=98&prodid=8173
OR
http://www.worldvets.org/

PetFinder.com

Conspiracy, that’s what it is, a conspiracy that’s threatening to take over the internet. And I’m going to join in. Above you see my dog, Blizzard, perched on a cat tree. I adopted him from the Story County Animal Shelter in Nevada, IA.

You see the conspiracy is to take over the internet with stories and pictures of adopted pets as a tribute to PetFinder.com on its 15^th anniversary. Blizzard’s story with me goes like this:

I’d been visiting the shelter for some time and every time I stopped this same little puppy remained. I couldn’t understand it because puppies and small dogs usually go fast and he was less than 6 months old and about 15 lbs. Yet there he stayed. I could only guess that he suffered from the bad reputation dogs of his breed get. Yes some American Eskimos can be yippy, snippy dogs but not if they are raised right and taught some basic obedience. As far as I could tell this puppy was well mannered, housebroken and already begun on obedience. I had an Eskie many years ago and just loved her.

The problem was, I wanted a female dog. I wanted a dog that was different from my previous dog so that I wouldn’t compare the two putting the new dog at a disadvantage. Finally, I wasn’t completely convinced that I was ready for a dog at all. But when the puppy was still at the shelter after three visits I decided that it was destiny. I had to adopt him.

The day I picked him up the weather report warned of a possible blizzard that afternoon but my veterinarian was in Des Moines, nearly an hour away from the shelter. So I took him to Des Moines anyway. The roads were clear for most of the day. His vet visit went well and I decided to take my new puppy to my family’s house for a quick visit.

My sister had recently adopted a cat, Isis, from a local shelter as well. Amazingly Isis was at home the minute they released her into the house. Nothing, it seemed, fazed that cat. I was a little concerned about her reaction to a rambunctious puppy, however, so I watched their introduction very closely. But I needn’t have worried. The two animals were fast friends from the beginning. Or maybe I should say they tolerated each other very well. The puppy would run about between all the new people in his life and Isis would follow behind him from atop every perch she could find. Every time the puppy was in reach she would slap at him playfully, never using her claws and the puppy would smile and crouch toward her as if ready to pounce, but he never did.

Then the snow began to fall so I headed for home. By the time we were halfway home the blizzard was in full force but we made it just fine with only a few close calls along the way. The puppy’s name came to me that afternoon. He just had to be Blizzard.

One more event was waiting for that puppy yet that day. He had to meet my feline brood, cats that had mostly never even seen a dog. He was tentative at first, sniffing about the house wandering here and there and the cats were following him everywhere with their fur on end. Then Hobby saw the puppy. Within seconds Hobby had the puppy cornered and whimpering in the bathroom. That set the tone for Blizzard’s relationship with all of my cats.

He now respects them and has learned how to turn his nose away from swiping paws. Mostly the cats either avoid him or act like he’s just another cat. All that is, except Gooseberry who seems to think that he can control the dog. Goose started as a tiny kitten slapping at the dog that was a hundred times bigger than he. Now he only slaps at Blizzard if the dog seems to be getting out of line, that is anytime Blizzard walks in front of Goose, or tries to pass him, or well, you get the picture. They really are friends most of the time.

So you see, good dogs do come from shelters. Good cats too. Adopt a pet today from a shelter of your choice or check out PetFinder.com

Stressless Surgery

Gooseberry had a “lumpectomy” today. I noticed a small, pea-sized lump on his leg a few weeks ago but when it didn’t go away I made an appointment with his veterinarian. She examined it and determined that it was nothing to fool with so we scheduled the surgery for today.

Anytime your pet is due for surgery you should keep several points in mind to make it a safer, less stressful time for you both.

1.     Be certain to follow your veterinarian’s instructions closely before the operation. For instance in most cases you will be instructed to fast your pet several hours beforehand. That means no food, usually for 12 hours before the surgery. This way your pet won’t regurgitate or aspirate his food during surgery endangering his life.

2.     The day of surgery be sure to deliver your pet to the veterinarian by the prescribed time. This allows the surgeon and the assistants to have your pet prepared in time for the surgery. In the case of many surgeries your pet may be able to go home by the end of the day but only if the surgery is performed early enough so that she can recover from the anesthesia. Even if she isn’t going home the same day it is best if she is awake by the end of the day so that the staff can be sure she is recovering normally.

3.     When you bring your pet home be sure to get all the instructions you’ll need to properly care for him. Do you need to care for the incision at home? Do you need to administer any medications, if so on what schedule? Be sure to follow the medication instructions exactly, if you don’t they aren’t much good for your pet. What follow-up visits will be required? It is best to schedule these before you leave the hospital if at all possible.

4.     Make sure you know what to look for in case something goes wrong once you get home. For instance, how can you tell if the incision gets infected, what should you do if the stitches come out or what if your pet starts acting lethargic or stops eating.

5.     Follow all instructions as closely as possible and call the veterinarian if you have any questions.

When we came home this afternoon Gooseberry was wearing a collar to keep him from bothering his stitches but within 2 hours the collar was gone. So far he is leaving his stitches alone but now I will have to watch him even more closely. Because the incision is on his knee I’ll also have to keep him from being too active. He is the type of cat who loves to leap after toys and jump up on things so I’ll have to keep him from doing that until the incision is healed. However, he seems to think that everything is fine and is determined to get back to life as usual.

One last caveat, when your pet returns home she smell different to your other pets. They may not accept this “new” smelling pet and fights might pop up. To help diffuse this situation you can try a couple of different things. To even out the smell problem you could put a dab of vanilla on each animal’s nose to disguise the smell. Also the use of a pheromone diffuser (like Comfort ZoneÒ) can help if you start the diffuser a day or two before the surgery.