Happy Spring

The weather sure has improved here. High 60's and even some high 70's. Ahhh!

This is our India Blue male Peafowl (or Peacock), Henry, near a bush by our house. As you can see in the picture, the bush is starting to bud a sure sign that Spring is here. The grass is growing - time to mow already and we have put the horses back on pasture. You should have seen the rodeo when we let them out of their corral. Bucking and running around like crazy. The miniature donkey, Jason, was baying away he was so happy.

We have completely re-done our cat room. This is a spare bedroom and bath that is completely devoted to our cats. We birth kittens in our room, and when they are about one week old we transfer them to a cage in the "cat room". That way they are safe and protected. They have a heating pad to keep them nice and toasty and complete privacy. When we have kittens, the adult cats are kept out of the room. But for now, since we have no kittens, the girls have free run of the room. There are climbing ledges all over the walls, scratching posts, and a window hammock. Check out our Facebook page to see pictures of the new cat room.

Urinary Problems

Part 2 of 2

Your cat has a condition called iFULTD or Idiopathic Feline Urinary Tract Disease. What causes iFULTD? The scientific community is unsure of the exact cause of this disease, but multiple causes have been proposed. Bladder infections occur in less than 23% of cats that had a bacterial culture. If a culture is positive, the cat will be treated with antibiotics, if negative the cat should not receive antibiotics as this can lead to increased antibiotic resistance. Another theory suggests that low levels of glycosaminglycans cause these issues. The glycosaminoglycan (GAGs) layer of the bladder protects the bladder wall from coming into direct contact with urine. Urine is harmful to the bladder wall. Low levels of GAGs are seen in both women and cats with interstitial cystitis, although new research suggests that low levels of GAGs can be seen in normal bladders suggesting that these abnormalities are not a cause but a result of idiopathic cystitis. Kitty stress is the most popular theory for the cause of iFLUTD. Environmental stress leads to increases in hormones that negatively impact the bladder wall leading to cystitis.

With all these theories, how do we treat iFULTD? A multimodal approach is usually the most helpful. The effects of treatment may take weeks to months to be fully realized; treatment is usually lifelong. The first step is to increase water intake by feeding canned cat food. I usually like to switch these cats to a canned prescription diet (Hill's C/D). The canned food helps dilute the urine reducing the concentration of noxious urinary components that irritate the bladder wall. Also, adding multiple sources of fresh water and water fountains can be helpful to get cats to consume extra water. To decrease stress, I recommend environmental modifications and enhancements, such as reducing intra-cat conflict by adding litter boxes and cleaning protocols. Adding feline facial pheromone reduces stress and decreases the severity and likelihood of iFLUTD. These pheromones help reduce aggressive behavior by affecting areas in the brain. Adding glycosaminoglycan is helpful. I usually recommend UTI treats that have high levels of glycosaminoglycan. If environmental and natural management has not been successful it is usually necessary to add anti-anxiety medication (tricyclic antidepressants). Your cat will have to take this medication daily and for life. This is a very frustrating, painful and potentially life-threatening disease in cats, which has a high recurrence rate. So stop by your vet today with your kitty and discuss ways to prevent this disease.

Persian Cats & Anesthesia

It is always a good idea to find a veterinarian who understands the unique issues with cats and anesthesia, especially Persian cats. Cats, (and Persian cats specifically) do not do well with the older IV (intravenous) anesthesias. Anesthesia is flushed from the body through the kidneys. In many instances, in veterinary practices where the older types of anesthesia are still being used, typically, the cat will wake up from surgery appearing to recover and return home and then die of respiratory failure which is heart-wrenching for all concerned.

Did You Know?

A cat can swallow and digest its food without having to chew it.

The urge to hunt is a learned behavior. If the mother cat is a non-hunter, the chance of the offspring being predatory decreases.

The Pennsylvania Dutch believed that a cat placed in an empty cradle would grant a newlywed couple a home filled with children.

Many nursing homes caring for the elderly regularly invite felines to visit their clients. The effect is profound for both animals and humans, providing positive experiences that have therapeutic benefit.

"Dogs have owners; cats have staff.." ~ Unknown

Litter Box

We have brought in ESPY for the girls and will have a picture of him and his pedigree soon.

When we brought him in, Tempest was at the tail end of her heat cycle, so we put them together. We will see if she takes or if it will be her next heat cycle. We are waiting for the other girls to come back into heat. Check our Facebook page for up-to-date news on any breedings.

To all our Wait-List clients:

Thank you for your continued patience.

For more information, please visit our website . Review the pages under the Placement tab and if you would like to be considered for one of our Persian kittens, please fill out and submit the on-line Application.

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