Happy Valentine's Day

A few weeks ago, there was a cat that was hanging around our back porch. After several nights of it hanging around and not even running off too far when we had to let the dogs in and out to potty, I started leaving the cat some food as it was out there when we had a dreadful cold spell. One morning while I was sitting in our living room with the fireplace roaring away due to the single digit weather outside, I happened to glance out the window and saw the cat huddled down under the lawn chair on our back porch trying desperately to keep warm. You all know what I did, right?

Without thinking I told my husband I am going to bring that cat in it is way too cold for it outside. He reminded me that the cat could have feline leukemia and what about our indoor Persians. So, on the side of caution, I scooped the cat up putting it in a cat carrier and went straight to the vet's office. We found on examination that the cat had lost quite a bit of weight (where you could feel her hip bones in addition to her ribs). I had her blood tested for feline leukemia and FIV. She was negative for those. Then I had her vaccinated and de-wormed to be safe. Once she passed all the tests and was properly vaccinated, being a model of cooperation during all these personal intrusions, I brought her back home. I showed her where her food and litter box was in the laundry room and let her loose.

We named her "Smudge", and you can see by the picture why and she has settled into our home and routine like she has been living here for years instead of weeks. She sleeps on my bed at night and follows us around when we get up to go to another room. She believes she needs to be in the bathroom with you also and does not seem to understand when she is gently pushed out of the room. She does not mind the dogs and has made friends with them.

All in all, a great end to a story that could have ended with her death due to the elements. Smudge had obviously been a house pet and was not prepared to be abandoned outdoors with no way to fend for herself. Since we have no close neighbors, it was evident that she was dumped "out her in the country" to fend for herself. There is never any excuse to dump a pet thinking that they will survive, do the responsible thing and turn an unwanted pet into a no-kill shelter. For a list of national no-kill shelters.

Nail Trimming

Trimming a Persian cat's claws should begin as a kitten so that the cat becomes comfortable with procedure. Stroke and play with the kitten's paws so that it begins to feel comfortable with the feeling of having its paws handled before trimming the nails. Offer the cat a treat at the end of the procedure that it only receives only during nail trimming or some other grooming procedure.

FAQ

Question: Susan,

My three-year-old Persian, Callie has developed a problem on her face, her left side whisker area is swollen and has dirt like stuff on her skin. I cleaned her face, and the dirty look comes back. It seems to be bothering her, as she is not eating much. Do have any idea what this is?

Answer: Cats, just like people, can sometimes get skin problems including acne. I recommend using a product called "Phisoderm" (it used to be called Phisohex) which is available as an over-the-counter product in stores like Walmart and Target (where it will be less expensive than at a grocery store). If you have problems locating this product, just ask the pharmacist where the product is located.

Wash Callie's face at least once a day with the Phisoderm making sure to rinse well. This should clear up the problem. If it does not, it is time to see your veterinarian.

Follow-Up: Susan after using the Phisoderm, Callie's skin cleared up within ten days, and all is back to normal.

Thank you, Susan, you saved me the time and money of a vet visit.

Owner: Cheryl B.
Location: Ohio

Please note: Cheryl and I eliminated the possibility that these symptoms were the result of fleas, and it was "flea dirt" that was showing up on Callie's whiskers.

Did You Know?

Sir Isaac Newton also invented the cat door as well as discovering the principles of gravity.

At birth, the kittens cannot see or hear. Kittens start to open their eyes at about 5 days and begin to develop their eyesight and hearing at approximately 2 weeks of age. They begin to walk at about 20 days of age.

Cats rub up against other cats, people, furniture, etc. to "mark" them with their scent glands. They most often use the scent glands between their eye and ear (near the temple area) or their scent glands near the base of their tail.

Do not put your cat on an all-vegetarian diet. Cats need protein to survive. Remember, they are still very close to their wild counter parts and are still very much carnivores.

"If a cat does something, we call it instinct; if we do the same thing, for the same reason, we call it intelligence." ~ William Cuppy

Litter Box

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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