Health Alert:
Kittens and vaccines... Kittens are correctly vaccinated at 8 weeks and at 12 weeks of age for Distemper and "Kitty Cold complex"; keep in mind that Rabies vaccine cannot be administered until 16 weeks of age and is the new owners responsibility. Kittens also need to be with their mothers and litter mates for a minimum of 12 weeks for proper health and social development. Kittens should never be permitted to leave a Cattery prior to 12 weeks of age. If a Cattery is selling at earlier ages, such as 8, 9, 10, even 11 weeks of age, they are not properly vaccinating or giving the Kittens their best chance at a happy, healthy, long life. At Santa Fe Bengal Cattery, we vaccinate at 8 and 12 weeks of age as the "Code of Ethics" specifies. If a Cattery does not follow these recommendations and guide lines, then you may want to ask... what other guide lines do they ignore?
Health Alert:
Common misconception... FeLV is not Leukemia as compared to human Leukemia. FeLV is an auto immune deficiency disease, just like FIV. In fact, it is the same virus; just a different strain. Both are "Kitty AIDS" and highly transmittable. Always test for both strains of this virus as it is the same disease. Your Cat, or new Kitten, must be tested and free from both strains to be assured of good health. If purchasing a new Kitten, make sure that both parents have tested negative for FeLV/FIV.
Our Cattery tests for both and has, again, tested negative for FeLV/FIV in all Cats, September 2008.
Health Alert:
New information!... Regarding vaccinations. It is very important to make sure that your Vet is using the new, much safer, avian based FeLV/FIV vaccine. There are pros and cons to using all-killed or modified-live virus vaccines, but now we have a new option that is the safest vaccine for your Cat. The new avian (canary/bird) based vaccine activates a Cat's immune system to help protect them against FeLV/FIV, however, because it is avian, it can never revert to the virulent strain of the actual Cat virus, like the previously used modified-live virus vaccine. We are looking forward to all vaccines moving in this new direction. We still feel that the all-killed virus vaccines are safer for all other viruses, but now agree that the new avian-based, modified-live FeLV/FIV virus vaccine is the most effective and safest for your Cat.
Health Alert:
Interesting new information... Over the years we have tested for different viruses, protozoan, and bacteria in our Cats. Our Cats have always been negative for all tests, however, we did have a case of soft stool in one of our Stud Cats purchased from another Cattery. There seemed to be no reason for this. Despite the negative test results, our Vet suggested treating the Cat with eight days of Metronidazole and within two days the Cat had normal bowl movements.
In a recent "Cat Fancy" magazine article, it was suggested that a change in water may cause loose stools from the change in natural bacteria in the water. Think of it this way... when humans travel to another country and drink the potable local water, it can cause the same symptoms. It is the change in bacteria that can cause a reaction; it is not bad water, just different water. It could be possible that completely changing a Cat's water source could cause a problem in their digestive system... just like it does in humans. Happily, a simple treatment corrects the problem. But if this medication is every used, do make sure that the tablets are in a gel cap. The liquid form should only be used for young Kittens (a pill would physically be too large for them to swallow) as it tastes terrible to a Cat.
So, keep in mind that if you are introducing a new Cat to your household or moving to a new home, it is like going to another country for your Cat!
Health Alert:
Simple solution to a common problem... Cats, in general, can be susceptible to a type of herpes simplex virus. It can affect any Cat at some time in it's life time. A slight clear, then crusty discharge from the nose may indicate your Cat has this virus. You simply need to break the cycle of the virus reproduction and your Cat will be fine. Our Vet recommends giving 250 mg of L-Lysine in the morning and again in the afternoon for about a month. Just sprinkle the L-Lysine on to their food and mix well.
If there are any other symptoms, like a colored discharge from Your Cats nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing... your Cat has an upper respiratory infection and needs to be on antibiotics immediately. Left untreated, this can move into pneumonia and be fatal. It is always wise to have your Cat examined by a Veterinarian to assess the problem prior to trying any treatment. Cats hide their symptoms very well and your Vet is educated to recogize symptoms that you may not.
Health Alert:
Just in... Recent studies have shown that cats are susceptible to the hormone creams (especially estrogen) which are applied to a woman's inner forearms. The cream remains residual on the arms and hands, when a cat is picked up and held the hormones are transferred to their fur. A cat's natural instinct to clean their fur by licking, causes them to ingest the hormones. A reaction can be anemia and sometimes diarrea, but the long term effects are not yet on record. All women with cats, or any pets, please be aware of this problem and choose another location to apply your hormone creams! Your cat's life could be adversely affected by ingesting the very hormones that help you!
Health Alert:
Breeder myth... In print, in several books about Bengal Cats, it is stated that Bengals have a natural immunity to FeLV (Feline Leukemia). It has been a common belief that due to the Asian Leopard Cats' natural immunity that the domestic Bengal has inherited this same immunity. After much research and long discussions with our Vet, Santa Fe Bengal Cattery has the position that this Breeder myth is not true. We do feel that it is an important vaccine to administer to your Bengal and to all cats. Unfortunately, this is a virus that is easily spread and can be devastating to a pet owner and to a Cattery. Please do vacinate your cats for FeLV, as well as, Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper), and the Kitty cold complex. However, there are new studies in the UK that suggest we are over vaccinating our pets. This issue will be researched and we will discuss this in a later Health Alerts update.
Health Alert:
Are we over vaccinating?... A recent article in the October issue of "Cat Fancy" magazine discusses "The Great Debate" of are we over vaccinating our cats. "Ronald Schultz, Ph.D., a veterinary immunologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, has been studying vaccines for more that a quarter of a century. His research has shown that many vaccines initially given to a kitten provide lifelong immunity and that repeated administration of some vaccines after the first year is unnecessary." Read the full article in "Cat Fancy" magazine.
The article also touches on the possibility of injection-site sarcomas being caused by over-vaccination. Previously it was thought that vaccine adjuvants, which are used to enhance immunity in killed-virus vaccines, were believed to possibly increase cancer risk. However, new studies in the United Kingdom have shown the opposite results. Santa Fe Bengal Cattery maintains that all-killed virus vaccines are safer for your cat than modified-live vaccines.
Health Alert:
A reminder... Feed your cats ONLY high grade food as their health can suffer tremendously with lower grade foods. The perfect food for a cat is a mouse. Basically, all protein and other nutrients; no vegetables, fruits, or grains (corn is especially harmful). Low grade foods are made of sub quality protein sources (you don't really want to know...) and fillers, often grains, etc. Low grade foods contain a high percent of ash (magnesium) and this constituent will cause urinary tract blockage, especially in male cats, and if not treated, it will cause renal failure and death.
For more information about this and other cat health issues a good resource is "The Cat Bible". There are a number of high quality cat foods now on the market. Innova/Evo is one of the best and listed in "The Cat Bible". This is what our Cattery feeds and what we recommend to our Kitten buyers. When feeding this type of high quality food, dry food is pure and not a danger, like with the low grade foods with the fillers and ash content. We feed about 75% to 80% dried food and the balance as wet food treats. Remember, fresh water in clean bowls, every day, is a must for your cat's continued good health!
Common Mistake by Cat Owners!
Do not over feed your cat!... Especially with the high grade foods (less food is needed, because the nutrients are higher), an adult cat typically needs 1/4 of a cup of dried food in the morning and a 1/4 of a cup of combination dry/wet food in the evening. Do not "free feed" -- just because the food bowl is empty, does not mean that you should automatically fill it. Over feeding can cause loose stools and flatulence, which is unpleasant for both your cat and for you.
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