Louis, a Ginger Tom Cat, Accused of Pouncing on to Unsuspecting Pet Dogs Heads in Wells, Somerset

Louis, a 17-year-old Ginger Tom Cat, accused of pouncing on to unsuspecting pet dogs heads in Wells, Somerset.

Whether he’s running through the magnificent nave, warming himself next to a cosy radiator, or curling up in his favorite basket in the gift shop, Louis the cat has become a beloved feature of Wells Cathedral.

But Louis has gotten himself into trouble after a Ginger Tom answering his description was accused of a series of rather nasty attacks on dogs in the peaceful Somerset city.

The owner of one alleged victims was, Mandie Stone-Outten, who said her Springer Spaniel, Millie was targeted in Market Place close to the Cathedral. “This dangerous, semi-feral cat pounced like a wild lion in the jungle on to my dog Millie’s head,” she said.

“It happened so quickly. I pulled the leash backwards and Millie went flying down the curb, into the gutter, and ended up in a heap of muddy rainwater.

Beware, this ball of fluff is not as cute and cuddly as he looks. I’ve got a battered elbow, battered knee and a sore wrist,” she said.

Louis began living at the great 12th Century Church about ten years ago to keep the mice away.

He has become so popular he has even starred in a children’s book, called 'Louis the Cathedral Cat', and is featured in a range of merchandise including clocks, coasters and wine-stoppers available in the gift shop.

Debbie Sheppard, who works at the Present Company in Market Place, saw the aftermath of the Millie incident – and spotted Louis running off.”

“Louis likes to sleep in here, and he was in here on the day in question. It was nearing the end of the day, so I put Louis outside. The next thing I heard was this hissing, and when I looked outside Louis was walking up the street looking very sad.” She said.

Sheppard, insisted Louis was a very nice, gentle animal. “He’s a very sweet cat and I certainly don’t think he’s suddenly turned nasty." The last time she saw Louis he was being petted by children on their way to school, and was definitely not lashing out.

"There have been at least two other attacks involving a Ginger Tom around the Cathedral, but there is a chance that it could all be a case of mistaken identify.

I’ve heard there was another Ginger Cat around here at the same time, and it’s possible that it’s him attacking the dogs. We don’t know for sure whether or not Louis was involved. He had definitely been in the shop just before the incident happened outside, but it could have been a different cat.” She added.

FOLLOW US!

Feline Panleukopenia, Often Referred to as Feline Distemper, is an Extremely Contagious and Often Fatal Disease of Cats

Feline Panleukopenia often referred to as feline distemper, is an extremely contagious and often fatal disease of cats. It can also infect non-domestic felidae and other animals such as raccoons and certain members of the weasel family such as mink. It does not affect dogs.

What are the causes of panleukopenia?
Feline panleukopenia is caused by a virus closely related to canine parvovirus infection (some strains of canine parvovirus can infect cats) and like parvovirus of dogs the virus can persist in the environment for a year or more. Once a commonly seen disease, parvovirus is now relatively uncommon in large part because most domestic cats are vaccinated and the vaccine is very effective. Nonetheless, the disease persists among unvaccinated cats. As is the case with parvovirus in dogs, the feline form of the disease is transmitted in bodily fluids and can persist in the environment. Transmission (on shoes and clothing) and environmental contamination can be greatly reduced with simple hygiene1.

What are the signs of feline panleukopenia?
The disease occurs primarily in young cats and kittens and causes severe depression and lethargy as well as high fever and severe vomiting and diarrhea. Affected cats have a very low white blood cell count (hence the name panleukopenia). Many cats undergo a subclinical infection and do not show signs at all. Not all exposed cats become clinically ill but exposed cats as well as cats that survive the full-blown disease have long-term immunity after their infection.

How can cats become infected by feline panleukopenia?
The route of infection is primarily oral and nasal. The virus quickly enters the blood stream and spreads to all parts of the body. The clinical disease is frequently fatal with a mortality rate as high as 75 percent. Complete recovery can take several weeks2.

How is feline panleukopenia diagnosed?
A presumptive diagnosis can be made based on clinical history and clinical signs as well as a very low white blood count. More sophisticated tests may be employed in large outbreaks but are not generally needed.

What are the treatments for feline panleukopenia?
Because this is a viral disease, treatment is largely based on the symptoms until the patient begins to recover. The most severe symptoms occur in the first 5-7 days.

What is the prognosis with feline panleukopenia?
Unfortunately, as many as 75 percent of patients may not survive feline panleukopenia and the virus can increase the potential of secondary infections including chronic respiratory viruses.

How can feline panleukopenia be prevented?
There is a very effective and very safe vaccine available that has significantly reduced the incidence of panleukopenia. All cats should be vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and your veterinarian.

As with many diseases the answer lies in early and complete prevention by means of effective vaccination procedures. Be sure to discuss this and other vaccine recommendations as part of your cats overall wellness program.

Source: Pet Health Network FOLLOW US!

Meet the Oldest Living Cat: Tiffany Two

The world’s oldest living cat, Tiffany Two, is turning 27 this March.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, her owner, Sharon Voorhees, named Tiffany Two in tribute to her previous tortoiseshell cat. Born on March 13, 1988 in San Diego, California, Tiffany Two’s many years are the equivalent of 125 human years.

She is in incredible health. Aside from occasional high-blood pressure issues, she is fit. She still has her vision, hearing, and is able to navigate the stairs of her home.

“She’s not afraid of anything or anyone. She walks right past the dogs, she’s very feisty!” Sharon said to Guinness, though she also added Tiffany is also a sweetheart who “loves to be petted.”

FOLLOW US!

Top Five Tips for Treating Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats

Ear Infections are one of the most common canine and feline health problems, but that doesn’t mean that veterinarians and owners are all that good at treating them. We all have to share the blame in this regard.

Owners often want a quick (and inexpensive) fix, and doctors can be unwilling to put in the time necessary to thoroughly explain the complexities behind many ear infections. To help remedy this situation, here are a few tips for treating ear infections in dogs and cats.

To read more on this story, click here: Top Five Tips for Treating Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats FOLLOW US!

25 Random Cat Behaviors Finally Explained

Ever wonder why your feline roommate does the weird things that she does? Here's an expanded list of why our kitty friends act as odd as they do.

There are a few reasons that your kitty may bite her nails. One is that she is in desperate need of a trim and is "telling" you to clip them for her. Two, she's an anxious kitty with a bad habit. Just like humans bite their nails when nervous or bored, so does your cat. As this habit may be hard to break, find the root of the problem to see if it is indeed a ball of nerves causing her to nibble at her nails.

To read more on this story, click here: 25 Random Cat Behaviors Finally Explained FOLLOW US!

The FBI Is Classifying Animal Abuse As A Top-Tier Felony To Stop It Once And For All

Abuse an animal, and you’ll be considered among the ranks of murderers and cannibals.

Earlier this week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced that animal abuse will be prosecuted as a “crime against society,” making it a Group A felony equal to arson and murder in the eyes of the law.

The AP reports that the FBI will prosecute intentional abuse and torture, gross neglect, sexual abuse and organized abuse, which includes dog fights.

To read more on this story, click here: The FBI Is Classifying Animal Abuse As A Top-Tier Felony To Stop It Once And For All FOLLOW US!

Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?

Those stiff hairs on your cat’s face and legs don’t just add to her cuteness -- they have real work to do. Whiskers are GPS and radar systems for your cat.

“They are a powerful and important part of how a cat senses the world,” says W. Mark Cousins, DVM, the founder of a veterinary clinic in New Orleans.

How They Work

Each thick whisker is filled with tiny, supersensitive nerves that help your cat judge distance and space. It’s how she makes decisions like: Is this box too small to get inside? How far do I need to jump to reach that counter?

It’s also how she detects what’s around her. “Cats that are blind can navigate rooms very well by just walking around and letting their whiskers get a sense of where they are spatially,” Cousins says.

The follicles -- the sacs that hold the hairs -- are deep, with lots of nerve endings that send messages to the cat’s brain.

There’s also a sensory organ at the tip of each whisker. It picks up vibrations in the environment that help the cat sense where she is and what other creatures are around her.

Most whiskers are rooted in the thick pads on the upper lip, but smaller sets are in the eyebrow area, along the chin, and near the feet.

The ones on the sides of the nose are the same width as your cat’s body; they help her figure out whether a space is wide enough to squeeze through.

Whiskers on the back of the legs help your cat climb trees.

What’s Your Cat’s Mood? Watch Her Whiskers

A complex set of muscles on the face moves whiskers back and forth.  

The way a cat arranges them will tell another animal -- or us humans -- how she’s feeling. When a cat is relaxed, her whiskers will remain still, sticking straight out from the side of her head. If she is curious or is on the hunt, she’ll press them slightly forward. Cats that are nervous or upset will pin the whiskers back toward the face.

Whiskers Don’t Need Trimming!

Like other hairs on a cat’s body, whiskers shed. That’s normal. But you should never trim them.

A cat with cut whiskers will become disoriented and scared.

“If you cut them, that’s like blindfolding someone, taking away one of their ways of identifying what’s in their environment,” says veterinarian Jane Brunt.

SOURCES:
W. Mark Cousins, DMV, founder of The Cat Practice, New Orleans.
Pet MD: "Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?"

FOLLOW US!

Hairballs in Cats

There's nothing quite like the glorious feeling of stepping out of your warm bed onto a cold, squishy, slimy hairball! Perhaps we should feel flattered that our beloved feline companion has left a piece of herself as a special gift for us, but frankly, most of us would rather bond with our cats another way!

To read more on this story, click here: Hairballs in Cats FOLLOW US!

Can a Cat Get Pregnant While Still Nursing Kittens?

Q: Can a cat get pregnant while still nursing kittens?

A: Yes. Lactation (production of milk) does not suppress the heat cycle, and cats that are actively nursing kittens can go into heat as soon as two weeks after giving birth.

Some aspects of a cat’s reproductive capabilities are truly remarkable. Did you know that even being pregnant doesn’t necessarily suppress the heat cycle in cats! In fact, 10 percent of female cats go into heat between the third and sixth week of pregnancy.

Although these cycles are rarely fertile, it actually is possible for a cat to be carrying fetuses of different ages, resulting from separate matings in different heat cycles! The scientific term for this is "superfetation."

Also, a female cat in heat can mate with several males, and it is possible for kittens in a litter to have different fathers. The technical term for this is "superfecundation." Cats long have been recognized for their fertility. Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of fertility, is depicted as a cat in artwork, and the ancient Egyptians worshipped cats as a symbol of fertility.

When it comes to making babies, cats are one of the most prolific domestic pets out there.

(Source: Veterinary Expert, Arnold Plotnick, DVM)
FOLLOW US!