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http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl Daily Chat >> General Posts >> And then there were 8 http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283103579 Message started by Garys_Girl on Aug 29^th, 2010 at 1:39pm

Title: And then there were 8
Post by Garys_Girl on Aug 29^th, 2010 at 1:39pm

For any cat lovers out there, some may remember Gary and I rescue. We trap the ferals, get them spayed or neutered, and release them (and vaccinate them, feed them and get them medical attention when they need it). Any strays or kittens that show up we work to find homes.

But this guy, Charlie, was the first cat in our 10 years or so of rescue that tested positive for FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It's like HIV in cats). We couldn't place him - the sanctuary in NJ has a 2+ year waiting list. Couldn't leave him outside, and the risk of transmission to our other cats is basically the same as for people living with a roommate that's got HIV.

So here's the latest member of our family:

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The vet says he's 3 or 4, and he is just the sweetest thing ever.

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by Garys_Girl on Aug 29^th, 2010 at 1:42pm

Funny enough, we'd never seen a "classic" tabby. This, apparently is what one looks like.

And if you don't like cats, please don't comment on the bullseye. I know it's tempting, but I'd appreciate it if you'd hold your tongue. Thanks.

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Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by Mike NZ on Aug 29^th, 2010 at 4:45pm

He has got a really cute looking face and is very much a classic tabby from his markings, especially with the M on his forehead.

I'm sure you've got your other cat's vacinated against FIV. It's one thing that the vets here in NZ push very strongly (our vet didn't and one of his cats caught it).

Our tabby, Doppler, is asleep under the bed, where he always goes during the day (he was a stray and it's obvious that his mother taught him to go somewhere safe during the day). And for our jet black cat, Dagny, she is asleep on top of the bed, where I'm sure it's a lot more comfortable.

Keep up the good work!

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by Garys_Girl on Aug 29^th, 2010 at 5:38pm

LOL, they sound very sweet.

As to the vaccination, unfortunately there are several strains of FIV. The vaccination works very well in the South (U.S.), but in the NE (U.S.) it's useless.

Our cats are indoor only, and the virus (usually) cannot be transmitted by casual grooming or sharing of food bowls or litter boxes. There have been cases of the virus being passed within a home, but those involved already immunocompromised kitties. Usually the problem is when cats are allowed to roam, not between indoor-only cats. Even so, they still do not understand the route of transmission, only that typically it requires a deep tissue wound by a cat infected with the virus.

What is known is that the virus survives outside of the body for a VERY short period of time - a few seconds to a few minutes. Cats that are not spayed or neutered and are allowed to roam are at the greatest risk, as it's usually a result of mating or fighting over territory, though just allowing a cat to roam in an area where there is FIV puts a cat at risk. Thankfully, so far, no other trapped kitties have turned up positive (though the test is completely useless for kittens 6 months and younger).

To date, research indicates it seems to be a virus very similar to HIV in people when it comes to transmission. Sex and sharing of IV needles is the most common form of transmission. Sharing a water glass has an almost zero probability of passing the virus from one person to another.

As our kitties are indoor only and don't fight, we felt the risk was worth his life - especially as the FIV rarely kills the cat, it's the immunodeficiency that puts them at risk of dying from something else.

We're VERY careful in our rescue work, and thankfully in all of our years, we haven't brought anything home that has caused any of our other cats to ever get sick with something like even an upper respiratory infection. *knock wood*

Because of our rescue stuff, we work with a lot of area vets. They all have some clients that both FIV+ and FIV- kitties in their homes. Though FIV first appeared in the late 1980s, our longest-practicing vet (27 years) has not yet seen a case of cat-cat transmission within an indoor-only home. Of course it doesn't mean it can't happen, just that the probability is very, very low.

FIV kitties are prone to gum diseases and problems with their teeth, so he'll be getting his dental every six months. :)

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by vietvet2tours on Aug 29^th, 2010 at 6:11pm

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Goliath. He got kicked by a cow and ain't been right since.

Potter

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by Garys_Girl on Aug 29^th, 2010 at 11:17pm

I remember Goliath. He's a beautiful boy despite his funky eye!

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by BarbaraD on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 5:29am

In East Texas (in the country) cats are a "must" for mice and snakes... We have a bunch of them (had kittens not long ago). They've taken up residence in the barn, appear at mealtime (or when they want to), give the dogs the devil (and the dogs step back and take it) and bring me mice.

We have one (a Simese-Calico) that someone brought up here in Feb - she was pitiful - abused and starved. Wouldn't let humans come near her. We weren't sure she was going to make it, but she did and about two weeks ago she decided to come over and rub up against me (first time).

But she took up with our Pitt-mation (all 100 pounds of him). I think that darn dog would kill for her. She kisses him and then knocks the devil out of him and he just goes rubbery and lets her. When he lays down, she crawls on top of him and bites his ear and he just lets her... whatever she wants to do - he just takes it and loves her more. I just sit and laugh at them...

My vet told me, if people don't quit dropping off strays out here, I'm gonna have to start building kennels.. or put out a "no vacancy" sign on the barn... :)

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by deltadarlin on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 8:23am

We have 5 cats and 2 dogs right now~HappyKat, BB (short for Bitchy Baby~snowshoe siamese), Callie (callico), Graybaby, Littleboy (snowshoe siamese), Bella (terrier mix) and Bandit (lab mix).

Bandit lives in our fenced in back yard. All the rest live in the house (Happy has her own room because she doesn't get along with the rest of the cats).

Graybaby and Littleboy (full brothers)

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Callie and BB (full sisters, but half to Graybaby and Littleboy)

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Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by Guiseppi on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 9:38am

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Since I'm a clod with computers you'll have to click on the pic link to see it!!! Couldn't resist with the birth mark!

We have one old black cat with white sox that is our prize mouser.....sadly it's usually at about 1:00 am and she crows like a rooster over every kill.....but gotta love that she's still a hunter!

Joe

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by LadyLuv on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 10:59am

WOW! I don't own a Cat (luv them).. always had problems with animals that shed hair (dandruff), because of my and family's Asthma..

Learn at a very early age that once you feed them, they don't go away.. I have two at the present time that comes around (for the past 2 years) like clock work for their feeding..

Each day I come into this sight I learn something new. This is truly a learning space..

I'm on the Executive Board of GCap (Greater Community Aids Project), but I did not realize that animals had Aids also (Duh)...

Keep up the good work... God Bless

Peace & Blessing
LadyLuv

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by Garys_Girl on Sep 1^st, 2010 at 7:22pm

Guiseppi wrote on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 9:38am:

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Joe, that cup is hysterical! Thanks for posting that. ;D

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by Garys_Girl on Sep 1^st, 2010 at 7:31pm

LadyLuv wrote on Aug 30^th, 2010 at 10:59am:

If you want help finding a low-cost spay neuter clinic in order to get them fixed so they can't keep reproducing, please just PM me. I'm happy to help. :)

Barbara, what a lovely story! I'm so glad she made it, and made such a good friend. :)

Title: Re: And then there were 8
Post by BarbaraD on Sep 2^nd, 2010 at 10:07am

It's funny around here. The mail lady and I share stories about our "latest family member". I think she's ahead of me right now. She stops on her mail route and picks up strays, takes them home, fixes them, whatever and then tries to find homes for them (without much luck lately).

Right now I've got six dogs and I'm not sure how many cats (about 7 or 8 at last count). Luckily my vet makes "house calls"... He's coming tomorrow to "shoot" the dogs and all the cats we can catch.

My kitties are NOT going to be happy campers. I'm starting in the morning and all the ones I can catch are going in a carrier until he gets here. They DO NOT like to be cooped up.

This is a weird bunch around here. Two pitt mixes, a Jack Russell Terroriest, a wire-haired ugly thing, a mini-pin and something that my son said was a chiciqua but he outgrew the "little" stage and is about 30 pounds now.

Skruffy (the 3 pounds of ugly) thinks he's my grandson's "protector" and attacks if anyone gets near the kid. He just appeared out of nowhere one night and appointed himself Caleb's protector - we have NO idea where he came from. And he eats the baby's graham crackers (ok, the baby "shares" but he takes the "big" half). Can't even let him outside without going with him cause we have a damn hawk outside and he's too little to fight that creature off...

I swear these animals are human!!!! ::) I got me a "training" book and I think THEY read it... they've about got ME trained like they want me.. :-*