Conference misery::feline_v1

    Hi Virginia,
    
    Well,as to the 1st question just feel around the rear end for any
    tell tale pea sized lumps.If not then its a female.
    
    As for a name,how about shagpile?
    
    Phil.

    It should be easy to tell if it is a male or female, unless the
    cat is a newborn kitten.  If older than about 8 weeks, it should
    have some ummmm, apendages, under it's tail if it is a male.  If
    the cat is much older, it will either have very large apendages,
    or it may already be neutered, then it will have no appendages,
    but a patch of fur where they used to be.  If the cat is a female,
    it should have two wholes under it's tail, rather than just the
    one.
    
    Jo
    
    PS - how bout Ragmop as a name.

    Since you aren't sure, and since you now have a new cat, you might want
    to make a vet appointment for a checkup and shots and ask the vet at
    that time.
    
    By the way, when I first found Alexandra, I couldn't determine her
    gender because she wouldn't let me near her tail area.
    
    Deb

    Jo, funny you should mention ragmop.  Dana's mom, who is not a cat
    person, likes to humor me when she calls and always asks how the
    cats are doing.  She knew the purebreds were called Rag-something-or
    other, but couldn't remember the breed name and said, "So -- how
    are the Ragmops doing?"  Dana and I were roaring!
    
    She hasn't tried to say Birman yet and I can just imagine what she'll
    come up with.
    
    Anyway, ragmop is a cute name for a cat.
    
    
    ~Roberta
    
    

    My first kitty was named Freddy till we found out the truth, then
    it was Reddy.  That was about 30 years ago, she's in Kitty Heaven
    now.
    
    ed

    OK, I went home at lunch to check on Purrsia (how's that for a Persian
    kitty???) and I'm still pretty sure she's a she.   I couldn't feel
    anything or see anything.  I'd say she's probably several (at least 6)
    months old.  I stopped and bought a catnip toy for her on the way home. 
    We had fun!!
    
    Virginia

    Um, Virginia.  Time to see the vet.  Fairly shortly Purrsia will
    have to be altered unless you are prepared for Purrsiaettes.
    

    Virginia,

if she's 6 months old, she's old enough to get pregnant any day now.  Please
get her to a vet to see if she is spayed or if she is ready to be spayed.
She will be much nicer to have around (and will be much more likely to
be around, period) if she is spayed.  Depending on where you are, fellow
noters have discount certificates to help defray the cost of spaying.
While she is at the vets, I would recommend a FELV test and some
vaccinations to insure Purrsia's continuing good health.

		Welcome to the cat notes!

			   D

    I will take her to get vaccinations, but are there any benefits to
    having a cat spayed if she is strictly an inside cat and there are no
    other cats inside with her?  Purrsia and I thank you for the help!!!
    
    Virginia

    Why put her through the trauma of being in season every four weeks
    (on average, can be more frequently or less frequently)?  Also,
    if allowed to cycle continuously and not be bred, her risk of ovarian
    cysts, mammary tumors, etc increases dramatically.  Which means
    heavy duty vet bills for you should that occur.  Also, unspayed
    females in heat will do their absolute best to escape the house
    to find a male to put them out of their misery.  The benefits of
    spaying an indoor only cat are many.  Also, when she is in season,
    not only will you know it (she will keep you awake all night with
    her screaming), but every whole male cat within several blocks will
    know it too, and they will all gravitate to your house, where they
    will spray the outside of your house (smelly), and fight with each
    other over her (very annoying to you and your neighbors at 3:00am).
    
    Think it over.
    
    Jo

Hey, forget about Purrsia's trauma going thru heat every 21 minutes!!  She'll
drive you absolutely NUTS!!  When Meg went into heat, there was no sleep,
no rest, and no peace in the house.  It really isn't pleasant, and all the
boys in the neighborhood will be all around your house, leaving their very
unpleasant calling card, and they'll also be screaming...usually at 4:00 a.m.

Spay her; she'll thank you for it!  And she needs her shots soon.  URIs in
kittens are serious and quite often fatal.  They can be avoided with 
proper vaccinations.

Mary

    Virginia, for all the aforementioned reasons, please have Purrsia
    spayed.  There is a woman who lives across the street from me who
    has one cat, a female, unspayed, that stays indoors all the time.
    She is constantly complaining about Cookie trying to escape the
    house, her screaming, rubbing, "dancing", and the male cats that
    come 'a calling.  I try to educated her about the benefits of spaying
    but she believes it to be an unnatural procedure.  I told her she
    has a choice, spay her cat or stop complaining about the affects
    it has on her.
    
    I don't think anyone mentioned that female cats can and do "spray"
    urine when in season (heat).  This means your house could end up
    smelling like the inside of a rest stop bathroom.
    
    Please think about it.  Purrsia will be a more companionable pet
    and your relationship with her all the more amiable.
      

    Thanks for all the suggestions.  I did not know that a cat came into
    season that often or it was that bad.  I've also wondered that since
    she was a "found" cat if maybe she is already pregnant.  I guess we'll
    go see Mr. Vet this weekend.  She's a real sweetie.  My husband teases
    me and calls her a "ferious tiger".  The dog kept me awake last night
    barking at the moon, I sure don't want cats outside screaming.  I was
    mad enough at the dog and he's my dog  :-)
    
    Virginia

    Also please note: Cats in season WILL get out from time to time.
    My daughter learned the hard way. Twice in warm weather she had
    2 cats in season at the same time. The cats clawed through a screen
    in a second floor apartment, and jumped to the ground. Both times
    both cats were found by tomcats. Both times one cat had a litter
    of seven, the other a litter of five. She could only find homes for 
    two of the kittens. That left Two batches of eleven kittens each taken 
    to the SPCA to be put down in less than a year. After that she had her
    cats spayed!
    
    Kirk   

    Roberta is right again, female cats that are allowed to go through
    season after season without being bred will resort to spraying in
    an effort to attract males.  Your house could end up smelling as
    though you had a whole male in residence.  Not pleasant.
    
    Cats are not like dogs, they do not have set heat cycles.  They
    can and do go in and out of heat constantly.  Just when they are
    starting to come out of heat, their bodies are already in the preheat
    stages.  (challenge to fellow breeders, can you name the stages
    of seasons without looking them up?? I just realized that I don't
    remember them)
    
    She may be pregnant already, but there is only one way to find out,
    take her to the vet.  You will all live a longer, healthier, and
    happier life.
    
    Jo

    Jo, I really loved the description Roberta entered:
    
                               Like a rest-stop restroom !!!
    
    Boy, does that really hit the mark (ha ha)
    
    I guess if a person hasn't smelled 'the smell' they just can't
    know how unpleasant it really is.  Guess that's why I really
    hesitate keeping a boy - my house doesn't smell at all with
    18 (17 alters and Lily).  I'm not sure I could handle the
    increase in the cleaning  -  I do a bunch now!
    
    E.

    While everyone is being so helpful, can someone please tell me if cats
    need yearly shots like dogs?  (Can't you tell I've never owned a
    cat???)  I called a low-cost spay/neuter program and they will spay her
    for $26.00, but she has to have a current shot record.  Also, what if
    whoever owned her previously already had her shots; will getting the
    shots again be dangerous to her??  I'm really grateful for all the help
    everyone is giving me.  Maybe one day, I'll run out of things to do and
    be able to read more in this file.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Virginia

    Yes, cats should have yearly boosters of their vaccines just like
    dogs do.  (dog do, no pun intended! :^D)
    
    Cats are vaccinated for Rhinotracheitis, Panleukopenia, Calicivirus,
    and sometimes Pneumonitis.  Most vets offer a three in one shot
    that covers the first three upper respiratory problems.  Others
    offer the 4 in 1 shot that covers all.  You should ask which one
    your vet does.  I use the 4 in 1 shots on all my cats since I show
    them and Pneumonitis is easy to pick up at shows.  In my state,
    there is no requirement that cats be vaccinated against rabies,
    check with your vet for your states requirement.  If there is any
    chance that your cat might be going outside, get the rabies shots.
    
    Your vet will give your cat her shots in a series in the beginning.
    You get one shot, then take her back in three weeks for the second.
    After that, you only need to get the shots boosted once a year.
    The low cost spay and neuter program might offer low cost vaccinating
    too.  Most of the places around here do.  Check with them. If your
    cat has already had her shots, it won't hurt her to have them again.
    Since the vaccines are modified live, if she already has immunity,
    then her immune system will just kill off the new vaccine.  But,
    since there is no way to know if she has had shots, and since the
    upper respiratory diseases can be fatal in a young cat, you should
    go ahead and have them done.
    
    Your vet may also want to test your cat for Feline Leukemia, and
    if she tests negative, vaccinate her against this.  Talk with him
    about it.  My personal feeling is that if your cat is going to be
    an indoor only cat, and not have contact with other cats at any
    time, then she doesn't need to be vaccinated against Felv.  But,
    I would have her tested now, just so you know if she already has
    Felv. 
    
    Be sure to collect a fresh stool sample just before the visit and
    take it with you for examination.  That way, if she tests positive
    for worms, he can send you home with the medication the same day.
    
    Jo

    Hi Virginia,
    
    I took in a little waif that was about Purrsia's age (maybe 6 months)
    in July of 88.  I took her to the vet right away and the vet confirmed
    that she was indeed very pregnant.  Since I never learn a lesson, I
    took in another little 6 month old waif back in November and,
    thankfully, she wasn't pregnant.  My vet told me that older kittens
    need only 2 shots; when they're tiny babies they get 3 shots, one of
    which takes over from Mom's immunity until they get a little bigger. 
    So Purrsia will need just one shot before she can be spayed, which is
    just what I did with my new waif, named Robin.  When you bring her in,
    ask your vet to give you a health certificate so you can qualify for 
    the low-cost spay program.  Your vet should be more than happy to
    provide that for you.  S/he will also give you advice on food and basic
    kitty care.
    
    Good luck with your little waif!!
    
    Mary

    Virginia, just want you to know that I think it's great that you
    want to do the right things for Purrsia, and look out for her best
    interests.  You sound like you are on your way to being a wonderful
    kitty mommy!
    
    Best of luck to you and Purrsia.
    
    
    --Roberta
    
    P.S.  I have a male cat (actually still a kitten!) who decided to
    start marking his territory at six months of age.  I had him neutered
    shortly after.  He's almost 8 months now and still marking.  Believe
    me, it is no picnic trying to retrain this cat to go in his litter
    box!  So you see, most of us aren't trying to preach, we're speaking
    from experience!
    
    

    re: FLV and indoor cats.  My kitties are indoor kitties too, but
    I had them all immunized against FLV because you never know what
    might happen.  And sure enough, we have 5 x-strays living with us
    now (and looking for homes).  They all tested FLV negative, but
    the added protection of having all mine immunized was worth some
    peace of mind.  The vaccination is not an absolute guarantee, but
    certainly better than no vaccination.
    
    re: spaying - one other thing that wasn't mentioned about unspayed
    cats is that the wild hormone fluctuations that occur with a cat
    going in and out of heat constantly can cause problems such as
    hair loss.  I have a friend who has friends who believe in being
    totally "Natural" and refuse to have their indoor cat spayed.  She's
    suffering from severe hair loss just in front of her tail as a 
    result of the wild hormone fluctuations.
      Nancy DC
    

    Older kittens, and cats who are being vaccinated for the first
    time, should receive one shot now, and then another in two weeks to
    be sure that they have full immunity.  Younger kittens (6 weeks
    old) get three shots because if they still have immunity from their 
    moms at that time, that immunity will just kill off the first vaccine.
    The immunity from their moms will wear off somewhere between 6 and
    9 weeks.  Any kitten or cat over nine weeks that is being vaccinated
    for the first time should receive two shots, spaced three weeks
    apart.
    
    It is still my opinion that if you choose to keep your cat totally
    indoors, and not allow her to have exposure to any other cats, there
    is no need to vaccinate her for Feline Leukemia.  If, like Nancy,
    you intend to take in strays, then you probably should have your
    cat vaccinated for Leukemia.  But, I never take in a new cat without 
    first having it tested for Leukemia.  It is never a good idea to 
    mix a stray cat with your own cat without first having it checked 
    out by a vet, and keeping it isolated for a few weeks.  Too many 
    risks involved.
    
    The Leukemia shot is the most expensive vaccine a vet gives.  Most
    vets charge about $20-25 for the initial test (which you should
    get), and then about $15-20 for the shots, which are given in a
    series of two now, instead of the original three.  In my opinion,
    that $40 is better spent on other things *if* the cat is going to
    be indoors only, and not exposed to *any* other cats.
    
    Due to a mysterious link between Felv vaccination and early death
    of many vaccinated kittens from FIP, I no longer recommend Felv
    vaccination to my kitten buyers, whose cats will be indoor only
    by contractual stipulation.
         
    Jo

    On the other hand, my first cat, who was indoors only for eight
    years, died of Feline leukemia.  The vaccinations were not available
    then;  I have all my indoor-only cats vaccinated against FeLV now.
    (Apparently he contracted FeLV from a neighbor cat who was dying of
    the disease (unknown to me, I thought the neighbor cat had a mouth tumor
    and didn't know about FeLV and how it spreads.)  The neighbor cat
    and mine used to be nose to nose thru the screen door, and due to the 
    tumor the neighbor kitty drooled a lot in th elast couple weeks of
    his life;  presumably that's how the disease was passed, in the saliva.
    
    

    I had a cat that tested negative for Felv for most of his life,
    then turned positive many years later, even though he was indoors.
    The theories were that he may have had the Felv dormant in his bone
    marrow.  Since he was a stray, and I have no clue to his early life,
    this may be true.  The important thing is that you test your cats.
    If the cat tested negative, he didn't have a current infection with
    the disease, and could not pass it on to others.  
    
    While the vaccination might protect him from catching it from other
    cats, it will not protect him from the disease if he already has
    it. 
    
    Jo

    Hi Jo,
         I'm confused...If you show your cats, then aren't they constantly
    exposed to other cats.  I've never been to a cat show so maybe this
    is a dumb question.
    
    					Thanks,
    					Mary

    Mary,
    
    It isn't a dumb question at all.  My cats are not exposed to other
    cats in the ways that would be need in order to transmit Felv at
    a cat show.  At a show, my cats are benched in a cage that is covered
    with my cage drapes.  They do not share litter, food, or water with
    any other cats in the show.  When they are judged, they are put
    into a judging cage which is cleaned with disinfectant before they
    are put in it.  The judge that handles my cat washes his hands,
    and the judging table, and often sprays off his shirt or sleeves
    if they have come into contact with a cat, with disinfectant before
    picking up my cat.  
    
    The Felv virus in not a hardy virus, and will die if confronted
    with this disinfectant.  Not only that, but the methods by which
    Felv is transmitted, blood, urine, feces, saliva, are not exchanged
    between my cats and other cats at the show.  
    
    Jo

    As a side note, it is against CFA show rules to bring a cat to a
    show from a household in which there has been contagious illness
    within the past 28 days.  Of course, there will always be people
    that will bring them anyway, that is why I don't allow spectators
    to touch my cats without first washing up with disinfectant.
    
    Also, all cats should be tested for Felv before entering their first
    show, and if that cat tests positive, it should not be shown.
    
    Jo