Conference misery::feline_v1

    The Pat Brody Shelter has about 18 kittens up for adoption.  Some long
    haired and some short haired.  Some of them really have some great
    purrsonailities.  The cost to adopt is $25.  The kitten would be up to
    date on all of it's shots and test for Feline Lukemia.  Priscilla is
    the woman who runs the shelter.  The kittens are all located at her
    house in Lunenburg right now.  Her number is 582-4539.  I can help with
    the delivery if that is a problem.
    
    Kim

    Sorry I made a mistake.  Sandy Merritt just brought to my attention
    that a kitten can't be tested for Feline Lukemia until four months.  I
    do know that all the mothers were tested, and they were all negative. 
    So I don't know what the odds are that the kittens would be positive.

    If you raise a cat from a kitten, it will be fine as an indoor
    cat.  I've also taken in three (oops, four) cats as adults,
    three of which were stray/ferals and they adjusted to indoors
    in varying time intervals (right away to a couple of months).
    

    re:.2---->Are you sure it's not four weeks? I just had Callie tested
    at two months & the vet didn't say a thing about it being too early.
    I'd hate to think he made a bad judgement. Callie is just fine, btw.
    When we brought her in, she hadn't been tested & we were worried about
    exposing her to our year old Tabitha, who has tested neg & has had the
    vaccination. We were assured that both the mother & father were felv
    neg. SO we called the vet & told him we had to take the kitten or she'd
    be gone the next day, (she's so cute, we didn't want to miss her!) and
    that her parents were clean. He advised us to go ahead & take her,
    since they wouldn't be REALLY exposed to each other for the first
    couple of days anyway, and the chances of a kitten having felv, when
    both parents were neg are EXTREMELY slim, to none.
    
    Bon

    Bon, depends on what kind of test.  If they are doing tear or saliva
    tests, they can do them at four weeks.  But, I won't draw blood for a
    blood test from a kitten younger than 4 months.  Like always, the
    "when" would depend on the vet in a lot of cases.
    
    Mom's that test negative can have positive offspring.  It isn't that
    common, but it can occur.
    
    Jo

    
    	Kim, we called the shelter as soon as I got home last night. My 
    girlfriend hinted that she always wanted a Himalayan (sp). It just
    happened that they had recently acquired a 1 year old female a couple
    of weeks ago. So, we drove to Lunenburg and adopted the cat. It's a
    real beauty. Spayed and de-clawed, a house cat, exactly like she
    wanted.
    	We were really impressed by the people at the shelter. You could
    tell that they are real concerned about the animals. 
    	Last night the cat settled right in, jumped from bed
    to bed cuddling with the kids and basically took over the apartment.
    	
    	The cat found a good home and the family found a real nice cat. 
    Everyone is happy!!
    
    	Thanks for recommending the shelter!!
    
     

    Thanks Jo for responding because all I know is that Priscilla's
    vet told her that they shouldn't test the kittens prior to 4 months 
    and if it is done sooner...it is not a "true test".   I didn't know
    why.   
    
    Could it be that the tear/saliva test is not as accurate as the 
    blood test therefore it wouldn't be considered a true test (in
    this vets opinion...I'm sure there are other vets out there that
    disagree)
    
    Sandy
        

    I'm so happy you found a cat at the shelter!  So that's where
    Priscilla was last night!!
    
    Just curious....what is her name?  Was it Foxy or Gypsy???
    Another happy family....I love it!!
    
    Sandy

    I think I saw the Himmy you adopted.  If it's the one I am thinking
    about you definitely got a beautiful cat!  Congratulations I hope you
    have many happy years together.  I am so happy that you took an adult,
    it's to place the kittens, but there are so many gorgeous animals at
    the shelter it really breaks your heart sometimes.  Enjoy your new
    addition and keep us posted as to what she is up to.
    
    Kim
    

    
    	The cat was taken to get groomed this morning, so fur everything is
    ok as far as her temperment with the people handling her.
    	Her name is being discussed per the kids, I think her name was
    Pompidoor or something like that but the kids will change that soon.
    One name being discussed was Hanna, I'm staying out of it completely!

    Is it the Flamepoint Himmie?  Priscilla had told me about a Flamepoint
    Himmie up for adoption that was living in her house.
    

    
    Yes, I believe that's the one she mentioned.
    

    Jo & Sandy,
    
    Thank you both! I'm really nervous now, but I'm going to call around
    & talk to a couple of vets in the area. My vet definitely took blood
    from both my girls BEFORE they were 4 months. I've said before that I
    really don't feel "right" about this vet, the people in the office are
    rude, I get rushed out when I'm there for routine care, etc. I never
    bothered to change vets, but vowed that if something ever happened to
    them (injury or illness) I'd take them to someone I trust more. I sup-
    pose it's time I figure out JUST WHO that would be!
    
    Both my girls have (self diagnosed) hematoma from the test & Tabitha
    got hers a YEAR ago!!! I know this isn't the right note to ask in &
    I'll look for it, but if anyone has the name of a GOOD, TRUSTWORTHY
    vet, please send me mail. I live in westboro,MA & don't want to travel
    more than 20 minutes to the vet if at all possible. My kids hate the
    car ride worse than going to the doctors!!!
    
    BTW----->CONGRATS ON THE HIMMY! I wish you the happiest of times!!
    
    Bonnie

    Bonnie,
    
    I don't think you should panic...many vets have different opinions
    about animal care.  If you are going to change vets...please take
    your time and find the "right" one.   IMHO..I like vets that
    will take their time explaining the problems, risks, and 
    alternatives.  
    
    Sandy
    

    I don't think Hudson is more than 15 minutes from most of Westboro.
    And Hudson has two of the best vets I know.  It's the Hudson Animal
    Hospital, with Dr. Beth Essington and Dr. Roger Peduzzi.  Beth
    moved from the Stow Animal Clinic 5 or 6 years ago, and she's
    great.  They've just moved to bigger and more comfortable
    quarters on the same street, just further up - and with a
    separate cat waiting room, no less.  My two, who hate going
    to the vet (yes, it's more the car ride than the vet), enjoy
    not having to see or hear dogs.  I don't have the phone number
    with me, but will bring it in Monday.
    
    Laura

    
    You can also try Abbott Animal Hospital in Worcester on East Mountain
    Street.  I take my three kittens there.  They have about four different
    doctors and every one of them is very nice....the number is either
    835-3350 or 853-3350  I always get those mixed up.
    
    michele

    
       We used to live in Grafton and used Dr. Rich Rogers.  He was great!
    At that time he made house calls too.  I'm not sure if he still does
    but he was excellent with the animals.  508-839-2293  OOPs I spelled
    his name wrong its Richard Rodger.  He has a building behind his house
    on Waterville St, North Grafton.
    

    Dr. Rodger still practices but I've never used him.  The one time I
    called he said he has a limited clientele and only practices at night. 
    He seemed very nice and I would probably try him in a pinch if my
    housecall vet wasn't available (for routine things).