Cat First Aid: The actions taken immediately after a cat has had an accident or suffered from a sudden illness can save its life. Sometimes, illness has been present for a while but it is discovered at the sudden onset of signs that constitute an emergency.

Please bookmark this Page for fast reference

Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery
The Cats and Kittens of CatNews.org

CatNews.org - HOME
Take me back to the front page

An Ezine for cat owners that changes each time you visit

Tell your friends about CatNews.org

If you have a blog or a social network page please give CatNews.org a mention or better yet a link back to the site.
Thanks for your help - Russell :)

Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery

Article Index Need to find information fast? Look here for our list of informative articles about cats and kittens. We add new articles monthly

Litter box article index
Cat peeing outside the litter box? Find help to combat cat urine order, cat urinary infections and cat spraying. Litter box training and cat urine odor - Urinating outside the litter box - Cat litter box health concerns - Cat litter box retraining - Teach your cat to use a litter box - Plus many more articles

Mac Daddy Cat Challenge- Can your cat hack it? Think you have a Mac Daddy Cat? Upload your cats photos and let the world decide.

Add Your URL To Our Directory
Submit your link to our open link directory - all websites are welcome to post their link

Information Center
Find the answers to anything - Over 200 subjects and growing

litter box

New Article - Photographing Your Elusive Feline

Free Cat and Kitten Content For Your Site

If you are looking for cat and kitten articles for your budding site please feel free to copy any of the articles on my site.

Important

- If you use an article from my site you must give credit to the author and provide a link to the authors site.

You must also give CatNews.org a link back from the posted article
Image #2

HTML Code for Image #2

<H1>CAT FIRST AID - This could save your cats life</H1>

5. Stop or control bleeding as soon as possible. Use pressure bandages, pressure points, or tourniquets as needed.
 
6. Cover any wounds with clean, dry dressings.
 
7. Keep the patient warm with blankets, box, or in a warm car, etcetera.
 
8. Do not move or manipulate the patient unnecessarily. An injured animal will usually assume the least painful position, with the injured part uppermost. When it is necessary to move the patient, support and protect the injured area to prevent further damage and pain. Use blankets, rugs, and boards or boxes to support an animal being transported.
 
9. Treat for shock If the cat is unconscious, place its head slightly lower than the rest of its body to treat shock and to prevent the patient from inhaling fluids or materials in the mouth. Do not give anything by mouth, not even water or medicines. If the cat is conscious and not seriously injured, give small amounts of drinking water.
 
10. Promptly transport the cat to a veterinary facility for professional care.
 
11. If possible, have someone phone the veterinary hospital or surgery, while you are on the way, to alert the staff of your need for emergency care. The person who calls should give a brief description of the injuries, so the hospital 
 personnel can make preparations for your arrival.
 
12. Don't speed on the way! A patient that won't survive a few minutes probably can't be saved, and the rough ride to the hospital may aggravate injuries. Risking an additional accident-to yourself or your pet-is not justified by any emergency.
 
For a reference point, you should determine these rates for your cat when it is healthy, and keep a record in your first-aid kit. Excitement or exercise will increase the normal rates, as in humans, so your most valid measurements will be obtained when the cat is at rest. A good time to measure normal pulse and respiration is when you and your pet are relaxing together in the course of a normal day.
 
To find the pulse, press your first two fingers against the inside of the upper hind leg, where the large femoral artery is found. Count the pulse for at least sixty seconds. You can also see or feel the heartbeat on the chest wall directly behind the cat's 11 elbow." in an emergency situation, the heartbeat or pulse should be taken and reported to the veterinarian. An extremely fast pulse may indicate a state of shock. A weak pulse indicates a dire situation, which should receive immediate veterinary attention.
 
To determine the breathing rate or respiration, watch the cat's chest movement. Count either inhalations or exhalations (not both) for one minute. Rapid breathing can indicate shock or lack of oxygen. Labored breathing may be a clue that there is an obstruction or severe chest injury. Shallow breathing is a sign of weakness or chest pain. irregular breathing is a-very serious sign, calling for an immediate veterinary examination. Among the many problems it could indicate are fractured ribs and punctured or collapsed lung.
 
Unless your cat is unusually docile, you will need a helper to hold it while you take its temperature. Do not attempt to take the temperature of a cat with breathing difficulty.
 
CREATE A FIRST-AID KIT
 
The following list does not include common household items, which are assumed to be already available, such as scissors, pliers, blankets, soap, bicarbonate of soda, and mineral oil. Towels or large cloths or blankets should be available to restrain the cat if it is hysterical. The numbers in parentheses indicate quantity.

CONTENTS FOR A CAT FIRST-AID KIT
 
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
 
Gauze bandages, 1" and 2" rolls (I each)
 
Gauze dressing pads, 3" X 3" (8)
 
Adhesive tape, I" roll (1)
 
Roll of cotton wool (I)
 
Triangular bandage (1)
 
Rectal thermometer (1)
 
Cotton bails (6)
 
Tweezers (I)

MEDICATIONS
 
3% hydrogen peroxide (2 oz)
 
Milk of magnesia tablets, 5 gin (10)
 
Activated charcoal tablets (20)
 
Kaolin mixture (2 oz)
 
Antibacterial ointment:
 
For eye, 1/8 oz: tube
 
For skin, 1/8 oz tube 
 
Always replace materials and medications after they have been used.

HOW TO RESTRAIN AN INJURED CAT
 
Injured cats often do not recognize their owners, whom they normally trust. Nor do they understand the concern and help that people are trying to give them. Cats in pain are afraid and do not understand the source of that pain. Their natural instincts are to escape and hide; if they cannot, they will strike out at anyone who approaches, to avoid a repetition of the incident that caused the pain.
 
Veterinarians can use medicine (tranquilizers, sedatives, and anesthetics) to alleviate the suffering of a cat. First aid is the process necessary to get the cat to the veterinarian.
 
In general, the cat is a very independent Creature. Its personality necessitates forcible restraint, or confinement to an area where it thinks it is free but is not. An injured cat may wound anyone offering medical assistance by biting, or by scratching with any of its four feet. it is almost impossible to muzzle a cat, so one must avoid the mouth area. Restraint of the feet is important.
 
To humanely "disarm" the cat's claws, secure the two front legs together, just above the feet, by winding adhesive tape around them two or three times. Then fasten the rear legs together in a similar manner. Hold the head firmly. The cat can now be examined and treated carefully and effectively.
 
Actually, the cat is usually a bluffer and will respond well to confident but firm handling. it is also forgetful and forgiving. if a cat becomes angry at forced treatment, release it. Soon it will once again be docile and approachable.
 
Picking Up or Carrying a Cat
 
1. Reassure the cat. Talk to it quietly, gently stroke its head and ears, and run your hand down its back.

2. With the cat's tail toward your elbow and its head facing toward your hand, move your hand under its chest (sternum)
    and  lift, with the cat's lower body resting on your forearm and snuggled against your body. The other hand can either grasp
    the scruff of the cat's neck or cradle its chin.

3. Transport a cat in a basket, cat carrier, or cloth bag, such as a pillowcase or burlap bag, tied closed. The cat cannot
 see out and will feel snug and secure. If the head is to be examined, or oral medication is to be given, loosen the bag and
 expose only the head; this effectively restrains the rest of the patient in the bag.
 
Restraining Unruly or Aggressive Cats
 
1. In most instances, an unruly or biting cat can be controlled with a folded blanket or thick towel. Drop the blanket over the cat in its box or cage and pick up the animal inside the blanket. With the cat rolled in the blanket and only a foot or the head protruding, you can apply medication or bandages without danger to either the patient or the handler.
 
2. Use thick leather or canvas work gloves when handling an aggressive cat. When cats scratch and bite, the wounds are severe. Cats almost always attack the handler's face or hands. Place the obstreperous patient in a strong bag or cat box and take it to the veterinarian, where drugs can be used for restraint. This is safer, wiser, and more humane.

PRINCIPLES OF RESTRAINT
 
1. Approach the patient with a firm but kind and quiet manner. Use its name if you know it and allow the animal to sniff the back of your closed fist.

2.    Do nothing to further injure the patient.

3.    Restrain the patient in a way that will not allow it to injure itself.

4.    Protect yourself from injury that may be inflicted upon you by the patient.

5. Place the cat in a situation different from its usual secure environment (on the top of a table instead of on the floor, for example). The newness will create uncertainty but not pain, and the patient will be more cooperative and easier to treat.
 
WHAT TO DO ABOUT CHOKING
 
Warning: Choking is one of the signs of rabies if a strange cat appears to be choking but has no obvious injury, rabies is a possibility. The same is true of any cat that has not been vaccinated. If you do not know the cat, stay away from it and call the nearest animal control center
 
If the cat is one you know and you believe that an object, such as a bone, might be in its throat and obstructing the cat's breathing, reach in with your fingers or tweezers and try to remove it. if the blockage is further down, lay the cat on its side, place the heel of your hand just behind the last rib, angling slightly upward, and push firmly, but not so firmly as to break the ribs. Four quick thrusts should dislodge the obstruction; if not, try again. If unsuccessful, take the cat to a veterinarian.
 
COPING WITH BREATHING DIFFICULTIES
 
Any foreign object in the nasal passages, throat, trachea, or bronchi can physically prevent the flow of air into the lungs. Penetrating chest wounds can result in collapsed lungs. Any tearing of the diaphragm, which normally acts to expand the lungs, can also interfere with effective breathing.
 
Look for these signs to determine if the cat is in respiratory distress:
 
1. Mucous membranes (gums and lining of the eyelids) may be pale or blue in color (osmotic), indicating poor circulation or
 inadequate oxygenation of the blood.
 
2. Labored respiration may occur: gasping, openmouthed breathing, or slow, shallow breathing. A cat in sudden respiratory
 distress, as from choking, may paw at its face.
 
3. The cat may be unconscious, with dilated pupils.
 
If the respiratory problem is caused by something other than simple obstruction, you must resort to artificial respiration.
 
Artificial Respiration
 
Remove the cat's collar, open the mouth, and pull the tongue forward so that it does not block the throat. Pull the head and neck forward, then put your hands on the ribs, push down suddenly, and release. This drives the stale air out of the lungs, and an elastic recoil mechanism will allow them to refill. Repeat about once every five seconds.if the chest cavity has been punctured, the elastic recoil mechanism will not be working, and you will have to actually blow air into the lungs. Hold the cat's mouth and lips closed, put your mouth over its nose, and blow firmly into the nostrils for about three seconds. Watch the chest carefully. Blowing too hard can cause lung damage. After a two-second rest, repeat. Keep this up for thirty minutes or more, or until the animal has begun breathing on its own, or until it has been pronounced dead by a veterinarian. The cat's progress can be monitored by checking the color of its gums. If it begins to fight the procedure, breathing is improving.
 
WHEN BREATHING AND HEARTBEAT STOP
 
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
 
CPR is an important lifesaving technique that has become widely accepted for humans through classes offered by the Red Cross and other groups. These same techniques may "breathe" life back into a seemingly lifeless pet.
 
CPR provides short-term, artificial breathing and heart contractions for an unconscious animal whose breathing and heartbeat have stopped. CPR sustains the animal until it can perform these functions again on its own. An animal can suffer respiratory and heart failure from a traumatic experience, such as being hit by a car, ingesting a toxic material, or from shock.
 
An animal is considered unconscious if it is unresponsive to stimuli, such as pinching and shaking. Do not perform CPR on an animal that has a heartbeat. Do not perform artificial breathing on an animal that is already breathing unless the breathing is very shallow. These techniques could injure the animal if it is breathing normally or has a heartbeat.
 
Breathing can be determined visually as the chest rises and falls during inhalation and exhalation. Feel the heartbeat by placing your fingers on the left side of the chest wall, above the point of the elbow. Visual signs of an absence of heartbeat include fully dilated eyes and cool, grayish-blue gums. Feel the heartbeat on a healthy cat to become familiar with the sensation,
 
Artificial breathing: If the animal is not breathing but has a heartbeat, then only artificial breathing is needed.
 
Heart contractions. If there is no heartbeat or respiration, cardiopulmonary arrest has occurred and CPR must be administered. It consists of compressing the heart while administering artificial breathing. Both therapies are applied, one immediately following the other. A rhythm must develop between continual heart compressions and artificial breathing technique.
 
1. With one hand, place the thumb on the cat's chest at the point of the elbow and your fingers on the opposite side of the chest cavity for compression.
 
2. Squeeze gently, but firmly, at a rate of one compression per second.
 
3. After five cardiac compressions, follow with artifi cial breathing, without breaking the rhythm of the cardiac compressions.
 
Another variation is to place the animal on its right side on a firm surface. Place one hand under the body and the other hand above it, so the entire upper chest area is enclosed. Use both hands to compress. Compress the chest five times, then move one hand to the nose and mouth and administer respiration once; then repeat.
 
Continue CPR for a few minutes, while observing the animal for signs of life, such as spontaneous respiratory efforts or a heartbeat. If breathing and heart rate are not restored, continue CPR up to fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes, revival is unlikely. if at all possible, have someone drive you to the veterinarian while you continue giving CPR.
 
Caution: Severe cardiopulmonary complications may result if you attempt CPR on a conscious, breathing animal.

HOW TO CONTROL BLEEDING
 
Injuries to the soft tissue include cuts, lacerations, abrasions, and abscesses. To control bleeding, first try the direct-pressure technique. Place a clean, preferably sterile, gauze pad directly over the wound and apply firm, even pressure. if blood soaks through the gauze, do not remove it, or you may disrupt any clot that has begun to form. just place another pad on top and continue to apply pressure. If a limb is injured, it may help to elevate it, but do this with care to avoid causing further damage to possible fractures.
 
If direct pressure does not stop the bleeding, try indirect pressure on the arteries supplying the area. The useful pressure points on a cat are inside the upper surface of the forelimb and hindlimb, and at the underside of the base of the tail. Very firm pressure to these areas will reduce the amount of bleeding from those respective extremities.
 
if neither type of manual pressure controls the bleeding from a leg or tail wound, you may apply a tourniquet as a last resort. Avoid this step unless absolutely necessary, for gangrene (death and decay of tissue) may result if a tourniquet is left on too long. Never apply a tourniquet around the neck. The procedure for applying a tourniquet is the following:
 
1. Use a one-inch-wide gauze bandage roll; wrap twice around. the limb or tail, between the wound and the body, about two
 inches from the wound. Do not use a narrower bandage or a string. it will cut into the underlying skin.
 
2. Tie a half hitch (one tie of the line) in the bandage, put a pencil or stick on top, and tie a square knot above.
 
3. Twist slowly until the bleeding slows to a trickle. Fasten the stick in place by tying or taping gently. The tourniquet should be
 released briefly every ten to fifteen minutes.
 
4. Cover the wound lightly with sterile gauze.
 
Once a tourniquet is in place, take the cat to a veterinarian without delay. If the tourniquet must remain in place over fifteen minutes, release it for one minute for every fifteen minutes it is in place, then retighten. Watch for shock. (See "Shock")
 
Closed or internal wounds are harder to detect and therefore harder to treat. They may appear as contusions (bruises) or hematomas (swollen areas filled with blood). internal wounds may be suspected if the cat is bleeding from the mouth or anus, if it vomits or defecates blood, or if it is in a coma or state of shock with no signs of external injury. Emergency treatment consists of keeping an airway open, treating for shock, immobilizing fractures, and seeing a veterinarian as soon as possible.
 
SOFT-TISSUE INJURIES
 
Less serious wounds can be treated as follows: Wash hands thoroughly and restrain the cat. First smear a bit of ointment or petroleum jelly around the wound area (not in the wound itself), so the hair will stick together and not fall into the wound as you clip the fur away with scissors. Next, clean the wound carefully with clean or sterile water. Wet a cotton swab or gauze pad and clean the wound by washing gently from the center of the injured area, working outward. When a cotton swab becomes soiled, throw it away and use a fresh one to prevent contaminating the antiseptic with dirt from the wound.
 
Safe antiseptics for cats include hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, and dilute Betadine. After cleaning, blot away any excess water gently with a sterile gauze pad and apply a suitable antibiotic, such as Neosporin or bacitracin. Cover the ointment with a sterile gauze pad and bandage. Be sure the dressing is taped carefully in place so the cat cannot easily reach the loose-ends and untie it. Keep the bandage clean and dry, changing it daily so that you can monitor the healing process. See a veterinarian as soon as possible. The sooner the veterinarian sees the wound, the better the chances for a surgical closure if stitches are required.
 
Abscesses
 
Wounds, especially bite or puncture wounds, are very prone to infection and formation of abscesses. Often, the first evidence that a cat has been in a fight is the hard, hot, painful swelling of an abscess appearing some time after the fact; the initial bite may have caused a small undetected hole.
 
Clip the fur around an abscess and clean the skin as described above. "Hot-pack" the area with a clean towel soaked in a solution made from a pint of hot water with two teaspoons of salt added. The water should be as warm as possible without being uncomfortable. Hold the compress on for ten to fifteen minutes as often as possible, the ideal being every two hours. Reheat the solution each time. The abscess may open, and pus should drain from the area within a day or two. When it does, rinse the wound with the salt solution, apply an antibiotic, and bandage the area loosely so as not to prevent drainage. It is always wise to take any cat with an abscess to the veterinarian; the abscess may have to be opened surgically and drained, and systemic antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent significant loss of tissue.
 
Deep Puncture Wounds
 
Deep puncture wounds to the chest are extremely hazardous. The great danger is that air or blood will enter the chest cavity through the wound, replacing the normal vacuum with a positive pressure that will collapse the lungs and cause the cat to suffocate within minutes. Try to cover this type of wound with an airtight seal, such as plastic or gauze. Do not try to remove the penetrating object (such as a garden stake), or you may allow more air to enter. Leave the object in place and treat for shock until you can get the cat to your veterinarian. Prompt attention is mandatory.
 
Eyes
 
Eyes are very delicate organs. Any injury to them should receive veterinary attention. The most important things you can do are the following:
 
1. Stop any bleeding. Use direct pressure with a gauze pad placed over the eye.

2.    Keep the surface of the eye moist with contact lens solution, or artificial years.

3.   Cover the eye lightly with sterile gauze.

4. Take the cat immediately to the veterinarian.

SHOCK
 
Shock is often difficult to recognize because it may not appear until after an accident, as much as eight to ten hours later, when the cat is no longer being watched closely. in shock, the volume of circulating blood is decreased or the blood vessels collapse, and the heart loses much of its ability to pump blood. This decreases the oxygen supply to the tissues. The body tries to compensate by speeding up the blood flow, and by reducing or shutting off blood flow to nonvital organs. The signs of shock, listed below, reflect these changes:
 
1. Decrease in or loss of consciousness

2.    Pale mucous membranes (e.g., gums, rims of the eyes)

3.    Body feels cold to touch

4.    Feeble and rapid pulse (greater than 240 per minute)

5.    Shallow but rapid breathing (greater than 40 per minute)

6.    Inability to stand (sometimes, but not always)

7. Involuntary passage of urine and/or feces (not always)
 
Prompt supportive therapy must begin immediately if the cat is to recover from this collapse of the circulatory system. First stop the bleeding and give artificial respiration if breathing has stopped. Provide a warm, quiet environment and use cardiopulmonary resuscitation if needed. (See "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.) Make sure the cat is positioned on its side, with head lower than the rest of the body, so that gravity can assist blood flow to the brain. If the heart seems to be working on its own, massage the leg and trunk muscles to encourage blood return from these areas.
 
A cat in shock is frequently thirsty, but giving it water could be dangerous. In severe shock, the digestive tract does not efficiently absorb water. A semiconscious cat may accidentally inhale rather than swallow water. The most effective way of treating circulatory shock is by intravenous fluid administration and other intravenous medications, which must be administered by a veterinarian. Shock is a medical emergency that requires prompt veterinary attention.
 
INURIES TO BONES
 
Fractures and dislocations usually are not life threatening, unless they cause severe bleeding, interfere with breathing (as broken ribs may do), or crush a vital part of the spinal cord or brain. However, prompt immobilization of a fracture is important to prevent a simple break from turning into a compound fracture (one that breaks through the skin) and to reduce damage to the surrounding soft tissue. A severe fracture also may cause shock, and the complication of infection can lead to blood poisoning.
 
Recognizing a broken bone can be difficult. A cat with a broken leg will show pain and inability to use the leg. There may be swelling around the fracture site, or the cat might hold its leg at an unusual angle or show an unusual range of motion in the middle of a leg rather than at a joint. A sensation called crepitus, a suggestion of grating or scraping, can be felt when the leg is moved gently. With spinal injuries, the cat will often be unable to use its legs. It is crucial to avoid aggravating the damage with movement or manipulation. if a break is suspected, do not try to verify it by physical manipulation. immobilize the affected area, if possible, and quickly, gently, transport the cat to a veterinarian.
 
The most direct method of immobilizing a fractured leg is to apply a splint. Almost any long, stiff object can be used in an emergency. A simple cylinder of newspaper or a towel wrapped around the leg may suffice. When using sticks, there must be two, one on the inside and one on the outside of the leg. Any hard object used should b e padded so that it does not chafe the leg. A splint will be effective only if it extends past and immobilizes the joints above and below the injury. Tape the support in place, taking care not to make it so tight that it cuts off the circulation.
 
Fractures of the vertebral column and skull are serious, but these areas cannot be splinted. Place the cat in a padded box to avoid any unnecessary movement of the cat's body and head and take it to a veterinarian promptly.
 
Additional care is needed to prevent bacteria from entering the wound of a compound fracture. Do not push the broken edges of bone back together just cover the injury with a sterile cloth and apply the splint as previously described. Your veterinarian will do a more thorough cleanup once the cat's condition has stabilized.

About the author: 
Many thanks to the Cornell Feline Health Center for this important article

This Article was provided by CatNews.org 
<a href="http://www.catnews.org">Give your cat and kittens a longer and healthier 
life. Visit CatNews.org </a><a>an easy to navigate feline resource site filled 
with informative articles about cat and kitten health and care. New pet articles are 
added daily. Enter your cats picture in the Mac Daddy Cat Challenge.</a>

CAT FIRST AID - This could save your cats life

The actions taken immediately after a cat has had an accident or suffered from a sudden illness can save its life. Sometimes, illness has been present for a while but it is discovered at the sudden onset of signs that constitute an emergency.

Cats, of course, cannot explain verbally what happened to them or what they feel, but certain signs reveal vital information to help determine a course of action. Is the cat breathing? Is its heart beating? Is it bleeding? Is its temperature normal? Is it behaving abnormally?

Cats in pain are frightened and often try to run away and hide. To administer help, the owner must forcibly restrain the animal with blankets or bags to avoid being bitten or scratched. Speaking softly to the cat, using its name, and handling it with a firm but gentle grip will often calm a pa - -led cat enough to allow treatment.

An understanding of the normal structures and functions of a cat's body is needed for comparison when attempting to determine what is wrong with a cat that is in pain or unconscious.

The key objectives of first aid are the following:

1. To preserve life.

2. To alleviate suffering.

3. To promote recovery.

4. To prevent aggravation of the injury or illness until veterinary assistance can be obtained.

CHECK FOR NORMAL VITAL SIGNS

It is essential to know the normal temperature, pulse, and breathing rate of your cat to accurately judge the severity of illness or injury. Cats vary, as people do, but these are general guidelines:

Temperature 100.4'F-102.5'F

Pulse 160-240 per minute

Respirations 20-30 per minute

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

1. Remove the cause of the injury if possible.

2. Clear airways so the cat can breathe. Remove any collar or harness from the cat's body. Clear the nose and throat of any foreign material, blood, or fluids. Place the animal in the position that makes breathing as easy as possible.

3. Give artificial respiration if the patient is not breathing.

4. Treat cardiac arrest with CPR immediately (see "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation,"). Often a sharp blow on the side of the chest, just behind the shoulder, will suffice. Continue CPR until the cat's heart is pumping on its own and the cat is breathing

5. Stop or control bleeding as soon as possible. Use pressure bandages, pressure points, or tourniquets as needed.

6. Cover any wounds with clean, dry dressings.

7. Keep the patient warm with blankets, box, or in a warm car, etcetera.

8. Do not move or manipulate the patient unnecessarily. An injured animal will usually assume the least painful position, with the injured part uppermost. When it is necessary to move the patient, support and protect the injured area to prevent further damage and pain. Use blankets, rugs, and boards or boxes to support an animal being transported.

9. Treat for shock If the cat is unconscious, place its head slightly lower than the rest of its body to treat shock and to prevent the patient from inhaling fluids or materials in the mouth. Do not give anything by mouth, not even water or medicines. If the cat is conscious and not seriously injured, give small amounts of drinking water.

10. Promptly transport the cat to a veterinary facility for professional care.

11. If possible, have someone phone the veterinary hospital or surgery, while you are on the way, to alert the staff of your need for emergency care. The person who calls should give a brief description of the injuries, so the hospital personnel can make preparations for your arrival.

12. Don't speed on the way! A patient that won't survive a few minutes probably can't be saved, and the rough ride to the hospital may aggravate injuries. Risking an additional accident-to yourself or your pet-is not justified by any emergency.

For a reference point, you should determine these rates for your cat when it is healthy, and keep a record in your first-aid kit. Excitement or exercise will increase the normal rates, as in humans, so your most valid measurements will be obtained when the cat is at rest. A good time to measure normal pulse and respiration is when you and your pet are relaxing together in the course of a normal day.

To find the pulse, press your first two fingers against the inside of the upper hind leg, where the large femoral artery is found. Count the pulse for at least sixty seconds. You can also see or feel the heartbeat on the chest wall directly behind the cat's 11 elbow." in an emergency situation, the heartbeat or pulse should be taken and reported to the veterinarian. An extremely fast pulse may indicate a state of shock. A weak pulse indicates a dire situation, which should receive immediate veterinary attention.

To determine the breathing rate or respiration, watch the cat's chest movement. Count either inhalations or exhalations (not both) for one minute. Rapid breathing can indicate shock or lack of oxygen. Labored breathing may be a clue that there is an obstruction or severe chest injury. Shallow breathing is a sign of weakness or chest pain. irregular breathing is a-very serious sign, calling for an immediate veterinary examination. Among the many problems it could indicate are fractured ribs and punctured or collapsed lung.

Unless your cat is unusually docile, you will need a helper to hold it while you take its temperature. Do not attempt to take the temperature of a cat with breathing difficulty.

CREATE A FIRST-AID KIT

The following list does not include common household items, which are assumed to be already available, such as scissors, pliers, blankets, soap, bicarbonate of soda, and mineral oil. Towels or large cloths or blankets should be available to restrain the cat if it is hysterical. The numbers in parentheses indicate quantity.

CONTENTS FOR A CAT FIRST-AID KIT

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

Gauze bandages, 1" and 2" rolls (I each)

Gauze dressing pads, 3" X 3" (8)

Adhesive tape, I" roll (1)

Roll of cotton wool (I)

Triangular bandage (1)

Rectal thermometer (1)

Cotton bails (6)

Tweezers (I)

MEDICATIONS

3% hydrogen peroxide (2 oz)

Milk of magnesia tablets, 5 gin (10)

Activated charcoal tablets (20)

Kaolin mixture (2 oz)

Antibacterial ointment:

For eye, 1/8 oz: tube

For skin, 1/8 oz tube

Always replace materials and medications after they have been used.

HOW TO RESTRAIN AN INJURED CAT

Injured cats often do not recognize their owners, whom they normally trust. Nor do they understand the concern and help that people are trying to give them. Cats in pain are afraid and do not understand the source of that pain. Their natural instincts are to escape and hide; if they cannot, they will strike out at anyone who approaches, to avoid a repetition of the incident that caused the pain.

Veterinarians can use medicine (tranquilizers, sedatives, and anesthetics) to alleviate the suffering of a cat. First aid is the process necessary to get the cat to the veterinarian.

In general, the cat is a very independent Creature. Its personality necessitates forcible restraint, or confinement to an area where it thinks it is free but is not. An injured cat may wound anyone offering medical assistance by biting, or by scratching with any of its four feet. it is almost impossible to muzzle a cat, so one must avoid the mouth area. Restraint of the feet is important.

To humanely "disarm" the cat's claws, secure the two front legs together, just above the feet, by winding adhesive tape around them two or three times. Then fasten the rear legs together in a similar manner. Hold the head firmly. The cat can now be examined and treated carefully and effectively.

Actually, the cat is usually a bluffer and will respond well to confident but firm handling. it is also forgetful and forgiving. if a cat becomes angry at forced treatment, release it. Soon it will once again be docile and approachable.

Picking Up or Carrying a Cat

1. Reassure the cat. Talk to it quietly, gently stroke its head and ears, and run your hand down its back. 2. With the cat's tail toward your elbow and its head facing toward your hand, move your hand under its chest (sternum) and lift, with the cat's lower body resting on your forearm and snuggled against your body. The other hand can either grasp the scruff of the cat's neck or cradle its chin. 3. Transport a cat in a basket, cat carrier, or cloth bag, such as a pillowcase or burlap bag, tied closed. The cat cannot see out and will feel snug and secure. If the head is to be examined, or oral medication is to be given, loosen the bag and expose only the head; this effectively restrains the rest of the patient in the bag.

Restraining Unruly or Aggressive Cats

1. In most instances, an unruly or biting cat can be controlled with a folded blanket or thick towel. Drop the blanket over the cat in its box or cage and pick up the animal inside the blanket. With the cat rolled in the blanket and only a foot or the head protruding, you can apply medication or bandages without danger to either the patient or the handler.

2. Use thick leather or canvas work gloves when handling an aggressive cat. When cats scratch and bite, the wounds are severe. Cats almost always attack the handler's face or hands. Place the obstreperous patient in a strong bag or cat box and take it to the veterinarian, where drugs can be used for restraint. This is safer, wiser, and more humane.

PRINCIPLES OF RESTRAINT

1. Approach the patient with a firm but kind and quiet manner. Use its name if you know it and allow the animal to sniff the back of your closed fist. 2. Do nothing to further injure the patient. 3. Restrain the patient in a way that will not allow it to injure itself. 4. Protect yourself from injury that may be inflicted upon you by the patient. 5. Place the cat in a situation different from its usual secure environment (on the top of a table instead of on the floor, for example). The newness will create uncertainty but not pain, and the patient will be more cooperative and easier to treat.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT CHOKING

Warning: Choking is one of the signs of rabies if a strange cat appears to be choking but has no obvious injury, rabies is a possibility. The same is true of any cat that has not been vaccinated. If you do not know the cat, stay away from it and call the nearest animal control center

If the cat is one you know and you believe that an object, such as a bone, might be in its throat and obstructing the cat's breathing, reach in with your fingers or tweezers and try to remove it. if the blockage is further down, lay the cat on its side, place the heel of your hand just behind the last rib, angling slightly upward, and push firmly, but not so firmly as to break the ribs. Four quick thrusts should dislodge the obstruction; if not, try again. If unsuccessful, take the cat to a veterinarian.

COPING WITH BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

Any foreign object in the nasal passages, throat, trachea, or bronchi can physically prevent the flow of air into the lungs. Penetrating chest wounds can result in collapsed lungs. Any tearing of the diaphragm, which normally acts to expand the lungs, can also interfere with effective breathing.

Look for these signs to determine if the cat is in respiratory distress:

1. Mucous membranes (gums and lining of the eyelids) may be pale or blue in color (osmotic), indicating poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

2. Labored respiration may occur: gasping, openmouthed breathing, or slow, shallow breathing. A cat in sudden respiratory distress, as from choking, may paw at its face.

3. The cat may be unconscious, with dilated pupils.

If the respiratory problem is caused by something other than simple obstruction, you must resort to artificial respiration.

Artificial Respiration

Remove the cat's collar, open the mouth, and pull the tongue forward so that it does not block the throat. Pull the head and neck forward, then put your hands on the ribs, push down suddenly, and release. This drives the stale air out of the lungs, and an elastic recoil mechanism will allow them to refill. Repeat about once every five seconds.if the chest cavity has been punctured, the elastic recoil mechanism will not be working, and you will have to actually blow air into the lungs. Hold the cat's mouth and lips closed, put your mouth over its nose, and blow firmly into the nostrils for about three seconds. Watch the chest carefully. Blowing too hard can cause lung damage. After a two-second rest, repeat. Keep this up for thirty minutes or more, or until the animal has begun breathing on its own, or until it has been pronounced dead by a veterinarian. The cat's progress can be monitored by checking the color of its gums. If it begins to fight the procedure, breathing is improving.

WHEN BREATHING AND HEARTBEAT STOP

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

CPR is an important lifesaving technique that has become widely accepted for humans through classes offered by the Red Cross and other groups. These same techniques may "breathe" life back into a seemingly lifeless pet.

CPR provides short-term, artificial breathing and heart contractions for an unconscious animal whose breathing and heartbeat have stopped. CPR sustains the animal until it can perform these functions again on its own. An animal can suffer respiratory and heart failure from a traumatic experience, such as being hit by a car, ingesting a toxic material, or from shock.

An animal is considered unconscious if it is unresponsive to stimuli, such as pinching and shaking. Do not perform CPR on an animal that has a heartbeat. Do not perform artificial breathing on an animal that is already breathing unless the breathing is very shallow. These techniques could injure the animal if it is breathing normally or has a heartbeat.

Breathing can be determined visually as the chest rises and falls during inhalation and exhalation. Feel the heartbeat by placing your fingers on the left side of the chest wall, above the point of the elbow. Visual signs of an absence of heartbeat include fully dilated eyes and cool, grayish-blue gums. Feel the heartbeat on a healthy cat to become familiar with the sensation,

Artificial breathing: If the animal is not breathing but has a heartbeat, then only artificial breathing is needed.

Heart contractions. If there is no heartbeat or respiration, cardiopulmonary arrest has occurred and CPR must be administered. It consists of compressing the heart while administering artificial breathing. Both therapies are applied, one immediately following the other. A rhythm must develop between continual heart compressions and artificial breathing technique.

1. With one hand, place the thumb on the cat's chest at the point of the elbow and your fingers on the opposite side of the chest cavity for compression.

2. Squeeze gently, but firmly, at a rate of one compression per second.

3. After five cardiac compressions, follow with artifi cial breathing, without breaking the rhythm of the cardiac compressions.

Another variation is to place the animal on its right side on a firm surface. Place one hand under the body and the other hand above it, so the entire upper chest area is enclosed. Use both hands to compress. Compress the chest five times, then move one hand to the nose and mouth and administer respiration once; then repeat.

Continue CPR for a few minutes, while observing the animal for signs of life, such as spontaneous respiratory efforts or a heartbeat. If breathing and heart rate are not restored, continue CPR up to fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes, revival is unlikely. if at all possible, have someone drive you to the veterinarian while you continue giving CPR.

Caution: Severe cardiopulmonary complications may result if you attempt CPR on a conscious, breathing animal.

HOW TO CONTROL BLEEDING

Injuries to the soft tissue include cuts, lacerations, abrasions, and abscesses. To control bleeding, first try the direct-pressure technique. Place a clean, preferably sterile, gauze pad directly over the wound and apply firm, even pressure. if blood soaks through the gauze, do not remove it, or you may disrupt any clot that has begun to form. just place another pad on top and continue to apply pressure. If a limb is injured, it may help to elevate it, but do this with care to avoid causing further damage to possible fractures.

If direct pressure does not stop the bleeding, try indirect pressure on the arteries supplying the area. The useful pressure points on a cat are inside the upper surface of the forelimb and hindlimb, and at the underside of the base of the tail. Very firm pressure to these areas will reduce the amount of bleeding from those respective extremities.

if neither type of manual pressure controls the bleeding from a leg or tail wound, you may apply a tourniquet as a last resort. Avoid this step unless absolutely necessary, for gangrene (death and decay of tissue) may result if a tourniquet is left on too long. Never apply a tourniquet around the neck. The procedure for applying a tourniquet is the following:

1. Use a one-inch-wide gauze bandage roll; wrap twice around. the limb or tail, between the wound and the body, about two inches from the wound. Do not use a narrower bandage or a string. it will cut into the underlying skin.

2. Tie a half hitch (one tie of the line) in the bandage, put a pencil or stick on top, and tie a square knot above.

3. Twist slowly until the bleeding slows to a trickle. Fasten the stick in place by tying or taping gently. The tourniquet should be released briefly every ten to fifteen minutes.

4. Cover the wound lightly with sterile gauze.

Once a tourniquet is in place, take the cat to a veterinarian without delay. If the tourniquet must remain in place over fifteen minutes, release it for one minute for every fifteen minutes it is in place, then retighten. Watch for shock. (See "Shock")

Closed or internal wounds are harder to detect and therefore harder to treat. They may appear as contusions (bruises) or hematomas (swollen areas filled with blood). internal wounds may be suspected if the cat is bleeding from the mouth or anus, if it vomits or defecates blood, or if it is in a coma or state of shock with no signs of external injury. Emergency treatment consists of keeping an airway open, treating for shock, immobilizing fractures, and seeing a veterinarian as soon as possible.

SOFT-TISSUE INJURIES

Less serious wounds can be treated as follows: Wash hands thoroughly and restrain the cat. First smear a bit of ointment or petroleum jelly around the wound area (not in the wound itself), so the hair will stick together and not fall into the wound as you clip the fur away with scissors. Next, clean the wound carefully with clean or sterile water. Wet a cotton swab or gauze pad and clean the wound by washing gently from the center of the injured area, working outward. When a cotton swab becomes soiled, throw it away and use a fresh one to prevent contaminating the antiseptic with dirt from the wound.

Safe antiseptics for cats include hydrogen peroxide, Bactine, and dilute Betadine. After cleaning, blot away any excess water gently with a sterile gauze pad and apply a suitable antibiotic, such as Neosporin or bacitracin. Cover the ointment with a sterile gauze pad and bandage. Be sure the dressing is taped carefully in place so the cat cannot easily reach the loose-ends and untie it. Keep the bandage clean and dry, changing it daily so that you can monitor the healing process. See a veterinarian as soon as possible. The sooner the veterinarian sees the wound, the better the chances for a surgical closure if stitches are required.

Abscesses

Wounds, especially bite or puncture wounds, are very prone to infection and formation of abscesses. Often, the first evidence that a cat has been in a fight is the hard, hot, painful swelling of an abscess appearing some time after the fact; the initial bite may have caused a small undetected hole.

Clip the fur around an abscess and clean the skin as described above. "Hot-pack" the area with a clean towel soaked in a solution made from a pint of hot water with two teaspoons of salt added. The water should be as warm as possible without being uncomfortable. Hold the compress on for ten to fifteen minutes as often as possible, the ideal being every two hours. Reheat the solution each time. The abscess may open, and pus should drain from the area within a day or two. When it does, rinse the wound with the salt solution, apply an antibiotic, and bandage the area loosely so as not to prevent drainage. It is always wise to take any cat with an abscess to the veterinarian; the abscess may have to be opened surgically and drained, and systemic antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent significant loss of tissue.

Deep Puncture Wounds

Deep puncture wounds to the chest are extremely hazardous. The great danger is that air or blood will enter the chest cavity through the wound, replacing the normal vacuum with a positive pressure that will collapse the lungs and cause the cat to suffocate within minutes. Try to cover this type of wound with an airtight seal, such as plastic or gauze. Do not try to remove the penetrating object (such as a garden stake), or you may allow more air to enter. Leave the object in place and treat for shock until you can get the cat to your veterinarian. Prompt attention is mandatory.

Eyes

Eyes are very delicate organs. Any injury to them should receive veterinary attention. The most important things you can do are the following:

1. Stop any bleeding. Use direct pressure with a gauze pad placed over the eye. 2. Keep the surface of the eye moist with contact lens solution, or artificial years. 3. Cover the eye lightly with sterile gauze. 4. Take the cat immediately to the veterinarian.

SHOCK

Shock is often difficult to recognize because it may not appear until after an accident, as much as eight to ten hours later, when the cat is no longer being watched closely. in shock, the volume of circulating blood is decreased or the blood vessels collapse, and the heart loses much of its ability to pump blood. This decreases the oxygen supply to the tissues. The body tries to compensate by speeding up the blood flow, and by reducing or shutting off blood flow to nonvital organs. The signs of shock, listed below, reflect these changes:

1. Decrease in or loss of consciousness 2. Pale mucous membranes (e.g., gums, rims of the eyes) 3. Body feels cold to touch 4. Feeble and rapid pulse (greater than 240 per minute) 5. Shallow but rapid breathing (greater than 40 per minute) 6. Inability to stand (sometimes, but not always) 7. Involuntary passage of urine and/or feces (not always)

Prompt supportive therapy must begin immediately if the cat is to recover from this collapse of the circulatory system. First stop the bleeding and give artificial respiration if breathing has stopped. Provide a warm, quiet environment and use cardiopulmonary resuscitation if needed. (See "Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.) Make sure the cat is positioned on its side, with head lower than the rest of the body, so that gravity can assist blood flow to the brain. If the heart seems to be working on its own, massage the leg and trunk muscles to encourage blood return from these areas.

A cat in shock is frequently thirsty, but giving it water could be dangerous. In severe shock, the digestive tract does not efficiently absorb water. A semiconscious cat may accidentally inhale rather than swallow water. The most effective way of treating circulatory shock is by intravenous fluid administration and other intravenous medications, which must be administered by a veterinarian. Shock is a medical emergency that requires prompt veterinary attention.

INURIES TO BONES

Fractures and dislocations usually are not life threatening, unless they cause severe bleeding, interfere with breathing (as broken ribs may do), or crush a vital part of the spinal cord or brain. However, prompt immobilization of a fracture is important to prevent a simple break from turning into a compound fracture (one that breaks through the skin) and to reduce damage to the surrounding soft tissue. A severe fracture also may cause shock, and the complication of infection can lead to blood poisoning.

Recognizing a broken bone can be difficult. A cat with a broken leg will show pain and inability to use the leg. There may be swelling around the fracture site, or the cat might hold its leg at an unusual angle or show an unusual range of motion in the middle of a leg rather than at a joint. A sensation called crepitus, a suggestion of grating or scraping, can be felt when the leg is moved gently. With spinal injuries, the cat will often be unable to use its legs. It is crucial to avoid aggravating the damage with movement or manipulation. if a break is suspected, do not try to verify it by physical manipulation. immobilize the affected area, if possible, and quickly, gently, transport the cat to a veterinarian.

The most direct method of immobilizing a fractured leg is to apply a splint. Almost any long, stiff object can be used in an emergency. A simple cylinder of newspaper or a towel wrapped around the leg may suffice. When using sticks, there must be two, one on the inside and one on the outside of the leg. Any hard object used should b e padded so that it does not chafe the leg. A splint will be effective only if it extends past and immobilizes the joints above and below the injury. Tape the support in place, taking care not to make it so tight that it cuts off the circulation.

Fractures of the vertebral column and skull are serious, but these areas cannot be splinted. Place the cat in a padded box to avoid any unnecessary movement of the cat's body and head and take it to a veterinarian promptly.

Additional care is needed to prevent bacteria from entering the wound of a compound fracture. Do not push the broken edges of bone back together just cover the injury with a sterile cloth and apply the splint as previously described. Your veterinarian will do a more thorough cleanup once the cat's condition has stabilized.

About the author:

Many thanks to the Cornell Feline Health Center for this important article

Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

New Article - The Temperament of cats

Also see : Contact Lens Wearing Cat
The Isle of Wight recently accomplished something that's never been done before. A 15 year old cat named Ernest received a set of contact lenses to correct a vision problem. Ernest, a popular resident at the RSPCA, had problems with the lids of its eyes being turned inside. This caused scratching on his eye balls that effectively hurt his vision.

Introducing a new kitten to your older cat
So, you read somewhere that introducing a new kitten into your home could be great for your existing cat for companionship. And you remember how much fun your cat was when she was a new kitten, and you would love to re-live those

Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Recently added articles

How to Use a Cat to Attract a Woman
Attention to all desperate men out there. Are you having trouble attracting women in your sexual life? Then go buy a cat! Cats are known to be extremely smart animals. They are known to drive all the negative energy away, they are very clean, sensitive, independent and of course they can help you impress most women.

Tips on Getting Your Cat to Eat
Cat owners are very familiar with the "fussy-eater" syndrome that most cats have. Many worry that their cat will become malnourished or just be constantly hungry all the time. There are several reasons why cats will not eat what's put before them. Here are a few tips on how to get your "fussy-eater" to try their food.

Cat History And Cat Classification Of Domestic Cats
Scientists classify living organisms into different kingdoms, family, and orders to study more about them. Although, most people do not get into such details, but certain individuals who love cats, will definitely want to know the scientific classification of cats.

Blindness in Cats - Five Common Causes of Feline Blindness
Cats naturally have superior vision. However, there are various conditions that can cause blindness in cats. Some of these conditions include hypertension, glaucoma, and cancer. Let's take a look at some of these causes of feline blindness.

The Importance of Potassium With Older Felines
As your cat ages, they will encounter numerous changes over time that will eventually lead to a failure of their organs and internal systems – this is a fact of life. However, it is possible to prolong their longevity by paying attention to the special needs that of older felines and by providing your cat with those elements that they will benefit from as they grow older.

temperament of cats

New Article - Abused Cats

temperament of cats

New Article - Floppy Cat

Also see : Home remedies for cats & other pets: Remedy for broken bones
Freeze your pet holding him still and placing him on a board, floor mat or folded blanket. Avoid bandaging or supporting with splint as it can cause more damage

Do You Want To Find a Purebred Cat?:
For some of us, a common-or-garden Tom cat is not enough. We want quality feline company with a pedigree and the only way to guarantee that a cat is a purebreed is to contact one of the national cat associations

Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Also see : Disciplining Your Cat the Right Way:
Most people struggle with the right and the wrong way to discipline their cat. By no means do you want to use hurt tactics. What I've found from owning eight cats of my own since childhood is that a simple spray bottle with water will do

Kitties I Art Print
Newland, Jenny
Buy at AllPosters.com

Is Your Cat A Mac Daddy Cat?

Mac Daddy Cat Challenge- Can your cat hack it? Think you have a Mac Daddy Cat? Upload your cats photos and let the world decide.Can your cat hack it?

temperament of cats

New Article - I'll Take My Cat

Do You Have A Blog?

Kitten articles for your blog

Also see : Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a disease caused by a coronavirus infection. Many different strains of coronavirus are capable of infecting cats, but most do not produce serious disease. FIP-producing strains are distinguished by their ability to invade and grow in certain white blood cells. The infected cells transport the virus throughout the cat’s body. An intense inflammatory reaction occurs in the tissues where these virus-infected cells locate. It is this interaction between the body’s own immune system and the virus that is responsible for the disease.

How To Tell If Your Cat Is Sick
Unfortunately, when your cat is sick, it can't tell you so it's up to you as a pet owner to train yourself to be observant. A good way to keep tabs on your pet's health is to make an informal, physical exam part of your weekly cat-care routine. You may actually make it easier for your veterinarian to treat your cat because you will be bringing your pet in to see him or her before an illness has progressed too far.

Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

Pet Loss: Should You Clone Your Cat?

Also see : Things To Prepare Before Bringing Your Pet Cat Home:
Bringing a new cat home is exciting and it can be very rewarding also. However, you really do need to take certain precautions if you already have other pets. If you follow the instructions above, you should be able to introduce your new pet into your home without much hassle. It just takes time and patience but you will get there if you persevere!

Support Your Local Cat Adoption Programs

New Article - Behavior Training for your stubborn Cat

Keep your cat disease free

New Article - Home remedies for cats & other pets: Remedy for broken bones

Groom your cat to avoid hairballs

New Article - How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Cat Feeding Explained

Cat Watching

New Article - Cat Litter Box Health Concerns You Need To Know:

temperament of cats
Can Cat Lovers Ever Love Dogs?

Cat Health Articles

Is your cat sick? Find out why.

More Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content, Articles

Does the world need more cats?:
Aren’t they cute? Yes, they are! A nest of meowing and crawling little kittens leaves only the fiercest cat hater indifferent. But does the world need more cats? A cat is the second most popular pet in the world

Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com

temperament of cats

New Article - About Your Cats Tongue

cat food factors that discourage feline utd
New Article - Cat Chat: How Cats Communicate

Training a cat to do tricks
New Article - How to Make your Cat Urinate in the Litter Box

health risk of catnip
New Article - Feral Cats Can Make Good Pets

New Article - All About Traveling With Cats

cloned cats
New Article - How to Solve Litter box Problems in Multi-cat Homes

New Article - New Recipes Transform Canned Cat Food

kitten
New Article - How to Control the Smell From the Litter Box

Cats and kidney disease
New Article - Cat Bathing Tips and Tricks

San Antonio Texas Pet Scene

Add a Shelter Cat to Your Family Today

Stray Cat Adoptions of Texas (SCAT)

P.O. Box 700571
San Antonio, Texas 78270
Attn: Denise Duchaine
SCAT runs weekend cat adoption centers at several PetSmart locations in San Antonio.

San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition

San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition
San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition is organized to promote Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and public education of feral cat issues in the San Antonio area.

South Texas Persian Rescue

South Texas Persian Rescue
We are a rescue specializing in rescuing persians, himalayans, exotic shorthairs, and ragdolls. Most of our rescued cats are pulled from shelters. Some are given up by their owners due to family situations, financial situations, or a behavioral problem the cat is having. All cats are treated for any existing medical condition(s); they are spayed/neutered, FIV/FELV tested, and given all necessary immunizations before adoption; and any behavioral problem(s) the cat may have is addressed and resolved. All of our foster kitties are housed in actual homes with foster parents - so they get used to being in a home environment.

The Humane Society / SPCA of Bexar County

The Humane Society / SPCA of Bexar County
The Humane Society/SPCA of Bexar County has served Bexar County and its surrounding areas since 1952.

Animal Defense League

Animal Defense League
The ADL has a nice Cat House and always has cats and kittens for adoption

Become part of the San Antonio Pet Scene

Email me your Pet related announcements and I will post them for free. clark2368@aol.com

Cat

New Article - Are You Abusing Your Cat?

Newest Cat and Kitten Articles

Respiratory Problems in Cats and kittens
Feline upper-respiratory problems, a frequent occurrence in catteries, are caused by viral or bacterial infections, acting singly or in consort. Diagnosis and treatment of upper respiratory problems are often difficult because the symptoms of infection – sneezing, coughing and nasal discharge – are common to several upper respiratory diseases. Futhermore, analogous symptoms can be produced by allergic reactions to inhaled substances.

Give your cat a longer and healthier life: For that reason it is no surprise most indoor cats in the U.S are overweight and have health problems when they get old.
We all usually rather not think of the far future, but if you really care about your pet don't you want it to live long and strong?

Home remedies for cats & other pets: Arthritis
To make your overweight pet’s loose weight, 20 minute walk several times a day will help lighten the load on the achy joints and reduce the progression of arthritis. During winter season, let your pet sleep inside on soft bedding to reduce discomfort if any

Dog and Cat Behavior Consultations:
Why Behavior Consultations? More than half of all cat owners experience behavior problems with theirs pets

Important nutritional information on cat food
Protein is crucial for your cat's health, and generally comes from fish, meat or poultry. Advertisers will often say their brand is beef, turkey or mackerel flavoured, but it may not actually contain those products

Litter Box Strategies For Disabled Cats
Cats that are blind, partially paralyzed, have a missing limb, or very old can develop litter box problems that affect you as well as them. Owning one of these special kitties is challenging, but you can develop solutions to work around cat litter

Cat

Shelter Cats Make Great Companions

Other Crazy Stuff

Identity Theft a real threat to cats

Identity Theft Is Real

'cat

Don't Be Fooled

Catnews.org is currently investigating the real threat of identity theft to your cat or kitten. We have a reporter deep under cover to gather the facts. We will be reporting on this vital issue soon.
'cat

Our Reporter On The Inside

An Engineer's Guide to Cats

Worlds First Bio-engineered Pet

See The Gen Pets

Proof That Osama Bin Laden is Dead
Dateline: Jan. 2008

Yemengzhu - The 3 billion dollar rock

Yemengzhu - The 3 Billion Dollar Rock
What weighs 6.2 tons and is worth more then 3.1 billion dollars? Are your guessing a new high tech battleship or maybe a new stealth fighter? Well it's a big ball of glow in the dark fluorite. Thats right a rock!
read more --- Yemengzhus, 亦稱傳奇光亮珍珠在中國, 是罕見的煥發的球在黑暗的熒石。

Red fluorescent cats

Red fluorescent cats: This picture, taken through a special filter in a dark room, shows a cat, left, possessing a red fluorescent protein that makes the animal glow in the dark when exposed to ultraviolet rays, appearing next to a normal cloned cat.

Pet Classifieds Free Pet Classifieds

Our Awards

Meet My Cats

I am a slave to 8 cats

Rare Picture Of All My Cats

Trouble, Patches, and Sweetie Pie enjoying a sunny San Antonio Day. (What a life!)

Cassidy and Snowflake Same mom different litters - Rescued from a feral colony in San Antonio

Cassidy was born with a club foot and two different color eyes

Cassidy runs and plays just like her normal sisters

Sarafena - Queen of the Witches

Cookie Monster came from a local flea market

Trouble (Grand Ma) weighs in at 18+ pounds. At 12 years old she still plays with the young cats.

Starvin Marvin - AKA "Whizzer" - Our only Tom. Marvin Has FHIV but is healthy and living high on the hog.

Welcome to my website - Don't like what you see? Refresh the page for a whole new web adventure

Editor - Russell Clark (clark2368@aol.com)
Adopt a shelter cat today. - Better yet, adopt two.

Honoring Our Troops

Cat Fist Aid

Something New!

Sign My Guest Book

Whats News

Vaccines: What Cat Owners Need to Know

On my first trip to the veterinarian's office as proud new cat owner I pondered the question that I am sure has crossed the minds of many cat owners at some point. Does my cat really need these vaccines? My kitten, like many of yours, was destined to be an indoor-only cat so why did I need to drag her into the vet clinic every year for vaccines?

According to Dr. Melissa Riensche, a small animal internal medicine resident at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, the answer is actually quite simple. As with human medicine, vaccinations are an important part of the preventative medicine veterinarians practice. The ultimate goal of a vaccination is to eliminate the spread of certain diseases or, if that is not possible, to reduce the disease severity.

The vaccines engineered for your cat are separated into several categories referred to as core, non-core, and those that are generally not recommended. These categories are defined based on factors like: the overall efficacy of the vaccine, your pet's individual risk factors, and the health risks associated with the vaccine. Core vaccines are ones that most animals should receive and in some cases a core vaccine may actually be required by law.
Continue Reading

QUICK CAT FACTS

ARE GINGER CATS ALWAYS MALE?
No. This is a common misconception. Ginger cats can be either male or female although ginger females are less common.

The genetics of ginger is explained in more detail in Tortoiseshell and Tri-Colour Cats (ginger is caused by the same gene as tortoiseshell), but this is a short version for those wanting a quick answer.

The ginger gene changes black pigment into a reddish pigment. The ginger gene is carried on the X chromosome. A normal male cat has XY genetic makeup so he only needs to inherit one ginger gene for him to be a ginger cat. A normal female is XX genetic makeup so she must inherit two ginger genes to be a ginger cat. If she inherits only one ginger gene, she will be tortoiseshell with some ginger areas and some black/brown areas.

The ginger gene is called a sex-linked gene because it is carried on a sex chromosome.

Also, if you look closely, ginger cats have tabby markings though these may be faint or only visible on the face, tail and lower legs. They are also visible in the ginger areas of tortie cats. This is because the gene that turns off tabby to give solid colour cats does not work on the ginger colour.

ARE GINGER FEMALES RARE?
No. They are less common than ginger males, but they are not rare. It is possible to selectively breed ginger female cats by mating ginger males and ginger females together. They will have ginger offspring.

ARE GINGER FEMALES STERILE?
Continue Reading

SOMETHING NEW FOR BLOGGERS

Free changing picture gallery for your blog or webpage

Here is your chance to put a rotating picture gallery of the cats of CatNews.org on your blog or website.

Drop this code into your page and the gallery will function just like the pictures you see on my site, changing each time your visitor refreshes the page. I am always adding pictures to these galleries. They already has quite a few in them.

Gallery 1

Gallery 2

Gallery 3

Focus On Cat Health

PICA In Cats: EATING THE INEDIBLE

Pica means eating non-food items. The behaviour ranges from sucking, chewing and biting through to swallowing bites of items. Pica (from the Latin for "magpie"). It should not be confused with the suckling/nursing behaviour that some cats retain into adulthood. Commonly consumed target items include wool, string, elastic bands, electrical cords, tissues, tinsel and houseplants. Other objects have included cassette tape and the rubber "teat" section of a child's dummy (pacifier). Eating a little grass or herbs is normal cat behaviour; indoor cats may eat houseplants if there is no grass accessible.

Like many obsessive or abnormal behaviours, the cat persists in doing it because the it is comforting or rewarding. The reward might be a nice taste, a full stomach or simply getting attention from the owner. The challenge is to make the behaviour unrewarding and redirect the behaviour into something rewarding for the cat and acceptable to the owner. Sometimes it is a displacement activity where an abnormal activity is substituted for normal behaviour because the cat can't express the more normal behaviour i.e. the normal behaviour is being thwarted.

PICA, WOOL-SUCKING OR PREY-PLUCKING?
Wool-sucking (or fabric-sucking) is a misdirected form of nursing. It's similar to a child's thumb-sucking in providing comfort.. Though sometimes mistaken for wool-eating, the item (sweater, blanket etc) is only sucked, not chewed, bitten or swallowed. Other commonly suckled objects include the cat's own tail, other cats or pet dogs. Behavioural treatment may be needed to build up the cat's confidence so it no longer resorts to "comfort nursing".

In general, the younger a kitten is when it is weaned, the stronger the urge to nurse and the more persistent the comfort-nursing. Usually it decreases naturally as the kitten grows up, but it may persist or resurface in early-weaned or hand-reared cats, particularly at times of stress. More rarely it becomes a compulsive behaviour or progresses to pica.

Some owners provide an old sweater for the cat to suckle on while protecting other garments by storing them away from the cat or dabbing hot chilli sauce onto them.

Plucking the target resembles pica but is a misdirected prey-related activity. The cat holds down the (often woollen) blanket or garment with its paws and uses its teeth to pluck or tear at it. This is the same behaviour found when a cat plucks or tears fur, feather or flesh from larger prey items (e.g. pigeons). The clothing/blanket isn't swallowed anything the cats tears off is discarded. One of my cats, Sappho, exhibited this behaviour towards crochet blankets.

In the case of one Siamese cat, it took a sock to its eating area and plucked at it periodically during the meal (canned food). The owner attributed this to "teeth cleaning" but it was probably misdirected prey-plucking/tearing behaviour as it only occurred at mealtimes.

BREED PREDISPOSITIONS
Continue Reading

Focus On Cat Breeds

Toyger Cat and Kitten Information

The Toyger is a designer breed of cat that is bred to look like a small tiger. They are currently being further developed as a breed with the goal developing appearance traits that get closer to the tiger. Like a tiger, they are striped with clack and orange tones.

Said to take well to training Toyger owners report that their cats are docile and fun loving animals who enjoy the company of favorite humans. The ears are small and the eyes are round. Their fur is predominately short, thick and luxurious. Toygers can take easily to training, have a calm demeanor and are gaining in popularity.

The Toyger appeals to people with the means to afford a beautiful cat that looks like it came from the jungle. The Toyger has not yet been widely recognized as a breed though the International Cat Association TICA has recognized the Toyger solely for registration purposes. Breeders have been working to develop a consistent breed standard that is likely to focus on the colors that would be acceptable with brown mackerel being the dominate standard. Acceptable patterns will be highly distinctive with a high contrast between colors and would fall into the category of tabby.

Feline Health Considerations
Continue Reading

History, Temperament of the Maine Coon.

History of the Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coons have been on this earth for many centuries, they were well documented at being in large numbers at American Cat Shows in the mid 1800’s alongside the other popular breed at the time the Persian cat.

There are several theories as to the origin of Maine Coons, the Darwin Theory of an animal’s origin being disregarded and obscured, from being an outcross between a Bobcat/Wildcat and a domestic, coming across as ship cats from Scandinavian countries as Forest type cats and mating with the domestic cats, to Marie Antoinette sending her royal cats on a ship to the safety of Maine, prior to her beheading. Nobody really knows and the cat’s aren’t saying.

Maine Coons are a natural breed of cat or at least the original ones were, and anyone who has ever met one and to everyone who has ever lived with one, the Maine Coon is a very special breed of cat. [1]

Appearance of The Maine Coon Cat
Maine Coons are the largest breed of domestic cat and have a rugged, working cat appearance. They have a lovely semi-longhaired coat of varying lengths and were well built to survive in the harsh North American winters. This coat is very water repellent, but quite soft to the touch. An amazing plumed tail of large proportions finishes off this wonderful coat. They come in a large variety of colours and in several tabby patterns as well as solid and particolours. Brown tabby is the original colouring of a Maine Coon but the rainbow of colours range through blues, reds and creams, silvers tortoiseshell and solid blacks through to solid white.
Continue Reading

Newest Articles
Top 15 Cat Quotations
Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels about you and life in general with these enlightening quotations about cats

How Cats With Feline Diabetes Can Lead A Happy Life
“Your cat has feline diabetes.” If this is your vet’s message after examining your beloved friend, it will come as a shock. Yes, your cat has a serious disease. But you can treat it!

Cat First Aid and Emergency Care
If you are cat owners, you may have to encounter emergency situations pertaining to your kitty. Your cat may fall ill anytime unexpectedly or meet an accident which would require you to act as her vet and treat her on urgent basis. In such emergency situations, mostly, you do not have the time to get across your vet.

Blood in Cat Stool May Not Be Serious
Did you find cat blood in stool and are worried that there might be something terribly wrong? Sometimes you may see bright red blood in cat stool if their bowel movements are very hard or dry which could be from lack of water or moist foods

Can Cats and Dogs Safely Chase Lasers and Laser Pointers?
Even the laziest and hardest to please cat or dog will go crazy playing with lasers and can get hours of fun and exercise chasing the laser beam. Lasers are especially useful for exercising indoor cats and dogs. To make sure playing with lasers is safe for your animal friends, there are two very important points to be aware of.

Top Signs - Was Your Cat Poisoned?
There are certain plants, trees and shrubs that can cause your cat to vomit, become dehydrated and have diarrhea. Sometimes when a cat ingests a toxic plant, they can foam at the mouth or have excessive drooling followed by a be needy to drink lots of water. Their mouth can become red and irritated. In extreme cases, a cat can fall into a coma and die.

Cat Allergies -a Deeper Look at the Cause -and a Promise for Permanent Relief
Having helped quite a number of people be free from their cat allergies using TAT,(Tapas Acupressure Technique) I have made some really interesting observations.

Cat

New Article - Get ready for kittens

Just For Fun

SOMETHING NEW! - I've added more International Carriers

Send Free Cell Phone Text Messages From Your Computer To Almost Anywhere in the World- Carriers from the U.S., Mexico, Canada, The UK, India, and many other Nations.

You can send free SMS text messages from this website to almost anywhere in the world. Stop sending text messages from your phone; do it online with my free SMS Text messaging program.
keep your message short. SMS text messages are limited to 160 characters.
Don't forget to bookmark us!

From:
To cell # w/ area code
Receivers Carrier:
Message:

Blackjack: Play Free Blackjack

the most popular casino game in the world free blackjack

Play Blackjack

Magic Square Puzzle

Try to eliminate all the boxes to win. When you check a box, all the squares around it (one above, one below, and one to each side) are unselected. You can play in five different levels of difficulty.

Magic Square Puzzle

Article Authors Wanted

I have my article directory up and running. Anyone with a good article can submit it for posting I am trying to increases my PR with the search engines and am looking For Authors that will give me a back link to their site. I don’t require a back link for you to post on my site, but it would help me reach my goal of 1 million back links within the next three years.
Thanks for visiting my site
Russell - Vist the new article directory

catnews.org

Kitty Card Shop
Check out my new Ecard shop. No sign up with dozens of cat and kitten cards to send

Cat litter box location strategies

Delicious Recipes from my visitors - Add Your Recipes

Recipe Box
Have a yummy dish? Post it here and share it with everyone

My Special Blueberry Muffins
This is my special blueberry muffin recipe that I created over 30 years ago and I like it so much that I have never stopped using it. It has a magnificent flavor and a wonderful texture, the freshness life of this muffin is about 4 days but if frozen it will last for months. The part that I like about this muffin is that it is very versatile, you can use any kind of fruit in it besides blueberries, for example you can use cranberries, raspberries, apples, and if you add some solid pack pumpkin with seasonings you have pumpkin muffins and so on, let your imagination run away with you.

The Original Old Fashion Punczki Recipe
This is the original recipe for making punczki that was brought from Europe by my wife's grandmother when she first arrived at Ellis Island and the onward to Pennsylvania Where she finally settled. Just how old this recipe really is I have no idea but the only thing I know is how good the punczki's are. You must follow this recipe exactly or it will not work well, I know, I have tried to create some shortcuts that were ok but not as good.

Information Center

Information Center
Find the answers to anything - Over 200 subjects and growing

Cat

New Article - Common cat ailments

Cat

New Article - Taking care of an older cat

Meow Mix House - Cat Reality Television

My friends at Meow Mix have done it again, they have produced a reality TV show staring 10 homeless cats. All ten cats were chosen from animal shelters from around the country.
The cats are spending their time in a storefront window in New York City. The players are brought to life with the use of voice over and the public votes one of the cats out of the house each week. Sound like something you've watched before?
The best part is when the cats gets voted out of the Meow Mix House they go to an adopted new home and the winner will be the new Meow Mix spokes-cat.
Thanks to Meow Mix for providing great entertainment for us cat lovers.

View the episodes

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Meow Mix House
Cat Reality Television

Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery

Need Cat Articles For Your Web Site?

Free Feline Content For Your Cat, Kitten or Pet Site
Looking for quality cat and kitten articles to post on your site? I have done the formatting work for you. I am posting the Article of The Day on this page ready to copy and insert into your site.

Attention Authors—New Section - Post Your Articles

Self-Posting Article Directory
All subjects welcome

'cat

Link Exchange
If you have a pet related site and you'd like to link to Catnews.org feel free! Just copy the HTML code beneath the banner you want and paste it into your web page. If you want a reciprocal link in our link directory
please email me at clark2368@aol.com with the page you have posted our banner and the information and graphic for your link

'cat

Link Directory
Visit our friends who support this site

Hey are you a Pussy cat? Join the CAT WARS - Upload Your Picture and do battle with me and my friends - Can you hack it?

Recently Added Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content, Articles

Cat Breeds and Their Personalities
With the exception of a few true lovers of cats, Americans have always been less particular about the origins of their cats and their dogs. Cats are most commonly seen on farms and they worked to help keep the vermin population. As cats are becoming more of a companion of a firm hand, there was a growing interest cat breeds, their purity and pedigree. The Cat Fanciers' Association is dedicated to the preservation of race and race 39 recognized cat breeds. You will find below are some of these species as well as information on the characteristics of race and history.

Domestic Long Hair - the Facts Every Owner of This Cat Breed Should Know
The Domestic Long Hair is the same breed of cat as the Domestic Short Hair, but with longer fur. It is descended from cats that were brought to America aboard ships to hunt rats and was selectively bred in America into today's Domestic Long Hair. The name Domestic Long Hair is given to cats whose parentage is in question; otherwise, it is referred to as an American Long Hair and only American Long Hairs can be show cats.

Feeding Your Elderly Cat:
An elderly cat's metabolism slows down, just as it does in a human. Owners should take this into consideration when feeding their cat. Older pets get less exercise, which means less lean muscle, so their food requirement is reduced

How To Stop Your Cat Spraying:
The cat backs up to the door, lifts the tail and releases a fine spray of urine. Yes, your cat is spraying. You have a problem. But one you can solve

New Article - Declawing - What You Should Know About

Cat Training Demystified
So you have taken the big step towards pet ownership. You have decided on a cute, cuddly kitten, and you don't have a clue how to train it. Fortunately, cat training is simple and basic, and can be done very quickly. A cat is a fairly low-maintenance pet, and you will be thrilled with your decision to take on the responsibility once you have completed your kitten training.

5 Common Myths About Cat Bladder Disease
Cat bladder disease is a common problem so it's no surprise that many false myths abound about its nature as well as its treatment and prevention. If you want to get rid of bladder disease in your cat and keep it from coming back, you need to learn the right from wrong.

How To Do Cat Litter Box Retraining:
Cats stop using the cat litter box for a number of reasons. Once you discover the reason why and correct it, you may need to re-train your cat to use her box again. Despite what you think, you can train a cat! For most cats, it's not hard

How To Prevent Cat Urine Odor Damage in Rental Property:
Feline owners who are renters can face challenges every time they move with their cats

New Article -

Some News About Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content,

Learning cat speak may help solve behavior issues - Tampa Bay Online

Kitten season is nearly year-round here in Florida, but it peaks in the spring. Shelters acquire litter after litter of kittens ... re having a problem now, the SPCA Tampa Bay offers a free Behavior Help Line for cat and dog issues. Call (727) 586 ...

New Article

Link Exchange
If you have a pet related site and you'd like to link to Catnews.org feel free! Just copy the HTML code beneath the banner you want and paste it into your web page. If you want a reciprocal link please email me at clark2368@aol.com with the page you have posted our banner and the information and graphic for your link

Attention Authors—New Section
CatNews.org - Self-Posting Article Directory
Self-Posting Article Directory
All subjects welcome

New Article

New Article

Cat Web Rings
I enjoy surfing cat sites via web rings. You will too :)

Please bookmark this Page for fast reference

An Ezine for cat owners that changes each time you visit

Tell your friends about CatNews.org

Free Cat and Kitten Content For Your Site

Important

CAT FIRST AID - This could save your cats life

Recently added articles

Is Your Cat A Mac Daddy Cat?

Do You Have A Blog?

Support Your Local Cat Adoption Programs

Cat Watching

Cat Health Articles

More Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content, Articles

San Antonio Texas Pet Scene

Stray Cat Adoptions of Texas (SCAT)

San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition

South Texas Persian Rescue

The Humane Society / SPCA of Bexar County

Animal Defense League

Become part of the San Antonio Pet Scene

Newest Cat and Kitten Articles

Other Crazy Stuff

Identity Theft a real threat to cats

An Engineer's Guide to Cats

Worlds First Bio-engineered Pet

Yemengzhu - The 3 billion dollar rock

Red fluorescent cats

Our Awards

Meet My Cats

I am a slave to 8 cats

Rare Picture Of All My Cats

Welcome to my website - Don't like what you see? Refresh the page for a whole new web adventure

Honoring Our Troops

Cat Fist Aid

Something New!

Sign My Guest Book

Whats News

Vaccines: What Cat Owners Need to Know

QUICK CAT FACTS

SOMETHING NEW FOR BLOGGERS

Free changing picture gallery for your blog or webpage

Focus On Cat Health

PICA In Cats: EATING THE INEDIBLE

Focus On Cat Breeds

Toyger Cat and Kitten Information

History, Temperament of the Maine Coon.

Newest Articles

Just For Fun

SOMETHING NEW! - I've added more International Carriers

Send Free Cell Phone Text Messages From Your Computer To Almost Anywhere in the World- Carriers from the U.S., Mexico, Canada, The UK, India, and many other Nations.

Blackjack: Play Free Blackjack

Magic Square Puzzle

Article Authors Wanted

Delicious Recipes from my visitors - Add Your Recipes

Information Center

Meow Mix House - Cat Reality Television

View the episodes

Cat and Kitten Picture Gallery

Need Cat Articles For Your Web Site?

Attention Authors—New Section - Post Your Articles

Recently Added Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content, Articles

Some News About Cat, kitten, cat litter, free content,

Attention Authors—New Section CatNews.org - Self-Posting Article Directory

Cat Web Rings

Attention Authors—New Section
CatNews.org - Self-Posting Article Directory