SimplyCats Vet Clinic Blog

As most of you will know I am owned by a rescue Sphynx named Piglet. So I’m using the blog to provide some interesting information about the Sphynx breed.

For those of you who have never met a Sphynx before, Piglet will be attending our Cats & Coffee evening on 31st March where we will discuss Feline Hyperthryoidism and Owning a Sphynx.  Click here for more information about our ‘Cats & Coffee evening’.

To view photos of Piglet, click here.

The Sphynx is a healthy robust breed but it is thought that around 3% of the breed suffer from this Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) affects the heart by thickening the walls of the heart.  If you have all read stories of fit young people who have died on the sporting field, often the cause is HCM.

It is possible to contract HCM without a genetic cause, inheriting the disorder is much more likely. If one parent has the genetic trait to pass on HCM, then the chances are 50% of their kittens can develop it.

HCM Screening

Ecardiogram (ECG) is the most reliable way to diagnose HCM. It is currently recommended that Sphynx are screened annually to ensure the cat is not developing HCM.

Symptoms of HCM

Symptoms are often so subtle they go completely unnoticed. A slight rise in respiration rate may be the only visible sign. A vet may detect a heart murmur.

Treatment of HCM

There is currently no cure for HCM, treatment is symptomatic and is often various medications to help with heart failure.

HCM clots can form due to blood circulation in the enlarged heart chambers being abnormal. These clots can then enter the circulatory system and travel to where the blood vessels become too narrow to pass. This will cut off blood flow to the area causing paralysis and pain. This is known as ‘saddle thrombosis’.

Saddle thrombosis prognosis is poor. Some cats survive after mild cases on blood thinning medication, but the underlying cause, HCM will continue to be a major risk factor. Recent studies show that48% of cats that died from saddle thrombosis had HCM.

Claire's cat Piglet

Claire

SimplyCats attended SunFm Business Awards at Ramside Hall.

As you can see by the photos we had a great night, but sadly missed out on taking an award home

Claire

Hi Sarah!

Thought you might like this photo of Nina in her “leg warmers”! She could audition for Flash Dance!
This was taken on the Sunday after she had been on the drip all night at Simply Cats and she was really poorly – you can see how dark the irises of her eyes are with the bilirubin.
The other photo shows the usual colour of her eyes.

Thank you once again for my “Little Miracle”!

from Karen Roberts

Claire

SimplyCats has been nominated and short listed to 3 nominees for SunFm’s Business Awards, We have been shortlisted for the Online Achievement category.

The team are attending the awards ceremony tonight at the Ramside Hall so fingers crossed we win!

The award recognises the best firm, organisation or individual who has adapted a business to suit, making their enterprise a part of the digital world, helping to connect people and their communities through online media.

In Tokyo, Japan, so called ‘Cat Cafes’ are becoming increasingly popular. Cat Cafes where people can spend time with their favorite cat for about 10 US dollars an hour, are now getting more popular with people living in urban areas. The regular customers are mainly in their 20′s to 30′s and seeking healing by cats, or people who cannot afford to have pets full time. Some visiters come to the cat cafe three times a week.

Claire

It’s that time of year again when we all start thinking, or if you’re lucky enough, booking summer holidays. Whilst you are counting down the days until your holiday, take a minute to think about where your cat will spent his or her summer holidays too.

You should start looking for a cattery a while before you need it, as it may take some time to find one that you like and suits your needs. Try and get recommendations from friends and from the Feline Advisory Bureau.

Catteries are classified as outdoor (having an outdoor run for the cats) or indoor (having no outside run).

Most cats enjoy having an outdoor run; it also helps to ensure there is good ventilation and airflow to help prevent the spread of disease. While totally indoor catteries may seem cosy, the shared-air situation means that bacteria and viruses remain in the cats’ environment and can spread from cat to cat unless there is some form of ventilation.

Good cattery design should ensure that:  

• The cat accommodation has a separate enclosed sleeping area with its own individual exercise run.
• There is no possibility of cats within the cattery coming into direct contact with each other.
• Only cats from the same household are boarded together.
• Adequate ventilation and air are present to minimise the danger of spreading air-borne diseases.
• There are gaps between units or if the units are joined together, sneeze barriers. Full-height barriers are essential to prevent cats sneezing on or touching one another.
• Cats have an interesting view to stimulate them, a scratching post and plenty of toys to play with.
• Cats have a shelf in the run for resting and basking in the sun.

Ensure that your cat to be up to date with its vaccinations against cat flu (herpesvirus and calicivirus), and feline infectious enteritis as without these vaccinations your cat will not be able to stay at a cattery.

Click here to view a list of FAB listed boarding catteries.

Claire

Luckily, we’re only joking – but the road for Dubby’s diet is a long one…. hot cross bun pinching from the bird table and stealing food from my husband’s plate when he left it on the floor to attend to the fire to name just a few naughty things he has done.

I took this picture during a mega head washing session which usually turns into a fight as the washing gets more vigorous. It looks as if he is trying to eat poor Katie!

Caroline

Cat separation anxiety requires behaviour modification and desensitisation to soothe upset feelings and reverse problem behaviors. Cats may go for years without issues, and then suddenly act out when your routine changes. Holidays can also trigger feline separation anxiety.

Scented Comfort

Like dogs with the same condition, cats may cry and become upset as you prepare to leave. More often, they don’t react to your departure. They wait and become stressed once left alone, and urinate and defecate on owner-scented objects—most typically the bed. The familiar scent of their own bathroom deposits actually comforts them, and reduces feelings of stress. Of course, these unwelcome “gifts” increase owner stress levels. And while angry reaction is understandable, your upset feelings increase the cat’s anxiety even more. Cats don’t misbehave to get back at you because you left.

Desensitize and Counter-Condition

Cats pay exquisite attention to the details of their lives. They’ll often recognize subtle clues that you’re preparing to leave long before you realize. A cat may figure out that you always freshen your lipstick just before you leave. Repeating these cues takes away their power.

• Place a catnip mouse inside the suitcase, and turn it into a playground. That conditions them to identify the suitcase as a happy place, rather than associating it with your absence.
• Use behavior modification techniques so the triggers lose their power. Pick up the car keys 50 times a day, and then set them down. Carry your bag around for an hour or more. When you repeat cues often enough, your cat stops caring about them and will remain calm when you do leave.
• Pretend to leave by opening the door and going in and out 20 or more times in a row until the cat ignores you altogether. Then extend your “outside” time to one minute, three minutes, five minutes and so on before returning inside. This gradual increase in absence helps build the cat’s tolerance and desensitizes her to departures. It also teaches her that no matter how long you’re gone, you will always return.

Reducing Distress

Most problem behaviors take place within 20 minutes after you leave. The length of time you’re absent doesn’t seem to make much difference. Find ways to distract the cat during this critical twenty minutes.

• Ask another family member to interact with the cat during this time. Using favourite toys and treats to keep the cat occupied whilst you are away.
• About 1/3rd of cats react strongly, another 1/3rd react mildly, and the last 1/3rd don’t react at all to catnip. If your feline goes bonkers for this, leave a catnip treat to keep her happy when you leave. Using catnip every day can reduce its effects, though, so use this sparingly.
• Food oriented cats can be distracted with a food-puzzle toy with a favorite treat. Make it irresistible and something totally different than her usual food.
• Some cats enjoy watching videos of fluttering birds, squirrels and other critters. Alternately, find a nature television show and tune in for your cat’s viewing pleasure.
• Playing familiar music that they associate with your presence can help ease the pain of you being gone.
• In addition, research has shown harp music works as a natural relaxant, and actually puts cats to sleep.

Claire

The Sphynx is a rare breed of cat known for its lack of a coat. The skin texture resembles that of Chamois leather.

I’ve always loved the breed and finally managed to find a rescue Sphynx in need of a good home in Fife.

I’d arranged to visit and see how the kitty ‘took’ to me, if we got on. I nervously arrived hoping the cat would accept me, and I couldn’t have been more relieved when she jumped onto my lap purring then after plenty of fuss and attention she fell asleep. If that wasn’t acceptance I’m not sure what was

So I took her home. She travelled fantastically all the way home and has so far settled in without a hitch, although she did walk across my laptop last night and delete my internet connection…she’s too cute so I’ll forgive her for that

She loves nothing more than being fussed and being close and cuddled into you. She slept curled up next to me and she’s like a little hot water bottle.

I’ve named her Piglet after much deliberation. She is a white odd-eyed Sphynx with one yellow eye and one blue eye. She will be 2 years old in August 2010.

Having grown up with cats my entire life and worked with cats for all my working life, I’ve met some characters along the way but I think it’s fair to say that Piglet is the most mischevious cat I know! She’s a little minx. They have been known to have referred to as ‘part cat, part dog and part monkey’ and that statement hits the nail on the head!

Because Sphynx cats do not have fur to absorb the natural oils from their skin they require bathing. The build up of oils in their coat will collect dirt and dust from their surroundings making them dirty. Sphynx’s ears are hairless and produce a large amount of earwax they also require regular cleaning.

For more photos please click here.

Claire