The Vaccination Debate

http://speakingforspot.com/blog/2013/03/17/veterinarians-and-vaccines-a-slow-learning-curve/

Here's a short blog entry about vaccinations from a vet regularly featured in my Pet Sitters International magazine. The frequency of vaccinations is finally being discussed amongst conventional vets and companion animal guardians; holistic vets have long questioned this practice. However, just yesterday I was looking at a website for a popular dog and cat veterinary practice in Seattle and checked out their vaccine protocol recommendations. I was surprised that they list nearly every vaccine every year for cats, even strictly indoor cats! Dogs are much more active within their community, either at a dog park or with neighbor dogs they meet regularly on walks than most cats so I can understand a greater need to vaccinate canines.

My personal experience is with feline health and I believe that vaccinating senior cats or cats who have current chronic health issues can be dangerous to their overall wellness. I know that some feline boarding facilities request recent vaccinations before accepting new clients; one of my clients refused to vaccinate her 16 YO kitty and we worked on finding a different place for her kitty to stay. I've heard plenty of stories of both cats and dogs who developed tremors, twitching, vomiting, and lethargy after being vaccinated. Cancer at vaccine sites is well documented. Of course rabies could be a very serious concern for animals who spend a lot of time outdoors and obviously vaccinating feral cats at the time of their spay or neuter surgery is a good idea (the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project offers these services for free for community cats). FIV and FeLV are mainly spread via puncture wounds or sexual intercourse with unaltered cats at greatest risk. But outside of a shelter setting (which commonly harbors upper respiratory infections), consider your kitty's actual exposure to the illnesses vaccinations address within your own home. People have told me of instances where their cats were medicated in a non-emergency setting or vaccinated without the guardian's consent, which is completely unacceptable. As with all veterinary healthcare issues, you need to feel comfortable with the staff and doctors you patronize. Fortunately here in Seattle we have a multitude of highly skilled vets to choose from and a variety of specialists and alternative providors as well.

Looking for a BF



http://bestfriends.org/News-And-Features/News/Orson-the-agile/?utm_source=BSD&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA&utm_campaign=Best+Friends+News


I love Best Friends in Kanab, Utah and was fortunate to visit for a day two winters ago with my mom. It's a magical place where lucky animals of all kinds end up, some move onto adoptive homes and others call BF their home for life. Read the lovely story above about an adorable kitty who needed not only a little expert medical care but some cat savvy folks to understood he isn't limited by his physical disabilities.

I actually contacted BF today to see if they might be able to take in a kitty I've become involved with from Spokane. A friend of mine noticed this long-haired Siamese boy in his neighborhood months ago and wasn't sure if the cat belonged to someone or not. His coat was becoming increasingly matted and then my friend noticed the kitty was declawed! The "owners" had abandoned him months prior and even though other neighbors left out food for him, they never let him inside or took him to be neutered. My friend decided to take this cat in and made an appointment with his local vet. I suggested he have the kitty tested for FIV/FeLV (leukemia) since any shelter or potential adopter would want this information. Sadly, the kitty has tested positive for feline leukemia. 

Feline leukemia is contagious via saliva such as a bite wound (Tom cats fight and this is likely how he contracted the disease) but also could potentially be spread through shared food bowls or litter boxes, so it's essential that this kitty be strictly inside and an only cat. The virus does not jump to other species and is not spread on a person's clothing like feline upper respiratory virus can be. This kitty's not showing any signs of illness at this time and it could be several years before he develops cancer or becomes obviously sick. He is eating well and very affectionate. After the lousy hand he's been dealt I feel like he deserves to enjoy the time he does have left. Of course my friend and I both have cats and don't have the room to give him his own living quarters, like most everyone I know. Whoever takes him in will do so knowing that their bond may come to an end sooner than if they adopted a young, healthy cat and that they will likely have to make that fateful decision we make when our companion animals are truly suffering. But this kitty won't be counting the days or worrying about his hidden virus; he will be living in the present. The one shelter in WA that does have a "leuki land" sanctuary space is at capacity. I know BF receives hundreds of requests every single day from people searching for a place for an animal they are wanting to help, but I am holding out hope that BF or some kind person will offer him a space in their heart and their home.

Community Cats get a new website!

Photo credit: Kaye Counce, a Seattle feral colony



Check out Alley Cat Allies' new website designed to counter the damage done by junk science reporting from the Smithsonian several months ago. It's full of awesome graphics and easy to understand points for those people you may work with or live next door to who are stuck in the "feral cats=dead birds" mentality.

http://commonsenseforcats.com/

Amazing Kitten Rescue!

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/two-lanes-of-the-burnley-tunnel-shut-to-rescue-kitten-from-traffic/story-fncynjr2-1226621978309

First read the hair-raising tale of an adorable fluf fball of a ginger kitten stuck inside a traffic tunnel, then read the second story for a heart warming ending.

http://www.lifewithcats.tv/2013/04/24/2-kitten-rescued-from-busy-roadway-tunnel-finds-the-perfect-home/

Puppy Love

Schoep, a 19 year old dog, is taken into the lake every night by his owner, John, to help soothe his arthritis and help him fall asleep.  

I write about senior companion animals a lot because they hold a special place in my heart. Our kitties and canines trust us so much and when they become disabled or elderly, they rely on us even more. You can often see the love they have for their people very clearly, such as this lovely photo demonstrates. This was sent to me by Jeannie Lindheim, my favorite Animal Communicator (www.youranimalspeaks.com).

 

A Serious Subject

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/your-money/costs-and-choices-mount-for-pets-end-of-life-care.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0

A recent NY Times article discusses the fact that most cat (and dog) guardians will eventually face agonizing decisions about treating terminal illness or serious injury. While I've often (half) joked that I am going to make up a cardboard sign that says, "Need $ for my cats' acupuncture & cardiology appointments" and stand by a freeway on-ramp, I am glad to have so many options for care. One of my clients has a health savings account for her cats; this is an excellent idea for people with younger cats who haven't started racking up the health problems as it gives you years to prepare. Cost is often not the more emotionally troubling issue amongst those of us who count non-humans as our family members but quality of life; how much should you put your cat through to make her well? Those of us who have made decisions to assist our kitties in passing (by employing a doctor to do so) understand all too deeply that we are only wishing to alleviate suffering. One of the comments in this story is an expression of gratitude that at least we have this option as our animals' caregivers, whereas it is much more problematic (and illegal) when our dying loved ones are human.

Given my education in sociology, I am always interested in reading the comments at the bottom from readers from all over the world. The fact that there were so many people weighing in conveys the meaningfulness of animals in our daily lives and the heavy weight our hearts bear when we lose them. One issue that isn't discussed much is the emotional strain of caring for elderly and ailing companion animals. There are good days when your kitty is eating well and obviously comfortable and then there are days when you think, "This might be the end." I've learned on a group that offers an animal caregivers' support circle that offers free meetings in two different Seattle locations. Check out www.AHELPProject.org for more information. Cats often receive second billing in a dog/cat practice since most pain management drugs and newer therapies are approved and researched for dogs only. Plus, doctors need to keep up their education by attending seminars. I realized this after seeing one senior kitty sent home with very manageable issues but a lack of communication on lifestyle changes and information on basic medications from an old style vet. Seek out veterinarians and care providers who support a holistic vision of health and offer advanced hospice options for you to provide at home to make the most of your time with your kitty. We should never be ashamed of being compassionate and wanting the best for our "fur babies."

A Love Story

http://halopets.com/freekibble/donation95.html

Want your warm fuzzy for the day? Check out this endearing tale of a soldier and the young kitty he fell in love with in war-torn Afghanistan. Not to worry, he managed to arrange safe passage for his tabby and the kitty is living safely stateside while awaiting for the hero's return.