Older Cats Need Love Too!

A lot of our cats are over the age 7 and are often overlooked due to this. They are often our longest stayers due to kittens and younger cats being favoured despite them being in tip-top condition and often not having any health problems! Cats can live into their 20's these days with better quality food, lifestyle and vet treatments available.


Cheeky Chops - currently available for adoption!

Often cats that are a little older we find tend to have great personalities, are generally very settled in life and make for awesome lap cats!

We treat cats on admission for things that older cats often suffer from such as needing dental work so once they have had it they have a Hollywood smile again! As with us humans, the older we get the less active we become so we find the golden oldies enjoy having nice long grooming sessions but don't let that fool you - they also love to play catch with catnip mice and feathers on sticks!

Josie - currently available for adoption

Once a cat is over 12 they are classed as 'geriatric', here are some top tips for keeping your cat comfortable and happy during their Twilight years:

* Nice comfy bed - well padded and warm.

* Somewhere high to perch up - but they may need a box or furniture strategically placed to help them climb if they become a little wobbly on their feet.

* Litter Tray - when the weather gets colder you may find your cat doesn't want to go out much or the ground may be a little too cold and hard to dig! It's always a good idea to keep a litter tray down so your kitty doesn't have to go far to do it's business :)

* Scratching Post - as your cat gets older it may find it difficult to stretch higher up so horizontal scratchers are perfect to get their claws into.

Tommy - aged 15 went to live in his forever home earlier this year :)

 Caring for an older cat brings a wonderful amount of joy, knowing that their wandering days are long gone and they appreciate home comforts and affection. Older cats are often excellent and tolerant of children and are great to sit and fuss with.

If you would like more information on older cats or want to see some of the older cats we currently have up for adoption then please visit our website: http://www.bridgend.cats.org.uk/bridgend/adopt-a-cat

Cats and Fleas!

Every year we have hundreds of cats and kittens admitted into our care with severe flea infestations. A number of these cats will need urgent vet treatment due to flea bit anaemia, most cats will survive once they receive vet treatment, sadly kittens are more vulnerable and don’t always survive.  In this blog we discuss the flea life cycle and what steps are needed to make sure you cat stays flea free

Fleas can be found on most animal species but are more commonly found on cats and dogs. A flea is a small wingless insect which feeds on the blood of animals. There are more than 2,000 types of fleas that can be found on animals around the world.  An adult flea can grow around 3mm in size and can jump up to 50 times the length of its body!  In the summer months we see a big boom in fleas. This is because the flea’s life cycle happens at an accelerated rate when the weather is warmer. Another contributing factor is that our pets spend more time outdoors in the summer.

 

Flossy - 1 year old heavily pregnant female admitted into our care with a severe flea infestation

 

The life cycle of fleas

An adult flea will live on its animal host permanently. The entire cycle from egg to flea will take between twelve to twenty two days, depending on temperature and humidity. Warm homes with fitted carpets are ideal conditions for fleas to reproduce all year round.

Female fleas will produce 50 eggs daily. These eggs will fall off the cat where they will hatch out into larvae within two to sixteen days. After this stage they then change into immobile pupae within a cocoon. While in the cocoon the pupae will grow into an adult, it will stay in the cocoon until it senses the presence of a cat, such as heat or vibrations. When it senses these it will emerge and attach itself to the cat within seconds. If no host can be found the flea can stay within its cocoon for up to two years!

 

 

The signs of fleas

·        Itching

·        Bites on humans

·        Flea dirt

·        White eggs in the cats sleeping areas

 

Fleas move around fast so sometimes they can be difficult to spot. An effective way to check your cat for fleas is to comb your cat with a fine toothed flea comb while placed on a white sheet of paper. Fleas may be trapped within the comb or black specks (flea dirt) may be visible on the paper. Flea dirt is the droppings of fleas which consist of undigested cat blood.

Treating fleas

For an effective flea treatment we recommend a licenced product. This will come from your veterinary surgery in a spot on, injection or table form. Flea collars and unlicensed products should be avoided. Do not use a product intended for dogs on your cat as it can be toxic.

To control a flea infestation adult fleas must be killed and the environment treated so prevent re-infestation. The most common product used to treat households is in a spray form. This spray should be applied to carpets and furnishings. This spray should never be used on the cat itself. Regular vacuuming will also help reduce the number of fleas within the home.

To prevent re-infestation regular, monthly treatment of your cat is recommended. It is also recommended that any other pets within the home are also treated regularly. It can be hard to get an infestation under control, sometimes taking weeks or months. This is why it is important to take the necessary steps to prevent fleas before an infestation can occur.

It is important to treat your cat as fleas can cause many other health problems to your cat:

·        Fleas feed on blood, this can cause anaemia which can be life threatening.

·        Fleas can transmit other infectious agents.

·        Many cats develop allergies from flea bites which can cause hair loss, scabby skin and sores.

·        Cat fleas can bite humans which will result in an itchy raised bump.

·        Fleas can carry the larval stage of a tapeworm which a cat may ingest while grooming.

Licenced products from vets is the most effective way to control fleas

Hope our blog helps you keep your cats flea free!

Purrs for now!

 



Cat Flu

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Cat Flu

 

Cat Flu is like a human cold. However, it can be serious, even fatal in kittens and in adult cats with underlying illnesses. Unfortunately, cats flu still persists despite the availability of vaccines.

A kitten should be vaccinated around 9 weeks of age, with the second important dose given at 12 weeks. A booster vaccination is needed after 1 year to enhance the initial level of immunity. Regular boosters throughout your cats life will help maintain the level of protection against cat flu, feline parvo virus and feline leukaemia. A simple vaccination is all your cat needs to stay protected.

 

What causes cat flu?

Feline herpes virus (FHV) or feline calici virus (FCV) are the 2 main causes of cat flu. Other causes of cat flu include a bacteria called Chlamydophilia felis - previously known as Chlamydia - and Bordatella bronchiseptica - the cause of kennel cough in dogs.

 

 

Symptoms

 

• Sneezing
• Runny eyes and nose
• Dribbling
• Quiet and subdued behaviour
• Loss of appetite
• High temperature
• A cough or loss of voice
• Pneumonia   

FHV can cause a potentially life threatening illness. Ulcers can form on the surface of the eye. The eyelids can become very swollen and adhere to the eyes surface. This causes unbearable pain and leave the cat with long term complications following damage to the sinuses and nasal passages.

 

FCV causes a milder form of cat flu. In adult cats, usually the only sign of the FCV infection is painful ulcers on the tongue, roof of the mouth or the nose. Kittens often show signs of lameness and a high temperature. FCV is also thought to be linked to gingivitis in cats.

 

Chlamydophila causes discharge and redness of the eyes.

 

Bordatella causes many flu symptoms described above but often progress to the chest. Kittens often have a high death rate from this as progression to the chest causes serious infection. Cats infected with bordatella may develop a cough.

 

   

 

How is it spread?

The flu virus can be spread in many ways including:-

 

• Contact with 'carrier cats'. These cats are infected with either of the flu viruses but do not show any clinical symptoms. Stressful situations may cause the cat to shed the virus therefore infecting other cats.
• Indirect contact with an infected cat. The flu virus can survive in the environment for up to 7 days and can be spread by food bowls, grooming equipment, peoples hands and even on our clothing. These are known as fomites.
• Direct contact with an infected cat. The flu virus is present in the cats tears, saliva and nasal discharge.
• Sneezing can project flu virus particles far enough to infect another nearby cat.

In a rescue situation, disease control and good barrier nursing is vital!

 

How is cat flu treated?

GOOD NURSING IS VITAL!

 

There are no effective anti-viral drugs in common use. Anti-biotics somewhat help as once the virus has damaged the delicate lining of the nose and airways, bacterial infections erupt and causes complications such as pneumonia.

Nursing care is important. Blocked noses and mouth ulcers can make your cat lose its appetite and may not want to drink. This causes dehydration which can be dangerous in kittens. Because your cat has lost its sense of smell and may have a sore throat, sloppy, strong smelling foods should be offered.

Discharge from the nose and eyes should be bathed regularly. Steam inhalation help to loosen catarrh. A few drops on Olbus Oil in hot water left safely out of the cats reach can really help.

 

Long term consequences?

Following infection many cats become carriers and can still infect others even of they showing no symptoms.

The existence of carrier cats can often be the reason a new kitten can develop cat flu when introduced to a household of apparently healthy cats.

Carrier cats will sometimes have a runny eye or a few sneezes occasionally.

Re-occurring flu follows stressful events such as house move or a vet trip.

Others are more unlucky and can be left with chronic rhinitis which is a permanent thick runny nose.

It is thought that calicivirus contributes towards gingivitis and soreness of the mouth.

 

Please get your cats vaccinated to protect them and others from cat flu. Speak to your vet for advice.

 

 

 

 

 

Kitten Fostering

My name is Hilary Rice and I have just retired having spent the last 24 years as chef and owner of a small restaurant in Dinas Powys. I have always been passionate about cats and three years ago decided to see if there was any volunteer work I could do with Cat’s Protection.

On enquiring in Bridgend I could not believe my luck when I was told that CP was just about to start fostering out mums and kittens. This would help ease the pressure on the ever-busy maternity section and help socialise the kittens at the very important 2-8 week stage of their lives.

Working restaurant hours, although long, meant I was around for kitty meal times and had 2-3 hours a day to spend caring for mum and kittens.

We prepared a kitty foster room in a spare bedroom, making space for a pen, and 2 areas for litter trays and a different area for a feeding station. Cat climbing frames, toys and cat beds in place and a thorough check to make sure the whole room was kitten safe and we were ready to start!!

I eagerly anticipated my first little family’s arrival – how tiny were they going to be? How many of them? Was the mum going to let me anywhere near them? I suddenly felt a huge sense of responsibility together with great excitement!

Teresa and Alice from CP Bridgend arrived one afternoon in April 2014 carrying 2 cat baskets, a big pen and all the supplies I needed to care for my new little foster family. Tina and her 3 three-week-old kittens Theo, Tobias and Terence were all jet black. We placed them in their new pen and after giving me contact details in case I needed advice, Teresa and Alice left and I was now officially a kitty fosterer!!!

 

As a fosterer each day begins around 8am, when mum and kittens (from 4 weeks) are ready for breakfast. Followed by cleaning litter trays and thoroughly cleaning the pen, time then to check the kittens from ears to tail, to make sure they are all fit and healthy. Next, play and cuddles, after which they are ready for a snooze again, so pop them all back in the pen. During the day then they have two more meal times and at least two more play and cuddle times. These times increase from about 4 weeks as kittens get bigger and need to be introduced to different experiences and people.

 

Time flies by and at 7 weeks old, just at the curtain climbing stage it is time to arrange for mum and kittens to return to CP to be adopted. Now they are strong, confident, happy and cuddly kittens ready to take on the big wide world. I always shed a few tears as I leave them, then head home to prepare the room ready for the next little family!
 

I love fostering; it is so rewarding to see the growth in confidence and increase in size of the kittens in such a short time and the good feeling of setting them up for their life ahead.

Pregnancy and Having a Cat: Dispelling the Old Wives Tales!

Every year cat’s protection receives hundreds of calls from concerned pregnant women who fear they will contract toxoplasmosis from their cat. Though cats do play a part in the life cycle of the parasite, human contact with the cat alone does not increase the risk of infection. Statistically non- cat owners are just as likely to contract the disease and even vets are no more likely to be infected with the parasite than non-vets.

Research has shown that the biggest risk of contracting the infection is through eating undercooked meat or consuming contaminated soil via unwashed vegetables. Contracting the infection will not make you seriously ill however; it could affect unborn babies if it is picked up for the first time during early pregnancy.

 

 

 

 What is toxoplasmosis?

 

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the microscopic parasite T.gondii (Toxoplasma gondii)

Cats become infected with this parasite when they consume uncooked meat that contain the T gondii cysts, this includes infected rodents. Cats will begin to shed the oocysts in their faeces for 10-14 days but do not usually shed again unless the cat contracts a serious illness such as FeLV or FIV meaning a healthy adult cat should not pose a risk to their owner or an unborn child. Good hygiene considerably reduces the risk of infection as oocysts only become infectious between one and five days after being passed in the faeces.

How to reduce the risk of infection via cats

 

·     Get somebody else to change your cat’s litter tray possible and if you cannot, wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after.

·    Change cat litter daily as T.gondii is infectious between one and five days after the cat defecates.

·    Do not feed your cat raw meat.

·    Keep outdoor play sand boxes covered.

·    Wear gloves when gardening in case a cat has defecated in the area.

   

If you have cats it is very likely that you've already contracted toxoplasmosis and become immune to it and fortunately with good hygiene it is unlikely that you will contract toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. If you are still concerned you can get your cat tested at your local vets. To further reduce the risk, ask somebody else to clean the litter trays for you daily and if not possible use gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after.

 

For more information please visit: http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat-care-leaflets-2013/VG20_Cats_and_pregnant_women_-_Toxoplasmosis.pdf

 

 

Katie Button: A Tribute to our Friend.

On the 17th on December 2016 we here at Bridgend so sadly and suddenly lost one of our beloved friends and colleagues Katie. We wanted to dedicate a blog post to her just to share with the world just how much she meant to us and to share with you all about the incredible work she did with cats.

Katie first joined CP Bridgend over 10 years ago as a cat carer, she had come and gone as an employee over the years pursuing other ventures such as veterinary nurse work, however at the end 2016 she joined us again for 3 months. Katie always volunteered at the centre in helping with the trapping and neutering of feral cats. She often fostered the feral kittens in her own home taming them and bringing them to the centre to find true forever homes. Not only did Katie do this in her own time outside of work she also spend her holidays over in Greece (particularly Rhodes) with a welfare charity trapping and neutering the ferals and strays over there.

Katie loved Greece so much she even got married there in 2015 and her 2017 plan was to move out there with her husband (and animals!) and work with the cats.

 

Although Katie's passion was working with cats, Katie loved all animals and was an advocate for the wellbeing and lives of all creatures great and small. Every animals life mattered to Katie and she would actively stand up for their rights and was vegan.  

 

Katie also loved to help out other people too, she often helped those less fortunate in any way she could.



 

We all have special memories of Katie and she will be truly missed by us all. You only had to meet Katie once for her to make an impact on your life.

Her radiant personality and positive outlook will inspire us all to continue our work with the same passion and energy that Katie had.

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Happy Endings in 2016.

 

Hello!

 

2016 is nearly at an end and we have had many highs and lows here at the centre this year but would like to focus on some of our happier outcomes, so, we would like to share with you a few of the special cats who's stories moved us in 2016 and who all ended up going to loving homes this year, despite their circumstances.

 

Megan:

 

Megan was found in a multi-cat household crawling around the floor in unsuitable conditions at just 2 days old after being rejected by her mother. It was very hit and miss for Megan during the first 4 weeks but she was a complete fighter and pulled through remarkably with the help of our kitten fosterer (read her story here).

 

Maxine:

Maxine was one of our biggest characters this year, she came to us as a stray at the beginning of January and sadly didn't find a home until 10 months later! We know the pen environment can be stressful for some cats and this was the case with Maxine who didn't enjoy much of a fuss. We have had updates from her new owner who says she is now a lap cat! This just goes to show what a loving home means to a cat like Maxine :)

Bailey & Victor:

Bailey and Victor came in with man other cats and kittens (including Megan above), they had terrible cat flu and most of them were in our Isolation for months on end. Sadly 3 of their siblings didn't make it through the flu and passed away. We ran a JustGiving page to help pay for some extremely expensive medicine for them as a last shot at hope to save the others lives. As you can see the before and after photos speak for themselves! We were overwhelmed with the donations we received and are so thankful for every single one.

Chloe:

Chloe went missing in 2010 when she jumped out of her cat carrier during a vet visit and ran off. Little did her owner know that she had been taken in by an elderly lady just over a mile away. The elderly lady was sadly going into care and bought the cat into us to rehome, we always scan  new cats for a chip when they come into us and were shocked to find Chloe had been registered as missing for 6 years! We rang her owner who was just as shocked as she had heard reports of a similar looking cat being involved in a traffic accident. The pair were reunited and as saw as Chloe saw her original owner she rolled over and started purring!

All the staff at the centre would like to say a big heartfelt thankyou to all our supporters and volunteers. Seasons greetings and all the best for 2017!

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