Blog 09/15/14 to 09/21/14     

Relocations and In Take

Our Cats after Release

Bad Calls/Emails:   Sick Kitten in North Dallas  

BMG (Bitch/Moan/Groan):  FIV in Cats

OMG (Oh My God):  Starving Cat

           

Relocations and In Take:   Placed 19 this week with intake at 18.       

2          Barn in Palmer (Skipper, Cry Baby)

3          Barn in Justin (Jackie, Oreo, Flower)

3          Barn in Arp (Fluffy, Tuffy, Tiger)

3          To adoption groups (2 kittens, Jacob)

8          Bonham Rescue

Our Cats after Release:  Picked up equipment in 1 location.        

1.      Terrell:  7 Aledo cats all went to this cattle ranch in Terrell.  I picked up equipment there on Sunday.  I did not see any of the cats but the ranch owners have early in the morning and late in the evening. 

2.      Lewisville:  Archie and Veronica went from Lewisville Animal Services to a workshop/office in another part of the city.  Archie was asleep under some shelving but Veronica was sleeping in a window.  They have captured the hearts of the workers at the shop and are both going very, very well there.

Bad Calls/EMAILS:  Sick Kitten in North Dallas

On Monday morning, a guy found a really sick kitten in his apartment complex in North Dallas.  He called Barn Cats and I asked him to take it to the vet we use in Coppell because we were off delivering cats to Justin, TX.  The poor thing was in real distress with a serious upper respiratory infection.  They gave him (now named Jacob) fluids, a B-12 shot, and a Convenia (2-week antibiotic shot).  He made a remarkable recovery and was eating and drinking on his own by mid-week.  On Saturday I sent him to an adoption group and now Jacob will get a safe, indoor-only home. 

   

BMG:  FIV in Cats

From Wikipedia:

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that affects domesticated housecats worldwide and is the causative agent of feline AIDS.  From 2.5% up to 4.4%^[1][2] of cats worldwide are infected with FIV. FIV differs taxonomically from two other feline retroviruses, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline foamy virus (FFV), and is more closely related to human immunodeficiency virus HIV.  Within FIV, five subtypes have been identified based on nucleotide sequence differences coding for the viral envelope (env) or polymerase (pol). FIV is the only non-primate lentivirus to cause an AIDS-like syndrome, but FIV is not typically fatal for cats, as they can live relatively healthily as carriers and transmitters of the disease for many years.  A vaccine is available although its efficacy remains uncertain, and cats will test positive for FIV antibodies after vaccination.

So check out that last statement about the vaccine.  I had a VETERINARIAN tell a client of ours this week that there was no vaccine.  WHAT?  The problem is that once they have had that vaccine that they will test POSITIVE for the rest of their lives.  That is why Barn Cats does not euthanize for an FIV positive reaction in the Combo Test.  We do not know if that cat once was given the vaccine and is therefore testing positive.  That same veterinarian told this client that he should get a kitten because it will stay around better – AGAIN – WHAT?  Sure – if the hawks don’t carry it off in the daytime or the owls at night.  Wish I knew who that vet is!!!

OMG:  Starving Cat

I took in a cat that was abandoned in an apartment complex.  This is a cat with a really big head and big bones…but…it is literally SKIN AND BONES and very dirty.  A vet estimated his age at 10 years or more.  He tested negative for leukemia and aids and is now resting comfortably at my house.  He is now eating well and will not be going ANYWHERE!   Many thanks to the young couple that brought Eeyore to Barn Cats.    

“Thanks” for following the Barn Cats Blog.  See you on next week.          Peg