Save Our Cats

A sausage can kill your cat!

2012-02-23T06:17:00.000-08:00

Cats are fussy eaters as any owner will tell you but they do like meaty morsels. Nonetheless anything that smells slightly suspicious is usually given a wide birth however it is possible for them to eat toxic meat that can kill! Botulism can affect cats and was discovered in 19th Century Germany when Dr Kerner examined a condition that gave people a creeping paralysis that killed them. The cause was cheap and infected sausages. Botulus is the Latin for sausage so Dr Kerner created the name - Botulism - the paralysing disease. Feral cats, scavenging for scraps, are the most likely to suffer but there are cures for domestic cats affected by the toxin - the paralysing poison of which is injected into people's faces as a cosmetic treatment with the more polite name of Botox!

For the origin of the term Botulism check out the brilliant Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth or the inkyfool website!

The start of the cat plague?

2012-02-22T08:10:00.001-08:00

Rumours are spreading of cats behaving out of the ordinary, gathering in groups and avoiding human contact. Scientists who have been examining this behaviour in cats have been trying to discover whether the change is a result of genetic alteration for the infected felines who have survived the violent stages of a disease. It is too early to determine whether the cats who have survived are able to return to a normal healthy state.

It is possible they will have recurring problems with their health and well being or have other adverse side effects. It is also uncertain whether the surviving cats become carriers of the disease and as a result are still considered a liable health and safety risk for other pets. Any cats found in the street are still to be reported to the authorities and treated as a health risk, people still trying to care for their cats risk spreading the contamination and are advised to surrender their pet to prevent any possibilities of spreading the disease.

Source: Cat infection issues posted to DEFRA special access only

Cats develop 'super-vision'

2012-02-22T08:00:00.002-08:00

Researchers have discovered that cats who are congenitally deaf experience enhanced remaining senses. The area of the brain that would normally pick up peripheral sound is rewired to pick up peripheral vision.

As a result deaf cats have an enhanced ability to observe moving objects. Dr Stephen Lomber of the Centre for Brain and Mind at the University of Ontario "The brain wants to compensate for the lost sense with enhancements that are beneficial."

Sources Nature Neuroscience Journal: Rebecca Smith Medical Editor Telegraph

Prison for man who microwaved cat

2012-02-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Earlier last month Paul Henry of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire was jailed for 6 months for microwaving his friend's cat. The drug addict shut the cat in the microwave and then set the timer. The judge said that it was the 'worse case of animal cruelty' he could imagine.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2082770/Fried-cat-1-20-What-sick-yob-scrawled-friends-flat-wall-microwaving-beloved-pet.html

Cats help a longer life

2012-02-15T02:35:00.000-08:00

A University of Minnesota study shows that cat owners are less likely to die of a heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases than people who have never had a pet cat.

The findings emerged from an analysis of data on nearly 4,500 men and women, ages 30 to 75, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. All were free of cardiovascular disease when they entered the study in the 1970s.

Over half, 55%, reported having a pet cat at some point in their lives.

Compared with cat owners, people who never had a pet cat were 40% more likely to die of a heart attack over the 20-year study period. They were also 30% more likely to die of any cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart failure, and chronicheart disease.

The results held true even after the researchers took into account other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, including age, gender, race, blood pressure, and smoking.

The researchers found no such link for people who had a pet dog ....such a shame!

Cat understands a baby's needs

2012-02-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

This is communication of a very non verbal kind!

Socks the Clinton Cat

2012-02-08T06:47:00.000-08:00

In the early hours of a June morning I was in Washington and running from my hotel past the White House and around the back of the building. There was a taped off area of which I thought nothing but then noticed a helicopter and getting in one Bill Clinton. At this point I was aware of a very large black gentleman indicating I should leave the area which I did promptly. Nonetheless although known for many things one of his White House cats was Socks ( a cat that features in the novel 'The Great Cat Plague - Year Zero') Here he is.

Checking things out from the seat of power: Here's a cat you can trust!

Soccer cat makes best move of the game

2012-02-07T08:22:00.000-08:00

The football game between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur had a magic moment that provided the best move of the game when 'soccer' cat meandered across the pitch. As yet its origin is unknown but it was brave enough to stroll in front of thousands of fans and avoided being hit by ball or player. Perhaps it was just trying to get the best view of the game or send a message to TV watching cats everywhere!

US keeper Brad fails to nab kitty - but what a mover!
( Photo Daily Mail)

Powerful Cats in The White House

2012-02-07T07:15:00.000-08:00

There have been at least 25 cat decision makers in the White House. Abraham Lincoln brought Tabby into the seat of power and the first immigrant cat was Siam a gift from the US consul in Bankok brought to President Rutherford Hayes in 1878.

It is alleged that President Lincolm would incline towards Tabby at moments of pressure and look for a view from the wise feline - a tilt of the head that implied 'yes' while a shake of the head and a look away was a 'no don't do it!'

'A word to the wise - Tabby'

Cat Bats Flap

2012-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

How do you feel at 6.30 in the morning when you are woken by what appears to be the mother of all flap battles! The cat flap was being smashed to pieces but indeed when I dragged myself out of my bed two of our cats Chevy and Sheba came running upstairs for safety. The masked intruder known as Patch was sitting silently in the back porch. There had been a battle for the flap which no-one had won . Such is the nature of cat politics - Patch is the masked stranger who for some reason has chosen to become a member of our household. He stared at me with an air of innocence but at least the battle of the flap was over.

Easy to get in!

Cat sixth sense saved a life

2012-02-06T08:51:00.000-08:00

Barrie Gardham couldn't understand why his cat Whisky became so affectionate towards him - the former stray was a bit of a biter who hated being stroked until one day he began to be very affectionate to towards Barrie. "I had heard that animals can tell when humans are ill and it started to bother me - I worried about his change in behaviour and his concern for me. Despite being fit as a fiddle I went to the doctor's and they found I had prostate cancer."

15 months on Barrie has been given the all clear and thanks Whisky for making him aware that something wasn't quite right!

The eyes have it! - source Daily Express 28 January 2012

Radio for Cats

2012-02-01T09:18:00.000-08:00

Nohl Rosen of Scottsdale, Arizona, is the proud owner of Cat Galaxy, an Internet radio and TV station catered specially for cats (and their owners too). Running for a strong nine years, the station has radio shows like Morning Meows, Meow Mixing Monday and Friday Night Feline Frenzy. Most of the music from this station is ‘feline-approved’, ranging from Jazz to R’n’B .Plus, the station features interviews with various veterinarians and pet-owners as well. Oh, and the station’s manager is none other than Rosen’s own pet cat, Isis. Even the assistant manager and the program director are cats

The cat programmer is checking out his jocks

Source: CatGalaxymedia.com

Is your cat psychic?

2012-01-24T10:51:00.000-08:00

More scientific evidence has been produced today that animals have a psychic capacity - maybe it is just a non verbal communication thing but they definitely know certain mainstream feelings that are being exhibited and can anticipate certain sensations as well as knowing when food is on the way! But can they read your mind? Test your cat by observing when he or she appears to anticipate arrivals or knows when unwelcome guests are on their way. We are supporting the research by telling the scientists anything that seems odd! Just let us know

Cat pain

2012-01-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

Sometimes pain is too much to bear - you just have to show the poorly paw! Recent research has shown that cats empathise with other cats when they are ill or injured but always demand fuss from their human supporters as shown in this picture.

John Lennon Cat Lover

2012-01-20T08:03:00.000-08:00

John's first cat was acquired by his mum but probably looked after by aunty and was called Elvis Presley! Over the years John had many cats including one called Jesus - no doubt related to his comment about the Beatles being 'bigger than Jesus'. Salt and Pepper were black cats while a rescue pair were called Major and Minor.

More details can be found in Rolling Stone's current edition!

Cat psychics can predict the future

2012-01-12T08:47:00.000-08:00

Research has now shown that animals including cats can predict human activity. They will sense that an owner is under the weather and lie close to give comfort and warmth often putting out a paw in support. Cats have been known to sit in suitcases and bags as owners are packing up to leave on holiday while often they'll sit at a window minutes before the arrival home of their owner.

Cats have also shown the way to where another cat may be hurt or injured or sit close to the hurt one and cry loudly for help.

Source Dr Rupert Sheldrake Cambridge scientist new book 'Freeing the Spirit of Enquiry.'

2 black and white cats and 54 toes

2012-01-10T03:06:00.000-08:00

Fred and Ned doze with their toes

Fred and Ned are known as polydactyl cats. While most felines have 18 toes, Fred has an extra 10 digits and Ned has eight - cats have very strong genes but there will always be genetic throwbacks and changes in cat make-up. Check out the earlier stories on Cat plagues!

The cat that won't die

2012-01-06T02:29:00.000-08:00

Andrea the stray from West Valley City Utah survived the killer carbon monoxide chamber twice against all the odds and the staff at the animal shelter gave up in the end. Eventually she was taken in by new owners and is thriving.

Picture from abc news

Poisoned Cat Pie kills!

2012-01-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

Poisoned pork rib and cat meat stew killed a businessman in southern China. The businessman Mr Long threatened to expose a corrupt Government official and was poisoned for his honesty. It wasn't the cat that killed Mr Long but a highly poisonous local plant. While Chinese cuisine is respected throughout the world in China they continue to kill and eat domesticated animals like dogs and cats however poor the meat is. Pity the Chinese cat!

This is not a cat but an important Chinese marketing animal - not eaten!

Source Daily Telegraph 4.01.11

The King of Cats

2012-01-03T07:59:00.001-08:00

There is an old Irish tale that a man was out hunting one day when he came across the hugest cat he had ever seen. The cat fought him furiously but in the end the man was able to dispatch it with his sword and decapitated it but not before the cat spoke saying 'You have killed the King of Cats'. Taking the head home he was explaining the story to his family when their little cat leapt for his face, scratched out both his eyes and disappeared in a flash never to return. The moral of the tale being that if you kill a King there will always be someone who will take revenge for the murder!

Cat's scratch can kill!

2011-12-14T04:58:00.000-08:00

A week after Jon Taylor was scratched by his mother-in-law’s cat he was undergoing emergency surgery — and given just 48 hours to live.

Bacteria from the claw had entered his bloodstream, triggering septicaemia. John may have been at risk with a heart murmur and the bacteria settled on the weak spot. Take care of such scratches they can be killers.

12 cats dead in Miami; December

2011-12-13T06:22:00.000-08:00

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) -A chemical found in virtually every car on the road, and in many home garages, has been blamed for the death of more than a dozen cats in the Hammocks area of Southwest Miami-Dade. Unknown is whether the cats were given the chemical, or whether they found it on their own.

The chemical is ethylene glycol, found in a lot of products but most common in anti-freeze or radiator coolant.

According to Dr. Maria Serrano, chief veterinarian with Miami-Dade animal services, blood tests taken during the necropsies of multiple cats points to ethylene glycol poisoning. Dr. Serrano said all cats showed signs of severe kidney failure and electrolyte imbalance.

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/12/01/anti-freeze-blamed-for-south-miami-dade-cat-deaths/

The Great cat Plague

2011-12-12T06:32:00.000-08:00

The Pawmen

In the still before the first light Craw opened her eyes and her ears pricked up. Now was the time of greatest danger. The time of the Pawmen. They came with stealth and brought death. These killers knew that their victims were at their most vulnerable, tired because they’d hunted through the night and were desperate for sleep.The Pawmen would come and take the unsuspecting, the timid, the ill, the old or those just starting with the shudder. Craw had to be especially aware and alert

She stretched and reached out her back leg pushing the stiffness from one limb then the other. All the time she watched, listened and then sniffed the air for any scent, especially the scent of the Pawmen. A cloud full of great tastes, always, preceded their sudden appearances. The first time Craw had sensed the cloud she wanted to run straight into to it and be enveloped by its wonderful smells. Even now she couldn’t stop her tail rising into the air. Then her fur stood on end as she remembered how the first time she sensed that cloud she had heard the terrible cracking noise, the noise of the Pawmen – the crack that meant the limpness – the end!

The opening paragraph of the Great Cat Plague!

Latest on Cat swinger

2011-12-06T06:32:00.001-08:00

Riain Richards is awaiting trial after swinging black cat Mowgli 14 times around his head. Caught on CCTV he has given himself in. Mowgli wasn't physically injured but is nervous and fearful since the incident.

Source Daily Mail

Cat is Pope's Friend

2011-12-06T04:35:00.001-08:00

It is re-assuring that there is some support for the felines of this world from the highest authorities. Pushkin the Persian met the Pope Benedict XV1 during a visit to Birmingham last year - apparently the cat loving Pontiff used to feed strays in Rome!