Cat of the Month ~ July 2008
Moggy is a hoggy ... China's Xu Jirong holds his cat, which weighs 15kg and sports a 77cm waist
[Image Copyright 2008 Daily Telegraph News Limited]
Reader...
Just stumbled on this post. Interesting stuff. I know lots of folks who kiss their cats (including myself). Now there's a revelation. This article does make you think about cat handling issues. I'm sure (from my own experience) that it's mainly the young and elderly who are most at risk....here's the short article.
I'd be interested to hear any 'tales' you might have of cat ailments you've caught?
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Steps to Prevent Disease Transmission from Cats to Man
At special risk are persons who may have a suppressed immune system, such as: infants, the elderly, people who have had their spleens removed, and people with long-term or debilitating conditions such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS and renal failure.
The list of possible zoonotic diseases is extensive and this module only attempts to highlight a few which are more commonly found.
ALLERGIC SENSITIVITIES Allergic skin and respiratory reactions are quite common in personnel working with cats and other animals. Consult your physician. Wear protective clothing to prevent direct contact with cats, waste, carcasses and other body products.
CAT SCRATCH FEVER caused by Bartanella henselae causes regional lymphadenitis usually associated with a history of a scratch or bite by a cat. Cat-scratch disease is usually self-limited; however in the presence of the HIV, causes severe disease.
RABIESThis virus is transmitted by infected saliva, usually by a bite wound, but viral laden saliva may enter preexisting wounds or abrasions. The virus travels up a nerve to the spinal cord and finally reaches the brain. After a variable incubation period, rabid animals or humans will exhibit signs related to central nervous system (CNS) disfunction, and once this occurs, death is inevitable! For this reason, persons bitten by cats should always see a physician and discuss the correct course of treatment. Most animal caretakers will choose to take a series of pre-exposure vaccinations, which will facilitate treatment should they ever be bitten by an infected cat. Cats may be infected by exposure to infected bats.
RINGWORM caused by Microsporum canis is a highly contagious fungal disease. It occurs most often in temperate and tropical climates. People become infected by touching a contagious cat and then failing to wash their hands. When a cat is confirmed positive people should wear protective clothing such as a gown and gloves. Asymptomatic animals may also contaminate and infect susceptible people.
TOXOPLASMOSIS caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Clinical infections are relatively uncommon, but extremely hazardous. The method of exposure is through the feces, therefore wearing gloves when cleaning litter boxes is very important.
Despite all this I know I for one wouldn't be without my moggie!. Ed.
Cat of the Month ~ May 2008
Cat of the Month ~ April 2008
We all get these from time to time, and moggies are no exception...
So, first off, you had trouble getting out of bed
You had a stiff neck
You washed your hair and couldn't do a thing with it
You felt like you had a hangover and you weren't even drinking last night
Your new diet really doesn't seem to be working out
You pulled a muscle when you tried to exercise
Your new hat looked better on you at the store
You keep losing things
You feel like you're always in the wrong place at the wrong time
The boss bit your head off at work
You got caught in the rain at lunchtime
Then the lunch you had didn't seem to agree with you
You feel trapped
Uninvited guests showed up at dinnertime
On top of that you think you're coming down with the flu
And finally, you're alone in the house at night when you think you hear a noise in the basement
Thanks Jan!
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