Chaki the Zen

Chaki, short for Charcoal, was born one cold February mid morning on my favourite T shirt inside my cupboard. Her eyes were tight shut and her miniscule tail stuck between her legs. Minutes before, her brother had taken his place in the world and had already found the source of the milk. Mimi, the mother was tired and she slept as her two precious offsprings snuggled against her belly and drank.

Of the two kittens, the brother was more handsome. He had bright beady eyes, a pert little nose and perfect tabby stripes. He had personality and suaveness. Chaki, on the other hand, had a strange, undecided hair colouring and also was ill mannered and screamed all the time, scrambling up the sides of her cardboard box, falling on her back, then clawing up noisily, then falling again. I knew then that it would be easier for me to find a home for the handsome, well behaved brother. Soon, some close friends of mine adopted him and named him Baichung after the famous footballer.

Today, Chaki is a feisty eleven-year-old cat who loves to push open her cat door and loiter around the colony. She sometimes returns with a string of cobwebs from ear to ear and some hanging from her whiskers indicating that she has explored some dusty, dank basement. She has a way of announcing her arrival home - a long deep meow begins at the foot of the stairs, then there are shorter meows for every step and then a blood curdling yell outside her cat door just before she pushes her head in. As soon as she is in, there are a few more loud yells demanding that we notice her arrival and with one final loud cry she leaps up on the table and is the queen of all she surveys.

Chaki is my closest friend. We share a bond that I cannot describe. It is deep and mystical. When she looks with her yellow eyes straight into mine, I feel the primordial closeness of two creatures of the jungle, human and cat. When she snuggles into the crook of my arm and I hear her purr, I know there is no sound sweeter than this. She shares my moods and my bed in winter. She smells of baby - milk and vitamin syrup after I have syringed some into her mouth. She is my queen and queen of the territory over which she presides, letting no dog or other cat come anywhere near. Chaki is Tao, she is Zen and embodies the mystery of cat as she sits up, paws under her, tail swishing gently and eyes far away into another dimension altogether.

(Rukmini Sekhar lives in Delhi with Chaki. She runs an NGO called Viveka Foundation and is part of a group called Citizens for Animals.)

Grooming the lil' kitty

A large part of a cat’s day is spent on grooming in order to keep her coat in pristine condition. However, we as a per parent play a large part in keeping our cat clean and healthy and this must never be forgotten if we want a happy and contented cat.

Start early

Make your kitten accustomed to grooming tools right from day one. Little kittens do not need much grooming care, but when they have been introduced to grooming while young, they will not struggle against it when they mature.

Brushing

Brushing should be done regularly and should be a pleasurable experience for both the cat and you. Regular coat care keeps the fur free of ticks and fleas, prevents the coat from matting and being tangled which is very painful for the cat and helps to remove dandruff flakes that develop.

Twice yearly, when preparing for the summer and winter, your cat will thin or fill out her coat. This is less noticeable in cats who are kept indoors than those who live outside, but it nevertheless occurs. Brushing will remove the excess fur and at these times should be done daily; to prevent formation of hairballs in the cat’s stomach when she swallows hair while self- grooming. This can cause very serious health problems and this is why brushing is so important.

Nail clipping

The front claws should be clipped as needed. There are several types of nail clippers available; be sure to get one suited especially for cats. The thin red line in the nail, the quick, is where the vein begins. Do not cut into this as it will be very painful for your pet and will bleed. If you have not yet learned how to trim properly or if you are afraid of hurting your cat, just trim off the very tip where the nail is most pointed. You can use an emery board (nail file) to smooth the tip down so it is not rough and can scratch you. You can also take your cat to a professional groomer or a veterinarian.

Ears

It is very important that you take great care of a cat’s ears. They should be wiped out with cotton occasionally. Mites can accumulate in the ears and the brown matter that you see is generally caused by mites which really need to be eradicated immediately. Your veterinarian can also show you the correct way to do this but you must be very careful and not push the cotton too deep into the ear drum. Never put anything into the ear canal. Cats’ ears are very sensitive, and you can do permanent damage or injury to your pet if you are careless about ear care.

Eyes

Cat’s eyes are generally kept clean by the cat herself unless they have an infection or disease which needs to be attended to. The matter that appears daily in the corners of the eye is usually cleaned by the cat but keep a watch to make sure that this does not build up and create a problem. Some cats are quite lazy about eye care and you need to help them to keep their eyes clean at all times.
Bathing

The best rule about bathing a cat is to do so only when the cat needs it. Show cats become used to this very early in their life but household pets keep their coat clean themselves. Use a shampoo, especially made for cats. Wash your cat in warm water, using as little shampoo as possible, and make sure that you completely rinse the shampoo out. If too much shampoo is left on the coat, then the skin oils dry out and the cat scratches a lot. Make sure you towel dry the cat thoroughly so that she does not remain damp and catch a cold. It is best to bathe her inside in a warm room and keep her confined until totally dry.

Grooming tips for longhairs

• Longhair cats need combing and brushing daily to keep their coats clean and sparkling.


• After bathing it takes some time to GENTLY comb out any tangles from the coat and then carefully brush the cat until she is completely dry and comfortable.


• Longhairs need more bathing than the shorthaired cats do as they can pick up bits of rubbish and dust in their coat which becomes tangled and uncomfortable.

Always remember that a cute, fluffy kitten with a reasonably short coat, will grow into an adult with a long coat that needs a great deal more care than a shorthaired cat. Persians and all longhair cats make very affectionate companions, but they do need to be groomed daily or you will be facing an unhappy cat with a matted and tangled coat.

It is one of the major responsibilities of a cat owner that they keep their cats clean, healthy and with sparkling, shiny coats. Think about tangles in your own hair and consider how uncomfortable this is for a cat.

Preventing Common Feline Diseases

Many diseases common to cats can be prevented in two ways: by keeping your cat indoors, and by having your cat vaccinated according to your veterinarian’s advice. Common feline illnesses include the ones which are mentioned here.

Upper respiratory infections (URIs):

These are similar in many ways to the common cold in humans and produce many of the same symptoms - sneezing, runny nose and eyes, reddened eyes, fever, and decreased appetite. However, URIs can be much more serious than common colds - they can be fatal if left untreated. These airborne viruses are highly contagious; they can be transmitted to cats through human handling and through contact with other cats and with inanimate objects such as litter boxes, food bowls, and grooming tools. Separate any new cat from your other cats for at least three weeks until you are sure your newcomer doesn’t have any symptoms of a URI.

Prevention is the best approach to URIs - have your cat vaccinated. But if your cat does come down with cold-like symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away. The veterinarian will probably prescribe antibiotics to prevent secondary infections and give you precise care instructions. Follow them carefully and make sure your cat eats and drinks sufficiently.

Rabies:

All cats, even indoor cats, should be vaccinated against rabies, which is now seen more commonly in cats than in any other domestic animal. Rabies is a viral illness that is transmitted through bite wounds from infected animals and attacks the nervous system. If your cat bites anyone, you may need to show proof of rabies vaccination. Rabies is a fatal illness. Prevent rabies through vaccination and by keeping your cat inside.

Feline panleukopenia:

Commonly known as feline distemper, this is a highly contagious viral disease that can be transmitted through contact with humans, infected cats, clothing, hair, paws, food bowls, and even cat carriers. The disease comes on suddenly with vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Vaccinate against this virus.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV):

FeLV is a fatal infectious virus that affects the immune system and can cause several forms of cancer and other associated diseases. It is transmitted through the saliva, urine, and feces of infected cats. There is no link between feline leukemia and human forms of leukemia.

There are blood tests to determine if your cat may be carrying the virus. Your cat should be tested before being vaccinated. Since there is no cure, it is best to keep your cat indoors (and away from contact with other cats). Discuss vaccination schedules with you veterinarian.

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV):

FIV is similar to human acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), but it is not the same virus and cannot be passed to humans. This fatal virus attacks the immune system, causing a variety of symptoms. General signs can include chronic, non-responding infections, respiratory problems, appetite loss, persistent diarrhea, and severe oral infections. FIV is passed from cat to cat primarily through bites. A vaccine is available to help protect cats from contracting FIV, but an FIV blood test should always be performed before vaccination. The best protection against FIV is keeping your cat happy indoors.

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP):

FIP is another virus that is almost always fatal to cats. This virus can take two forms, commonly referred to as wet (which involves fluid in the abdomen) and dry (which does not). Both forms of FIP may cause fever, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

A blood test is available to determine if your cat has been exposed to this family of viruses. You can learn more about this test by talking to your regular veterinarian. There is no effective treatment for FIP, but there is hope for prevention in the form of recently developed vaccines. The best prevention is to keep your cat indoors, up-to-date on vaccines, and away from strange animals.

(Reprinted with permission from The Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org)

Ask the Expert.. Sep- Oct 08

Q: My 6-month-old kitten loves to play with string toys and sometimes even chews on the string. It is a cat toy but is this dangerous? What are the safe toys which I can give her to play? - R Geroge, Coimbatore

A: Dr. K. G. Umesh : Cat play is an important activity for cats. Toys (particularly hanging or moving), feeding puzzles, making use of resting places at a range of heights and different locations and access to a view of the outdoors - all help stimulate indoor cats. All pet stores carry safe, fun toys that will get your cat moving and help you bond with your pet. Choose toys for your cat that stimulate active, entertaining play, such as weighted balls that roll in unpredictable directions, and rubber chew toys in different shapes and textures. Just make sure any toys you use won’t cause injury from sharp edges or swallowing.

Cats will often play by themselves, swatting at wads of paper, ping-pong balls or catnip toys. A cardboard box can be loads of fun for your cat. Try putting a little fuzzy thing on a string and dangling it in front of your cat. She’ll know it’s not a mouse but she can indulge in fantasies of being a ferocious hunter, looking out for a prey. Some cats like the sound and feel of rustling paper. A large paper bag might keep her amused for a while. Put some toys inside, making it even more fun. Lastly, empty wrapping paper rolls, old tennis balls, fabric stuffed with old nylons can be toys for your cat. Rotate the toys you leave with your cat so that each day she has “new” toys. If possible, provide places for your cat to climb inside. Scratching posts and climbing frames provide opportunities for exercise and stimulation.

Herding Cats!

Meow! It’s difficult

Herding cats - This commonly used cat phrase means to bring together many different people together for a common cause… Well! It’s an uphill task, we all must agree. Now you know what it means when they say – ‘Managing a team of professionals is like herding cats’ or ‘Teaching li’l kids is like herding cats.’

Common Nerve injury in kitties

Radial nerve paralysis is a common nerve injury in cats and dogs. The radial nerve is the largest nerve in the cat’s front leg. Paralysis of the radial nerve normally occurs when the cat receives a severe blow to her shoulder after being knocked down by a car. Other causes include tumours and excessive stretching of the brachial plexus.

Symptoms…

When the radial nerve is injured, the cat is unable to use her front leg normally. The front leg appears limp and there is a complete loss of sensation in the affected limb. The cat will not be able to extend her elbow and wrist and will tend to drag her front leg on the ground causing it more injuries. The injured cat should be immediately examined by a veterinarian.

Treating the injury…

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. If there is no injury but the nerve is nipped or bent, then normal functions of the nerve will return. If the injury is a rupture of nerve fibres, with the protective sheath intact, the nerve function may return after several weeks or months. In case of a completely severed nerve, there is very little hope for recovery and amputation of the leg may be the solution. Amputation could be very distressing, but a three-legged cat will be able to enjoy a normal life as a four-legged one, if properly cared for.

(Sudhersena is a volunteer at the Blue Cross since 1998, an avid animal lover she has 9 cats and 3 dogs.)

LaPerms: all about curves ‘n’ curls

Elegant, athletic, lively, social, shaggy curls and ringlets… the LaPerms are the epitome of beauty and fun.

Large but beautiful

[caption id="attachment_8224" align="alignright" width="250"] Anulika á Chardani DK[/caption]

A curly kitten breed is born… In the spring of 1982 on a farm just near to Dallas, Oregon the LaPerm cat was born. Linda Koehl (founder of the LaPerm breed), was surprised to see an unusual looking bald kitten out of a litter of plain barn cats, and at first dismissed the kitten as a mutant. Linda named her “Curly” after she grew a coat of curls, and her temperament was just as unique as her coat. Curly has left behind her progeny of curly coated, doggedly affectionate kittens who were later named the LaPerm. LaPerm…a kitty of moderation This muscular, medium-sized cat has long neck and legs. Perhaps the most striking feature is her unusual coat, which has a unique textured feel. Velvet-like, their coat is soft to touch. You will be mesmerised with their wavy or curly hair, which forms ringlets on the neck and the ruff. Their head is a modified wedge with gently rounded contours and a muzzle. Broad noses, flared ears are and expressive almond shaped eyes…complete their beautiful looks. The tails of long-haired are curly while that of short-haired is like bottlebrushes. They are available in colours like tabbies, reds and torties, besides lilac, chocolate and colorpoints. LaPerms…pleasure to be with These cats are doggedly affectionate and incredibly docile. They are by far the most intelligent and witty cat. Taking care of LaPerm curls They are essentially lowshedding, low-maintenance pets. Rubber brushes should never be used as they can strip the fragile coats; only a revolving toothed comb will move through the coat easily without pulling out the fur or pulling the lovely curls straight. Too much grooming leaves the coat looking like a frizz-ball and takes away the desired definition of the curls. However, a spritz with plain water and a scrunch will help to redefine the curls. LaPerms…healthy kitties LaPerms are a healthy and robust breed with no known breedrelated health problems. (With inputs from Anthony Nichols and Martine Sansoucy. Martine has been raising and showing TICA Registered LaPerms for almost 12 years in Canada. Anthony Nichols has been showing cats for twenty year and mainly bred LaPerms. He imported the first LaPerms into the UK from the USA (www.laperm.co.uk) and is actively working with other breeders to achieve full championship recognition for the LaPerm in the GCCF.)