Tattle Tails - Summer 2015

Tattle Tails: Maine Coon Newsletter
Summer, 2015

Welcome to our summer edition of Tattle Tails! Lazy, warm days are purr-fect for enjoying the good life!
In This Issue:

Feel-Good Cat Saying
What's New On The Site
Maine Coons In The News
Featured Article - Beating The Heat
Visitor Tips, Reader Q & A

"A cat's eyes are windows enabling us to see into another world."
~ Irish Legend

What's New On The Site:

Reasons I Prefer Free-Feeding: With the formidable size of Maine Coons, and their late-blooming status, folks often ask "How much should I be feeding my Maine Coon?"

It's a sensible question. Kittens and young cats require enough food to fuel their growth. But with such a large breed, how much is that? Sometimes it seems like they are always hungry! Read More

Mishu's Rescue Story: In one of the most emotional, heartwarming rescue stories on our site, Kathleen writes: "A year ago I rented a cottage and on the property there was a cat roaming the yard. My landlord said it was homeless for the past 4 yrs and it just lived under my cottage I'm renting.

Landlord and son fed the cat but it was too fast running away when attempted capture. I was sad and started helping with food also. I would talk to the cat and hang around trying to gain trust to no avail..." Read More

A Tribute To Lucky: Deanna shares a deeply loving tribute to her beloved Lucky: "We lived on a farm in Chilliwack B.C., and our first kitten was dropped off at our doorstep just before my birthday in 2005, a little orange tabby we named him "Garfield."

1 week later we got this little ball of fluff "Lucky", he was so darn cute, and he and Garfield both being kittens grew together, and I always had cats..." Read More

The Care & Keeping Of Your Maine Coon Cat

Photo Album Updates:

The July Photo Album is growing fast! Like summer fireworks, it's an explosion of colorful beauties from all over the world! From top left, clockwise: Willy, Max, Mackie, Shiloh, Tristan & Eeyore are just a few July Maine Coons. Still haven't added your Coonie picture(s)to the albums? Click here to send them in today! Visit The Latest Album!

Jax In Texas Needs A Home: "Jax is a beautiful, adult, Maine Coon, tabby mix. He's an indoor cat, weights 14 lbs and is 9 years old.

I rescued him 8 years ago from the Humane Society. He takes a bit to warm up to strangers, but is very loving to his family and is very talkative and playful.

It is with a heavy heart we post this, but feel he'd be happier in an adult only home (we now have a young child). He's had all of his shots, is neutered and litter box trained..." Read More

Cloud & Storm In Texas Need A Home: "We have two feral kittens. They are females about 12 weeks old.

Both have been spayed, received all their shots and are micro chipped via Hill Country Animal League in Boerne.

We canot keep them and would like them placed for adoption at a no kill shelter.

Cloud (the cream colored one) should be easily domesticated. Her sister Storm will take a bit more patience..." Read More

New Loving Tributes: A Maine Coon leaves a mark on your heart that never leaves. Leaving an everlasting tribute like the ones here can help heal.

Recently, we have had Mikey, Casper and Smokey join this growing page. Their Loving Tributes say a lot about the bond between a Maine Coon and his or her family.

Maine Coons In The News - Mufasa Reigns at a Local 4-H Competition

How fun! Mufasa is a silver Maine Coon who is loved by 16 year old Chloe Bellerive. And even though it was in the mid-90's in on Sunday that didn't stop Chloe and Mufasa from showing up at the Washington County Ag Expo and Fair in Maryland and defending his title!

According to Chloe, Mufasa is a pretty cool cat: "he's a pretty playful cat. ... And sometimes, he can, like, get aggressive after ... you ... are playing with him. ... But he's pretty cool... He likes to just play around with the cats and the other dogs, and other humans."

Congratulations to Chloe and Mufasa!

Source: http://www.heraldmailmedia.com/news/local/the-king-still-reigns-in-the--h-cat-competition/article_d4e58c40-2e72-11e5-b4a1-2fb7e6a12df1.html

Beating The Heat:

Heat stroke in cats is a very real and serious concern on hot days. When there is a heat wave, everyone is looking for ways to cool off and stay healthy.

Here are a few tips for avoiding cat heat stroke (also known as hyperthermia) when the temperature is unforgiving. Also, we've included signs, symptoms, and treatments for heat stroke in cats.

Why Worry About Cat Heat Stroke?

Many of us usually think about dogs when it comes to heat stroke in the summer. But cats can be afflicted, too. Their means of cooling down are limited to panting, or sweating from the pads of their feet. Seeing a cat panting is troubling. If you are concerned, Cat Health Guide provides an article explaining the causes and reasons for cat panting, beyond heat stroke in cats.

Heat stroke in cats is an emergency situation and needs urgent care. If you suspect heat stroke based on the following signs and symptoms, get him to a veterinarian immediately.

Who's At Risk:

Any cat can succumb to heat stroke, but some are at a higher risk. These include:

Breeds with shortened faces, like the Persian
Cats with airway diseases
Elderly or ill cats, young kittens
Overweight cats

Signs of Cat Heat Stroke:

Rapid breathing/panting - one of the first signs is fast, noisy, frantic panting
Vomiting (perhaps with blood)
Diarrhea (perhaps with blood)
Restlessness and/or lethargy
Dizziness
Excessive sweating
Anxiety
Salivation - thick, sticky saliva
Compulsively grooming (trying to cool down - by licking themselves they dampen their fur, which provides a cooling effect as it evaporates)
Redness in the tongue and mouth, pale gums
Stumbling or falling down

A cats regular body temperature is 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The definition of heat stroke in cats is a rectal body temperature of 103 degrees. As heat stroke progresses, the saliva will become thick and sticky, and at 108.5 degrees the body functions start to shut down.

Things To Do For Heat Stroke In Cats:

If you suspect it's cat heat stroke, you need to cool him down quick and go straight to the vet. Here are some things you can do:

Dip him in water - not cold, more like lukewarm to slightly cool. Test the temperature inside your wrist. Use the bathtub and keep his head above. Or put him in the kitchen sink and use the spray nozzle with cool water on him. Or put just his paws in cool water.

Put him in front of a fan or in an air-conditioned room to dry. The evaporation is cooling.

Give him cold water with some salt in it to help rehydrate him. If he refuses to drink, try using a syringe or spoon to put some in the side of his mouth. (Careful not to squirt it down his throat.)

Apply a bag of frozen peas, ice packs, or cold washcloths around his head and body.

If possible, take the cats temperature (rectally).

When his temperature is in normal range again, stop the cooling measures or he could get hypothermia.

How Do Vets Treat Heat Stroke In Cats?

The vet will monitor his temperature and bring it down carefully if needed
Your cat may be given fluids
Your cat may be given oxygen
Your cat will be monitored for signs of organ damage

Down The Road:

There are possible long-term organ complications from heat stroke.
Cats who have succumbed to heat stroke are more susceptible to getting it again.

Cool as a Cucumber on a Hot Summer Day
Measures to Avoid Heat Stroke In Cats

Keep Pets Indoors Where The Climate Can Be Controlled.

If it's going to be a scorcher, leave pets inside the house with the air-conditioner on. We all want to save energy, so just set the temperature to a higher-than-usual setting. You can lower it in the evening. This way your pets won't wilt while you're away.

If you don't have any air-conditioning, leave a fan on for your pets. If it will be hotter outside than in, turn the fan to blowing out the window before you leave.

If you only have air-conditioning in one room, and the weather is forecasted to be brutal, consider leaving your cat in that room for the day. A few toys, a window to look out of, and he'll be happier there than anywhere else on that day.

Cool Places For Comfort

Pets love to lie on cold tile floors, or hang out in cool basements. These are great hang-outs during the heat of the summer.

On the other hand, remember never to confine to confine your cat to a warm or potentially hot room for the day.

Have Plenty Of Water Available

Make sure the water dish is topped off before you leave. Pets, like people, will need to stay hydrated on a hot day.

If your cat must be outside, make sure he has a big bowl or multiple bowls of water. It may evaporate, so leave him with lots of water.

Ice is Nice

A big bowl of ice will thaw into a nice cold drink for later!

The Lion Cut

Who wants to wear a winter coat all summer? Depending on the climate where you live, some folks go the route of giving their cat a lion cut in the summer. Cats don't mind, and if you know you are in for a long, hot summer this may be the way to go.

Limit Time Outside

If your cat goes outside, try to keep him in during the hours of 11:00am - 3:00pm.

Car Smarts

Of course, never leave a cat in a parked car, even in cooler months. The interior heats up to dangerous and deadly temperatures fast.

For many of us, summer is the season of family fun, vacations and lazy days. Avoiding heat stroke in cats is totally worth the effort. With a few precautions, your cat will also enjoy the "dog days of summer!"

Reader Tips, Tricks, and Advice:

Over time, Coonie lovers have sent in lots of tips and advice! Here are some words of advice following our summer theme for today:

Common Sense In Warm Weather:
Jessy shares: "I have a Samoyed dog, a breed that herds reindeer in its native Siberia and has a lot more hair than a Maine Coon. I just never take him out during the hotter hours of the day in summer. My longest-haired cat has access through a cat door to an enclosed patio, but she is too sensible to go out in the hottest hours of the day."

If Dealing With Fleas:
Leslee writes: "I agree that Frontline, Advantage or Revolution are all excellent products for flea control. Has your kitten already been spayed? This might be a good time to see a vet or local clinic for a full health check. Most all kittens need worming; also testing for feline leukemia (etc) along with her first round of immunizations. I don't mean to scare you, but having a clean bill of health will get your kitten off to a good start...and a long and happy life with you!"

Going Away On Vacation This Summer?
Sharon tells us: "My rule of thumb used to be 24 hours alone. Not any more. A lot can happen in 24 hours as I found out when my husband and I did an overnight for my 50th birthday.

My then 18 month old Coon came down with some mysterious issue whereby he was extremely dehydrated when we came home, listless and had been throwing up what looked and smelled like stool. He was rushed to the vet who did radiograph which showed he was totally constipated.

Albeit this condition must have started before we left, but went unnoticed. Several vet visits later he was on the mend, but we nearly lost him. Never found out what happened or why. I have three cat sitters and when we are gone one of them comes in twice a day for 1/2 hour to scoop boxes, fill food and water bowls and play with them."

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