Dogs & Pups | Bi-Monthly Magazine for People who love Dogs

Ragdolls... your dolls for life

Playful but calm, relaxed and loving…Ragdolls are pleasure to be with. Come meet the largest cat of the Guinness book of world records.

Large but beautiful

Anulika á Chardani DK

The Ragdoll is a large, floppy, blue eyed and pointed cat. They are one of the largest cat breeds, developed in the 1960s by Ann Baker. The Ragdoll breed appears in many different colours and patterns. The colours are seal, blue, chocolate, lilac (also called frost), red (also called flame), cream, and tortie and torbie (a tortie with the lynx pattern). There are four different patterns: colourpoint, mitted, bicolour, and lynx. The Ragdoll cat is a large cat, maturing in size between 8 to 12 lbs (4-5kg) for females and 12 to 18 lbs (5-10kg) for males.

Calm ‘n’ poised

Ragdolls make good family pets as they are quiet, playful, placid, relaxed, loving and a real pleasure to live with. They are generally not destructive at home, because they are calm and usually prefer the floor-level to climbing.

Shiro Cho á Chardani DK

Living with a Ragdoll

They are sweet tempered, devoted, affectionate and outgoing cats who are also known for their fearless nature. They are gentle with children and other pets and love human company. They are floppy cats who love a cuddle and flop in your lap, and also have the tendency to go limp when picked up and held. They simply have a unique ability to relax like a child’s toy. Ragdolls are extremely social cats and are devoted to their pet parent. Like little puppies, they like to follow their family around the house while like curious cats; they like to “help” around the house. They make wonderful apartment cats and can be easily leash trained. They learn the same tricks as dogs, like retrieving toys, rolling and pestering.

Sleepyheads
Though Ragdolls love to play, they are moderately active and love to relax. Often you will see Ragdolls sleeping on the floor on their backs with their furry belly exposed and all four legs sprawled out. These are very soft spoken cats but extremely loud purrers.

Groom me little

The Rag doll’s fur is rabbit-like, medium long with very little shedding and requires little grooming. Usually brushing once a week is all that your Ragdoll needs to keep their beautiful coat looking great.

Fit ‘n’ fine

Ragdolls are a healthy and a very hardy breed and rarely require medical attention. (With inputs from Charlotte Chardani and Dani Schacht. Charlotte has always been passionate about cats and has also bred Maine Coon and Persians.)

Common Nerve injury in kitties
- by Sudhersena

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.)

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.’

Ask the Expert..

Dr. K. G. Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Kimmy

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

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.

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)

Grooming the lil' kitty
- by Joan Henderson

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.

Ooh…Ouch… it’s declawing

The far truth of
declawing is very painful.
It involves amputating the
last bone of each toe. Do you
know that, if we compare it
with humans, it is equivalent
to cutting one’s finger off at
the knuckles? Now you can
imagine the pain inflicted
to our adorable felines.

The Cat Lady of Sri Lanka
- by Kim Cooling, President, Animal SOS Sri Lanka

Compassion cannot be inculcated…it is embedded in our heart and soul. When human companions are lost, animals are still there for us. Here’s a live example of unique human-feline bond.

She once lived a fulfilled life but destiny had other plans for her. In her time of need all cruelly abandoned her. She had lost everything- her home, her husband, her children and her dignity.

But this tragic 41-year-old woman shunned by humanity, has the love and companionship of her animal friends - 40 cats and a loyal dog. They live with her on the bank of a polluted stream and every day the woman dutifully brings food for them. Unlike humans, animals do not abandon you in bad times...their love is unconditional.

She once saved a pup from a giant lizard, but the lady sustained injuries. When we heard about the Cat Lady, we were eager to meet her and help her. In a place where few will ever care for life of a mere animal, we were truly inspired by her warm heart and compassion.

When we arrived at the cat lady’s home across the putrid, mosquito ridden stream, she came to meet us with compassion. She was not concerned about her own health and squalid living condition, strangely, she seemed resigned to her fate. But, she was concerned about her pets and keeping them as healthy as she could, with no funds.

Surprisingly, most of the cats appeared in good health, a credit to the care she was providing under such harsh conditions. We gave her supplies of cat food, wormers, treated some of the cats for ear infections, and applied tick and flea treatments. We also gave the 40 cats and her dog a feast of a lifetime! As we placed the fish on the ground, the woman rushed across the stream to collect some plates. She insisted that her cats only ate from plates…only the best for her pets! It was an amazing sight with her cats swimming across the bank to get to the food. We also gave the cats some milk.

This exceptional lady, who suffers from respiratory problems due to her harsh life and living conditions, touched our hearts and souls. And we all contributed by our best means to help her.

Our organisation-Animal SOS Sri Lanka, will continue to support the Cat Lady of Sri Lanka, and when we achieve our goal of securing enough funds to obtain a base for our animal welfare work there, we will ask her to come to live with us, along with her children and pets. She will assist us in our endeavours to provide hope for the animals in Sri Lanka and be part of leaving them a legacy for the future. It is a unique bond that few in this world will ever understand. For their loyalty and devotion to us humans, we owe them a duty of care.

(Animal SOS Sri Lanka supports the Cat Lady of Sri Lanka. To help the organization in this noble cause, for more information, email at: kim@animalsos-sl.com )

Did you KNOW??
- Passive smoking can be injurious to kitties

The Tufts College of Veterinary Medicine, a major resource center in veterinary research, has found that cats exposed to second hand smoke are at increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth and malignant lymphoma.

The study reveals that the increased risk of mouth cancer was five times higher in cats living with smokers than in cats living with non-smokers. Yet higher risks occurred if the cat lived with a smoker for longer than five years. Besides, malignant lymphoma is usually lethal and 75% of cats contracting this cancer die within one year.

Cats seem peculiarly vulnerable to second hand smoking cancer because of their grooming mechanism of frequently licking her fur - generating a higher than expected mouth exposure to the particulate deposits of second hand smoke. Another postulated mechanism is cats’ well-known high sensitivity to many toxins.

Cats living with smokers are also vulnerable to nicotine poisoning from eating cigarettes, which can be fatal. (Kit Humphrey, featured columnist of Cats & Kittens, is a physician who is retired due to chronic illness. From Siberian Gatos Cattery in the US, the author is responsible for cattery policies and choices. This includes a programme to eliminate Corona Virus, HCM, Bartonella,Toxoplasmosis, etc.)

Chaki the Zen
- by Rukmini Sekhar

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.)

Eliot’s love for felines!

A famous poet, dramatist, and literary critic T S Eliot was indeed a great feline fan. In 1939, he published Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a set of whimsical poems, which affirmed his kitty love. His devotion for our furry angels ended up in these literary expressions, highlighted feline psychology and sociology…Well done… Mr Eliot! Meow!