The Animals' Savior




I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter - the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal.


And I was angry. "God", I said, "This is terrible! Why don't You do something?"


God was silent a moment, and then He spoke softly. "I have done something", He replied.

"I created you."

-Jim Willis


Dont use DOG flea treatments on CATS!!


Dog flea treatments killing cats
08 November 2007


Hundreds of cats are dying needlessly after being accidentally treated with commonly used dog flea treatments, says a study produced by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), part of Guy�s and St Thomas� NHS Foundation Trust.


Following their recent joint study, the VPIS has joined forces with cat welfare charity Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) to warn owners of the dangers of using dog flea preparations on cats.
The study found one in 10 cats reported to the VPIS died, after being exposed to spot-on dog treatments containing the chemical permethrin.


Permethrin is so poisonous to cats they can become seriously ill even if they come into close contact with treated dogs, such as by sharing bedding.
Pemethrin is of low toxicity to most mammals, but because of metabolic deficiency, it is highly toxic to cats.


Permethrin is a pyrethroid, a type of insecticide which is commonly found in pet flea treatments, ant-killers, fly sprays and other pesticide products.
The VPIS, which is part of the Medical Toxicology Unit at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, regularly receives enquiries from vets across the UK about cats being exposed to permethrin.
The VPIS study reviewed 286 cases where canine spot-on permethrin preparations had been used on cats.


Of these cases:
97 per cent of the cats had signs of poisoning
88 per cent had twitching and/or convulsions
10.5 per cent of the cats died or were euthanased
The VPIS has already received over 230 enquiries this year about cats that had been exposed to permethrin.


However, VPIS manager Alex Campbell said he believed these figures indicate the problem was even more widespread and the number of poisonings understated.
"Not all veterinary practices use the VPIS, and not all vets will report every case. If this chemical is used, it can cause severe illness and death in cats."
Alex said cats poisoned with permethrin may need two to three days of intensive veterinary treatment.


He said: "There is no need to use permethrin containing products to control fleas on cats. There are many different 'spot-on' medications formulated specifically for cats, none of which contain permethrin".


The VPIS and FAB are urging cat owners to check very carefully when treating their cats with spot-on products. Owners should ensure they do not use flea treatments designed for dogs and especially notones that contain permethrin.
Advice should be sought from a vet or a qualified professional on the most appropriate, safe and effective flea treatments to use on cats.


VPIS and FAB are lobbying manufacturers to make the warning on permethrin containing flea treatments for dogs more noticeable.


He said: "Accidents inevitably occur, but it's not enough for the manufacturers of these products to say there is a warning on the packet. It must be visible, understandable, and printed on both the packet and the container itself to reduce the incidence of serious poisoning.


"They have a responsibility to their customers, and both have a duty to the animals under their care."


Cats nearly died from hartz flea drops


One owners story:


"I am so sorry i did not see this site before purchasing hartz ultraguard for cats.

I nearly killed my two babies, and I feel now as if i had put a virtual gun to their heads. I applied as directed, carefully separated them for over 12 hours, only to find the product did NOT dry. i called the"hartz hotline" only to get a person with limited english and no idea what i was talking about. all he kept saying was "wash it off". i tried to do that, but this stuff is petroleum based and oily. it stuck to their hair, and was impossible to remove. as i washed them, i got sick myself, just from touching them - swollen eyes, itching and shortness of breath.


By the next morning, both cats were lethargic, glazed eyes, barely moving. both had vomited and had diarrhea repeatedly through the night. i was unaware until i saw the results in the morning. i rushed them to the vet. they both needed fluids and veterinary assistants them both. the people handling them all complained of headaches and dizziness. After repeated washings, most of the residue was gone, but the effects remained from what had penetrated the skin. they were very sick for three more days, and needed repeated fluid infusions to keep them hydrated.


Finally after 5 days, both started to eat a little (after force feeding them high caloric supplements to keep them going while sick) and then they drank some, and i think we have turned the corner now. they are finally starting to move around a little and look more alert. The people who run hartz should be forced to eat this stuff, or thrown into a big vat of it. then maybe they would have some idea what they are doing to us and our pets. This stuff is lethal, and somehow we have to get it pulled from the marketplace. i have complained to the national pesticide hotline, epa, and of course, hartz themselves. everyone MUST complain. it is the only way.


Please click here for more information from this site.


Cats and milk



Should Cats Drink Milk?


In the movies, cats love a bowl of cold milk. In the real world, giving a cat milk can do more harm than good. While milk might seem like a natural choice for your cat, the truth is that cow�s milk offers no nutritional value for cats, and it can cause digestive problems in many. The reason is that most cats develop intolerance to lactose shortly after they are weaned. This means that they are unable to digest the sugars that occur naturally in milk. This causes problems that include diarrhea and other unpleasant digestive problems.
Some people think that cats need to have milk in order to get all the necessary nutrients. This is not true. In fact, cow�s milk does nothing to meet a cat�s nutritional needs. If a cat was fed only milk, it would not be able to survive. Feral cats provide proof that cats do not need milk to be healthy, as wild cats do not usually have the opportunity to drink cow�s milk. As long as your cat is eating a high quality food, and has access to clean fresh water, she is getting all that she needs. Milk alone is not a sufficient diet for any cat, and should never be given in place of food OR in place of water. Replacing a cat�s food or water with milk can cause your cat to become malnourished.
Many cats do seem to enjoy milk, and this causes a dilemma for many cat owners who love to give their cat treats that they enjoy. While most cats are lactose intolerant, some are not. For these cats, milk as an occasional treat is fine. The only way to know how your cat will react to milk is to feed her some. If she does not develop diarrhea then it is safe to assume that she is not lactose intolerant, and you can continue to give her the treat she loves. Again, milk should never be given in place of food, but as a treat.
If your cat IS lactose intolerant, but still seems to crave a bowl of milk now and then, there is a way to satisfy her without upsetting her digestive system. Milk substitute that is specially formulated for cats is sold in most pet food stores. Like regular milk, it should only be given as a treat and not as a replacement for meals. Even if you feed this "cats milk" on a regular basis, a high quality cat food and fresh water should always be available. Another option for lactose intolerant cats is to give lactose-free milk. This milk is available in the same aisle as regular milk in most grocery stores.
In addition to cat�s milk there are a lot of other ways to treat your cats to special food. If your cat normally eats dry food, give her some wet food once or twice a week as a special treat. Many makers of dry cat food also make wet food, so you can stick with your favorite brand if that is important to you.
Another way to treat your cats is to find ways to make their dry food special. Pet stores sell special gravy that can be poured over dry food. Several flavors are available, so you can offer your cat a variety to keep her from becoming bored with her food. Another version of this is to pour the water from a can of tuna over the dry food. You can also feed your cat some tuna, in place of wet food, as an occasional treat.
Take a trip down the treat aisle at the pet store, and you will see row after row of treats. While most of them are fine for your cat, keep in mind that treats should be given as such, and should not be fed to your cat in excess as this can cause an unhealthy weight gain.
Kittens, unlike full grown cats, DO need milk, but the milk they need is their mother�s. The mother�s milk is full of all the fat, protein and antibodies that a kitten needs to grow and survive. Until a kitten is weaned, approximately four weeks after birth, a kitten should have only milk. NEVER give a kitten cow�s milk. Obviously, the ideal milk is that from the kitten�s mother. If this is not possible due the kitten being abandoned or orphaned, you will need to feed a substitute that should be available at your local pet store. The kitten will need to be fed this milk substitute several times a day.
While the pet store personnel can probably answer most of your questions about caring for abandoned kitten, you should consult a veterinarian to be sure that the kitten is getting exactly what it needs. The bottom line is that milk is not necessary for a cat, but as long as she seems able to tolerate it, an occasional bowl isn�t going to hurt.
By: David Beart


Cat Age Chart


�NEW AGE WELLNESS FOR OLD AGE CATS� By Dr Sherry Zenor, Sarasota fl.

It is definitely a �new age� for cats. Once worshipped as gods in ancient Egypt, they have once again come into their own and now outnumber dogs as the # 1 American Pet. They have evolved from a utilitarian existence as rodent-hunters to beloved pets that are considered part of the family.

Because the new age cat is primarily an indoor-dweller, they are also living longer than ever before. A cat�s �senior years can last a long time. A 9 year old cat, equivalent to a 52 year old person, has 10 more years to become a �90-year old�. Although old age ailments are common, medical advances are continuously offering our cats a better quality of care.

Don�t compromise your older cat�s well-being by overlooking the basics. ALL senior cats need an annual exam, even if they �look healthy� to you. Cats are experts at hiding illness. Veterinarians are well-trained and practiced in looking for things owners can�t see. We know that cats can�t speak for themselves. With willing owners, we help find problems early when they are more manageable.

Older cats are prone to many diseases that older people also get: diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney disease, arthritis and dental disease being the most common. Such age-related problems can always be more effectively managed if caught early. Specialized diets, new medications, hydration therapy, and careful patient monitoring are allowing our new age cats to maintain health and vitality, despite the onset of the years.

One of the things I hear most often is people saying they don�t wish their pets to suffer. Unless your cat is getting at least an annual exam, you may be unintentionally allowing them to suffer needlessly from a problem modern veterinary medicine can treat.

Help your cat live its 9 lives to the fullest. Our cats provide us with a lifetime of unconditional love � by caring for them properly in their old age we can repay that debt, enhance their quality of life, and with it our own!


Cat-Human Age Chart

1 -15
2 -24
3 -28
4 -32
5 36
6 40
7 44
8 48
9 52
10 56
11 60
12 64
13 68
14 72
15 76
16 80
17 84
18 88
19 92
20 96