Caregiver Tips Archives - Page 5 of 5

Momma Mia! 7 Important Tips When Caring for Momma Cats and Kittens

Last week we had one very pretty, very pregnant momma cat who decided to deliver her kittens right there in the trap upon her arrival at our clinic! First bit of good news, all five of the kittens came out healthy and strong. We then determined that momma cat was a friendly stray, which was the second bit of good news. She was very tame as can be and easy to handle, so the first-time trapper who had brought momma cat in decided to foster the new happy family until the kittens are big enough to wean and adopt out. [...]

admin 2019-07-24T09:02:50-07:00 April 20th, 2011|Caregiver Tips|

Ringworm: The Fluorescent Fungi

What's in a name, right? In this case not much. Ringworm has nothing to do with worms. Nor does it always show up as a ring! Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus, otherwise known as dermatophytes. These are microscopic parasitic fungi that live on the skin, specifically in hair follicles. Ringworm is a very hardy fungus that can be present in soil. Cats and cattle are the two species of animals that seem to get ringworm the most, although dogs and other animals can contract it. Humans can also get ringworm, either from a pet or from [...]

admin 2012-04-02T15:17:33-07:00 April 18th, 2011|Caregiver Tips|

8 Must Haves for a Top-Notch Feral Feeding Station

Are you feeding feral cats? Whether you are a rookie feeding a few cats in the backyard, or whether you are a "pro" who has been feeding large colonies of cats in back alleys for years, here are eight great ways to make sure your feral feeding stations are stellar set-ups. 1. Proper Placement of Stations Feeding stations should be discreet, low-profile and they should blend in with the immediate surroundings as much as possible. Try to keep them out of sight from the general public. Two reasons for this -- first, cats won't want to go to a high [...]

admin 2019-07-24T09:10:24-07:00 February 15th, 2011|Caregiver Tips|

Top 10 Tips for Getting Your Tenacious Trap-Savvy Cat

Some cats just don't seem to want to go into the trap, no matter how hard you try. You've used smelly bait, you've withheld food to get them hungry, and yet you still sit out night after night and come up with an empty trap! Here are the top 10 tips and tricks I've collected over the years that may help you nab your wily kitty: Pray. Even if you don’t pray...pray. Drink. Even if you don’t drink...drink. Communicate telepathically with the cat. Even if you don’t believe in communicating telepathically with a cat...send them mental mindwaves to let them know their [...]

admin 2020-03-25T09:38:21-07:00 January 18th, 2011|Caregiver Tips|

Hmm…What Color Is That Cat?

Cats come in a wide variety of breeds and colors. Homeless cats especially can be a motley sort, generally being the offspring of many different kinds of breeds all intermingling. At our morning check-in, we ask trappers to list each cat's color and breed, as these descriptions help us keep accountability for the cat as he/she goes through our clinic for the day. Here are some common color, breed descriptions, and terms that you may hear us use. Solid All over solid color; no striping whatsoever. You can have solid greys (also called blues), blacks, whites, even browns. Generally oranges (also [...]

admin 2010-07-16T18:57:37-07:00 July 16th, 2010|Caregiver Tips|

Mange and Ear Mites: Mitey Menaces

Mange is a very common issue with feral and stray cats. We frequently see cats coming into our clinic with varying degrees of mange. To the novice trapper, this skin disease can look pretty alarming. However, our seasoned veterans know this is a very treatable disease, and while it's uncomfortable for the cat, it can get turned around with a little extra care and attention. Mange is caused by a parasite, or a very small bug. These parasites actually live and feed on the cat, who acts as a "host". The mites either live topically on the cat or they [...]

admin 2010-04-30T20:22:04-07:00 April 29th, 2010|Caregiver Tips|

The Truth About FeLV/FIV Testing – Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

What Is Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)? By Dr. Amanda Page What is Feline Leukemia Virus? Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a serious viral disease that affects ONLY CATS. Fortunately, there are many ways we can protect our cats from exposure to this disease. It is estimated that 2.3% of cats in the western United States are infected with FeLV. How does FeLV cause disease? The Feline Leukemia Virus can cause bone marrow suppression. One of the functions of bone marrow is to produce the cells of the immune system that fight off infection. Therefore, this disease can result in a [...]

admin 2023-08-18T05:47:49-07:00 March 31st, 2010|Caregiver Tips|

The Truth About FeLV/FIV Testing – Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

What Is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)? By Dr. Amanda Page What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus? Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), also known as Feline AIDS, is a serious viral disease that affects ONLY CATS. Fortunately, there are many ways we can protect our cats from exposure to this disease. It is estimated that 3.5% of cats in the western United States are infected with FIV. How does FIV cause disease? FIV causes suppression of the immune system by attacking important cells of the cat’s immune system which protect the cat from common infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, etc). Many of the infectious [...]

admin 2023-08-18T05:49:34-07:00 March 31st, 2010|Caregiver Tips|