*Akiko is our FIV+ cat.  She was one of the first cats to come to us and she was heavily pregnant. Throughout her pregnancy, she was sickly and fragile.  When she delivered 5 little fishballs , we were delighted.  They grew each day and amazed us with their zest for life.  Perhaps they knew how little time they would have…

Just a few days short of a month, they began to die.  They would sicken and perish in the space of a mere 12 hours.  At first we thought we were doing something wrong.  When the second one died, we went to Hasnul.  He was puzzled.  By the time he fourth one died, he had diagnosed Akiko with FIV and said our last kitten would likely join her siblings at rainbow bridge.  BUT LAIKA LIVED!  And Akiko too.

At two fifteen, I called Hand N Paws to ask for Dr Jenny.  I was told she was busy but to come on to the clinic.  Her colleague refused to text me their address which I had hoped to locate with my borowed GARMIN.  I was told to call again when I had arrived at Hasnuls.  Frustrated, I packed the boys, Akiko and Noel into the car with me and made a beeline for Hasnul’s.  It began to rain heavily and I had to crawl along the highway all the while wondering if Akiko and Noel could afford the delay.

I was absolutely soaked to the bone dropping Akiko off.  Salwa said they would take care of Akiko and there was no point in my staying as she would need a drip and blood tests.  I left with a heavy heart and a sense of foreboding.  I wish I had listened to my instincts and stroked her one  last time. 

I got into the car, and called Hand N Paws but they were busy. The next twenty minutes was spent desperately trying to get in touch with them and driving towards Tropicana which they had assured me was near the clinic.  When I eventually got in touch, they were unable to direct me to thier clinic “Because most people who come to us already know the way!”.

I called Hun in desperation and she told me Dr Jenny had already left!  I was stupefied.  Impossible!  By this time, I was five minutes away, having been given a road that the GARMIN could pick up.  NOTE: Aman Suria does NOT exist in GARMIN’s Damansara.

When I finally found the clinic at four, Dr Ly, whom I had spoken to was nowhere to be seen. Dr Mervyn, eventually spoke to me, confirming that Dr Jenny had indeed gone to the doctor.  After about ten minutes, he said no one could treat Noel and that I should come back at six!  Knowing full well that I had come from Ampang, with two children and a sick exotic in tow.  

I cannot believe that he did not even ask what was wrong with Noel.

I cannot believe that they could not have compassion for a woman with two small children and two sick animals who had driven in a storm to seek help.

Isabel is a vet.  Where she practices, vets should be able to offer at least basic treatment to ANY SPECIES of animal. 

What kind of vets do we have here in Malaysia?

*Noel is holding up thanks to first aid advice from Hun.  If you need help with your glider and cannot get to a vet (or are perceived as not worthy of treatment by said vet’s colleagues) give her a call.  Her website is www.suggiesathome.com

And Akiko passed away today.

We are currently fostering  pair of wonderfully spirited little dogs.  We are hoping for some yuletide magic for them as they have long been without a family.

Pepo is almost an Italian greyhound, sans sloping hind quarters.  He is the quintessental lapdog andwould gladly spend all day curled up next to/on his favourite person, or any person for the matter!  He is very affectionate and demonstrative.  His coat is a wonderful velvet latte colour and he weighs slightly undr 3 kg and is estimated to be four years old.

Blossom is seven and looks like a Manchester Terrier.  She has a joyful and playful nature and loves playing basketball with my kids.  However, she cannot be trusted around small animals and will chase and possible harm them, so her perfect home would have to be cat, rabbit and other small animals free.

Please give these two a chance at a forever home. 

*Photos are not that great because they really are very energetic and I’m not very talented.

Photo1: Milan, the boy.  Independent and very agile and focused.

Photo2: Sicily, female.  Very elegant and has the most intriguing markings.

Photo3: Vienna, female.  Typical red and white, great with kids and great temperament.

The two girls would make wonderful pets for children or a family with kids and they are playful and patient.  Milan would be happy with or without children.  All three are in great condition and we’re really hoping for some Christmas magic for them.

Nevertheless, I do have some photos and my belly can vouch for their playfullness (one literally used me as a cat tree today, sinking her sharp little kitten claws into my jeans, which was OK and then my T shirt, which was painful.  She unintentionally left several little holes in my belly).

1. Erela developed an abcess on one of her breats and had trouble nursing.  After being treated with antibiotics, Back Flower remedy and homeopathy, she improved rapidly.  Almost simultaneously however,  her kittens and fosters began to fail.  As of today, only two remain despite sub cut fluids, worming and hand feeding.  We are numb.  We have never lost so many in a litter before.
2. Olivia lost Sakura to kidney failure.  I am especially saddened as I had a soft spot for the opinionated vixen.

    

   

   Much Missed

3. Annabelle brought in an emaciated kitten one Friday and she too passed away by Sunday.  Because she was in a bad state, this was not a total surprise but I worry that her condition may have passed on to Erela’s kittens…
4. My kids have been sick on and off since the end of September and I am mighty weary of driving back and forth between the vet, not sleeping well an having a really slow few months with adoptions.
5. Amy, our mum damaged part of her Achilles tendon, (teaching Bern how to skip) and consequently suffered reduced mobility.

However, the Universe is fair and some things are looking up.

1. Kaelas, Olivia’s Ragdoll stud is improving by leaps and bound thanks to Dr Susanna’s Acupunture, some organic Chinese herbs, supplements, Bach Flower remedies and some changes we made to his diet, partly due to her advice.  He has been suffering from chronic kidney stones and the medication and K/D diet just weren’t helping.  Looking forward to having the sweetheart back in peak condition soon.
2. Cian was hospitalised and the bloodtests revealed a mycoplasma infection which explains why my kids have been so ill.  At least now we can deal with it and I MAY GET SOME SLEEP!

There is also a whole load of other stuff going on so forgive us if we have not been as attentive as we may have been in the past.  We’re really hoping things will improve for us soon.

At least he did not starve to death in a box without a mother.

What a sad start to our day….

Bagheera nursing with Erela

For those who want to help, please read it.

For those thinking of surrendering their pets, please read this.

For those who think shelters who euthanise are awful, please read this.

More Abandoned Kittens

Luckily, Erela and her kittens are (mostly) happy to share

Angel Erela

Share ah? I thought four was a crowd....

Super Mum

Hi All, I’m new to cats.

I’ve just got something to clarify about breeders but do bear in mind when reading this that I dont mean any offence. It’s just for my own clarity.

Right now have have 2 cats. One persian cross I got from a petshop and another a purebred Ragdoll. I’ve been doing a lot of online research on breeders just to understand the ‘world’ better (I refrain from using the word ‘industry’ I see obvious differences between my cat from petshop and cat from breeder especially where health and attitude is concerned. My Ragdoll is a wonderful, happy, people loving cat whereas the persian is widhdrawn and reserved + he has all the common medical probs like eye infection, ear mites and fungus. Thankfully, after a lot of patience and time, he’s doing much better now – so definitely I’m never getting another cat from a petshop!

Just wanted to clarify – what constitutes a backyard breeder? Are we referring to petshops? What about breeders who are not CFA registered but still sell their cats by the thousands (RM).

There are also people who claim to have purebred unregistered cats and start breeding them ‘unintentionally’ because they don’t believe in neutering but still sell the cats at a costly price.

I’ve recently come across an unregistered breeder who seems to say having cats is a hobby but still breeds for business….just not sure if I should support this or not. He’s selling the kittens at more than 1K and definitely cheaper than the CFA registered kitten of the same breed. He does seem to care genuinely about the cats though – so I’m not sure if I should support this.

Plus I’ve seen many ads in adpost etc where people just sell cats and kittens without certs and seem to be throwing prices as they like..

Share your thoughts please?

Here is my reply

Good questions!

To begin, don’t assume that having certification means that the breeder is instantly ethical. There are some registered breeders who still sell cats indiscriminately, without assuring the future of their kittens.

In my mind, the ethical breeder

1. Will provide the best possible care and lifestyle for their breeding cats.
2. Will want to know what happens to their kitten once it goes to it’s new home.
3. Will never sell intact kittens and cats to people without serious research and background. WHy do you want an intact cat? Which lines will you put my cat with? Have you made sure they are all healthy? What kind of conditions will your breeding cats be kept in?
4. Will never push you to buy a cat from them.
5. Will be willing to recommend other breeders.
6. Will talk to you and guide you if you have any questions.

If you find someone who isn’t certiified but does all this, then the next question is does it matter? There are many in this forum who will say, OK what! Asalkan the cats are loved, there should be no problem.

I ask you this. How many times have you seen cats dying of starvation? How many times have you seen homeless cats (and dogs) loitering around, scrounging for food, worrying if it will be able to feed it’s litter? Have you seen the unwilling females tormented and hounded by the randy males?

There is no reason to breed unless you intend to show! Some (particularly rescuers, animal welfare activists etc) even would go so far as to say, no breeding (intentional or not) full stop. Being reasonable, I would say that is too extreme. So I conclude that the only good reason to breed is for showing. Then the non-show quality should be neutered and placed in loving pet homes.

So, those who breed as a hobby without intending to show (and thus have no need for ceritification) are only contributing to the problem of homeless animals. Afterall, why make more cats without a valid reason? If they are merely for pets, then what’s wrong with the cat on the street?

Hair too short? Face no flat enough?
Care to admit your love is not of the cat but then, of it’s looks?
Anyone squirming yet?

I’m posting this because I get posed this question so many many times.  I guess it’s time a black and white is due.  Do follow the thread in kitten.coml.my and contribute your thoughts.  This is one I’ll be watching.

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