Coccidia & Giardia

It is not unusual for newly re-homed kittens to develop illnesses caused by giardia and coccidiosis, protozoan parasites of the intestinal tract. Most animals are exposed to these protozoa but illness is not always the result. Normally a well developed immune system can suppress coccidia and giardia. Very often kittens will experience these diseases as their immature immune systems are easily compromised as the result of events in their lives that can cause stress. Many of the new experiences a kitten encounters in the process of being re-homed are stress catalysts; leaving old friends and their momcat, meeting new friends, a change in diet and water, traveling, etc. adjusting to a new home environment in general. Often vets give kittens vaccine "overloads" which can further compromise an already stressed system. Adult cats also experience these problems given the right conditions and some breeds seem more susceptible than others.

Giardia and Coccidia are not deadly in themselves. They cause diarrhea which can cause dehydration that can quickly kill a kitten. Don't panic if your kitten develops one of these problems. Do take your kitten for medical care to prevent his death from the symptoms.

  Ring Worm Information

"Ringworm" is a skin infection caused by fungi. The fungi feed upon the dead cells of skin and hair causing a lesion.. The fungi responsible are called "dermatophytes," meaning "plants that live on the skin. In animals ringworm frequently looks like a dry, grey, scaly patch but can also mimic any other skin lesion and have any appearance. We have been told there are 72 types of ringworm.

The spores of dermatophyte fungi are in the environment; often living in the ground and picked up from there by pets and people. Contact with a spore causes infection. Animals drop spore-covered hairs into the environment (spores can even be carried by the wind) . Some animals are carriers, who never show signs of skin irritation themselves. Ring worm is most prevelent in areas of high animal population. As with most opportunistic ailments stress can cause an outbreak. If you know ring worm is present it is not difficult to get rid of . Experts say iringworm will usually run its course in four months.

 We believe fresh air and sunshine encourage strong immune systems in our felines. For us the benefits of out door cattery runs greatly out-weigh the risks. Our vet says that catterys seldom get ring worm from other catterys. He says chances are that, because of the nature of ringworm, the souce of infection is the environment itself.