http://www.feline-forum.com/ A cat forum and community dedicated to the welfare of happy and healthy cats and kittens. en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 03:19:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.feline-forum.com/images/ca_evo_aquamarine/misc/rss.jpg http://www.feline-forum.com/ http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=781&goto=newpost Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:34:13 GMT Hello Everyone!

I am new to this forum, plus I'm also a new kitty mama!!

I'm very lucky to have found this site, it seems like a really nice place for all sorts of kitty information..

I'll try and read through everything here, but I know I already have sooo many questions!!

But allow me to introduce ourselves --

This is Dante..





He is 2 months old, but I do not know the breed.. I'm pretty sure he's a male, but we also have a vet appointment one week from today.. So I'll find out for sure by Saturday..

Anyway, I look forward to meeting everyone here, and reading all of the information.. ]]> Introductions http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=781 http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=780&goto=newpost Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:54:50 GMT Hello,

I'm not very good with introductions, and can be a tad wordy, so bear with me =)

I'm from Canada, moved to the U.S.A. this year to be with my husband, and am currently working on getting my green card. For now, we live with his parents, whom have been very gracious and hospitable, until I am able to work. We share the house with their 3 dogs, and recently, 2 cats. My mother-in-law brought me to the local Humane Society last April (2010) to adopt any 2 I wanted; I went with adult black cats, since I read that they are less likely to be taken home due to superstitions. Personally, the only trouble I have with black cats is finding them, and taking clear pictures of them lol.

Thinking they would get along, we got a male and female from the same room; boy were we wrong lol. Ophelia (or Opie for short) does not like Helios one bit lol. She is a pudgy, 4 year old, DSH with no teeth, that loves laps, eating, being pet above the neck, and to be left alone lol. Helios is an active 1 1/2 year old, sleek, and chatty Oriental/DSH mix. He was returned once for being too active, but it's a quality we find endearing. He loves running, playing with strings, and with Sarah, the GSP (dog) that lives with us. They have 2 games so far; the first has Helios running from chair seat to chair seat under the dinning room table while Sarah runs around the perimiter "chasing" him. The second has Sarah's belly on the floor, her mussle in Helio's belly, and tail wagging, while Helios playfully "beats her face up", haha it's quite funny.

I joined this forum because I am a cat lover, but I joined at this time because I was looking for a place that might help me with Helios. He hasn't been well lately, and perhaps someone else knows what he's going through, which I will get into in another thread.

Thank you =)
Mina. ]]> Introductions Mina http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=780 http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=779&goto=newpost Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:04:28 GMT http://www.maggieangus.com/product.php?pid=24 What do you think? I was thinking of buying one as a gift for my cat loving friend? Should I? -... http://www.maggieangus.com/product.php?pid=24

What do you think? I was thinking of buying one as a gift for my cat loving friend? Should I?

- P ]]> Cat Chat xpaule http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=779 http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=778&goto=newpost Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:47:04 GMT I have been using “Organic Dog Food” (healthychoiceorganic.com) for my dog, and I found it beneficial for my two dogs. Not sure what organic food to... I have been using “Organic Dog Food” (healthychoiceorganic.com) for my dog, and I found it beneficial for my two dogs. Not sure what organic food to use for my cats. ]]> Cat Chat john12345 http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=778 http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=777&goto=newpost Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:31:20 GMT A brief history...I first adopted my kitty 5 years ago. She is a persian, 7-8 years old, declawed (by prior owner) and seems to have some emotional... A brief history...I first adopted my kitty 5 years ago. She is a persian, 7-8 years old, declawed (by prior owner) and seems to have some emotional issues.She is a sweetie and I love her so very much. She seemed to have a litter box problem when I first got her home. I had her treated for a UIT and changed her litter to the Cat Attract brand and also put several litter boxes out for her.She got somewhat better, but occasionally tinkled areas other than her litter box. I took her back to the vet and they ran another UTI test and he suggested that she may have the idiopathic symptoms. So, I just learned to live with the occasionally out-of-box tinkle errors. In 2007,I noticed blood in her stool and took her to the vet.He X-rayed her and said she had some impacted feces in her colon and prescribed ALBON.I gave her the ALBON and after a couple of days she seemed to be getting worse. Her kidney were not functioning properly and the vet had to keep her and give her fluids. It looked like she was not going to live much longer. I thought she must be having a reaction to the ALBON, so I stopped giving it to her and the vet said maybe that was a good idea.She looked so bad. I promised her that I would leave her alone and not make her struggle having medicines forced down her and scary treatments at the vet. Well, bless her heart, it took a few months but she pulled out of it. She did still have her tinkle issues, though. Recently, she has been meowing more and louder and tinkling outside the box very often. I took her to the vet and they ran a UTI test and said it came back showing maybe a very minimal problem and some blood in her urine. The vet gave her some Amoxiciliin to take. Though, I have not taken her back to the vet, her condition has not improved.It seems worse actually.I have been researching the Feline Interstitial/Idiopathic Cystitis problem in cats and I think this must be what she has.I have been having to keep her out in my Florida room (window enclosed porch area) because of the tinkling problem and the incessant meowing.I posed a question to a vet on JustAnswer.com the other day and he suggested I talk to my vet about the medication ELMIRON.I am planning to take my kitty to the vet as soon as I can to see about this medication. Has anyone else had any experience with the Feline Interstitial/Idiopathic Cystitis and/or given their cat the ELMIRON or something similar? I would like to hear of anyone else's
experience with this disorder and medication. Thank you so much.:cateyes: ]]> hellond http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=777 http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=776&goto=newpost Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:34:58 GMT Hey everyone, Just wanted to let you all know about another new cat community called THAT DARN CAT, a place for cat lovers to hang out and chat.... Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know about another new cat community called THAT DARN CAT, a place for cat lovers to hang out and chat. THAT DARN CAT features member photo galleries, chat room, guestbooks, blogs and so much more! Just check it out at..

http://thatdarncat.aimoo.com

Thanks!:) ]]> Cat Related Links Felion http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=776 http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=775&goto=newpost Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:15:58 GMT Officials: Pets as dangerous as texting to drivers By Jason Claffey jclaffey@fosters.com Saturday, August 21, 2010 KITTERY, Maine —... Officials: Pets as dangerous as texting to drivers

By Jason Claffey
jclaffey@fosters.com
Saturday, August 21, 2010

KITTERY, Maine — It's the latest pet peeve: DUI-P — Driving Under the Influence of Pets.

A survey released by AAA this week found nearly one-third of dog owners admitted to being distracted when having their animal in the car. Twenty-one percent of drivers allowed their dog to sit on their laps — a big no-no, according to law enforcement officials. And some even admitted to feeding their dog or playing with it while in motion.

"Drivers not only love to bring Fido along, but they also often engage in risky behaviors when man's best friend is along for the ride," said AAA Northern New England spokesman Pat Moody. "Looking away from the road for only two seconds doubles your risk of being in a crash."

Police said DUI-P is just as dangerous as texting. They advise owners to put dogs in a crate and refrain from having them as co-pilots.

"They belong in the back seat, not in the front seat," said Kittery police Sgt. Gary Eaton. "If you have a crate, put them in it."

Eaton said he can remember responding to several accidents stemming from drivers who were distracted by a pet.

A New Hampshire State Police spokesman said while dogs may seem to enjoy sitting on a driver's lap with their head sticking out the window, the risks are not worth it.

"If the dog sees a cat or something that catches his interest, what's going to prevent the dog from leaping out?"

Moody noted an unrestrained dog in a 30 mph crash has the same force as a 2,400-pound projectile.

"Imagine the devastation that impact can cause to your pet and anyone in the vehicle in its path," he said.

Many states, including New Hampshire and Maine, have laws discouraging drivers from playing with pets in the front seat. Fines can be hefty.

Maine's recent distracted driving law can levy up to a $500 fine, while New Hampshire's obstructed and negligent driving statutes can impose a $75-250 fine.

In 2008, California legislators passed a bill that would have imposed a $35 fine for drivers caught with a pet in their lap. It was nicknamed the "Paris Hilton bill" after the hotel heiress was one of several celebrities caught with their dogs in the front seat. Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger eventually vetoed the bill after critics called it an unnecessary government intrusion.

The AAA survey was conducted in conjunction with Kurgo, a Salisbury, Mass.-based business that sells pet travel products. Its "Skybox Booster Seat" for smaller dogs is recommended by AAA for securing the pets on car rides.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll...893/-1/FOSNEWS ]]> Cat Chat Vicki http://www.feline-forum.com/showthread.php?t=775