Your cat’s health may be in jeopardy if you let them outside

The Buddy Foundation does not just advocate an “inside only” policy for its felines but rather makes it a requirement. The reasons are many and it should be obvious that this policy is best for your cat’s good health. Diseases, viruses and dangers are lurking everywhere. We cannot inoculate against everything nor would we want to. Think of your feline’s immune system and the possibility of destroying it.

Most cat caregivers are familiar with feline leukemia, feline AIDS, distemper and other blood related diseases. Fleas also cause a host of problems. If all of these reasons alone do not motivate you to keep your feline inside, I would like to mention a new killer that is popping up with more frequency: bobcat fever passed by ticks.

Bobcat fever is a protozoan disease that is carried naturally in wild big cats such as bobcats and mountain lions without medical complications. If a domestic cat catches this disease the result could be death within days of onset of symptoms.

Typically the disease is more prevalent in more southerly states, but our winters have become much milder, causing concern that pests that bother our animals are not dying off as they have in past winters. Even if your feline does not go outside it can be bitten by ticks exposed to other animals. Every time your dog come in from outside, your cat is exposed to the disease.

I strongly suggest you discuss tick protection with your veterinarian for your cat. There are many good products your veterinarian can suggest. There are products like Frontline and Assurity that are feline specific.

Early symptoms of the disease include lethargy, elevated fever, depression and lack of interest to eat. More severe symptoms include jaundice, rapid breathing and seizure as the animal’s system is under attack.

The disease is so severe because of the way the organisms attack the blood cells. They multiply in white blood cells, which in turn expands and clogs major blood vessels. Red blood cells under attack take the form of anemia. Ultimately this kind of attack on a feline’s system can cause organ failure.

If the disease is diagnosed in the early phase, treatment and recovery are possible. Treatment usually involves a bombardment of antibiotics and anti-protozoan drugs since a protozoan is a single-cell parasite.

Bobcat disease is a horrific disease that most cats do not survive. Prevention is key to everything regarding your inside feline.

AdoptablesTipper is a blue with white tuxedo cat whose coat is as elegant as any Maine coon. This boy is 6-8 months young and is neutered To see him as his regal self today, you would not believe the terrible condition he was in when he was brought to The Buddy Foundation. He survived the winter, but he had been outside so long his forepaw pads were not just raw, they were missing. His hind pads were minimal. He had been traumatized so severely in the stomach area that he had missing skin. Tipper tried to care for himself by licking the area because it was so painful. Licking at this point was self-mutilation, so Tipper had to be sedated to recover.Recover our boy did. He now resides in a multiple-cat room at the shelter, and he loves other felines. He will need time to adjust to a new home. Each day he learns to trust a little more despite his rough ordeal.Zeke is a blue and white domestic shorthair that is 4 years old. Zeke came to The Buddy Foundation as a front-paw declaw. He was abandoned in the parking lot in front of a pet store. Imagine his fear when he was just left behind after four years of loyalty. We are not sure yet if he wants feline company since he was left alone. He loves attention and wants the volunteers to talk to him and give him treats.Building Needs: As always, we need can and dry kitten food. Our little ones are good eaters. Clumping litter and stamps never hurt either.Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, or online at thebuddyfoundation.org. 36492433Zeke