RALPH (or Pr Templegates Ivanhoe), a beautiful Black Tipped British Shorthair who, at just 18 months old, already has a glittering career on the show circuit! Mrs Leckie’s pride and joy has won Best of Breed at numerous shows and really made a name for himself.
Ralph is a very happy, lively cat who shares the run of the house and garden with his four fellow feline housemates, so Mrs Leckie was rather alarmed when he began to wander off on his own and display some very strange symptoms.
He was forced to take a break from his successful show career as his feet swelled to twice their normal size, his face also swelled up and his breathing became difficult. He was also pulling his hair out.
Ralph’s vet, Aileen Ryan, of Ryan and Calder in Dunfermline, was puzzled by the case as she had never seen anything quite like it. She decided that Ralph should have an allergy test to see if this would help find the cause of the problem and sent a small blood sample to YORKTEST Veterinary Services for testing.
Ralph’s test results showed that he had an adverse reaction to chicken, turkey, rabbit, salmon and white fish. The offending foods were immediately removed from his diet and he was given a strict diet which contained only duck and rice.
After just three days he showed a remarkable improvement and his symptoms were dramatically reduced. Taking the test meant avoiding the lengthy process of trial and error involved in food elimination diets by pinpointing the problem foods right from the start.
On one occasion, Ralph got his paws on a few mouthfuls of the other cats’ food and the swelling he had previously experienced came straight back, so it became clear that sticking to his new diet is very important.
It was the first time Ralph’s vet had used the YTVS allergy testing service and she was very pleased with the outcome of the test. She said: “One blood sample, lots of answers to an unusual case. Result: one happy cat, owner and vet!”
Mrs Leckie was surprised to find out that the food she thought was good for Ralph was causing his problems. She said: “Our little guy really is so much better...” Not only is he in very good health once more but his notable show career has reached new heights after winning five first prizes at a show and being proclaimed “Premier Champion”.
In the future he aims to go on to be a “Grand Champion” and now that he is in fabulous condition again, watch this space!!
YORKTEST Veterinary Services are a diagnostic laboratory specialising in serological tests for food and environmental allerby in companion animals. During the last five years, YORKTEST have helped several thousand pets with allergies throughout the country.
These tests are available through your local veterinary surgeon. For further details about the services available please call us on FREEPHONE 0800 169 1958 or visit our website www.animal-allergy.com
Golden Oldies deserve a new start this New Year
WHY not this New Year make a resolution to home a Golden Oldie cat from Cats Protection? (CP).
The UK’s leading feline welfare charity has up to 2,000 senior cats (aged eight or over) in its care at any one time. Sadly, these older residents often get overlooked in favour of younger models so the charity wants to urge more people to offer cats in their prime the fresh start they deserve.
Mature cats tend to be lower maintenance as they usually have a calmer, more settled nature and suit those who are frequently out of the house. They can offer plenty of lap-cat companionship and cuddles and can help reduce stress by providing a relaxing end to a hectic day.
“The New Year often encourages people to give a rescue cat a home but, sadly, few people realise the advantages of adopting a more mature feline”, said Lisa Morrow, Cats Protection’s Head of Veterinary Services.
One of the main reasons the many senior cats that come into CP’s care can be hard to home is that people often worry the feline might not have a long life span. However, this is simply not the case as cats now routinely live to 15 years old and above. Reasons for this include:
• Better owner care, including improved education and awareness;
• Increased willingness to treat older cats and improved veterinary knowledge;
• Increased vaccinations and neutering.
The charity’s national network of Branches and Cat Adoption Centres regularly rehome older felines - some also offer help with veterinary treatment if the cat has an ongoing health condition.
So, as another year begins, spare a thought for Cats Protection’s older residents - they need loving homes too!
For a copy of Cats Protection’s leaflet, In Praise of Older Cats, or for contact details of a local Branch or Adoption Centre, please call Cats Protection’s helpline on 08702 099 099.
Don’t breed problems for later - neuter now!
Neutering is far and away the most effective way of controlling the growing number of unwanted cats and kittens, which is why the UK’s leading feline welfare charity is urging people to neuter now!
Cats Protection’s staff and volunteers work hard to try and find loving homes for every feline that comes into their care, but one of the charity’s main aims is to encourage the neutering of all cats and kittens not required for breeding as this is the best way to ensure there will be less unwanted cats and kittens in the future.
Population control for cats is very important, as felines are prolific breeders. With the chance that one unneutered female cat could produce up to 18 kittens a year, or 20,000 descendents over five years, it can be frustrating when some cat owners act irresponsibly and without their pet’s best interest at heart.
Neutering offers many solid benefits to cats and owners alike. A neutered cat is less likely to spray, less likely to roam and also less likely to fight. Neutering also guards against disease as fighting cats are more at risk of life-threatening diseases that can be transmitted through biting and saliva.
Cats Protection assists with the cost of neutering up to 100,000 cats in the UK each year through its neutering voucher system and various Branch initiatives. The charity’s latest innovative scheme is the introduction of a mobile neutering clinic that tours regions of the country offering convenient and free snip and tuck services.
The new clinic begins in the North East early in the New Year and will aim to neuter at least a further 2,800 cats a year, while making the routing procedure more accessible to cat owners.
Cat owners on a limited income who need to have their pet neutered should call Cats Protection’s Helpline (Tel. 08702 099 099) now for details of how the charity can assist.
