The NINE LIVES of Chico Morales
(Page 6 of 6)
Fortunately, there is an antidote, and Chico recovered.
Back to the good life.
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THE GOODBYE
I placed a catheter in Chico's front leg while Mrs. Morales
held him. She stroked him along his back while murmuring to
him in Spanish. Mr. Morales had a harder time accepting
Chico's fate, and went outside to distract himself with
some work.
When Mr. Morales came back, it was time. I injected the
euthanising solution into Chico's bloodstream, taking the
life he had so miraculously and tenaciously etched out.
"Good-bye, Chico Morales," I said as he slumped. "Thank you
for allowing me to help you, and for everything you taught
me." As I headed out to my truck, I could hear Mr. Morales
swinging his pick, carving a rectangular hole in the
thawing spring soil.
Preventive Health Program for the cat
VACCINATIONS AND SCREENING TESTS
At 10 weeks of age:
-Feline leukemia and FIV test
-Combination vaccination for feline viral rhinotracheitis,
calichi virus, and pan leukopenia
-Feline leukemia vaccination
At 13 weeks of age:
-Repeat combination vaccination (known as FVRCP)
-Repeat feline leukemia vaccination
-One-year rabies vaccination
At one year of age:
-Combination vaccine booster (FVRCP)
-Feline leukemia booster
-Three-year rabies vaccination
At four years of age, and every three years after
that:
- Repeat vaccination booster done at one year of age
DEWORMING
At 3, 6, 10 and 13 weeks:
-Oral roundworm and hookworm medication (Pyrantel
palmoate), dosed by weight
At 16 weeks, and then every 3 to 6 months:
-Tapeworm medication (Praziquantel), dosed by weight
NEUTERING/SPAYING
At 3 to 6 months of age:
- Especially males, to prevent wandering and marking
behavior
-Healthy female barn cats with good temperments can be used
for breeding. Keep in mind that the gestation period for
kittens is less than two months, so numbers of kittens can
multiply explosively.
NUTRITION
- Most cats do very well with a high-quality, name brand
dry diet.
- Cats that are prone to the formation of crystals in their
urine leading to urinary blockage should be a special diet
that is pH controlled. Consult with your
veterinarian.
- Long-haired cats that groom excessively may be prone to
hair balls and gagging. A new "Hair-Ball Prevention" diet
is available. Cats that are prone to constipation will also
benefit.
- Canned food should be avoided due to the negative
long-term effects on dental health. Several diets are
available with an abrasive texture that helps clean tartar
off of teeth.
*Any cat that lives strictly indoors will have
decreased need for vaccinations and deworming. Consult with
your veterinarian for an appropriate plan.
OTHER SERIOUS DISEASES OF THECAT,
AND SIGNS TO WATCH FOR:
Urinary blockage in male cats
-Not urinating
-Hiding out, lethargic
Diabetes
-Drinking and eating excessively
-Weight loss
Saddle thrombus (blood clot in the
aorta)
-Down in the back end
-Very pained
Rodenticide toxicity (De-Con, other rodent
poisons)
-Very lethargic
-pale gums
Fatty liver disease
-Yellow tint to skin, jaundiced
-Loss of appetite
-Weight loss
Linear foreign body (swallowed string, for
example)
-Vomiting
-Lethargy
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