Congratulations Barb! You have made great progress with the kittens. I also want to thank you for your diligence in catching the last kitten. This kitten will watch the others for clues about the new environment so it is extremely important to proceed slowly. Let the other kittens continue to smell her cage and remember …
Author Archives: kristennelsondvm
Comment on Taming Feral Cats
Update on feral kittens.Now they are out of the cage, in their own room.One comes to eat when I am in the room the others watch me. None are approaching me.But they don’t run and hide now.When I move around too much they run back to the cage. While there they will let me pick …
Sustainable Fish
Many people enjoy eating fish. As world human populations grow, we put ever increasing stress on the fish in our oceans. During my recent visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I learned several important items. In the U.S. we import 80% of our fish. Second, there is a website that provides great information about the types and …
Genetic Superiority – Mutts vs. Purebreds
Like many veterinarians, I have long believed mutts have fewer health problems than purebreds. The common sense basis for that belief is that the genetic pool is larger and thus should lead to fewer issues of the type observed due to inbreeding. Well, a new study by the University of California Davis suggests this may not be …
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Monterey Bay Aquarium
Last week, my husband and I had the chance to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Wow! The aquarium is located right on the water with wonderful views of the bay. Once inside, we headed to the kelp forest exhibit. The large central tank is three stories tall giving the kelp plenty of room to grow. I was most …
Melanosis in Cats
Melanosis is a condition found in the iris of cats. Pigment containing cells called melanocytes proliferate causing black spots to appear. They look like freckles. If the melanocytes continue to grow, the form larger lesions called nevi. If multiple nevi form, the condition is called melanosis. If the disease does not progress any further, the …
Comment on Taming Feral Cats
Thank you for adopting these feral kittens. Your adults will help the kittens learn about humans. I would caution you about trying to pick up the kittens and force socialization before they are ready. Picking them up causes severe fear in feral kittens. I would recommend sitting on the ground and letting them jump on …
Comment on Taming Feral Cats
Trapped 3 feral kittens 11 weeks old.Kept them in cage 1 week before shots/spayed.1 week after all kittens will eat in front of me (in the cage).and allow me to pick them up and pet them.The male is the biggest already tame, he growls at the others when they are eating. One girl hisses when …
National Cat Day 2013
October 29th is National Cat Day, a day to celebrate all things feline. Contrary to popular belief, cats do not sleep all day. They cycle through times of play, eat, grooming and sleep. My cats seem to repeat this cycle twice each day with sleep periods that run approximately 6 hours in the younger cats. Interacting with …
Tapozole (Methimazole) in Cats
Tapazole is a drug used to treat hyperthyroidism in cats. The generic name for tapazole is methimazole. It acts by inhibiting iodine incorporation into thyroglobuin thereby interfering with the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Originally, the drug only came in a pill form. Since pilling cats is not always pleasant, the medication can be compounded into …