Cat Scratches

Ow! This has been a bad week for cat scratches. A few days ago I was sitting in the lounger with Simon and Jack warming my lap. A loud noise startled all of us and the boys instantly leaped off with claws extended. Even though I was wearing jeans, I was left with four long scratches on my thigh, and a scratch and a puncture on my ankle. I, of course, yelled loud and long. Since I am allergic to cats, the injuries stung for a long time, and were red and puffy for several days.

After I applied antibiotic ointment and several bandages, I got to wondering about infection. An internet search immediately came up with Cat Scratch Disease (CSD), also known as Cat Scratch Fever. CSD is a bacterial infection that is caused by cat bites or scratches. Up to 40% of cats may have the bacteria, but most are not affected by it. Signs of CSD are the formation of a small papule (raised bump) at the scratch site within 10 days, then fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Most cases of CSD resolve on their own, with no specific treatment. That was good to know.

I was more worried about the puncture. That one hurt the worst. I think I need to update my tetanus shot.

Several days after the initial wounds, I was jabbed in the torso when Daisy, who was under the covers with me, was jumped on by Jack. Then Baby got me in the chest later with a small, 1 inch scratch.







I know as a cat owner, I will get scratched. I personally don't know anyone who has ever gotten Cat Scratch Fever. I'm sure I'll be fine.

MySmartyCat  - Test your cat's intelligence!

Update to Wrigley Cat

A cat ran out into the field during last Tuesday's game. See Cat Stops Game At Wrigley posted on April 21, 2009, for pictures and a link to a video. The Chicago Tribune reported today that the cat was taken to a local shelter, where it will remain until someone claims it. The Cubs think the cat entered through a knothole in the the right field corner.

The Tribune had an unscientific poll on "Who do you blame?". As of right now, with 4998 votes in, 64.6% (3227 votes) blamed the cat, while 35.4% (1771 votes) blamed the man who picked up the cat. Votes were still being counted as I write this post.

Radio broadcaster Ron Santo was reminded of his cat episode from Shea Stadium in 1969 when a black cat circled him while he was in the on-deck circle. It then disappeared into the stands. "The picture of me and the back cat is the one I've had to autograph the most over my career," Santo said.



By the way, the Cubs won the game over the Reds 7 to 2.

MySmartyCat  - Test your cat's intelligence!

Cat Stops Game at Wrigley

Breaking News!
I was blogging and watching the Cubs game, right now, when I looked up and saw a cat running across the field, stopping the game. She was a calico and tabby, and she was frightened and puffy as she headed toward the bull pen. One of the ushers tried to grab her. Big mistake. She was not happy and let him know it. He dropped her then picked her up by the tail. Thanks for TIVO that I could get these pictures:







It is cold at Wrigley Field tonight, and the usher has on a thick coat and gloves. But she was angry and I bet he got scratched good!

Go Cubs! (Check the score.)

Here's a link to MLB.com with a video of the cat at the game.

MySmartyCat  - Test your cat's intelligence!

What Breed is My Cat?

A question often asked at a cat forum I frequent is "What breed is my cat?". I think many people are disappointed when they find out they have a domestic cat of no particular pedigree. Unless the cat came from a breeder and has papers, the cat is considered a DSH (domestic short hair) a DMH (domestic medium hair) or a DLH (domestic long hair). There are also descriptions for coat patterns, so the lovely kitty may be a "tuxedo DSH" or a "gray and white classic tabby DSH".

Domestic cats come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Pedigree cats were developed by selective breeding of domestic cats over many generations to get a desired trait. That is why modern domestic cats can have a strong resemblance to a recognized cat breed, such as a Persian. In this instance, the cat might be referred to as a Persian mix.

Here are my five domestic cats:






Abby is a gray and white mackerel tabby DSH.










Simon is a black DSH.











Baby is a tortoiseshell or tortie DSH.











Jack is a brown and white classic tabby DSH.









Daisy is a brown classic tabby DMH. I consider her a Maine Coon mix.




Here is a site with beautiful photos of tabby cats.

At the Cat Fanciers Assciation website, you can check out pedigreed breeds of cats.

MySmartyCat  - Test your cat's intelligence!

Vacation Without Cats

We took a spring break vacation to sunny Florida and came back to snow. Thank goodness my cats were home to warm me up. They forgave me for being gone so long and soon I was covered in a blanket of soft purring fur.

My neighbors watched the cats while I was gone (thanks Missy and Alexandra!) so I didn't worry too much. To make it easier for their care, the cats were fed only dry food, left out once per day. Normally, only half their calories come from dry food, fed over three meals. Unfortunately, this change in diet resulted in some digestinal upset (okay vomiting).

Since I know that dry food is higher in calories than wet, I was concerned that my cuties would overindulge. So I weighed them before I left. I was surprised by the results when I weighed them again after the trip. Only Abigail and Jack gained, about half a pound each. The others' weights remained constant.

I know my cats are happy staying home and I don't expect that they would travel well. At home they look out the window and chatter at the sparrows and ground squirrels. But I wonder how they would react if they saw a bird like this out their window:



MySmartyCat  - Test your cat's intelligence!