The Domestic Cat
The domestic cat (commonly referred to as the Domestic Shorthair or the Domestic Longhair based on the length of haircoat) enjoys worldwide popularity. The name refers to any cat that is not a “purebred” cat. Their robust health and diverse personalities make them beloved companions. Albert Schweitzer said, “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats,” and an Irish proverb warns, “Beware of people who dislike cats.”

Today’s cat has a very long history beginning about 40 million years ago. This first cat-like creature was known as Dinictus and was about the size of a lynx. Cats were first domesticated about 6,000 years ago by the Egyptians. The people grew grain in the fertile valley of the Nile River. Their grain storage areas attracted rats. The African Wildcat was drawn by the high rodent population and was slowly domesticated. Cats were so deeply respected by the Egyptians that they began turning them into symbols of deities. When cats died they were mummified just as humans were. In fact, they were buried with mummified rats and mice as well as saucers of food to help them on their trip to the afterworld. Although it was illegal to remove a cat from Egypt, cats were smuggled into Europe and Asia.

Unfortunately, cats’ luck changed over the years, and they were accused of all manner of bad things especially in Europe. It was thought they represented evil. They were blamed for spreading the bubonic plague (it was really the rats) and other diseases. In the 1400’s, people who associated with cats were thought to be witches, and many of them were burned at the stake. It wasn’t until the 17th century that cats’ reputations began to improve. Their superb abilities in rodent control increased their popularity. By the 18th century they had become popular household pets.

Their introduction to North America began with the early settlers. In fact, records indicate that the Mayflower carried several cats to help control rats on the ship. Their ability to multiply and their rat-catching skills allowed them to spread rapidly across North America.

Today, the variety of the domestic cat knows no bounds. They come in many sizes and colors. There are shorthaired and longhaired domestic cats (it is believed that the shorthaired variety outnumber the longhaired ten to one however), tail length runs from extra-long to non-existent, and eye color is variable; all determined by the whims of Mother Nature.

Poisonous Plants
Many animals (and children) are poisoned every year by flowers and plants commonly found in the home or garden. If your pet ingests any of these, call your veterinarian immediately or call the Animal Poison Hotline at 888-232-8870. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is a $50.00 fee, so have your credit card handy.

• Autumn Crocus – Bulbs cause vomiting and nervous excitement
• Azaleas – All parts of the plant are fatal. Produces nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing, prostration, and coma.
• Bleeding Heart – Foliage may be poisonous in large amounts.
• Buttercups – All parts have irritant juices, which may severely injure the digestive system.
• Calla Lilly – Leaves will cause mouth, skin, and mucosal irritation and stomatitis.
• Castor Bean – Seeds are fatal. One or two castor bean seeds are near the lethal dose for adults.
• Chrysanthemum – Sap causes contact dermatitis that sequentially occurs as immediate redness followed by a rash, pruritus, crusting, and scaling.
• Daffodil – Bulbs cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal.
• Dieffenbachia (Dumbcane) – Leaves will cause mouth, skin, and mucosal irritation and stomatitis.
• Dutchman’s Breeches – Foliage and roots may be poisonous in large amounts.
• Elderberry – All parts are poisonous except the berry. Causes nausea and digestive upset. (Children have been poisoned by using pieces of the pithy stems for blowguns.)
• Elephant Ear - Leaves will cause mouth, skin, and mucosal irritation and stomatitis.
• Foxglove – Leaves are one of the sources of the drug digitalis. In large amounts, they cause irregular heartbeat and pulse, digestive upset, and mental confusion. May be fatal.
• Hyacinth – Bulbs cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal.
• Holly (American and English) – Berries cause vomiting and diarrhea.
• Hydrangea – Flower bud causes vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, cyanosis, convulsions, muscle flaccidity, incontinence, and coma.
• Iris – Underground stems cause severe digestive upset, but not usually serious.
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit – All parts, especially roots, contain small needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate that cause intense irritation and burning of the mouth and tongue.
• Larkspur – Young plant and seeds cause digestive upset, nervous excitement, depression. May be fatal.
• Lily of the Valley – Leaves and flowers cause irregular heartbeat and pulse, usually accompanied by digestive upset and mental confusion.
• Mistletoe – Berries are fatal.
• Narcissus – Bulbs cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. May be fatal.
• Philodendron - Leaves will cause mouth, skin, and mucosal irritation and stomatitis.
• Poinsettia – Leaves are fatal. (Remember, the red part is actually a type of leaf.)
• Rhododendron – All parts of the plant are fatal. Produces nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing, prostration, and coma.
• Rhubarb – Leaf blade is fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions and coma, followed rapidly by death.
• Yew – Berries and foliage are fatal. Foliage is more toxic than the berries. Death is usually sudden – without warning symptoms.

Here are a few other common household items that should be considered dangerous:

• Ant traps
• Silica Gel packets
• Toilet cleaner and toilet tank drop-ins
• Birth control pills
• Aspirin
• Liquid potpourri
• Chocolate
• Cigarettes, cigars, snuff, and chewing tobacco
• Nicotine patches, gum, inhalers, and sprays
• Pennies (more than other coins due to high zinc content)
• Bread dough
• Grapes and raisins
• Moth balls
• Moldy foods (Be sure to keep your pets out of the compost pile.)
• Topical anesthetics such as teething gels and hemorrhoid preparations
• Antifreeze
• Many prescription and non-prescription medications

Skunk Remedy
Warm weather greatly increases the chances of our pets getting “skunked” and when they do, you want to do something about it right away!! Here is a recipe that a staff member tried and found to be very effective. She said she needed to do it twice but blames that on not being as thorough as she could the first time. Important Note - Be sure to read all the directions and precautions listed after the recipe.

The Skunk Remedy Recipe
1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 cup of baking soda
1 - 2 tsp liquid soap

Mix all ingredients in a plastic bucket. For very large dogs, one quart of tepid tap water can be added to this mixture to enable complete coverage.

Wash pet promptly and thoroughly, working the solution deep into the fur. Leave the solution on for at least 5 minutes or until the odor is gone. Some heavily soiled areas may require a repeat application. Since skunks aim for the face and head, you'll most likely have to wash your pet there, too, but keep the solution out of the eyes -- it stings! Also, if you have very sensitive skin or cuts on your hands, you may want to wear gloves.

After treatment, rinse pet thoroughly with tepid tap water.

Discard any remaining solution down the drain with running water.

**NOTES**

• NEVER store this mixed solution in any kind of closed container!!! Pressure will build up from the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide that will cause the container to explode, which can cause serious injury. A bottle that is 3/4 full can develop more than 420 psi. In addition, the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide over time decreases the effectiveness of the remedy, so it's best just to make what you need each time you need it and discard any leftovers.
• Mix the solution in clean plastic containers. Metals will encourage the decomposition of peroxide, reducing its effectiveness.
• Hydrogen Peroxide 3% is usually sold in pint bottles (500 ml), so you will need two for this recipe. The use of other strengths or grades is not recommended. Also, check the expiration date on your peroxide; if it's been sitting in your medicine cabinet or linen closet for years, buy fresh bottles.
• Use baking SODA, not POWDER. "Arm & Hammer" is a popular brand name, but generic names include the following: Sodium Bicarbonate, Bicarbonate of Soda, and Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate. DO NOT confuse these with Washing Soda, which is Sodium Carbonate and about 100 times more alkaline than baking soda and can cause skin burns to both you and your pet.
• Use the gentlest liquid soap you can find. Two preferred brands are "Softsoap" and "Ivory Liquid". Heavy duty grease-cutting brands of soap like "Dawn" and hair shampoos can increase the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which will reduce the remedy's effectiveness.

Weight Loss Champions
We are happy to report that we have graduated three more pets on our weight management program. Our busy lifestyles have limited our champions’ owners time to write up a little bio and put together some photos. We congratulate the families of these pets and will highlight them in next month’s newsletter.

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