Recent research has shown there are health benefits to spaying and neutering earlier rather than later, such as decreased risk of gingivitis, asthma, and mammary cancer. Modern anesthesia and surgery techniques have made spaying and neutering just as safe - if not safer - for younger cats.
VACCINATIONS/TESTING:
All of the cats that come to us in the way of strays and/or barn cats (i.e. outdoor cats) that we adopt out are tested for FeLV (feline leukemia virus) AND FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus). Please note that EACH and every one of our cats AND kittens are tested and not just one litter mate out of each litter.
Once these same cats are tested negative for both, we then have them vaccinated for FeLV. If they are going to continue to be outdoor cats, or there is a risk they might get out, we then have them vaccinated for Rabies. Four weeks following this the cats are due for a booster (ALL cats and kittens that we adopt out). It is up to the people that adopt them to get them to a vet for this booster. We will advise you when it is due.
INFORMATION ON FeLV:
FeLV, or Feline leukemia virus, is a contagious, viral disease of cats. In addition to causing leukemia, it has been associated with various other types of cancer, anemia, and immune suppression leading to increased susceptibility to various infectious diseases. Although cats may clear initial infection, there is no cure for persistent infection and it is ultimately fatal.
INFORMATION ON FIV:
FeLV is most commonly spread via the saliva of infected cats, either directly or by contaminated articles such as food and water dishes or toys. FeLV can also be present in other secretions such as urine or feces, but this is less common. FeLV can be spread transplacentally from mother to offspring, but spread via nursing or grooming is more common. Airborne spread is not a concern. FeLV is not very durable in the environment. It is inactivated by most commonly used disinfectants. It can survive for up to 48 hours in a moist environment at room temperature.
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) causes chronic disease in cats (aquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS) similar to the disease caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in human beings. Although the two viruses belong to the same family, the feline virus is not transmissible to human beings and the human virus is not transmissible to cats. FIV infection has been found in cats worldwide. The disease occurs more commonly in male cats than in females; the highest incidence is in cats older than five years of age. Free-roaming cats and mixed breed cats are at highest risk for contracting FIV infection. The disease is rare in cats housed strictly indoors or in catteries. FIV is transmitted from cat to cat very efficiently by cat bite wounds and blood transfusions. Infection by casual contact (e.g., using common food bowls or litter pans) does not occur. To date, it does not appear that an infected female can pass the virus to her kittens before they are born or through her milk. Again, FIV is very specifically adapted to infect cats; human beings are not at risk from this disease. Several weeks following infection with FIV the cat will have a short, mild illness with fever and lymph node enlargement. Often the signs of illness during this stage are so subtle that the owner will not notice that the cat is sick. These early signs will disappear without treatment after a few days or weeks. The virus then undergoes a period of dormancy. Although FIV is still present in the cat, the animal will be apparently healthy and show no signs of illness for months or years. Eventually the virus will become reactivated and upset the balance of the cat's immune system. At this time the cat will begin to show signs of chronic infections of the mouth (gingivitis), nasal cavity (rhinitis ans sinusiti) or skin. Chronic intractable diaarrhea occurs in some cats; tumors appear in others. Neurologic signs such as behavioral changes, dementia, aggression, inappropriate elimination behavior and seizures have been seen in some FIV-infected cats. The diagnosis of FIV infection is confirmed by finding antibodies to the FIV virus in the cat's blood. This test can be done by your veterinarian. Any sick cat should be tested because of the association of FIV with chronic illness in the cat. Because apparently healthy cats may harbor FIV in a dormant state for many years, it is wise to also test new adult cats coming into a household and cats entering closed populations, especially catteries. There is no specific treatment for FIV infection. Drugs currently used against HIV infection (e.g., AZT) are toxic to cats. Veterinarians treat the symptoms, such as infection or cancer, and give supportive care. Unfortunately, the outlook for cats in the advanced stage of this disease is poor. Even if the signs of illness can be temporarily controlled, FIV infection is ultimately fatal to the cat. At this time there is no vaccine for preventing FIV infection. You can reduce the risk by neutering your cat to reduce roaming and territorial fighting behavior, and by keeping your cat indoors.
VIRULENT SYSTEMIC FELINE CALICIVIRUS (VS-FCV):
This new strain can be FATAL. It kills fast and spreads like wildfire. VS-FCV is a relatively new, more deadly strain of the classical calicivirus (FCV), one of the two major respiratory viruses typically found in cats.
Also, this virus is highly contagious. A person could touch an infected cat, touch a door, and pass the virus on to the next person who touches the door and handles a different cat. It is easily transmitted from cat to cat through anything shed by the cat, including hair, dander, blood, urine, feces and secretions from the eyes and nose.
You can have your cat vaccinated against this deadly virus. A vaccine called "CaliciVax" is now available. It contains a new VS-FCV strain and a classical calicivirus strain, providing broader protection for your cat. Please ask your local veterinarian about this. It could save your cat's life.
Complications
Declawing is not without complication. The rate of complication is relatively high compared with other so-called routine procedures. Complications of this amputation can be excruciating pain, damage to the radial nerve, hemorrhage, bone chips that prevent healing, painful regrowth of deformed claw inside of the paw which is not visible to the eye, and chronic back and joint pain as shoulder, leg and back muscles weaken.
Other complications include postoperative hemorrhage, either immediate or following bandage removal is a fairly frequent occurrence, paw ischemia, lameness due to wound infection or footpad laceration, exposure necrosis of the second phalanx, and abscess associated with retention of portions of the third phalanx. Abscess due to regrowth must be treated by surgical removal of the remnant of the third phalanx and wound debridement. During amputation of the distal phalanx, the bone may shatter and cause what is called a sequestrum, which serves as a focus for infection, causing continuous drainage from the toe. This necessitates a second anesthesia and surgery. Abnormal growth of severed nerve ends can also occur, causing long-term, painful sensations in the toes. Infection will occasionally occur when all precautions have been taken.
"Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing."
Christianne Schelling, DVM