THE  SCRATCHING  POST 
  Spring, 2005 

  ~ The Cats Sell Out ~ 

 

 

Issue #23, By Barbara Stanley home2cats@aol.com
Home 2 Cats, P. O. Box 752671, Memphis, TN  38175-2671

 

Our mission is: To provide food, medical care, love and sanctuary for injured, disabled or abused animals To educate the public in what constitutes responsible cat care and ownership. To engage in other activities related to animal rescue and public education about cat care and responsibilities.

 

   Morris the Cat, 9 Lives Cat Food Company

 

  Mews You Can Use 

Swallowing

As I was nursing a sick cat back to health, it was necessary to force feed her. As I was carefully feeding her small amounts of pureed food with a syringe, I was making sure she swallowed between each amount. I watched as she took the food in and then swallowed.

As I observed this process, I wondered what was really involved with such a seemingly simple, unconscious act. I soon found out that the "seemingly simple, unconscious act" was more than that.

Swallowing transfers the food from the mouth to the esophagus and then into the stomach. To achieve this "simple" act, a complex and coordinated set of muscular actions take place.

During the initial step in the process, the cat moves the food to the back of the mouth. At this point the trachea (windpipe) closes while the entrance to the esophagus remains open. After the trachea closes, the tongue moves backward like a piston pushing the food into the esophagus.

When the cat swallows, the stomach opening relaxes momentarily to allow the food to pass. In the esophagus a ring of contraction forms behind the food and moving like a wave, the food is propelled down into the stomach.

All muscles must work with perfect timing. Without this perfect timing, severe and potentially fatal problems can occur. If the trachea does not close, food and liquids can enter the lungs resulting in aspiration pneumonia.

Normally the stomach opening is kept tightly closed. If this opening opens prematurely stomach acid can enter the esophagus and cause damage. On the other hand, if it doesn't relax at just the right moment for food to pass to the stomach, the food piles up in the esophagus.

Next time you’re watching your feline friend eat, be aware of this multi-step, choreographed process. I definitely have a new respect for the "simple" act of swallowing.

 

   Tony the Tiger, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes Cereal

 

  Editorial 

Dear Dog and Cat

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king-sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort.

Dogs and cats actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize the amount of space taken is nothing but sarcasm.

 

  Cat Tails 

Name:  Mischief's Dad, aka 'MD'
Occupation:  Tom Cat

Part of Home 2 Cats mission is supporting feral colonies. We trap, neuter and release (TNR) the cats in identified colonies. We have guardians that fed the colonies nightly. The majority of these cats, when injured, isolate themselves from the colony. Unfortunately for most of these cats, that is the last we see of them. Occasionally some will appear weeks or even months later looking thin and ragged.

Feral cats have a hard life and we offer them what support we can. Occasionally we have had to trap a sick or dying cat and relieve their suffering by taking them to the vet so that they pass peacefully and painlessly. Some have benefited by receiving medical attention under anesthesia and returned to their colony.

Trapping doesn't always go as planned when we are trying to TNR. It really helps if we have a willing participant at the other end of the trap.

MD was not a willing participant and not in the mood to simply "get with the program." He had been with the colony for years and would tolerate light petting. But that's about as accommodating as he got. After several attempts to trap MD we lost his trust but, over time, we were able to gain it back.

I hate to admit that we don't always achieve our goals; sometimes we lack time, energy and funding to accomplish all that we intended to do. Unfortunately, trapping and neutering MD was one of these failed achievements.

MD is old for a feral tomcat, approximately 8 years of age. He is like the "old timey'’ tomcats of yesteryear with the fat cheeks and large head. We worried about our friend when he suddenly disappeared from the nightly feeding schedule.

After a few days MD showed up but this old tomcat had met his match. He had severe head injuries and puncture wounds that were infected. This time trapping MD was not difficult. He was more than willing to walk into the trap for food.

We had all intentions to give MD immediate medical attention along with a quick boost of antibiotics and then release him. But his injuries required surgery, which involved removal of dead tissue, a drain tube and about two dozen stitches. MD was going to have a lengthy recovery along with antibiotics plus he tested positive for FIV (kitty AIDS). MD was Home 2 Cats bound!

We regret that we let MD fall through the cracks. We don't know at what point in his life he contacted FIV. Neutering possibly could have helped in the prevention of MD contracting this disease. Also, males fight less once neutered and MD might never have had that last fight that left him with severe injuries.

MD is now neutered and still recovering from his battle with that kitty hoodlum. He will live out his days resting, playing and eating at Home 2 Cats.

 

   The Cat's Paw Rubber Heels Company Cat

 

  Paws To Think 

T N R

We hear from many wonderful compassionate people who are kind enough to feed strays and ferals. The over-population of strays and ferals is somewhat taken care of by Mother Nature. Disease and starvation accomplish this. In nature only the strong survive.

When you feed strays/ferals you strengthen their numbers. You have healthier cats and more than the normal number will survive. We encourage everyone to please practice TNR (trap, neuter and release) along with feeding. Two cats can turn into ten cats in just a few months. We need to work at solving the problem and not creating a bigger one. In addition to feeding, please spay/neuter strays and ferals!

 

  Animal and People Recognition 

While losing a companion is one of life's greatest sorrows, never having one is to miss out on years of loving companionship.

In Memory Of Animals

Rooney
--Brenda Hosford

Katie
Loving memory of Katie-22 year old beautiful calico.
--Sidney Nesbit

Hunter
--Larry & Barbara Stanley

Goo
--Don & Brenda Hargrove

Goo
--Larry & Barbara Stanley

Gumbo
Beloved member of the Clement’s family.
--Larry & Barbara Stanley

Buddy
--Laurin Gregory and Chris & Lyn Greer
--Dick & Nancy Cochran

In Memory Of People

Ted Cartledge
--Ruth Blann Cartledge

 

  A Word From Home (2 Cats) 

The Mid-South Cat Fanciers Show

It's time to once again to mark your calendars for the Mid-South Cat Fanciers Show in Memphis TN. It is being held April 23^rd and 24^th at the Mid-South Fairgrounds.

Be sure to come and see your favorite breed of cat and your favorite cat rescue organization. (Home 2 Cats of course!)

 

    Chessie, Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad

 

  On-Going Projects 

Home (2 Cats) On Petfinder.Com

Looking to adopt a cat or kitten? Check out our current pet list and our adoption day calendar on Home 2 Cats home page on petfinder.com under shelters/organizations. You may also access our home page directly by http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/TN159.html