HEALTH ALERT:

Vaccines:

We have always promoted that all-killed virus vaccines were much safer than modified-live vaccines and that is how we have vaccinated our Cats as trained by our Feline Specialist Veterinarian.  However, we have recently made a change, per our Feline Specialist, and we now vaccinate specifically with:  Merial 3-way modified-live vaccine.  With new advances in vaccines, it is now safer to use this type of modified-live vaccine.  We are in the process of changing this information through out our website, but may have missed a few!  It is always safer to vaccinate with canary pox, avian-based, modified-live virus vaccines... make sure that your Veterinarian is using this type of vaccine and that they are vaccinating in the correct location.  The Veterinarian Journal states that the new Veterinarian protocol vaccination site is below the leg joint as far away as possible on the leg.  Each leg, fore and rear, are designated for four different vaccines.  Injection site sarcomas are more prevelent with the three-year rabies vaccine.  Do not use three-year; use only one-year rabies vaccine produced by Merial.  And remember, do not over vaccinate!  Vaccinating every year is not neccessary.

HEALTH ALERT:

Litter Matters:

More about Cat litter... Using the healthiest litter is best for your Cat and you also want to have the best litter performance for your ease of cleaning.  We have used Pine Pellet litter for many years and still are using that type of litter.  We have discovered that the company, who we have purchased from and recommended for many years, has changed hands... and they have also changed their product.  It is still a good choice for Cat litter, however, it does not function as it had in the past.  The change means that you have to use three times the product as in the past. Great for that corporation; not so great for the consumers.

We have done comparison testing between all of the available similar products with specific measured amounts of litter and water... and the results are:  Feline Pine and PetSmart ExquisiCat Pine Pellet litter function and look exactly like Equine Pine Pellet Bedding.  There are several brands of this type of "safe for animals" Pine Pellets and the cost is considerably less than the named litter brands above.  Unfortuantely, the function is not as good as in the past, however, Pine Pellets are still a very good choice for Cat litter. 

Our advice?  Safe money on litter and use the Equine Pellets, then spend the savings on high-quality food, vitamin supplements, and toys for your Cat!  You can find Equine Pine Pellets at local Feed Stores and the Tractor Store Co, as well as online, with brand names such as, Guardian and TSC.  One word of caution:  DO NOT USE Pine Pellets used for heating in Pellet Stoves as they are not free of wood tar and other natural contaminents and may have added fuel elements, all of which can be dangerous to your Cats' respiratory system.

HEALTH ALERT:

Allergies:

OK, so Spring is here... or almost here in Santa Fe... we did have snow in the last two days, but after the winds today, we can hope for Spring to arrive!

With Spring coming and Mother Earth awakening, many may become afflicted with allergies and that can include your feline friends. For Cats the effect is different than for humans, typically Cats (and dogs too) may be effected by having skin issues.  If you see your Cat begin licking their feet, rubbing their face and scratching frequently, then they may be having a reaction to pollen in the air.  This condition is called Atopy and is difficult to diagnose, therefore most likely under-diagnosed.  Cats' skin and ears can become infected in severe cases. 

To help to allieviate the symptoms the first two easiest methods are to add fatty acid supplements to your Cat's diet, such as Kitty Bloom "Extra Bloom Wate" and to bathe them in a specialized soothing shampoo.  For further assistence, visit your Veterinarian as, just like with humans, there are other methods for more severe conditions, such as antibiotics for infections, anihistamines, etc.  You may also try the healthier natural methods of using specific tinctures made from herbal combinations for animals.  Locally, "Critters and Me" here in Santa Fe, can be of great assistence.

HEALTH ALERT:

Product information...

When our Kittens and Cats go to their new homes, we always spend the time to review feline care, diet choices, vaccinations, etc with the new owners.  You have already seen throughout our website infomation about how to feed your Bengal, so we feel that we must give you an update about what type of litter to use.  Our favortite type of litter is a Pine Pellet litter used with a two-part sifing litter box system.  We do recommend using "Feline Pine" brand of Pellet Pine litter.  Please be aware that from our personal experience it is our opinion that other brands of Pellet Pine litter do not work as effectivly as the Feline Pine brand.  Unfortunately, in January 2014, there has been a change in the formula for PetSmart's "ExquisiCat" pine pellet litter, which we had been also using and recommending, along with the "Feline Pine"... so, if you have been using this product and are suddenly having problems... the change in their product is why.  Again, we highly recommend using the Feline Pine brand.

Health Alert:

Mushroom Poisoning in Cats...

Mushroom poisoning can happen in Cats and especially curious, playful  Kittens, if a toxic variety is ingested... often by accident during palytime.  Each different type of poisonous mushroom can cause different signs of illness. Poisonous mushrooms are broken up into several main categories, based on the clinical signs they cause and also into seven categories, based what type of toxin they contain. Your Feline may show signs of poisoning anywhere from minutes to hours following ingestion of a toxic muchroom.

The symptoms to look for are:  Vomiting, Diarrhea, Excess salivation

, Abdominal pain, Lethargy, Jaundice (yellow skin color)Seizures, and/or Coma.

Initially, your Veternarian will examine your Cat and draw blood for testing and if 

high liver and kidney enzymes are seen together with low blood sugar and blood potassium levels, then teratment for poisoning may be needed. There is no specific test for mushroom poisoning, but identification of mushroom parts in the vomit or stomach contents is the only definitive means for making a diagnosis of mushroom poisoning.
       
Some of the possible ways to treat mushroom and other types of poisonings are:  Induction of vomiting, Administering activated charcoal, Subcutaneous fluid therapy to flush their system and to maintain hydration, treatment for kidney or liver failure, if it develops.  There is no adequate home care for poisonous mushroom ingestion. If your Cat shows any of the above signs of illness or you witness them eating a mushroom, contact your veterinarian immediately as the quicker that they are evaluated and treated could be what helps to save your Cat's life.

Health Alert:

Animal Chiropratic Makes a positive difference!...

Recently, we decided to have Dr. Linda Schneider, Certified Animal Chiropractor and human Chiropractor come to our Cattery to adjust our Bengals with great results and we highly recommend her for all pets.  She is our personal Chiropractor as well.  Take a look at her facebook page:  www.facebook.com/drlindainsantafe   We have also liked Dr. Sherry Gaber, Certified Animal Chiropractor, and she has visited our Cattery and adjusted our Bengals.  Knowing how Chiropratic helps us, it was so obvious a choice to also give the same care to our be-loved Bengals.  This was such a positve experience for us and for our Cats!!  We saw immediate results in their personalities and two Cats who had never tested for ANY protozoa or bacteria, but had loose stools once and a while, as of the next day had firm stools and the great results have continued since.  We are very pleased.  Santa Fe Bengal Cattery highly reccommends Dr. Sherry Gaber as one of your Cats', or dogs', Doctors!  www.SherryGaberDC.com   Please do keep in mind that Chiropractic does not replace visits to your Veterinarian, but may reduce/improve illnesses and the give your pet a better quality of life.  There are health issues that must be corrected by medications, or other treatments, prescribed by your Veterinarian.

Health Alert:

Cat Communication...
Here are some simple ways to be able to understand what your Cat is thinking and feeling:

Tail tucked - fearful, defensive
Tail held at half - mast and moving slowly from side to side – indicates mild interest
Tail vertical or straight up - indicates anticipation and/or greeting
Tail vertical but curved to one side - indicates playfulness
Tail curved over the cat's back - indicates expectation/monitoring
Tail held completely to one side in a female - indicates sexual receptivity
Tail held low with tip twitching - indicates a stalking, predatory stance
Tail frantically switching in wide arcs - indicates heightened affect/aggression
Tail puffed up (piloerect) - indicates fear and aggression

For even more insight into how your Cat communicates, click HERE for all of the details.

Health Alert:
 
Spider Bites...
The Black widow spider gets its name from the practice of the female devouring the male after mating, but the female black widow is a threat to more than just her erstwhile mate. The female carries enough neurotoxin venom to injure or kill a small pet. For obvious reasons, males are rarely encountered and are smaller. The practice of the female eating the male is common in many types of spiders.

Black widow spiders range from about a half-inch to one inch in size and are typically shiny black. They have a distinctive red hourglass area on their stomachs. Typically black widow spiders inhabit warm, dry areas, such as those found in the southern and southwestern parts of the United States, although they have been found as far north as Canada. They prefer dark crevice-like environments, ie:  woodpiles, rock walls, holes, and even your closet.
 
The best way to prevent a bite is to limit your pet's access to areas that may contain black widow spider nests. Black widows are not aggressive; they normally only bite defensively. Inquisitive pets tend to be bitten, when they accidentally invade a nest.

What to Watch For:
After a bite, your pet may experience extreme pain in the area around the bite. Nausea and swelling may follow. These are common symptoms for many types of bites. For venom bits the other signs to look for include:
- Muscle tremors
- Rigid muscles
- Paralysis
- Difficulty breathing
- Spasms

Unfortunately, a bite from a black widow spider can kill your pet. Death is usually caused by paralysis of the muscles and nerves associated with breathing.

Home and Veterinarian Care

If you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a poisonous spider, do not place a tourniquet above the bite. This won't stop the spread of venom and may severely compromise the circulation in that area of the body. Keep your pet quiet and calm, and take him to your veterinarian immediately.

There is not a blood test that can detect black widow venom, therefore, your veterinarian will make a diagnosis based on the potential access to black widow spiders and a physical exam to check for muscle rigidity, spasms and possible breathing difficulty.

Your veterinarian will administer medication to try to relax the muscles to help with breathing. Your pet will likely be hospitalized and given intravenous fluids. Although there is an antivenin antidote available for humans, the cost is often prohibitive in a veterinarian setting. With this treatment, dogs usually survive black widow spider bites, however, cats do not always fare so well mainly due to their smaller size.

Preventive Care

The best way to avoid spider bites is to keep your pet away from areas that may contain black widow spiders. Inspect your lawn and garden for these spiders. If you discover any, contact an exterminator to remove them. The venom is also dangerous to humans, so do take care when working in the area.

Health Alert:

Nutrition...
Good nutrition and a balanced diet are essential elements for good health. The ideal diet for your Cat includes a good-quality food and plenty of fresh water. Your Cat should be fed amounts sufficient to meet energy and caloric requirements. Inadequate or excess intake of nutrients can be equally harmful.

Dry-Cat foods have greater caloric density, which means simply that there is less water in a 1/2 cup of dry food as compared to a canned food diet. Overall, the choice of "dry" vs. "canned" vs. "semi-moist" is an individual one, but most Cats enjoy eating a combination of a dry-food along with supplemental canned-food and many enjoy raw beef, cooked chicken, or Bonita flakes as treats.  What is very important regarding dry-food is to choose a food that does not have wheat or corn as fillers or binders.  Felines are carnivores and a whole mouse, for instance, fills a Cat's nutritional needs.  There are several high-quality, no grain dry-foods on the market, which may have a small amount of brown rice as a binder in the recipe.  Currently, we feed our Bengals Innova and Evo dry and wet food with raw food treats.  Check out these products at NaturaPet.com.

Cats in the various life stages, including kitten ("growth"), adult and senior ("geriatric"), require different amounts of nutrients. Special situations such as pregnancy and nursing kittens can dramatically affect nutritional needs. Working, active Cats need more calories, while the couch potato Cat needs less (just like us). Bengals are a high-activity breed of feline and more than likely never to fall into the couch potato category.  Click HERE to view more information about the specific nutrients needed in a feline diet.

Health Alert:

Spring Time...
Happy Spring!  But a quick word of caution... Please remember that, even though the Lily flower is very beautiful and helps to celebrate this time of year... Easter Lilies and Tiger Lilies are very toxic to Cats!  Please be safe and do not keep these flowers in your home... and don't spend the weekend in the Emergency Veterinarian Clinic!

Health Alert:

Precaution and cleanliness...
Most viruses do not live outside the host organism for very long, however, there are some that do survive for more than a week.  One of these viruses is Calici (FCV - Feline Calici Virus) and it can survive on surfaces for 8 to 10 days.  This fact is the main reason that at Santa Fe Bengal Cattery, we insist that Potential Kitten Buyers, who come to our Cattery, wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds, then dry with a one time use finger tip towel (which is then put in the laundry on 'sterilize') prior to touching any of our Kittens or Cats.  We also insist that street shoes are removed, when entering our home.  Other contaminants can be brought in to our ultra-clean environment on the bottom of shoes, such as nematode eggs. We do our best to limit our Cats and Kittens exposure to outside contaminants for the good health of our felines and the guaranteed good health of our Kittens. Personally, we follow the same regime for the protection of our felines.  This is why we also steam clean our floors in our home and in our Cat Houses. We also advise that Kitten Buyers are extremely careful at Veterinary offices and that they insist, as we do, that the Vet Tech and Vet wash their hands and the examination table again, even if they indicate that this has already been done. Unfortunately, Veterinary Offices, including the waiting rooms, Boarding Facilities, and Catteries can be the source for spreading FCV.

Health Alert:

Household items dangerous for Felines... 
1.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is considered a very safe form of pain relief in people, but this drug should never be administered to cats. While low doses are tolerated in dogs, there are far better and safer pain killers available for both species. Cats cannot properly metabolize acetaminophen and toxic effects include damage to red blood cells, anemia, and severe liver injury. As little as one regular strength Tylenol® tablet can be lethal to an adult cat! Symptoms of intoxication include vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face and legs.

Most cats are exposed to Tylenol by ingesting a dropped pill or following administration by a well-intentioned, but uninformed owner. Acetaminophen also is a poor analgesic for dogs, so you are better off asking your vet about effective and safer treatments than risking adverse effects.
2.  Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil®), and Naproxen (Aleve®) all belong to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID'). These drugs are commonly used to treat people for fever, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. Cats are unable to metabolize these drugs, and even one low (81 mg) dose given daily to a cat can be lethal after several days. Ultra-low doses can be safe, but should be guided by a veterinarian. While dogs better tolerate some NSAIDs, other drugs in this group carry a high risk of toxicity. NSAID toxicity in dogs causes gastrointestinal ulcerations, enhanced bleeding tendencies and kidney failure. Exposure occurs when cats ingest unsupervised medication or receive doses by well-intentioned but misinformed owners. Initial symptoms of toxicity may include vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and dark stools. There are several NSAID' on the market licensed to treat arthritis and pain in cats including Rimadyl® Deramaxx® EtoGesic® and Metacam® These medications (and low-dose aspirin in dogs) are generally safe if used as directed by your veterinarian. Never give any NSAID to your pet unless instructed by your veterinarian, and be aware that pre-existent diseases (kidney failure) and drug interactions (including commonly-used prednisone and furosemide) can potentiate the adverse effects of these drugs.
3.  Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) keeps car engines from freezing in winter and overheating in summer. However, ingestion of this product is one of the best known toxicities affecting household cats. While many people take their auto to the local garage, millions of Americans purchase over-the-counter antifreeze products to replace or supplement auto engine coolants. Inappropriate storage, drainage (into uncovered containers or pans), spillage in the garage or driveway, and inappropriate dumping into streets creates a real potential for lethal ingestion. Ethylene glycol (EG) is a critical toxic constituent of most antifreeze products. Following ingestion EG is metabolized into a number of chemicals that injure the kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. Acute kidney failure is the best recognized lethal problem but initially cats may appear drunk and then normal. Without intensive care, dogs and cats exposed to toxic amounts of ethylene glycol will die. Antifreeze carries a sweet, appealing taste so many cats drink it willingly. As little as one teaspoon can be lethal to a cat. Clearly, antifreeze must never be handled in a careless manner!
4.  Gorilla Glue® is among the most prominent of the water-activated, expanding adhesives sold in hardware and home improvement stores. If ingested, this glue product can be fatal. Gorilla Glue exposure most commonly occurs when cat chews on the bottle and ingests the glue. This is more common in dogs but can occur in cats, especially kittens. The glue expands and hardens within the stomach, a process that prevents vomiting of the ingested product. The lodged "foreign body" and associated ulceration of the stomach lining causes a loss of appetite, lethargy, and vomiting. Treatment requires surgical removal of the glue ball from the stomach. If your cat ingests this or any adhesive, read the package insert, call the 1-800 contact number on the package, monitor closely for symptoms, and contact your veterinarian.
5.  Paper Shredders have become a common home office item. While these machines can help protect your identity, the ripping mechanism also presents a clear danger to the heads, limbs, tail, and skin of dogs and cats. Thus, while the following section may seem akin to a horror movie, the risks of shredders are worth understanding, and we suggest you read on. The aperture or opening of a shredder mechanism is designed to reduce risks, so it is relatively narrow. However, the powerful motor of some devices can literally pull in a hairy extremity or exploring tongue, causing severe tissue damage. Most paper shredder injuries occur when machines are left on in the "auto-feed" mode. Cats may be attracted to the top of the device, especially if the motor is warm. Hair can become caught in the jaws, activating the shredder, and pulling in attached skin, tail, or even digits. The best ways to protect your cat (and children) from such injuries involves two simple rules: keep the paper shredder unplugged and never leave your machine on auto-feed.

To sum it up... there are many items in your home or garage that are potentially dangerous to your cats. Help keep your cat safe by following these suggestions:
1.  Never give your cat prescription or nonprescription medications without the advice of your veterinarian.
2.  Keep antifreeze, glues, and other chemicals safely stored and out of the reach of your cat.
3.  Keep paper shredders unplugged (or at least fully turned "off") when not in use.
4.  Don't let your cat roam around the basement or garage.
5.  Don't wait! Call for help if you have a concern about your cat. Some toxins and substances can be treated effectively with prompt therapy; some toxins are fatal if treatment is delayed.
 6.  If you think your cat has been exposed to a toxic substance, contact your veterinarian, local emergency clinic, search for information on www.PetPlace.com and/or call the Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA) at 1.888.426.4435 (There is a $55.00 fee for this service).

Health Alert:  PLEASE READ!

A reminder and a WARNING...  Cats are very curious, intelligent creatures.  This is part of why they are so cherished by so many. Unfortunately, the old adage, "Curiosity killed the Cat.", comes from actual reoccurring circumstances and events that have happened, when Cats live with humans.  I recently heard a very sad story of a young curious Cat, who went somewhere that they shouldn't have... they understand a lot about our world, but Cats don't understand everything about our homes and the dangers that can await a curios Cat.  This young Bengal had quickly and silently jumped into an open dryer, then nestled into the clothing to play a hide and seek game with their Owner.  What happened is very sad... the Cat did not survive.

Please remember how curious all Cats are and this applies especially to Bengals.  Look first, before you close the dryer, washer, dish washer, closet, and dog food bin lid or door!  Your Bengal could be inside playing a game with you and be trapped inside. Every night, no matter how tired I am, I visit and tend to every one of my Cats.  Food, water, litter boxes need attention and so do my Cats several times a day at the least.  I can not sleep, if I haven't seen everyone of their sweet little faces and I have given each one a pet and a scratch good night.   Please do the same for the health and safety of your Cat!

 Health Alert:

Kittens and vaccines...  Kittens are correctly vaccinated at 8 weeks and at 12 weeks of age for Distemper and "Kitty Cold complex"; keep in mind that Rabies vaccine cannot be administered until 16 weeks of age and is the new owners responsibility.  Kittens also need to be with their mothers and litter mates for a minimum of 12 weeks for proper health and social development.  Kittens should never be permitted to leave a Cattery prior to 12 weeks of age.  If a Cattery is selling at earlier ages, such as 8, 9, 10, even 11 weeks of age, they are not properly vaccinating or giving the Kittens their best chance at a happy, healthy, long life.  At Santa Fe Bengal Cattery, we vaccinate at 8 and 12 weeks of age as the "Code of Ethics" specifies.  If a Cattery does not follow these recommendations and guide lines, then you may want to ask... what other guide lines do they ignore? 

Health Alert:

Common misconception... FeLV is not Leukemia as compared to human Leukemia.  FeLV is an auto immune deficiency disease, just like FIV.  In fact, it is the same virus; just a different strain.  Both are "Kitty AIDS" and highly transmittable. Always test for both strains of this virus as it is the same disease.  Your Cat, or new Kitten, must be tested and free from both strains to be assured of good health.  If purchasing a new Kitten, make sure that both parents have tested negative for FeLV/FIV.

Our Cattery tests for both and has, again, tested negative for FeLV/FIV in all Cats, September 2008.

Health Alert:

New information!...  Regarding vaccinations.  It is very important to make sure that your Vet is using the new, much safer, avian based FeLV/FIV vaccine.  There are pros and cons to using all-killed or modified-live virus vaccines, but now we have a new option that is the safest vaccine for your Cat.  The new avian (canary/bird) based vaccine activates a Cat's immune system to help protect them against FeLV/FIV, however, because it is avian, it can never revert to the virulent strain of the actual Cat virus, like the previously used modified-live virus vaccine.  We are looking forward to all vaccines moving in this new direction.  We still feel that the all-killed virus vaccines are safer for all other viruses, but now agree that the new avian-based, modified-live FeLV/FIV virus vaccine is the most effective and safest for your Cat.

Health Alert:

Interesting new information...  Over the years we have tested for different viruses, protozoan, and bacteria in our Cats.  Our Cats  have always been negative for all tests, however, we did have a case of soft stool in one of our Stud Cats purchased from another Cattery. There seemed to be no reason for this. Despite the negative test results, our Vet suggested treating the Cat with eight days of Metronidazole and within two days the Cat had normal bowl movements. 

In a recent "Cat Fancy" magazine article, it was suggested that a change in water may cause loose stools from the change in natural bacteria in the water.  Think of it this way... when humans travel to another country and drink the potable local water, it can cause the same symptoms.  It is the change in bacteria that can cause a reaction; it is not bad water, just different water. It could be possible that completely changing a Cat's water source could cause a problem in their digestive system... just like it does in humans. Happily, a simple treatment corrects the problem.  But if this medication is ever used, do make sure that the tablets are in a gel cap.  The liquid form should only be used for young Kittens (a pill would physically be too large for them to swallow) as it tastes terrible to a Cat.  Some Veterinarians also have a "tuna flavored" liquid form of metronidazole.

So, keep in mind that if you are introducing a new Cat to your household or moving to a new home, it is like going to another country for your Cat!

Health Alert:

Simple solution to a common problem... Cats, in general, can be susceptible to a type of herpes simplex virus. It can affect any Cat at some time in it's life time.  A slight clear, then crusty discharge from the nose may indicate your Cat has this virus.  You simply need to break the cycle of the virus reproduction and your Cat will be fine.  Our Vet recommends giving 250 mg of L-Lysine in the morning and again in the afternoon for about a month.  Just sprinkle the L-Lysine on to their food and mix well.

If there are any other symptoms, like a colored discharge from Your Cats nose, sneezing, difficulty breathing... your Cat has an upper respiratory infection and needs to be on antibiotics immediately.  Left untreated, this can move into pneumonia and be fatal.  It is always wise to have your Cat examined by a Veterinarian to assess the problem prior to trying any treatment.  Cats hide their symptoms very well and your Vet is educated to recogize symptoms that you may not.

Health Alert:

Just in... Recent studies have shown that cats are susceptible to the hormone creams (especially estrogen) which are applied to a woman's inner forearms.  The cream remains residual on the arms and hands, when a cat is picked up and held the hormones are transferred to their fur.  A cat's natural instinct to clean their fur by licking, causes them to ingest the hormones.  A reaction can be anemia and sometimes diarrea, but the long term effects are not yet on record.  All women with cats, or any pets, please be aware of this problem and choose another location to apply your hormone creams!  Your cat's life could be adversely affected by ingesting the very hormones that help you!

Health Alert:

Breeder myth... In print, in several books about Bengal Cats, it is stated that Bengals have a natural immunity to FeLV (Feline Leukemia).  It has been a common belief that due to the Asian Leopard Cats' natural immunity that the domestic Bengal has inherited this same immunity.  After much research and long discussions with our Vet, Santa Fe Bengal Cattery has the position that this Breeder myth is not true. We do feel that it is an important vaccine to administer to your Bengal and to all cats.  Unfortunately, this is a virus that is easily spread and can be devastating to a pet owner and to a Cattery.  Please do vacinate your cats for FeLV, as well as, Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper), and the Kitty cold complex.  However, there are new studies in the UK that suggest we are over vaccinating our pets.  This issue will be researched and we will discuss this in a later Health Alerts update.

Health Alert:

Are we over vaccinating?... A recent article in the October 2008 issue of "Cat Fancy" magazine discusses "The Great Debate" of are we over vaccinating our cats.  "Ronald Schultz, Ph.D., a veterinary immunologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, has been studying vaccines for more that a quarter of a century.  His research has shown that many vaccines initially given to a kitten provide lifelong immunity and that repeated administration of some vaccines after the first year is unnecessary."  Read the full article in "Cat Fancy" magazine.

The article also touches on the possibility of injection-site sarcomas being caused by over-vaccination.  Previously it was thought that vaccine adjuvants, which are used to enhance immunity in killed-virus vaccines, were believed to possibly increase cancer risk. However, new studies in the United Kingdom have shown the opposite results.  Santa Fe Bengal Cattery maintains that all-killed virus vaccines are safer for your cat than modified-live vaccines.   

Health Alert:

A reminder... Feed your cats ONLY high grade food as their health can suffer tremendously with lower grade foods. The perfect food for a cat is a mouse.  Basically, all protein and other nutrients; no vegetables, fruits, or grains (corn is especially harmful). Low grade foods are made of sub quality protein sources (you don't really want to know...) and fillers, often grains, etc.  Low grade foods contain a high percent of ash (magnesium) and this constituent will cause urinary tract blockage, especially in male cats, and if not treated, it will cause renal failure and death.

For more information about this and other cat health issues a good resource is "The Cat Bible".  There are a number of high quality cat foods now on the market.  Innova/Evo is one of the best and listed in "The Cat Bible".  This is what our Cattery feeds and what we recommend to our Kitten buyers. When feeding this type of high quality food, dry food is pure and not a danger, like with the low grade foods with the fillers and ash content.  We feed about 75% to 80% dried food and the balance as wet food treats. Remember, fresh water in clean bowls, every day, is a must for your cat's continued good health!

Common Mistake by Cat Owners!

Do not over feed your cat!...  Especially with the high grade foods (less food is needed, because the nutrients are higher), an adult cat typically needs 1/4 of a cup of dried food in the morning and a 1/4 of a cup of combination dry/wet food in the evening.  Do not "free-feed" -- just because the food bowl is empty, does not mean that you should automatically fill it.  Over feeding can cause loose stools and flatulence, which is unpleasant for both your cat and for you.  That being said... this is more for other breeds of felines, as Bengals are so active that they rarely become over weight.  Often "free-feeding" grain-free, high-quality dry food can be ok for most Bengals.