Tag: cats

How A Cat Shows Their Love, Part 2

Cooper
~ cooperpulkkinen151 ~ Leave a comment

Shy felines display affection in numerous subtle, endearing ways. Shy cats may not be loud or cuddly, but their affection is gentle and deeply trusting. Willow and I were shy cats, especially with strangers.

  1. Shy cats make small, polite requests for attention. They may do this by a quiet meow, sitting near you, or leaning towards your hand. I used to enjoy standing next to Daddy, and he would stand with me. Willow used to make little meows, but she only gave silent meows at first.
  2. Shy cats rub against objects such as doorways, walls, and furniture when you enter a room to mark the area with their scent to show they belong there. Willow loved to rub against things.
  3. Shy cats sometimes like to do gentle head bumps or nose kisses. It is a big compliment from a shy cat. Willow was an enthusiastic head-bumper.
  4. Shy cats communicate through their tails. With a slow-swishing tail and relaxed posture, the cat shows that it’s comfortable and content. A cat that holds its tail held upright with a small hook at the end is giving a friendly greeting. A cat that has its tail gently wrapped around your leg, or touching your foot or leg, is giving the equivalent of a cat hug. Daddy witnessed that action often. I used to touch his foot or leg with my tail.
  5. Shy cats show that they feel safe with you by quietly following you around the house, being in the same room, or sitting near you (even if not touching). Willow and I would do those things.

    Each shy cat has its own special way of showing its love for you, which is both sweet and subtle. Quietly observing and letting the shy cat approach you on its terms will build the bonds of love

    Cooper

Flying With Lucky

~ luckygsd ~ 1 Comment

Flying with Lucky#TheAviators Festive Flight Turns into a Rescue Mission!

Hello everyone. Welcome to flying with Lucky, where I keep you up to date on happenings with #TheAviators flying club. I have been a club member for 12 years; 5 of those years as the leader.

On Sunday, December 14th, #TheAviators took off on their annual festive flight from Toddy Furrington Airport in Bearford.

The flight began with Captain Rocky nicking my flask of tequila for a little liquid courage. (I taught him right). A large group of doggos and meowers took to the skies over Bearford and jetted 10 days into the future. The Christmas Eve tour headed southeast to London. The lights of Piccadilly were spectacular.

The tour went to Dublin, where people spotted leprechauns hanging Christmas lights along the streets. The Little People sure know how to paint the town green. One supersonic flight over the Atlantic Ocean, and #TheAviators were in New York City.

Once in New York, the distress alarm sounded off in Captain Rocky’s cockpit. Santa Claus, the jolly old elf, was trapped, which put Christmas in jeopardy. The brave pilots of #TheAviators converged on Santa’s last known position to find him stuck in a chimney. #TheAviators saved Christmas by pulling Santa and his sack of toys out of the chimney.

The next scheduled flight for #TheAviators is the quarterly tribute flight in January. Search #TheAviators hashtag for more flight details.

Raphael the Gray Tabby

~ nancygr2012 ~ Leave a comment


A gray tabby named Raphael lived in a house during the winter polar vortex. He was a creature of habit, and his most pressing winter habit was finding the precise location of warmth.

One particularly frigid afternoon, Raph discovered a new kitty perch: the top of the heat unit. It wasn’t just warm; it was the warmest spot. As he curled up, a moment occurred: a face-warming trend. To any observer, his face glowed with blissful heat. The external heat source created feline contentment.

His human, James, noticed the trend. He knew this warmth was normal, a sign of comfort and security. But being a diligent cat owner, he also kept a watchful eye.

One evening, James observed a subtle shift. The warmth was present, yet quiet stillness, uncharacteristic of Raph, also existed. He declined his favorite salmon snack and moved with a lethargy that sent a small chill down James’s spine, colder than the winter air outside.

A quick trip to the vet confirmed his suspicions. The face-warming trend, when coupled with a loss of appetite and unusual listlessness, was not just about seeking comfort; it was a fever.

Raph, via medicine plus rest, recovered again, mastering thermal comfort. The face-warming trend returned, but this time, it was a healthy glow of a happy, warm, and well-monitored cat, who knew the difference between a cozy sunbeam and a call for his human’s gentle attention.
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Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP), Part Two

~ mizzbassiee6d8a4f66a ~ Leave a comment

This is the second of a two-part series about FIP treatments.

Until recently, no treatment for FIP was possible, and cats with the disease died within days to weeks. Because of the COVID pandemic, interest in coronaviruses increased, resulting in the development and availability of several antiviral drugs. People commonly use four: GS-441524 and its precursor remdesivir, molnupiravir (Lagevrio), and Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir).

The mainstay of treatment is GS-441524. Its mechanism of action is premature RNA chain termination in the virus, preventing viral replication. Doctors give it by mouth once or twice a day. The dose is 15 mg/kg/day given once daily or 20 mg/kg/day divided into two doses if there is neurological or eye involvement. A kilogram (kg) is 2.2 lbs.

In cats that cannot swallow, the veterinarian can administer remdesivir subcutaneously or the medication can replace the first few IV doses. Remdesivir uses the same doses as GS-441524. The optimal duration of treatment is under investigation, but for now, 84 days (12 weeks) of therapy are standard.

There are ongoing studies investigating shorter treatment (6 weeks); the initial results on a group of twenty cats have been favorable. Medication presents substantial costs, and a twelve-week treatment might prove difficult to finance. Therefore, vets plan to assist owners in shortening treatment when they can.

If a cat is clinically doing well (alert, eating) and the lab results have tended towards normal by four weeks, discontinuing treatment at 6 weeks may be reasonable. Once the treatment ends, the veterinarian should examine the cat within one or two weeks, regardless of how long the therapy lasted.

If your cat’s symptoms come back, schedule an earlier check-up, as relapses may occur after 12 weeks of treatment. Research shows that 80% of cats go into remission following treatment. Table 1 shows key milestones for cats undergoing treatment with GS-441524.

AbnormalityExpected time to resolution
Fever/inappetence2-7 days
Effusions1-2 weeks
Blood count abnormalities2-3 weeks
Elevated bilirubin2-3 weeks
Albumin: globulin > 0.66-10 weeks
Eye and neurologic abnormalitiesImprovement by day 5, resolution within 2 weeks


If cats respond poorly to GS-441524 (failing to reach clinical milestones on time), you can also add Paxlovid. It works differently from GS-441524 and may provide a synergistic effect.

Initially, veterinarians administered Molnupiravir as a rescue drug for cats not responding to GS-441524 (not reaching treatment milestones on time), but recent studies use it as the primary treatment. It works by causing multiple mutations in the replicating virus, resulting in its eradication. The dose is 10-15 mg/kg given twice a day.

Since it’s designed for humans, this dosage form is also impractical and can decrease appetite. As a result, it might be necessary to use appetite stimulants or antiemetics. It causes birth defects in rats and cartilage defects in growing humans. Treated cats exhibit folded ear tips, broken whiskers, and flaky skin.

Cats may also experience muscle wasting and elevation of ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase, present in the liver, muscle, kidneys, and other organs).

Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir) is two drugs in one. Nirmatrelvir inhibits RNA copying enzymes, and ritonavir slows the degradation of nirmatrelvir in the body. Doctors use it along with GS-441524 or molnupiravir if the response is incomplete. You must be careful if the cat is taking medications eliminated by the same pathway, and you may need to adjust their doses.

Supportive measures include appetite stimulants, pain meds and even a feeding tube if the cat is unable or unwilling to take medications by mouth.

With effective treatment for FIP, inappropriate use of the drugs has inevitably occurred. Reports show that whole litters of kittens received treatment because a vet diagnosed one kitten with FIP or even administered preventative treatment.

Though a Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FeCV) vaccine is available, the American Association of Feline Practitioners does not recommend it. You must vaccinate the cat before FeCV infects it, but this is impossible because many kittens contract the infection before they can receive the vaccine at 14 weeks old. Further, immunity wanes with time.

There is currently work ongoing on an effective vaccine.

Finally, a word on the FIV on Cyprus. Reports conflict regarding the prevalence, though FIP is more widespread elsewhere. One source estimates that 30% of the feral cats in Cyprus have died of the disease. Twenty-eight percent of the affected cats have nervous system involvement, compared to 14% of FIP cats elsewhere. The malady infects felines of every age, not merely juvenile ones.

DNA sequencing has shown that the virus responsible is a recombination between the feline and canine coronaviruses.

The alarming property of this virus is that it is transmissible between cats. Folks from the United Kingdom and Europe have adopted feline companions while on holiday in Cyprus. At least one cat like that has developed FIP. It presents a risk regarding worldwide, European spread of the mutant virus.

Footnotes and further reading/listening

  1. Conference Proceedings: Am College Vet Internal Med Forum; ACVIM 2023. Sally J. Coggins
  2. Pedersen, N. et al., J, Feline Med Surg. 2019 Feb 13; 21(4):271-281. Efficacy and Safety of the nucleoside analog GS-441524 for treatment of cats with naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis.
  3. Coggins, S.J. et al., J Vet Intern Med. 2023 Sep-Oct; 37(5): 1772-1783. Epub 2023 Jul 13. Outcomes of treatment of cats with feline infectious peritonitis using parenterally administered remdesivir, with or without transition to orally administered GS-441524.
  4. Taylor, S., Talk at the International Society for companion Animal Infectious Disease meeting 2024. An Update on Treatment of FIP Using Antiviral Drugs in 2024: Growing Experience but Still More to Learn.
  5. Coggins, S.J., Talk at the American College of Vet Int Med meeting 2023. Updates in Feline Infectious Peritonitis Treatment.
  6. Felten, S. et al., J Feline Med Surg. 2017 Apr; 19(4): 321-335. Detection of feline coronavirus spike gene mutations as a tool to diagnose FIP.
  7. Sorrell, S., Tasker, S., Taylor, S., Barker, E., Gunn-Moore, D.: Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Information for Cat owners. Stokes Pharmacy website: https://www.stokespharmacy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Pet-Owner-Brochure-Printable-Version.pdf
  8. Thayer, V. et al., J Feline Med Surg. 2022 Sep; 24(9):905-933. 2022 AAFP/Every Cat Feline Infectious Peritonitis Diagnosis Guidelines.
  9. https://bova.vet/
  10. https://www.stokespharmacy.com/stokes-bova-partner-for-feline-infectious-peritonitis-treatment/
  11. https://www.stokespharmacy.com/fip/cat-owner-resources/
  12. https://bova.vet/fip-resource-page/#FIP-Webinars
  13. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-infectious-peritonitis
  14. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=11618072
  15. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/disorders-affecting-multiple-body-systems-of-cats/feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip
    16.Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition, 2016, pp. 782-790
    17.https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/tags/feline-infectious-peritonitis/
  16. https://ccah.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk4586/files/inline-files/Inappropriate%20use%20of%20GS.pdf
  17. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.11.08.566182v3.full.pdf . Attipa, C., Warr, A. et al. BioRxiv preprint 3 Sep 2024: Emergence and spread of feline infectious peritonitis due to a highly pathogenic canine/feline recombinant coronavirus.
  18. https://thewebinarvet.com/videos/what-you-should-know-about-fcov-23-and-the-outbreak-of-fip-in-cyprus
  19. Gao, Y. et al: Virus Research V 326, March 2023: An updated review of feline coronavirus: mind the two biotypes

Nipclub, December 11, 2025 Sekurity Update

Nipclub Ugly Sweater Night
~ gameraglow ~ Leave a comment

(By Slinky @slinky_the_cat, Sekurity Agent, Late Nite Shift)

I arrived on time. Ragamuffin Raspberry Tart (@sisfurcats) had nothing significant to report. She has the Sekurity Shift right before mine.

I saw Susan and Puddin (@georgiarealist), and Moo @(moothemousecat) had a martini waiting for me when I arrived. TJS (@TJS12145) and Dora K @ (dora_nlk) also were there. Gator (@RealFakeGator) said there were not a lot of security issues so far this evening.

After the last few weeks of craziness, this was most welcome!

I said hello to Louis and Heath (@psiangelic); I mentioned tequila fountains and martini Jacuzzis! Wouldn’t that be fun? We used to make a lot of tequila fountains!

I caught two interlopers out by the delivery entrance. I zip-tied them and locked them up. Easy peasy!

Gator was showing off his ugly sweater; it’s a sweater so heinous that it’s difficult to describe. A fire-breathing kitten setting a Christmas tree on fire, plus skulls wearing Santa hats. Truly a Design by Gator original!

Mizz Bassie (@MizzBassie) was here, and everyone was eating crispy onion rings and talking about the weather, snow, etc. Mizz and I have nice weather; she’s in Florida, and I’m in Jakku. We love nice weather in the winter!

Even Harvey Button (@HarveyButtonNZ) showed up! He doesn’t come into the bar often during the late hours, so it was a treat.

Pearl’s here now, after arriving a bit late because she had no electricity. She served up sweater-shaped cookies and cranberry meowmosas.

I took the golf cart out on the grounds to look for more sekurity risks, but it was quiet. Maybe too quiet. It was a slow night, which was fine by the Sekurity team. More time to party with the pals.

There was a delicious bacon lattice-topped apple pie. The stuff of dreams! That pie recipe should win a prize, like the noble feast prize, according to Sir Pickle (@SirLongpaw)!

I didn’t see Raven (@IndulgedFurries), so Pearl melted some butter, but then Raven showed up! She was having Twitter issues and wasn’t seeing notifications. We were rating butter, bacon, and chocolate in order of awesomeness. Together, they are purvana, declared Sir Pickle!

We talked about cat toys, toy dangers such as rubber bands, hair ties, etc. Then Vampy (@adorabully) showed up late to say hello. It’s nice to see everyone at Nipclub. I caught two interlopers, so it was not bad for an Ugly Sweater night!

Until next week

Kitten Conversations 2: Matilda Wins the Day

Matilda Crossed Paws
~ Trickle and Matilda ~ Leave a comment

Matilda and Trickle are enjoying a relaxing moment on the sofa.

M: “So, I think we’ve been here for two weeks now. Are you happy in our home?”

 T: “I love it! I was a bit scared when we arrived, but…”

M: (interrupting) “Scared? You were terrified of everything, like the dogs!

T: “I’d never seen a dog before! I hadn’t really seen anything; I’d spent eight weeks in one room of a house! The lady there was always cleaning, so at least I was used to the vacuum cleaner, but that’s about it.”

M: “Don’t complain; I never went into a house until I was four weeks old.”

T: “Really? Where…. where were you born and brought up then?”

M: (quietly) “I don’t really remember, but I think I was born outside. All I remember is that someone found me in a car park. I was all alone, starving and very sick.”

T: “That’s terrible! What happened next?”

M: “The lady who came to get me was lovely. I was weak and filthy and had no mum. The lady took me home, kept me in a warm room, and bottle-fed me milk until I was stronger. She took me to the vet, where they checked me over and gave me a bath. Baths are the pits! It was comfy at her house, and the dogs and adult cats there were kind to me. I was sad when she said she couldn’t keep me, but she promised she’d find me a lovely home with someone she knew and trusted. It turns out she’d known She for a few years and thought I’d be all right here. She said that it’s the perfect place for cats to live and promised that She would look after me.”

T: “I think she was right about that. They look after us so well, don’t they? Lots of meals, toys, and attention.”

M: “Well, they must pay attention to you because of the places you get to. Who would ever want to climb into a washing machine or a wood burner? You’re nuts!”

Trickle in the Washer
Trickle in the Washer

 T: “The washer was empty, and the stove wasn’t lit!”

Trickle in the Stove
Trickle in the Stove

 M: “You want to be careful; you’ll get into real trouble one of these days. I’m thinking your name is actually TrickleNo!”

T: “At least I knew how to use a litter tray properly; for the first few days, I had to cover up your messes for you. Eew!”

M: “Um… sorry about that. I never had a mum to teach me things like that when I should have been learning them. I didn’t have any siblings until I met you. I didn’t even know I was a kitten. I thought I was an adult cat, or maybe even a dog or a human. After we came here together, I got to know you, and everything fell into place.

T: “It’s fun, us being together, isn’t it?”

M: “It is! Except I’m sane and you’re a bit mad, and I hate it when I want to nap in peace and you won’t let me.”

T: “I get bored easily.”

M: “Tell me about it *rolls eyes*. Because of that, I now have a secret napping spot, hidden from you. So there!”

 T: “You have? Where?”

 M: (in a patient tone) “It’s a secret. Because of that, I won’t reveal its location. Hey look, there’s a bird on the windowsill!”

T runs to the window and eagerly looks out.

M dashes up the hall, into the bedroom, somehow climbs onto the wardrobe, and settles down in a box of winter boots.

T: “Matilda! Matildaaa! Where are you?” From high in the bedroom, where Matilda settled down for a well-earned nap, no one heard the quiet giggling