PAWPRINTS

Archive for November 20th, 2009

 The CFA International Cat Show is the largest international pedigreed cat show in the Western Hemisphere, showcasing the world’s finest pedigreed felines.^TM Held annually the weekend before Thanksgiving in November, the show often moves to a different locations around the United States. Competition is keen as it brings together 750 of the finest pedigreed cats from the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe and South America to compete for prestigious titles.

The show will have twelve specialty judging rings. The judges are selected by ballotting of all CFA clubs worldwide.

Each of the judges handles either all of the Championship entries, or all of the Kitten and Premiership entries over the three days of the show. The highlight of the weekend is on Sunday afternoon — a special presentation of the Best of each breed or division in all three categories: Kitten, Championship and Premiership. The Second and Third Best of each breed or division in all three categories (Kitten, Championship and Premiership) will be announced as well.

Also presented are the Top Five Highest Scoring Longhair Kittens, Shorthair Kittens, Longhair in Championship and Shorthair in Championship, Longhair in Premiership and Shorthair in Premiership. The highest scoring Longhair and Shorthair in Championship, highest scoring Longhair and Shorthair Kitten, and highest scoring Longhair and Shorthair cat in Premiership then compete for the coveted title of Best in Show.

For those who want to learn what makes the pedigreed cats so distinctive the Breed Showcase is where you will enjoy ongoing presentations of some popular as well as rare breeds.

Proceeds from the CFA International Cat Show have benefitted The Winn Feline Foundation, a non-profit organization which is dedicated to providing funding for cat health studies. Since it’s founding in 1968, the foundation has raised more than $2 million, with the TOTAL amount going to feline health studies.

CFA International Cat Show

Find articles on cats and cat products at All About Cats

Oregon Cat Dies From Swine Flu Infection
Lebanon, Oregon

Two weeks after the first confirmed case of H1N1 influenza virus infection in cats, a third infected cat has died.

On November 4th, Iowa state officials confirmed that the first case of swine flu infecting a cat had been discovered. The 13-year-old indoor cat was living in the same household as an infected person, and subsequently made a full recovery. On Tuesday this week, the Iowa State laboratory confirmed that a cat from Park City, Utah, who was presented on November 3rd has tested positive for H1N1 infection via serological confirmation, despite the fact that a nasal swab gave negative results. This second cat was also living in the same household as family members who reported flu-like symptoms.

Yesterday, the Oregon state public health veterinarian reported that a third infected pet cat has died from presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection. The 10-year-old cat became ill approximately a week after family members became ill, and is one of 4 cats living in the household. On November 4th, the cat was presented with breathing difficulties to a veterinarian in Lebanon, Oregon. The cat’s condition deteriorated and it died 3 days later on November 7th. Tests carried out locally confirmed the cat was infected with H1N1, but confirmation is still pending from the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). No information is available regarding the other cats in the household, or if the cat was suffering from any underlying health conditions.

According to the Oregon State Public Health Veterinarian, Dr. Emilio DeBess, cat owners should not panic. “Despite the unfortunate outcome in the Oregon case, cat owners should not panic. The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 infection in cats is quite small compared to the US cat population. Watch your cat for symptoms and seek veterinary care if your cat shows signs of respiratory illness. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, or conjunctivitis (swelling and redness of the membranes around the eyes). In these instances, your cat should be examined by your veterinarian, especially if there is a recent history of influenza-like illness in the household,” said Dr DeBess.

At this time, ferrets and cats are the only domestic animals that have tested positive for pandemic H1N1 swine flu. Pet birds are susceptible to Influenza A viruses and vets recommend that birds should be tested if both you and your bird develop flu-like symptoms. Currently it is not thought that dogs are able to be infected with swine flu.

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Original Source: http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/cats/oregon-cat-dies-from-swine-flu-infection.htm