The Monday and Friday Mews Catzette

CATS' COMMUNITY PRESENTS
Friday's Felines Chat


 Ahhh, Relax and Let's chat"

Open Discussion Chat
With  HP Iniki and HP Miou
Friday, February 8 @10:00 AM ET
Special Interests - Feline Fancy Here we are!

HP Iniki and HP Miou Invite our cat "chatters and friends," to share pictures of their cats to be featured in our photo-journal. We want to share your favorite photos of your cats with our Feline Fancy Fans! Please send embedded pictures to HP Iniki and your wonderful kitties will be added to the journal!

Furry Friends of Feline Fancy

Cat Tales  News and Cat Chat Schedule Updates

Visit the informative and amusing New Pet Blog: Frequently Feline

The link to our message boards for your convenience
Cats
Our Mews Catzette! The Monday and Friday Mews Catzette

For support for pet loss, and for all animals who are ill, in need of prayers, we created "Our Beloved Angels" journal. We invite you to send embedded photos, poetry, your memories of pets that now reside at the Rainbow Bridge or request for prayers for healing.Visit us at: Our Beloved Angels 

Monday Morning Mews Chat @10:00 AM ET is now hosted by HP DEW CATS. Please contact her to receive reminders and be sure to add her to your allow list.

If you wish to be added to our mailing list, please drop an email to HP Miou and HP Iniki:  Add Me to Your Cat Chat Mailing List

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Enjoy this little video of our mackeral tabby Domestic Shorthar, Lucyfur.

We had  good luck when she chose to adopt us two years ago. Her coat texture is incredibly soft. Sometimes I just wear her around my neck to enjoy my live fur collar.  She enjoys the ride as well.

We have not spoiled this kitty at all. With so many toys with which to play, when she gets into the bathtub, her favorite hang out spot, she just can't decide whether her tail or shadow are more interesting.

Do your cats have favorite spots in which to play?

To view the video, double click on the arrow and then hit the play button!

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Hush Puppy knows the BEST radio!

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ATTENTION CATS COMMUNITY !
MONDAY'S MORNING MEWS CHAT IS ON VACATION!

FRIDAY'S FELINES WILL STILL MEET!

MONDAY MORNING MEWS CHAT will be on vacation until Monday September 10.

Don't be a stranger though. Stop in at the chat room and visit with friends on Friday Mornings at 10:00 AM- and during the week, and make sure you visit all the great Cat related places. Until September 10, Monday Morning Mews wish you catnip dreams and treats by the millions!!

Special Interests - Feline Fancy

HP Iniki and HP Miou Invite our cat "chatters and friends," to share pictures of their cats to be featured in our new photo-journal. We want to share your favorite photos of your cats with our Feline Fancy Fans! Please send embedded pictures to HP Iniki and your wonderful kitties will be added to the journal!

Furry Friends of Feline Fancy

Cat Tales  News and Cat Chat Schedule Updates

Featuring A Very Special  Journal: Tales & Tails of New York

Get All The Hot News and particpate at AOL PETS BRAND NEW SITE
Animal Hubbub - Pet Pictures, Dogs, Cats, Horses, Pet Info, Pet News & More

See Incredible Cat Trick:
An Amazing Cat Trick - Animal Hubbub

The link to our message boards for your convenience
Cats
Our Mews Catzette! The Monday and Friday Mews Catzette

For support for pet loss, and for all animals who are ill, in need of prayers, we created "Our Beloved Angels" journal. We invite you to send embedded photos, poetry, your memories of pets that now reside at the Rainbow Bridge or request for prayers for healing. Visit us at: Our Beloved Angels 



If you wish to be added to our mailing list, please drop an email to HP Miou and HP Iniki:  Add Me To Your Cat Chat Mailing List

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CATS COMMUNITY PRESENTS
FRIDAY'S FELINES CHAT

"Kung Fu Kitties"

Open Discussion Chat

With  HP Iniki and HP Miou
Friday, June 8 @10:00 AM ET
Special Interests - Feline Fancy Here we are!

HP Iniki and HP Miou Invite our cat "chatters and friends," to share pictures of their cats to be featured in our new photo-journal. We want to share your favorite photos of your cats with our Feline Fancy Fans! Please send embedded pictures to HP Iniki and your wonderful kitties will be added to the journal!

Furry Friends of Feline Fancy

Cat Tales  News and Cat Chat Schedule Updates

Featuring A Very Special  Journal: Tales & Tails of New York

Get All The Hot News and particpate at AOL PETS BRAND NEW SITE
Animal Hubbub - Pet Pictures, Dogs, Cats, Horses, Pet Info, Pet News & More

Going on Vacation? Accomodations for fussy felines!
Pet Boarding Extraordinaire

 
The link to our message boards for your convenience
Cats
Our Mews Catzette! The Monday and Friday Mews Catzette

For support for pet loss, and for all animals who are ill, in need of prayers, we created "Our Beloved Angels" journal. We invite you to send embedded photos, poetry, your memories of pets that now reside at the Rainbow Bridge or request for prayers for healing.Please send special prayers to Barbaro's people, who worked so gallantly to save him. Sleep sweet, sweet one!
Visit us at: Our Beloved Angels 



If you wish to be added to our mailing list, please drop an email to HP Miou and HP Iniki:  Add Me To Your Cat Chat Mailing List

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CATS COMMUNITY PRESENTS!
FRIDAY'S FELINES CHAT
June 1@10:00AM  ET

Open Discussion Chat

With  HP Iniki and HP Miou
Friday, June 1 @10:00 AM ET
Special Interests - Feline Fancy Here we are!

HP Iniki and HP Miou Invite our cat "chatters and friends," to share pictures of their cats to be featured in our new photo-journal. We want to share your favorite photos of your cats with our Feline Fancy Fans! Please send embedded pictures to HP Iniki and your wonderful kitties will be added to the journal!

Furry Friends of Feline Fancy

Cat Tales  News and Cat Chat Schedule Updates

Featuring A Very Special  Journal: Tales & Tails of New York

Get All The Hot News and particpate at AOL PETS BRAND NEW SITE
Animal Hubbub - Pet Pictures, Dogs, Cats, Horses, Pet Info, Pet News & More
Learn AboutCatnip: Joy For Your Kitty
The 'Nip in Catnip: How It Works - Animal Hubbub
The link to our message boards for your convenience
Cats
Our Mews Catzette! The Monday and Friday Mews Catzette

For support for pet loss, and for all animals who are ill, in need of prayers, we created "Our Beloved Angels" journal. We invite you to send embedded photos, poetry, your memories of pets that now reside at the Rainbow Bridge or request for prayers for healing.Please send special prayers to Barbaro's people, who worked so gallantly to save him. Sleep sweet, sweet one!
Visit us at: Our Beloved Angels 



If you wish to be added to  our mailing list, please drop an email to HP Miou and HP Iniki:  Add Me To Your Cat Chat Mailing List

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By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter 3/31/07 7:00PM ET


SATURDAY, March 31 (HealthDay News) -- The massive pet food recall widened late Friday to include another major brand of moist dog food and, for the first time, a brand of dry cat food.


The widened recall followed a report by U.S. health officials Friday that melamine, a toxin used in fertilizer in China and plastic in the United States, had been found in imported wheat gluten used in moist pet food made by Menu Foods. Menu Foods recalled more than 60 million cans and pouches of moist pet food nationwide March 6 after reports of animal illness and death.

Melamine was also found in Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food, made by Hill's Pet Nutrition and sold only through veterinarians, the U.S.   Food and Drug Administration Food and Drug Administration said Friday night.

That announcement coincided with a voluntary recall by Nestle Purina PetCare Co. of all sizes and varieties of Alpo Prime Cuts in Gravy, which the company said may also contain melamine.

Hill's of Topeka, Kansas, has begun recalling Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry cat food, the FDA said in a prepared statement. The company had, for a two-month period, made the cat food with wheat gluten from the same China company that supplied Ontario-based Menu Foods, the FDA said.

Nestle Purina of St. Louis, Mo., said in its own statement that it was recalling the Alpo cans and pouches because it learned that it also received wheat gluten from the same company.

"The contamination occurred in a limited production quantity at only one of Purina's 17 pet food manufacturing facilities," the Nestle statement added.

The dog food being recalled involves 13.2-ounce and 22-ounce Alpo Prime Cuts cans and 6-, 8-, 12- and 24-can Alpo Prime Cuts Variety Packs with four-digit code dates of 7037 through 7053, followed by the plant code 1159. Those codes follow a "Best Before Feb. 2009" date. This information should be checked on the bottom of the can or the top or side of themulti-pack cartons, the company said.

Consumers shouldimmediately stop feeding their dogs these specific Alpo products and consult with a veterinarian if they have any health concerns with their pet, the company added.

The cat food being recalled is labeled Prescription Diet m/d Feline dry food. The products are: 4 lb. bag, U.S. & Canada UPC code 52742 42770; 10 lb. bag, U.S. & Canada UPC code 52742 42790. Consumers may contact Hills Pet Nutrition at 1-800-445-5777 or at www.HillsPet.com.

The FDA warns that any cat owner who has bags of Prescription Diet m/d Feline should stop using them. In addition, they should see their veterinarian if their pet shows any signs of kidney illness, include loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting.

Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said during a Friday news conference that the FDA still hasn't determined how melamine got into the wheat gluten.

The FDA, he said, is currently inspecting all foreign shipments of wheat gluten and tracing those shipments that have already entered the United States.

Last week, New York State official said that the rodent poison aminopterin had been found in samples of the recalled food. However, Sundlof said Friday, further testing by the FDA and others have failed to confirm the presence of the poison in the pet food.

The pet food scare began March 6 with a nationwide recall of more than 60 million cans and packages of moist cat and dog food made by Menu Foods for a number of name-brand companies.

According to published reports, Menu Foods has said that 16 animals died. The Veterinary Information Network said earlier this week that at least 471 cases of pet kidney failure have been reported and more than 100 pets have died.

To date, Sundlof said Friday, the FDA has received 8,800 calls reporting kidney failure in cats and dogs. However, none of these cases has been confirmed, he added.


Top News- Cats May Be at Greater Risk in Pet Food Recall - AOL News 


List of recalled pet foods grows longer - CNN.com

For more information on pet food, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Some Delmonte Pet Treats have been voluntarily as well. Here is the link to their recalled products:

Del Monte Pet Products Voluntarily Withdraws Specific Product Codes of Pet Treats and Wet Dog Food Products

If you have a pet that has have been made ill, or who died  due to the tainted products, please report  it at the site below.

Pet Connection
This is a group of concerned people, veterinarians, and jouralists. They are not a class action group. They are trying to get the scope of this tragedy.and need your help.

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Here is a list of pet food products that are NOT on the recall list. However, please do take the time to carefully watch these lists and read the entire site below.

 The PetsitUSA.com Blog » Pet Foods NOT on recall list

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AP Photo: Dr. Pedro Cisneros examines Pebbles, a 7-year-old Yorkshire terrier who is battling kidney failure after...


Slideshow: Pet Food Recall
By MARK JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer Fri Mar 23, 7:05 PM ET



ALBANY, N.Y. - Rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, but scientists said Friday they still don't know how it got there and predicted more animal deaths would be linked to it. After the announcement, the company that produced the food expanded its recall to include all 95 brands of the "cuts and gravy" style food, regardless of when they were produced. The company also said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the food.

The substance in the food was identified as aminopterin, a cancer drug that once was used to induce abortions in the United States and is still used to kill rats in some other countries, state Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker said.
The federal government prohibits using aminopterin for killing rodents in the U.S. State officials would not speculate on how the poison got into the pet food, but said no criminal investigations had been launched.

The pet deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of dog and cat food produced by Menu Foods and sold throughout North America under 95 brand names. Some pets that ate the recalled brands suffered kidney failure, and the company has confirmed the deaths of 15 cats and two dogs.

The latest death, a Yorkshire terrier named Pebbles, occurred Thursday. The dog died of kidney failure after eating some of the food. Her owner, Jeff Kerner, said he was contacting an attorney because he wanted to prevent another pet tragedy.

"Before they put this stuff in the bags, there should be some kind of test," said Kerner, of Sherman Oaks, Calif. "I can't justlet it go. Even if they just change the law."

The company expanded the recall — which initially covered only cans and pouches of food packaged from Dec. 3 through March 6 — after the FDA alerted it that some products remained on store shelves.

There is no risk to pet owners from handling the food, officials said.

The Food and Drug Administration has said the investigation into the pet deaths was focused on wheat gluten in the food. The gluten itself would not cause kidney failure, but it could have been contaminated, the FDA said.

Bob Rosenberg, senior vice president of government affairs for the National Pest Management Association, said it would be unusual for the wheat to be tainted.

"It would make no sense to spray a crop itself with rodenticide," Rosenberg said, adding that grain shippers typically put bait stations around the perimeter of their storage facilities.

Scientists at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University and at the New York State Food Laboratory tested three cat food samples provided by the manufacturer and found aminopterin in two of them. The two labs are part of a network created after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to keep the nation's animals and food supply safe.

"Any amount of this product is too much in food," Hooker said.

Aminopterin is highly toxic in high doses. It inhibits the growth of malignant cells and suppresses the immune system. In dogs and cats, the amount of aminopterin found — 40 parts per million — can cause kidney failure, according to Bruce Akey, director of Cornell's diagnostic center.

"It's there in substantial amounts," Akey said.

Donald Smith, dean of Cornell's veterinary school, said he expected the number of pet deaths to increase. "Based on what we've heard the last couple days, 16 is a low number," Smith said.

Aminopterin is no longer marketed as a cancer drug, but is still used in research, said Andre Rosowsky, a chemist with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Rosowsky speculated that the substance would not show up in pet food "unless somebody put it there."

Paul Henderson, chief executive of Ontario, Canada-based Menu Foods, said the company does not believe the food was tampered with because the recalled food came from two different plants, one in Kansas, one in New Jersey. Menu continues to produce food at the two plants.

The company, already facing lawsuits, said Friday it is testing all the ingredients that go into the food.

"We have a lot of work to do, and we are eager to get back to it," Henderson said. "This is a highly unusual substance."

When asked whether there would compensation for medical bills for sick pets, Henderson said "to the extent that we identify that the cause of any expenses incurred are related to the food, Menu will take responsibility for that."

A complete list of the recalled products along with product codes, descriptions and production dates was posted online by Menu Foods and is available at menufoods.com The company also designated two phone numbers that pet owners could call for information: (866) 463-6738 and (866) 895-2708.

___

Associated Press writers Andrew Bridges in Washington and Michael Virtanen in Albany contributed to this report.

My friend, Steve, an AOL member sent an email to friends who own both cats and dogs. I wanted to share what he had to say.

"Rat poison was found in pet food blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs, but scientists said Friday they still don't know how it got there and predicted more animal deaths would be linked to it. After the announcement, the company that produced the food expanded its recall to include all 95 brands of the "cuts and gravy" style food, regardless of when they were produced. The company also said it would take responsibility for pet medical expenses incurred as a result of the food.
...
 
The company expanded the recall — which initially covered only cans and pouches of food packaged from Dec. 3 through March 6 — after the FDA alerted it that some products remained on store shelves.

It appears as though the list of recalled cat brands hasn't changed, and dog brands may have grown by 1. If you have a pet, you should check the list yourself just to be sure. And I would suggest checking back frequently until they can state definitively that they know what caused the poisoning, how it got there, where it got into the food, and what food it got into. Thus far, it appears that they have pretty well nailed down the cause, but have yet to state any of the rest with any certainty."

Thank you Steve, for your great summation of the issue, and the resource links that you have provided.

Menu Foods recall information:

FDA pet food recall information:

Independent Recall Information, Links and Resources:

Rat Poison Found in Tainted Pet Food - New York Times

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As reported by AOL News on the main page, this afternoon,Top News- Rat Poison Found in Recalled Pet Food - AOL News  it has now been learned that rat poison was discovered in recalled pet food. Read more about the recent findings and get the latest information at http:/www.animalhubbub.com

One of our the members who attends our chats in  Feline Fancy, was kind enough, to share her own personal recipes that she created with the assistance of her veterinarian. She contributed this so that people who are concerned about what to feed have an alternative menu,  making their own pet food. Thank you so much, Sally!

With this recent and frightening fiasco in animal food, here are 2 recipes that my veterinarian and I created. Please be sure to consult your veterinarian as well for your own animal's particular health condition.

You will need to modify them to your favorite pet's needs, but here are at least a base from which to work.   If you are not sure how it will work for your pet(s), please run them by your vets.   These were devised for cats, but could easily be adapted for a dog.   As Bandit is allergic to the meat from any cloven hoofed animal, I use poultry, but you can use any meat.   When I was making it for other cats, in years past, I would clean out my parents freezer and take any of the old meat or freezer burn meat.   Cut that part off if it is severe.   I also watched the "old" bin at the grocery store and would stock up during the month, then thaw when I was ready to make the food.  

Again, check this with your vet if you have questions on the use of it for your pet.  
Sally
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Usually one batch will last a month.   Freeze and thaw as you need it. I don't grind into small pieces, as my cats are not picky eaters.   If your cats are picky, you may need to use a boat motor blender or put it thru the food processor.  
 
For a month's supply of Stomatitis whole meat diet:

In a very large kettle, like a water bath kettle size:
2 whole chickens with skin and noticeable fat removed or a small to medium  turkey - also skin and fat removed or an equal amount of pot roast/or other meats
1/2 c vinegar  <helps leach calcium from bones>
1 head of celery chopped
2 lbs. carrots cut into bite size pieces
1 bag frozen lima beans
1 bag mixed vegetables
brown rice or barley to absorb broth
4 to 6 containers of chicken livers or any other liver that is affordable
    with visible fat removed-don't add until the very end
(I usually go thru my freezer and toss in any old frozen veggies-lima beans are a favorite with my cats)   In summer, I will use any excess veggies from the garden. Zucchini are a favorite with them as well.  I use chard, any veg that is on hand.  Just like greens are good for us, they are also good for your cats.
 
In kettle, put chickens or other meat, water, vinegar, celery, carrots and a bit of salt and bring to a boil

Cook until chickens are just about done and add frozen and/or fresh veggies, brown rice or barley to absorb broth and chicken livers.

Bring back up to boil and cook until broth is absorbed and rice or barley is done
Remove from heat and let cool---can take a few hours
(I use medical gloves for this part as it is messy)

Remove bones from chicken and break up meat into bite size pieces.
Stir until all is mixed well.
Fill freezer containers, allow to cool, label and freeze.
 
You can use a stick blender to puree this if your cats don't eat "whole" food
but mine are fine with whole pieces.
 
Test different veggies for your cats.   Mine are good eaters and will eat just about anything.   In summer, when I get a "baseball bat" zucchini in the garden, I put the mandolin over the kettle and add that at the last bit.  It is sweet and they like it.   Some cats love beets in this and won't eat it unless it is in here. 
 
For young kittens where you want to increase the protein and calcium, you can use active culture yogurt or cottage cheese and/or eggs added at the last bit.  I did this for feral/foster kittens and they grew incredibly well.   Watch for specials on chickens, usually two for one pricing. Buy ahead.  
 
Using this for Bandit, for a couple years, we were able to pull his stomatitis into remission and Artie as well.   
 
For cats with kidney failure, you can use this base and any veggies high in cellulose to make the bowels work to compensate for the lack of the kidneys.  This does make the cat "poop" a lot more than usual, but it does work.  I kept a cat going with kidney failure going with this for close to 2 years.   Her vet was amazed at the success we had.  
 
This is just a base from which to work.  Take this to your vet and see what he/she says and modify it from there.  
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HOMEMADE CAT FOOD: This recipe is for Kidney failure
The goal here is to add as much roughage as you can with this so the kidneys are given as much rest as possible and to make the bowels work to help purify the blood:

In a VERY large kettle, [like waterbath canning kettle size for a month's worth]
2 whole chickens with skin and noticeable fat removed. 
1/4 c vinegar  [it helps leach calcium from the bones]
 
4 to 6 containers of chicken livers or any other liver that is affordable
1 head of celery chopped
1 head of cabbage chopped
2 Lb. carrots chopped
1 bag frozen lima beans
1 bag frozen corn
1 bag mixed veg's
Any high fiber vegetable added here
Enough brown rice or barley to absorb liquid - they both take about an hour to cook.
 
Cook above until chicken is well done. 
 
About half way through, add veggies as you would do for chicken soup.
 
I put the livers in at the very end.  You don't want to cook out the nutrients.   You may need to skim fat off if there is a lot, but a bit of it is good.  
 
Take chickens out and remove meat from bone.  
 
Cook the rice or barley in the broth so the broth is absorbed.  
 
Once you have DE-boned the chickens, mix the meat back with the rest.  
 
When cooled, mix everything. If you have cut things small enough, you may not need to pulverize this.  If you have a "stick blender" they work great here.  
 
Fill freezer containers, label and when cool enough, freeze. 
 
You can use just about any variety of meat here, check with your vet for any problems that they observe.  A friend who started with this base, was able to have a local meat merchant save scraps for her.  Make sure you use liver - cats need it for the taurine it contains.   The source isn't as important as that it is included. Check with your veterinarian for the amount of taurine that is required for your particular cats.
 
Test different veggies for your cat.   My crew eats just about anything, but some are more picky than others.   In the summer if I get a huge zucchini, I will use the slicing blade on my mandolin and add that at the end.   They love it and lima beans also.   Those are great for their fiber!   Just about anything known for fiber is good here.  Some cats love beets and will beg for them!  
 
This is just a base from which to work. Of course check with your vet to see if there are any modifications that he/she may suggest.

Good luck
Sally  

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