Is there a Doctor
in the House???
EMERGENCIES: Get to the Emergency Vet fast for any of the following
*ABC's - Airway? Breathing? Circulation? - compromised breathing or airway
*Active Bleeding
*Staggering gait and falling over (loss of balance)
*Plaintive crying when touched in certain areas, or moved
*Unremitting vomiting, especially of white, foamy substance, blood, or
continuous wretching
*Hiding and 'huddling' - trying not to move alot
*Rigors (shivering very noticeably)
Healthy immune system: also see Dietary & Stress
Pet Tips:

http://www.peteducation.com/
index.cfm?cls=1
http://www.marvistavet.com/i
ndex.html
For those who may not be aware, the Siberian breeding community has become concerned like
other breeder groups (Maine Coons and Ragdolls to name a couple) about the appearance of
HCM within the breed.

HCM - Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy, or an abnormally enlarging of the heart that
decreases the blood able to be pumped out, is a disorder that has appeared, so far, in SMALL
numbers of the Siberian population. HOWEVER, it is suspected to be a genetically** linked
disease, as it is in humans, and thus research is being carried out to determine ways to test for
this BEFORE cats are even bred.

The problem is - this awful disease has no signs or symptoms until typically HOURS before the
death of the cat. And then, death is usually incredibly sudden and unexpected. And this usually
is between the age of two and less than five years of age. So far, the only way research is able
to be carried out is by blood and tissue tests, post-mortem.

Most Siberian breeders have been cooperative and report ANY sort of abnormality with their
cats, and close down the particular breeding line indicated.

But that is only if they are aware of it.

We ask Siberian owners, as painful as it might be to hear this, that if your Siberian baby
would unexpectantly die, to please ask for a post-mortem, and have these tests done on your
baby.  Then report this information to the breeder who sold you the cat, so they can notify
others affected. IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD THE POST-MORTEM, contact your breeder -
they may pick up the cost for this, it is THAT important
We at Keitta Siberians have been EXTREMELY fortunate not to have any
major health issues that have occurred with any breeder cat or their offspring to
this point, which should be reassuring to those who own our babies. But, in the case
of ANY illness or unexpected death, PLEASE let us know immediately. We will
most likely grieve with you - but we will also do what is best for the Siberian
breed as a whole and close down any of our lines, and inform researchers and other
owners about the possibility so they can have their kitty checked.
It is never easy to think about losing your baby, no matter what age, but some of
the main desease entities of HCM & FIP occur in younger cats - typically before
the age of 4 years old - thus the reason we emphasize annual visits to your
veterinarian for screening.
**Just another note: Other heart problems have appeared in cats related to poor diets. Lack or
insufficient amounts of Taurine in a cat's diet has been linked to heart disease. That is why you hear
from us so much about the proper nutrition and supplementation as needed for your babies.
DONATE NOW TO
SIBERIAN HCM
RESEARCH
Click
the
Heart
to
learn
more
Keeping your kitty healthy and happy means prevention of illness. This is done in part by protecting
the immune system, the same as with a human. Only your Siberians' needs are different than yours.
1.  Excellent quality of Food - a well balanced diet created for cats - high in protein; containing    
    important minerals, vitamins and other nutrients specific to the feline diet.
Key Needs for a Healthy Immune System:
2.  Plenty of sleep/rest - typically NOT a problem with a feline, that sleeps up to 22 hrs of a
24hr day!
3.  Love and attention - seems non-scientific, but for an animal to feel loved and cared for means
less stress and 'worry'. That attention includes: playtime, grooming, cuddles, care routines
4. A clean and ordered environment. Now, I am not proposing that everyone become a Martha
Stewart or a Mr. Clean. But cats like their domain stable - not being moved around all the time.
They like their litter boxes clean - they are fastidious animals and hate dirty, stinky litter boxes.
Includes information on: initial series for kittens;
Rabies; FeV; FIP; heartworm; roundworm; ringworm
May 5, 2010
Keitta Siberians recommends the following vet clinics in the
Pittsburgh, PA area:

                          
                           East End Veterinary Centre
                           Dr. Kenneth Fischer (our vet)
                           





                          Pittsburgh Vet Specialty & Emergency Center
                          (PVSEC)
Recommended sites for Veterinary Information
Winn Feline Foundation:
Health Library & Research
Information
Has a pet library as well as
sells products to individual pet
owners and breeder supplies
Cat Resource Archive
& some fun humor links
5.  Immunity support with supplements such as DMG, CS, and a stress reduction agent as needed, is
recommended - see Stress
Pamphlet by AVMA on how to
go about choosing your vet
Keitta recommendations on choosing a vet:
find someone who:
-knows or is willing to learn about Siberians instead of
generalizing care to felines in general
-will listen to your questions and concerns and spend time
answering them - being a partner in the healthcare of your
Siberian, not a dictator of care
-someone you can feel comfortable interacting with
Click on the Logos to go to the individual web sites
Hard to tell - they are masters at hiding problems until illness becomes
severe or life-threatening. So when there is something wrong with your pet,
get a vet appointment if it is non-emergent. If it is an emergency, take your
kitty IMMEDIATELY to the Emergency Vet. If you are unsure of WHEN
and IF you should contact a vet, feel free to call us for guidance & support.
4 areas of assessment:  potty, play, eat, drink
Routine Wellness
Hacking up Hairballs - you've never truly been initiated as a cat owner until
you have stepped on a hacked up hairball in your bare or stocking feet
(especially in the middle of WINTER - burr!!)

People who have not owned cats may not know, but cats routinely 'throw up' a
'furball'. This is NOT the type of unremitting vomiting that requires a trip to
the vet. This requires starting a routine of Hairball Remedy (several brands
found in petstores), or you can add a tsp of olive oil to the kitty's wet food
daily
Extensive Cat Information
Alphabetical Index
Health & Care: A Glossary of Cat
Health
Spay/Neuter - At What Age?  
This topic is covered under the page Male vs Female, with links to articles & research
that support our viewpoint that kittens should not be spayed/neutered until they are
AT LEAST SIX MONTHS OLD, and if they can reach it, EIGHT MONTHS.
ALERT TO SIBERIAN OWNERS - your kitty may be overly sensitive to
anesthetics - given intravenously or gas. There is no research at this point, only very
sad stories of Siberians that have died even before their surgery because a
veterinarian was not familiar with the breed. I have a hypothesis as to the reason -
when a Siberian kitten is six months old, he/she can be anywhere from 6 - 9 lbs - the
size of an adult cat of some breeds. If veterinarians are providing weight based
drug doses of an adult to a kitten, this could explain the oversedation and death
sometimes seen. You NEED to caution your vet and ask them to TITRATE the
sedation/anesthetic drugs TO RESPONSE - this takes a little longer, but it is
SAFER.
How do I know that my kitty is under
the weather?
Keitta Customers are saying:
"The vet was quite impressed with the
care you had provided our little guy!"