Welcome to Cats Tails

Some Information

Neutering

Some of the benefits of neutering can be:

Neutered male cats

* Will become less likely to roam (reducing the risk of being run over).

* Will become less likely to fight, thus improving their chances of avoiding serious diseases, like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) which are transmitted by cat bites and reproductive activity.

* Will be less likely to mark their territory with urine (spraying).

Female cats

* Can avoid unwanted pregnancies (It is NOT beneficial for a female cat to have a litter before spaying, this is a myth).

* Won't call and wail during their sexual cycle.

* Will be less likely to contract diseases spread by bites and reproductive activity.

Cats recover very quickly from neutering operations but we'd recommend following your vet's advice on how to look after your cat after his operation.

Routine vaccination has greatly reduced the extent of several feline diseases (including some that can prove fatal). It is vital that your cat has all the necessary vaccinations and boosters.

Cats Protection, as a member of The Cat Group, recommends vaccines for the following feline diseases:

Feline infectious enteritis (FIE)

- a vaccination must

Feline infectious enteritis (a severe and often fatal gut infection) is caused by the feline parvovirus (or feline panleukopenia virus). Vaccination against FIE has been very successful. Unvaccinated cats are at great risk because the virus is widespread in the environment.

Cat 'flu-

-a vaccination must

Two types of cat 'flu are vaccinated against feline herpesvirus (FHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV). These viruses are very common and vaccination will protect your cat against prolonged illness, but because there are many different strains of cat 'flu the vaccine will not totally eradicate the threat.

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)

-a vaccination must

for outdoor catsFeLV is a lifelong infection and unfortunately most cats will die within three years of diagnosis, usually from a subsequent disease like leukaemia, lymphoma (tumors) or progressive anaemia. It is not an airborn disease and can only be passed on via direct contact between cats (usually by saliva or bites). Because of the serious nature of the disease, CP recommends FeLV vaccination. Feline chlamydophilosis- depends on your circumstancesThis bacterium, which causes conjunctivitis in cats, can't survive in the atmosphere and is thus spread by direct contact between cats (affecting multi-cat households and kittens predominately). Your vet will discuss your situation and advise as to whether this vaccine is necessary.

Microchipping

Microchipping offers cats a safe and permanent method of identification and increases the chances of a lost feline being safely reunited with its owner.

* Microchipping is the most effective way of identifying a lost pet (chips don't come off or put the cat at risk of injury like collars can).

* Each microchip has a unique number which is stored on a national database. A scan of the chip reveals the owner's name and address from the database's records.

* A microchip is slightly smaller than a grain of rice and is inserted under the cat's skin between the shoulder blades.

* The procedure is very simple and is no more painful than an injection. A cat will not be aware of the microchip's presence once inserted.

* Remember you should change your microchip details if you move house.

Cats Protection is a member of a Microchip Advisory Group (MAG), aiming to improve the standards of microchipping across the UK.