October 2022 Newsletter
Greetings Yogie Fans!
We hope all our fans are doing well and enjoying the break from the extreme heat we have been experiencing.
SPACE HEATERS: As we prepare early for the cooler weather, we need to replace our heaters for the cat buildings. We have three buildings, and our current, cat safe, heaters, are now over 10 years old and not heating efficiently anymore. We are getting ready to purchase four new ones, at a cost of $109 each, plus tax. We could use your help with this bill. We like these heaters because they heat well and are not dangerous to the touch. In fact, the cats can sit on them and not get burned.
With our director’s 10% military discount applied, and including tax, she ordered four units on her Lowe’s credit card for a total of $429.48, which made each unit cost $107.37 each. We would like to reimburse her for these units since she just spent over $1000 of her own money for food and litter. Our founder is also paying for food and litter at the Frierson location.
FOOD AND LITTER: We have been experiencing a great deal of trouble finding the cat food, and cat litter, we need for the sanctuary. We typically get our canned food and cat litter from Sam’s Club because they have the best prices. Even better than our local military installations, which three of us have access to. When we do find it in stock, we buy as much as we can afford and use our personal funds to get just so we have it. We finally were able to get some Friskies Pate, after almost three months of it being out of stock everywhere. It gets scary when you have 70 permanent cat residents and cannot find food. We have been fortunate enough to have people help us get what we need, but we really need more help to keep up with the needs with the lack of availability.
Friskies Pate’ has gone from $25 to $40 for a pack of 60 cans in less than a year. This is getting crazy. The Fancy Feast cans went from 46 cents a can, to 83 cents a can. Our cat litter went up $4 as well. It’s nerve wracking with the increase in costs and lack of availability.
Our fans can help by donating via our Chewy and Amazon wish lists.
We also have two cats on thyroid medicine, and we use treats like Churu licks, and Delectables Squeeze Ups to administer the pills to them. We were shown a trick to place the pill on a plate, then dab the treat on them and the cats lick them up. It WORKS! It makes life easier for us, and more so for the cats. We put these on our wish lists as well.
Our current vet bill is $932.92, which we decided to pay off while there. But that, and our recent electric bill, put our Yogie bank account at 1386.24. This makes us very nervous right now.
You can always donate directly to our vet bill by calling Airline Animal Health and Surgery Clinic in Bossier City, Louisiana. 318-747-5747. Or, at this time since our funds are so low and there isn’t a current balance at the vet you can donate financially to help with food, litter, and utilities with the following:
As always, your cash donations are ever more important for us. We still have vet bills and utilities.
FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA: A virus many people have not heard of is, Feline Panleukopenia, also known as Feline Distemper, is another pretty horrible virus cats can get. Revival Animal Health shared some very good information on this, and we thought we should also share it with our fans.
Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)
Last updated: September 19, 2022, by Amy Hanson, DVM
Is feline panleukopenia the same as feline distemper?
The answer is, yes. Feline Panleukopenia, also referred to as Feline Distemper, is a Parvo family virus, and closely related to Canine Parvo virus. Feline Panleukopenia is much more resistant to removal in the environment and much more lethal than it is in dogs, which takes an emotional toll when it hits catteries, rescues, and shelters.
Is Feline Panleukopenia Contagious?
Panleukopenia is highly contagious viral disease that is spread through contact with bodily fluids such as feces, vomit, urine, saliva, and mucus. It’s contagious for up to six weeks after clinical signs resolve. While feline distemper virus is contagious between cats, it is not contagious from cats to dogs or humans (nor is canine parvovirus contagious to cats). Only ferrets can potentially carry and spread the disease to cats, and vice versa. Ferrets only develop a mild disease and are a potential spreader if rescuing them.
The feline distemper virus is extremely stable in the environment and can survive for a year in indoor temperatures, can survive freezing and even common disinfectants like alcohol and iodine. The heartiness of this virus leads to it being known as a ubiquitous disease and virtually every cat will be exposed to it at some point in their lives.
Symptoms of Distemper in Cats
The most common visible symptoms of feline Panleukopenia are vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and lethargy. The virus invades rapidly dividing cells such as the lymph nodes, and then travels to the bone marrow and suppresses the production of white blood cells (thus “panleukopenia” meaning “all-white-shortage”), which are the main immunity cells of the body. The virus then invades the intestinal tract, causing ulceration of the intestinal cells, which leads to diarrhea and life-threatening dehydration, and decreasing the body’s immunity even more. Ultimately, kittens and cats die from dehydration, secondary bacterial infection, or a combination of both. All of this can occur before a cat even starts showing symptoms that they have the disease.
Another consequence of Feline Distemper/Panleukopenia is cerebellar hypoplasia. If a pregnant cat contracts the virus early or mid-pregnancy, she will usually abort the kittens. If it is late in the pregnancy, the unborn kittens can fail to develop their cerebellum completely and correctly. The cerebellum is the main motor coordination center of the brain. These kittens can be born with varying degrees of incoordination, tremors, spasticity, and even seizures. Some mildly to moderately affected kittens can live a normal life, but severely affected kittens may not have a good quality of life.
Can a Cat Survive Distemper?
Studies have shown there is up to 70 percent kitten loss with Panleukopenia – with treatment it is half that amount. An infected cat can survive if it can remain alive long enough for its immune system to recover and start fighting the virus.
How to Treat Panleukopenia in Cats
Feline Panleukopenia treatment includes aggressive fluid therapy with Lactated Ringer’s Injection or 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, usually intravenously in a hospital setting, gives the cat the best chances of recovery. Hospitalization not only helps beat the dehydration, but also allows for intravenous feeding and administration of antibiotics and antivirals to help battle the infection. Once on the mend, at-home care can be continued using Breeder’s Edge® Kitten Lyte™, Rebound Recuperation Formula, and Kaolin Pectin for any further diarrhea. If a cat does recover from Panleukopenia, the virus can still be shed up to six weeks afterward. A recovered cat must be isolated from other cats and proper disinfection protocols must be used to prevent spread of the virus.
What Disinfectant Kills Feline Panleukopenia
Panleukopenia is extremely resistant to most disinfectants. Alcohol and iodine are ineffectual against this virus. Bleach can be used at a 1:32 dilution and left on surfaces for 10 minutes to kill the virus, but 10 minutes is a long time to wait, and bleach can be neutralized in the presence of organic secretions, such as vomit, urine, or feces. Thankfully, there are several new generation disinfectants that are very effective against feline panleukopenia. Rescue Disinfectant Cleaner®, Animal Facility Disinfectant, or Virkon® S are all very effective at killing the panleukopenia virus and preventing its spread.
Cat Distemper Vaccination
The one silver lining of feline distemper is the unexpectedly the fact that it is such a ubiquitous virus. Most every cat has been exposed to feline distemper and thus has at least a modicum of immunity. Vaccination for panleukopenia, one of the core vaccinations for felines, is highly effective at preventing disease. Vaccinating kittens in shelters is the best defense against an outbreak of feline distemper. Kittens should be vaccinated starting at six weeks and continuing every 3 to 4 weeks until the kittens are at least 16 to 18 weeks old. Maternal antibodies can interfere with a kitten’s ability to produce their own antibodies, and the maternal antibodies can be present up to 14 to 16 weeks.
In a cattery situation, making sure breeding queens and sires are adequately vaccinated is the first step in preventing an outbreak. A queen that is adequately vaccinated for feline distemper prior to her first litter will transfer maternal antibodies to her kittens, protecting them from contracting feline distemper. However, pregnant cats should not be vaccinated with the live or modified live feline panleukopenia vaccine as it will cause kittens in the womb to be affected and possibly end up being aborted or being affected with cerebellar hypoplasia.
What Do You Do If Your Cat Has Distemper?
Panleukopenia in cats can be controlled effectively and economically with the correct disinfectant and the proper cat distemper shots. Once you have Panleukopenia, you need a good game plan to shut down the virus before lives are lost. Keep your head up – disinfectants and vaccines are the key!
If you have more questions on Panleukopenia/distemper in cats or selecting the best cat distemper shots, call us at 800.786.4751.
-Dr. Bramlage
Donald Bramlage, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Former Director of Veterinary Services at Revival Animal Health
Donald Bramlage, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, practiced veterinary medicine for 30+ years and is known for his work in managing parvovirus. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1985. He served as Revival’s Director of Veterinary Services from 2011 until his retirement in 2019.
Dr. Amy Hanson is an associate veterinarian at the Cat Clinic of Lawrence in Lawrence, Kansas. She is a 2010 graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Her special interests include felines, acupuncture, and dentistry. Her hobbies include showing cats and she is a judge for the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA).
The materials, information and answers provided through this website are not intended to replace the medical advice or services of your personal veterinarian or other pet health care professional. Consult your own veterinarian for answers to specific medical questions, including diagnosis, treatment, therapy, or medical attention.
Disclaimer: This information was copied from Revival Animal Health, and you should ALWAYS consult your personal veterinarians regarding your pets.
PayPal: yogieandfriends@hotmail.com
Venmo: YogieCats
And as always, you can mail a check or money order to: Yogie and Friends, 128 Fob Lane, Frierson, LA 71027.
WHAT IS FIP? Feline Infectious Peritonitis, FIP, is a corona-based virus. This is a feline specific illness and not contagious to humans. This is one diagnosis that those of us in rescue dread because it has always been a death sentence. Until now. There are no guarantees with any medications, but this one is promising. Here is a link with the best explanation of what FIP is, and the program we are using for these two babies.
CRITICAL FOOD AND LITTER NEEDS: The shelves at pet stores, and other stores in general, have been quite bear with the critical supplies we need. Our priorities are, scoopable cat litter (no lightweight as it is not safe for sick, or young, cats), Friskies Pate’ canned food, Royal Canin Kitten slices in gravy (Our young cats and kittens eat this best), Royal Canin Dry Kitten, Purina Complete Dry, and Purina Naturals. We do not use grain free as it is not safe or recommended by our veterinarians. We also use Purina Fortiflora, which is a probiotic that aids in the health of the cats. Especially those in FIP treatment. Any, and all, help with these items would be appreciated. You can check out our wish lists on Amazon and Chewy.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2N8IP4356I948/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1
KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS: Attention Kroger Shoppers. We have been part of the Kroger Community Rewards program for well over 15 years, but they made some changes to their program, and we want to update our fans who happen to shop at Kroger Grocery Stores. Our Kroger Community Rewards number is now GD567, and you can find us by our name as well, Yogie and Friends FIV Positive Cat Sanctuary. When you log into your Kroger account you can select us as your charity of choice and a portion of your purchase will be donated to our rescue sanctuary. This is one of the easiest ways to help us financially when you go grocery shopping. It takes nothing out of your pockets either. How cool is that?
Please consider helping our cats when you shop at Kroger. We deeply appreciate your help.
SPONSORSHIP: We often speak of our sponsorship program and right now we are really trying hard to get all our cats sponsored. Sponsorship is a wonderful way to help support our cats. By sponsoring one of our Yogie cats, you will be providing food, limited medical care (we know that medical bills can get extremely high and do not expect a sponsor to cover it. Unless they can, and want to), and their basic care and support. 100% of the sponsorship goes to the care of these animals. If each cat had a regular, monthly, sponsor, it would help ease the financial burden of care for the animals we provide sanctuary for.
Please note that more than one person may sponsor a cat but rest assured that all sponsor funds are used for the ongoing care of our cats.
You can sponsor a cat for just $15 a month, $45 a quarter, or $180 a year. You can always contribute more. It all helps a great deal.
If you choose to sponsor a cat via PayPal or Venmo, please let us know the name of the cat you would like to sponsor.
CATS IN NEED OF SPONSORING (WE CURRENTLY CARE FOR 70 CATS)
FIV Positive Cats:
Alex – is being sponsored by Patsy, a fan in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Sunny
VooDoo
Dotsey – Is being sponsored by Beverly, a fan in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Ursula
Olaf
Brexit
Sasha
Grayson – Is being sponsored by Phil and Ann, fans in Haughton, Louisiana.
Oskar
Non-Positive Cats:
Hope
Elsa
Barney
Claire – is being sponsored by Bonnie, a fan in N. Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Anna
Duncan – Is being sponsored by Vanessa, a fan in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Grace – is being sponsored by Dorothy, a fan in Blytheville, Arkansas.
Blackie
Penelope
Duckie
Lucy
Smudge
Squeak
Bandit
Sarah
Snowball
Miss Kitty
Isabella
Quinn – Is being sponsored by Denyce, a fan in Houston, Texas.
Theo (Tayo) – Is being sponsored by Denyce, a fan in Houston, Texas.
Ms. Gray
Oscar
Dorian
Bert
Ernie
Kay
Rocket
Ziggy
Layla
Angel
Pia
Mama – Is being sponsored by Louise, a fan in Australia.
Pete
Saber
Binx
Domino
Socks
Logan
Russell
April
Tosha
Taco
Lucia (Deaf, survivor of a broken jaw) – is being sponsored by Dorothy, a fan in Blytheville, Arkansas.
Uncle Fester
Yeti
Bonnie
Yakov
Finn
Chloe
Maggie Mae
Anastasia
Saphira
Eragon
Draco
Egon
Enya
Declan
Fiona
Flynn
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Yogie Booth at Paws in the Park
Riverpark Church
3232 E. 70th Street, Shreveport, LA 71105
15 October 2022
10 A.M. – 3 P.M.
Fall Bake Sale
Petco
6596 Youree Drive
Shreveport, Louisiana
29 October 2022 (Please note the change in date from the 22nd)
11 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Yogie and Friends Day at Bella Nonnas
Bella Nonnas Olive Oil and Vinegar
1409 E. 70th Street, Suite 107-B
Shreveport, Louisiana
19 November 2022
11 A.M. – 3 P.M.
Christmas Bake Sale
Petco
6596 Youree Drive
Shreveport, Louisiana
Yogie Booth at Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade
12 February 2023
Times TBD
Fairground Field
Shreveport, Louisiana
AMAZON SMILE: Did you know that when you shop via Smile.Amazon.com you can select Yogie and Friends as your charity of choice, and they will donate a percentage of the sales to us? It is an extremely effortless way to help.
PAYPAL: PayPal has a program where you can do automatic monthly donations to Yogie and Friends. This is an easy and effective way to help our fundraising for the animals. You can also choose to pay the fees by selecting the Friends and Family option in PayPal ensuring we would receive the entire amount of your donation. Our PayPal is: yogieandfriends@hotmail.com
FINANCIAL SUPPORT: Your donations are the most important thing to help us with our animals. We are a 501(C)(3) non-profit, in good standing. Your donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. We can really use help with funds to buy food, veterinarian care, and everyday care of the wellbeing of the animals. Thank you for your support.
We are spending about $5000 a month on food and litter alone. Then we have vet bills and other incidentals that come up creating an immediate need.
Our intake is closed until further notice.
YOU CAN MAIL YOUR DONATIONS TO US AT:
YOGIE AND FRIENDS
128 FOB LANE
FRIERSON, LA 71027
PLEASE spay and neuter your pets. Adopt! Do not Shop!
Thank You! The Yogie Cats and their Volunteer Staff!
Posted in Monthly Newsletter, The News