Conference misery::feline_v1

    Here we go with the "old wives tale again." Chris, did your doctor
    tell you that is would be dangerous to touch the litter box etc?
    If so he also should have told you that your chances of getting
    "toxo" are GREATER handling raw meat than from litter.
    
    There are MANY notes in here about pregnant women and cats, etc.
    
    I commend you for taking in these tiny kittens who definately would
    not have survived outdoors with "Tom" hanging around. Shame on the
    people who moved out and could have cared less about the eventuality
    of their "pets."
    
    Barbara

    Havin had cats through three pregnancies, the problem is with the
    litter box.  The disease you can get starts with a "T" - can't remember
    the whole name.  I just had my husband do "litter box duty" during my
    pregnancies (and convinced him that he needed to do it for MONTHS after
    the babies were born) and everything was fine.  My cats slept with me
    during (and after) with no problems.  You just want to make sure to
    wash your hands after petting the cats (you probably already do this if
    you have allergies).
    
    Good luck!

    There was a frightening article in the "New York Times" yesterday
    concerning the spread of rabies through New York State eastward towards
    Massachusetts. The article says that the primary carrier is the
    raccoon, which means that dogs and cats are in great danger since they
    will eagerly take on any raccoons that come along. The ultimate danger,
    of course, is to the human owners of any dogs and cats that may have
    been exposed. The warning signs are unusual lethargy in the pet,
    unusual symptoms of aggression, and/or unusual symptoms of affection.
    The disease is spread in saliva; so you could conceivably contract it
    by handling things the cat (or dog) has had in its mouth. The article
    went on to point out that, without treatment, rabies is nearly always
    fatal for humans (and pets as well, I would imagine). My apologies if
    I'm repeating some news that already exists in another note -- I'm new
    to this conference and am still reading the notes from December of
    1985. I think everyone needs to be aware of this threat, though.
    
    

    Leominster... huh?  How about contacting Priscilla of the Pat Brody
    Memorial (??) shelter.  Perhaps one of the more knowledable feliners,
    like Sandy Merritt, can help you out.
    

    I think the disease is called Toxoplasmosis (sp?) and a previous
    noter is right, just have hubby handle the litter box chores.
    

    
    I understand what you are all saying about the "litter box" being the
    problem...and what I read on said about the same thing...but my doctor 
    just said that where they are strays, you don't know if they are up on
    their shots for other diseases etc...and it would jsut be "safer" all
    around if we could part with them as soon as we could. 
    
    Beleive me, I love cats...and until the last 6 months, have always
    owned one myself..(but I do find my allergies AMAZINGLY better without
    one).....and its killing me not to play with and pet the kittens and
    mom the way I'd like to.  I guess this being my first pregnancy, I am
    trying to be as safe as possible, thats all. (another problem has been
    that Mom isn't used to using a litter box, and doesn't "cover up" when 
    shes done...and when I enter the back porch, I end up running for the 
    bathroom and vomiting from the smell..being pregnant I can't tolerate
    many smells) 
    
    Toxoplasmosis (sp?) I think is the name of the disease "mainly"
    transmitted through the feces....  and the effects on an unborn child
    can be fatal to the fetus.
    
    I will try the other people mentioned in here...
    
    Now....WHAT IF I did keep the kittens for the 6-8 weeks, and found them
    homes...what am I suppose to do about Mom???  won't she get used to
    being fed and hang around....???  And possibly have more kittens and
    I'll have to go through this again....?
    
    I'm still lost!  
    
    I saw Tom (Daddy) the other day and he is a grey tiger too... all the
    kitten are tiger marked, 2 darker than the others, with med length hair
    (although ONE seems to be short haired, the runt)
    
    Any more ideas on Shelters/Animal rescue would be helpful.
    
    Chris
    

    There is a keyword for toxoplasmosis for those interested in further
    information.
    
    Jo

    A suggestion or two:  hold your nose starting before you go out onto
    the proch.  Get Mom spayed when the kittens can spare her for a couple
    of days.
    

    
    re:  Mom Cat.  If you decide to bring the kittens to a shelter, ask if
    you could bring in their mother also.

    I'd try to get the mom spayed (and the Tom too).  I have been doing
    this for some time now, with the help of FoA spay certificates.
    
    Their prices went up, males are $25 and females are $38.  But it would
    be worth it not to have to deal w/ kittens anymore.
    
    Once the mom is spayed, maybe you can adopt her, and keep her outside
    permantly.  Kinda giving you the best of both worlds.  Kitties to play
    with and a cat free house.  :^)
    
    Michele

    
    I spoke with Sandy this morning, who gave me the number of the 
    Pat Brody Shelter in Fitchburg. I spoke to Priscilla, and I will
    be bringing the mom/kittens to her tonight. There is a monthly fee
    involved, but I am hoping we can swing it. (Please don't think I am
    a tight-wad, etc...its just that my husband and I are on thin ice, we
    just bought the house in December, have child support to pay, etc and
    we are just bearly keeping our necks above water).
    
    If anyone would be interested in making any donations to the shelter
    in support of this mom and her kids...It can be made in the name of
    "Virginia" and her kids.  (and would be greatly appreciated!).
    
    Thanks Noters for all your help....  (I'm going to miss those little
    					  faces even though its only been
    			    		  2 weeks!)
    
    Chris
    

    
    Pat Brody Shelter for Cats
    PO Box 142
    Lunenburg, MA.
    
    
    (thanks)
    

    You're great!   It always restores my faith to run into such
    caring folks as yourself.
      Thanks so much from all of us, human and feline.
      Nancy

    Yes! Definately a BIG Thank You to you and your husband!
    
    God Bless!
    
    SueJ & Alex