Foothill Felines Savannah kitten.

 RABIES 

What exactly is "rabies"?? Rabies is a bullet-shaped Rhabdovirus virus that enters the body, usually via the saliva of a rabid animal to another by biting. Once the virus is in the body, it travels to the central nervous system through the spinal cord and finally, the brain. One reason this disease is so dreaded and deadly is that once it enters the central nervous system, the body's immune system cannot respond to attack the invading virus, and death is inevitable.

What is the incubation period for rabies?? Usually, the incubation period is from 2-8 weeks; however, studies have found incubation periods of up to 2 years!! Some experts feel that this is a type of virus that may lay waiting within nerve tissue until triggered by stress to become active.

What's the treatment for rabies?? The anti-rabies treatment for people bitten by suspected rabid animals is given during this incubation period. The treatment these days is much easier than the old 22 painful injections once given; the modern treatment is one dose of immune globulin and 5 doses of anti-rabies vaccine given over a 28 day period of time. The anti-rabies vaccine promotes the body's own immune system to fight the virus, and the immune globulin provides an immediate defense of antibodies against the rabies virus.

Why do I have to vaccinate my indoor only cat for rabies?? Currently, 27 states and the District of Columbia require rabies vaccination of cats (43 states + D.C. require this vaccine for dogs). To protect your cat, and all the people who come in contact with your cat, you should vaccinate for rabies!! Even though the vast majority of Bengal Cat owners and breeders keep their beautiful Bengals indoors, if anyone should ever be bitten or seriously scratched by your cat at a cat show, or at anytime, and you cannot prove that your cat is current on vaccination for rabies, YOUR CAT MAY BE AT RISK FOR BEING EUTHANIZED!! It just is not worth the terrible risk to you and your animals. There have been cases where indoor felines have been exposed to rabid animals, and if this ever happens to your Bengal, and you cannot prove your cat is current on his/her vaccination for rabies, again, your cat must be euthanized immediately; this is due to the serious health danger to other living creatures including humans. Rabies, and the possibility of contracting rabies, must be taken very seriously.

How often do I need to get my cat vaccinated for rabies?? Although many studies suggest administering the rabies vaccine to kittens 3 months of age or older, a word of caution here. The rabies vaccine, while usually very safe, has on rare occasion caused some unwanted side effects in cats, especially young kittens. A suggestion is to wait until your kitten is at least 6 months old, and very well developed and strong. Many veterinarians will not perform any surgical procedure on an animal unless they are current on their rabies vaccinations, so you should definitely consult with your vet, and together make the best choice for you and your cat. Booster vaccines for rabies are given either annually, biannually, or once every three years. This depends upon the state law and the type of vaccine given.

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NUVET PLUS FELINE SUPPLEMENT

~ Give your kitty the energy, great health and desire to enjoy life to the fullest! Used and recommended by Foothill Felines, click on image above to order this uniquely powerful nutritional supplement for felines at our Foothill Felines breeder discount. Just a pinch a day, sprinkled onto wet and/or dry food, energizes and supports all ages, weights and breeds of cats. Developed by scientists, veterinarians and formulators to enhance the health and lives of cats, this unique Nu- Vet supplement contains many important minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and vitamins especially needed by active felines' metabolisms INCLUDING taurine, calcium, blue green algae, brewer's yeast, and much more.

   
FELIWAY PLUG-INS & SPRAY
~ Click on links above for more information and to order these exceptionally calming Feliway products for felines. Used and recommended by Foothill Felines! Wonderful for cats of all ages, weights, and breeds. Contains natural cat pheromones for extremely effective stress relief and eliminating need for cats and kittens to mark or exhibit other unwanted behaviors. Every multi-cat household should know about these plug-ins; they are odorless to people, yet they are especially helpful to kittens/cats during a move, any change in your household routine, periods of stress of any kind, and queening.

TOY-GO-ROUND CAT EXERCISE WHEELS ~ Click on image above to learn about the incredible new exercise wheels for cats; the Toy-Go-Round wheels!! They're simply the best designed, best built and best priced wheels we've found anywhere!!

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