【新聞類】養貓「不會」得腦癌！

【貓貓資料分類】 >> 【新聞資料類】

近來國際媒體紛紛報導一則關於「養貓恐致腦癌」的新聞，指出法國科學家研究發現，貓咪腹部若感染弓漿蟲(Toxoplasma gondii)，一旦傳染給人類恐致腦癌，引發愛貓人恐慌。不過「英國癌症研究中心」(Cancer Research UK) 也立即告訴大眾「免驚啦！」還說：該研究其實證據薄弱，而這樣的報導標題不但誤導人，也會嚴重影響養貓腦癌患者的心情，貓咪更是何其無辜！


近來英國《每日郵報》及各家大陸媒體紛紛報導，「貓咪可能害人類飼主得到腦瘤？」這樣研究來自於「法國國家科學研究中心」(CNRS) 的科學家佛萊德瑞克‧湯瑪斯(Frederic Thomas)。他在全球多個地區收集弓漿蟲感染資料，以及各地的腦癌病例，結果發現，弓漿蟲感染較普遍的地區，罹患腦癌的人數也較高，他相信弓形蟲與腦癌有一定關係。


雖然所有溫血動物包括人類、犬、囓齒類、羊等，都可能感染弓漿蟲，不過這種寄生蟲卻只能在貓咪的體內進行有性生殖；並且卵囊會隨著貓糞便排出。因此法國科學家湯瑪斯認為，養貓的確增加人類罹患腦癌的風險。

（圖／取自春麗-Flickr: chunli duan）

不過「英國癌症研究中心」(Cancer Research UK) 在看了報導後，立即跳出來駁斥。他們以「貓不會傳染腦癌」(Cats do not 'spread brain tumours') 為題撰文，斥責報導容易誤導大眾，也一一提出說明表示該研究證據薄弱。


「英國癌症研究中心」說，首先引發腦瘤的原因非常多，包括年齡增長、遺傳性基因缺陷、接觸X光等等；還有一些證據表示免疫系統較弱的人，也容易罹患腦瘤，並不一定與弓漿蟲有關。


而法國研究員湯瑪斯自己也承認，這份研究並不能證明弓漿蟲和人類腦癌之間的關聯性，它只是顯示一個數據，還有待進一步查證，愛貓人不需要為此震驚。


英國癌症研究中心嚴厲指出，媒體沒有把焦點放在湯瑪斯坦承研究證據不足上，反而全面寫出「養貓讓人罹患腦癌機率倍增」這種標題，非常令人痛心！撰文者Henry 斥責「根本是嚴重扭曲的言論」，還嘲諷說：「實在看不出來這種偉大的標題，對腦瘤病患和其家屬的意義何在？」


過去還有研究指出，人類感染弓漿蟲後也會影響行為，例如男人感染後會變得善妒、暴躁、野心勃勃；女人則變成「性感小野貓」，甚至有性開放的傾向。


到底人類感染弓漿蟲機率有多少？可以先瞭解弓漿蟲的整個生命週期，就會發現機率微乎其微。根據獸醫師林政毅曾經撰文表示，弓漿蟲若是在貓咪腹部繁衍後，排出的卵囊至少要24小時以上的時間，才能發育成具感染能力的芽孢子(sporozoites) 形態。這種形態的芽孢子才具有感染其他溫血動物的能力，具感染能力的芽孢子化卵囊一旦被中間宿主（如：人、老鼠、犬、羊、豬等）食入之後，便會將其內的芽孢子(sporozoites) 釋放出來，芽孢子會穿入腸壁並以分裂快速的裂殖子形式(tachyzoites) 來進行無性增殖，使得芽孢子廣泛地散播於全身並在組織內形成囊體(cyst)。最後還要貓咪「生食」了這些具有弓漿蟲囊體的組織（例如：生肉類食物），才完成了弓漿蟲的整個生活史。因此若人類如果不直接接觸貓咪的糞便，也不吃生肉，感染率極低。

（圖／取自貓藝家療癒系茶館／Sara 拍攝）

林政毅醫師也說，人類感染弓漿蟲的其他原因，還包括吃了感染弓漿蟲的生羊肉、生牛肉，所以貓咪「並不是」人類感染弓漿蟲的唯一來源。而且在台灣，雖然流浪貓方面確實有發生的病例，但若以目前家貓的飼養形態來說，貓咪若只在屋內生活、餵食乾飼料、罐頭或烹食過的食物，「實在不太有感染的可能。」

原文網址: 養貓「不會」得腦癌！　英科學家痛批媒體誤導群眾 (第1頁/共2頁)| 寵物新聞 | NOWnews 今日新聞網

：我們貓咪如果只在屋內生活，僅吃乾飼料、罐頭或熟食，不吃生食，感染弓漿蟲機率是極低的～

【飲食篇】貓不能吃之食物-5

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之飲食篇】 >> 【一般飲食之知識】

：很多貓咪的飼主將小貓帶回家後，心想這個小Baby要吃什麼好呢？以為小貓咪也是吃母奶長大的，牠當然要喝牛奶補充營養，事實上很多貓咪在喝了牛奶或乳製品後都會有下痢的情形發生～～～

	肝臟： 少量的肝臟是沒問題的，肝臟含有高單位的維他命A，過量可能影響肌肉和骨骼及營養問題，嚴重會造成過骨骼畸形或中毒。
牛奶： 大多數的寵物都有乳糖不適症，若喝了後出現放屁、腹瀉、脫水或皮膚發炎等徵狀，應停止餵食牛奶。 現在市面上有出售貓專用奶粉和貓營養奶品，其中添加酵素的成份能夠刪除過敏原，不會引起腹瀉情形，乳糖含量較低的乳製品也是另一個選擇。
	味精： 貓是對味精敏感，敏感反應會於食用後的48小時內出現，症狀類似癲癇性痙攣，容易導致醫生誤判。
蘑菇： 有許多類型的蘑菇是有毒的，毒性蘑菇可能造成肝臟或腎臟損傷甚至導致破壞神經。雖然狗是更有可能比貓吃得到蘑菇，但是還是需要注意不要讓你的貓吃到任何蘑菇。

【新闻类】世界最高猫 站立高48公分（简体）

【貓貓資料分類】 >> 【新聞資料類】

美国加州沙加缅度一只叫「麻烦」(Trouble)的家猫，从肩膀到脚掌足足有48公分高，日前被金氏世界纪录认定为「世界上最高的猫」。虽然麻烦身材高大，但只有9公斤重，而且牠性格温顺，饲养的主人玛拉史匹娜(Debby Maraspina)说，牠跟一般的家猫没两样。

Debby Maraspina养了牠3年，
 为 「麻烦」 成名而感到骄傲。
 (图／取自英国《每日邮报》)

坐着你或许看不出来，但这只叫「麻烦」的公猫，一站起来远远看就好像一只小花豹，「麻烦」从肩膀到脚掌足足有48公分高，比一般的猫几乎大上一倍，去年11月被金氏纪录认定为全世界最高的猫。

世界最高的猫──麻烦，
身材高大，但体重只有9公斤。
 (图／取自英国《每日邮报》)

今年3岁大的「麻烦」，虽然身材高大，但体重只有9公斤，玛拉史匹娜可以轻松把牠抱起来，麻烦的个性就像家猫一样温顺，吃的食物也和一般的猫没两样，玛拉史匹娜说，「牠吃的就是一般的猫食，牠喜欢牛肉、猪肉和鸡肉。」

「麻烦」的身高是19英寸，
普通的家猫相形见绌。
(图／取自英国《每日邮报》)

「麻烦」是家猫与
非洲野猫的混种。
(图／取自英国《每日邮报》)

自从通过金氏纪录认证后，「麻烦」就受到各大猫展的邀请，希望牠能参展，可惜的是，「麻烦」是家猫和非洲野生猫的混种，没有生育能力，因此无法繁殖后代。

原文网址: 猫界姚明！世界最高猫　站立高48公分 | ETtoday宠物动物新闻 | ETtoday 宠物云

【新手篇】Where to buy a healthy cat?

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之新手篇】 >> 【選擇貓貓基本法】


“Are you ready to raise your own cat at home?” A great deal time & thought should be put into this decision. Are you prepared to commit to a cat for its lifetime? So you have decided you are ready to bring a kitten into your life. Making the decision to bring a cat into your life is a very exciting time. But before rushing out to bring your chosen cat home it is important to slow down, take your time and really do your homework. 

There are several places you can obtain a cat from including cat breeders, animal shelters, pet shops, classified ads, veterinary hospital. We will look at the pros and cons of each.

  Shelter   

A great option to consider is the shelter. Both purebred mixed breed animals are at shelters although the purebreds do tend to find homes quicker. This is also a cost effective way to adopt a cat through shelter. Cats will leave micro-chipped, vaccinated, de-wormed and flea treated.

  Breeder 

There are professional breeders who have devoted many years to breeding their chosen breed of cat. Some breeds of cat can be prone to specific medical issues.  Once you have decided that you want a certain breed, it is a good idea to look up any possible health problems them are prone to investigate whether these conditions can be tested for.  Backyard Breeder/home breeder is another choice for you, you can ask for visiting the breeder's house and seeing the pets in their home environment. Are the conditions clean and sanitary? Do the animals look well cared for? Actually, the situation mostly is quite desirable, since the numbers of cats they need to take care are lesser than those professional breeders.

Pet Shops 

Many people assume that a pet shop is the natural place to buy a pet from. You won't know the history of the parents, and generally won't get follow up support & can often pay considerably more than you would have had you gone to a breeder or shelter. But now, some of the pet shop pay more attention on after sales services, and pet health control, it is really a good news to all cat lovers.

Classifieds

Either online or in newspaper, many people assume that a pet that is free to good home is the cheapest option. This is not always the case, especially with younger animals. Remember you may not be paying for the animal but you will have to pay to have it neutered, micro-chipped, vaccinated etc. This can often end up costing considerably more than had you purchased the animal from a breeder or shelter.

Veterinary

Another good place to check is your nearby veterinary hospital. They often take in homeless or abandoned cats that are looking for a new home. Even if they don't have cats available, they often have bulletin boards where people can list animals looking for a home.

【饮食篇】猫不能吃之食物-4（简体）

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之飲食篇】 >> 【一般飲食之知識】

：不要以为猫就爱吃鱼唷，某些鱼对猫来说也会引起疾病的呢！而且某些水果还会让我们腹泻和呕吐。葡萄与葡萄干也会导致肾衰竭，引发休克，并导致死亡。

	竹筴鱼或鲭鱼： 背部蓝色的鱼中含有大量的不饱和脂肪酸，会导致维他命E不足引起疾病。
生鱼肉及家禽肉： 可能含有沙门氏菌及芽胞杆菌会造成腹泻呕吐甚至休克。
	某些水果： 柑橘、蕃茄、桔子、葡萄柚、桃子、樱桃、桃子、李子、枇杷、芒果、梅子、野莓、菠萝、柠檬、桔子、葡萄柚、香蕉等果肉不宜多量，尤其是种子则含有氰化物，会造成毒性导致腹泻呕吐下腹疼痛。
葡萄与葡萄干： 葡萄与葡萄干会导致肾衰竭，引发休克，并导致死亡。

【訓練篇】貓訓練 : 波斯貓學小狗伎倆 (視頻-英語)

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之訓練篇】 >> 【貓貓訓練基本法】

此視頻取自YouTube，如被刪除，敬請見諒

: oh Gosh, I am too lazy to do so~~~

【新聞類】Missey is fairy dog-mother to litter of rescue kittens

【貓貓資料分類】 >> 【新聞資料類】

An RSPCA rescue dog who was hand reared as a puppy is repaying the favor by caring for a litter of kittens saved from being drowned in a drain.

Four shivering week-old kittens were brought into our Hull and East Riding Animal Centre soaking wet and wrapped in a towel by an animal lover who had stopped three youths from dropping them into a drainage ditch.

Missey is fairy dog-mother 
to litter of rescue kittens 
(Photo from RSPCA)

Staff at the center leapt into action to save the tiny black kittens giving them intensive round-the-clock care with bottle feeds every three hours.

When animal care assistant, Carina McLean, took the kittens home with her at night her pet dog Missey decided to lend a paw too.

Lending a helping paw 
(Photo from RSPCA)

Four-year-old Missey, a crossbreed, was bottle-fed by RSPCA staff when her mother rejected her as a puppy. She was taken in by Carina when she was just six weeks old.

Carina said:

"Missey has taken a real shine to them. She cleans them, giving them a good lick all over, a nice wash and brush up.

"She is like a surrogate mum to them. She doesn't mind that they are kittens, she was hand reared herself so she's repaying the favour."

The kittens, two males and two females, were rushed into the animal centre on Wednesday, 26 October by a man who had spotted three youths about to drop them into a drainage ditch.

Named after X Factor judges - 
 Louis, Gary, Kelly and Tulisa!
 (Photo from RSPCA)

Receptionist Amanda Nightingale said:

He walked through the door clutching a bundle. Inside the towel was four kittens.

They were wet and quite dirty. They were so small they didn't have their eyes open.

The man was very upset. He said he had seen three youths trying to drown them. Fortunately he managed to take the kittens off them.

They were really, really lucky. If they had gone into the water they would have died.

When they were first brought in the kittens weighed just 150g.

But thanks to the round-the-clock care from centre staff and Missey the dog, they have doubled their weight over the past five weeks.

Now six weeks old, the gorgeous black kittens have been named after X Factor judges Louis, Gary, Kelly and Tulisa!

They will be ready for rehoming soon once they have put on a bit more weight and been vaccinated and neutered.


Original Website: Missey is fairydog-mother to litter of rescue kittens