【新聞類】天生壞人臉「ET貓」好吃虧

【貓貓資料分類】 >> 【新聞資料類】

「ET貓」無毛外型、眼神銳利，被人稱為世界最可怕的貓。
(圖／翻攝自網路)

迷朦晶亮眼神透露一抹神祕感，走起路來趾高氣昂，時時保持優雅姿態，相信這是你我對於貓咪存有的既定印象。正所謂「世界之大無奇不有」，自然界物種繁多，自認愛貓的你或許不知道，天底下有一種基因突變的無毛貓，因為耳朵高尖突出，眼神銳利嚇人，徹底打破一般人對於可愛貓咪的審美觀，因為長得有點像外星人，被暱稱為「ET貓」，甚至還有「世界最可怕／最醜的貓」雙料壞名遠播。

(圖／取自ETtoday)

「ET貓」學名為唐斯芬克斯貓(Don Sphynx cat)，又稱加拿大無毛貓，這種貓是由於基因突變而產生，目前屬於稀有品種。牠們的體重3.5到7公斤，肌肉發達，毛髮稀疏，皮膚皺褶似羚羊皮，頭部稜角分明，微呈三角型，眼大呈檸檬狀，多數呈金色，上眼角斜向耳，間距較寬。

因為無毛所以溫度調節能力較差，「ET貓」對溫差變化十分敏銳，既怕冷也怕熱，還對陽光敏感，飼主必須避免讓牠們長時間接受陽光直射，適合在公寓飼養。新生小貓皮膚皺褶多，脊被上的毛將隨年齡增長消失，飼主應經常清理貓耳，以防耳內發炎或耳蟎滋生。

全身皺巴巴又無毛的模樣看似嚇人，對牠們不熟悉的人或許會敬而遠之，事實上牠們可是活潑貪玩、獨立性強，感情豐富並且渴望得到主人的專寵，再加上不具攻擊性，擁有能與其它貓狗和平相處的好個性，假如牠們會開口說話，大概也會頻頻抱怨人類：「這真是誤會大了！」

(圖／取自ETtoday)

唐斯芬克斯貓協會負責人威廉姆斯表示，這種貓只會帶給飼主兩種極端反應，如果不是愛不釋手，要不就是拒於千里之外。據英國媒體報導指出，雖然唐斯芬克斯貓外表無毛，不符合一般人對於可愛貓咪的「審美觀」，長相甚至還有點像是小型的ET外星人，近年來在當地卻頗受飼主歡迎，售價更高達3000英鎊(約台幣14萬元)。 

原文網址: 我很醜可是我很溫柔　天生壞人臉「ET貓」好吃虧 |ETtoday寵物動物新聞 | ETtoday 新聞雲 

：ET貓的樣子真的一點都不討喜，想不到原來牠是感情豐富的貓咪？？？！！！

【饮食篇】猫不能吃之食物-5（简体）

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之飲食篇】 >> 【一般飲食之知識】

：很多猫咪的饲主将小猫带回家后，心想这个小Baby要吃什么好呢？以为小猫咪也是吸母奶长大的，牠当然要喝牛奶补充营养，事实上很多猫咪在喝了牛奶或乳制品后会有下痢的情形发生～～～

	肝脏： 少量的肝脏是没问题的，肝脏含有高单位的维他命A，过量可能影响肌肉和骨骼及营养问题，严重会造成过骨骼畸形或中毒。
牛奶： 大多数的宠物都有乳糖不适症，若喝了后出现放屁、腹泻、脱水或皮肤发炎等征状，应停止喂食牛奶。 现在市面上有出售猫专用奶粉和猫营养奶品，其中添加酵素的成份能够删除过敏原，不会引起腹泻情形，乳糖含量较低的乳制品也是另一个选择。
	味精： 猫是对味精敏感，敏感反应会于食用后的48小时内出现，症状类似癫痫性痉挛，容易导致医生误判。
蘑菇： 有许多类型的蘑菇是有毒的，毒性蘑菇可能造成肝脏或肾脏损伤甚至导致破坏神经。虽然狗是更有可能比猫吃得到蘑菇，但是还是需要注意不要让你的猫吃到任何蘑菇。

【疾病篇】Cats subtle signs of sickness

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之疾病篇】 >> 【貓貓一般疾病類】

1. Inappropriate Elimination Behavior 
Client education about litter box care and normal elimination behavior is important for prevention and treatment of medical and behavioral problems. Clients should be aware that inappropriate urination and defecation often accompany an underlying medical condition and do not occur “to get back at the owner.”
A cat that is urinating inappropriately may have any number of conditions associated with the behavior, including lower urinary tract disease, kidney disease, urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus. It can also be a sign of arthritis, which makes it difficult for the cat to get into the litter box.
Blockage of the urinary tract signals a veterinary emergency. A blockage is treatable, but timing is critical. Once identified, the cat must receive veterinary care as soon as possible. Otherwise, fatal complications could develop. Signs include straining in the litter box with little or no results, crying when urinating and frequent attempts to urinate.

2. Changes in Interaction
Cats are social animals, they enjoy interaction with their human family and often with other pets. Changes in those may signal problems such as disease, fear or anxiety. They may also signal pain, which can cause aggression. For example, a cat may attack an individual who causes it pain, such as a person combing over a cat’s arthritic hips or brushing a diseased tooth.

3. Changes in Activity 
A decrease or increase in activity can be a sign of a medical of condition. As cats age, there is increased risk for arthritis. Discomfort from systemic illnesses can also lead to a decrease in activity. It's important to understand cats don't usually slow down just because they are old. More activity is often caused by hyperthyroidism. Changes in activity warrant a visit to your veterinarian.

4. Changes in Sleeping Habits 
The key to differentiating abnormal lethargy from normal napping is knowing your cat's sleeping patterns. The average adult cat may spend 16 to 18 hours per day sleeping. This is normal, but much of that sleeping is “catnapping.” The cat should respond quickly to usual stimuli, such as the owner walking into the room or cat food being prepared. If your cat is sleeping more than usual or has discomfort laying down and getting up, this may be a sign of underlying disease.

5. Changes in Food and Water Consumption 
Contrary to popular belief, most cats are not "finicky" eaters. Look for changes, such as a decrease or an increase in consumption and how the cat chews its food. Decreased food intake can be a sign of several disorders, ranging from poor dental health to cancer. Increased food consumption can be caused by diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or other health problems.
Changes in water consumption may be more difficult to observe, especially in cats that spend time outdoors or drink from toilets and sinks. Increased water intake can be an early indicator of thyroid problems, kidney disease, diabetes or other conditions.
If food and water intake is questionable, clients can measure the food and water given, and then measure what remains after 24 hours to get a more accurate picture of actual consumption.

6. Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain 
A change in weight does not necessarily correlate with a change in appetite. Cats with hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus can lose weight despite good appetites. Many other diseases cause both appetite and weight loss. If your cat goes to the food dish and then backs away from it without eating, nausea may be the source.
Weight changes often go unnoticed because of a cat's thick coat. You can assess body condition by feeling gently along the ribs. The ribs should be easily felt but not prominent.
On the other hand, obesity has become a serious health concern in cats, with increased risk of diabetes mellitus, joint disease and other problems. Cat owners can purchase small pet scales to chart weight at home. Take the cat to the veterinarian if there are any unplanned changes in weight.

7. Changes in Grooming 
Typically, cats are fastidious groomers. Note whether your cat's coat is clean and free of mats. Patches of hair loss or a greasy or matted appearance can signal an underlying disease. Also watch to see if your cat has difficulty grooming. A decrease in grooming behavior can indicate fear, anxiety, obesity or other illnesses. An increase in grooming may be a sign of a skin problem.

8. Signs of Stress 
Yes, your cat can be stressed despite having an “easy” life. Boredom and sudden lifestyle changes are common causes of stress in cats. Stressed cats may spend less time grooming and interacting, or they may spend more time awake and scanning their environment, hide more, withdraw and exhibit signs of depression. They could also change their eating patterns. These same signs may indicate a medical condition. It is important to rule out medical problems first and then address the stress. Because the social organization of cats is different from that of people and dogs, changes in the family, such as adding a new pet, should be done gradually. Please contact your vet hospital for information on how to successfully make changes in your household.

9. Changes in Vocalization 
An increase in vocalization or howling is more common in older cats and is often seen with some underlying condition such as hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure. Many cats also vocalize more if they are in pain or anxious. If you note a change in vocalization, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out medical problems and to obtain suggestions for minimizing or eliminating the behavior.

10. Bad Breath 
Studies show 70 percent of cats have gum disease as early as age 3. It is important to have your cat's teeth checked every six months to help prevent dental disease or to start treatment of problems. One of the early indicators of an oral problem is bad breath. Regular home teeth brushing and veterinary dental care prevent bad breath, pain, tooth loss and spread of infection to other organs.



Source from: http://www.healthycatsforlife.com/sickness1.html

【简体类】「勇敢猫」保卫家园 无畏惧驱赶大狐狸（新闻）

【貓貓資料分類】 >> 【簡體資料類】 

猫咪在一般人的印象中给人懒洋洋的感觉，总是瞇着眼睛舒服的躺在阳光下，实在很难想象猫咪竟然会保卫家园。俄罗斯就有只猫咪，为了赶走入侵其地盘的狐狸，展现出超乎人想象的勇敢行为，尽忠职守的举动让主人吃惊又感动。

45岁的谢尔盖(Sergey Krasnoshchokov)居住在俄罗斯的克罗若斯基(Kronotsky)保育区内，平时热衷于摄影，日前他在自家门口捕捉到一系列猫咪驱赶敌人的精采画面，谢尔盖的宠物猫西欧马(Sioma)是只聪明且忠心的猫，平时总是坐在家门口巡逻并看守家园。

西欧马发现一只不速之客正往牠家的方向前进。 （图／撷取自《每日邮报》）	西欧马将身子放低，观察狐狸下一个动作。 （图／撷取自《每日邮报》）
当狐狸靠近时， 西欧马将身子蜷伏起来以阻挡牠的去路。 （图／撷取自《每日邮报》）	西欧马向狐狸的背部进行攻击。 （图／撷取自《每日邮报》）
狐狸吓得赶紧落荒而逃。 （图／撷取自《每日邮报》）	西欧马平时坐在家门口巡守以保卫家园。 （图／撷取自《每日邮报》）

一天一只不速之客的狐狸偷偷潜入牠的「地盘」，西欧马毫不畏惧地立刻走向前察看，发现是一只比牠身型大上好几倍的狐狸，西欧马马上将身子蜷伏并阻挡牠的去路，再将其驱离不让牠向屋内靠近，最后这只受到惊吓的狐狸赶紧穿越雪地逃之夭夭。

拍摄到所有画面的主人谢尔盖表示：「那只狐狸真的有被吓到，起初牠应该只是想找机会玩耍，但后来发现事态严重就赶紧逃跑了。」主人也补充他们是在12个月前将西欧马买回家，当牠还是只毛茸茸的小猫时就展现出勇敢及忠心的特质，对此谢尔盖一家人表示非常感动也相当引以为傲。

原文网址: 不准踏入我家！「勇敢猫」保卫家园　无畏惧驱赶大狐狸 (第1页/共2页)| 头条新闻 | NOWnews 今日新闻网   

：太厉害了，实在很勇敢，我才不敢呢～  

【疾病篇】Seven signs that get your cat to Veterinarian immediately

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之疾病篇】 >> 【貓貓一般疾病類】

Although some emergencies can be managed at home, others require immediate veterinary attention.  The signs below, if present, usually indicate an emergency that requires immediate veterinary assessment.

Non-responsiveness 
A non-responsive kitten is usually in serious trouble. If you get no response or reaction when you call, stroke, or touch your kitten, immediately check its breathing. Airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and poisonings are a few things that can cause non-responsiveness.

Labored breathing
Respiratory problems require immediate attention.  Fluid in the lungs or the chest cavity can obstruct breathing, and kittens can go into respiratory arrest, followed by cardiac arrest, if untreated.

Drooling profusely 
Electric cord burns to the mouth and tongue, contact with household poisons or plants, and nausea from other systemic illnesses can cause profuse drooling.

Incessant vomiting
Serious electrolyte abnormalities and dehydration may occur as a result of continuous vomiting.  Intestinal obstruction from a ribbon, rubber band, or string is a common cause of chronic vomiting in kittens and requires immediate attention.

Profuse diarrhea 
Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can lead to rapid deterioration in kittens if not addressed promptly.

Abnormal coloration of the gums

Pale gums implies anemia; bluish gums suggest a cardiac or respiratory problem, and yellow gums denote red blood cell destruction or severe liver disease.  All of these conditions require immediate assessment by a veterinarian.

Fever
Fevers in kittens are often due to infectious conditions.  Fever increases a kitten’s fluid requirements, and often depresses their appetite.  Malnutrition and dehydration is a dangerous combination.  Kittens with fevers (temp greater than 103 F) should be examined promptly.


Original Website:
http://manhattancats.com/Articles/kitten_first_aid.html

【生育篇】養貓咪一定要結紮嗎？

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之生育篇】 >>【節育或結紮手術】


「養貓咪一定要結紮嗎？」寶貝貓咪的飼主們常擔心這是一項高風險的手術，同時也擔心結紮後會降低貓咪的生活品質，因而有些飼主完全排斥為自己的貓咪結紮。事實上，結紮對於貓咪卻是有大大的好處呢！

貓咪應該要結紮的原因

♦ 不再發情亂撒尿

母貓會因為發情不斷出現嬰兒叫、摩擦物品、煩躁不安的狀況，不但干擾自身安寧，也會影響周遭鄰居的生活品質。而公貓則會出現嚎叫、四處撒尿，甚至企圖逃家、跳樓等危險動作，如果不小心讓貓咪跑到住家外面，還可能跟其牠公貓打架而受傷。

♦ 提昇貓咪生活品質

常看到飼主基於不忍心「剝奪貓咪生活權」，而不願進行結紮手術，但因為不可能讓貓咪不間斷的交配，因而貓咪在發情時期非常痛苦，相對而言，沒有發情期的貓咪反而較幸福。

♦ 增進貓咪健康

只要結紮過的貓咪，未來幾乎完全不會有生殖器官上的疾病，如子宮卵巢等器官疾病，因此可以助貓咪延長壽命。

♦ 結紮過的貓咪比較溫馴

這不是結紮的主要目的，卻是附加而來的好處，並且因為不用再競爭交配，公貓佔地盤的情況會比較和緩，對於一家多貓的家庭來說，打架的狀況會減少，對於未來有可能再加入的新貓，接受度也會比較高。

怎麼幫貓咪結紮

♦ 公貓

公貓長到9個月以後，在全身麻醉條件下，可進行安全無痛去勢手術。年幼公貓不適合做去勢手術，因為性器官尚未發育成熟，此時若貿然做去勢手術，可能會造成日後泌尿器官堵塞。

♦ 母貓

由於母貓年齡較大時可能得卵巢囊腫和子宮疾病，因此倘若你肯定不想要小貓，建議母貓長到4~9個月時，可請獸醫為牠除卵巢。而這項手術是在全身麻醉下摘除兩個卵巢和大部分子宮，雖然這是無法挽回的絕育手術，卻沒有後遺症。 

♦ 結紮手術

由於結紮手術需進行全身麻醉，需和獸醫約好後，再帶愛貓去診所動手術，並且在進手術室前12小時之內，貓咪應停止飲食。雖說有些貓咪可能要留在診所過夜，但是大多可在當天稍晚即可領回貓咪。母貓動手術後會在皮膚小創口上留下縫針，隔5~10天後應前往獸醫院拆線。

手術後注意事項

♦ 手術後的貓咪會比較虛弱，需留意獸醫師建議，有必要的話可住院照顧。

♦ 動物有舔傷口的習慣，若傷口一直被舔會無法復原，且傷口會更惡化，飼主可自己用頸圈來防止貓咪舔傷口。

♦ 正常狀況下手術後約一週內便可拆線，在這段時間內請讓貓咪好好休息，切勿激烈運動，否則傷口不容易復原，拆線前，不可幫貓咪洗澡，讓貓咪身體保持乾燥。

♦ 結紮後因體內分泌荷爾蒙濃度的改變，因此能量運用效率會較好，雖吃同樣的食物，但所攝取的熱量卻增多了，貓咪的荷爾蒙消失會促進食慾、增加食量，所以容易發胖，飼主們需加強飲食管理。

原文網址：http://www.pfizer.com.tw/petcare/cat/Classroom_View.aspx?Cid=23

【疾病篇】Cats do not spread brain tumours (News)

【貓貓知識匯總】 >> 【貓之疾病篇】 >>【貓貓傳染疾病類】

As anyone who has lost a loved one to a brain tumour knows, the disease can be devastating.

So headlines claiming that cats may be responsible for brain tumours – based on limited and tentative evidence – are not only misleading but also deeply insensitive to patients and their families.

Despite recent advances in treating brain tumours, we’re still largely in the dark about the causes of these cancers. This is partly because brain tumours are relatively rare, so studying their causes is much harder than for more common cancers, such as lung, bowel or breast.

Investigating the cause of a disease often involves delving into large sets of data and look for patterns. Sometimes these patterns turn out to be the cause itself – such as the well-knownlink between smoking and lung cancer. Other times it’s something else – a relationship between two things that simply hints at an underlying cause, such as the link between the age a woman starts her periods and her risk of breast cancer (which is probably related to overall levels of hormones over her lifetime).

Either way, finding a link is just the first step on a long road: a promising clue, which may – or may not – yield further clues on further investigation. History is littered with examples of ideas that don’t hold up once further evidence is gathered. But this doesn’t mean doing this research is pointless – rather, that’s exactly how science works.

It was looking for these sorts of patterns – these ghostly signals of causation or correlation – that led a team of French scientists to investigate links between rates of a common infection, Toxoplasma gondii – which is spread by eating infected meat or by handling cat faeces – and rates of brain tumours.

Publishing their latest results in the Royal Society’s journal, BiologyLetters, they found that countries that reported higher brain tumour rates also tended to have higher rates of T. gondii infections.

This is an intriguing morsel of evidence. But it certainly doesn’t mean, as many newspapers have unfortunately stated, that ‘catsmay be spreading brain cancer to their owners’, nor that infected cats ‘couldalmost double their owner’s chance of developing brain cancer’.

So what’s the real story behind the headlines? And should cat lovers be concerned?

What do we know about brain tumours?

There are many different types of brain tumour, often with long, tongue-twisting names like astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, or primitive neuroectodermal tumours.

With all these different forms, it’s impossible to assign one over-arching cause to ‘brain cancer’, and its likely that they’re triggered by different things. But there are a few things we do know – increasing age, certain inherited gene faults, and increased exposure to X-rays can all increase the risk.

There’s also some evidence to suggest that people with weak immune systems are more likely to develop brain tumours. This is important and we’ll come back to it in a minute.

As well as these definite risks, there have also been a number of long-running, high-profile controversies over other causes of brain cancer; most notably mobile phones, but the spotlight has also shone on hairdyes, cured meats, and power lines. None of these has been conclusively proven, and they’re unlikely to play a significant role in the disease.

And finally, there have been hints of a link between certain brain cancers and infections.  Several studies have found a link between glioblastoma multiforme and a common virus called cytomegalovirus , but others have found no link.

So what about this cat parasite?

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic infection that reproduces in cats, but can infect other mammals, including humans, causing a condition called toxoplasmosis. According to the NHS website:

Up to half of the UK population will have a toxoplasmosis infection at some point in their lives. Once infected, a person is then immune from further infection for life.

Toxoplasmosis can cause mild flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature and muscle aches, but these will usually pass without treatment after a few weeks.

The NHS link above is well worth a read for more info about the parasite and the disease it causes.

What about the new research?

Our former colleague Ed Yong has written an excellent and comprehensive article about the new research on his blog, Not Exactly Rocket Science. As he explains:

[The researchers] compared national figures from 37 countries and found that brain cancers are more common in countries where T.gondii infections are more common. Brain cancer was 1.8 times more common in countries where T.gondiiwas most common, than in those where it was virtually absent.

However, these countries also differ in other important ways. Wealthier countries have more sophisticated technology that is better able to detect brain cancer, as well as more accurate cancer registries. To account for that, [the researchers] adjusted their results for national wealth, along with latitude (T.gondii is more common in the tropics), and cell phone use (which has been spuriously linked to brain cancer). None of these adjustments changed the link between T.gondiiinfections and brain cancer rates.

But, as Ed goes on to point out, the big problem with drawing conclusions from this is that the study is an ‘ecological’ study, “one of the weakest designs in the hierarchy of medical research”, and says nothing about the risks of individual people living in the countries examined in the study.

So why did they find a link?

One obvious thing to say is that it’s equally plausible that brain tumours cause an increase in T. gondii infections – i.e. the exact opposite of what the media reported.

As we said above, brain tumours are more common in people with weakened immune systems. These people could just be more susceptible to parasitic infections, which would neatly explain the link.

It’s also possible that, as with reproductive history and breast cancer, the infection is a ‘marker’ for something else. After all, millions of people in the UK have been infected with T. gondii, yet fewer than 5,000 people each year develop a brain tumour. Even if the link stands up to future research there would have to be another factor at play – possibly genetics, or maybe another infection.

A word about the headlines

As we’ve seen, this is a preliminary expedition into the relatively uncharted territory of brain tumour risk. Understanding what causes this varied set of cancers is a problem that needs urgent attention, but because of the complexities of the cancers – and their relative rarity – progress is slow and painstaking.

This research paper builds on previous studies, but is categorically not a definite link by any means. But reading many of the news reports, you would be forgiven for thinking the science was more certain than it is.

For example, the media’s claim that infected cats ‘could almost double the risk’ of brain tumours is plain wrong. The ‘doubling’ (actually a 1.8-fold increase) refers to the difference between nations, not between people with and without cats.

But more importantly, pointing the finger at the family pet over something as heart-wrenching as a brain tumour, in our view, fundamentally misrepresents the state of the evidence, and does a grave disservice to people worried about why they or their loved ones have the disease.

For the record, here’s the statement we issued to one media outlet (at their request) last night, but which didn’t even make the “19th paragraph”.

“As the researchers admit themselves, this study does not prove a link between T. gondii infection and brain cancer – it merely highlights a statistical link that requires further investigation. Cat lovers should not be at all alarmed by these findings.”

The idea of ‘cancer-causing cats’ makes a great headline – but we question the decision to cover the story in this way, and fail to see how this helps cancer patients and their friends and relatives make sense of this terrible disease.

Reference:

Thomas, F., Lafferty, K., Brodeur, J., Elguero, E., Gauthier-Clerc, M., & Misse, D. (2011). Incidence of adult brain cancers is higher in countries where the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is common Biology Letters DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.0588

以上內容來自 http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2011/07/27/cats-do-not-spread-brain-tumours/