Farming Friends

There are many different causes of leg injuries in cats.

• Traffic accidents.
• A fall from a high location.
• An infected bite wound.
• A deep cut on the paw.
• A burn on the paw.
• A fractured claw.
• A damaged or infected nailbed.
• Arthritis.
• Hip dysplasia.
• Thrombosis.

A lame cat may not always be obvious as they tend to avoid movement.

If you notice that your cat is limping, take great care when picking it up or examining it.

Sometimes leg injuries will stop after a short time and the cat’s leg appears to be ok again.

Seek veterinary advice if you are concerned about your cat and it’s leg injury.

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The kitten that I found on the farm a few weeks ago has reappeared but his left eye looks clouded over. If I can catch the kitten I will take him to the vet, but I don’t hold out much hope of catching him as he is very nervous of humans and I only managed to get these photographs from a distance.

Causes of Eye Problems In Cats

1. A scratch on the eye or around the eye.
2. An injury to the eye.
3. Conjunctivitis.
4. Blocked tear ducts.
5. Progressive retinal atrophy.
6. A cataract.
7. A glaucoma.
8. A cold or flu virus.
9. A foreign body in the eye.
10. An infection.
11. A blow to the head.
12. A tumour.
13. Diabetes.
14. Infectious diseases.

I am not a vet, so if you see that your cat has a problem with their eye, then take them to your vet.

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• Kittens are born blind and deaf.
• They rely totally on their mother.
• During the first 3-4 weeks the kittens rely on their mother to feed and clean them.

• Within a few days the kittens learn to locate their mother and start to crawl.
• Their eyes remain closed until they are about 10 days old.

• Kittens cannot focus on objects until they are about 4 weeks old.
• By about week 3 they can stand and hear.
• Weaning kittens from the mother’s milk can start to take place from week 3.
• From week 4 the kittens can start to have some solid food.
• Once the kittens start to eat solid food they should be introduced to the litter box.
• After a meal place the kittens on the litter tray.
• Deworming should start at about 4 weeks when they start on solid foods.
• Kittens should be dewormed every 2-3 weeks until they are 3 months old.
• At 3 months old, deworm every month until they are 6 months old.
• Outdoor cats should be dewormed twice a year and indoor cats once a year.
• Kittens grow quickly from the age of 5 weeks.
• By week 6-7 they can run, jump and climb.

• After about 8 weeks the kittens no longer need to have their mother’s milk.
• Handling kittens is very important especially between weeks 2-7.
• Kittens need to be handled frequently in order for them to grow up friendly and tolerant of human contact.
• Toys can be introduced at about 6 weeks.
• Groom kittens at least once a week.
• At this point kittens need to be house trained so that they do not sharpen their claws on the furniture or climb the curtains.

• Reward the kittens with a treat when they display desirable behaviour.
• Walk away or firmly say no when they do something that is not allowed.
• Do not shout at the kittens or hit them when they do something that you do not like.
• At 9 weeks and 12 weeks kittens need vaccinating.
• Kittens should be neutered between 4-6 months old.

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• Cats greet each other by rubbing faces.
• They greet humans by rubbing up against the human.
• Cats do not like to get their feet wet.
• Feline creatures follow a daily routine.
• They love to sleep.

• Cats instinctively hunt.
• They like to keep their claws in good condition by scratching rough surfaces like trees and fence posts.
• Felines are clean creatures, they love to groom themselves.
• Cats can recognise human voices and familiar people.
• They have their own territory.
• Feline animals like to have their own space.
• Food and space are vital resources to cats.

• Scent marks are left around the territory to let other cats know of their existence and mark their territory.
• Cats are athletic creatures who enjoy exercise.
• They enjoy playing.
• Cats can be sociable creatures.

Cats greet each other by touching and rubbing faces.

They will also greet humans they trust by;

• Getting on their hind legs and trying to make their face reach the person’s face or hand.
• Rubbing themselves against a person’s leg.
• Rolling on the floor with their legs stretched out and their tummy exposed.