In this issue we feature:

1. "From the Galaxy Files" Update: Starsky and Whitey

2. Vaccination: Risks (Part 2)

3. Squirt Bottles, Punishment, and Cat Behavior

4. Flower Essence Series: Holly

1. "From the Galaxy Files" Update: Starsky and Whitey

We received a lot of mail asking about the outcome of "Whitey" the cat from last month's premiere of "From the Galaxy Files." Whitey was the neighborhood stray who was making life miserable for cat Starsky and his guardian Wayne by invading the house through the cat door, eating Starsky's food, marking the walls, and starting fights.

While Wayne was building a fence around the backyard, Whitey still made appearances in the alley and around front, making a plan of action from within almost impossible. Part of my plan for Wayne was to either consistently drive off Whitey with a remote device like the hose attachment called Scarecrow, or to trap him and turn him in to the local shelter.

Some of you simply asked for an update on Whitey. Here's the rest of the story. Once the fence was finished, and the food not readily available anymore, Whitey stopped hanging around Wayne's house as much. To keep him out of the alley and front yard, Wayne, who worked from home, would scare him off whenever he saw Whitey, instead of being hospitable as he had been in the past. This change of attitude simply made Whitey disappear, according to Wayne.

It's a strange paradox, because we received one note accusing me of disseminating "cruel and archaic advice" by telling Wayne about the option of a shelter. It saddens me much more to think of Whitey out there on the streets, constantly hungry, with no one to care for him. The life of a stray is often cruel, and usually short.

I did say that Whitey could spread FIV or FeLV to Starsky. That's not because strays and feral cats are more likely to be diseased (they're not), but because of the matted, dull appearance of Whitey's coat. Stomatitis, a common (and very painful) symptom of these diseases, often causes a cat to stop grooming himself. Whitey's appearance increased my concern that he might be infected. FIV is transmitted through bite wounds, and FeLV can be transferred by sharing food and water. Starsky was definitely at risk if Whitey had either disease.

As a long time shelter worker, volunteer, and supporter, I was shocked by this reader's assumption that taking Whitey to a shelter meant that he would automatically be killed. In my experience that is simply not true. The lifespan of a stray is about 2 years. Now that is a death sentence! If Whitey turned out to be disease free, and as social as he apparently was with Wayne, he would have a good chance of being placed in a new, loving home through our excellent local shelter system. If he did have a serious illness, I believe that humane euthanasia is better than letting him die slowly and painfully in the streets. (For more in-depth info on our backgrounds and philosophies, please visit About Us on the Little Big Cat website.)

Another reader asked if I could have advised about the option of TNR, or trap-neuter-release, an approach pioneered by feral care groups, notably Alley Cat Allies. While this is a wonderful approach to controlling the feral population and keeping obviously unadoptable cats out of the shelter system, for Whitey it wouldn't have worked. First, he wasn't really feral. He was totally approachable by Wayne, and showed signs that at some point he was somebody's pet. In Whitey's case, the problem wasn't sexual in nature. If Whitey wasn't neutered and we did neuter him, I'm sure that would help somewhat, but the problem in this case was hunger, not territory. As long as there was a food source, there would be Whitey.

Thanks to everyone who showed concern for Whitey! Keep those letters coming, and we'll have another installment of "From The Galaxy Files" next month.

Has your vet recommended bloodwork for your cat? Is it worth the cost? What will it tell you? Check out "Interpreting Lab Values" in our Bookstore, plus many more in-depth publications on feline health and behavior topics including: "Moving: Making a Smooth Transition with Your Cat", "Allergies to Cats", "What Cats Should Eat", "Fat Cats", "Feline Diabetes". "Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease", "What's Play Got to Do With It?", "Inflammatory Bowel Disease", and "Introducing Your Cat to Your New Baby".

2. Vaccination: Risks (Part 2)

In this ongoing series of articles on the vaccine controversy, we've looked at what vaccines do, how they are made, why annual boosters are unnecessary, and how the body's normal reaction to vaccines can set an animal up for the development of autoimmune disease. This month, we examine two vaccine-related diseases in cats.

Chronic Renal Failure (CRF).

Recent work at Colorado State University showed that most kittens developed autoantibodies to their own kidney tissues when vaccinated with the common feline distemper (panleukopenia) vaccine, which is grown in a special culture of feline kidney cells. When autoantibodies react with body tissue, the result is inflammation. Each booster vaccine creates even more inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation is the primary cause of CRF, which has become almost universal in older cats. The authors of the study suggest a causal relationship between the distemper vaccine and the development of CRF. In other words, annual re-vaccination for feline distemper may be a major cause of death in older cats. Annual boosters for feline distemper are totally unnecessary, as we discussed in a previous newsletter.

Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas (VAS)

Many people have now heard about the malignant, fatal tumors called fibrosarcomas that can be caused by some vaccines in cats. This cancer occurs in the connective tissue. Research in dogs shows that vaccines cause autoantibodies to be made to many connective tissue components, so it makes sense that this is the area most affected. The two vaccines currently implicated are rabies and feline leukemia. A third may be joining the list soon — the new feline AIDS (FIV) vaccine. What do these three products have in common? They are all "killed" vaccines that are made with adjuvants to increase the body's response to the vaccine. Unfortunately, in some cats, this additional response includes inflammation that can lead to the formation of cancer. Even worse, every additional vaccine — indeed, some researchers suggest that every additional injection of any sort (antibiotics, steroids, fluids, etc.)— may significantly increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly if the injections are given in the same place. The incidence is at least 1 in 10,000 cats, and some studies suggest it may be as high as 1 in 1,000 cats. (If this high a risk of adverse reaction were to be found in any childhood vaccine, the FDA would pull it from the market immediately!) Let's think about that number for a minute. There are 77 million cats in U.S. homes today; this year, then, between 77,000 and 770,000 cats will be diagnosed with a fatal cancer caused by vaccination. There appears to be a genetic or heritable susceptibility to this cancer, but there is no known way to check for this genetic defect at this time. What if one of those cats is yours?

When vaccines were given at the base of the neck, between the shoulder blades, these cancers were inoperable because the cancer would grow into the spine, ribcage, and chest. This became such a serious problem that now it is recommended to give the rabies vaccine low in the right hind leg, and leukemia low in the left hind leg — so that when a tumor does develop, the whole leg can be amputated and thus the cat's life can be saved. I guess the FIV vaccine will have to be given in the tail, the next most likely appendage to lop off in the event of cancer.

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3. Squirt Bottles, Punishment, and Cat Behavior

The scenario plays out with cat guardians everywhere: the cat is always getting into something, like jumping onto counters, climbing up screen doors or drapes…and the list goes on. It seems like everyone these days is armed with a handy squirt bottle or squirt gun; sometimes, as I've seen in clients' homes, in every room of the house. Somewhere along the line, this punishing tool has become as prevalent and acceptable as just saying a loud "NO!" In response, we've had many queries, both on line and in consultations, about the efficacy of this method.

I believe that the squirt bottle is NOT an effective way of changing a cat's behavior. When I say this, often I'm met with quizzical or defensive looks. The guardian might say, "But, I've seen it work. I squirt, and Tigger jumps off the counter. Nowadays, he just has to see the bottle in my hands, and he runs away." Yes, exactly my point. Tigger is responding, but is it for the right reasons? No.

What is the cat actually learning in this scenario? Is he learning that the counter is a bad place to be be? No. What Tigger is learning is that, first, the counter is a bad place to be when you are present and holding the squirt bottle, and second, he is learning to be afraid of you. The bottle appears to him as an extension of your arm, and it is you, not the bottle, that is getting him wet.

Does he get anxious and run when he sees the bottle sitting neutral on the end table? No. He only reacts when he sees you holding it and pointing it in his direction. In my opinion, this doesn't make for a trusting relationship. In fact, it can cause more behavior problems, fears and phobias that you hadn't considered. Depending on your cat's background, this may be a bigger Pandora's box than with other cats. Specifically, I believe the risk of developing secondary behavior problems is greater in rescued cats, since they may have been subject to unknown abuses, so that something as "mild" as the squirt gun can trigger response to latent trauma.

In a perfect world, we could shape the behavior of cats in terms of all undesired behaviors with 100% positively reinforced training. That is to say, with reward, the cat will want to repeat the desired action. That works in many cases, if not most. In my experience, unfortunately, it's not a guarantee. I do occasionally recommend the use of negative reinforcers, but in limited circumstances, and with some very important facts in mind:

1. Punishment must occur within three seconds (maximum) of the action occurring or else it will have absolutely no effect.

2. Punishment must also happen around the clock, meaning every single time the behavior occurs – whether you are home or not, asleep or not, paying attention or not.

3. The punishment must be consistent in its effect so that the possibility for abuse is nullified.

4. Punishment in itself is not the answer. There must be a positive alternative for the cat, or else a sense of frustration will develop, and the behavior one seeks to eradicate will be redirected elsewhere in the living environment.

Let's address some of these points in more detail. The upshot of numbers 1-3 is that interactive punishment, or punishment involving person to cat, cannot work. There's no way that the cat's guardian can always grab that water bottle within three seconds, or with the same amount of intensity. Most importantly, there's no way you can follow your cat around 24/7. For anyone who tells me that they've solved the problem with the water gun, I tell them that they may have solved it while they're home, but they are seriously underestimating their cat's intelligence. The cat knows that when the guardian is gone, the negative reinforcer is also gone. That's why, in these cases, the only thing that will work is remote punishment, or punishment that employs a device that is always present. Take, for instance, the Tattle Tale Alarm. It is a small, battery-operated device that you place on the counter. It is motion sensitive, and when activated, lets out a sound that will scare the cat off the counter. It then resets itself. There are many other such devices that use heat and motion detectors, for example, like Scraminal, which can prevent a cat from entering an entire room if you want. These high-end devices can all be found at Drs. Foster and Smith. On the do-it-yourself side, you can even use double-sided sticky tape, or an upside-down vinyl carpet runner. You can use anything that will consistently send the message that "this is not a friendly place to be!" At the same time, I am strongly opposed to anything that shocks or otherwise causes strong bodily discomfort. For instance, I object to The Scat Mat because it produces an electric shock that can seriously frighten and hurt a cat.

Point #4 is equally important. Putting up a Tattle Tale, or any other remote punisher and thinking, "job well done!" is a big mistake. I've visited clients, frustrated by the climbing antics of their cats, who put tape on their drapes, Snappy Trainers (harmless mousetraps fitted with large paddles to make a noise) on the mantles and counters, but then new problems crop up. The cats start attacking ankles out of play aggression, for instance, or fight with one another. The whole time, the message was loud and clear; "Give me something acceptable to climb on!" So, spend the money. Cat furniture, condos, scratching posts and such, as many as possible, will give your cats a place to climb and scratch where you can praise them for doing what is, after all, natural to them. This way, for every "NO!" there's a "YES" associated with it.

In the end, the most important reason I can give for tossing that squirt bottle is to protect the bond between you and your feline companion. Let a strip of tape do the dirty work. The points outlined above make it a hard case for us to continue to fill roles as disciplinarians when, in the long run, we know it will not bear fruit. We are fallible; we have emotions and can overstep that line from discipline to abuse, all of us. At the very least, with every shot of water, we are eroding trust. There's no reason to let it get to that point.

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4. Flower Essence Series: Holly

This is an ongoing series of articles on the Bach flower essences. We will be looking at each essence in turn, and its special indications in cats. This month the featured flower is Holly.

Holly is an evergreen shrub or tree with distinctive dark green, sturdy, shiny leaves, that produces red berries in the fall. English Hollies have thorny spiked leaves, while American varieties tend to be more rounded. Holly decorations have been a winter tradition in Britain for many centuries; its bright colors probably helped keep spirits up in the long gloomy season. Later Holly became associated with the Christ: the sharp-edged green leaves represent the crown of thorns, and the red berries drops of the blood of Jesus. Although these items are more thought of in connection with Easter, Holly branches are a traditional Christmas decoration.

Dr. Edward Bach put Holly in the group of flowers for those who are "oversensitive to influences and ideas." He says that the Holly type is one who is "sometimes attacked by thoughts of such kind as jealousy, envy, revenge, suspicion. Within themselves they may suffer much, often when there is no real cause for the unhappiness."

The keynote of Holly is Love. Holly is needed when there is a lack of love (or an abundance of Love's opposite, Fear!). Jealously, envy, suspicion, anger, irritability, hatred, malice, and other negative emotions are all manifestations of Fear. Fear that someone else may get something better than we do. Fear that someone will take advantage of us. But "perfect love casts out fear," and that is what Holly does. Holly can "fill up" the ragged tears where Fear has ripped into us, and give us peace. Holly is a foundational remedy with many uses.

Cats often need Holly. Cats can go from zero to furious in a nanosecond. The loving peacefulness of Holly helps make cats less reactive and allows more rational judgments to be made. Holly is excellent to use for inter-cat conflicts in a multi-cat house. It takes the edge off and softens their attitudes.

Some cats, particularly if there was abandonment or abuse in their past, seem to have such a need for love that it can never be filled up, no matter how much time and attention we give them.T hese cats may be anxious, clingy, and jealous of anything else that takes our attention from them. Holly helps these cats restore their ability to become filled and content, as well as enhancing their own ability to give and receive love in a natural manner. Holly imparts the knowledge that Divine Love is limitless, and there is enough and more for all.

Older cats may develop a need for Holly as they become more rigid in their ways and more annoyed by other, especially younger, animals or children in the home. Holly helps the cat experience an expansive sense of self that is in unity with those around him.

Any type of aggressive behavior is, at its deepest level, a result of fear. Therefore an aggressive or jealous cat could use Holly to tone down that fear. Holly is also applicable where a situation requires forgiveness, as it helps to open the heart.

Dr. Bach said, "The ultimate conquest of all will be through love and gentleness, and when we have sufficiently developed these two qualities nothing will be able to assail us, since we shall ever have compassion and not offer resistance." Holly helps us develop the quality of love.

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Little Big Cat is proud to be the exclusive distributor of SpiritEssence energy remedy formulas. Visit SpiritEssence for more details on the history, development, and uses of essences, as well as what makes SpiritEssence so different and unique from any other essences. Don't forget to check out "Cats and Flower Essences".

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