EMewsflash September2010 - Shangri-la

www.mainecoon.co.za
September 2010
Cat of the Year took place in Cape Town on the 7th August with some expected and some
not so expected results! The Maine Coons did us proud! Congratulations to Carol
Middleton (Highlanders MC) Best Maine Coon of the Year; Marianne Kernes (Kernes
MC) Brood Queen of the Year and Petra Smith (The Legends MC) runner up Breeder of
the Year (missed it by one point!!) All the results of the show can be found further on in
the newsletter.
Brenda Souma, Editor
In this Edition
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MCIG COMMITTEE MEMBERS
MCIG Committee Members
New MCIG Members...pg 2
Membership Form...pg 4
Breeder Profile – Shangri-la Cattery....pg 5
SACC Cat of the Year...pg 6
Upcoming Shows....pg 10
Articles
Tooth Decay & Tooth Ache....pg 10
Pets & disaster checklist...pg 11
Paw Bits...pg 12
Charmaine Danziger – Chairwoman
Marianne Kernes – Treasurer
Kim Brodie – Secretary
Annie Conway – Public Relations Officer
Anina Abrie – Co-Editor
Jo-Anne Noble – Awards Secretary
Brenda Souma – Membership Secretary & Editor
Petra Smith (The Legends)
runner up
Breeder of the Year
Page 1 of 12
Welcome to our
NEW MCIG MEMBERS
BRONWYN FRANKLIN from Ballito
Domino
Sebastian
ROD BOADEN and BELLA from Durban
Page 2 of 12
NADIA SCHMIDT and STANLEY from Stellenbosch
DEBORAH COLAM and Merlin from Benoni.
Merlin’s registered name is Valkyrie Blizzard, but due to his nature was renamed!
With his mouse – now 4 months old
Merlin at 10 weeks
Have you ever thought how your Maine Coon takes up most of the space when he shares your bed or couch?
Well how about owning one of these!!! It sort of puts it all in perspective doesn’t it?
Page 3 of 12
Should you know of anyone who would be interested in joining the Maine Coon Interest Group please give them the
membership form to complete return it to brenda.souma@jci.com
AFFILIATED TO SACC
MEMBERSHIP FORM
Full Name and Surname
Postal Address
Telephone Number
Code: (………..)
Fax Number
Code: (………..)
Mobile Number
E-mail Address
Number of Maine Coons owned
New Member / Renewal
Are you a Breeder?
Date:
Signature:
The Annual Membership is from January to December – Fees: R60.00 per household
BREEDERS ONLY - Please ensure your signed Code of Ethics accompanies your form and proof of payment
Direct Deposits to:
Maine Coon Interest Group (SA)
ABSA
Southdale
Branch Code
632005
Account
90 8867 5866
Fax proof to:
Brenda Souma – 086 693 3749
RENEWALS
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If proof of renewal and/or signed Code of Ethics are not received by the 28 February, membership will be regarded
as discontinued and Breeder’s details will be removed from the approved breeders list and from our website.
For queries regarding renewals:
Membership Secretary MCIG SA – Brenda Souma
Fax:
086 693 3749
Mobile:
082 921 0166
E-mail:
brenda.souma@jci.com
Please visit our website: http://www.mainecoon.co.za
Page 4 of 12
Profile of a Breeder
Shangri-la Cattery
By Vivian Wright, Owner & Breeder
We are a small cattery based in Edenvale, Gauteng, breeding from imported and some
local lines. We were established in 2004 and are registered with the South African Cat
Council and the Cat Federation of South Africa.
My main objective is to raise healthy, well-socialised and adjusted cats with sweet natures. I want
our cats to be confident adults, and for this reason the kittens are raised underfoot with lots of love and attention.
My cats live in my home and to provide them with security I have an enclosed run attached to the house so that they
can enjoy the sun and the garden.
I met my first Maine Coon at the CFSA Cat of the Year in 2002 and fell in love with the
breed instantaneously. Their size and temperament did it for me! I purchased my first
show Maine Coon from a well known local breeder in 2003 and showed him to
Supreme at CFSA. It was early in 2004 that I decided I wanted to breed.
And why breed? Simply “One Maine Coon leads to another” – and I did not see the point
in “collecting” neuters from other breeders and never being able to do anything to promote,
protect and preserve this wonderful breed. And so started the search for my first import. In mid 2004 amid great
excitement, my first import arrived. Versaille gave us 6 beautiful litters and now lives as a retired pet with her son in
Bloemfontein. I have since imported another 3 Maine Coons – one which could not be used for breeding due to
being a Cryptorchid.
I show my cats to ensure that they are as close to the required standard as possible and
to keep myself up to date with any changes. When deciding on relevant matings I do
look closely at the pedigrees as I prefer to outcross the lines. I also look at which
cats phenotype will complement another’s in order to try to improve the overall
look. I do not necessarily agree with the new colour specifications for judging being
brought into the breed as the Maine Coon is a naturally occurring breed. I feel the new
stipulations will result in some of the breeders only working with a certain colour or working
only with cats without white.
As the popularity of the Maine Coon breed has grown over the past few years, I
never have a problem finding suitable homes but do insist on meeting all
potential owners before making a decision on which is the correct home for each
individual kitten. I have and will refuse a sale if I do not believe that the
potential owners are the right owners for one of my kittens.
Latest Arrival! Dixiana
I have found breeding to be most fulfilling – wonderfully rewarding, heartbreaking and
frustrating. Holding a newborn kitten in your hands makes you appreciate miracles. Having a young kitten die
makes you sadder than you ever thought you could be. But at the end of the day, all my cats give me so much
pleasure that I would not have it any other way.
Page 5 of 12
Cat of the Year was held in the picturesque town of Rondebosch in Cape
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Town at the Belmont Conference Centre on the 7 August 2010.
The race to the event started for most on the Friday where at airports cats
had to be taken out of their cages, held in the secure arms of their already
stressed out owners, admired by travellers patiently waiting while cages
are being weighed and cats, seemingly not so stressed as their owners,
eventually were returned to their cages.
We finally arrived to a beautiful sunny day in Tabelview, but alas, so typical of the Cape, this did not last long, as soon the
mist started moving in and by late afternoon you could not see you hand before your eyes!
To Petra Smith and her lovely family – a special thank you. You so graciously opened your home to the Gautengers. We had
a memorable time, sitting in front of a blazing fire, chatting, eating the most wonderful food prepared by Harry.
Emotions ran high on show day. But this could be expected – a whole year of countless hours of grooming, sleepless nights,
hopes and dreams to be one of the finalists for this day. In the hall the walls were covered in lovely masks, the cages were
stacked with gifts from all the exhibitors. Silent prayers that, if only for today, your cat will behave and be the perfect show
cat, even if we know that, it is the standard of the breed that will be the ultimate deciding factor.
The evening was a fancy affair. Staying with the theme beautiful outfits were worn by both men and women. The
atmosphere was electric! As the results were read out a multitude of expressions were playing on their faces – ever hopeful,
absolutely elated and disappointment.
Congratulations to Cat of the Year Gr Pr Cracker Cotton Eye Joe and owner René van Wyk. Our Maine Coons did us proud
though! Brood Queen of the Year – Kernes Miss Tina Turner, owner Marianne Kernes; Best Maine Coon of the Year –
Kondicoon Montgomery of Highlanders, owned by Carol Middleton; runner-up Breeder of the Year – Petra Smith, The
Legends Cattery
Waiting patiently
for a then very ill
Theresa to take
photos
Page 6 of 12
The Gala Evening
Page 7 of 12
SACC CAT of the YEAR
Gr Pr Cracker Cotton Eye Joe
Owner René van Wyk
Neuters
Neuter of the Year
2nd
Sp Pr Anesla Marie Curie
Yvonne Akersten and
Irene Langford
Gr Pr Cracker
Cotton Eye Joe
René van Wyk
6th
13th
Sp Pr Kondicoon
Montgomery of
Highlanders
Carol Middleton
Sp Pr Westwood’s
Chocolate Brownie
Athylle Caw
Pets
Pet of the Year
2nd
Joker
Vian and Lorindi van Wyk
Batman
Natasha &
Simon Greaves
Page 8 of 12
Kittens
Kitten of the Year
2nd
Spandau La Paloma Blanca
Wilma Hyman
Waterlee Moonshine
Natalie Parry
5th
6th
The Legends Hamish
Hellboy
Deborah Zellerhof
Colorkats Drizella
Debbie le Roux
Entires
Entire of the Year
2nd
Sp Ch KeezaEnergiser Eddy
of Pearl (imp)
Penny Steyn
Sp Ch Spandau’s Keanu
Annerie Ferreira
11th
14th
Sp Ch Justcoons Peak Nick
of Colorkats (imp)
Debbie le Roux
Sp Ch Colorkats Cream
Caramel
Debbie le Roux
Best Maine Coon of the Year floating trophy
Kondicoon Montgomery of Highlanders
Page 9 of 12
Brood Queen of the Year
Kernes Miss Tina Turner
UPCOMING SHOWS
Southern Africa Cat Council (SACC) www.tsacc.org.za
Gauteng: Gauteng Invitational
4 September
KZN
: KZN Top Cats (PCS)
11 September
Cape : Cape Top Cat
11 September
: Eastern Province Cat Club 25 September
Ingrid de Wet
Jane Goble
Lance Wiseman
Johan Groenewald
0118494870 pm
0827843126
0216892235 pm
0413682948
Cat Federation of Southern Africa (CFSA) www.cfsa.co.za
2010 Cat of the Year and
Gold & Ruby Show
25 September
Daniel Germishuys 0828405578
Contact the above show managers to confirm dates and venues
From Wikpedia website
Tooth Decay and
Toothache in Cats
Do Cats get Tooth Decay?
Cats do get bad teeth but they are not usually the same as cavities in humans. The most common dental problem found in cats is
a condition called Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL). Sometimes the FORLs are obvious (see picture above) but
sometimes they are only evident from x-ray images. Decay is usually below the gum line. FORLs are classified from 1 to 5
depending on the severity. It is believed that up to two thirds of all cats over the age of five will suffer from FORLs at some stage.
What are the symptoms of bad teeth in cats?
FORLs cause a great deal of pain. The pain may be so intense that even under general anaesthetic the cat may twitch when the
tooth is probed.
• The first symptom you may notice may be the cat's reluctance to eat. Any pressure on the tooth is extremely painful. The
cat may be very hungry and will attempt to eat but drops the food when he gets it in his mouth. A cat may reach a point
where he no longer attempts to eat and he becomes thin and loses condition. He may also refuse to drink and become
dehydrated.
• The cat may drool excessively.
• You may notice bleeding from your cat's mouth.
• Bad Breath is another indication.
• The cat flinches or cries out in pain when you touch him in the mouth region.
• He may paw at the mouth.
On examination of your cat's teeth you may notice a red line or redness and swelling at the point where the tooth meets the
gum. The picture at the top of the page shows a case of bleeding at the gum line.
What is the Treatment for Toothache in cats?
Page 10 of 12
Usually extraction of the diseased tooth or teeth instantly restores your cat to his former self. Once the tooth is removed he is
free of pain and can continue a normal life. Even if a cat has all of his teeth extracted he soon adapts and can still eat most foods
including dry food.
Note the redness around the base of the
cat's left canine tooth which suggests FORL
After the extraction
The extracted canine tooth. Decay is
predominantly below the gum line
Other Causes of Mouth Pain in Cats
Abscessed tooth
Broken Teeth
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)
Periodontal Disease
Periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the teeth)
Bone or foreign body stuck between the teeth
Kidney Disease
Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline Stomatitis
Mouth tumours
Check your cat's teeth and gums regularly. The easiest way to do this is run a cotton bud or Q Tip around the gum line. If there
are any sign of blood or pain get your vet to check it out.
Pets and Disaster Safety Checklist
Our pets enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. In turn, they depend on us for their safety and
well-being. The best way to ensure the safety of your family is to be prepared with a disaster plan. If you
are a pet owner, that plan includes your pets. Being prepared can help save lives.
How can I prepare?
What should I do?
Plan to take your pets with you in
an evacuation. If it is not safe for
you to stay, it is not safe for them
either
Assemble a portable kit with
emergency supplies for your pets
• Know which hotels and motels along
your evacuation route will accept you
and your pets in an emergency. Call
ahead for reservations if you know
you may need to evacuate. Ask if nopet policies could be waived in an
emergency.
• Most Red Cross shelters cannot accept
pets because of health and safety
• Keep items in an accessible place and
store them in sturdy containers so that
they can be carried easily. Your kit
should include—
Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or
carriers to transport pets safely and
ensure that they can’t escape.
Food, drinking water, bowls, cat
litter/pan and a manual can opener.
Medications and copies of medical
records stored in a waterproof
Page 11 of 12
After a disaster...
Be aware of behavioural changes
and hazards
• The behaviour of pets may change
dramatically after a disaster,
becoming aggressive or defensive, so
be aware of their well-being and
protect them from hazards to ensure
the safety of other people and
animals.
• Watch your animals closely and keep
them under your direct control as
fences and gates may have been
damaged.
concerns and other considerations.
Service animals that assist people with
disabilities are allowed in Red Cross
shelters.
• Know which friends, relatives,
boarding facilities, animal shelters or
veterinarians can care for your
animals in an emergency. Prepare a
list with phone numbers.
• Although your animals may be more
comfortable together, be prepared to
house them separately.
• Include your pets in evacuation drills
so that they become used to entering
and travelling in their carriers calmly.
• Make sure that your pet’s vaccinations
are current and that all dogs and cats
are wearing collars with securely
fastened, up to-date identification.
Many pet shelters require proof of
current vaccinations to reduce the
spread of disease.
• Consider having your pet "micro
chipped” by your veterinarian.
container.
A first aid kit.
Current photos of you with your
pet(s) in case they get lost. Since
many pets look alike, this will help to
eliminate mistaken identity and
confusion.
Information on feeding schedules,
medical conditions, behaviour
problems, and the name and
number of your veterinarian in case
you have to foster or board your
pets.
Pet beds and toys, if easily
transportable.
Know what to do as the disaster
approaches
• Often, warnings are issued hours, even
days, in advance. At the first hint of
disaster, act to protect your pet.
• Call ahead to confirm emergency
shelter arrangements for you and your
pets.
• Ensure that all pets are wearing collars
with securely fastened, up-to-date
identification.
• Check that your pet disaster supplies
are ready to take at a moment's notice.
• Bring pets inside so you won’t have to
search for them if you need to leave
quickly.
PAW BITS
This is what happens when you brake to fast
Page 12 of 12
• Pets may become disoriented,
particularly if the disaster has
affected scent markers that normally
allow them to find their home.
• Be aware of hazards at nose and paw
or hoof level, particularly debris,
spilled chemicals, fertilizers and other
substances that might not seem to be
dangerous to humans. Consult your
veterinarian if any behaviour
problems persist.
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Emergency action plans for your
family should include your
animals—all of your animals
Note from the Editor:
The above was an Extract from
Wikipedia – Be Red Cross Ready and is
published by the American National
Red Cross.
Although America is more disaster
prone than South Africa, we should
always remember that disaster can
strike at any time and that our animals
are just as important as our human
family.