Cat-astrophe results are in
The healthy cats will be up for adoption in about two weeks.
Twenty days after 170 cats were confiscated by the Roodepoort SPCA from Engela Botha in Bergbron, the results of their veterinary tests have been released.
According to the official report by the SPCA, the vast majority of the cats had a low body condition score and many were emaciated.
The report states as follows:
* There was diarrhoea present in litter boxes. Faecal examination revealed Giardia (a parasite that lives in the intestines of the animal) and verminosis (an infestation of worms in animals). During the clinical examination, more than half the cats were found to have visible tapeworm segments around the anus.
* Most cats had ear mites.
* Many cats presented with upper respiratory tract infection (sniffles). Nasal and ocular discharges and sneezing were present. Some even had painful oral ulcers.
* Some cats had ringworm-like lesions.
* There were numerous cat bites and scratch wounds.
* There were few semi-feral cats and a few dominant unsterilised males mixed with the timid cats.
* Cats were over-grooming, another sign of stressful environment.
* A few of the cats had a painful condition called gingivostomatits (a common infection in the mouth and on the gums. The primary symptoms are swelling of the mouth and /or gums and lesions in the mouth that resemble canker sores. The infection may be the result of a viral or bacterial infection and is often associated with improper care of teeth and mouth).
* A few cats had growths that appeared malignant.
* A few cats were found to be positive for Feline Aids and the Feline Leukemia Virus.
According to the manager of the Roodepoort SPCA, Mandy Cattanach about 50 of the cats look healthy and have been placed in a separate cattery. “We are keeping a close eye on them. If they get sick we will have no option but to euthanise them. The cats that are emaciated are starting to pick up weight. They have all been dewormed as well.”
Cattanach said the vet spend three days examining the cats. “Only upon closer inspection did we realise what a bad state the cats were really in. We know that Adele Joffe from Friends of the Cat is doing this to many other people as well. If the public knows of someone who is in a similar position, please call us. We need to know because we are concerned about the welfare of the cats. This situation also poses a health risk to the owner,” she said.
Cattanach has sent out an appeal to the community to donate to the SPCA. “We don’t only need cat food – cremating a cat costs more than R100.”
She said the healthy cats will be up for adoption in about two weeks. “Before they are released, the SPCA will give them a thorough examination. However, should the cats be found to have some kind of illness after they’re rehomed, the owners cannot hold the SPCA liable.”
According to Cattanach, the municipal by-laws dictate that up to four cats can be held in a residential area, whereas only two cats may be kept in any unit in a complex (provided that the Body Corporate grants permission).
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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