There is a tradition that cats have nine lives, but many a breeder of Persians will agree with me that the diseases to which these highly bred cats may quickly succumb are more than nine in number! I do not intend to enter fully into these ailments in this chapter, as I have given a number of hints in the paragraphs, and have also appended a list of simple remedies for the usual diseases that pussy's flesh is heir to. I think the mistake in many of our cat manuals is the too technical nature of the prescriptions. Then again, many of the ingredients mentioned cannot be procured by an ordinary mortal without a doctor's order. I have tried, therefore, to suggest only the very simplest remedies, many of which are generally available in every household, and ought certainly to be within reach of every cat fancier. The preparations of Mr. Ward and Salvo that I have recommended I have had practical proof of as to their excellence in cases coming under my own notice. Mr. Ward may rightly be considered the wizard of the north, for he was the pioneer of "practical pussyology" apart from the regular qualified veterinary who may look with a kind and pitying eye on cats' ailments and infirmities, but yet who is just a little superior to the treatment of these too often despised animals.

Salvo came as a boon and a blessing into our southern districts, and I am sure there are many cat fanciers who can testify to the kind and clever way in which he has attended to and prescribed for their sick pussies. To him I am indebted for some valuable hints and useful prescriptions. Mr. Freeman of Birmingham and Mr. James of Cheltenham are well known in the catty world, and supply remedies for every ailment. Sometimes I have found that the preparation of one veterinary will have no effect on a cat, whereas another of a different firm will have the desired result. We should always bear in mind that our cats are variously constituted, and we must use patience and perseverance. There are some serious and dangerous diseases amongst cats for which no simple remedy can be given with any satisfactory result. I would mention Gastritis, Enteritis, Bronchitis, Inflammation and Congestion of the Lungs, Distemper and Influenza. Now there is no doubt that in these complaints the only hope is for the case to be taken in time by a thoroughly reliable person. The difficulty that the ordinary fancier has to contend with is to discover what really is the matter with their cat, and if an attempt is made to doctor and dose a case without sufficient knowledge, serious results may follow.

Too often fanciers set down every evil under the sun to worms. It seems to me, therefore, that what is really required is a clear and lucid description of the symptoms of these dangerous diseases, so that people can form some idea in the early stages of the nature of their cats' illness. If they are able to arrive at some conclusion, the best course to pursue is to wire to either Mr. Ward, Salvo, Freeman, James, or other competent person, and ask for medicine to be forwarded at once for such or such complaint. Let us, therefore, give the usual symptoms of a few of what may be called dangerous complaints. Gastritis, or inflammation of the stomach, has unhappily raged amongst our cats, and many a time fanciers have rapidly come to the conclusion that their pets had been wilfully poisoned. Truly, the symptoms are almost identical. The animal is sick; there is high fever, great thirst, a desire for drink, and yet sometimes a disinclination to take it; for the poor creature will sit with its head over a bowl of water for hours. He will stretch himself on his stomach, preferring a cold flat surface to any soft comfortable bed we may prepare; and a total loss of appetite is accompanied very often with violent diarrhoea.

It is worse than useless to attempt to feed, especially with anything solid. Enteritis, or inflammation of the bowels, is akin to gastritis, and the symptoms are much the same.

Lady Alexander's Short-haired Blue Champion Ballochmyle Brother Bump

In both cases the stomach becomes distended and is painful to the touch. In bronchitis there is more or less fever, the nose and ears being hot, sometimes fits of shivering, the breathing is quick, and frequently the animal has a bad cough. There is often a frothy mucous discharge. When the inflammation of the bronchial tubes extends downwards to the lungs the danger becomes greater, the breathing still more laboured, and inflammation supervenes. In some cases of congestion and inflammation it is extremely difficult to discover what is the matter with your cat, for he is only very quiet and languid, and all the spirit seems taken out of him; his eyes are dull and mournful looking, and his coat rough and staring, Influenza has of late years made great ravages amongst our cats. This is a sort of catarrhal fever which produces great debility, vomiting, and sneezing, and a profuse discharge from the nose and eyes.

At first this is watery, but later the discharge becomes thick and yellow and the passages seem to be entirely stopped up, the animal breathing with great difficulty. The symptoms are much the same as in distemper and the two complaints are often mistaken the one for the other. In both the high fever is what is so difficult to battle against, and both diseases are contagious or infectious either by the medium of positive contact or through the air itself. In distemper there is a peculiar and distressing odour which is unmistakable. In my paragraphs I frequently allude to the symptoms which should lead one to suspect worms in our cats. I may say that an offensive breath is nearly always an accompaniment of worms.

It is most necessary, after a cat or kitten has been suffering from a trying illness, such as influenza or distemper, to build up the constitution again. I have used Animal Kreochyle (liquid meat) with very good results. It can be given without any fear to the most delicate animal, as it is the juice of the meat extracted without the process of boiling, so that it is speedily digested. This liquid meat should be given first thing in the morning, followed by a teaspoonful at midday and again in the evening. For very young kittens add a little warm water. I find my pussies delight in this preparation, and I am sure that cat fanciers in search of a pick-me-up for their pets cannot do better than give " Kreochyle " a trial.

In conclusion, I can with all confidence recommend not only those medicines which I mention but many other preparations carefully prepared by the advertisers in my book. The feline world is fortunate in having two such able and really cat-loving men as Mr. Ward and Salvo to turn to in their days of doubt, difficulty, and distress. Let me, however, impress upon all cat fanciers that delays are dangerous and that a stitch in time may save nine - cats or kits !