(7-15-06)
It has come to our attention that cats are dying due to the severe heat wave.  When a cat pants, the kitty is too hot!  You are in an emergency situation!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OWNERS:
Place the cat's feet in cold water (NOT ice water) - all four feet. At the same time, wet the top of the cat's head between the ears with the cold water. Soak the fur at the top of the head thoroughly so the skin also gets wet.

Once the cat stops panting and is breathing OK, please a cold pack under a cover (paper towels or a towel) in the kitty's bed or where the kitty likes to lay and have the kitty lay on the cold pack towel.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHELTERS & RESCUES:
If there is no cold air available, have your volunteers go through and wet each cat with cold water on the head as described for Owners above. You can also wet the whole cat and cage every hour if the heat is severe.  Also, a spritz of water frequently in each cage will help.

FOR HEAT STROKE OR FAINTING:

We use Bach 5 Flower Rescue Remedy liquid, a drop in the mouth or on the ears, will help revive a cat in this type of distress.

(7-17-06)
A few weeks ago, the Silver Persian of friend of mind (this is Wisty writing this News item) died after minor dental surgery. She was only 6 years old and in absolutely perfect health. The vet suspected an adverse reaction to Metacam, which is a relatively new painkiller that veterinarians have started prescribing for cats. An autopsy confirmed that it was the Metacam that caused the death.

My friend, through web searches, found that so many cats have been dying from this drug, frequently after dental procedures, that there is a whole website devoted to postings from people about their experience with losing their perfectly healthy kitty due to Metacam. (See the link to these postings at the end of this article.)

And I myself have had a freightening first-hand experience with this drug. Just a few weeks prior to receiving my friend's news, my veterinarian (who is a very, very good veterinarian, by the way) prescribed Metacam for my kitty, George (rescued in 2005 from Persian & Hinalayan Cat Rescue!) who has a bit of arthritis. The vet prescribed 2 drops in Georgie's food every 3 days. After the second dose, Georgie started throwing up a little bit almost every night. I took him to the vet right away and we (vet and I) thought it might be due to his developing a sensitivity to the food we give him. But changing food didn't help. Then my friend told me what happened with his kitty due to Metacam! I immediately stopped the medication and after a few days of being overdue for his next dose, he quit vomiting and hasn't done so since.

Of course, I told my veterinarian. She had not been advised by the drug representative that there were any problems that were occuring due to the Metacam. I am fortunate that my vet was so careful to give Georgie a low dose. 

Update 8-8-06:
Here is an article giving specific information on the risks of use of Metacam in cats and also a link to postings from people who have had terrible experience with giving Metacam to their cats. Please spread the information to your veteranarian and cat-owning friends so that they are knowledgeable about the safety of its use, the dosages vs. risks, and can make an informed decision when weighing the need vs. risk of its use.
Metacam Risks in Cats 
Link to Postings of Experience With Metacam

Here is a link to another good source of information on Metacam: http://www.felinecrf.org/causes_of_crf.htm#toxins  It is from a wonderful website that is totally dedicated to information on Feline Chronic Renal Failure: http://www.felinecrf.org/index.htm