Glaciercoons- Health

Vaccinations and Genetic Testing:

We test for HCM, FHD, PKD, SMA, Felv, FIV. Our cats are vaccinated each year including our pets. We take our cats to the vet if we think there is any problems. You might be wondering what all of the abbreviations mean up above and if you click on them you will find information about each of them. . You will also find the results for each of the tests on each of our Queens and Prince along with there Pedigree and other important information. We have tested our breeding Prince and Queens (Queens parents also) for the HCM mutation DNA test available for they have cleared negative for that gene. There are many an unknown number of genes that cause HCM and no cattery can guarantee they are free of HCM. We use all the testing methods available but until more research is done we can only go by the tests available.

Diet:

We feed Innova EVO dry cat food and supplement with beef heart occasionally. I am also supplementing with Wysong Archtype it is a great cold process freeze dried food.In the near future we do plan on switching to an all raw diet. We usually have cat grass available and also fresh catmint we grow in the summer.

Environment:

We are a semi-closed cattery meaning we do not allow new cats without quarantined period, we do not allow outside breeding service (stud service or queens outside for stud service), we do not go to cat shows/exhibits presently, we do not allow borders. We do however allow our prince and queens to be a part of our household. We do have family and friends that visit and all of our pets are socialized with them. Our dogs are indoor/outdoor dogs. Our cats only are allowed outside in our enclosed porches or cat house. We do not allow unknown dogs or cats in our house. A true closed cattery will not allow there breeding stock to interact with any visitors. We believe in raising under foot all of our cats are well socialized. Our Queens will be staying in the birthing area a few weeks before they are due with our Prince. They will be interactive with the rest of the clan after 6 weeks of age.

Care and Grooming:

We brush and comb all of them randomly. We rarely bath them and in our pictures they have not been show groomed, they are natural. We have never had a flea problem or parasite problem. They all are petted daily and a big part of our family, you will find them on our laps or laying near us, playing on there cat swing or leaping around the jungle of cat trees.

Declawing:

None of our cats are declawed. In our contracts we do not allow declawing. All kittens can be trained easily to not to claw. You have to work with them a little bit and provide an acceptable scratching post and clipping there claws when little you will be able to clip the nails when they are older. Declawing is cruel to cats the first knuckle is removed, can you imagine having your first knuckle on your fingers removed because of your nails?

Our Veterinary:

Our veterinary since he bought the clinic last year (2005) is :

Dr. Mark Lawson, D.V.M.

Glacier Animal Hospital

Columbia Falls, MT 59912

406-892-4319

Mark and his wife Laura moved up to Montana from Atlanta, Georgia. Prior and on occasion to that Dr. Karen Mooney D.V.M. is also our Veterinarian she works for the former owners of the Clinic at there other location Central Animal Hospital in Kalispell. They both are very caring vets and take terrific care of our cats & dogs, they will go the extra mile to help with any problem that might arise. Many thanks to both of them.