Show us your barn cats!!! - Page 2

Gotta Love Duns · 08-23-2008, 10:52 PM

Everyones cats look great... all I have to say is soon very soon we will have cats again!

bunnyal · 08-24-2008, 08:53 AM

Here are our barn kitties.
First is Nurse Kelly a.k.a. Kelly Belly

Next is CPL Radar O'Rielly a.k.a. Radar

Then there is Callie a.k.a. ?

And Colonel Sherman T. Potter a.k.a. Sherm

Now my indoor kitties because they were declawed before I rescued them.
First is Gizmo a.k.a. Gizzie

And Vixen a.k.a. Miss Vixs

Bandit · 08-24-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrhareiner

I am just going by the latest resurch that was reported in a respected magazen. I know what the old resurch states as I too have had a horse with EPM cost the insurance company over $4K to treat him.

Heidi

I would love to see what research they are quoting - if the article is legit, they should give you who did the research. Could you get that info for me? I've stayed current with most of the published research coming from Ohio State and such, but maybe I missed something. I've also asked some others who have been staying on top of EPM research to see if they have heard anything different.

Most of the new research I have seen has shown a correlation between more barn cats (and them carrying EPM) and horses getting it. BUT that research does NOT conclude that the horses are picking it up from the cats. Cats are still considered to be intermediate carriers and still have had nothing showing they release the protozoa in there feces but it rather resides in their muscle tissue. Out of these studes the protozoa was found in the muscle tissue of the barn cats studied not the feces.

Some articles however embelish the results a bit (and yes, this can happen with any magazine publication - thus why I am asking for the research information quoted in the article) and have concluded that cats pass it to horses because of the correlation. However, cats pick it up from prey and out in the fields like horses. So if the horses are being exposed to higher amounts of the protozoa, then so are the cats, so yes, their exposure numbers would be higher as well if there are alot of horses coming down with EPM.

And why the higher exposure? The cat food is a HUGE attractant for possums. Many barns don't control their cat food correctly. It needs to be locked up where critters cant' get it and only enough put out at a time that the cats can eat in one setting.

The only reason that I am bringing this up is I would hate to see someone get rid of their barn cats (and thus natural pest control) due to fear of the cats giving horses EPM when studies have not shown that to be the case.

nrhareiner · 08-24-2008, 12:03 PM

I think the corrolations is more to what I was reading too. If memory serves it was either in Americas horse published by AQHA or Horse and Rider and you can take that for what it is worth. Basically bird cage linners (horse and Rider not Americas Horse). The big thing is that with a lot of cats you do bring in more of the other factors that cause EPM. I have found other ways to keep down rodent problems and really do not have any. I live about 300 yards from the State Forest and have a lot of wild animals. My cats are not allowd to stay out at night and only a few hours during the day depending on weather. Horses that have been housed here have never gotten EPM. The horse I had who did get it was at the trainers at the time. She was not good at keeping feed up and there was quite a few cats around. I am sure the cats did not give him EPM however they attracted or brought in what did. For me I love cats but do not want then in the barn as just barn cats. One reason is if they ended up in a stall with one of my horses they would not be comming back out breathing. My horses love to kill things in their stall. Always finding dead things in there. Plus I do not want what they bring in in the barn. If I bring them in and feed them inside. They do not go out and bring back differnt animals which can and do attract Oposum nor is their feed left out there.

For me and I will say this is for me. I do not see the benifet to having barn cats over the increases risk that they may bring in not only EPM but other problems. IE other preditory animals which we have close b/c of the state forest close. NOt to mention the risk to them getting hurt or comming up missing. Plus my Salukie dose a great job getting ride of things I do not want around and she brings them to me and dose not eat them.

Heidi

Ferronsgranny · 08-24-2008, 01:17 PM

Here is an article I found. It states horses, dogs and cats along with birds, chickens, hawks and other wildlife can get the disease with the primary host being the opossum.
http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/473.htm

Ferronsgranny · 08-24-2008, 01:33 PM

Another:
http://www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=225
http://www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=248

chappel16 · 08-24-2008, 01:43 PM

Here is our barn cat, Garfield, hard at work in the tack room...

Bandit · 08-24-2008, 01:44 PM

Heidi - Thanks for explaining your position a little better. Like I said I would hate to see someone get rid of barn cats solely due to the belief that a cat can give it to horses directly. If its for other reasons that include the higher attractant of opposums, that is different and has to be an individual choice.

Ferronsgranny - no one has questioned whether cats and other animals can get it, but whether they can pass it on. So far the research has shown that opposums are the primary carrier and are the ones that pass it on to horses. In cats and other animals they are an intermediate carrier and the protozoa resides in their muscle tissue and is not shed in their feces. They do provide a threat to those animals that can eat their fleash as road kill, but not to animals such as horses who are only exposed to the feces.

Bandit · 08-24-2008, 01:49 PM

Sorry for getting off track - both EPM research and cats are things that are important to me and sometimes I go on tangents.

To get back on track...

APHANutmeg · 08-24-2008, 02:03 PM

Here is my barn kitty Kasper.
Him mad at me for working late, making his dinner late:

And his favorite pasttime, spying:

bunnyal · 08-24-2008, 03:52 PM

APHANutmeg, I love your picture of Kasper spying and how the foliage matches his eyes. He's beautiful.

APHANutmeg · 08-25-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnyal

APHANutmeg, I love your picture of Kasper spying and how the foliage matches his eyes. He's beautiful.

Thanks! He thinks he is beautiful too!

He is always cleaning, so he stays very white considering he lives in a barn

Saelym · 08-26-2008, 12:34 AM

Great thread, and great pictures! I really enjoyed looking at everyones clearly spoiled kitties.

We have one barn cat (at the moment!) Samson, AKA Sammy. I will have to get a picture of him tomorrow!

RenosGirl · 08-26-2008, 12:47 AM

This is a picture of tomcat aka tom or grey...he comes to both

paso_lover · 08-26-2008, 03:47 AM

All this talk about kitties makes me want to get more

. I don't have "barn cats" but 4 house pets. Andre would KILL me if I brought another home

KrisRN2005 · 08-26-2008, 04:15 AM

our barn cats were an unexpected "gift" someone dumped off a mommy with two kittens..... a years ago... Needless to say they are our babies.
here is Patches, the mommy with my daughter, Carson

Bella and Sparky when they first came:

Bella:

Carson and Hobbs:

Patches after a long days work chasing mice

BarnBum · 08-26-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnyal

APHANutmeg, I love your picture of Kasper spying and how the foliage matches his eyes. He's beautiful.

That is a gorgeous picture !!

farmergal · 08-26-2008, 06:43 AM

My daughter's cat loves giving hugs. This is Colorado

Olive says OK you can stop now

Catfish

Colorado with Princess

Colorado just chilling...he does like having his picture taken

Something smells around here

Anakin and Eric

Catfish and Momma Kitty

Jake

SunshineQH · 08-26-2008, 10:15 AM

Meet Willy!! A Good Ol Boy!

**Orchid** · 08-26-2008, 01:53 PM

Barn cats do not carry EPM. What the research concluded was that barns with cats had a higher prevalence of EPM than those without barn cats, but it was not due to the cats themselves carrying EPM. More likely is that barns with cats have openings for the cats to come and go, thus also letting the possums come and go - and infect the horses with EPM.

My cats are not barn cats - one is a house cat, one is an indoor/porch cat and one is a porch cat. The barn is beneath his dignity.

I'll post pics of them after a bit.

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08-23-2008, 10:52 PM
Gotta Love Duns Bombproof Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dixonville, Alberta Posts: 8,428	Everyones cats look great... all I have to say is soon very soon we will have cats again! __________________ A penny saved is a penny you can spend on your next horse. http://nightfireranch.webs.com/index.htm

08-24-2008, 08:53 AM
bunnyal Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pasco County, Florida Posts: 837	Here are our barn kitties. First is Nurse Kelly a.k.a. Kelly Belly Next is CPL Radar O'Rielly a.k.a. Radar Then there is Callie a.k.a. ? And Colonel Sherman T. Potter a.k.a. Sherm Now my indoor kitties because they were declawed before I rescued them. First is Gizmo a.k.a. Gizzie And Vixen a.k.a. Miss Vixs __________________ mysite.verizon.net/res8ismu/whisperoaks When I die I want to be buried face down, so those who didn't like me can kiss my a**!

08-24-2008, 12:03 PM
nrhareiner Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 800	I think the corrolations is more to what I was reading too. If memory serves it was either in Americas horse published by AQHA or Horse and Rider and you can take that for what it is worth. Basically bird cage linners (horse and Rider not Americas Horse). The big thing is that with a lot of cats you do bring in more of the other factors that cause EPM. I have found other ways to keep down rodent problems and really do not have any. I live about 300 yards from the State Forest and have a lot of wild animals. My cats are not allowd to stay out at night and only a few hours during the day depending on weather. Horses that have been housed here have never gotten EPM. The horse I had who did get it was at the trainers at the time. She was not good at keeping feed up and there was quite a few cats around. I am sure the cats did not give him EPM however they attracted or brought in what did. For me I love cats but do not want then in the barn as just barn cats. One reason is if they ended up in a stall with one of my horses they would not be comming back out breathing. My horses love to kill things in their stall. Always finding dead things in there. Plus I do not want what they bring in in the barn. If I bring them in and feed them inside. They do not go out and bring back differnt animals which can and do attract Oposum nor is their feed left out there. For me and I will say this is for me. I do not see the benifet to having barn cats over the increases risk that they may bring in not only EPM but other problems. IE other preditory animals which we have close b/c of the state forest close. NOt to mention the risk to them getting hurt or comming up missing. Plus my Salukie dose a great job getting ride of things I do not want around and she brings them to me and dose not eat them. Heidi __________________ Double Eagle Photography www.doubleeagleph.com Definision of Gun Control: Hiting what you aim at.

08-24-2008, 01:17 PM
Ferronsgranny Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Creek, MS Posts: 2,077	Here is an article I found. It states horses, dogs and cats along with birds, chickens, hawks and other wildlife can get the disease with the primary host being the opossum. http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/473.htm __________________ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

08-24-2008, 01:33 PM
Ferronsgranny Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Big Creek, MS Posts: 2,077	Another: http://www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=225 http://www.aaep.org/health_articles_view.php?id=248 __________________ Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

08-24-2008, 01:43 PM
chappel16 Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oviedo Florida Posts: 1,075	Here is our barn cat, Garfield, hard at work in the tack room... __________________ www.sunlitstables.piczo.com

08-24-2008, 01:44 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,869	Heidi - Thanks for explaining your position a little better. Like I said I would hate to see someone get rid of barn cats solely due to the belief that a cat can give it to horses directly. If its for other reasons that include the higher attractant of opposums, that is different and has to be an individual choice. Ferronsgranny - no one has questioned whether cats and other animals can get it, but whether they can pass it on. So far the research has shown that opposums are the primary carrier and are the ones that pass it on to horses. In cats and other animals they are an intermediate carrier and the protozoa resides in their muscle tissue and is not shed in their feces. They do provide a threat to those animals that can eat their fleash as road kill, but not to animals such as horses who are only exposed to the feces. __________________

08-24-2008, 01:49 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,869	Sorry for getting off track - both EPM research and cats are things that are important to me and sometimes I go on tangents. To get back on track... __________________

08-24-2008, 02:03 PM
APHANutmeg Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 682	Here is my barn kitty Kasper. Him mad at me for working late, making his dinner late: And his favorite pasttime, spying: __________________ Staff to: Sunshine's Bar B Ritz "Nutmeg" Buckskin APHA, and her 4 mini friends: "Mocha, Ginger, Gunther, and Kodi"

08-24-2008, 03:52 PM
bunnyal Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pasco County, Florida Posts: 837	APHANutmeg, I love your picture of Kasper spying and how the foliage matches his eyes. He's beautiful. __________________ mysite.verizon.net/res8ismu/whisperoaks When I die I want to be buried face down, so those who didn't like me can kiss my a**!

08-26-2008, 10:15 AM
SunshineQH Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Clyde Alberta, Canada Posts: 89	Meet Willy!! A Good Ol Boy! __________________ I've spent most of my life riding horses, the rest I've just wasted.

08-26-2008, 12:34 AM
Saelym Started Join Date: May 2007 Location: Courtenay, B.C. Posts: 2,343	Great thread, and great pictures! I really enjoyed looking at everyones clearly spoiled kitties. We have one barn cat (at the moment!) Samson, AKA Sammy. I will have to get a picture of him tomorrow! __________________ Forever in my heart. Miss Achievement-- May 10th, 1993 - November 7th, 2008.

08-26-2008, 12:47 AM
RenosGirl Yearling Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 776	This is a picture of tomcat aka tom or grey...he comes to both __________________ Go and love your babies today, and everyday...you never know when it could be the last time.

08-26-2008, 03:47 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,848	All this talk about kitties makes me want to get more . I don't have "barn cats" but 4 house pets. Andre would KILL me if I brought another home __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

08-26-2008, 04:15 AM
KrisRN2005 Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 679	our barn cats were an unexpected "gift" someone dumped off a mommy with two kittens..... a years ago... Needless to say they are our babies. here is Patches, the mommy with my daughter, Carson Bella and Sparky when they first came: Bella: Carson and Hobbs: Patches after a long days work chasing mice __________________ May you always be true to your best friend, today, tomorrow and always .... Last edited by KrisRN2005 : 08-26-2008 at 04:19 AM.

08-26-2008, 06:43 AM
farmergal Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 4,926	My daughter's cat loves giving hugs. This is Colorado Olive says OK you can stop now Catfish Colorado with Princess Colorado just chilling...he does like having his picture taken Something smells around here Anakin and Eric Catfish and Momma Kitty Jake __________________

08-26-2008, 01:53 PM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,089	Barn cats do not carry EPM. What the research concluded was that barns with cats had a higher prevalence of EPM than those without barn cats, but it was not due to the cats themselves carrying EPM. More likely is that barns with cats have openings for the cats to come and go, thus also letting the possums come and go - and infect the horses with EPM. My cats are not barn cats - one is a house cat, one is an indoor/porch cat and one is a porch cat. The barn is beneath his dignity. I'll post pics of them after a bit. __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.