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The contents of this newsletter are inspired by the visitors of PERSIAN-CATS.COM. The following tips and information come primarily from bulletin board postings and particularly useful discussions in the chat room.
This Month's Features: Stud Tail, Are Cats Really Color Blind, Eye Stain Help, and Word Scramble
Stud Tail
(This information came from Lynn)
Stud tail usually occurs in males just as they start physically maturing. Although rare, it can also occur in females. Sometimes it clears up as they mature, but sometimes it can be a life-long issue.
How does this happen? The tail's oil glands start producing greater amounts of oil and they can become clogged or infected. Other than just a greasy tail, the most common symptom is tail hair loss. When you examine the tail closely, particularly on top, near the base, you will see some small brown specs. These are clogged oil glands. The condition is similar to acne in humans.
A common treatment is a strong degreasing shampoo. Most breeders use Goop (make sure it's the white stuff that looks like shortening) followed by Dawn dishwashing soap. If the tail becomes infected, you can shave the base of the it. It will be much easier to treat. Be prepared: tails take much longer than the coat to grow out.
Are Cats Really Color Blind?
(This information came from Debbie)
Cats can see blue and green but not red. Cats focus on the middle of their vision field with the peripheral vision cloudy. This lets them focus in on prey and judge distance accurately. Humans have a smaller field of vision than cats. The way cat pupils expand in the dark lets them use any available light to see in very dim light. However, in pitch darkness, they cannot see any better than humans. Cats can stare into the sun without damaging their retinas, since their pupils can change shape so much.
Eye Stain Help
(This information came from Sam & Lynn)
Part of owning a flat-faced (or peke-faced) Persian involves cleaning the eyes of the cat. The light colors are the hardest to keep clean. You can use a mixture of Boric Acid and baby powder cornstarch (50/50). Some breeders pad it and pack it on the eye as a powder or make it wet and pack it. Be careful: Boric Acid is not good IN the eyes. Some people have found that it is irritating to the cat. But it will not hurt him/her if it is used properly around the eye. There is also a wet mixture called Diamond eye. You can buy it at pet stores. There is also something called "Eye and Wound Powder" that some breeders use. If the whites of the eyes are red, you can use a drop of Genticin Durafilm (get it from you vet).
Sometimes runny eyes can be an indication of a medical problem. You should make sure that the cat does not have an eye infection. You would see a thick film in the eyes, and the eyes would be red on the lids. You would then have to use an antibiotic and/or an ointment to treat the infection. Your vet can prescribe any necessary medication.
Word Scramble
These letters are all mixed up! Unscramble the following words:
- RAPNISE
- LIAAMHNAY
- CROOLIB
- AFTL CEAF
- MONGRIGO
Want the answers? 
