This page is dedicated to breeders and pet owners, and it's intended for educational purposes.  I am not a veterinarian, and I do not intend to replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.  Rather, it's my hope that some of the knowledge I've learned will be of assitance to others when they are seeking resolution to issues.

Much of what I've learned is from veterinarians, other breeders who generously shared their knowlege, and through many years of research while always holding a holistic view in mind.  My opinions and beliefs are my own.  I share my way of raising Bengals not because my way is necessarily the only or even maybe the best way - but to open new avenues of choice.  Most importantly, sharing this information is my way of "paying it forward."

Why We Feed Raw

To ensure our Bengals are raised in optimum physical health, we feed a raw food diet.  Not because our cats have a small percentage of wild blood, but because all domestic cats are healthier when fed raw.

The domestic cat has existed for thousands of years, but their genetic programming remains the same:  cats are strict carnivores.  Mother nature designed cats to eat animal-based protein and they cannot digest plant-based protein.  Unfortunately, most commercial food (canned/dry) contains high amounts of plant-based protein such as: wheat, corn, rice, etc. 

Also, cats are genetically designed to get the majority of their water intake from food.  They do not have a strong thirst drive, and dry kibble places them in a constant state of dehydration.  This may result in serious health issues such as: diabetes, kidney failure, cystitis, IBD, obesity, hepatic lipidosis, dental disease, and asthma.

Properly handled raw meat has less bacteria than many commercial foods.  In fact, dry food can contain salmonella and high levels of mold toxins from grains.

Visit: http://www.catinfo.org for additional information on nutrition, by Lisa A. Pierson, DVM.  Another good source of information: Feline Future Cat Food Company.

Please Note!  Do not feed raw fish.  Thiamine is essential to a cat's health, and uncooked fish contains an enzyme that destroys thiamine.  Feeding raw fish can cause neurological issues, seizures, coma or even death.

Our New Recipe

We use a slightly modified recipe from the Web site of Lisa A. Pierson, DVM.

Single Batch

• 3 pounds raw chicken (grind the meat, bone, and skin)
• 4 ounces raw chicken liver
• 1 cup water
• 2,000 mg wild salmon oil
• 400 IU (268 mg) Vitamin E
• 100 mg Vitamin B-complex (Note: ensure the Vitamin B does not contain "xylitol" which is toxic to cats.)
• 2,000 mg taurine
• 3/4 tsp Lite salt

Large Batch

• 18 pounds raw chicken
• 24 ounces (1.5 lbs) raw chicken liver
• 6 cups water
• 12,000 mg wild salmon oil
• 2,400 IU Vitamin E
• 600 mg Vitamin B-complex (Note: ensure the Vitamin B does not contain "xylitol" which is toxic to cats.)
• 12,000 mg taurine
• 4 1/2 tsp Lite salt

For both recipes, once daily add Grizzly salmon oil and DDS Plus powder (L.acidophilus DDS-1, B.longum with FOS).  Twice weekly add raw egg yokes (no whites).

Our Previous Recipe

• 16 pounds raw turkey thighs (deboned, with skin on)
• 2 pounds raw liver (beef or chicken)
• 4 cups Instincts powder
• 8 cups water

To Purchase Instincts Go To: Feline Future Cat Food Company

To Purchase A Meat Grinder Go To: One Stop Jerky Shop

Supplementing Newborn Kittens

It's my understanding that the best milk for kittens - if you can get it - is sheep milk, as it's the closest to cat milk.

I can't get sheep milk - so here is the formula I use:

• 3 oz condensed milk i.e. Carnation evaporated milk
• 3 oz distilled water
• 1 tsp corn syrup
• 3 egg yolks

Strain the egg yolks through a sieve to ensure there are no egg whites in the mixture.

If you prefer, you can substitute goat milk afor the evaporated milk.

Below is a formula I got from a friend who understand nurtrition and approaches feeding her cats from a holistic view:

• 1400 g raw sheep milk
• 500 g raw egg yolks
• 23 g distilled water
• 15 g calcium lactate
• 8 g salmon oil
• 7.8 g table salt
• 1200 mg cod liver oil
• 600 mg taurine

Below is our feeding schedule:

Newborn - 1 1/2 weeks

• 1 to 3 cc every 2 hours (keeping in mind that a 1-day old kitten will of course need less than a 1-week old kitten)

1 1/2 weeks

• 6 cc every 3 hours

3 weeks

• 12 cc every 4 hours

Feed more than what is outlined above if a kitten wants to eat more.  Weigh kittens twice daily - they should gain an average of 1/3 of an ounce per day.

Below is an example of daily weight gain (in ounces) of a kitten we raised that had a rough start because mother's milk was insufficent for the first week.  The litter was supplemented until their mother had adequate milk:

Jun 26 - 2.4 ounces
Jun 27 - 2.6 ounces
Jun 28 - 2.7 ounces
Jun 29 - 3.2 ounces
Jun 30 - 3.7ounces
Jul 1 - 3.9 ounces
Jul 2 - 4.4 ounces
Jul 3 - 4.8 ounces
Jul 4 - 5.3 ounces
Jul 5 - 5.7 ounces
Jul 6 - 6.3 ounces
Jul 7 - 6.6 ounces
Jul 8 - 7.4 ounces
Jul 9 - 7.9 ounces
Jul 10 - 8.3 ounces
Jul 11 - 8.6 ounces
Jul 12 - 9.1 ounces
Jul 13 - 9.3 ounces
Jul 14 - 10.2 ounces
Jul 15 - 10.9 ounces
Jul 16 - 11.7 ounces
Jul 17 - 11.9 ounces
Jul 18 - 12.5 ounces
Jul 19 - 13.1 ounces

Our Parasite Protocol

Coccidia

Feline coccidia is a protozoan organism that is common to cats and, in my opinon, especially prevalent in Bengal catteries.  Coccidia most often affects kittens rather than older cats and symptoms include: watery diarrhea, depression, dehydration, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain and possibly hemorrage.  Coccidia infection can result in death.

Older cats can shed oocysts in their feces yet remain asymptomatic until stressed.  Stools that contain immature protozoa (oocytes) are harmless until allowed to mature in an open environment.  The longer a cat stool is allowed to decay, the more chance the oocytes have to develop.  Sporulated oocysts can survive as long as one year in moist, protected environments.  Infection is caused when kittens and cats come into contact with infected fecal matter, so it's important to scoop litterboxes often.

It's my opinion that when the Bengal first became popular breeders with kitten mill environments spread coccidia within their own catteries and subsequently infected catteries worldwide.  Diarrhea in Bengal kittens is a very real concern and buyers should be careful they purchase from a breeder who has healthy Bengals and an excellent worming protocol.  Through the years I've heard from many breeders and pet buyers who reached out for help. Coccidia is not yet a universally well understood disease in regards to prevention and treatment.  Too often Metronidazole is prescribed which, although it sooths an infected gut, cannot kill coccidia.

The first arsenol against this insidiuous parasite is Baycox.  Baycox (toltrazuril) is a fairly new treatment that suppresses oocyst excretion and may actually cure coccidiosis instead of simply suppressing it.  It's best used as a preventive and given to kittens before they show signs of infection.  Infection is usually between 3 and 4 weeks of age, and a single dose of Baycox can stop the shedding of oocysts.  Baycox's active ingredient (toltrazuril) kills all single cell stages of coccidia, but after a kitten has diarrhea with oocysts in their feces, Baycox cannot penetrate the oocysts.  Nevertheless, at this stage Baycox will help shorten the length and severity of the diarrhea due to stopping the life cyle of coccidia in the small intestine. 

We give Baycox to kittens when they are 28 days old, and one treatment kills early stages of the protozoa which prevents clinical disease.  Ten days later, we repeat. 

Baycox does not cause sloughing of the intestinal cells and micrograph studies of sections of the intestine 24 hours after treatment shows intact intestinal cells but the single cell stages of coccidia are dead.  If treatment is delayed, and oocysts are in the stool, the damage is done and the protozoa have completed their reproductive cycle.  Baycox does not affect a kitten's intestinal flora (good bacteria) and has activity only against protozoa.

Please note that correct Baycox (for kittens and cats) is the 5% piglet formula and not the Baycox 2.5% poultry concentrate.

To order Baycox:

http://www.interpet.biz/index.htm  (Home page); http://www.interpet.biz/Baycox.html (Baycox Page)

You need to log on as a member to order.  Membership is free.

Baycox Dosage

0.1 of a cc per pound (which is one-tenth of a 1.0 cc syringe).  Repeat in 10 days.

Baycox has a long "half-life" of 55 hours - that is, 55 hours after administration, 1/2 of the Baycox is still in the animal's system - so it should not be used in combination with other wormers nor repeated until at least 3 days have lapsed.

Baycox is foul-tasting, and if you give it by itself kittens/cats will foam at the mouth.  I've developed a method that makes giving Baycox fairly easy and to prevent kittens from becoming head shy.  Most kittens like the taste of Carnation evaporated milk.  Gather together a small bowl of warmed canned milk, a 1.0 cc syringe to measure the Baycox, a 3.0 cc syringe for the canned milk, and a tissue.  Measure out the Baycox for one kitten, fill the larger syringe with canned milk.  Scruff the kitten and lift (like mom would) so their back feet are not touching the counter/floor.  They will naturally open their mouths a bit.  Place the tip of the syringe filled with Baycox towards the back of the tongue.  Depress half the amount - slowly so the kitten doesn’t aspirate.  Try not to let the Baycox get on the front of the tongue.  Next, while you continue to scruff, give enough canned milk at the front of the tongue to wash down the Baycox taste.  Then give the remainder of the Baycox, and more canned milk to eliminate the Baycox taste.  Let the kitten down on all fours and wipe their mouth with a tissue.  If they put up any kind of a fuss about the taste, or foam at the mouth, give them more canned milk. 

Once you get the hang of it, you can Baycox kittens and set them down and they will immediately run and play as if nothing negative happened.  There is no head shaking, no fur poofing, and no foaming.  For older kittens and mothers (who need a larger dose) give 1/3 Baycox followed by milk, another 1/3 Baycox, more milk, then the last 1/3 of the Baycox and finish with as much milk as needed.  Be sure to switch syringes quickly.  This method works well and it's just a matter of getting the hang of it.  Try to keep the kittens/cats scruffed the entire time and get it over fast!

(Please consider using the above method, as kittens I've brought in from some catteries were extremely head shy because their heads were held rather than their necks scruffed and they were not given milk afterwards but allowed to run around foaming at the mouth.  Never let a kitten associate head holding with anything negative.)

Baycox does not require refrigeration.

Our second arsonal against coccidia is Albon.  Please note this page is a work in progress and I'll write more about Albon in the future. 

Order Albon Oral Suspension 5%:

http://www.vetserv-usa.com/default.htm

Albon Dosage

1.0 cc per 2 pounds on the first day, then 0.5 cc per 2 pounds for 2-5 additional days.  During treatment, kittens/cats must maintain adequate water intake.

Albon has a “custard-like taste” which makes it easy to give.  Do not give Albon and Baycox on the same day.  Store Albon at room temperature.

Tritrichomonas Foetus

Tritrichomonas foetus (TTF) was first recognized in the USA in 1999.  This single-celled protozoa lives in the feline colon, and testing for this parasite is not yet routine at most veterinary clinics.  Fecal floats will not detect TTF and it can easily be misdiagnosed as Giardia.  A specific TTF test is required to diagnose TTF infection.

Infected cats may or may not have diarrhea.  After a cat is infected it could be days or even years before there are symptoms.

Infection is generally through shared litterboxes and TTF can live for several days in a moist stool.  If untreated, about 90% of infected cats will resolve their diarrhea issues within two years; however, they will remain carriers and can infect other cats.  There is a theory that prolonged exposure to TTF can later cause inflammatory bowel disease.

The three ways to test for TTF: 1) direct smear (sensitivity poor; only detects 14% of infected cats and care is needed to not misdiagnose as Giardia; 2) fecal culture (feces incubated in a growth medium; sensitivity good); and polymerase chain reaction; molecular biology test with excellent sensitivity).

Ronidazole is the only drug that has proven successful in eliminating TTF.  However, there is no toxicity data for this drug for use in cats, and it can cause seizures and/or death.  It's imperative that Ronidazole is given only to cats that have tested positive for TTF. 

Ronidazole Dosage: 30 mg per kg once daily for 14 days.  Dosage must be accurately calculated for each cat based on body weight.  Do not give Ronidazole to cats that are: 1) systematically ill; 2) pregnant or nursing kittens; 3) kittens under 12 weeks of age.

For in depth information on TTF: An Owner's Guide To Diagnosis and Treatment

Bio pouches for testing can be ordered at: BioMed Diagnostics

Direct link to order: http://www.biomeddiagnostics.com/tfoetus-feline#prices

Instructions on use of bio pouches: In Pouch TF Feline Test

Giardia

Order Panacur:

http://www.vetserv-usa.com/default.htm

Order Panacur Horse & Cattle Dewormer, Suspension 10% (100mg/mL).  You need to log on as a member to order.  Membership is free.
 
Panacur Dosage

Adults: 1 cc per 5 pounds (to treat for Giardia give for 5 days).  Repeat in 3 weeks.

Kittens: 0.25 cc per pound for 3 days (to treat for Giardia give for 5 days).  Repeat in 3 weeks.

Note:  I worm at 7 or 8 weeks of age.  I used to repeat at  10 or 11 weeks of age but have found that is now not necessary.  Mothers are wormed at the same time as the kittens.

Do not use Panacur with other wormers.  Does not require refrigeration.

Panacur - Kittens

2 pounds - 0.50 cc
2 1/2 pounds - 0.60 cc
3 pounds - 0.75 cc
3 1/2 pounds - 0.80 cc
4 pounds - 1.0 cc
4 1/2 pounds - 1.10 cc
5 pounds - 1.25 cc

Panacur - Adults

5 pounds - 1.0 cc
7 1/2 pounds - 1.50 cc
10 pounds - 2.0 cc
12 1/2 pounds - 2.50 cc

Safeguard – 50/mg kg; 100 mg/ml; 1 kg per 50 mg = 0.5 ml for 5 days

Weight (kg)    Dose (ml)
0.2    0.1
0.4    0.2
0.6    0.3
0.8    0.4
1.0    0.5
1.2    0.6
1.4    0.7
1.6    0.8
1.8    0.9
2.0    1.0
2.2    1.1
2.4    1.2
2.6    1.3
2.8    1.4
3.0    1.5
3.2    1.6
3.4    1.7
3.6    1.8
3.8    1.9
4.0    2.0
4.2    2.1
4.4    2.2
4.6    2.3
4.8    2.4
5.0    2.5
5.2    2.6
5.4    2.7
5.6    2.8
5.8    2.9
6.0    3.0

Metronidazole Dosage (Note: 30% of Giardia is immune to Metronidazole; Panacur is more effective.)

250 mg tablet, crush and mix it 10 cc of water.  1 cc per 5 lb cat, or 0.2 per lb.  Metronidazole helps calm inflammation of the colon.

To Stop Severe Diarrhea

Loperamide Hydrochloride Tablets USP 2 mg
 
High end dose:  dissolve one table (2 mg) into 27.5 cc water.  Give 0.1 cc per pound.
 
Low end dose:  dissolve one table (2 mg) into 55.0 cc water.  Give 0.1 cc per pound.
 
Give it once or twice only unless diarrhea continues.

More Articles To Come!