Giving Kittens as Gifts

Giving Kittens As GiftsChristmas at Pelaqita Persians Christmas is fast approaching, and already I am getting phone calls and emails asking if we will have kittens available for Christmas. Most of the inquiries I get during the Holiday season is for “a kitten as a surprise for my [insert name here]. While surprising a loved one with a new kitten … Read More

Hairballs – The Midnight Gift

Hairballs – The Midnight Gift© Pelaqita Persians “Ack, Ack, Ack.” We all know that sound. It is the distinctive sound a cat makes as it coughs up a hairball. Even in the middle of the night when you are fast asleep it is a noise that almost always will pop open your eyes. It is a sound that is guaranteed … Read More

Herpes Virus – Medical Case History

What is the Feline Herpes Virus (FHV)?According to Matthew J. Chavkin, DVM, MS – Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists of  Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado – Ophthalmology (VRCC):   “The feline herpes virus most commonly infects kittens and causes sneezing, ocular and nasal discharge, and a reluctance to eat and play. With good nursing care, the vast majority of kittens return … Read More

Hip Dysplasia and Persians

Feline Hip DysplasiaThe article below was written by one of my kitten buyers who purchased two littermates in 2016. As it turned out, the male, Ellison, was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Up until Ellison I had never heard of hip dysplasia in cats.  I did not know it was even a possibility. When I wrote the article for December 2018’s … Read More

Hip Dysplasia in Persian Cats

Hip Dysplasia and Persian CatsHip dysplasia is not as prevalent in cats as it is in dogs.  Occurrences of hip dysplasia in cats are pretty rare.  As a former German Shepherd Dog breeder I am well aware of this painful disorder.  In almost 20 years of raising and showing German Shepherd dogs I had less than four incidences of hip … Read More

Historical Facts about Exotics

Historical Facts of the Exotic Cat BreedAs compiled by:   Carissa Altschul Persian Breed Council Secretary Historical Background At the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) Board of Director’s meeting June 11-12, 1966, Mr. Winn & Mrs. Martinke presented a new program for hybrids. Quoting from the 1966 CFA yearbook minutes, pg 113. “It had first been envisioned as a solution to … Read More

History of the Persian Cat

Persian Breed HistoryOpinions vary on when the Persian cat first appeared, how it got its name, and how the breed spread across the globe. This article outlines some of the popular views about Persian cats. There are references to the Persian cat in hieroglyphic records as early as 1684 B.C. It is believed that the Persian cat is named for … Read More

Holiday Dangers

Holiday DangersSpecial dangers await your cat during the Holidays. Thousands of cats suffer injury or become deathly ill and die each year during this time of year. During this busy time of year, we often forget about our four-legged family members during all the festivities. Cats are just as curious and anxious about the holiday season as we are. Holiday … Read More

Household Poisons and Cats

Household Poisons and CatsMany common items that can be found in most homes are toxic to cats. Below is a list of some of those items. I have also outlined some of the symptoms that are common. What To Do:   IMMEDIATELY CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN! ASPC Poison Control Hot Line: (888) 426-4435.  A consultation fee may apply.Common Toxic Household Items … Read More

How Old Is My Cat?

How Old Is My Cat?For years, pet owner have been led to believe the way to figure out how old our cats or dogs were in “human” years was that “one year equals seven ‘human’ years”. This way of calculating the age of a dog relative to humans has never really worked well. This is because there is such a … Read More