Top Tips to Avoid Buying a 'Weekend Cat' - Stay Informe

Is it true that sellers give sick cats stimulants or serum before shipping them out?

Firstly, I want to clarify that I have been running a cat breeding facility for several years, and I have never heard of the socalled stimulants that some people mention. I often hear people say that the dog or cat they bought must have been injected with stimulants, and since the effect wears off after a week, the animal dies. I can assure you and my fellow breeders that we have never heard of such substances. Serum, on the other hand, is an extremely expensive medication.

Cat distemper serum is a costly treatment obtained by extracting antibodies from a cat that has previously contracted the disease. If a cat has had distemper, its body will contain antibodies against it. Extracting these antibodies from the cat's serum can then be used to treat other sick cats. However, the cost of extracting serum is so high that very few people sell it now.

Monoclonal antibodies are not particularly advanced drugs; they are simply a technical replication of the cat distemper antibodies.

Immunoglobulins (Ig) refer to globulins that have antibody (Ab) activity or a chemical structure similar to antibody molecules. So, these three substances are essentially the same. Serum is outdated, immunoglobulins are similar to antibodies, and cat distemper monoclonal antibody is a drug that specifically binds to the cat distemper virus.

After explaining these three substances, it should be clear why it is absurd to say that giving sick cats or dogs serum can lead to illness upon returning home.

Given that serum is so expensive, would a dealer really be willing to use it? If it's effective, why not wait until the animal is fully recovered before giving it to you?

Additionally, understanding the effects of these medications can help prevent unnecessary purchases when buying pet medications online. For example, some sellers may try to convince you to buy immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies together, which is not necessary. In fact, I believe monoclonal antibodies are more effective than globulins.

So, what causes "weekold" pets? It's cat distemper! It is an acute, highly contagious disease with a latent period of about a week, and the mortality rate for kittens can reach 90%. Treatment is expensive and survival rates are low.

Why do cats get distemper? This is a complex issue involving various factors, such as the environment, feeding methods, and longdistance transportation. Many "weekold" cats become ill due to weak constitutions, which makes them more susceptible to the distemper virus. Those cats sold for a few hundred yuan are not worth as much as the cat food I buy for my cats each month. So, you can imagine that these cats don't receive good food or nutritional supplements, making them weak and more prone to illness.

However, it is important to note that the presence of the distemper virus is the only cause of cat distemper. The cat trivalent vaccine is the only way to prevent it.

Some pet owners may spend a lot of money and still end up with sick cats. This can only be attributed to insufficient research and not being vigilant enough.

How can pet owners avoid buying "weekold" cats?

1. Observe the cat's vital signs:

1.1. Mental state: A healthy cat should be lively and playful. If a cat seems listless and inactive, it may be sick. Healthy cats are energetic and enjoy playing, running with agility and strength.

1.2. Appetite: Cats should have a strong appetite. It's normal for them to be picky with food in the first few days after moving to a new home, but if they continue to refuse food and experience vomiting and diarrhea, it could be distemper.

2. Identify the source of purchase:

2.1. Street vendors: Be cautious when buying pets from street vendors near large shopping malls or parks. These cats may be prematurely born and transported long distances, causing them stress and increasing their risk of illness.

2.2. Online purchases: Online buying is a common choice for pet owners, but it's also where many end up with "weekold" pets or being scammed. To distinguish between legitimate and unscrupulous sellers, look for those who keep their cats at home, have a limited number of pets, and regularly post updates. Unscrupulous sellers often display a large number of cats in their朋友圈, making it look like a "cat factory," and their prices are usually very low.

2.3. Cat breeding facilities: Cat breeding facilities, including CFAcertified and home breeding facilities, are good options. CFAcertified facilities sell cats with pedigrees, ensuring high health and quality standards, but the prices are quite high. Home breeding facilities are more affordable and offer the opportunity to visit the cats in person. These facilities usually offer a 7day health guarantee, so be cautious if the seller is unwilling to provide this guarantee.

2.4. Adoption: There are two types of adoption: from family and friends' pets or from specialized adoption agencies. Both options offer a high level of safety, so consider adoption if you're looking to add a pet to your family.

By taking these precautions, pet owners can ensure their cats live happy and healthy lives. The news of "weekold" pets is all too common, so let's all be vigilant and find pets that we truly love and are healthy to be our lifelong companions!