Don’t Fry Friday

COMMENT-A-THON WRAP-UP

We are sending out a huge, heartfelt thank you to all those who commented on one or both of our recent comment-a-thon posts. We had really hoped to pick a lot more green papers out of mom’s pocket, but we know that any donation, no matter how small, will be appreciated by these worthy organizations.

red nose day

We received 42 comments on our Red Nose Day campaign post. This would equal a $21 donation, but Mom has agreed to round it up to $25.

 Don't Fry Day

We received 46 comments on our Don’t Fry Day post. This would equal a $23 donation to the Animal Cancer Foundation, but it too will be rounded up to $25.

Savannah’s (Savannah’s Paw Tracks) mom, Linda, will be making a matching contribution to the Animal Cancer Foundation. She plans to make her donation in honor of Harvey Button (Dash Kitten) who recently underwent surgery to remove his ear tips and cryosurgery on his nose due to his squamous cell carcinoma. We will make our donation in his honor as well.

Thank you again to all those who made these donations possible.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

CHICKEN CHARLIE’S SELFIES

We were curious if last week’s guest host, Lizzie Lizard, tasted like chicken. This week, we are sure our guest does. Back off Ashton and Waffles! This guy isn’t your dinner.

Chickens wander everywhere on Tortola, including the beach. Who knew that kitten season is also baby chick season? All over the island, hens could be seen with flocks of minuscule chicks following along behind them.

Several chickens befriended us at the beach and would gather around each day. Charlie, who is our featured host today, had the most glorious tail feathers when we met him. One morning he greeted us sans feathers but one. He had a couple rival roosters on the beach, and we don’t know if it happened in a squabble or if a dog might have gotten him.

Here are Charlie’s selfies.

 

chicken selfies

 

Bet you are wondering how our humans convinced Charlie to take those selfies. Let’s just say, Mom had him eating out of her hand. And we have the photographic proof.

 

chicken feeding

 

The humans were not surprised that the chickens liked corn nuts. That they liked Cheerios was a big shock. Charlie liked them so much and ate them so quickly, Mom noticed him belching.

Cat4-001We are looking forward to seeing everyone’s selfies this week. We did get around to visit all of our entrants last Sunday, and we promise to do so again this week. Please understand that it may take us a few days. We are so appreciative of those who participate in and promote our blog hop. You are the best friends Kitties Blue could ever hope to have!

We encourage you to get the link below and post the hop on your blog. We only ask that you include a link to The Cat on My Head and/or display our badge.

Have a terrific Easy Sunday and a happy Memorial Day.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

P.S. with regard to our Comment-a-thons:

 

red nose dayKitties Blue are currently holding two comment-a-thons. For each one, Mom will donate 50 cents per comment (no maximum) to these very good causes. The first is for the Red Nose Day campaign.

Don't Fry DayThe second is for Don’t Fry Day. That contribution will be going to Animal Cancer Foundation. We are excited to let you know that Mom Linda (Savannah’s Paw Tracks) has offered to match our donation to Animal Cancer Foundation in honor of Harvey Button (Dash Kitten). Harvey recently had to have his ear tips surgically removed due to squamous cell carcinoma. Thank you Mom Linda, Savvy and TKS.

Once posted, you will be able to see Harvey’s selfie here, but please visit his blog through the link above and give him your purrs and prayers.

Click the links in the above paragraphs if you haven’t yet left comments.



DON’T FRY DAY COMMENT-A-THON

Don't Fry Day

Today Kitties Blue are supporting another very important event: Don’t Fry Day.

When our mom was a young girl she had several very bad sunburns. She was not a sun worshiper. She found lying and baking in the sun boring. In the 50s and 60s, parents didn’t understand the damage the sun was wreaking on their children’s skin or that they would pay for it later in life.

Since high school, Mom has tried to be very protective of her skin by staying in the shade and wearing sun block/screen. Even though she does this now, the damage was done. She’s had basel cell carcinoma. Additionally, in 1997, she lost her two best friends to malignant melanoma.

Madison Don't Fry DayBut, as we stated in yesterday’s teaser, skin cancer is not only a disease affecting humans. Animals are susceptible as well, especially those with white fur and pink noses as well as hairless breeds. Mom and Dad learned about this first hand with our angel brother, Madison.

When our humans adopted Madison as a stray, they’d never had an all-white kitty and had no idea that their sun lover was at danger. Then one summer, they noticed that the tips of Madison’s ears were crusty. Being good kitty parents, Madison was whisked off to the vet. That is when they learned about feline solar dermatitis.

As Madison’s ears were covered with fur, Mom and Dad never even considered that Madison could get a sunburn. But that’s exactly what was happening every summer. Madison had solar dermatitis caused by long-term exposure to sunlight and UV rays. This often clears up over the summer, as it did with Madison. Continued exposure, however, can lead to cancer of the outer layer of the epidermis (skin). This outer layer is made up of cells called squamous epithelium.

A squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the squamous epithelium. It may appear to be a white plaque or a raised bump on the skin. Often the raised area will become necrotic in the center and develop an ulcer, which may bleed. This cancer is fast growing, invasive and usually malignant. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical as this cancer can easily metastasize to your cat’s organs.

Older cats with white or light-colored fur and living at high altitudes are most susceptible. The most common locations for tumors are the front of the nose, eyelids, lips, and ear tips, but lesions or growths can be found anywhere on your cat’s body.

The course of treatment will depend on the size and number of tumor(s). When lesions are diagnosed early before turning to cancer, it is possible to treat with topical medications. If only a small tumor is found and it has not spread to your cat’s organs, three methods exist for removing it:

  • Cryosurgery (freezing)
  • Light (photodynamic) therapy
  • Surgery

Larger tumors will need to be removed surgically and skin grafting may be required. Some tumors may require amputation of ear tips, part of the nose or other body parts depending on the location of the tumor(s). Chemotherapy and radiation also may be required if the tumor cannot be removed completely.

Recurrence is possible making regular veterinarian exams critically important. A full recovery is dependent on size and location of the tumor(s).

To prevent development of solar dermatitis and squamous cell carcinoma, limit your cat’s exposure to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you do allow your cat outside during daylight hours, a waterproof sunscreen should be applied to the cat’s ears and nose.

For additional information regarding diagnosis and treatment, visit Vetstream.com and/or PetMD.com, the sources for this post.

Comment-a-thon

For Don’t Fry Day, Mom will donate 50 cents to the Animal Cancer Foundation (with no maximum) for each comment on this post received prior to 12:01 a.m. EDT Monday. So please spread the word among your friends. The more comments, the greater the donation.

Also, please don’t forget to comment on yesterday’s post: Red Nose Day Commentathon. Mom will donate 50 cents per comment (no maximum) made prior to 12:01 a.m. EDT Sunday to the Red Nose Day campaign.

Thanks for helping us Pay It Forward!

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo