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Breed Profile

American Wirehair

The American Wirehair breed is uniquely American. It began as a spontaneous mutation in a litter of upstate New York farm cats in 1966. A spontaneous mutation is an uncommon, although not rare, happening. As it has occurred among cats in the past, two ordinary cats came together and as a result of their mating, a kitten unlike its parents or littermates was born. The progeny of the original mutation, Council Rock Farm Adams of Hi-Fi, are now in all areas of the United States. What is interesting and unusual about this particular mutation is that it has not been reported in any other country thus far.

The coat is the characteristic that separates the American Wirehair from all other breeds. Just as there is a wide variety of texture in Persians or Exotics, there is also considerable variation among the Wirehairs. As this is a dominant mutation, approximately half of the kittens will be wirehaired at birth. The most readily apparent wiring is that of the whiskers and ideally, the entire coat will be wired at birth. If the coat appears to be ringlets, it may be too long and may wave or straighten with maturity. Some of the lightly wired coats may continue to crimp during the early life of the Wirehair. The degree of coarseness depends upon the coat texture of the sire and dam. To produce the best wiring, both parents must have a hard coat.

For more information on this breed and other cat breeds, check out the source for the above information: The Cat Fanciers' Association

Free-roaming cats inevitably pick up fleas and ticks and then bring these pests into the home. Fleas can cause anemia, skin irritations, and allergies in cats -- and transmit diseases to humans through their bites. Unsterilized cats allowed to roam contribute to the high number of cats who end up in our community’s animal shelter every day.

Veterinarians treat many diseases that are caused by outdoor cats being unsupervised. In fact, two out of three veterinarians recommend keeping cats indoors, most often citing dangers from vehicles and disease. FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and Felv (feline leukemia) are two highly contagious diseases for which outdoor cats are highly susceptible.

And fewer than 5 percent “found” cats taken in by animal shelters are reunited with their owners. That’s why outfitting your cat with a collar and visible identification is one of the best steps you can take to keep your pet safe.

Claws & Paws Veterinary Hospital® Newsletter

Normal kidneys filter the blood, removing wastes and excreting them in the urine.  Kidneys damaged by infection or inflammation lose some of this filtering ability and waste products accumulate in the bloodstream.  Continued re-circulation of this material results in illness.  About three-fourths of kidney tissue must be damaged before signs of illness appear.  For this reason, kidney disease is often considered chronic (present a long time) even though the affected pet may not have shown signs of disease for very long.

Signs of chronic kidney disease include vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination, decreased appetite, weight loss, depression and bad breath.  Continued illness results in collapse, seizures, coma and death.

Though chronic kidney disease is not curable, it is often controllable.  Many pets can live reasonably normal lives when properly managed in a cooperative effort between owner and veterinarian.  If you notice your pet exhibiting any of the symptoms noted above, please mention them at your next visit or better yet, schedule an appointment today.  

Breed Rescue Information

Afghan Hounds—281-332-7235

AiredaleTerriers—281-558-3230

Southeast Texas Labrador Rescue—281-252-6894

Dachshund Rescue of Houston dachshundrescueofhouston.org

Second Time Around Aussie Rescue, Inc.—979-822-4495

Houston Beagle & Hound Rescue www.houstonbeaglerescue.org

American Put Bull Terriers 713-856-6246

Great Dane Foundation 281-575-6603 or 713-302-8569

Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston — 281-367-1440

Bulldog Rescue — 409-865-9789

ChowChow Rescue     713-590-1619

Greyhound Pets of America 713-866-4466

Germand Shepherd Dog Rescue Houston, Inc. — 281-484-1737

Irish Setter Rescue of Houston 281-482-3966

Lhasa Apso Club of Greater Houston — 713-270-8615

Pug Rescue — 713-999-5190

American Rottweiler Foundation 713-645-ARRF

Samoyed Rescue of South Texas 713-469-8742

Italian Greyhound Rescue 281-498-2773

Golder Retriever Rescue 281-480-4942

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas / Houston — 713-201-7055

For additional sites, check out the link to the Greater Houston Area Rescue Groups. 

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