Get Thee to a Cattery!

I know Catteries can be uncomplimented on the internets — say, the same way “cat washing” can cause angina for some, but, Janna and I both argue from direct experience, that washing your Cat gives that baby a new life, and unrequited rights in a whole fresh world of cleanliness — and yes, if you want a purebred cat, you’re probably going to have to deal with a Cattery.

Thirty years ago, or so, we got our first purebred Persian boy from a Cattery. The Breeder told us he wasn’t wanted for breeding because “his spine was too long” and the Breeder wanted “short, compact, cats.” So, at 10 months, the Breeder gave him to us for free. He arrived with his Persian hair shorn, and a long line of ringworm from his chin to his abdomen! The Breeder had no idea our boy had ringworm until she shaved him down (to get rid of all the tangles, and matted hair, we surmise) and she gave us some illegal milky substance “imported from Germany” that would “heal his ringworm in three days.” It worked, as far as we knew, and the ringworm was gone.

Here’s what ChatGPT guessed the “illegal substance” from Germany might have been — it arrived in an unmarked squeeze bottle:

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Adjusting the timeline to 30-35 years ago, we’re looking at the late 1980s to early 1990s. This era had more limited veterinary treatment options for conditions like ringworm in animals compared to today. Based on this updated timeframe, here are a few possibilities for what the milky substance could have been:

1. Griseofulvin: This was the main antifungal drug available during that period, especially for treating dermatophytosis (ringworm) in cats. Griseofulvin suspension, which had a milky appearance, was often imported because it wasn’t consistently available in some regions. In Germany, the formulation might have been different or considered superior to what was approved for use in the U.S., leading breeders to seek it out. Importation of veterinary medications without FDA approval was not uncommon at the time, though it was technically illegal.

2. Enilconazole: This is another potential candidate. Enilconazole was a topical antifungal agent used to treat ringworm in cats, and it was approved in Europe earlier than in the United States. It often came in an emulsion form that could appear milky. It might have been obtained illegally for use in pets when it wasn’t yet authorized by the FDA in the U.S.

3. Lufenuron (early stages): Though primarily known as a flea growth regulator, anecdotal reports in the late 1980s and early 1990s suggested that Lufenuron might help with fungal infections like ringworm. The European formulations of certain veterinary products were sometimes ahead of their counterparts in the U.S., and breeders might have experimented with treatments that weren’t yet approved stateside.

4. Itraconazole Compounds: Although Itraconazole became more common a bit later, early compounded versions or experimental formulations could have been available in Europe before gaining traction in the U.S. Veterinary formulations were often specially compounded, potentially explaining the milky texture.

The regulatory frameworks for veterinary medicines were less harmonized between Europe and the United States during this period, leading breeders to seek solutions from European suppliers, especially those with promising antifungal properties that weren’t yet approved or distributed by U.S. authorities. Griseofulvin remains the most likely candidate due to its historical use, but Enilconazole’s availability in Europe and its characteristic milky form make it a strong possibility as well.

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Fast forward to now, and our two, new, beautiful British Shorthair Blue Girl named Percy and our wonderful Lilac Boy named Lotty — yes, they are brother and sister from the same litter and they have their own website, and hit song, at BolesBrits.com — and here are some of the issues we’ve had with them over the last eight weeks since we brought them home:

1. The Breeder got their gender wrong! How did that happen at eight weeks when we picked them up? And so, the girl is the boy; the boy is the girl! (We thought Percy was the Boy and Lotty was the Girl, but not so! Their theme song has been ruined!) Our Cattery contracts are wrong. Our receipts are wrong. We are glad we had a good Vet who didn’t presume, or even assume, the gender of our delightful kittens! Now we know! Make sure all your kittens get fast, gender-affirming, Vet care early on! (I now think that Percy, the Blue Girl, is wearing too much eyeliner for her age, but maybe that now just comes with the breed…)
2. Both Cats are right now being treated for ringworm and the medicine can be a danger to their liver. Oh, and I was gifted four ringworm lesions from them as well — I had never before had ringworm in my life! For the last two months, Percy, Lotty, and I haven’t been anywhere, except the Vet office; and so all paths appear to lead back to the Breeder selling us Cats with ringworm! Our Vet said this can be common in a Cattery. Another expert Cat friend said, “If you’re getting purebred Cats from a Cattery, they’re coming to you with ringworm!). We have learned that Cats in a Cattery often just pass the ringworm back and forth to each other until separation from the Breeder. We cannot help but imagine, in a Breeder’s eye, that these cats are only “meat to be sold.” I guess that makes some sense on an ecological and fiscal level even though we don’t treat out Cats like dinner.
3. The Breeder also tried to set us up with an MLM cat food service without telling us we were being set up in an MLM. We aren’t into MLM, we don’t want MLM! We chose a mixture of raw food, Royal Canin, Nulo and Tiki Cat as needed and desired by The Brits!
4. The “Breeder discount” for Trupanion Pet insurance is from day one with a $250 deductible for each incident over the life of the Cat. If, however, you just register your Cats with Trupanion without the discount, you get the same percentage and coverage for a $200 deductible starting 30 days from registration with Trupanion. So, is it worth an extra $50 deductible for the life of the Cat from day one, for each incident, or can you tolerate not paying a “Breeder” enhancement of $50 per instance by waiting 30 days?

This has been a learning experience for us. We love The Brits! We were told their Cattery has been in business for 29 years, and they are not cheap; but, I guess, you get what you pay for — and then some! — if you are not careful, and always questioning, and forever cautious.

Don’t believe everything you’re told!

Be safe out there!