Random Thought: Global Warming

Recently IFLS on Facebook posted some really great scientific information regarding Global Warming. But the vast majority of the comments to this post were of people saying variations of "Global Warming doesn't exist". What?? I'm going to have to compose a longer post at a later time and do some research into this, so this post is basically just a placeholder. While I agree that the earth goes through natural cycles of climate change (some extreme), is it really that far-fetched to think that all the strange new ways we humans are processing things (like fuel) could be causing some kind of difference in the climate AS WELL as the natural cycle of things? And even if we may not be 100% responsible, if something we're doing is scientifically proven to be causing some harm, shouldn't we try something different? I just don't get why people fight back SO hard when they hear someone mention "Global Warming", as if it's just something fake to be ignored as a conspiracy theory.

But then again, I haven't done my own research yet.. so I'll return once I have. Then maybe I'll understand people better. Or maybe not. ;)

Cats are Evil!!! (No They Aren't)

The internet brings me all sorts of interesting topics to think about, look up, ponder, and sometimes laugh at. One that got me today was a cute video of a cat snuggling with a baby.



See, isn't that cute?

But oh no, it's not. Cats are EVIL!

Evvvvillllll!

See, cats are evil because of many reasons.. but the top ones that show up when people see babies/young kids with cats are:

• Ringworm
• Toxoplasmosis
• Cat Scratch Disease
• Fur
• Dirty paws (litter box)

Okay. First thing to think about is: yes. I concede that some or all of the above issues could truly be issues. That is, if the cat is an outdoor or indoor/outdoor mix kind of cat. Also, if the owner of the cat doesn't take care of it properly. What counts as proper care? Well, if it's an outdoor cat it should be up to date on all it's vaccines. If it's going to be around children, the claws should be clipped (NOT removed, that's inhumane). And the litter box should be cleaned regularly, and even washed from time to time. If the cat is a long-hair, it should be brushed regularly.

So someone could watch the above video and panic. We don't know the situation, that's true. That cat may not be well cared for. It could be a cat that goes outside from time to time and brings home "friends".

But why do people have to go so OVERBOARD? Seriously, people panic. Comments on videos like this (and similar posts, blogs, articles, etc) that provide only fear-based information confuses people who haven't looked into it more themselves. It's this sort of fear mongering that helps people jump to the conclusion that maybe they need to part with their beloved pet when they get pregnant. And THAT is what angers me.

Let's break it down for anyone who doesn't know and is worried that maybe Fluffy needs a new home because there's a new baby in the house.

Ringworm: A fungus (not a worm) that is an infectious skin disease cats can have. They can become infected when exposed to infected spores either from another infected animal, an object, or environment. The cat has natural defense mechanisms to help protect themselves from actually contracting the fungus, but if it survives that then it settles in and causes issues. Treatment involves treating the cat, treating all furry animals in the home, and a huge home cleaning routine to help prevent reinfection. It is not a fun process for anyone, and definitely something to avoid.

How do you avoid ringworm? Well, it doesn't have to be by getting rid of your cat! Indoor cats are very unlikely to even get ringworm if it's not already in the environment. Make sure they are not exposed to any other animals. Any new furry additions to the family should be screened for ringworm first. If your home is already ringworm free and your cat's bill of health is clean, you should have nothing to worry about.

Conclusion: Keeping your cat indoor-only should prevent contraction of ringworm.

(More info: http://manhattancats.com/Articles/ringworm.html)

Toxoplasmosis: This is caused by a parasite (Toxoplasma gondii or T. gondii for short). It's found in almost all warm-blooded animals (including humans), but despite that it rarely causes any huge issues. The parasite can only produce it's eggs in cats. The eggs take anywhere from 1-5 days to become infectious to cats, other animals, or people. Most cats who are infected with T. gondii don't have symptoms. If the cat's immune system is suppressed (ie: a sick cat or young kittens), they are more likely to actually contract the toxoplasmosis disease. 

How do you avoid toxoplasmosis? Cleaning the litter box daily helps immensely, due to the 1-5 day period before the eggs even become infectious. Not to mention, the parasite is only shed from a cat for a few days in their entire life according to some studies. The chance of human exposure is small. The parasite is not normally carried on fur, so it's highly unlikely to pick it up by touching a cat. Cat scratches or bites are also very unlikely to pass on the parasite. Indoor only cats who are never fed raw meat are highly unlikely to be infected with T. gondii.

Conclusion: Keeping your cat indoor-only should prevent toxoplasmosis. In fact, a human eating raw meat or unwashed fruits and veggies is far more likely to pick up the parasite.

(More info: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/toxo.html)

Cat Scratch Disease: Is that even a thing?? At first I thought the commenter was pulling stuff out of the air at this point. I've lived with cats my entire life and had never heard of it. But, due diligence is to do your own research, not believe that you know it all. Turns out, it's a thing. It's a bacterial infection that can be contracted by a scratch, lick, or even a bite from a cat. Fleas spread the bacteria between cats (there's no evidence that fleas spread it to humans). While symptoms of this disease are not fun, they are rarely serious. Obviously if you have a child whose immune system may be compromised, you may want to exercise some caution. But in general, it is merely an unpleasant experience, but one your body can handle. In fact, having one episode of cat scratch disease tends to make people immune for the rest of their lives. You may have had it in the past and not even remember (chalking up the experience to something else, not realizing) and are now safe! 

How do you avoid cat scratch disease? Well, it's pretty rare and generally mild if it does occur so it's really nothing to worry too much over. Kids should be taught not to approach stray or unfamiliar cats (this should be the case in general anyway). Avoid rough play with a cat. If someone is scratched, wash the scratch thoroughly (also, this should be the case anyway). Ensure your cats do not have fleas (best way to do that is to keep them indoors). Also, consider clipping your cats claws regularly.

Conclusion: Keeping your cat indoor-only should prevent cat scratch disease.

(More info: http://kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/cat_scratch.html)

Fur & Dirty Paws: Well, there's not much we can say here. When a baby/child is first introduced to a cat you should watch for signs of allergies immediately. Talk to your family doctor for information on what to watch for, especially if you have a family history of cat allergies. So long as no allergies seem to be present, a little bit of cat fur never hurt anyone. Longer haired cats should be brushed regularly and short-hairs enjoy it too. As for the fur and dirty paws (ie: from the litter box).. Your cat is EXCELLENT at keeping him/herself clean. They HATE to be dirty (and in fact, believe we are FILTHY). Keep your cat's litter box clean. If the cat has just come out of the litter box, sure, I'd avoid their paws too.. until they've had time to sit down and clean themselves. Once they have, it's back to the fun, cute, fluffy cuddles. And yes, they clean themselves with their tongues. That's not as gross as you think it is, and if it bugs you try not to think about it too much. And besides, it's good for kids to be exposed to dirty situations at times. It honestly helps them out far more than super-sanitizing their world, but that's another story for another time. And hey, surprise surprise. If a cat is kept indoors they're far less likely to be extremely dirty or carry in other ickies you don't want in your house.

Conclusion: I think you get the picture by now. KEEP YOUR CATS INDOORS!! Unless you're on a farm and your cat is a barn cat, keep the poor thing inside! You are helping to keep it safe, clean, and alive. Outdoor cats have far more chances of picking up, carrying, and spreading the stuff listed above. Maybe even more. Not to mention death by cars. Some research has pointed out that approximately 5.4 million cats per year are killed by cars (millions more than those put down in shelters).

(More info: http://cats.about.com/od/indoorsvsoutdoors/tp/keepindoors.htm)

So please, before you buy into the fear tactics that cats are evil, dirty, disease-spreading monsters out to kill your baby, do a little research of your own. Look for more sites than I've listed above. And take good care of your pets!

The World Is(n't) a Scary Place

I've been on the Internet since sometime around 1994. I was fifteen years old when I got my first email account. Wow, showing my age here!! Back then, left to my own devices to figure out how to use the Internet and what to do with what I found there, I wasn't specifically taught about discernment. I knew not to disclose personal information to strangers online, but heck, that was basic for life anyway (would you chat with a stranger in a park then give him your home address and phone number?), but beyond that all information presented online was there for the taking.

It was basically common sense, logic, trial and error and a natural tendency to ask "why" and be skeptical that led me towards questioning "facts" online and seeking out as much truth as possible. I didn't really think about it too much over the years because most of my friends were pretty smart and logical as well and took things found online with a grain of salt as a rule. It didn't seem too big a deal.

But as I've gotten older and especially since becoming pregnant with my daughter in 2011 I've been exposed to way more "information" than ever before online. And the vast majority of this information is complete and utter CRAP.

Seriously. BULLSHIT. Conspiracy theories, misinformation, idiocy, and flat out lies.

It got me thinking. Sometimes it gets me angry. Sometime worried. Most of the time, I just feel like babbling about what I find. Laughing about it, picking it apart, or seriously looking into the truth behind it and learning something new if it turns out to be correct.

I've created this blog as a spot to collect my thoughts. Sometimes you just want to rant, so this is my outlet. Maybe it'll be informative for others running into the same kinds of information. Maybe it'll be funny. Maybe we'll even learn some new things along the way.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find something interesting here. If nothing else, take away this message: If something you read about online doesn't "feel right" to you, then follow your heart and follow your mind. Do some research, sort out the details, and make your own (fully informed) decisions that work best for yourself and your family. Don't follow the crowd on either side of any story just because it seems like the thing to do. Don't listen to someone who looks like a professional if what they're saying has even the smallest hint of feeling "off". Be safe, be healthy, and be reasonable.

The world isn't as scary a place as the Internet would have you believe.