Bengal Breeder Interview for LP Media

1. The Bengal is not your average breed, what kind of home, family, or lifestyle is best suited for owning a Bengal Cat?

 ·         Honestly, I think any cat lover can do just great with a Bengal! In my many years of being a cat owner I honestly don't think Bengals are too much different from the average cat. Bengals are known for being more and adventurous and rambunctious, but I'm going to guess the comes more from your F1 or F2 types. Most Bengals are now removed enough from the wild that they are mostly like the average domestic cat. Like any cat though they do need plenty of mental stimulation and playtime. Toys and cat towers are great, but in my opinion having a second cat, preferably of the same age can’t be beat! As a breeder seeing the interaction between siblings is invaluable! If allowed to grow up together they can form a great lasting bond! They will keep each other nicely entertained! I have personally raised two sibling sets of kittens to adults and another pair of kittens one month apart. Their bonds are very tight! Bengal are very intelligent so they would do great with a person or family that wants to spend time training them! They can easily be trained to walk on a leash and harness with a little patience and the right training!

 2. What are your top tips for choosing the right Bengal from either a breeder or rescue organization?

·         Get to know your breeder! A good breeder is more than happy to talk with you and answer any questions you have before, during and long after the purchase of your Bengal!

·         Learn the breeder’s plan to make sure the kittens are raised to be well socialized. Proper socialization is very import to having a Bengal with a good temperament. Ideally the Bengals will be raised right in the family’s home, so the kittens are well adapted to all the sights, sounds, smells, touches, etc. of the home life when the go to their new homes. Kittens that are raised in a separate breeding facility or only a small room in the house will have a much harder time adapting into a new home.

·         DNA testing on the breeding parents is a must in this day and age. It’s simple, cheap and easy. If a breeder can’t be bothered with this simple process to screen for genetic defects, then find someone else.

·         Be very wary of scam breeders out there! The internet and Facebook are ripe with scammers that show off cute pictures, take your money and never give you a Bengal. Other times you get a cat that looks a bit like a Bengal, but is not a purebred. Serious breeders will likely have an up-to-date website, and a Facebook page with a lengthy history (be aware of a page that was just started with limited information. New breeders do need to start somewhere, but they will work hard to establish a credible page.)

·         Please be sure to support ethical breeders! Please make sure not to support Mills and/or backyard breeds. Yes, Ethical breeders will likely cost more upfront, but it will likely save you the heartache of getting a poorly raised and poorly treated cats by a person who cuts many corners solely to make some quick cash. Reputable breeders view their Bengals as pets first and breeds second. They are members of the family and treated accordingly! They are always given top of the line food for proper nutrients for them and their kittens. They are also given routine veterinary care and any prompt care that arises.

 3. What would a new owner need to know about preparing their home for a new Bengal that may be different from other cat breeds?

·         Honestly In my personal experience I really don’t think they need anything different than a typical cat. Of course, they need a litter box and feeding dishes. A scratching post is good for their nails. Most of the accessories I think comes to personal preference. Bengals are known to love to play in water so some will prefer to find a water dish that restricts their ability to play in the water. A climbing tower can help for playtime. Toys are helpful, but it’s not necessary to go overboard in this area! The one thing we have noticed that makes playtime unique with our Bengals compared to our other cats is catnip! Our Bengals go crazy for it! We sprinkle some on their scratching post or a toy and they go wild! Our cat Coco will even stand on the counter and open the cabinet door to get to the catnip! He really is an intelligent guy!

 4. What's an important tip to know for the first few days/nights with a new Bengal kitten?

·         It can be a bit stressful for them learning a new home and new people. Be patient and give them time to acclimate to their new environment. It is also common for them to not eat much in the first 24-48 hours as they are decompressing. Make sure they have access to their food and water, but don’t panic too much if they don’t eat much at first.

·         If you have other pets in the home wait a day or two for introductions. Keep it as calm as possible. If your kitten seems stressed back it off and try again later. Eventually they will get used to the other pets in the home!

·         Also, this isn’t the time to bring family and friends over to meet your new Bengal. Give kitty time to mellow. Once your new kitten seems more at home you can slowly start introducing them to new people.

 5. What are some tips or advice you have on socializing your Bengal with other pets and people?

·         First of all be sure to choose a breeder who has made socialization a priority of their cattery! This will help so much!

·         Make slow short introductions with other pets in the home. Watch you Bengal for signs when they are ready to be done.

·         Wait a few days after bringing your new Bengal home to get to know you well first before trying to introduce friends and family. They need time to grow a bond with you!

·         After you have established a bond let the socializing begin! Bengals are very friendly (if raised properly) Harness training can be great fun and a great way to get them out of the house and meeting new people and places!

6. When it comes to training, what makes the Bengal unique? What should a new owner expect?

·         Bengals are very intelligent and quickly catch onto the rhythm of the new owner’s home. If there is something specific you want them to know get to training them right away!

7. What is your best advice or tips for traveling with a Bengal cat?

·         Do it young while they are still adaptable! We took all of ours in the car when we had short errands to run. We’d take them to the park on a leash and harness with our kids as well! As long as they learn it young it can be enjoyable for both you and your Bengal!

8. Grooming tips. What are your best ones that are Bengal specific?

·         We honestly never groom our Bengals! We’ve never had a need to!

9. Do you have any great tricks or tips on keeping a Bengal healthy and fit?

·         Feed a top-of-the-line food! You should never skimp on the quality of the food you feed you Bengal – their health and coat could suffer. If you notice them putting on weight you may need to cut back on the food, increase their activity or a combination of both. If you yourself need a little weight loss then daily walks with a leash and hardness may be a great activity together!

10. What's the nutrition advice every new Bengal owner should know?

·         If you are choosing a quality Bengal from Quality Parents then I would stick with the food that the breeder is using! If it is a high-quality food that is working well for the breeder, the parents, and the kittens before going home then I see no reason to go a different route. Switching the food has the potential to cause upset and health issues to you new Bengal – why change it?

11. What should an owner know about an aging Bengal cat? Any tips or advice for their cat's golden years?

·         Continue to love them as you have always loved them. Make sure you always provide yearly veterinary examinations. If anything, out of the ordinary does come up make sure you get them to the vet for a thorough examination. Often times when a cat begins to have a problem out of the ordinary it has an underlying medical cause rather than just being a sudden behavioral issue. They deserve a long term, loving, and patient family that will give them all the care they need until the end!

Welcome to Moonshadow Labradors!

We are a small, family run, breed of AKC Yellow/Fox Red Labrador Retrievers! We decided to get into breeding because we love the Labrador Retriever Breed! When we moved out into the country in 2014, we got our first dog, Torii, a Labrador/Golden Retriever Mix. We loved her so much that we talked about getting a second dog for her to play with! (Now with experience I feel like dogs do better with another dog around. They keep each other company in an extra special way people can’t.) I have long admired the Golden Retrievers for their great temperament and beautiful golden coat - I just didn’t want the maintenance to caring for their coat. When I discovered the Fox Red Labrador, I immediately knew that, that was the dog for me! I absolutely love the dark golden color with the low maintenance coat of a Labrador. We came across someone that had a litter of 9 males, and we went and picked out our Cody! We then kept an eye out for a female to breed with Cody. One day I saw an old friend of mine had a litter of Labrador Puppies! We went and looked at them and picked our little Jackie!

Pectus Excavatum Part II

Today we set off bright and early in the morning to take Miss. Petra to the veterinarian surgeons at Blue Pearl in Edin Prairie Minnesota.  It’s just under a two-and-a-half-hour drive for us. Because of the long trip we brought Mickey (Petra’s mom) and the rest of the litter with us. Due to the young age of the kittens we didn’t want separate everyone for that long. We brought their bed and a litter box and we headed out!

 The drive was smooth sailing Mickey, Petra and the kittens did great! They slept most of the way down, but also played a bit too. It sure was fun having a vehicle full of cats! We got checked into out appointment and waited to see one of the surgeons for the consultation. While we were waiting a few people were quite interested in little Petra. She was making adorable little meows in my arms. I even let a few people hold her because I’m always willing to share kitten snuggles!

When we were called back to the room, the vet assistant took our information. She then brought little Petra back for the exam with the surgeon. I could hear her tiny meows as the brought her down the hall. It was sad to hear, but I knew she was in good hands. A short time later the assistant brought Petra back to me and said the surgeon would be in shortly to discuss her findings. I was happy to wait because I had sweet little Petra to hold and keep me company!

 When the surgeon came in, she discussed Petra’s condition in more detail. She explained what makes her chest different and how they can correct it. In the case of Pectus Excavatum the rib cage points inward rather than making a more oval-like normal rib cage. (This is a condition that also affects humas, dogs and other mammals as well.)The potential problem lays in how severe the deformity is. If the inward point of the ribs is severe then it can place too much pressure on the lungs, heart and stomach causing problems with breathing, heart function, and eating. In severe cases they can intervene with a special chest corset that gets sown into the chest to help pull the ribcage into the correct position.

 Fortunately, in Petra’s case she only has a mild form of Pectus Excavatum and at this time they are not recommending surgery. Since she is eating and breathing just fine the risk of surgery on a four week old kitten isn’t in Petra’s best interest. They would like to see her back when she is 8 weeks old for a re-evaluation.  It is possible that she may never need surgery and her chest may grow into a more normal shape as she gets bigger. The possibility that she may need surgery is if she develops problems with eating and or breathing. I’m really holding on to hope that she won’t end up needing surgery and her chest will get better as she gets older!

 The surgeon also said there is no reason why she couldn’t be sold. She said just make sure new owners are aware of her condition. To which I replied most definitely. I would absolutely not sell my sweet Petra unless someone knew of her condition so they would be prepared to deal with any interventions that may arise in the future. If no one wants to own a cat with this condition than I will happily keep her! She has already won my heart with her beautiful big eyes and sweet, playful personality. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for the “underdog.” In this case it’s the under cat. <3

 As we said goodbye, they thanked us for coming in. They all enjoyed seeing Petra. She won their hearts too with her adorable looks and tiny meow cries.

Stay tuned for more updates! I’ll be sharing more about Petra after her follow up appointment.

For more information on this condition check out the pictures and links below:

Pectus excavatum - Wikipedia

Pectus Excavatum in Puppies and Kittens • MSPCA-Angell

Pectus Excavatum

Last week we noticed one of our sweet little Bengal kitten’s chests felt different from the other kittens. I consulted with a breeder friend about it. She said it’s possible Flat Chest Syndrome in kittens. Of course, I had to Google it to learn more. Unfortunately, the prognosis isn’t great for this condition without treatment. Kittens affected with this can also have a more difficult time breathing and eating because of the mis-shapened chest putting pressure on the lungs and stomach. Feeling super alarmed and worried for this sweet little girl (I ended up naming her Petra) I scheduled an appointment with our Vet. I was worried about Petra developing a failure to thrive since she is also smaller than the other kittens. I grabbed Coco (our male Bengal and father of the kittens) and we went out to PetSmart to buy some supplemental food for his daughter. Coco enjoys going shopping with us and it’s fun to have his company! We found a supplemental high calorie gel to try. We also bought Petra some purred chicken and tuna fish to try.

Once we got home, I tried out the tuna fish with Petra first. She did good with it. I would put a dab of it on my finger and the gently open her mouth and swipe it in. Then I’d put her with Mickey (her mom) to nurse it down. After a few days of this she is doing well and keeping up with her siblings! I’m so happy that she’s been hanging in there!

Over the weekend Coco developed goopy eyes. Unfortunately, he spread it to Mickey. Just one eye was affected for Mickey, but it looked really bad. We spent the weekend giving eye drops to Coco and Mickey hoping to help what was bothering them. Coco’s eyes did start to get better, but by today Mickey’s one eye still looked terrible. Side note: Always clip your cat’s nails before giving eye drops! You live and you learn! Yikes!

This afternoon we took Mickey and all her kittens into the Vet. I brought them all because the kittens are too young to be apart from their mom for that long. When we got to the clinic, they weighed Petra and the biggest kitten in the litter. Little Petra weighed 13 ounces Her brother weighed 1lb 3 ounces. The doctor looked her over and then took her to do an X-Ray. While we waited for that to devolop her looked at Mickey’s eyes. No sign of a scratch or injury so likely just Conjunctivitis (pink eye). That means more eye drops! Ugh! It’s worth it though to get her better!

Once the X-Ray films were ready our Vet looked them over. He diagnosed little Petra with having Pectus Excavatum (also know as funnel chest). That means not only is her chest flat, but it also sinks in. The only way to correct that is through surgery. Basically they sew a device onto the chest to help pull it out. Because Petra is still young and devolving she has a high chance of sucess with this procedure. Our vet feels that she will likely be able to live a happy normal life once the procedure is done! Because he doesn’t have much experience in this area he is referring us to a specialist. It will be a bit of a drive for us, but I appreciate his honesty and wiliness to have some else with more experience help us out if he’s not completely comfortable. I always just want what is in the best interest of our animals!

Now we are waiting to hear from the specialist to get scheduled. Until then I will be continuing to give little Petra extra feedings and care!

Stay tuned as Petra’s saga continues….

Welcome to the Beginning!

Hello! However, you found me I’m happy to have you here while I start this new chapter in blogging! It’s an idea I had toyed with back when we first moved out into the country and started building our house. Since I have gotten into the Hobby Farm and Breeding life my Dad, has encouraged me to blog about it. He’s been a big support along the way and I appreciate his insights and encouragement! I told him that he’ll have to guest blog as well, so he may chime in from time to time. I’m also hoping to get my husband and kids to chime in on their experiences as well.

As I get started, I plan to write about current things that are happening on our little Hobby Farm. I also will be going back to the beginning and writing about how we got to where we are now. It all started with a dream to get out of town and move to the country. I wanted to share our experience to encourage others who have dared to dream a big dream, that it can be done! Some people thought we lost our minds, but we did what we did for us, not them. We had a dream to raise our kids in the country and start homesteading. We sold our house in town, packed up our belongs, and moved into a camper trailer with four kids and two cats, while we worked to clear our land and build our house! It was a crazy adventure that has been so worth it! I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!

I’ll be sharing current things happening with raising our chickens and ducks, and breeding our Labradors and Bengals. I’ll share about gardening and landscaping. I’ll share some of the ups and downs of parenting. (We have seven kids!) I’ll share about the different projects we work on while we continue to develop our land. And just the randomness of what pops into my mind!

I plan to slowly go back and detail the process of how it started! We cleared our land, built a shed, had electricity brought to our property, had septic put in, drilled our own well, and started building our house! That is a lot to cover just from the first year! I’ll go on to talk about putting in our dream garden and getting started with chickens and ducks! I’m sure as I get going I’ll remember many more things to share about! It’s been a fantastic journey for us and I’m excited to share about it!

A few disclaimers though:

1. I am not a fan of English and Grammer! I do the best I can, but I don’t get to hung up on all the details. Life is too short to keep up with all the nonsensical rules of spelling and grammar. If you see an error just move on! I’m just looking to casually share information, not write a dissertation. ;)

2. I am not an expert in any area of my blogging! Again, I’m just sharing personal experiences of what has and hasn’t worked for us! I’m a trial and error type of learner. I do a lot of unorthodox things along the way. You’ll learn that I get more posts up.

3. I’m a very laid back, and easy going person. I love and get excited about new ideas and love sharing ideas in a friendly exchange of information. So, if you want to chime in and leave comments please do! Because I’m not an expert I am always open to new ideas on how to do things!

4. That said - The world is full of different ideas, opinions and ways of doing things. I’m always down for learning about other ideas and ways of doing things, but in a kind way. I’m open to constructive criticism, but not mean or condescending remarks. If I’m wrong about something or you disagree with me - that’s fine! Nicely explain your thoughts and I’m more than happy to listen! Take a rude and hateful approach then I will tune you out! I don’t have time for drama and negative people! I feel sad that I have to disclaim this, but you never know the type of people that you’ll come across.

5. I’m a very open book! I love to talk and share ideas! If there is something you want to know then ask away! Most likely I’ll share! Unless of course you’re looking for sensitive information or something overly personal. ;)

   Thanks for being here! I hope you found something useful or even entertaining! Check back for more updates!

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Maggots

*Warning Graphic Content*

Shared for Educational Purposes

Reader and viewer discretion advised

This week I experienced on of the most disturbing things that a person who raises chickens can come by. In fact, this is probably one of the most disturbing things I have encountered in my life. Read on at your own discretion.

Never in my life did I think I would ever think I would pick maggots out of the rear end of a chicken, but this week I did just that. I may need professional help to deal with the ugly images for ever burned in my brain. It all started when one of the kids pointed out that our hen, Zoe had a messy butt from runny poop the other day. As if that alone isn’t gross enough. Yuck! Then a couple days later we noticed some feathers missing and a good size sore developing. We brought her inside to inspect her better and that is when we discover the maggots. Oh the horror, oh the agony, oh the disgust!

As we were looking at her rear end we saw that the maggots had eaten away at her flesh and were trying to burrow into her body. I was absolutely horrified and terrified by what I was seeing. Unfortunately, my first though was that, I’m going to have to put her down, how can she survive this? She is such a great chicken though! I didn’t want to kill her, but I didn’t want her to suffer either. As I was evaluating her I realized that she didn’t seem at all bothered by what was happening to her. If we hadn’t seen up close what was going on we wouldn’t have know what was happening to her. Startingly she seemed just fine by all outward appearances. We loved her and wanted to giver her the best life, like with all of our animals. That’s when I decided to do the thing I thought I would never do - pick out the maggots.

I decided to start by having her soak in a soapy bath in hopes that it would kill some or all of the maggots. I filled up a nice warm bubble bath for her in the kitchen sink. Surprisingly she seemed very content in her bath! I didn’t have to force her to stay - she just did all on her own.

After a while I drained the bath and then proceeded to spray her wound area with the sink hose. I could see the maggots falling off the whole time. I just kept spraying until they stopped falling off. I then inspected her and could still many still in there. That’s when I grabbed the tweezers and decided to go ahead and start pulling them out. It was so horrible. I think a part of me died in that moment and I’ll never get that back. I couldn’t believe what I was doing! I saw some make their way further into her. I wondered how internally infested she may be and felt disheartened about it. Somehow, I persevered and kept at it. I then sprayed her wound with an antiseptic spray to help sooth her, prevent an infection, and hopefully kill more of those awful maggots.

We had her stay indoors with us for a few days so that we could keep an eye on her. I also didn’t want to risk a reinfestation to her vulnerable area. The next day Zoe had more maggots reappear. I kind of figured that may happen after seeing some go inside of her the day before. At least it was a much less amount than when we first found them. I again went through the process of rinsing her behind with soap and water. I then tweezed the maggots out again and sprayed her with the antiseptic spray.

Each day I would inspect her and find less and less maggots. Then finally one day no new maggots! Her wound was also starting to heal and scab over! Yay! After going through all that horror, finally some very positive signs! She was healing and was going to make it! I felt really proud of myself at that point! It was a horribly traumatic experience seeing and dealing with all that, but I felt really good know that I saved her! It may have been quicker and easier to just put her down. I can feel good in knowing that I was able to help her live on!

Take this as a learning experience about the importance of promptly cleaning any visible poop off of a chicken’s feathers. We learned the hard way that the poop is a magnet for flies to lay their eggs and that fly eggs are what turn into maggots. It is also very helpful to have antiseptic spray around when you have a little hobby farm. Using a spray is much easier for animal wounds. Sorry for the graphic content. I relived this trama to help out someone that may find a similar situation in one of their chickens. In our case it looked much worse than it was. A chicken can be saved from maggots if you are willing to go through the gruesome process of helping them.