SPRING, 1998

BEST BURMESE IN PREMIERSHIP Apreskhat‘s Honey Bun of Karleton Breeder: Graham Pillow Owners: Eve Russell/Jaynie Clark

1 From the President of NABB . . . Spring, 1998 Inside this issue . . . At the February 1998 Board Meeting, the NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BURMESE President‘s Message - WIAB? 1 BREEDERS, INC. much discussed recommendation of the Treasurer‘s Quarterly Report 2 “What Is A Breed?” (WIAB) Committee was 19971997----9898 Board of Directors

adopted by a unanimous vote of the CFA Annual Financial Statement, 1997 2 PRESIDENT - Pat Jacobberger Board of Directors. This recommendation is 2701 Overlook Drive as follows: Notice of Elections - NABB 3 Bloomington, MN 55431 E-mail - [email protected] FAX - 612-888-8311 Winn Feline Foundation Symposium 4 DEFINITION OF A BREED SECRETARY - Michele Clark Feline Genome Project 5 A breed is a group of domestic cats (sub- 1435 N. Allen Avenue species felis catus) that the governing body Pasadena, CA 91104 Chronic Nasal Discharge in the Cat 6 E-mail - [email protected] of CFA has agreed to recognize as such. A Show Business 8 breed must have distinguishing features that TREASURER - Chuck Reich set it apart from all other breeds. 922 Columbia Place Burmese Breed Standards - A 12 Boulder, CO 80303 World-Wide Comparison The definition presumes the following: E-mail - [email protected]

Hand-rearing Kittens 14 1. At the time of recognition for DIRECTOR - Erika Graf-Webster registration CFA will assign a new breed 11057 Saffold Way European Burmese 16 into one of four classifications - Reston, VA 22090 Established, Hybrid, Mutation, Natural. E-mail - [email protected] NABB Membership 17 2. No breed of any classification may be merged in whole or in part with a DIRECTOR - Lynn Thompson Burmese Study Guide 22 Natural or Established breed. 235 W. Brandon Boulevard #218 Brandon, FL 33511 3. CFA will establish guidelines for The Burmese Head Defect - One 26 E-mail - [email protected] Breeder‘s Plan for Breeding it Out outcrossing for a breed should its health and well being require it. NEWSLETTER STAFF Comic‘s Corner 30 4. Within the next two years, Breed EDITOR - Pat Jacobberger Councils for those CFA breeds which are From the CFA Board Table 35 SHOW REPORTS - Kathy Rutledge still outcrossing and do not currently ORIGINAL STORIES - Michele Clark The Mentor Program 36 have a cut-off date will be required to determine a cut-off date. The breeds affected by this are: American Wirehair, The National Alliance of Burmese NABB Bulletin Board 42 Breeders, Inc. (NABB) Newsletter is Balinese, Bombay, Colorpoint Shorthair, published four times a year (Jan-Apr-Jul- Exotic, Javanese, Oriental and Somali. Oct). Membership is available to On the Cover 5. Certain breeds may be excluded from Burmese Breeders and Exhibitors. the requirement of a cut-off date for Associate membership is available to out-crossing because to include them Burmese owners. To obtain information Apreskhat‘s Honey Bun of Karleton bred by would be detrimental to maintaining the about NABB membership, please contact any officer or director. Graham Pillow and owned by Eve Russell and health of the breed, i.e., Scottish Fold.

Jaynie Clark was BEST BURMESE IN PREMIERSHIP during the 1996-97 CFA Show I am not certain that all of you have had the NABB affiliated Season. Honey joins a growing number of opportunity to join in the debate that has is breed a club beautiful Burmese shown to stellar heights in the occurred since the adoption of this Premiership classes. Congratulations! recommendation. To say that the discussion (Continued on page 11) 2 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BURMESE BREEDERS, INC. NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BURMESE TREASURER‘S REPORT BREEDERS, INC. CHUCK REICH - TREASURER

First Quarter January 1 through March 31, 1998 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT - 1997

CHECKING ACCOUNT January Beginning balance 01/01/98 $ 407.34 Treasury Balance - January 1, 1997 $ 22,627.35 Income Sale of old breed booth 200.00 Transfer from savings 2,000.00 Expenditures Transfer to 1998 show account 2,000.00 Income: Balance 01/31/98 $ 607.34 Member Dues $ 1,105.00 Publications Sales 29.00 February Income Newsletter Advertising 135.00 Membership renewals, 1998 dues $ 585.00 Savings Account Interest 588.63 Expenditures Patricia Jacobberger, Winter Newsletter 586.77 Balance 02/28/98 $ 605.57 Total Income in 1997 $ 1,857.63

March Income Membership renewals, 1998 dues $ 640.00 Expenditures: Expenditures 0.00 1997 Annual Meeting & Awards $ 640.74 Balance 03/31/98 $ 1,245.57 Newsletters 2,848.99 Breed Display Booth Photographs 259.01 SAVINGS ACCOUNT Office Expendable Supplies 32.29

Beginning balance 0101/98 $ 17,324.73 Copying and Reproduction 145.74 Withdrawal, transfer to checking acct. -2,000.00 General Mailing Postage, UPS, 319.31 Deposit, interest for January, 1998 44.76 Deposit, interest for February, 1998 36.54 and FEDEX Deposit, interest for March, 1998 40.56 Long Distance Telephone Charges 79.62 Balance 03/31/98 $ 15,446.59 CFA annual dues for 1997 & 1998 120.00

Advertising 180.00 SHOW ACCOUNT Burmese article reprints and 798.02 breed brochures Balance, 3/31/98 $ 2,000.00 Burmese photographs repository 200.00 TREASURY BALANCE 03/31/98 $ 18,692.16 Colorado corporation filing fee 25.00 NABB Internet web site 204.19 1998 show expenses 900.00

Total Expenditures in 1997 $ 6,752.91

Treasury Balance - December 31, 1997

Checking Account $ 407.34 Savings Account 17,324.73

Total Treasury Balance $ 17,732.07

3 Spring, 1998

NOTICE OF ANNUAL ELECTION

Election for NABB offices takes place every year and are scheduled to occur again in 1998.

This year, the offices are: President, Secretary and Treasurer. The procedure is as follows:

Any full Member in good standing is eligible to be nominated, or to declare to be a candidate, as an officer but that individual may run for only one office. The declaration or nomination must be in writing and sent to the Nominating Committee, Jane Query or to Kathy Rutledge (addresses are below), not later than March 15, 1998 .

The Secretary of NABB, Inc. will acknowledge receipt of a declaration to the individual declaring. The Secretary of NABB, Inc. will contact in writing any individual nominated for an office to ascertain that the individual is willing to run for that office. If an individual is nominated for more than one office, s/he must decide and declare for the office for which s/he wishes to run. A declaration supercedes a nomination.

Declarations and nominations will close March 15, 1998 . Eligibility to run for office and to vote in this election will be determined as of April 1, 1998 by the Treasurer and is based upon the receipt by NABB, Inc. of membership dues for 1998 . Membership in NABB, Inc. as a full member is required for an individual to declare or be nominated for one of the above offices.

The Secretary will prepare a ballot which will be mailed to each member eligible to vote no later than April 15, 1998 .

The sealed ballots, completed and signed, must be mailed or delivered to the designated Teller so that they are received no later than May 20, 1998 . Late ballots will be voided. Abstentions are allowed for any office. However, if the Member chooses to vote for Directors, s/he must select two names.

The designated Teller will open and count the ballots and submit a written report of the ballots canvassed to the Board by June 1, 1998 and send the ballots and postmarked envelopes to the Secretary. The Secretary will notify the individuals who ran for office as to the outcome of the vote since it might affect their attendance of the Annual Meeting. The results will be announced as the first item of Old Business at the Annual Meeting at which time the newly elected officers will assume office.

The Secretary will bring the opened ballots and envelopes to the Annual Meeting, in the case that any questions should arise concerning the ballots. If the count is questioned, all results will be suspended. The President will select a committee of two members to recount the ballots, and to check the postmarks in the presence of the Secretary and of the Treasurer, who will attest to the eligibility of each voting member. The determination of this committee will be final.

The term of office will be from the Saturday of the 1998 CFA Annual Meeting to the Saturday of the 2000 CFA Annual Meeting for the offices of President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Nomination and Board Election of a CFA Delegate

A Delegate to represent NABB, Inc. at the 1998 CFA Annual Meeting and other CFA functions will be elected by vote of the Board by March 31, 1998 . Names of interested individuals must be received by the Chair of the Nominating Committee by March 15, 1998 . Nominated or declared individuals must be full members of NABB, Inc. No financial reimbursement is available (other than the Delegate Registration Fees) for this delegate.

The following individuals have been appointed by the President and approved by the Board as the Nominating Committee:

Jane Query Kathy Rutledge 119 Forest Street 7612 Chancellor Way Plaistow, NH 03865 Springfield, VA 22153

4 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc.

1998 M EMBERSHIP R ENEWAL AND Winn Feline Foundation Dinner and Symposium DRIVE on Feline Health

The Constitution of the NABB, Inc. Article V - The Twentieth Annual Winn Feline Foundation Dinner and Symposium on Dues, Sections 3 and 4 state, in part: Feline Health will be held at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia, PA on Thursday, June 18, 1998 —Annual dues are payable by January 31 each year and must be received by the 6:00 PM No Host Cocktails Treasurer by April 1 in order for the member to be eligible to vote in any 6:30 PM Dinner election taking place that year. Any Member or Associate Member whose dues have not been paid by May 1 shall TOPICS AND SPEAKERS automatically be dropped from membership. Notice shall be sent by the The Veterinarian and Pedigreed Cat Breeder Relationship Secretary to the delinquent member at least three weeks prior to May 1 . After How to achieve a collaborative association between veterinarian and May 1 a delinquent member will be breeder to manage infectious disease and other health problems common to reinstated upon payment of the delinquent the multi-cat environment. dues, but if the member was an officer or director, such reinstatement shall not Diane R. Eigner, VMD Joan Miller return the delinquent member to said The Cat Doctor Vice President office.“ Philadelphia PA Winn Feline Foundation Napa County, CA

Have you renewed your NABB, Inc. membership? Please, take a moment to do so. Also, encourage a Feline Vaccinology Burmese breeder, exhibitor or pet owner to enroll as a member of NABB today! A new membership Overview of the feline immune response to vaccination; update on new form is a part of this newsletter. research in duration of immunity, vaccine-associated fibrosarcomas, revised vaccine protocol recommendations; new vaccines on the horizon.

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD Assistant Professor of Medicine College of Veterinary Medicine University of Florida

COST $39.00 per person (includes dinner and program) ATTENTION MEMBERS! Reservation Deadline: Wednesday, June 10, 1998 Ballots have been mailed for the Election of Officers for the National Alliance of Burmese Send a check payable to CFA to: Breeders, Inc. Included with this ballot is a ballot The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. for you to complete to determine how NABB, Inc. Attn: Allene Tartaglia will vote for CFA National Officers. 1805 Atlantic Avenue PO Box 1005 Complete your ballots and return it by May 20, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805 1998. Make your voice heard!

5 Feline Genome Project Spring, 1998

Genetics for Cats! DECLARED CANDIDATES

FOR CFA OFFICES The National Cancer Institute wants to establish a genetic database for research in domestic cat breeds as part of the Feline Genome Project. as of April 7, 1998

This database will help to answer any genetic question including parentage, President identity, gene pool diversity, best outcrosses, degree of inbreeding and assist with Loretta Baugh identifying inherited diseases. Craig Rothermel Don Williams WE NEED SAMPLES FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT CAT BREEDS! Vice President Suzanne Beedy Samples should be donated from male and female cats which are among the most Kim Everett important cats for a given breed, particularly GC's, DM's, and top ten best of breed winners, for any category. Cats can be of any age, fixed or intact, and can represent winners from any year. This project, however, is NOT limited just to winning cats - Secretary we want cats included from every line of a breed and from the contributors of the Kitty Angell breed. This project is not specific to any particular cat fancy association! Cats from Willa Hawke foreign countries are also desired, call 301-846-1299 for the import permit information. Treasurer Donna Fuller We need 25 males and 25 females from each breed, covering as many different lines as possible. Region 1 (North Atlantic) Debbie Kusy NO COST TO THE BREEDER Sharon Roy

The National Cancer Institute will pay for collection charges from the vet and shipment. Cats can be taken to the veterinarian specifically for this project, or the Region 2 (Northwest) samples can be collected during a routine visit. Many veterinarians may donate Jean Grimm their services! Lorna Malinen

SHIPMENT Region 3 (Gulf Shore) Lonnie Hoover Arrange for a Fedex pick-up and ship by overnight delivery, using the National Ann Pevey Cancer Institute's account number. Call 301-846-1299 to obtain the account number. Samples should be wrapped in a paper towel, put into a baggie and Region 4 (Great Lakes) shipped in a box with an ice pack. Samples should be collected and shipped Becky Jones Monday-Thursday. Liz Watson SAMPLES SHOULD HAVE AN ANTI-COAGULANT Region 5 (Southwest) The samples can be collected in any type of blood tube with an anti-coagulant, George Eigenhauser including EDTA, heparin, ACD. Please send approximately 10 mls, which can be in one large tube or many small tubes. Any cat over 5 lbs. can easily donate this Region 6 (Midwest) amount of blood. Linda Berg

INCLUDE A PEDIGREE Region 7 (Southern) Rhett Bockman An official pedigree is not necessary but a pedigree should be sent for identification Robert Cooney purposes. The pedigree should note the breed, sex, color of the cats and awards(if any). Breeders may also choose to include health information or concerns. All the Jim DeBruhl information will be strictly confidential, not available to other breeders or cat fancy Ande DeGeer associations! Please contact us with any questions or concerns: Toni Pironti

Leslie A. Lyons, Ph.D. Phone: 301-846-1299 Region 8 (Japan) Senior Staff Fellow Fax: 301-846-1909 Teruko Arai National Cancer Institute E-mail: [email protected] Bess Higuchi Building 560, Room 11-10 Frederick, MD 21702-1201

HELP US MAKE YOUR CATS HEALTHIER!!!

6 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. Chronic Nasal Discharge in the Cat

1998 CFA Annual Meeting Chronic upper respiratory tract (URT) disease is a relatively common Schedule of Events problem in cats, and can have many causes. The most common form is termed chronic post viral or idiopathic rhinitis. In this condition viral TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1998 infection (e.g. cat `flu - caused by feline herpes virus or feline calici virus) 11:00 am Central Office Tour causes the initial mucosal damage; but the chronic signs relate to 6:00 pm-9:00 pm Reading room open secondary bacterial infection of the damaged nasal passages. This may then lead on to chronic osteomyelitis of the turbinate bones (bacterial WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1998 infection of the fine bones within the nose). 9:00 am-6:00 pm CFA Board of Directors Meeting 6:00 pm Winn Feline Foundation Board Meeting More unusual causes include - 9:00 pm Hospitality • Fungal infections which are very uncommon in the UK. THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 1998 • Inflammation which can result in polyps of inflammatory tissue. 9:00 am-12:30 pm CFA Board of Directors Meeting • with Breed Council Secretaries Neoplasia (cancer) which can be localised within the nose, or be part 1:30 pm-4:00 pm CFA Board of Directors Meeting of more widespread disease. with International Division Representatives • Physical damage which can result from foreign objects getting stuck 1:00 pm-6:00 pm Animal Rescue Disaster Training up the nose, facial trauma (e.g. from cat bites or car accidents), or be Workshop associated with severe dental disease. 2:00 pm-6:30 pm Delegate Registration. 6:00 pm-10:00 pm 20th Annual Winn Foundation What are the clinical signs of chronic URT disease ? Symposium & Dinner 9:00 pm Hospitality The main signs are nasal discharge and difficulty in breathing ie chronic 10:30 pm- 2:00 am Spirit of Philadelphia "snuffles". The exact nature of the discharge, whether both sides of the Moonlight Cruise nose are affected, and the presence of other clinical signs are dependent on the exact nature of the disease process occurring within the nose, and on FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 1998 the presence of any other illness the cat may have. 7:30 am-8:30 am Delegate Registration 9:00 am-5:00 pm Annual Meeting In order to determine the extent and nature of the disease is important that 12:00 pm-1:30 pm Luncheon for delegates and the cat be given a thorough physical examination by a veterinary surgeon. guests sponsored by The Iams Company Particular points that the vet will look for include: 6:30 pm-10:00 pm Judge's Workshop 7:00 pm-2:00 am Altantic City Casino Gambling/ ♦ The presence of nasal discharge, and whether it is bilateral (affecting Boardwalk Bus Trip both sides of the nose) or unilateral (affecting only one side of the 9:00 pm Hospitality nose). Some diseases tend to show unilateral signs (e.g. foreign bodies, or cancer), while others more often cause bilateral signs (e.g. SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1998 chronic post viral rhinitis). The type of discharge can also be 9:00 am-12:00 pm Annual Meeting important; whether it is clear, purulent (pus), or blood stained. 12:00 pm Burmese Breed Council meeting Although the presence of a discharge can be helpful in making a followed by National Alliance of Burmese diagnosis, it can on occasion be misleading. Breeders, Inc. (NABB) meeting 1:00 pm CFA, Automation and You - a roundtable ♦ Facial swelling may indicate a more serious underlying problem such discussion of Data Processing Applications as cancer or fungal infections arising within the nasal chambers. within CFA Although facial pain is seen rarely, resentment of facial examination is 2:00 pm-3:00 pm Judge's Association Meeting common among cats with URT obstruction, especially those with 6:00 pm-7:00 pm Awards Banquet Cocktail Hour - intranasal foreign bodies, or polyps. Cash Bar. 7:00 pm National Awards Banquet ♦ Sneezing, difficulty in breathing, noisy breathing and mouth breathing may all be seen, but their presence is usually of little diagnostic value. SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 1998 7:30 am-10:30 am Breakfast sponsored by The Iams ♦ Examination of the eyes may reveal ocular discharge "runny eyes", Company usually resulting from tear duct damage associated with previous URT 9:00 am-12:00 pm CFA Board of Directors viral disease, but occasionally associated with cancer within the nose. Meeting Another legacy of URT viral infection can be the development of chronic inflammation of the cornea (the clear front part of the eye).

(Continued on page 8) 7 (Nasal Discharge - continued from page 7) Spring, 1998 ♦ Evidence of painful or infected ears may be associated with helpful, (where possible), to differentiate between inflammatory polyps. Cats with polyps may have problems eating if the the possible underlying causes. This allows the polyps are large enough to cause obstruction at the back of the throat. correct treatment to be given and the probable

outcome to be discussed. However, since most cases ♦ Cat's with URT obstruction often have a poor appetite and so of URT disease will result from chronic post viral experience a degree of weight loss. Marked weight loss is more damage, it is important to remember that tests may suggestive of cancer, fungal disease or severe systemic disease. give negative results and the likelihood for full

♦ recovery, even with treatment, may be poor. The size and shape of the kidneys may be altered if certain cancers are present. What tests can be done to find the cause of the disease ? ♦ Mild to moderate enlargement of the lymph nodes (glands) at the angle of the jaw is common, resulting from a local inflammatory response. If • Non-invasive tests, such as haematology, the lymph nodes become very large, or if lymph nodes elsewhere in the body are also affected, cancer or fungal infections are most likely to be biochemistry and tests for FeLV and FIV may the cause. help to determine the extent of systemic disease. Over-interpretation of clinical signs can be very misleading since different diseases can give rise to similar signs. However, a few general rules do • Nose and throat swabs may be taken to look for apply, e.g. facial deformity (changes in face shape) with associated pain, the presence of bacteria, viruses or fungi. especially if accompanied by a unilateral nose bleeds or marked lymph node swelling is suggestive of more serious underlying problems such as nasal • For the best hope of finding a diagnosis it is cancer or fungal disease. Lack of these clinical signs does not rule out these necessary to give the cat a general anaesthetic diagnoses as some cases of nasal lymphosarcoma (a common type of in order to perform more extensive cancer) can cause bilateral nasal obstruction and little nasal discharge of any investigations. These include taking kind. Although post viral rhinitis usually presents as chronic bilateral radiographs (X-rays) and examining the nose purulent discharge, it can also result in unilateral discharge, sometimes and mouth. Detailed examination includes blood tinged and occasionally with severe nose bleeds. looking up the cat's nose, and examining behind it's soft palette (the flap of skin at the Does the history of the cat make a difference to the likely diagnosis ? back of the throat). While examining the nose it is possible to take samples to look for bacteria, Yes. It is very important to know the answers to a number questions relating fungi, evidence of inflammation or cancer cells. to the cat's previous experiences. e.g. These methods do not allow very good access to the nasal chambers, so it is possible that 1. Did the cat have an acute URT infection (cat `flu) as a kitten? This is underlying disease may sometimes be missed. the most common initiating cause of chronic rhinitis. • If the less invasive methods of investigation are 2. Is there any history of facial trauma, dental disease or ear infections? not successful in gaining a diagnosis it may be

necessary to perform an exploratory rhinotomy 3. At what age did the cat first develop the clinical signs? The age of onset under general anaesthesia. This involves and speed of onset of clinical signs can often be misleading, but can surgically opening the nasal chambers via the occasionally be of help in the diagnosis. front of the cat's face. This allows for the close

inspection of the nasal chambers, the collection 4. Has the nasal discharge always been of the same type, consistency and of material for biopsy, and the removal of colour, and has it always been unilateral or bilateral? Are the signs are diseased tissue. The procedure is not to be progressing, is the cat systemically ill, and has the cat responded to any undertaken lightly since although it can be previous treatments? The answers to these questions may help beneficial in some cases, for example where a determine the underlying cause of the problems. foreign body, fungal infection or cancer is

present, the procedure is traumatic for the cat, My cat had `flu as a kitten and has had "snuffles" ever since, although he is and should be reserved for patients with severe well in himself. Should I ask the vet to find out what is wrong with him ? clinical signs or those which are already

suspected of having nasal cancer, focal or Arrange for your vet to examine your cat but if chronic post viral rhinitis is fungal disease. Surgical intervention is rarely believed to be the most likely cause of the patients clinical signs, and the cat curative in cases of chronic post viral rhinitis. is not too distressed by the nasal discharge, it is probably best not to put it

through further examinations (except perhaps an FeLV test). Further Can chronic URT disease be treated ? investigations are generally best left for cats with severe or progressive

clinical signs, or those with evidence of generalised disease. (Continued on page 16) When considering treating cats with severe chronic URT disease it is 8 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF BURMESE BREEDERS, INC. www.burmese.com

August 29 & 30, 1998 The Long Center Clearwater, FL

Eight Allbreed Rings

Saturday Sunday

Don Williams Jo Ann Cummings Leta Williams Georgette Melotik Stan Barnaby Ricky Carroll Pat Jacobberger Walter Hutzler

Show Manager and Vendor Info Show Secretary

Lynn Thompson Kathy Rutledge 235 W. Brandon Blvd #218 7612 Chancellor Way Brandon, FL 33511 Springfield, VA 22153 813-677-7290 703-455-4869 813-672-1565 fax [email protected] [email protected]

Entry Fees: Closing Date:

First entry $40 August 22, 1998 Second Entry $35 Entry Limit: 225 Additional entries $30

**Burmese entries deduct $10 off each entry**

Double cage/end of row $20 Entry Clerk: Grooming space $20 Alexy Entry Service Sales cage (exhibitors only) $20 139 Habersham Substitution fee $10 Longwood, FL 32779 Returned check $20 407-862-8309 phone/fax Email/faxed entries (per entry) $ 2 [email protected] (sorry, no household pets) No calls after 9pm please.

Advertising: Full page $60 1/2 page $35 1/4 page $20 Business card $5 Donation to ribbon fund (thank you) $______Total enclosed: $ ______

Make checks payable to: National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc.

9 Spring, 1998

Show hall: The Long Center. 1501 N. Belcher Rd Clearwater, FL.813-726-2181. This is a non-smoking, air-conditioned facility with plenty of free parking.

Show hours : Check in will be from 8 - 9:30 am on Saturday. Judging will begin at 10 am. The show hall will open at am on Sunday and judging will begin at 9 am. The show will be open to the public from 10 am - 4 pm. No cats may leave the show hall before 4 pm without permission of the show manager.

Show hotel: Ramada Inn 26508 US 19 N Clearwater, FL. 813-796-1234. Rate of $52.This hotel requires a $50 refundable pet deposit to assure that the rooms are left clean and odor free. It is a beautifully remodeled hotel, please leave rooms clean so that we may be welcomed again in the future.

Alternate hotel: La Quinta Inn 3301 Ulmerton Rd. Clearwater, FL 813-572-7222. $69 per night, no pet fee. This is a newly renovated hotel, please leave rooms clean.

Supplies: Litter will be provided. Please bring your own food dishes, litter pans, etc. Cages are approximately 22X22X22 inches. People food will be available.

Fly-ins: Fly-ins may use either Tampa International or St. Pete airports. Both are convenient. If you need additional info, please contact the show manager.

Kittens for sale: A copy of the litter registration or individual registration along with a current FL State Health Certificate must be shown at check in and displayed at benching area. You must be an exhibitor to sell cats or kittens. No kittens under 4 months of age are permitted in the show hall.

General info: Ribbons and rosettes will be awarded according to CFA rules. All Championship, Premiership, and registered Kitten entries will be scored for CFA Regional and National points. This is a CFA licensed show and show rules will be strictly enforced. A current copy of the show rules may be obtained for $3 from CFA 1805 Atlantic Ave, Manasquan, NJ 08736. This is a non-vetted show. It is strongly advised that cats and kittens be inoculated against feline enteritis, feline rhinotracheitis, rabies and calici virus. Cats and kittens are expected to be flea and fungus free. All claws must be clipped. Declawed cats are not eligible. Reasonable care will be taken of all personal property, but National Alliance of Burmese Breeders and The Long Center will not be responsible for any loss or damage.

Map will be sent with confirmation.

ATTENTION NABB MEMBERS!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS SHOW!!!

MORE TO COME IN THE

SUMMER ISSUE!!

SEE YOU THERE!!

10 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. (President‘s Message: continued from page 2) has been hot and heavy is perhaps, to make a gross Pedigreed Cats Face Extinction understatement. It is my personal feeling that this debate may have serious consequences to the trust between the CFA Board of Directors and their constituency. The distinctive and valued cats you see here today could become extinct unless the repressive laws currently being proposed in many communities A number of CFA breeders feel that there was not enough are stopped. dialogue on the issues before WIAB was brought to a vote. There is also a great deal of contention over the fact that the These laws are often initiated by well-meaning but misguided individuals only breeders who were given the opportunity to vote on the and groups who are influenced by the intolerant attitudes of animal rights recommendation were breed council members. There are extremists. several breeders who do not belong to a breed council for any number of reasons. Moreover, there is a widely held Restrictive breeding ordinances, possession limits, burdensome cat perception that the WIAB Committee did not represent the licensing and breeder permit laws, as well as restraints on the display/ continuum of opinions related to defining “what is a breed.” exhibition of animals, have been presented as a means to reduce the Finally, there was not a breed council secretary on the WIAB number of animals being killed by shelters or to alleviate animal Committee. suffering.

Change in and of itself is extremely stressful to people. When Homeless cats seen throughout our communities and in shelters are not you combine change with a highly charged emotional issue the offspring of planned breeding programs. They are the result of that threatens a person’s “turf,” there is bound to be denial (it careless or unknowing people who allow their free roaming cats to can’t happen to MY breed!) and backlash. indiscriminately reproduce. They are caused by random mating among feral/free-roaming cats with no owners to comply with laws. So what do we do about it? First, we need to understand the issue - to have a WIAB definition or not to have a WIAB Misdirected, costly and ineffective, these laws are punitive toward people definition. Those of us concerned with the Burmese breed who selectively breed to preserve the desirable personality and appearance may have no problem with the WIAB definition on the surface. traits of pedigreed cats. However, I believe we should look more closely at it and understand it fully. To protect the future of pedigreed cats, contact your city, county and state legislators and/or public officials. Challenge the motives behind coercive What advantages does the WIAB definition provide CFA? cat and dog breeding legislation. Be aware of the serious consequences on the positive activities of responsible people if restrictive laws are enacted. ∗ Provides the Board with an operating definition for use Respect the value of all cats, both pedigreed and random bred. when considering applications for new breeds. ∗ Provides, up front, the working philosophy of CFA to The Cat Fanciers' Association, its member clubs and pedigreed cat people who would be interested in petitioning for breed breeders are working to raise the status of all cats. Educational programs, recognition in the future. assistance to humane shelters, support of feline health studies, public ∗ Provides the Board with a policy for the consideration of service announcements and other positive activities benefit both pedigreed questions related to the acceptance of the AOV’s from and random bred cats. hybrid breeds (e.g., what do we do with the “solid color” Tonkinese?). We support alternatives to coercive legislation. Join with cat fanciers in ∗ Helps to portray a consistent message to the public who promoting community programs to manage feral cats and to provide low visit CFA shows. cost neuter/spay, to educate the public on the nature of cats, to increase adoption rates and require sterilization of cats by shelters prior to adoption. What are the disadvantages to the WIAB definition?

∗ (Reprinted from the CFA brochure.) Assumes that breeders are well enough informed to be able to provide a “cut-off” date that is reasonable for the Find out how YOU can impact coercive legislation in YOUR state! continued viability of their breed. Contact the CFA Central Office or your Regional Director. This is ∗ Assumes that breeders are educated sufficiently in YOUR hobby! No one is going to save our breeds for us but us! Get genetics and are therefore, able to make a decision Mad . . . Get Active . . . Give to the CFA Legislative Fund . . . regarding when their breed needs to be open to further hybridization. ∗ May place some breeds in jeopardy relative to the size of the gene pool. ∗ Gives the perception that some breeds are more valued than others. (Continued on page 15) 11 Spring, 1998

SURF‘N‘ THE NET

NABB, Inc.‘s ADDRESS for Our WEB SITE is:

www.burmese.com

—STUFF“ OFF THE INTERNET • Diagnostic Testing - Fact vs. Fiction • Due Credit - Let's Give Responsible Breeders If you go to the following Internet address: the Credit They Deserve • Early Spay/Neuter in the Cat http://www.cfainc.org/pamphlets.html • Feline Health Studies - Cumulative (1968 to 1997) You can read and order CFA Pamphlets ! Read on to see what is offered. Also, visit other CFA Web Pages. Just click on one of the photos • Feline Immunodeficiency Virus at the bottom of the page to surf CFA!! • Hints for Determining Your Cat Color • Myths and Facts about Cats The Cat Fanciers' Association has printed copies available for the following • educational and informational pamphlets. They contain general cat care data, Neuter and Spay - It's the Humane Way detailed reports on funded health care studies, cat show advice, and • Oral Infectious Disease information of interest to all cat owners. The information in the majority of • Pedigreed Cats Face Extinction (see page 14.) these pamphlets is contained on this WEBSITE. For an online look at the • Plants and Your Cat information, please follow the link from the pamphlet of your choice. If you • would like a printed copy mailed to you, please contact: Rabies ... What You Need to Know • Ready.. Set.. Show! • Real Story on Toxoplasmosis The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. • P.O. Box 1005 Registration/Breeding Glossary Manasquan, NJ • Rules Governing Acceptance and 08736-0805 Advancement of New Breeds and Colors Tel: (732) 528-9797 • Should You Breed Your Cat? Fax: (732) 528-7391 • The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. • The Cat Fanciers' Association Foundation, Inc. • Basic Cattery Planning • Why Not Coercive Legislation? • Blood Type Incompatibility & Kitten Mortality • Winn Feline Foundation • Cat Overpopulation - CFA's Position • Winn Feline Foundation Grant Announcement 1995 • Cat Show Guide

12 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc.

Gail Francois and Alenka Unk - put together the following chart comparing and contrasting the standards of four associations - CFA, FIFe, TICA and the RSA. Here is Part IV. You can view their work in real time by visiting the following Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/8454/burmsop.html

7. CONDITION

Association Description Points CFA (Muscle tone ...... 5 - included in points for "body") 5 CFA European CONDITION and PRESENTATION .... 5 5 FIFe Condition 5 TICA Perfect physical condition, with excellent muscle tone. There should be 5 no evidence of obesity, paunchiness, weakness or apathy. RSA Condition 10 8. FAULTS

Association Description CFA PENALIZE: distinct barring on either the front or rear outer legs. Trace (faint) barring permitted in kittens and young adults. Elongated muzzle with severe narrowing, resulting in a wedge-shaped head which detracts from the rounded contours of the head. Green eyes.

DISQUALIFY: kinked or abnormal tail, lockets or spots. Blue eyes. Incorrect nose leather or paw pad color. Malocclusion of the jaw that results in a severe underbite or overbite that visually prohibits the described profile and/or malformation that results in protruding teeth or a wry face or jaw. Distinct barring on the torso. CFA European PENALIZE: jaw pinch, oriental eye shape, round eyes. Pigmentation spots on nose leather of a red or cream European Burmese. DISQUALIFY: green eye color. White patches or a noticeable number of

FIFe Eyes: oriental eye shape, round eyes Head: jaw pinch, prominent nose bump

Faults precluding the certificate: Type: oriental or British type Eyes: more blue than yellow pigmentation Coat: too many white hairs, distinct barring and ghost markings All remarks and faults mentioned in the General Part apply, too. TICA WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS: See Show Rules for rules governing penalties/disqualifications applying to all cats. RSA Faults: Any suggestion of Siamese type or British cobbiness. Pinched muzzle. Green eyes a serious fault. Round or oriental eyes. Obvious barring on tortie coats.

13 CFA Health Committee Spring, 1998 Cats and Flea Control Products are some products that are labeled for use on From the CFA Website cats that contain small concentrations of permethrin, usually less than 0.1%. When used Cats and Flea Control Products according to the label instructions, these can be by Jill A. Richardson, DVM used safely in cats.

Veterinary Poison Information Specialist However, there are many permethrin products ASPCA/National Animal Poison Control Center available over the counter for use on —dogs only." These contain high concentrations (45- Fleas can be a major problem for cat owners. Not only are these tiny 60% ) of permethrin insecticide. These creatures a nuisance, they are also the cause of many diseases such as flea permethrin products have a good range of anemia, flea bite dermatitis, and tapeworm infestation. Therefore, strict safety when used on dogs, but, even a few flea control is a necessary step in the health care of any cat. The drops of concentrated permethrin could be eradication of fleas from our animals and our homes necessitates the use of lethal to cats. The reason for this species products containing insecticides, either in the form of a mousses, difference is yet unknown. spot-ons, oral suspensions, powders or spray mists. While there are many safe insecticide products available for use on cats, caution must be used as Exposed cats can develop uncontrollable cats are generally more sensitive to most insecticides. Cat owners should seizures within hours of concentrated be extremely careful when using flea products on or around their cats. permethrin application. Some may tremor for Products should be used strictly according to their label directions. several days. The fatality rate of untreated cats exposed to such products is very high. Proper The following are some guidelines for cat owners to follow when choosing treatment by a veterinarian can often prevent and applying a flea control product: death.

1. Never use insecticides on very young kittens, pregnant queens, 5. Always use caution when using shampoos, debilitated, or elderly cats without consulting your veterinarian. sprays, topical spot-ons, or mousse near your With such cats, you may want to consider avoiding the use of some cat's eyes, ears, and genitalia. Inactive insecticides directly on your pet. Instead, you could comb the fleas off ingredients can cause irritation to these the cat with a flea comb then submerge the fleas in a small container sensitive tissues. of soapy water. This would also be a good alternative for cats who love being groomed but who violently refuse baths or the application 6. When using a fogger or a home premise spray, of a spray. make sure to remove all cats from the house for the time period specified on the container. Food 2. Before using ANY product on your cat, read the label instructions and water bowls should be removed from the completely. If you do not completely understand the instructions, you area also. Allow time for the product to dry should contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian for clarification. completely before returning your cats to your Observe the species and age requirements listed on the label. NEVER home. Open windows or use fans to "air out" use a product labeled "for use on dogs only" on your cats. Cats the household before returning your cats to the react very differently than dogs to some insecticides. Some dog treated area. Strong fumes can be irritating to products can be deadly to cats, even in tiny amounts. your cat's eyes and upper respiratory system.

3. Use caution when using products that contain organophosphates If you are uncertain about the usage of any in your house or on your cat. Cats are more sensitive to household product, contact the product's organophosphate insecticides than most other animals. Currently, manufacturer or your veterinarian to explain the there are few flea products in the United States labeled for use on cats directions BEFORE use of the product. that contain organophosphates as an active ingredient. The few that can be used on cats contain a small concentration of organophosphate. 7. Insect growth regulators like lufenuron, However, many household sprays and products that are specifically methoprene, and pyriproxyfen can be used in labeled "for use on dogs only" are widely available. Again, avoid combination or alone with flea control these dog products! products. They can help break the flea life cycle by inhibiting flea maturation. Growth In some cases, exposed cats can start showing signs within hours. regulators have minimal adverse effects and Symptoms would include drooling, depression, labored breathing, can improve the efficacy when used in weakness, and convulsions. Without prompt and proper treatment, combination with adult flea many exposures could lead to the animal's death. With appropriate treatment by a veterinarian, the survival chances are much higher. insecticides.

4. NEVER use flea control products that contain "permethrin" on (Continued on page 36) your cats, unless they are specifically labeled for use on cats. There 14 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. Hand-rearing Kittens

(President‘s message - continued from page 11) Raising an orphaned kitten can be a rewarding experience. However, kittens are very fragile, and raising them can be difficult, time consuming, and it is not always What are the advantages to “going back to the way successful. things were?” What kittens need to be hand reared? ∗ It is comfortable for a great many people . . . it is a situation with which they are familiar - not Normal kittens have their environmental and nutritional requirements met by their a change. mother. However, a number of different situations may lead to kittens requiring ∗ Perception is that hybrid breeds were treated extra care, e.g. death of the queen (female cat), rejection of the kittens by the queen, in a more friendly manner. ill health in the queen, or the production of too large a litter for the queen to care ∗ May allow for more fruitful discussion on the for. definition of “breed.” When the queen is only temporarily ill, the kittens may only need to be hand fed for What are the disadvantages to not having a WIAB a few days, while in other situations the kittens may need to be fed by hand until the definition? they are weaned. In the case of a very large litter, where the kittens are gaining some milk from their mother, they will only need supplemental feeding. ∗ Fails to provide the Board with a working policy for making consistent decisions with Should any kittens not be hand reared? new breeds and question related to AOVs or “look alikes.” In some circumstances the breeder may be faced with a decision to have kittens ∗ Perceived as allowing for favoritism towards euthanised at birth. Apart from agonising decisions over sheer numbers, or where some new breeds. the queen is unwell or unwilling to look after the kittens, there are some cases ∗ Perceived as allowing favoritism towards some where a kitten needs to be euthanised to prevent a crippled existence. No list can be of the “older” breeds. exhaustive, but as soon as possible a check should be made with the following defects in mind:-

The first of April, the following was forwarded to the Fancier’s List on the Internet at the request of Craig • Severe hydrocephalus as shown by enlargement of the skull. Rothermel: • Anasarca or generalised oedema (water-logging of the tissues). President's Message • The CFA Board's action at their February 1998 meeting Cleft palate which will lead to the inability to suck and dribbling of milk down regarding "What Is Breed" has prompted a great deal of the nose. discussion. This issue will certainly be placed on the agenda for the breed council secretaries' meeting with • Imperforate anus. This may be obvious with the entire absence of an exit for the CFA Board in June. Please step back for a moment, the bowel, or occult when the exit leads into a blind sac within the body. An take a deep breath and consider carefully all questions and discussions which have been raised regarding the affected kitten may live some weeks but will fail to thrive and will never be board's action. If you have concerns you would like seen to pass a motion. In the occult case, the true condition can only be found addressed at the June meeting, please convey them to on close examination by a veterinary surgeon. your breed council secretary. We are listening to you; please contact us with your thoughts and suggestions on • Hernia or incomplete development of the ventral body wall. A small ringed ways to resolve this issue. s/Craig Rothermel umbilical hernia is a slight defect, but some kittens have virtually no abdominal

musculature and should not be kept. Can we, as a group of hobbyists who love the pedigreed cat put our emotional and personal issues aside long enough to find some common ground and come to a • Spina bifida or incomplete development of the dorsal body wall. mutually inclusive decision? I don’t know . . . but I do know that if we can not, nothing about the CFA cat fancy • Gross deformity or absence of limbs. will fun again for a long, long time.

Many serious inherited abnormalities are not obvious at birth, and abnormalities of eyes and hearing fall into this category. Suspected abnormalities of joints and limbs should be viewed with caution unless utterly self-evident, such as severe shortening of a limb. Joints at birth are very incomplete structures and most apparent double- jointedness or rotation of limbs right themselves by the time the kitten is really mobile.

April, 1998 (Continued on page 16) 15 (Hand-rearing Kittens - continued from page 15) Spring, 1998

The most difficult decision usually concerns the kitten persistently rejected by its mother, despite its apparent normality to the human eye. The choice (Nasal Discharge - continued from page 8) in this case lies between hand rearing, fostering or euthanasia. The decision Yes, but in most cases treatment is unlikely to give can only be made by the breeder after full consideration of the a long term cure. In most cases the clinical signs can circumstances. An additional consideration is that the rejected kitten may merely be controlled, since the chronically damaged well be a defective kitten (mother may know best) in which case hand bones cannot be repaired. rearing may not be successful. Antibiotics can be given to reduce secondary Do hand reared kittens develop normally? bacterial infection. It is usually necessary to give them for long period or as repeated courses in order A kitten reared in total isolation from other cats is at risk from developing to control the clinical signs. Since extended courses psychological abnormalities; including nervousness, aggression and a of reduced ability to cope with strange surroundings, people or animals. antibiotics are generally not advisable for the Kittens hand reared in the presence of other cats are less likely to be overall health of the cat, they are usually given only affected, since they can develop by watching the other cats. Because when the cat is severely affected. It is generally completely hand-reared animal are at a behavioural disadvantage they hoped that with time the cat, and its owners, will should not be used for breeding. learn to live with the cat's disease, without the need for repeated courses of antibiotics. What are the basic considerations when hand rearing kittens? Other treatments that can be considered include There are several basic functions to be addressed when hand rearing drugs to reduce the thickness of the nasal secretions kittens. These include the provision of a suitable clean, warm environment, (mucolytics), or treatments to help the cat breath a suitable feeding regimen, attention to urination and defecation (emptying more easily (anti-congestants or steam inhalation). of the bowels), and attention to general health. The major problems If the cat is severely affected by "snuffles" and is encountered when trying to hand rear kittens are chilling, dehydration and undergoing further investigation, it is possible to starvation (resulting in hypoglycaemia due to low blood sugar levels). therapeutically flush the pus from the nasal passages These three conditions are interrelated and close observation is necessary if while the cat is under general anaesthetic. Although they are to be noticed, and if occurring, for prompt action to be taken in this procedure can occasionally give some degree of time. Kittens are very fragile, hence they can become ill and die very short term relief, the clinical signs usually return. quickly. The most essential aspect of treatment is good nursing care; keeping the cat's face clean and clear How should I keep the kittens warm? of discharge, and encouraging it to eat by feeding warmed up food that is strong smelling. Warmth is a primary essential for the new-born. A kitten cannot react to cold by shivering and cannot control its own body temperature. In nature, Specific treatments can be given where a specific warmth is obtained by direct body contact with the mother and conserved causes have been found, e.g. polyps can be by the enclosed kittening bed. A new-born wet kitten loses heat very surgically removed, some cancers can be controlled rapidly, hence it is important that they are dried quickly. Kittens can be with chemotherapy, and fungal disease can be kept warm by lying them in contact with a warm, well-covered hot water treated with anti-fungal drugs. bottle, and heat can be conserved by covering them with a blanket. Great care must be taken not to inflict contact burns by having the bottle too hot. Printed here with permission of the The Feline Advisory Bureau. Acceptable alternatives are veterinary heating pads, and infra-red lamps. The disadvantages of the lamps are that many cats dislike the open bed required for their use, and they may over heat both mother and kittens, so (As with any medical information regarding the lessen close nursing contact. treatment of your Burmese, we advise you to seek the advice of your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The rectal temperature of new-born kittens ranges from 95-99º F (35-37.2° Ed.) C) in the first week, to 97-100° F (36.1-37.7° C) in the second and third weeks, and reaches normal adult levels of 100-102° F (37.7-38.9° C) by the fourth week. If the rectal temperature drops below 94° F the kitten is likely to die. It is important to warm up kittens slowly, since too rapid warming can be fatal.

The temperature in the kitten box should initially be maintained at 85-90° F (29.4- 32.2° C), but the box should be large enough for the kittens to move away from the heat if they become too hot. If the litter is large, the temperature can be reduced since by huddling together the kittens generate extra heat. (Continued on page 17) 16 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. (Hand-rearing Kittens - continued from page 16) The temperature can be gradually reduced to 80° F (26.7° C) by 7-10 days and to European Burmese Issue 72° F (22.2° C) by the end of the first month.

Does humidity affect the kittens? The CFA Board has rescinded the European Burmese breed registrations that When a low environmental humidity is combined with a lack of regular liquid do not conform to the outcrossing intake the kittens are at risk of dehydration. An environmental humidity of 55-65 % prohibition of the Registration Rules will prevent the kittens' skin from drying out. Signs of dehydration include loss of (which is also stated in the breed standard). skin elasticity and sticky mucous membranes (gums). That affirms that Burmese of mixed American Burmese and European Burmese What makes a good nest for the kittens? parentage (within five generations) cannot be legitimately registered as CFA The easiest way to provide a clean, safe and warm nest is to take a cardboard box, European Burmese. line it with a synthetic fur "Vet Bed", use either hot water bottles or a heating pad for warmth, and placing it away of drafts. "Vet Bed" can be easily cleaned, is warm This has been a costly battle. Breeders and comfortable. If this is not available terry nappies or old towels can be used. have been lost and others have been put off Some people use plastic plant propagators as incubators, however, care should be by the dispute and the implications of taken to ensure the temperature within them is adequate. bringing American Burmese into the breed. In addition, a considerable effort I have heard that kittens cannot urinate or pass motions without assistance, is was involved in preparing support of each this true ? side's position. Further, the number of registered European Burmese (and It is necessary to stimulate kittens' of less than two weeks old to urinate and associated breeding programs) decreased defecate. The voiding reflex is normally initiated by the queen licking the kitten's significantly through the rescinding of the ano-genital region. The "foster mother" must therefore imitate this by gently misregistrations - and the CFA Board massaging the kitten's ano-genital area with moist cotton wool ball. This should be clearly affirmed that advancement from done after each feed, and each kitten must pass urine and faeces at least once every Miscellaneous to Provisional status would day. not happen with the resultant smaller number of CFA-registered European From two to three weeks of age the reflex should be triggered while the kitten is Burmese. placed on the litter try. Leaving a small amount of soiled litter within the tray will serve as a reminder to the kittens of where to perform. On the other hand, the road ahead is much clearer now - the European Burmese breed What signs might indicate that the kittens are unwell ? has decisive CFA affirmation of its separateness from the American Burmese Normal kittens should eat or sleep for 90% of the time for the first 2 weeks of their breed. lives. If they cry excessively, or fail to suckle, they are usually ill or receiving insufficient milk. Since kittens can die very quickly, they (and their mother, if still As before, additional breeders of European present) should be examined by a veterinary surgeon as soon as possible to ensure Burmese that conform to CFA's nothing serious is going wrong. registration rules are very welcome to join this breed. Moreover, there is an How much milk replacement should I be feeding the kittens ? expanding base of US breeders who have cats/kittens available - decreasing (but When the milk supply is inadequate, supplemental feeding is recommended. Where certainly not eliminating) the need for the kittens have been orphaned or the queen is unable to feed them, they will need overseas imports. total replacement feeding. There are several commercial formulae available which are designed specifically for kittens. They should be made up and used as per Ebe McCabe instructions, but at a reduced volume if the kittens are still gaining some milk from CFA European Burmese Breed Liaison their mother (give perhaps 1/2 to 1/3 the volume). The amount on the label is President, European Burmese Cat Club usually given "as per 24 hours". The quantities should therefore be divided into a number of feeds. Kittens less than 2 weeks of age should be fed every 3-4 hours, while kittens of 2-4 weeks of age can usually be fed every 6-8 hours. The milk From the CFA Board Meeting Minutes should be warmed to 95-100° F (35-37.8° C) before feeding (~ the same temperature as the skin of the human forearm).

How do I get the milk into the kittens?

• Spoon feeding is slow and requires great practice. Each spoonful must be (Continued on page 30)

(Continued on page 33) 17 NABB MEMBERSHIP Spring, 1998

Status Name Street City, State Zip Individual Andersen, Sheri * 2722 S. Annapolis Circle San Bernadino, CA 92408 Individual Anderson, Jeanne 84 S. Flora Way Golden, CO 80401 Family Anderson, Kelly 20589 SW Rosa Drive Aloha, OR 97007 Family Anderson, Linda 20589 SW Rosa Drive Aloha, OR 97007 Family Arnett, James* 17958 Burton Street Reseda, CA 91335 Family Arnett, Jo Ann* 17958 Burton Street Reseda, CA 91335 Family Baligad, Richard 18361 Cedar Street Ferris, CA 92570 Family Baligad, Rita 18361 Cedar Street Ferris, CA 92570 Associate Buckler, Karen 7691 Seddon Drive Dublin, OH 43016 Individual Bulmer, Deborah* 7007 North 5th Street Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Family Burno, Ricky HCR 32 Box 609 Stoddard, NH 03464 Associate Butche, Mike 1504 Minneapolis Ave. Duluth, MN 55803 Individual Carlisle, Joyce M. 4408 Shady Villa Drive #210 Louisville, KY 40219-1664 Family Chapman, Evelyn 204 1st Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Family Chapman, Jayson 204 1st Street Annapolis, MD 21401 Family Chapman, Leona HCR 32 Box 609 Stoddard, NH 03464 Individual Clark, Michele - Secretary 1435 N. Allen Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104 Associate Corcoran, Jane 121-16 Ocean Prom 4G Rockaway Park, NY 11694-1848 Family Creamer, Michael 18745 Penn Shop Road Mt. Airy, MD 21771-3933 Family Creamer, Vicky 18745 Penn Shop Road Mt. Airy, MD 21771-3933 Individual Denoyer, Marie 3702 Broomsedge Court Fairfax, VA 22033 Family Diehl, Debra 1276 North Wayne Street - #122 Arlington, VA 22201 Family Diehl, Jeff 1276 North Wayne Street - #122 Arlington, VA 22201 Family Doernberg, Diana 1425 Sugar Knoll Drive Akron, OH 44333 Family Doernberg, Robert 1425 Sugar Knoll Drive Akron, OH 44333 Family Dunn, George 1284 Westwood Drive Stayton, OR 97383 Family Dunn, Verla 1284 Westwood Drive Stayton, OR 97383 Family Eisaman, Bev 1500 Mountain View Drive Forrest Grove, OR 97116 Family Eisaman, Dick 1500 Mountain View Drive Forrest Grove, OR 97116 Family Eldredge, Carl 4 Middlefield Street Groton Long Point, CT 06340 Family Eldredge, Priscilla 4 Middlefield Street Groton Long Point, CT 06340 Individual Elkjer, Linda R. 32525 Denny School Road Lebanon, OR 97355

18 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc.

Status Name Street City, State Zip Honorary Everett, Kim 215 NW Hermosa Boulevard Portland, OR 97210 Family Farmer, Charlie 409 Green River Trail Fort Worth, TX 76103 Family Farmer, Mary Lynn 409 Green River Trail Fort Worth, TX 76103 Individual Fitzmaurice, Annette 63 Sherman Place Jersey City, NJ 07307 Individual Garrity, Sharon 40632 236th SE Enumclaw, WA 98022 Individual Georgi, Andrea 74 Biser Road Flemington, NJ 08833 Associate Gibson, Christine* 72 Sunset Drive Glastonbury, CT 06033 Family Grafton, Barbara* 7009 SW 158th Ave. Beaverton, OR 97007 Family Grafton, Curtis* 7009 SW 158th Ave. Beaverton, OR 97007 Individual Graf-Webster, Erika - Director 11057 Saffold Way Reston, VA 22090 Honorary Gummow, Robert 6863 Shooters Hill Toledo, OH 43615 Individual Hampton, Sandra* 1010 East Lake Avenue Glenview, IL 60025 Family Hardy, Jim 135 Staghorn Way (Deerfield) Franktown, CO 80116 Family Hardy, Sally 135 Staghorn Way (Deerfield) Franktown, CO 80116 Associate Haupt, Adrienne 5412 East Shaw Butte Road Scottsdale, AZ 85254 Family Hidaka, Alice 15309 W. 85th Lenexa, KS 66219 Family Hidaka, Victor 15309 W. 85th Lenexa, KS 66219 Individual Hillenbrand, Lucy 270 Brandle Road Altamont, NY 12009 Honorary Hoener, Jan 408 Lindsey Road Carnegie, PA 15106 Individual Horenstein, Roger* P.O. Box 957323 Duluth, GA 30095 Family Jacobberger, Fred 2701 Overlook Drive Bloomington, MN 55431 Family Jacobberger, Pat - President 2701 Overlook Drive Bloomington, MN 55431 Associate Jacobson, Christine* 9 Oakland Street Wellesley, MA 02181 Individual Johnson, Kelly* 2107-D W. Commonwealth #27 Alhambra, CA 91803 Individual Keim, G. Louis 1917 Trout Farm Road Jarrettsville, MD 21084 Individual Kollman, Judith* 609 Chandler Street Flint, MI 48503 Individual Koon, Patricia 433 Belmont Avenue E. #406 Seattle, WA 98102 Family Kopp, Kathleen 9669 E. Windrose Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Family Kopp, Richard 9669 E. Windrose Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Individual Landry, K. D. 6836 Forum Street San Diego, CA 92111 Associate Larochelle, Marcelle* 295 Rue Patrick Beauport, Quebec, Canada G1C 5K Family Laubach, Ronald 2570 Las Gallinas Avenue San Rafael, CA 94903 Associate Little, Dr. Susan 422 McArthur Avenue Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1K 1G Family Loof, Martin 159 Bedford Road Lincoln, MA 01773 Individual MacQuarrie, Catherine 155 Concho Drive Sedona, AZ 86351 19 Spring, 1998

Status Name Street City, State Zip Individual Marchand, Isabelle 14675 Elizabeth-Begon Pointe-Aux-Trembles, Quebec H1A 5L2 Individual Marcus, Shirley* 9225 Sweden Boulevard Punta Gorda, FL 33982 Individual Massow, Lynette* 142 George Street Middletown, CT 06457 Associate Mayo, Marilyn 210 Delaware Street, #2 New Castle, DE 19720 Family McCabe, Ebe 3709 Worthington Road Collegeville, PA 19426 Family McCabe, Joy 3709 Worthington Road Collegeville, PA 19426 Individual McCreery, Ruth 3610 E. 98th Terrace Kansas City, MO 64137 Individual Meinhardt, Elaine* 5307 18th Ave. Drive West Bradenton, FL 34209 Individual Melcharick, Christa* 353 East 83rd Street Suite 5L New York, NY 10028 Individual Miller, Louis 44 E. Timonium Road Timonium, MD 21093 Individual Mitchell, Linda* P.O. Box 439 Sterling, VA 20167 Individual Morrison, Pamela* 26 Carlisle Street Chelmsford, MA 01824 Family Morse, Lorraine* 1500 Baltimore Drive Richardson, TX 75081 Family Morse, Walter* 1500 Baltimore Drive Richardson, TX 75081 Individual Munn, Gillian* 919 Ordway Street Albany, CA 94706 Associate Barbara P. Pond P.O. Box 1687 Bristol, CT 06011-1687 Family Query, Bill 119 Forest Street Plaistow, NH 03865 Family Query, Jane 119 Forest Street Plaistow, NH 03865 Family Reich, Chuck - Treasurer 922 Columbia Place Boulder, CO 80303 Family Reich, Mary 922 Columbia Place Boulder, CO 80303 Family Robertson, John 2570 Las Gallinas Ave. San Rafael, CA 94903 Individual Russell, Eve* P.O. Box 18 Flat Rock, MI 48134 Individual Rutledge, Kathleen 7612 Chancellor Way Springfield, VA 22153 Family Salisbury, Bob 3955 Syme Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Family Salisbury, Carole 3955 Syme Drive Carlsbad, CA 92008 Honorary Santucci, Arlene 408 Lindsey Road Carnegie, PA 15106 Family Schroeder, Gary 10613 Ballentine Overland Park, KS 66214 Family Schroeder, Sharyn 10613 Ballentine Overland Park, KS 66214 Individual Slawik, Annie 2573 Bedford Court Mendota Heights, MN 55120-1710 Associate Smith, Edith* 3009 Bern Drive Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Individual Smith, Gary* 106 School Street Brighton, MI 48116 Family Stevens, Margaret 2947 Del Loma Drive Campbell, CA 95008 Family Stevens, Ray 2947 Del Loma Drive Campbell, CA 95008 Individual Stewart, Donna 27008 Herring Road Greenwood, MO 64034 20 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. Status Name Street City, State Zip Individual Swihart, Pat 13919 Old Troy Pike St. Paris, OH 43072 Family Tadych, Mike* 1521 Julie Court North Fond du Lac, WI 54935 Family Tadych, Sandy* 1521 Julie Court North Fond du Lac, WI 54935 Individual Thompson, Lynn - Director 235 W. Brandon Boulevard, #218 Brandon, FL 33511 Associate Thoren-Kress, Lubin 17 McKinley Street Manchester, CT 06040 Individual Tomonari, Haruyo* 6221, Hikoma, Tanuma, Aso Tochigi, Japan 327-02 Individual Trevathan, Wayne* 500 - 46th Street West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Family Tripp, Brian 1606 - 13th Avenue Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Associate van Rooyen, Jan* P.O. Box 73825 Lynnwood Ridge, South Africa 0040 Individual Wagner, Darla 2732 Diane Boulevard Allentown, PA 18103 Individual Ward, Elizabeth 20160 Kelso Road Walnut, CA 91789 Family Webster, Melinda 159 Bedford Road Lincoln, MA 01773 Family Wendtland, Jaina 1430 Rollin Street South Pasadena, CA 91030 Family Wendtland, Michael 1430 Rollin Street South Pasadena, CA 91030 Individual West, Karen 224 Robinsong Road Chuluota, FL 32766 Family Westbrooke, Shawn 1606 - 13th Avenue Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 Individual Wheeler, Rose Ann 2445 North Cliff Road Upland, CA 91784 Associate Wood, Beatrice 59 Bd du Chateau Neuilly France 92200 Family Woolard, Jerry 13411 West 57th Street Shawnee, KS 66216 Family Woolard, Toni 13411 West 57th Street Shawnee, KS 66216

MISSING MEMBER WELCOME N EW M EMBERS !! RENEWALS!

If your name has an asterisk (*) next to JANE C ORCORAN it, we have not yet ROCKAWAY P ARK , NY received your membership renewal. We would JIM H ARDY hate to lose you, so FRANKTOWN , CO please, renew today.

BARBARA P OND You don‘t want to BRISTOL , CT miss the Summer, 1998 edition of the Newsletter!!

21 Spring, 1998

The National Alliance of Burmese Breeders (NABB) is a club affiliated with the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) with the objective of furthering the status, health and well-being of the pedigreed Burmese cat. The Constitution of the club defines two classes of membership for persons with specific interests in the Burmese breed:

1. Full member – an individual who has either • bred and registered with CFA at least one litter of Burmese, or • has shown a Burmese cat in a CFA show. Full Members have full voting privileges, and may hold any office.

2. Associate Member – an individual who is interested in the objectives of NABB, but has not bred a litter of Burmese or shown a Burmese cat in a CFA show. Associate Members do not have voting privileges.

***EITHER CLASS OF MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES A SUBSCRIPTION TO THE NABB NEWSLETTER***

______Name

______Street

______I hereby apply for membership in City/State or Country /Zip or Postal Code the National Alliance of Burmese Breeders. ______Phone

______signature email address

I qualify as a Full Member, and am including a copy of a CFA Burmese litter registration, or a copy of a page from a show catalog, demonstrating that I have shown one of my Burmese in a CFA show. My Cattery name is: ______

Membership fee is $20 US for individual or $25 US for family.

Additional persons in my household included within the family membership are ______, ______Name Name

I wish to join as an Associate Member. Membership fee is $15 US.

Please send completed form and fee to: National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. Michele Clark, Secretary 1435 North Allen Avenue 22 Pasadena CA 91104 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. Providing Pedigrees with Descriptive Information THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE For Breeds NOT Related to Burmese (e. BURMESE HEAD DEFORMITY STUDY g., Breeds in Group 3 - see inset):

• Provide standard CFA (or other The purpose of this guide is to lay out defect. If you would like additional Association) pedigree, preferably 5- the procedures by which an interested information about the study, please generation. For each cat on the breeder may participate in the study contact Dr. Lyons at the NCI at (301) pedigree, please give: being performed by the National 846-1299, or at home in the evening at Cancer Institute (NCI) to determine the (301) 898-0827. • Breed, if different from the breed genetic component of the of cranio-facial —head WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? HOW TO the subject cat (the cat whose pedi- deformity“ which is PARTICIPATE gree this is); occurring in Burmese Participation in this study is • Color , if known; cats. The objective of invited from the following There are three levels of • this study is to identify breeder groups: participation: Hair Length , if known and different the genetic component of 1) All Burmese breeders, from the subject cat. this deformity so that it whether or not kittens A. Provide pedigrees For Burmese and Breeds Related to may be eliminated from with the head deformity with descriptive the Burmese breed. An information (see Burmese (Groups 1 and 2): have been born within the important side-effect of cattery; this includes instruction sheet A). • Provide pedigree information as this study is the breeders of “traditional” This only applies to above. In addition, number the cats significantly increased as well as breeders in groups 1 and understanding of the 2 (refer to inset). Three in the first three generations as “contemporary” North feline DNA structure and generation pedigrees are follows: American Burmese; the location of specific sufficient, if it is difficult genes on the DNA to obtain information on 1 = Subject cat (the cat whose pedi- strand; this will provide 2) Any breeder of the additional generations. gree this is) valuable input to the following “related” 2 = Sire understanding and breeds: B. Provide blood 3 = Dam further study of any • Bombay samples (see instruction 4 = Grand-sire on Sire‘s side genetic disease or • Tonkinese sheet B) plus pedigrees. 5 = Grand-dam on Sire‘s side malformation of the cat. • This applies to all 6 = Grand-sire on Dam‘s side Foreign Burmese breeder groups. 7 = Grand-dam on Dam‘s side BACKGROUND • Long-hair Burmese C. Provide samples of Cranio-facial deformities affected, deformed Example: 3) Breeders of the 4 have been observed in following breeds which kittens (euthanised, then the Burmese breed for have been identified as frozen; see instruction Grand-Sire well over 15 years. The sheet C), plus blood 2 having either very small genetic component(s) (“pure”) gene pools or samples, plus pedigrees. Sire 5 and cause of this very diverse,, varied gene This applies to breeders deformity are not well in groups 1 and 2. 1 Grand-Dam pools. These breeds understood. In 1993, would serve as “control” Subject 6 Burmese breeders You may select to Cat approached the Cat groups for the study. participate at any level Grand-Sire • American SH 3 Fanciers‘ Association that matches your level Robert H. Winn • Egyptian Mau of comfort and makes Dam Foundation to assist with sense in terms of the 7 establishing a study of breed with which you are Grand-Dam this problem. With joint funding from working. However, the higher your the breeders and the Winn Foundation, level of participation, the more a grant was issued in 1994 to Dr. Leslie information will be gained that is useful Also, number the kittens in the litter as Lyons of the NCI to pursue this study to the study. Any expenses you incur K1, K2, etc. Then fill out the table on via —DNA Typing.“ If successful, this in providing blood samples and/or the next page. DNA Typing study will identify the deformed fetuses will be reimbursed specific gene(s) responsible for the to you by the NCI at your request. Instruction Sheet A 23 Spring, 1998 Instruction Sheet A - Continued

Cat Identifier: Phenotype Relatives Known to have Produced the Defect (Check) No. Registration Number or (Give registration number or name if checked here but Short Name (check description that best not shown on pedigree) fits this cat - see head-type drawings, next page as reference) Ex- Mod- Elong- Had a Deformed Sire has produced Dam has treme erate ated Sibling deformity in other produced litters deformity in other litters 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Identifier Phenotype Sex of Kitten (same name by which this Send the pedigree and the filled kitten can be traced as it out table (for Burmese and breeds grows) related to Burmese only) to:

Ex- Mod- Elong- Dr. Leslie Lyons treme erate ated National Cancer Institute K1 LVC, FCRDC Building 560, Room 11-10 Frederick, MD 21702 K2

K3

K4

K5

K6

K7

K8 24 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. BURMESE HEAD DEFORMITY STUDY - Continued

25 Spring, 1998

Instruction Sheet C - Providing Samples of Deformed Kittens Instruction Sheet B 1. How to prepare:

Providing Blood Samples If the kitten with the head deformity was born alive, euthanize it as soon as possible after birth and then place it in the freezer - ONLY FROZEN CADAVERS CAN BE 1. Obtaining Blood Samples SHIPPED.

Arrange with your veterinarian to have the samples taken. The When you are ready to ship (it doesn‘t have to be done right blood sample tubes must contain an anti-coagulant, preferably away, so long as the kitten remains frozen), wrap the frozen EDTA or heparin. Dr. Lyons requires 15 - 20 ml of blood from kitten in a paper towel, place it in a baggy, and put it in an each adult (it may mean that the cat will need to be mildly insulated box with frozen packs (ask your veterinarian, or sedated). A 5 - 8 pound cat can easily donate this amount of phone Dr. Lyons at the NCI for help if you don‘t have blood. DO NOT TAKE BLOOD SAMPLES FROM frozen packs). PREGNANT OR NURSING CATS - wait until the kittens have been weaned. 2. Notify Dr. Lyons

2. Shipping the Samples to Dr. Lyons Call Dr. Lyons at 301-846-1299 (day) or 301-898-0827 (evenings) to let her know that the shipment is coming. She Blood samples should be shipped overnight, Monday through will provide you with NCI‘s Federal Express number, so the Thursday, via —Next Day“ Federal Express service to: shipment will not cost you anything.

Dr. Leslie Lyons 3. Shipment National Cancer Institute LVC, FCRDC Ship Monday through Thursday only, via —Next Day“ Building 560, Room 11-10 Federal Express service to: Frederick, MD 21702 Dr. Leslie Lyons National Cancer Institute If you let Dr. Lyons know ahead of time, she will provide you LVC, FCRDC with NCI‘s Federal Express account number so that the shipping Building 560, Room 11-10 will not cost you any money. You can reach Dr. Lyons at: Frederick, MD 21702

Phone: 301-846-1299 4. Pedigree E-mail: [email protected] Please provide the pedigree (see Instruction Sheet A) of the It is recommended that you ship only Monday through kitten. Send the pedigree to Dr. Lyons at the above address Thursday. However, if you can collect the blood sample only on in a separate mailing. a Friday, then you must ship the sample to Dr. Lyon‘s home for delivery. Call her at the office (number above), or at home, (301- 5. Blood Samples 898-0827), and she will provide you with the address. Please provide blood samples (see Instruction Sheet B) of 3. Pedigree the sire and dam and of both sets of grand-parents. Please also provide blood samples of ALL SIBLINGS - this will Please provide the pedigree (see Instruction Sheet A) for any cat have to wait until they are over 5 pounds so please keep for which you are providing a blood sample. Be sure that the track of where they are if they leave your cattery. name on the blood sample can be matched to the registered name shown on the pedigree. Send the pedigree to Dr. Lyons at the NOTE: Getting samples from all relatives (up through the above address in a separate mailing. grand-parents) is important and ideal. However, if it is not possible to get them all, please provide samples from as many as possible. This —family“ will not be excluded from the study just because all the samples are not available.

26 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. Frances O. Smith, DVM at the Small Animal Reproduction Services, University of Minnesota, convinced the Research Project that the gene is dominant: The Burmese Head Defect: One —Contemporary phenotype is the expression of the incomplete penetrance of the Breeder‘s Plan for Breeding it dominant and its presence insures that the cat is a carrier for the lethal gene or Out genes,“ …“. Loffler, —Approaches to Solving a Genetic Puzzle, Part VI,“ Jaina Wendtland Southwest Regional Newsletter, March, 1984. Dr. Smith concluded from the Research Project data that —[t]he defect most likely is a dominant trait with

incomplete penetrance,“ …“. Smith, —Is It Inherited?“, Southwest Regional With selective breeding, humans have Newsletter March, 1984. been able to create a stunning array of diverse animal and plant life. Many of So did Drew M. Noden, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, New York our cat breeds have been created through State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University: —The contemporary the same process. Most of the unique phenotype results from variable expressivity of an incomplete dominant gene….All breed definitivenesses have been contemporary-look cats are carriers,“ Noden, The Embryology of Domestic perpetuated through selective breeding, Animals , 1985, pp. 82-83. But Noden goes even further: —In some homozygotes a the Burmese pointing gene being the threshold is surpassed which results in the lethal malformation,“ (implying that most-celebrated example. By the same some homozygotes don‘t pass that —threshold“). Noden and Evans, —Inherited token, —faults“ we have seen or continue Homeotic Midfacial Malformations in Burmese Cats,“ Journal of Craniofacial to see have been or are being bred out of Genetics and Developmental Biology Supplement , 2:249-266, 1986. many lines. The Burmese head defect, the product of a random mutation, is no Dr. Leslie Lyons, geneticist at the National Institute of Health, asserts that though different. It can be perpetuated or it can the phenotype is indeed dominant, the lethal gene is recessive. One need only one be bred out, to the whim of breeders. contemporary parent to get a contemporary kitten (dominant phenotype) but one

needs both parents to be carriers to get a deformed kitten (recessive lethal gene). In every litter of mine since my first, I‘ve You never get a deformed kitten when you breed a contemporary-phenotype-carrier gotten one deformed kitten, with the to a traditional-phenotype-non-carrier. exception of one queen who delivered three in a litter of six; she was spayed D. P. Sponenberg, Assistance Professor in the Division of Pathobiology and Public thereafter, for other reasons. These Practice, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, also deformed kittens have never been maintains the defect gene is an autosomal recessive gene: —Of the 45 breedings unbearable for me to see, nor have I ever available for study only 22 were between cats that were both proven to produce had a feeling of horror, as long as they are affected kittens. Of these 22 matings, 14 produced both affected and unaffected kindly and swiftly put out of their misery. kittens and eight produced only unaffected kittens. These 22 breedings produced 88 Still, I wondered with guilt every time, kittens, 19 of which had meningoencephalocele and 69 of which were free of the that since I knew there must be a way to defect….The ratio of 69:19 does not deviate significantly from the 3:1 ratio breed it out, when was I going to get to it ? expected if a recessive gene is responsible for the defect….Out of the nine male and

nine female cats involved as parents in this study, only one male deviated from the The Feline Genome Mapping Project is expectation of autosomal recessive inheritance. He produced 27 unaffected and supposed to be able to help us breed it three affected kittens in seven litters…“ D.P. Sponenberg and E. Graf-Webster, out, —within the year,“ according to Dr. Journal of Heredity , 77:60 1986. Interestingly, Sponenberg, like Noden, speculates Leslie Lyons. But what do we do in the that there may be some homozygotes who lack the penetrance needed for the lethal meantime? I already know my breeders affect: —This exceptional case [the one male] may represent incomplete penetrance carry the defect. And what do we do if of the allele, with some (few) homozygotes lacking the penetrant lethal trait.“ Ibid the project is unable to find a gene marker? I‘d like to get a head start, either What about those supposed traditional (cats from head defect free lineage) cats who, way. when mated to contemporary cats, threw deformed kittens? Dr. Lyons said three

examples out of the hundreds of cat data she has can‘t swerve her. Those three cats I gathered available literature on the either aren‘t alive now or have been altered so we can‘t confirm the stories, their subject. I begged, borrowed, and stole to pedigrees could have been mistaken, perhaps the matings were to another carrier cat obtain a meager library. And with every in the house, or perhaps the deformity was another kind of deformity. article I read, my heart sank with the bad news it contained; yet my heart was (Erika Graf-Webster has another explanation. —The one cat to which all known lifted, each time, by a glimmer of carriers can be traced back is Chirn Sa-Hai Soo Watt, born sometime before 1958. possibility. Since all my breeding cats Her son, Chirn Sa-Hai Kil-O-Watt, was apparently a frequently used stud….Only carry the defect gene, by breeding them those [pedigrees] that contain the cited Chirn Sa-Hai cats can be shown for sure to together, I was doomed to expect one produce carriers,“ Graf-Webster, email, August 3, 1997. I don‘t know each of the deformed kitten out of four. At the same three —traditional“ cats who threw deformed kittens, but I was given a pedigree of time, I learned that I can expect one kitten one of the cats, and on both sides of his pedigree, Chirn Sa Hai Soo Watt and Kil-O- in four to not carry the head defect gene. Watt appears.) The Recessive/Dominant Debate - Dr.

(Continued on page 28) 27 (Breeding Out the Head Defect - continued from page 27) Spring, 1998 So, some people believe the defect gene is a dominant; others that it is a recessive. From a breeder‘s standpoint who is trying to breed the defect out, it really doesn‘t defect gene. matter: Regardless of whether it is a recessive or a dominant gene, one may expect 25% of the kittens from a carrier-to-carrier mating to not have the defect gene. With odds like that, it is not surprising that Searchcore didn‘t happen upon one. The Plan - I asked Dr. Lyons several questions that were important to my Searchcore test bred just 17 cats: —We blossoming plan. What are the ratios of carrier to clear in my litters? I can expect test-bred 14 cats, resulting in seven litters. one deformed, 2 carriers, and one clear, for every four kittens. Which kitten is most Four of these litters (17 kittens) have likely to be clear? The kitten with the longest head, but it will be difficult to tell by become our foundation test stock, per our looks alone, because some long headed kittens have been proven to be carriers. I research protocol.“ Southwest Regional have to test breed. If I test breed to a known carrier, how many non-deformed Newsletter , —Approaches to Solving a kittens do I have to have to be sure? 17 in a row for a 99% certainty. Why shouldn‘t Genetic Puzzle, Part V,“ September 1983. everyone neuter and spay all their carriers right now? She answered, —Why neuter and spay all cats because of one gene in 50,000?“ In other words, if we can‘t have a defect- clear cat that looks like a contemporary, Breeding the defect out involves two difficult, time consuming, but by no means let‘s just give up! impossible, steps, combined with meticulous record-keeping. The steps are: (1) selecting for non-contemporary phenotype; and (2) test breeding. To my One breeder apparently selected for a non- knowledge, no breeder of Burmese who has attempted to breed the defect out has contemporary phenotype for several been successful. This is because they failed to follow through on all of these generations, and still got deformed kittens: requirements. —One breeder has selected cats without brachycephaly from lines carrying the The battle plan is there for anyone who wants it. See Loffler, —Approaches to defect and has still encountered carriers Solving a Genetic Puzzle Part VI,“ pages 16-17. (Select for phenotypically following three generations of such traditional offspring out of carrier lines; test breed.) Also Smith, —Is it Inherited?“, selection. Selecting away from this defect Southwest Regional Newsletter , page 18, March, 1984. (The moderate therefore will be a lengthy process.“ contemporary and extreme contemporary mating should produce ³ normal (clear), Sponenberg and Graf-Webster, ² slightly abnormal (carriers), and ³ severely abnormal (deformed.)) —Hereditary Meningoencephalocele in Burmese Cats.“ One suspects that the The Failures - The first unsuccessful attempt was carried out by The Burmese failure here was the lack of sufficient test- Cooperative Research Project. The project formed a test cattery, named Searchcore, breeding. in 1982. Searchcore tried to find a cat that had the contemporary phenotype, but didn‘t carry the head defect: —… [T]he research group hoped to produce a cat from Another story going the rounds is the cat the affected lines which did not carry the defect. It was always implied that this cat who threw 15 non-deformed kittens, then was to be of contemporary phenotype…“. Southwest Regional Newsletter , threw a deformed kitten, and the breeder —Approaches to Solving a Genetic Puzzle, Part VI,“ March, 1984. Sadly, gave up, concluding from this one attempt Searchcore was unable to produce a cat with the dominant contemporary phenotype that it is impossible to breed out. Her that also did not have the head defect gene: —We had to conclude…that it is not failure: expecting success on the first cat possible to produce a cat of contemporary phenotype which does not carry the she tried. If the odds that any one given defect.“ Ibid . kitten born out of carrier cats is clear is 25%, one must try at least four cats before Where did Searchcore fail, if breeding the defect out is indeed possible? The answer getting discouraged at all! If there are is, it didn‘t fail; its breeders simply didn‘t have the foresight at the time to know hundreds of contemporary cats breeding where the next step lay. They stopped just at the moment the solution was coming right now, why wouldn‘t one of them have into view: —It is not yet clear whether or not the traditional phenotype cats from the affected lines can produce cats without the genes for the defect,“ The Southwest proven not to pass on the head defect gene Regional Newsletter , ”Approaches to Solving a Genetic Puzzle, Part VI,“ March, by now? Perhaps there is one. It would 1984; —They have been able to identify a few females and one male out of those have to be a cat who has been bred to lines which are clear, but they do not have the ”new look‘.“ Bob Salisbury, Letter to known carrier cats, and produced 17 non- the Editor, Southwest Regional Newsletter , March 1983. deformed kittens in a row from those matings, and been documented for those A small possibility exists that a cat with the contemporary phenotype also does not breedings, and still be breeding today. carry the head defect gene, according to Dr. Lyons. She explains that the gene for Hmm, then again, maybe there aren‘t that the head defect is very close on the chromosome to the gene or genes responsible for many cats who satisfy all these the contemporary phenotype. When a cat inherits the contemporary phenotype, he requirements for proof. most often also inherits the head defect gene, because that gene is so close to the phenotype gene or genes. During the —dirty dancing“ of meiosis, the chromosomes So, How Long Will it Take? - Let‘s rub up against each other, and sometimes a gene will not go along with its assume that one must try 4 cats before one chromosome to the zygote. The odds, according to Dr. Lyons, are something like (Continued on page 29) one in a hundred that a cat will inherit the contemporary phenotype but not the head 28 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. (Breeding Out the HD - Continued from page 26) CFA Yearbook - CATCH-UP SPECIAL is sure one has a clear cat out of carrier lines. Let‘s also assume that each of those The CFA Yearbook is an attractive, hard-bound 9" x 12" book packed with four cats is a product of the generation wonderful pictures of cats and kittens, most in full color with many filling the entire before him (you want to only try one cat at page. In addition, you'll find CFA business, international cat fancy news, breed a time). Let‘s assume that you produce one articles, and feature articles on everything from the Tops Cats to feline health and test cat a year. That comes to four or five cat fancy history. years before you even get a clear cat. Add in another 8-12 years because each test cat The CFA Yearbook is an extraordinary value, costing less than many books its size will need to produce 17 kittens. Then how and quality. Now you can buy all four of the Yearbooks listed below and save long before you‘ve gotten the type back? almost $25 off current prices.

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29 (European Burmese - Continued from page 17) Spring, 1998

(Continued on page 35) 30 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc.

(Continued from page 32) so much the better. Of course, good places also BASIC RULES FOR CATS WHO exist outdoors, but have the disadvantages of being HAVE A HOUSE TO RUN seasonal and dependent on current and previous weather conditions such as rain. Open windows are DOORS: a good compromise. Do not allow closed doors in any room. To get door opened, stand on hind legs and hammer with forepaws. Once door is opened, it is not SCRATCHING POSTS: necessary to use it. After you have ordered an "outside" door opened, It is advised that cats use any scratching post the stand halfway in and out and think about several things. This is particularly humans may provide. They are very protective of important during very cold weather, rain, snow, or mosquito season. what they think is their property and will object Swinging doors are to be avoided at all costs. strongly if they catch you sharpening your claws on it. Being sneaky and doing it when they aren't CHAIRS and RUGS: around won't help, as they are very observant. If If you have to throw up, get to a chair quickly. If you cannot manage in you are an outdoor kitty, trees are good. time, get to an Oriental rug. If there is no Oriental rug, shag is good. When Sharpening your claws on a human is a definite no- throwing up on the carpet, make sure you back up so that it is as long as the no! human's bare foot.

HUMANS: BATHROOMS: Humans have three primary functions: to feed us, to Always accompany guests to the bathroom. It is not necessary to do play with and give attention to us, and to clean the anything -- just sit and stare. litter box. It is important to maintain one's Dignity when around humans so that they will not forget HAMPERING: who is the master of the house. Humans need to If one of your humans is engaged in some close activity and the other is know basic rules. They can be taught if you start idle, stay with the busy one. This is called "helping", otherwise known as early and are consistent. "hampering." Following are the rules for "hampering":

You will then have a smooth-running household. a) When supervising cooking, sit just behind the left heel of the cook. You cannot be seen and thereby stand a better chance of being stepped on and then picked up and comforted.

b) For book readers, get in close under the chin, between eyes and book, unless you can lie across the book itself.

c) For knitting projects or paperwork, lie on the work in the most appropriate manner so as to obscure as much of the work or at least the most important part. Pretend to doze, but every so often reach out and slap the pencil or knitting needles. The worker may try to distract you; ignore it. Remember, the aim is to hamper work.

Embroidery and needlepoint projects make great hammocks in spite of what the humans may tell you.

d) For people paying bills (monthly activity) or working on income taxes or Christmas cards (annual activity), keep in mind the aim -- to hamper! First, sit on the paper being worked on. When dislodged, watch sadly from the side of the table. When activity proceeds nicely, roll around on the papers, scattering them to the best of your ability. After being removed for the second time, push pens, pencils, and erasers off the table, one at a time.

e) When a human is holding the newspaper in front of him/her, be sure to jump on the back of the paper. They love to jump.

(Continued on page 32) 31 (Basic Rules - continued from page 31) Spring, 1998 WALKING: As often as possible, dart quickly and as close as possible in front of the human, especially: on stairs, when they have something in their arms, in the PAPER BAGS: dark, and when they first get up in the morning. This will help their Within paper bags dwell the Bag Mice. They are coordination skills. small and camouflaged to be the same color as the bag, so they are hard to see. But you can easily hear BEDTIME: the crinkling noises they make as they scurry around Always sleep on the human at night so s/he cannot move around. the bag. Anything, up to and including shredding the bag, can be done to kill them. Note: any other PLAY: cat you may find in a bag hunting for Bag Mice is This is an important part of your life. Get enough sleep in the daytime so fair game for a Sneak Attack, which will usually you are fresh for your nocturnal games. Below are listed several favorite result in a great Tag match. cat games that you can play. It is important though to maintain one's Dignity at all times. If you should have an accident during play, such as FOOD: falling off a chair, immediately wash a part of your body as if to say "I In order to get the energy to sleep, play, and hamper, MEANT to do that!" It fools those humans every time. a cat must eat. Eating, however, is only half the fun. The other half is getting the food. Cats have two CAT GAMES: ways to obtain food: convincing a human you are starving to death and must be fed *NOW*; and ⇒ "Catch Mouse": The humans would have you believe that those lumps hunting for it oneself. The following are guidelines under the covers are their feet and hands. They are lying. They are for getting fed. actually Bed Mice, rumored to be the most delicious of all the mice in the world, though no cat has ever been able to catch one. Rumor also a) When the humans are eating, make sure you has it that only the most ferocious attack can stun them long enough for leave the tip of your tail in their dishes when they are you to dive under the covers to get them. Maybe YOU can be the first not looking. to taste the Bed Mouse! b) Never eat food from your own bowl if you can ⇒ "King of the Hill": This game must be played with at least one other steal some from the table. cat. The more, the merrier! One or both of the sleeping humans is Hill 303 which must be defended at all costs from the other cat(s). c) Never drink from your own water bowl if a Anything goes. This game allows for the development of unusual human's glass is full enough to drink from. tactics as one must take the unstable playing theater into account. d) Should you catch something of your own WARNING: outside, it is only polite to attempt to get to know it. Playing either of these games to excess will result in expulsion from Be insistent -- your food will usually not be so polite the bed and possibly from the bedroom. Should the humans grow and try to leave. restless, immediately begin purring and cuddle up to them. This should buy you some time until they fall asleep again. If one happens e) Table scraps are delicacies with which the to be on a human when this occurs, this cat wins the round of King of humans are unfortunately unwilling to readily part. the Hill. It is beneath the Dignity of a cat to beg outright for food as lower forms of life such as dogs will, but TOYS: several techniques exist for ensuring that the humans Any small item is a potential toy. If a human tries to confiscate it, this don't forget you exist. These include, but are not means that it is a Good Toy. Run with it under the bed. Look suitably limited to: jumping onto the lap of the "softest" outraged when the human grabs you and takes it away. human and purring loudly; lying down in the doorway between the dining room and the kitchen, Always watch where it is put so you can steal it later. Two reliable the Direct Stare, and twining around people's legs as sources of toys are dresser tops and wastebaskets. There are several types of they sit and eat while meowing plaintively. cat toys.

Bright shiny things like keys, brooches, or coins should be hidden so that SLEEPING: the other cat(s) or humans can't play with them. They are generally good As mentioned above, in order to have enough energy for playing hockey with on uncarpeted floors. for playing, a cat must get plenty of sleep. It is generally not difficult to find a comfortable place to Dangly and/or string-like things such as shoelaces, cords, gold chains, and curl up. Any place a human likes to sit is good, dental floss also make excellent toys. They are favorites of humans who especially if it contrasts with your fur color. like to drag them across the floor for us to pounce on. When a string is dragged under a newspaper or throw rug, it magically becomes the Paper/ If it's in a sunbeam or near a heating duct or radiator, Rug Mouse and should be killed at all costs. Take care, though. Humans (Basic Rules - continued on page 31) are sneaky and will try to make you lose your Dignity. 32 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. correct length (from the kitten's nose to just behind the point of the elbow), and a mark made on the tube at this point. The tube should be (Hand-rearing Kitten - continued from page 17) lubricated with K-Y jelly before use. gently poured into the kitten's mouth. The kitten's head must not be elevated since new- To place the tube the kitten's mouth must be opened by pressing gently born kittens do not have a well developed gag at the corners, and, keeping the head flexed downwards, the tube is slid reflex, and the lungs can easily be filled with along the roof of the mouth and down the back of the kitten's throat milk. into the oesophagus. The tube is passed down until the mark on the tube is level with the nose. The other end of the tube will then be in • Syringe feeding may be considered in an the stomach. A syringe containing pre-warmed milk can then be emergency, but can be potentially lethal. The attached, and the milk can be delivered slowly to the stomach. problem arises when the plunger sticks and then gives way suddenly, squirting a large If the kitten's head is kept flexed forward, it is quite difficult to miss volume of milk into the kitten's mouth, risking the oesophagus and so pass the tube into the airway by mistake. Many drowning. kitten's mew loudly throughout the whole procedure, and it is useful to note that they cannot do this if the tube is in the airway. However, • Dropper feeding is similar to spoon feeding, anyone unsure of the technique should ask their veterinary surgeon to but a little quicker and cleaner. demonstrate it for them.

Do I need to sterilise all the utensils I use when preparing the milk for • Baby bottles can be bought which are specially the kittens ? designed for kittens. The size of the hole in the

nipple is critical. If when the bottle is turned Orphaned kittens are very prone to infections so they must always be kept upside down the milk drips from the nipple, the clean, and utensils used for preparing or administering the milk must be hole is too large, and you risk drowning the sterile. kitten. If when the bottle is turned upside down

the milk only comes out after considerable Should kittens be regularly weighed ? squeezing of the bottle, the hole is too small,

and its use may result in the kitten becoming It is advisable to monitor the kittens' growth rates by weighing them at least discouraged and refusing to nurse. The correct twice weekly. They should double their birth weight in the first 7-10 days, size hole allows the milk to drip from the then continue to gain weight steadily. nipple with minimal squeezing of the bottle. As

nipples are used the holes tend to enlarge, so What are the signs of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) ? new ones must be introduced. Kittens tend to

become fixated upon one particular nipple, so Hypoglycaemia results from inadequate or infrequent feeding. It can cause when changing from an old one to a new one severe depression, muscle twitching and occasionally lead to convulsions. they may show reluctance to feed. As the If a kitten is showing signs of hypoglycaemia, a few drops of glucose syrup kittens grow the size of the hole in the nipple placed on the tongue can be life saving. This should then be followed by can be gradually enlarged. feeding a small amount of glucose solution, and increasing either the

• amount and/or frequency of routine feeding. Tube feeding is perhaps the cleanest and most efficient method of hand feeding. However, it When should the kittens be weaned onto solid food ? requires proper equipment and technical skill. It is a particularly useful technique when a Weaning should begin at 3-4 weeks of age. Initially the kittens should be kitten's "suck reflex" is poor, or when kittens offered milk replacer diluted 1:1 with water, in a flat saucer. They can be fail to suck properly. Some breeders tube feed encouraged to lap by dabbing their noses with the warmed milk mixture. kittens routinely, however, there are several Once lapping is achieved it is possible to mix a little kitten food into the dangers in this. Firstly, as the kittens have no milk. This is continued until the kittens are taking just solid food. They can control over how much they are fed, they can be fed either wet or dry diets, but it is best to feed only diets designed easily be given too much or too little. especially for kittens. Dog food and human baby foods should not be fed Secondly, kittens with a strong suck reflex, if since they are deficient in nutrients essential for cats. deprived of nursing, may suck on each other, and this can lead to the development of large sores areas of skin. What do I do if a kitten become constipated ?

Stomach tubes must be soft, flexible, blunt- Constipation is a very common problem in hand reared kittens, due to the ended and not more than 2-3 mm wide. A difficulty in stimulating defecation sufficiently frequently. Normal faeces premature human infant feeding tube is ideal, have the consistency of toothpaste. If the faeces become very hard, making but short, soft canine urinary catheters can also the kitten strain excessively, or if a kitten does not pass any motions for 2-3 be used. The tube must be measured to the days, small doses of liquid paraffin or "Katalax" should be given, (~ 0.5 ml (Continued on page 34) 33 (Hand-rearing Kittens - continued from page 33) Spring, 1998 per feed for 2-3 days should have the desired effect). Severe cases require veterinary attention. hygiene and flea control are therefore essential.

What do I do if a kitten gets diarrhoea ? When should kittens be vaccinated ?

Diarrhoea is a serious condition. It may be caused by overfeeding, giving too Kittens gain some protection from disease in the concentrated a solution of ilk replacer, or result from infection (usually form of maternal antibodies passed in the queen's caused by poor hygiene). Treatment must be swift as dehydration can then colostrum, (the milk excreted in the first few hours develop very rapidly, followed by collapse and death soon afterwards. after the birth). To ensure that the queen has sufficient antibodies to pass onto her kittens, it is Mild cases respond well to dilution of the milk 1:1 with boiled water, which important that she is well vaccinated prior to should be given until the diarrhoea stops. Severe cases should be given no mating. The protective effect of maternal milk at all. Instead they should be given 5-10% glucose, glucose-saline, or antibodies lasts for only a few weeks. The kittens' isotonic electrolyte solution (e.g. "Lectade"), all of which can be obtained vaccination program should therefore start from ~ 8 from a veterinary surgeon. These solutions should be given until the weeks of age, although the exact timing and diarrhoea stops; milk diluted 1:1 with water, and finally full strength milk content of the vaccinations can be tailored to the can be resumed 12-24 hours later. needs of the particular cattery, as determined by the veterinary surgeon. If the kittens were orphaned, If kittens become collapsed and dehydrated they need immediate veterinary and hence never received colostrum, they will have attention if they are to survive. Kittens in a collapsed state become chilled gained no protective immunity from their mother, very rapidly. They will usually be given subcutaneous fluids by the and so may need to be vaccinated early, perhaps veterinary surgeon. from 2-3 weeks of age. Most cats are vaccinated against feline enteritis and the viruses that cause cat Once they have been warmed up and given fluid therapy they must be `flu. Others are also vaccinated against feline allowed to recover quietly. Feeding can only be begun once the kitten is leukemia virus infection and / or chlamydia. warm and able to suck. Stomach tubing is not helpful here, since when a kitten is cold and collapsed its intestines stop functioning, so stomach contents can be easily regurgitated, and then aspirated into the lungs. Printed here with permission of the The Feline As soon as the kitten is able to suck, it should be given isotonic glucose or Advisory Bureau. Lectade solution (at ~1 ml per 100g body weight), given every 15 minutes until the kitten is rehydrated and can urinate when massaged. If all goes well, diluted milk can then be introduced after 24 hours, and full strength milk 24 hours after that. (As with any medical information regarding the treatment of your Burmese, we advise you to seek I have heard that kittens should be given antibiotics to keep them well. the advice of your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Is this true ? Ed.)

Unless a bacterial infection is known to be present, and antibiotics have been prescribed by the veterinary surgeon, they should not be given. Antibiotics severely disrupt the process of normal colonization of the gut by harmless bacteria, and can, because of this, produce diarrhoea. Antibiotics cannot be used as a substitute for colostrum. If hygiene standards are good, antibiotics are simply not needed.

When do kittens eyes usually open ?

At birth the kittens' eyes are closed; they usually open within 1-2 weeks. If the closed eyelids become swollen or matted with pus the kitten should be taken to a veterinary surgeon for immediate treatment. Should kittens be "wormed" regularly ?

Since intestinal parasites ("worms") are common in kittens, all kittens should be treated with drugs to kill the parasites from ~3 weeks of age. Before each dosing the kittens should be accurately weighed, since if too little wormer is given it may not be effective, and if too much is given it may make the kittens ill. In many kittens the worms cause no clinical signs, while in others they can result in poor body condition, soft or bloody stools, loss of appetite, a pot-bellied appearance and weight loss. Some worms can be transmitted through the stools of infected cats, while others are carried by fleas. Good 34 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc.

(European Burmese - continued from page 30)

Reference: Cat Fanciers‘ Almanac , Volume 14, Number 12; pgs 109-110.

35 FROM the CFA BOARD TABLE Spring, 1998

(Flea Control Products - continued from page 14) The Breeding of Domestic and Non-Domestic Cats 8. Just because a product is labeled to be a "natural" product does not mean that the The Cat Fanciers' Association's (CFA) board of directors unanimously product is completely safe. Many such approved a policy statement at their February 7-8, 1998 meeting in Houston, "natural" products can be harmful when used Texas. In passing the policy statement the board reconfirmed that the inappropriately on cats. For example, d- association is a registry of Felis catus species of domestic cats. limonene and linalool are citrus extracts that are used as flea control agents. Though they The CFA policy statement on the breeding of domestic and non-domestic are natural products, they still can have serious cats reads as follows: side effects if used on sensitive cats or if used improperly. The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc., does not encourage or promote the breeding of non-domestic (wild) cats of any 9. Observe your cat closely after using flea species to any domesticated cats. products. If your cat exhibits unusual behavior, or becomes depressed, weak, or uncoordinated Furthermore, The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. will not you should seek veterinary advice. consider for registration the offspring of such a breeding. 10. Once again, read the label. This could save Guidance Statement on Feral Cats the life of your cat!

The Cat Fanciers' Association's (CFA) board of directors unanimously approved a guidance statement at their February 7-8, 1998 meeting in Houston, Texas. The guidance statement on free roaming/unowned/feral cats establishes CFA's position regarding the care and treatment of unowned/feral cats. (As with any medical information regarding the The CFA guidance statement on free roaming/unowned/feral cats reads as treatment of your Burmese, we advise you to seek follows: the advice of your Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Ed.) CFA advocates the humane treatment of all cats including those which are unowned and are considered to be feral. We support the concept of maintained colonies of unowned/feral cats on public or private property as a viable means to protect these cats and stabilize their populations. CFA favors TTVAR-M (trap, test, vaccinate, alter, return and maintain) programs involving trapping, testing for diseases, euthanasia of unhealthy/suffering cats, vaccination, altering, placement for adoption if possible, ear identification and return to existing locations where ongoing caregiver maintenance and protection will be provided. In general the transfer of feral cats to new locations is not encouraged by CFA; however, we recognize that in certain circumstances relocation may be the only satisfactory or safe solution for the cats.

Furthermore, CFA encourages programs to provide information and resources for individuals willing to alter and care for small numbers of backyard feral cats ("doorstep" colonies) in commercial or residential settings. We support increased community awareness and education, affordable altering and assistance with trapping, taming and adopting when possible. CFA believes that regulations requiring permit fees, caregiver registration, cat licensing, fines or other punitive measures tend to discourage otherwise caring individuals from coming to the aid of unowned/feral cats. Acknowledging the valuable service provided to the community by those individuals who care for unowned/feral cats will help to reinforce a public attitude of compassion for all cats.

36 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. What the Protégé Should Expect from the Mentoring Program 1. Written information for getting started as a breeder NABB MENTORING PROGRAM 2. Guidance on breeder ethics Objective 3. Advice and support in obtaining the appropriate breeding stock To attract new breeders to the Burmese breed by 4. Advice on needed facilities, supplies and suitable veterinary services establishing a program that provides guidance, assistance and nurturing to new breeders. 5. Unbiased, unselfish advice on any breeding or showing issues 6. References to useful books and articles 7. Help in showing; grooming tips Protégé Participation 8. Assistance in networking, introductions to other breeders New breeders who wish to participate in this program (termed —protégés“) can do so by applying to the NABB 9. Frank discussions on health and genetic issues Mentoring Council, and must be willing to commit to the requirements of the Mentoring Program. A copy of the application form is available from the NABB Secretary. Suggested Criteria for Becoming a Mentor This brief application form is used primarily to verify the applicant‘s desire to become part of the Program, and 1. High ethical/moral character; impeccable reputation for honesty and fair seeks information about the applicant‘s prior experience dealing with cats in general and Burmese in particular (Note: it 2. Considerable experience -- 5+ years breeding, having bred at least 5 is not necessary for the applicant to have had a Grands Burmese in the past to be considered for the Program.) The application will be evaluated by the Mentoring 3. Commitment to provide advice, but not to control Council, and a mentor will be assigned if the Council 4. Availability for questions, guidance at shows, emergency midnight phone feels that this individual is a good candidate. calls, etc. In order to be successful within this Program, the 5. Willingness to share his/her line, based upon the mentor‘s own criteria, and protégé should be willing to take the advice and via a written contract. guidance that is provided by the mentor, and be willing to make the financial, time and facilities commitments to be a Burmese breeder. Suggested Criteria for Becoming a Protégé

1. Prior ownership of cats What the Mentor Will Provide to the Protégé: 2. Demonstrated interest in Burmese 1. Information needed to get started as a breeder • have pet, or 2. Guidance on breeder ethics • have requested information about the breed, or 3. Advice and support in obtaining the appropriate breeding stock • have attended shows and talked to Burmese breeders 4. Advice on needed facilities, supplies and suitable veterinary services 3. Willingness to take guidance 5. Unbiased, unselfish advice on any breeding or 4. Willingness to commit to the financial, time and facilities requirements showing issues 5. A reputation for honesty and strong ethics 6. References to useful books and articles 7. Help in showing; grooming tips 8. Assistance in networking, introductions to other Are you interested in the Mentorship Program either as a Protégé or as a breeders Mentor? Please complete the form on the following page and submit it to the 9. Frank discussions on health and genetic issues Mentor Program.

Protégé's Progress Within the Program You may have noticed that the NABB, Inc. Newsletter has been featuring a The progress of the protégé will be monitored by the number of articles on nutrition, behavior, etc. Some of you may consider them Mentoring Council. The Council may change the to be fairly basic - we have a number of long-term breeders among our mentor assigned to a particular protégé, if this seems membership. We feel a commitment to the Mentor Program and therefore, the necessary for the success of the protégé. The Council Editorial Staff is seeking material on several topics - beginner all the way will terminate the participation of the individual in the through to expert. If you have something to offer from you own experiences, Program if the Council perceives that the individual is please submit them for inclusion in the Newsletter. It need not be lengthy or not making the required commitments, or when the ready for the Library of Congress . . . just sincere. Perhaps a letter or an article protégé has reached his/her objectives of becoming a you have read elsewhere (you would be amazed at how easy it is to get breeder. permission to reprint). Let us know, we‘ll include your experiences on our mentor pages.

37 Spring, 1998 nabb

Michele Clark 1435 N. Allen Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104

38 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. CFA Breed Council Membership Application

ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP - 1/1/97 to 12/31/97 A separate application must be submitted for EACH breed/division.

Membership is limited to individuals who: And, in addition, have either: 1. have a CFA registered cattery name; 4. bred at least one CFA Grand Champion or Grand Premier of the appropriate breed/ division 2. are at least 18 years of age or older; OR 3. have bred and registered with CFA at 5a. registered one litter of the appropriate breed/division within the previous two calendar years (since January 1, 1995); and least 3 litters of the appropriate breed 5b. exhibited a cat/kitten of the appropriate breed/division at a CFA show within the previous two calendar years (since January 1, 1995).

PLEASE NOTE: The Persian breed is divided into seven separate divisions: solid, silver/golden, smoke/shaded, tabby, parti-color, bi-color and himalayan (see current show rules for colors). Each division will be considered a separate breed. The basic application fee includes membership in one division.

1. Please enroll me in the ______Breed Council. Breed/Persian Division

2. ______Your registered Cattery name Cattery Registration Number

3. ______Litter registration number for litters of breed/division entered in Item 1 (three required).

4. If applicable, enter registration number of a Grand Champion or Grand Premier of your breeding of the 4. ______breed/division indicated above. Cat Registration Number OR 5a. Enter registration number for a litter of your breeding of the breed indicated above which you have 5a. ______registered since January 1, 1995 Litter registration number . If you are enrolled in a Persian division, enter registration number for a cat of your breeding whose color s included in the ______division indicated above, and who registration was processed after January 1, 1995. Cat Registration Number

5b. Enter registration number and name of a cat/kitten/altered cat of the breed/division indicated above owned by yourself which you have e exhibited since January 1, 1995.

5b. ______Cat Registration Number Name of Cat

______Name of Show Date of Show

6. I certify I am 18 year age or older and the information provided on this application is true and correct.

______Signature Date

Please enclose the $20.00 MEMBERSHIP FEE for the first breed or Persian Division, plus $5.00 for each additional breed/division. A separate form must be submitted for each breed/ division. Forms that are incomplete or contain inaccurate information will be returned. New membership benefit: Current breed council members will automatically be included in CFA's new Breeder Referral program.

Membership runs from January 1 to December 31. Membership applications for any given year will not be accepted after August 1 of that year. Breed Council Materials - Show Rules and Standards - will be mailed, via printed matter, in April 1997.

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE - ONLY ONE NAME PER MEMBERSHIP

Name ______

Address ______

______

City ______

State/Province ______Zip/Postal Code ______

Phone Number: (______)______for publication in the CFA White Pages (formerly telephone directory)

Send completed form to: CFA Breed Council, P.O. Box 1005, Manasquan, NJ 08736-0805 39 Spring, 1998

40 National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, Inc. NABB BULLETIN BOARD

S O, YOU R BEA CELEB UTIFU A GREAT BIG RATE L BUR THANK YOU!! ! SEND M GR A CO ANDE PEDI PY OF D! GREE HIS/H To Jane Query and Tho TO : ER 23 mpson Kathy Rutledge for 5 W. Br , Lynn andon acting as the Br Boulev andon, ard, #2 Nominating FL 3 18 3511 Committee for NABB, Inc. this year. WANTED: ORIGINAL ARTICLES FOR THE NABB NEWSLETTER We appreciate We are looking for interesting, your time and effort! original articles about Burmese, AV AILAB LE FO R PUR health issues and any other cat CHAS JUNE E . . . R , 1997 A THE EPRIN related subjects. This is your LMAN TS OF AC BU RMES E ART chance to be published. Send it ICLE Num ber of C in to MICHELE CLARK! O opies rders in NABB U the Memb SA P er No 5 rices* n=Mem ber 10 Prices* $3.50 20 $6.00 $5.00 E A Orders 50 K ! in $10.00 $9.00 MA NS Canad 5 - E IO a Global $20.0 $15.0 ES T 5- Priority 0 0 M LA AO Cl $30 UR TU 1 ass Ma $ .00 L B RA 0 - Glo il - Air 5.50 U G AT bal Prio TIF ON H 10 - A rity $3.50 $8.00 U C N T O Cla EA D? D I Air ss Ma $10.00 $5.00 R B AR EN ED il - U W S NE 20 - G $6.50 $15.00 YO L A TO L lobal P ID A E ‘L he 20 riority $14.0 $10.0 D ON IM WE , t - AO C 0 0 TI E T H RS Ai lass M $12 $21 NA TH AP TE ! r ail - .00 .00 E R ET TH 50 $26. $18 AK OG SL O - AO 00 .00 , T OT W BO A Class $3 W H NE ED O ir Mail - 9.00 NO P B E rders in OR AB BR ( Japan OL N the Global C HE d Priority 5 T an for 5, 1 OR TE 0 and 2 F SI copie 0 10 $6 EB s; AO C .50 W Mail lass 20 $1 $1 - Air fo 2.00 0.00 cop r 50 50 ies) 15.50 $18.00 5 $ O 4.00 23.00 rders i $ n South 81.00 Africa (AO C 5 lass Ma Air a il - 10 $6 ll copie .00 s) 20 $ O 12.00 $9.00 rders in 50 $ $ E 21.00 18.00 urope $ $ 5 50.00 32.00 7 10 5.00 $6.00 20 $12.00 $9.00 50 $ 21.00 $18.00 Sen $ $ 14 d Orde 50.00 32.00 35 N. A rs to: M llen Av ichele 75.00 enue; P Clark asaden a, CA 91104 41 NABB BULLETIN BOARD Spring, 1998

nterested in holding and managing a NABB show in your Think that your Burm is area? You ARE?? Great - contact a NABB Officer and let going to someone know! We‘ll help you out with people and receive a resources. C‘mon . . . it‘ll be FUN! NABB award?!

OLICY Want to share EED P S A BR that honor HAT I S? HE W CTOR with the UT T DIRE ts to: N ABO D OF ommen breeder, your INIO OAR s your c N OP CFA B addres co-breeder/co- AVE A THE Please OU H D BY ring it? owner or DO Y PTE rom sha bberger ADO g you f at Jaco B, Inc. former owner stoppin P r, NAB What‘s r Edito by ordering an ewslette k Drive N Overloo extra rosette? 2701 TH 55431 ING n, MN S TO omingto DO Blo • Let Kathy send Rutledge Br pho owni and /or Annie to in e‘s N for Slawik A the A Burmese Breed Council Meeting news B know . . . they • letter B is Scheduled for: cle have • an ca ttery volunteered to get e -mail do the awards list off t SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1998 at 12:00 PM • he for the 1996-97 fini sh n show season. ar ewsl • ticle etter O It will be followed by the r der Do it now!! b broch ree • ures d Or ANNUAL MEETING and AWARDS der art Bre • icles ed CEREMONY OF send in E for pho AR the tos ESE Bo B URM OF The National Alliance of Burmese Breeders, • oth, reed B EST ! etc. HE B EST join T E R INC. the L TH bre Burm AL ed co ese R unci OU l . . . CK Y E BA T TH D A ! REE OW! B T SH NEX THE N EW B REED B ROCHURES ARE R EADY ! Here is the ordering information: B allots for vo Presid ting fo ent, Se r CFA 10 for $2.50* mail cretary Pres . Take and T ident, of y the tim reasur Vice 25 for $5.50 * our cho e to v er are ice. ote on in the the can 50 for $11.00* didate 100 for $19.00*

Send Orders to: Michele Clark 1435 N. Allen Avenue; Pasadena, CA 91104

*US Funds - postage included 42