Dr. Plotnick's Visit to Katten Kabinet in Amsterdam

Holland. The name conjures up windmills, tulips, and wooden shoes.

With laid-back friendly people, scores of museums, a multitude of restaurants serving top-notch international cuisine, “coffee shops” that feature marijuana on the menu, gay marriage, and legalized prostitution, Amsterdam is undoubtedly Europe’s most progressive, hippest city. Its beautiful canals have earned it the moniker “The Venice of the North”. As my cat hospital was preparing to close for Memorial Day, I seized the opportunity to stretch a three-day weekend into a five-day mini-vacation to visit this captivating Northern European capital.

For the regular culture-vultures, no trip to Amsterdam is complete without a visit to the van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, and the Rijksmuseum. For those hooked on cat-culture ( like yours truly), you cannot visit Amsterdam without popping into Katten Kabinet, the only art museum in the world devoted solely to artwork depicting cats.

The ancient Egyptians domesticated the cat, appreciating their supreme suitability as household companions. Soon afterward, artistic feline images began to appear, mainly as sculptures and paintings. Cats are now as ubiquitous in the art world as they are in the physical world. Certainly, artists appreciate the beauty and grace of the feline and feel compelled to try to capture this on the canvas. It is not an easy task. As the writer (and cat lover) Theophile Gautier noted, “Painting cats is a question of genius.” I suspect it goes beyond mere infatuation with their beauty. Artists often feel a kinship with cats; their individualism, their intensity, their introspection and independence of thought. For many artists who consider themselves to be non-conformists, kinship with cats is a no-brainer. If nothing else, cats make good companions for those creative types who work alone in their studio. “Nothing is so difficult to paint as the cat’s face. The lines are so delicate, the eyes so strange, the movements subject to such sudden impulses, that one should be feline oneself to attempt to portray such a subject”, declared the French author Champfleury. Perhaps Champfleury is taking things a bit far. I don’t think you need to be a cat yourself in order to successfully paint one, although it probably helps.

I arrived at Amsterdam’s Schipol airport on Friday morning. After a quick train ride to Centraal Station, a ten minute walk to the hotel, and a few minutes to get settled…voom! I was off, map in hand, strolling toward the beautiful canal named Herengracht. Every canal in Amsterdam is lined with lovely canal houses. The most coveted, however, are the mansions clustered around the “Gouden Bocht”, the Golden Bend. This curving stretch of Herengracht is where the wealthy merchants built their lavish homes in the 17th century. It is here, at Herengracht 497, that you’ll come upon Katten Kabinet.

The museum was founded in 1990 by Bob Meijer, in commemoration of his red tomcat, John Pierpont Morgan (named after the American banker J.P. Morgan).

I entered the building and was immediately struck by the rich wood interior and the serene atmosphere. After paying admission (a mere 5 euros), the friendly sales clerk directed me to the main storey upstairs where the gallery is housed. Climbing the creaky stairs, my eyes quickly wandered upward, toward the many paintings, photos and posters that line the walls.

A quick left turn at the top of the landing lead me down a short foyer that was lined, floor-to-ceiling, with art depicting cats in product advertisements, concert announcements, and movie posters. Returning to the landing at the top of the stairs, I found myself at facing the doorways that lead to the rest of the gallery. The gallery consists of several rooms – a ballroom, complete with a striking crystal chandelier and wall appliqués, dating from around 1750; the music room with its impressive ceiling paintings, from 1870; the Mechelen room from 1886, entirely preserved in its original condition, and the library, which houses an extensive collection of documents and books on cats.

The music room’s main feature was the piano situated in the center.

A comfortable chair and a small fireplace mantel added additional sophistication to the room. The walls were lined with paintings, the mantel was home to several small statues, and a glass display case in housed numerous trinkets and jewels, all with a feline theme. What caught my attention most, however, was the litterbox in the corner of the room. Where there’s a litter box, there’s at least one cat, and I continued my tour on high alert, trying to spot a real cat hiding amongst the inanimate ones.

The ballroom contained a lovely collection of feline-inspired paintings, prints, photos and sculptures. On the wall to the left of the fireplace, I admired a framed collection of cat-containing covers from Harper’s magazine.

Directly in front of the fireplace was a unique type of pinball machine. The ball, when hit, bounces back and forth between an array of evenly spaced white porcelain cats.

When a cat gets pinged by the ball, it vibrates, giving off a serene, Zen-like hum. This was demonstrated via a continuously running video in the corner of the room; touching the actual pinball machine was not allowed. The wall opposite the fireplace contained a collection of photos, most notably one of Truman Capote holding his beloved companion.

On to the Mechelen Room, where the light emanating from the chandelier and fireplace mantel gave the room a soft, warm glow. On the east wall of the room was a small fireplace with a very large mirror above it. Appearing to scurry up the right side of the mirror was a sculpture of a white and orange kitten.

Paintings occupied every inch of wall space, while statues and sculptures lined the flat surfaces. My eyes feasted on works by Picasso, Tarkhof, Foujita, Willette, Fini, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Rembrandt. As I gazed at these works, I casually glanced under chairs and dressers, seeing if I could spy the resident feline, but alas, no luck.

Being a shopper at heart, I certainly noticed the small gift shop across from the ticket desk when I entered. Having perused the museum’s rich collection, I headed back downstairs, preparing to part with a few euros in exchange for a memento of my visit. The walls of the gift shop were lined with reproductions of many of the posters seen in the upstairs foyer and on the walls of the other rooms of the gallery. It was here, at the end of my visit, where I finally encountered the mackerel-and-white female tabby who calls the museum home.

I never did catch her name, but she readily approached as I crouched down to greet her. She made herself comfortable as I lifted her onto my leg, and she later followed me into the lobby where she sat on my lap for a few minutes before scurrying off. As I headed back to my hotel, I passed one of Amsterdam’s many herring stands. I myself had no desire to try this staple of Dutch cuisine, but I couldn’t help thinking how much the little museum cat would have loved it. Perhaps I’ll bring her some on my next visit.

Katten Kabinet's Website

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Directly in front of the fireplace was a unique type of pinball machine. The ball, when hit, bounces back and forth between an array of evenly spaced white porcelain cats.

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First Aid and Your Kitten: What to Do in an Emergency

Most kittens endure kittenhood relatively unscathed. A few, however, deplete several of their nine lives in the course of growing up. Knowing the principles of first aid can be invaluable in seeing that your kitten survives that turbulent first year of life.

First aid is an interim measure before veterinary care becomes available. The objective of first aid is to prevent the condition from worsening, alleviate pain and suffering, and help the recovery process. Getting veterinary help remains the highest priority. SEE ALSO: First Aid and Your Cat: What to Do in an Emergency. April is "Pet First-Aid Awareness Month". Owners that are aware of proper life saving techniques and how they apply to our pets are better equipped to handle emergencies as they arise.

The best way to treat emergencies is to prevent them. This is accomplished by “kittenproofing” your home. Kittens get into everything – closets, drawers, garbage cans, toilets, boxes, bags, sofa cushions, and more. If you have children, go through your home and pick up all toys less than two inches in length. Also pick up any coins, paper clips, rubber bands, ribbons, string, tape, and other small objects a curious kitten might swallow. Keep cleaning supplies and chemicals locked away. Be mindful of electric cords, as kittens enjoy chewing on them, risking electrocution. Household plants (fresh and dried) can be toxic. Make certain that your windows are always closed, or are fitted with sturdy screens. Kittens seek out high places, and an open window ledge can spell disaster in the form of “high-rise syndrome”. The few hours it takes to kittenproof your home may be the best investment in your kitten’s future.

Despite our best precautions, we may find ourselves facing a kitten health emergency. The most common disasters that strike kittens are burns, electric cord injury, choking, bee stings, fractures, and poisonings.

Burns: Most kitten burns are thermal burns from hot objects like heating pads, heat lamps, or scalding by hot liquids. Kittens may jump onto stovetops and burn their feet or tail. If your kitten experiences a burn, immediately apply a cool damp towel to the area for 30 minutes. Cover with a loose bandage and take to a veterinarian. Do not put ice directly on the area, and avoid ointments, as they are difficult to remove.

Electric shock: Kittens are most likely to chew or bite an electric cord because a dangling cord is seen as a perfect plaything. Many incidents happen around the holidays. “The combination of Christmas lights and kittens as Christmas gifts increases the chances of this emergency occurring”, says Dr. Steve Baker, an associate veterinarian at the Pet Care Clinic in Meridian, Idaho. “We encourage our clients to kitten proof their trees, nativity scenes, and other holiday decorations. Nobody wants to spend Christmas Eve in an emergency clinic as a result of natural kitten curiosity”. Biting through an electric cord can cause, at the very least, a painful electrical burn on the mouth and tongue. These often become infected and require veterinary care. Severely shocked cats may go into cardiac arrest or develop pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs). Kittens that chew through electric cords should be taken to the veterinarian immediately, even if it only appears to have minor burns on the tongue or mouth.

Choking: If your kitten gets something stuck in its mouth or throat, it will cough or gasp suddenly. Kittens become frantic when scared, so wrap him in a towel and have someone else hold him while you try to look in the back of the throat. If an object is detected, try to spot it with a flashlight, then remove it with tweezers or a spoon handle; your hands will probably be too big for a young kitten’s mouth.

Bee stings: Kittens love chasing moving objects, including stinging bugs such as bees. “Bee stings or spider bites are often suspected but definitive diagnosis is uncommon unless the event is witnessed by the pet owner”, says Steve Marks, Associate Professor and Head of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine’s small animal medicine service. If bitten by a bee, immediately put ice on the bite to reduce pain and swelling. Try to find the stinger using a magnifying glass, as some bees leave their stinger in the skin. Pull it out with tweezers if possible. Clean the area and apply an antibiotic ointment. After treating your kitten for the bee sting, monitor very closely for an allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis). Although uncommon, allergic reactions can occur, and the kitten can go into shock. The tissues of the throat may swell and obstruct breathing, and blood pressure may plunge. This is a life-threatening complication. “In most cases, symptomatic care is appropriate. However, if the kitten has difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, the pet owner should seek veterinary advice immediately”, Dr. Marks says.

Fractured limbs: Orthopedic injuries are common in kittens because kittens love to jump. When a kitten fractures a bone, the initial clinical sign is limping, holding the injured leg up, or walking on only three legs. Simple fractures (both ends of the bone remain under the skin) are not as bad as those in which the bone breaks through the skin (open fracture). The latter are at high risk of becoming infected. If you suspect a limb fracture, try to apply a temporary splint to immobilize the leg. A pencil, tongue depressor, or piece of heavy cardboard works well. To effectively immobilize the leg, the splint must span the joint above and below the fracture. For example, for a forearm fracture, the splint must immobilize the limb from the elbow (the joint above) to the wrist (the joint below). Wrap strips of clean cloth or gauze around the leg and the splint so that the leg cannot bend. Do not try to manipulate the bones back into place, and do not wash out open fractures. If the kitten becomes too stressed during splint application, stop and take it to the veterinarian immediately.

Poisonings: The average household contains many items poisonous to kittens. Common household toxic substances include ammonia, antifreeze, aspirin and Tylenol, bleach, gasoline, lye, paint thinner, rat poison, turpentine, rubbing alcohol, and others. Indoor and garden plants are a potential problem as well. Kittens love to nibble on plants and dried flowers. Some plants merely cause an upset stomach. Others can be fatal. Cacti, dieffenbachia, mistletoe, poinsettias, acorns, English holly, tulip flower bulbs, oleander, honeysuckle, and most types of lilies are poisonous to some degree. A description of the specific treatment for each of these household and plant poisons is beyond the scope of this article. Always check with your veterinarian before giving or using any medication on your kitten. Signs of poisoning will vary depending on the type of poison and quantity ingested, but in general, you should be suspicious that your cat has been poisoned if you see signs such as excessive salivation, vomiting, loss of consciousness, or seizures. If you see your cat ingest a toxic substance, read the label to see if specific instructions for treatment are given. If not, induce vomiting using syrup of ipecac or hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon per 5 lbs body weight. Don’t induce vomiting if a strong acid or alkali, or a petroleum distillate like kerosene was ingested. Call your veterinarian and be ready to tell him or her what the poison is, the active ingredients, how much was eaten, when it was eaten, and what signs your kitten is showing, if possible. If you need to visit the vet, try to bring a sample of the suspected poison in its original container with you. If your vet cannot be reached, call a local or national poison control center for further instructions.

First aid is not meant to replace veterinary care. Knowledge of basic first aid allows kitten owners to effectively handle emergencies until a veterinarian can be reached. Knowing the basics may someday save your kitten’s life.

Sidebar: Seven Signs that Say “Get Thee to a Veterinarian”

Although some emergencies can be managed at home, others require immediate veterinary attention. The signs below, if present, usually indicate an emergency that requires immediate veterinary assessment.

Non-responsiveness – a non-responsive kitten is usually in serious trouble. If you get no response or reaction when you call, stroke, or touch your kitten, immediately check its breathing. Airway obstruction, cardiac arrest, and poisonings are a few things that can cause non-responsiveness.

Labored breathing – respiratory problems require immediate attention. Fluid in the lungs or the chest cavity can obstruct breathing, and kittens can go into respiratory arrest, followed by cardiac arrest, if untreated.

Drooling profusely – electric cord burns to the mouth and tongue, contact with household poisons or plants, and nausea from other systemic illnesses can cause profuse drooling.

Incessant vomiting – serious electrolyte abnormalities and dehydration may occur as a result of continuous vomiting. Intestinal obstruction from a ribbon, rubber band, or string is a common cause of chronic vomiting in kittens and requires immediate attention.

Profuse diarrhea – severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can lead to rapid deterioration in kittens if not addressed promptly.

Abnormal coloration of the gums – pale gums implies anemia; bluish gums suggest a cardiac or respiratory problem, and yellow gums denote red blood cell destruction or severe liver disease. All of these conditions require immediate assessment by a veterinarian

Fever – fevers in kittens are often due to infectious conditions. Fever increases a kitten’s fluid requirements, and often depresses their appetite. Malnutrition and dehydration is a dangerous combination. Kittens with fevers (temp greater than 103 F) should be examined promptly.

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First Aid and Your Cat: What to Do in an Emergency

Bryan Day, a student at New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service, was studying for midterm exams on his couch, notes in his lap, papers scattered nearby. Ethan, his lazy orange tabby, was curled next to him, head pressed against Bryan’s thigh, body stretched out over Bryan’s textbooks and papers. Before long, Bryan and Ethan, both seemingly bored to tears, succumbed to simultaneous naps.

A short time later, Bryan was awakened by some unexpected jostling of his leg. Bryan looked down in horror. Ethan was in the midst of a seizure!

If you came home from work and found your cat having convulsions, paralyzed, or bleeding, would you know what to do? April is "Pet First-Aid Awareness Month". The American Animal Hospital Association, (AAHA) states that 1-out-of-4 pets would survive an accident or illness if pet owners were familiar with and capable of providing first aid when necessary. Owners that are aware of proper life saving techniques and how they apply to our pets are better equipped to handle emergencies as they arise.

First aid doesn’t mean setting up a do-it-yourself veterinary practice. Your primary objectives when administering first aid is to prevent further injury, alleviate pain and distress, and help start the recovery process. Whatever the emergency, getting help from a veterinarian is the highest priority. Knowing proper first aid, however, may dramatically affect your cat’s recovery.

The first step in any emergency is to make sure the environment is safe. If the emergency occurs in a burning building, near an electrical hazard, or in the middle of the road, move the cat to a safer location first. The next step is to quickly assess your cat’s condition and rank the problems from most severe to least. This process is called triage. Broken bones and external bleeding are easily detected, but more serious problems may be overlooked. Your initial evaluation should be as follows:

1. Does your cat respond to his name being called or head being stroked? If not, immediately check the A, B, Cs: Airway – is something in the throat obstructing the airway? Breathing – is the cat breathing? Circulation – is there a pulse? If not, start CPR immediately (see sidebar).

2. If your cat does respond: take your cat’s respiration rate. Normal is 20 – 40 breaths per minute. Next, take your cat’s pulse by placing your fingertips along the inside of the thigh, on the femoral artery, in the groin area. Count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4. Normal is 160 – 240. If possible, take your cat’s temperature with a digital rectal thermometer. Normal is between 101 and 102.5 degrees F. Finally, observe the color of the gums. They should be pale pink. White gums may indicate severe anemia, gums with a bluish tinge may indicate inadequate oxygenation, and yellowish gums could signify liver disease. Small red spots are pinpoint hemorrhages and could indicate a bleeding problem.

3. Rank the problems. If the cat isn’t breathing, has no pulse, is choking, in shock or severely bleeding, these problems take immediate priority. If these problems aren’t present, tend to the next most severe problem and get the cat to a vet immediately.

Fortunately, emergencies are rare. Some of the more common feline emergencies encountered are listed below.

Hit by car/falls from height: Move the injured cat out of any dangerous area. Use a blanket or coat as a stretcher. Gently ease cat onto the stretcher, then lower him into a large box or secure container for transport to a veterinarian. Cats falling out of windows (“hi-rise syndrome”) is a serious problem, especially in urban settings. Dr. Dianne DeLorenzo, owner of Abingdon Square Veterinary Clinic in New York City, treats several hi-rise cats every summer. “The best first aid for these cases is to prevent the problem in the first place. Windows without screens can be deadly”, she says.

Drowning: Cats generally avoid water, but cats may accidentally fall into a pond or pool. If cat is not responsive, hold the cat upside down by firmly gripping the hind legs and swing the cat vigorously downward to remove water from the lungs. If the cat is not breathing, begin artificial respiration.

Choking: try to look in the back of the throat. If a foreign object is detected, try to spot it with a flashlight, and then remove it with tweezers or a spoon handle. This should be reserved for cats making choking noises and gasping for air or pawing at its mouth.

Burns: Most burns in cats are due to improper heating pad or heat lamp use, or scalding by hot liquids. Cats may also jump onto stovetops and burn their feet or tail. Heat burns should be cleaned gently with soap and water, and then apply cool compresses to the area for 30 minutes. Cover with a loose bandage and take to a veterinarian. Do not put ice directly on the area, and avoid ointments, as they are difficult to remove.

Electric shock: Kittens are most likely to chew or bite an electric cord. If your cat still has the cord in his mouth when you discover it, pull the plug out. If this isn’t possible, use a broom handle to move the cat away from the live wire. Shocked cats often go into cardiac arrest. Provide CPR if necessary. Take your cat to the vet immediately, even if the cat only appears to have burns on the tongue or mouth, as pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs) often develops after electric shock.

Frostbite: Paws, tails, and ears are the most common areas affected by frostbite. Initially, the skin appears pale. Later, it becomes red, hot, painful, and swollen. Warm the frostbitten area rapidly by immersing in warm water for 15 minutes. Cover with a loose bandage, and avoid rubbing the skin. If devitalized tissue develops, it must be removed by a veterinarian.

Hypothermia: Exposure to cold weather can result in hypothermia, a generalized cooling down of the whole body. This can cause a very slow pulse and breathing rate, seizures, coma, and death. Affected cats should be given a warm water bath. Take a rectal temperature every 10 minutes. Stop the bath when the temperature reaches 101 F, then wrap the cat in blankets that have been briefly warmed in a dryer. Avoid heat lamps or electric blankets, as they can burn the skin.

Heatstroke: Cats suffering from heatstroke usually pant, may have bright red gums, and may collapse. Rectal temperature can rise as high as 110 degrees! Wrapping it in towels soaked in cool (not ice cold!) water will lower the body temp. Monitor temp every ten minutes. Discontinue cooling when temperature reaches 103. Dr. Mark Gibson, owner of Animal Kind Veterinary Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, encounters his share of heatstroke cases every summer. “If the vital signs are stable and the cat isn’t comatose or in shock, cooling takes first priority. Clients who’ve begun the cooling process prior to coming here tend to have a better outcome for their cat.”

Seizures: There are many causes of seizures – heat stroke, low blood sugar, brain tumors, liver disease, epilepsy, etc. If your cat seizures, clear away any objects that the cat might hit during the seizure. Do NOT attempt to hold the cat’s mouth open or closed; airway obstruction by the tongue rarely occurs. Provide gentle restraint during the seizure by holding a light blanket or towel over the cat. Afterwards, confine the cat and monitor breathing and pulse. Schedule a veterinary appointment as soon as practical.

It should again be emphasized that first aid is not meant to replace veterinary care. Knowledge of basic first aid allows cat owners to handle emergencies effectively until a veterinarian can be reached. Knowing the basics may someday save your cat’s life.

CPR

For a cat to survive, its breathing and/or pulse must be restarted within a few minutes. If a cat is unconscious and its breathing and pulse have stopped, prompt CPR may save your cat’s life. This is where the ABC’s come in handy:

Artificial respiration: if the cat is not breathing, but there is a pulse…

• Remove the collar if present. Lay the cat on its side, open the mouth, clear the Airway of any mucus using a napkin or tissue. Pull the tongue forward to clear the throat. Sometimes this may stimulate breathing and the cat to regain consciousness
• If the cat remains unconscious, put your hands on the chest and apply gentle downward pressure to expel air from the lungs. Let go, to allow them to refill. Repeat every five seconds until cat breathes on its own.
• If there has been chest trauma, the lungs might not refill automatically. You should blow air into them. Gently Breathe into the nostrils for 2 to 3 seconds to inflate the lungs. You will see the chest move if done properly. Pause for 2 seconds, then repeat. Continue until cat breathes on its own.

Cardiac massage to restore Circulation: if no pulse is detected…

• Place your fingers on the chest at the spot where the elbow rests against the chest, and press gently but firmly five or six times in a row. Wait one second, then repeat. Alternate with artificial respiration. If no response is seen after ten minutes, the procedure is not likely to be successful

Sidebar: How to prevent emergencies

The best way to treat emergencies is to prevent them before they happen. Here are some helpful tips:

• Electric wires should be kept out of sight. Some cats (and kittens in particular) will chew on wires out of boredom or playfulness.
• Keep cleaners, polishes, bleaches, detergents, and other household chemicals in a locked cabinet
• Houseplants should be kept in an elevated area and out of the cat’s reach.
• Keep trash secure both inside and outside your house
• When traveling with your cat, make sure you provide a sturdy carrier. Don’t roll windows down far enough for a cat to escape the car, and don’t confine a cat in a car alone while running errands, etc.
• During summer, make sure your cat has access to shade, fresh water, and adequate fresh air/ventilation. If windows are open, be sure there are screens in place. If using window fans, make sure they’re shielded to prevent a foot or tail from getting caught and traumatized.

Sidebar: basic first aid kit

A feline first aid kit should contain a few basic items that may be needed in the event of an emergency or accident. Some basic items to consider:

• Adhesive tape
• Cotton balls and roll cotton
• Cotton swabs
• Gauze pads and gauze on a roll
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Thermometer
• Soap
• Antibiotic ointment
• Blanket
• towels

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cat ailments

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Dr. Plotnick's Visit to Katten Kabinet in Amsterdam

First Aid and Your Kitten: What to Do in an Emergency

First Aid and Your Cat: What to Do in an Emergency