Hi, I just joined even though the cats I have are Bengal crosses. The problem is that just over two years ago I rescued a kitten who was the product of a mating between a Bengal male who frequents my friends garden and a black feral cat being fed by my friend. Boo! was a lovely cat, very gentle and vocal and protective of me despite being nervous of strangers. He died aged just over two of suspected heart failure. I have since aquired a kitten, identical to Boo except she's a girl and although my husband, who saw her in a pet shop, was told she was 12 weeks, by her size and weight I'm sure she was 8 weeks tops and would be ten weeks now. It has been very hot in London this last week and although she's playing normally and doing normal kitten things (i.e. breaking the house down and flying around the flat hardly touching the ground, I have noticed her panting on a couple of occasions. The only other cat I ever saw panting was Boo shortly before he died (this panting being again in summer after strenuous activities. I am terrified. .I phoned a vet this morning and was told to keep an eye on her..it is not extensive panting but I don't want to risk travelling to thevet ttoday as it's so hot, so I am waiting and watching and am so frightened. If it continues I will of course take hee to the vet in a taxi but at the moment it feels like we are damned if we do and equally if we don't. I feel very aggrieved at Bengal owners who leave their unneutered cats to breed with no thought for the quality of life any kittens may have and the heart broken owners who watch these lovely little cats die. I may not be the owner of a full Bengal cat but I think I'm greatly affected by the irresponsible behaviour of some owners.
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