Review from International Cat Show in Toruń – February 2018

A month ago we went on International Cat Show in Toruń with Cody. We’ve had some concerns about it as we had kittens who were only 3 weeks old. We didn’t want to bring any “unwanted surprise”. But we also cared that Cody gets his first Champion title so kittens can have it in their pedigree. We promised ourselves to take any precaution to lower the risk to minimum.

There is always veterinary control, rented cages are previously desinfected, judges and stewards desinfect also hands and tables between cats to decrease infection risk. But in my opinion there is still a chance of transmission.

So preparing Cody fot the show started long before we left home. For example he received suplements to raise his immunity and decrease vulnerability to stress. As you know, the stronger the organism, the lower the risk that it will be susceptible to foreign microorganisms, and hence, it won’t carry them further. We were not worried about Cody, because he is an adult and strong boy, but we had kitten babies at home. Kittens were not yet one month old, so not only wasn’t time to vaccinate, but their immune system was still developing and could manage the germs that are not a problem for adult cats.

I know some of You who visited us at the show were disappointed that we didn’t take Cody out of the cage to play on it and take closer look. Unfortunately people who visit such events can also carry germs between cages and cats at the show. Our adult cats – vaccinated and in good condition – never had problems after the show even if they were pet by viewers sometimes. But as I mentioned – our concerns were about the little kittens back home.

First day of the show Cody was evaluated by Mrs Marina Litvina from Russia. Our boy was very patient during all procedures and allowed to be touched, palpated and seen. Judge admitted him Ex1 – which is an excellend note in open class. Thanks to that, Cody received his third and last diploma for Champion title.

After the first day of the show we had to separate Cody from our other cats and kittens in order to limit the possibility of transferring any germs with which he could have had contact at the exhibition. Here we are lucky to have a cat room. Normally it provides proper conditions for them to sleep as well as to play, scratch and go crazy on their cat trees. Usually cat rooms stay open but in situations like this it is useful that we can also lock it and keep the cats apart. Cody who usually loves to play in a cat room, this time unfortunately, didn’t like to be separated from other cats too much. Luckily either due to tiredness after an exciting day, or thanks to the supplements with camomile and tryptophan – he went to sleep quite quickly.

The next day right in the morning we were aproached by a school trip that teaches for vet technicians. We were asked to tell a bit about cat shows and thai breed. After a short introduction in judging rules, show categories and thai cats history – we had to show Cody a bit at least from “far”. It was easier to describe colors and standards for look in thai cats. After that he quickly returned to his cage so he doesn’t get stressed before evaluation.

That day we got Cody to be judged by Mr Krzysztof Wycichowski, who closely checked on him. Also because he wanted to share all information about it to Mrs Dorota – who is learning to become a felinology judge herself. Cody has already been a “teching” cat before. It was with Mrs Magda Światowiak, when she was passing her judge exam from cat breeds in category IV. Same as this time – he was very polite and patient.

On Sunday Cody received another EX1 note – this time it was his first for Internationa Champion title.

For the entire show Cody was behaving excellent. He wasn’t too happy about staying in his cage all the time so sometimes I just carried him so he could cuddle. Also posing for photos was only in my arms this time. But he it didn’t bothered him at all 🙂

After the second day of the show we still had a lot of work to do after getting back home. All the accessories we used had to be disinfected, pillows and materials from the cage had to be washed in special antibacterial and antiviral powder, cat bowls Cody used put in the dishwasher. During all these procedures Cody was again isolated in one of the cat rooms. When we dealt with cleaning and washing (which included also our clothes), it was time for Cody as well. After we got a shower, Tomek brought him to me in the bathroom. Against Codys refuses, he had to be showered anyway withe special veterinary shampoo. He wasn’t happy about and I think he didn’t really like it – especially when it came to drying. In the end we cleaned up and disinfected the cat room he used these past two days.

We went to sleep really late as all the activities took some time. For another week after the show Cody was still receiving supplements for his immunity as it can take up to two weeks for immune system to get back to normal.

In summary – the show caused us a lot of works and I don’t even mention trips to and back from Toruń to Bydgoszcz. But from time perspective I think I can say we don’t regret that. We managed to avoid any trouble with the kittens who just reached 7 weeks of age and are developing nice and healthy. Cody seems to have totally forgotten all this stress he had with evaluation and bathing. And some time ago we received via mail a diploma and a rosette admiting him a Champion title. kittens from litters P and R will be our first ones who have not only high titled mothers but also a father. 🙂