The post My Cat Ate a Ribbon: Is It Dangerous? Our Vet Explains by Dr. Iulia Mihai‚ DVM MSc (Vet) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Cats like to play with many things‚ including laces‚ threads‚ hair bands‚ rubber bands‚ tinsel‚ or ribbons. Although cats playing with these items are extremely fun to watch‚ it is recommended to always supervise them because ribbons and similar items can be dangerous if ingested. If your cat has swallowed a ribbon‚ contact your veterinary clinic immediately for advice. Depending on the width and length of the ribbon and how much time has passed since it was swallowed‚ the vet will make a recommendation on your next steps and the urgency. What Could Happen If My Cat Ate a Ribbon? Cats can swallow foreign‚ inedible objects from time to time. Some individuals are more prone to doing this than others. Many foreign objects can cause severe problems in the digestive tract resulting in the need for surgery. One of the most troublesome situations is when cats eat linear foreign objects‚ such as ribbon‚ yarn‚ sewing thread‚ laces‚ fishing nylon‚ string‚ etc. If the piece of ribbon is short‚ it may be eliminated along with the feces or vomited in a few days after ingestion. However‚ this is a judgment that your veterinarian should make as there can be life-threatening intestinal problems after eating a ribbon or similar object. There is potential for severe intestinal injury with these types of object and any ingestion of a long thin‚ (linear)‚ foreign body should be discussed with your veterinarian urgently. The danger is that sometimes one end of the ribbon (or string etc) becomes anchored at one end and intestinal movements pull the other end along with them. The intestines will keep moving the other end further along the intestinal tract resulting in the intestines becoming bunched up and a cheese-wire type effect where the tension on the linear object starts to cut through the intestines. If this occurs the ribbon will cause damage to the mucosa (inner layer) and even eventually the deep layers of the intestine. This can lead to damage‚ perforation (a hole)‚ and intestinal necrosis (impaired blood flow and tissue dying off). All of the above can result in the leakage of gut contents and bacteria into the abdominal cavity‚ peritonitis and sepsis are common consequences‚ which can be fatal. Image Credit: Sannikova Maria‚ Shutterstock Clinical Signs That Your Cat Ate a Ribbon or Another Linear Foreign Body You may or may not have seen your cat eat the ribbon. If you didn’t see your cat do it but you suspect that this happened‚ a few clinical signs will tell you that something is wrong with your pet and that you need to go to the vet. It is worth keeping in mind that cats are good at hiding their suffering and pain‚ so their signs may be subtle at first. Clinical signs may include: Nausea Hypersalivation (drooling) Vomiting Diarrhea or constipation Hunched appearance due to abdominal pain Lack of appetite Lethargy Changes in behavior (hides or is quieter than usual‚ etc.) These signs should always prompt a consultation with your veterinarian urgently. How Will My Vet Know If My Cat Ate a Ribbon? Once you arrive with your cat at the veterinary clinic‚ the vet will ask you a series of questions which is called history taking. This helps them to gather information about what has happened (if you know) and what signs your cat is showing. They will evaluate your pet as thoroughly as possible. This will involve an examination including feeling your cat’s abdomen‚ checking for the presence of abdominal pain or other abnormalities. Often temperature‚ gum color and heart rate will also be checked.  Depending on the outcome of these initial checks your veterinarian may recommend that further testing is necessary. This can include abdominal ultrasound and/or X-rays and blood tests. In some cases‚ it will be recommended that exploratory surgery or endoscopy‚ to locate and remove the ribbon (or another foreign body) is necessary. Image Credit: Natali Kuzina‚ Shutterstock What if Your Cat is Passing the Ribbon? It can happen that you did not know your cat had eaten something indigestible until it started to make its own way out of their system. If you see a ribbon starting to come out little by little from your cat’s anus‚ do not pull it. Never pull on a ribbon or any other linear foreign body‚ whether it’s coming out of your cat’s mouth or the anus. You can cause serious damage to the digestive tract and more problems for your cat. Contact your veterinarian because they can give you the best advice depending on your cat’s situation. Hopefully the ribbon will come out as your cat passes feces so keeping them in a room with a litter tray until you are sure they have safely passed the ribbon may be what your veterinarian recommends. Is Ribbon Safe for My Cat to Play With? Prevention is better than cure in this scenario. Ribbons are only safe for cats to play with if they are supervised. Do not let your pet play with ribbons or other stringy items without monitoring them. Also‚ make sure you put away the ribbon when you are not home or when they are done playing. Some cats may chew on the ribbon and ingest small parts of it‚ others may just play with it‚ and still others might ingest it whole. Even if you know that your cat plays nicely with ribbons and string‚ it is always safer to make sure you put them away after playtime. It’s better to be safe than sorry! The same applies to cat toys that have string parts attached (such as toy mice) or have other components that can be chewed and swallowed. Conclusion If your cat has swallowed a ribbon contact your veterinarian as soon as the incident occurs. They are best qualified to advise you on what to do next. Linear foreign objects such as ribbon and yarn can cause severe intestinal injury. Clinical signs you may see include vomiting‚ diarrhea‚ drooling‚ being hunched up‚ lethargy‚ and lack of appetite. It is possible for ribbon to pass through the digestive tract but with the high risk of complications‚ it is best to talk things through with your vet. Sources https://www.dvm360.com/view/diagnostic-imaging-linear-foreign-bodies-cats https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37350262/ https://rcb.res.in/upload/AAVS_5_10_416-418.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6698839/ https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/systemic/sepsis-dogs Featured Image Credit: Ermolaev Alexander‚ Shutterstock The post My Cat Ate a Ribbon: Is It Dangerous? Our Vet Explains by Dr. Iulia Mihai‚ DVM MSc (Vet) appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Why Does An Adult Cat Go Limp When You Grab Their Scruff? Vet-Approved Reasons &; FAQ by Genevieve Dugal appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. When mother cats want to move their kittens‚ they gently bite the skin on their necks to lift them. The kittens almost always react the same way: They go completely limp. There’s even a scientific name for this inert‚ lifeless state: the flexor reflex. However‚ this nerve-triggered response disappears after the first few weeks of a kitten’s life. So‚ why does an adult cat also become completely immobile when you grab their scruff? According to feline experts and veterinarians‚ a cat that “freezes” when you pick them up by the scruff of their neck is having a learned helplessness response‚ which should not be confused with their being relaxed and content. In fact‚ it’s quite the opposite: The cat is likely feeling pain and fear. Here’s why “scruffing” a cat is not considered to be an appropriate way to pick up or hold a cat. What Does It Mean When an Adult Cat Goes Limp When You Scruff Them? A cat that becomes still when you pick them up by the scruff of the neck is showing a submissive response. This state is called learned helplessness‚ which basically means the cat doesn’t try to move because “they don’t believe their actions matter.” This sentence may sound a little too anthropomorphic‚ but it is a scientifically recognized phenomenon in both animals and humans. Here are a few more definitions: In psychology‚ learned helplessness refers to the “maladaptive passivity shown by animals and people following experiences with uncontrollable events.” In the book‚ “Modeling Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Laboratory Animals‚” learned helplessness is described as “a phenomenon in which a subject (human or animal) that is exposed repeatedly to an inescapable stressor develops a behavioral syndrome in which it shows reduced capacity to escape the same stressor.” In a study on the behavior of cats in shelters‚ researchers noted that “learned helplessness is an interesting form of extreme stress‚ which can be seen during chronic stress or during the exhaustion phase. The animal typically has learned that its behavior has no impact on the situation around it. These animals are withdrawn and unmoving but will continue to remain vigilant for change.” In other words‚ learned helplessness could be compared to a cat that “freezes” when faced with a stressful‚ inescapable situation: Their muscles become rigid and they go completely limp. They may seem calm and silent‚ but this “false” relaxed posture hides real distress and discomfort. Image Credit: Aziz Acharki‚ Unsplash Is It Painful for an Adult Cat to Be Grabbed by Their Scruff? Yes‚ it’s likely painful and scary‚ especially for an adult cat‚ as they are heavier than kittens. The sensation of their scruff being pulled can be unpleasant‚ and going limp may reduce the pain‚ though it doesn’t indicate relaxation. Basically‚ scruffing a cat should be avoided because it can cause fear‚ stress‚ and loss of control in the animal. There are better and gentler ways to handle your feline friend. Are There Situations Where It’s Okay to Grab a Cat’s Scruff? Kittens are naturally grabbed by the scruff of their necks by their mother during their first few weeks‚ but this type of handling should not be repeated once they reach adulthood. That said‚ the following situations may require this type of handling‚ but it is preferable to limit them: If there is an immediate safety concern (such as when cats are fighting violently)‚ scruffing them may be appropriate to prevent injury. During critical veterinary procedures or emergency/trauma evaluation‚ scruffing may be done if other methods of passive restraint have failed and it’s in the cat’s best interest and safety. How to Tell When Your Cat Doesn’t Want to Be Picked Up If your cat doesn’t want to be held‚ they may exhibit what veterinarians call “the four F’s of stress”: Fight — Dilated pupils‚ flattened ears‚ hissing‚ growling‚ scratching‚ or biting Flight — Trying to move away‚ hiding‚ or wiggling to get down when picked up Freeze — Rigid posture‚ unresponsiveness‚ and limpness when picked up (which is not a sign of relaxation‚ but rather a learned helplessness response!) Fidget — Signs like lip licking‚ yawning‚ sudden grooming‚ or doing a full-body shake after being placed down If you notice any of these signs‚ veterinarians recommend giving your cat a bit of space and letting them approach you for interaction when they’re ready. How to Pick Up Your Cat in a Proper and Painless Way Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala‚ Shutterstock First‚ make sure your cat actually wants to be picked up. How can you know that? Observe their body language. A relaxed cat will have: A calm posture A tail that’s moving in a slow and lazy movement Ears not folded on the head but facing forward Normal-sized‚ almond-shaped pupils A soft expression Blinking slowly Important Note: Cats might also purr when relaxed‚ but know that purring doesn’t always indicate contentment. Indeed‚ when frightened or not feeling well‚ cats may purr to self-soothe. With that in mind‚ here’s some tips on how to safely pick up a cat: Approach your cat slowly‚ avoiding sudden movements. Crouch down next to them and initiate contact with a gentle stroke along the back. Gently slide your hand along the outer side of their body‚ under their chest‚ with your fingertips facing their face. Place your elbow toward their rear end‚ cradling them as if you were holding a football‚ and use your other hand to provide additional support to the front of their chest. Let your cat settle into a comfortable position. Some prefer their legs to hang‚ while others need more support for their back legs. Avoid the belly-up position‚ which can make cats feel vulnerable. If your cat begins to show signs of discomfort or frustration‚ place them back on the floor. Always be patient and gentle with your feline friend and respect their boundaries. Just like humans‚ not all cats enjoy being touched and handled. Holding your cat in this manner gives you two secondary options of restraint in case safety becomes a concern‚ and you cannot safely release them: The hand under their chest can hold onto the elbow closest to your body to give you a more secure hold. The second hand can apply a gentle scruff hold (not carry or lift) if it becomes absolutely necessary. Final Thoughts Ultimately‚ each cat has their own preferences for how they prefer to be lifted and held‚ and of course‚ there are some cats that do enjoy being cradled like a baby‚ or others‚ like the Ragdoll‚ that go into a very relaxed‚ floppy state when they are content in their person’s arms. However‚ you should always avoid grabbing your feline friend by the scruff of the neck. This can cause pain‚ significant fear‚ and stress and rob them of their sense of control. This is why it is important to choose gentle methods to handle your cat and above all‚ to always respect their pace and boundaries! Featured Image Credit: Oleg Troino Shutterstock The post Why Does An Adult Cat Go Limp When You Grab Their Scruff? Vet-Approved Reasons &; FAQ by Genevieve Dugal appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The post Are Calico Cats Autistic? Vet-Approved Facts &; FAQ by Lorre Luther appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Autistic people can have a wide range of experiences‚ but many find social situations challenging to navigate and prefer consistency and routines. Some autistic people demonstrate incredible talent in music‚ science‚ and math‚ and some require high support. However‚ cats and humans have brains that are structured and operate in different ways; cats perceive‚ understand‚ and move through the world differently. Because autism describes human neurology‚ it simply doesn’t apply to cats. So no‚ Calico cats are not autistic. What Is Autism? Autism spectrum condition is how doctors describe autism. The language surrounding autism and other neurotypes is still developing. While there are differences in the extent of the challenges faced by autistic individuals‚ challenges in communication and social interaction often are part of the condition. Some autistic individuals don’t communicate verbally but most do. Many engage in repetitive behaviors‚ and intense light‚ sounds‚ and smells can easily become overwhelming. Are Calico Cats a Breed? Calico cats have distinctive orange‚ white‚ and black fur patterns but are not a separate breed. They often look quite a bit like tortoiseshell cats‚ except torties typically have orange and black fur. Calico coats can be found throughout the cat world‚ and there are calico mixes as well as purebred calico kitties‚ including American shorthair‚ Maine Coon‚ Persian‚ and Turkish Angora cats. The pattern can be found in cats with short‚ medium‚ and long coats. Image Credit: Luriya Chinwan‚ Shutterstock Do Calico Cats Have a Personality Type? There’s no clear answer to this question! Some evidence suggests that pet parents see their calico cats as feisty‚ and they’re sometimes perceived as standoffish and irritable 1. They’re also described as loving and devoted. Ultimately‚ little scientific evidence exists to support the idea that their coat color significantly impacts their personality. In truth‚ breed probably plays a larger role when determining the temperament of pedigree cats. Calico Cornish Rex cats‚ for instance‚ are likely to be playful and loving‚ while calico Norwegian forest cats will probably be devoted and mellow but not terribly interested in cuddling. How Long Do Calico Cats Live? A calico’s breed influences their longevity. A calico Maine Coon cat can likely expect to live for 12 to 15 years‚ while a calico Persian cat is likely to live for 15 to 20 years. Most cats live for somewhere between 13 and 17 years. Image Credit: richardsidwell‚ Pixabay What Other Factors Tend to Influence Feline Longevity? Similar to humans‚ diet‚ physical fitness‚ environmental factors‚ and medical care can all impact how long cats live. 1. Diet Cats’ dietary needs are best met by feeding them high-quality commercial products that meet the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for nutritional adequacy. Kittens and pregnant cats generally need to eat special food as they have different nutritional requirements than adult cats. There are also brands formulated to provide extra support for cats with conditions such as sensitive skin and painful joints. 2. Weight Management Ensuring cats stay trim is one of the most important things cat parents can do for their companions. Obesity is a severe problem for all cats‚ not just calico ones. Cats that are overweight are at higher risk for developing chronic conditions such as heart disease‚ arthritis‚ and high blood pressure‚ and weighing too much can also have a negative impact on their longevity. Image Credit: Seattle Cat Photo‚ Shutterstock 3. Mental Stimulation and Environment Indoor cats tend to live far longer than outdoor cats‚ with some estimates that the  average outdoor cat only survives between 2 and 5 years. Keeping cats indoors is one of the easiest ways to support their longevity‚ but for indoor cats to thrive‚ they need mental stimulation and a comfortable environment. Mental Stimulation: Playing with your cat daily can keep them happy and engaged. Videos of birds and music for cats can entertain them when they’re left alone for a few hours. Catnip and silvervine plush toys can motivate cats to get moving‚ and food puzzles can encourage them to use their problem-solving skills. Environment: Most cats love to perch high above it all‚ where they can relax while remaining aware of their surroundings. Vertical retreats provide cats with a sense of comfort that can put them at ease. Cat trees and shelves are both excellent choices. Cats also benefit from having plenty of scratching options. Scratching is a natural and normal feline behavior‚ which helps keep cats’ claws in shape‚ but it also allows them to leave behind pheromones that create a scent that cats identify with the comforts of home. 4. Medical Care Medical care can also greatly impact a cat’s health and overall well-being. Regular checkups can help catch medical issues before they become problematic. Veterinarians recommend that healthy adult cats have yearly checkups and that senior pets be seen at least two times per year to ensure that any health problems are caught as early as possible. Spaying and neutering cats can also have health benefits. Neutered cats are less inclined to spray and get into altercations‚ and spaying cats prior to their first or second heat cycle drastically reduces (or eliminates) their risk of ending up with uterine and ovarian cancers. Image Credit: Mirahybrid‚ Shutterstock Frequent Asked Questions Are Calico Cats Usually Female? Yes! Most calico cats are female; they need two X chromosomes to get calico coats. Cats with one X and one Y chromosome are male and usually can’t end up with the color pattern. Some male cats with two X chromosomes and one Y can have calico coats‚ but they are rare. Can Male Calico Cats Reproduce? Generally‚ male calicos cannot reproduce. They have a condition called Klinefelter syndrome‚ and they’re usually sterile. Image Credit: PradaBrown‚ Shutterstock Are There Other Coat Colors in Cats That Are Linked to Sex? Yes. Orange tabby cats are usually male‚ and there is an 80% chance that an orange tabby cat will be male. Tortoiseshell cats with gorgeous orange and black fur are almost always female. Conclusion Autism is a word that’s used to describe the ways in which individuals whose brains operate differently from how neurotypical people see‚ understand‚ experience‚ and interact with the world. Because autism essentially describes human brain function and how it plays out in the social world of people‚ the concept simply doesn’t apply to cats. Just like there are all types of amazing people with different talents‚ perspectives‚ and gifts‚ there are also several types of wonderful calico cats. Sources https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/information-about-autism/understanding-autism/how-to-talk-about-autism#:~:text=When%20talking%20about%20autism%2C%20avoid‚disorder’%20to%20explain%20their%20experience. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/signs/adults/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-medical-condition-or-just-a-difference-the-question-roils-autism-community/2019/05/03/87e26f7e-6845-11e9-8985-4cf30147bdca_story.html https://www.dutch.com/blogs/cats/are-orange-cats-always-male https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/calico-cat-facts/ https://www.webmd.com/pets/features/your-pet-veterinarian https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/calico-cat-facts/ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-breeds/persian https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/obesity-in-cats https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/can-indoor-cat-be-part-time-outdoor-cat https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/whats-your-cats-scratching-style https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/spay-neuter-cats-debate/ Featured Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin‚ Shutterstock The post Are Calico Cats Autistic? Vet-Approved Facts &; FAQ by Lorre Luther appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it‚ but all of these articles were assigned‚ contracted and paid for‚ so they aren't considered public domain. However‚ we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article‚ then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Some of our major networks made an editorial decision not to cover the upcoming hearing‚ ordered by the judge overseeing the Trump trial in Atlanta‚ regarding misconduct allegations against Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis. We are thus reminded of that great Iowahawk quote: “Journalism is about covering important stories‚ With a pillow. Until they stop moving.” Unlike NBC and CBS‚ ABC mustered the time and effort to cover the Willis saga. Watch a sample of their report below: PIERRE THOMAS: Tonight‚ a Georgia judge ordering Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to answer allegations she has improperly "engaged in a personal‚ romantic relationship" with one of the special prosecutors she hired to help her try the sprawling election interference case against former President Donald Trump and his 18 co-defendants. The accusations against Willis came in a filing by one of those co-defendants‚ former Trump campaign aide Mike Roman. Without providing evidence‚ he claims Willis engaged in a secret relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade‚ who her office has paid $650‚000 to help try the case. And that Willis "personally benefited" because Wade allegedly used some of that money to take her on lavish vacations. It’s pretty straightforward. “Without evidence” notwithstanding‚ the report did include some of the ridiculous race-based deflections that Willis delivered from the pulpit at Big Bethel AME Church during the weekend preceding Martin Luther King Day‚ and did lay out the summary of the case against Willis. Surprisingly‚ ABC wasn’t the sole network to report on the Willis hearing. Univision covered the story‚ more comprehensively than did ABC‚ in a report that included quotes from Trump as well as a brief analysis from a criminal defense attorney on the gravity of the accusations against Willis. I’ve often said that Univision disinforms their audience- not this time‚ though. Well done. And well done‚ ABC. To view the ABC transcript‚ click HERE. To view the Univision transcript‚ click HERE.  

The networks’ coverage of the ongoing border disaster has been spotty‚ at best‚ inasmuch as it is a story that is unfavorable to the Biden administration. Therefore‚ there hasn’t been any reporting on the demands made by Mexico’s president in exchange for assistance at the border. Shockingly‚ Univision was the network to finally break that ice. Watch as former Mexican ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan lays out the blackmail attempt by Mexico’s socialist president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO)‚ during an interview with Jorge Ramos on Sunday political affairs show Al Punto: AMBASSADOR ARTURO SARUKHAN: President Biden fundamentally needs Mexican support and López Obrador knows it and on the one hand he is taking advantage of it to carry out what I would call diplomatic blackmail... RAMOS: Why…what… SARUKHAN: …by asking President Biden to… RAMOS: What do you mean by blackmail? SARUKHAN: Yes. To suspend‚ as López Obrador says‚ the United States' "blockade" of Cuba‚ forgetting that this is not an (American) executive power‚ but a Congressional power. Second‚ calling for sanctions on Venezuela to be removed‚ asking for billions of dollars in support for Central America. And deep down it is also a kind of blackmail‚ because I believe that what we are seeing‚ Jorge‚ what we have seen in recent months is the Mexican government opening and closing the valve of migratory flows to the border. That is‚ they close‚ open‚ close and open to create pressure on the Biden administration and thereby do a very important thing: obtain diplomatic capital so that when the Mexican presidential campaign begins to take shape‚ as it begins to gain speed‚ López Obrador can use that capital of “I am helping you” in order to prevent the United States from raising its voice and saying‚ “what’s going on with the election in Mexico?” It is an astounding assessment of what is happening at the border‚ given freely by a member of the Mexican establishment‚ and one which we have not heard elsewhere in American media. No one else is reporting that AMLO has President Joe Biden over a barrel with regard to the border‚ and that he is blackmailing Biden by making unreasonable demands. In sum:  $20 billion in “root causes” money to Latin American and Caribbean countries The legalization of 10 million Hispanics with clean records and over 10 years in the U.S. Repeal of the Cuban Embargo‚ codified by Congress as the Helms-Burton Act‚ and the beginning of a “bilateral dialogue” The lifting of sanctions against Venezuela Nor is anyone else reporting that AMLO is basically facilitating the border crisis in order to get the Biden administration to look the other way in the event of any shenanigans during the upcoming Mexican presidential election (AMLO is term-limited‚ but his successor is on the ballot).  It is not at all surprising that Univision would report these things‚ as the interview is conducted from a Mexico First perspective. The possibility of a second Trump administration here is viewed as a catastrophe‚ with the threat of tariffs and mass deportations. Because of the root causes of “democratic degradation” and climate change‚ there is skepticism that the ongoing migrant flows can be contained any time soon. Ambassador Sarukhan expresses skepticism that AMLO’s successor will implement anything beyond assisting the U.S. with border containment.  An honest mainstream press would have done basic reporting‚ and revealed AMLO’s demands- made when Secretaries of State and Homeland Security Antony Blinken and Alejandro Mayorkas made their recent trip to Mexico City. They didn’t‚ and Univision reported these demands in a transparent manner. But we’re always watching. Click “expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned interview‚ as aired on Univision’s Al Punto‚ on Sunday‚ January 14th‚ 2024:   JORGE RAMOS: This is Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaking during his visit to Eagle Pass‚ Texas‚ last Monday. Meanwhile‚ President Biden has asked Mexico for help to stem the migrant surge. But Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador‚ has asked for many things in return. ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR: 20 billion dollars for Latin American and Caribbean countries. Normalize at least 10 million Hispanics who have been working honestly in the United States for more than 10 years. Suspend the blockade of Cuba and begin a bilateral dialogue. Remove all sanctions on Venezuela. RAMOS: That's what the president of Mexico is asking for in exchange for helping the United States. Arturo Sarukhán was the Mexican ambassador to the United States and join us from Mexico City. Ambassador Sarukhán‚ thank you for returning here to the program. ARTURO SARUKHAN: It is a great pleasure‚ as always‚ to be with you. RAMOS: It is very clear that‚ whether Biden or Donald Trump‚ they are going to - they are going to demand that Mexico help them to prevent so many undocumented immigrants from crossing from the south into the north. But what can Mexico ask for‚ or how should Mexico ask for it? SARUKHAN: Regardless of who wins‚ as you say‚ it seems to me that the immigration issue is not going to go away. The difference‚ obviously‚ will be that with a Trump administration 2.0 it will be with a gun to (Mexico’s) head‚ as it was at the time in 2019 A Biden administration 2.0‚ well‚ it will be a little more of the same‚ trying to use diplomatic capital to get the Mexican government to support them. The immigration issue has become one of the pressure points of the Republican Party. President Biden fundamentally needs Mexican support and López Obrador knows it and on the one hand he is taking advantage of it to carry out what I would call diplomatic blackmail... RAMOS: Why…what… SARUKHAN: …by asking President Biden to… RAMOS: What do you mean by blackmail? SARUKHAN: Yes. To suspend‚ as López Obrador says‚ the United States' "blockade" of Cuba‚ forgetting that this is not a power of the US executive‚ it is a power of Congress. Second‚ calling for sanctions on Venezuela to be removed‚ asking for billions of dollars in support for Central America. And deep down it is also a kind of blackmail‚ because I believe that what we are seeing‚ Jorge‚ what we have seen in recent months is the Mexican government opening and closing the valve of migratory flows to the border. That is‚ they close‚ open‚ close and open to create pressure on the Biden administration and thereby do a very important thing: obtain diplomatic capital so that when the Mexican presidential campaign begins to take shape‚ as it begins to gain speed‚ López Obrador can use that capital of “I am helping you” in order to prevent the United States from raising its voice and saying‚ “what is happening with the election in Mexico?” RAMOS: Ambassador‚ for Mexico‚ what does it mean for Biden to win and what does it mean for Trump to win? Within the Republican Party‚ there are very strong voices that are even calling for military intervention by the United States within Mexico. SARUKHAN: It is very clear what is at stake‚ Jorge. I believe that Trump's victory would be a debacle for the Mexico-United States agenda. As you point out‚ Trump has already announced that he will impose 10% tariffs on all imports entering the United States. We must remember that today‚ Mexico is the United States' top trading partner in the world... Ramos: And the worst mass deportations‚ he has also announced that. SARUKHAN: He has promised mass deportations. There are 5 million undocumented Mexicans. Assuming that 5 million are not deported‚ if 100‚000 of us are deported and they arrive at the border‚ it will be a social‚ economic‚ political problem‚ and a human tragedy. And third‚ as you also mention‚ he has threatened the unilateral use of force to confront organized crime on Mexican soil. What a thing. RAMOS: I'll finish with this‚ Ambassador. In the month of December‚ 300‚000 undocumented immigrants crossed from Mexico into the United States. It is clearly a crisis. Can this be avoided in any way or is it the new normal? SARUKHAN: We are seeing an unprecedented crisis‚ Jorge. As you know well‚ on the American continent there has never been this volume of migrants‚ refugees‚ and internally displaced people. A kind of perfect storm has been created‚ the impact of climate change‚ the democratic degradation in several countries. The problem is structural. I do not believe that punitive or border control measures are going to move the needle and it seems to me that we are facing a new normal that is going to create constant red flags in the management of these migratory flows throughout the American continent. RAMOS: And whoever wins‚ whether Claudia Sheinbaum or Xóchitl Gálvez: will Mexico continue to be the waiting room of the United States and the new border patrol of the United States? SARUKHAN: Well‚ it seems that this possibility exists‚ especially given that I do not perceive in the Mexican presidential campaigns any awareness of the importance of developing a paradigm of Mexican immigration policy itself‚ beyond‚ to the extent possible‚ sometimes executing‚ sometimes not executing the containment policies that the United States has asked Mexico to implement. RAMOS: Ambassador Sarukhan‚ thank you for returning to the program. SARUKHAN: It's a pleasure‚ Jorge.  

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It won't be hypothetical forever.