Posts in Category: Cats

The Green family is very grateful to the Cat Care Clinic and the Angel Fund for helping Peanut recover from a severe urinary tract infection.

Pet owners and animal advocates are closely watching  a new state Senate bill  that would limit how far landlords can go to keep their property clear of noisy  dogs and frisky felines.

SB 1229 would prevent property owners from requiring tenants to have their  cats declawed and the voice boxes of their dogs removed as a condition of  tenancy but would still hold the renter responsible for damage caused by a pet.  The bill also would bar property owners from advertising only to potential  renters whose pets have had such procedures.

The bill’s author, Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, said some landlords   condition rental occupancy on the declawing of cats or the devocalizing of dogs.  These practices can have unintended consequences for property managers, physical  problems for animals and emotional and financial consequences for pet owners,  Pavley said.

Devocalizing pets is illegal in New Jersey and Massachusetts, and the state  of New York has pending legislation similar to California’s to ban  declawing  and devocalizing as a condition of rental tenancy. SB 1229 would resemble  federal Housing and Urban Development Department regulations that prohibit  public authorities from requiring pet owners to remove their pet’s vocal  chords.

The bill passed the Senate on May 17 without dissent and will be taken up by  the Assembly this month.

“Certainly, when it comes to somebody telling somebody else they have to do a  permanent procedure when they are doing a temporary rental, in my mind that is  excessive,” said Al Schwartz, owner of the Moorpark Veterinary Hospital and  former president of the California Veterinarian Association.

In his 31 years practicing animal medicine, Schwartz said, he has never  devocalized a dog or referred a pet for the procedure. Declawing is relatively  rare, too. Last year his office performed six declawing procedures. Schwartz  said he generally discourages declawing cats and advises pet owners to explore  alternative solutions such as behavioral training before going ahead with the  practice.

Eight local governments in California, including Los Angeles, San Francisco  and West Hollywood, have outlawed declawing.

Schwartz said there are narrow situations where declawing is necessary, and  for that reason he is critical of city councils that have banned the procedure  altogether. He cites instances in which a cat owner may be suffering from an  illness and declawing is the only way to protect the owner’s health and keep the  owner able to care for the cat.

“A city, such as West Hollywood, for example, should not be telling a pet  owner what to do,”  Schwartz said.

Two years ago, a similar bill written by then-Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa  Barbara, was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after criticism from some  veterinarian circles about the language of the bill. The bill would have banned  declawing for any nontherapeutic reason, which Schwarzenegger believed would  prohibit accommodating the legitimate medical needs of a pet owner.

When done properly, Schwartz said, declawing is relatively painless. Cost can  vary by veterinarian and regional location but typically ranges from $250 to  $500.

Pavley’s bill is being backed by California Veterinary Association and the  California Apartment Association. Proponents argue the decision to have a pet  undergo such procedures should be up to the pet owner.

In a statement from the U.S. Humane Society, state director Jennifer Fearing  said SB 1229 will ensure that important medical decisions about pets continue to  be made by their caregivers, in private consultation with veterinarians.

Jeff Wallach, a theater arts educator from Thousand Oaks, said he’s been a  renter for most of his life. Wallach owns three pets rescued from animal  shelters: Buddy, an 8-year-old shepherd; Jack, a 7-year-old Lab mix; and Sassy,  a tabby who Wallach guesses is about 12.

Wallach said that if a property owner asked him to declaw Sassy or remove the  vocal chords of Buddy or Jack, he’d move out of the property immediately.

“It upsets me. I think it’s wrong. I think it’s inhumane,” Wallach said.

Wallach comes from a family of property owners and as a child would help his  father manage property in the San Fernando Valley by collecting rent and  interacting with tenants.

“I think the industry itself to me is so wonderful,” Wallach said. “It  infuriates me that people who would actually do that. It would never have  crossed my mind to ask a tenant to do that.”

Read more:  https://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/aug/05/bill-to-protect-rights-of-pet-owning-tenants/#ixzz23H24Xy3T – vcstar.com

Read more: Boston’s MSPCA: Demystifying the feline FIV-positive stigma – Roslindale, MA – West Roxbury Transcript https://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x866118976/Bostons-MSPCA-Demystifying-the-feline-FIV-positive-stigma#ixzz23GxoTRuK

Some families cannot accommodate pets, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy the benefits of connecting with animals, writes veterinarian Ann Hohenhaus. In this article, Dr. Hohenhaus outlines numerous ways children can get hands-on, repeated interaction with animals. Some of the activities such as helping out at animal shelters will benefit the community as well. WebMD/Tales from the Pet Clinic blog

Recently, the news has featured many stories about TomKat. No, not a story about a feline, but the ongoing saga of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. One story that caught my eye involved their daughter Suri having a tantrum in a pet store because her mother would not buy her a Morkie, a dog she wanted.

In every family without a pet, there is at least one child begging for one. But for health reasons, travel, or time in the daily schedule, a pet does not always fit into the family’s lifestyle. There are, however, other ways, even without owning a pet of your own, that you can bring animals into your family’s life. Here are my top ten tips to add the fun and adventure of animals to your family without actually owning a pet:

1. Attend the local animal show. The owners of dogs, cats, birds and reptiles love to show off their pets and talk to children about responsible pet ownership. In New York City we have the annual Meet the Breeds dog and cat show, but there are smaller local shows as well.

2. Volunteer to walk dogs at your local shelter or to help socialize the cats residing there.

3. Be a foster pet family. My local rescue group is always looking for host families for cats in need. I wrote about my experiences with my foster cat family last spring.

4. Head to your local library and check out some books on pet care. For the toddler set, try the series about “Sally,” a black Labrador retriever who visits the veterinarian, or for a comprehensive pet care overview, try the Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health.

5. Participate in your library’s reading program featuring certified therapy dogs to promote reading skills in children. Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) has local programs nationwide. Therapy Dogs International sponsors “Tail Wagging Tutors.” What could be better than helping your dog-loving child read better?

6. Volunteer to pet sit for a neighbor while they      are on vacation.

7. Become a member of your local zoo. Many zoos have      an area where children can pet the animals. In the New York metropolitan      area the Wildlife Conservation Society,      which includes the Bronx Zoo, the Queens Zoo, the Central Park Zoo, Prospect      Park Zoo and the New York Aquarium, has hands-on programs for various age      groups, as well as educational exhibits and free demonstrations daily.      Some zoos even have sleepovers!

8. If your child is an electronic wizard, there are      a variety of electronic games related to pet care. Games are available for      multiple game platforms and on the Internet. Try Hamsterz, Dr. Daisy Pet      Vet, Paws & Claws, Pet Vet, or Webkinz.

9. Research      the high schools in your district to see if they have a specialized      program related to animals, such as the Chicago      High School for Agricultural Sciences, or the Kansas State University co-sponsored high school      program in Olathe, KS.

10. Volunteer at a pet outreach program at your local      hospital, Ronald McDonald House, or senior citizens home. The program      coordinator will know of a pet volunteer that you can “borrow” for the      visits.

If your child is like Suri Cruise and wants an animal, but your inner Katie Holmes tells you a full-time pet is not right for your family, offer your pet-loving child one of these opportunities until the time is right for your family to love a pet of its very own.

Posted by: Ann Hohenhaus, DVM at 6:17 am

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, about 10% of people have pet-induced allergies, and cats are twice as likely to cause symptoms as dogs. Experts say intact, male cats register the highest itch-inducing protein, called Fel d 1, a protein so small and light that it remains airborne for hours and has been found in the absence of cats, even in the Arctic. MyHealthNewsDaily.com

If you have pet allergies, chances are it is Fluffy rather than Fido that’s making you sneeze. While an estimated 10 percent of people are allergic to household pets, cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Among children, about one in seven between ages 6 and 19 prove to be allergic to cats.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not cat fur that causes those itchy, watery eyes. Most people with cat allergies react to a protein found on cat skin called Fel d 1.

The protein enters the air on bits of cat hair and skin, and it is so small and light — it’s about one-tenth the size of a dust allergen — that it can stay airborne for hours. “Dog allergens don’t stay airborne the same way cat allergens do. The particle size is just right to breathe deep into your lungs,” Larché said.

The Fel d 1 protein is also incredibly sticky, readily glomming onto human skin and clothes and remaining there, making it ubiquitous in the environment. It has been found in places where there are no cats — classrooms, doctors’ offices, even the Arctic, Larché said.

While there are no truly hypoallergenic cat breeds — all cats produce the protein, which experts surmise may have something do with pheromone signaling — some cats make more of it than others.

“Male cats, especially unneutered males, produce more Fel d 1 than female cats. Testosterone increases glandular secretions,” said Dr. Andrew Kim, an allergist at the Allergy and Asthma Centers of Fredricksburg and Fairfax, in Virginia.

If you have cat allergies, there are steps you can take to reduce them. Avoiding contact with cats is one option, though not always a popular choice. Even after a cat is taken out of a house, allergen levels may remain high for up to six months, Kim said.

Limiting a cat’s access to the bedrooms of allergic people, using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, bathing the cat and removing allergen-trapping carpeting may also help.

For those who can’t avoid cat dander, allergy shots may be an option. Small injections of the allergen can help build immune system tolerance over time. “It takes about six months of weekly injections of increasing potency to reach a maintenance level, followed by three to five years of monthly injections, for the therapy to reach full effectiveness,” said Dr. Jackie Eghrari-Sabet, an allergist and founder of Family Allergy and Asthma Care in Gaithersburg, Md.

A less burdensome fix for cat allergies may be on the horizon. Phase 3 clinical trials are set to begin this fall for a cat allergy vaccine that Larché helped develop. Early tests have shown the vaccine to be safe and effective without some of the side effects of allergy shots, such as skin reactions and difficulty breathing. Larché receives research funding from pharmaceutical companies Adiga Life Sciences and Circassia.

Hyperthyroidism, the overproduction of thyroid hormone, is relatively common in aging cats and may explain changes in behavior, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea, among other signs, writes veterinarian Andrew Riebe. Findings from a physical exam including a heart murmur and palpably enlarged thyroid gland along with a blood test measuring hormone levels provide veterinarians with a diagnosis. Dr. Riebe explains the advantages and drawbacks of available treatment protocols for feline hyperthyroidism, including a new food that alleviates the condition if fed exclusively. WANE-TV (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

Clinical Signs:

There are various clinical signs or “symptoms” that a cat with hyperthyroidism may display.  Some of the most common signs include weight loss, changes in appetite, gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g., vomiting and/or diarrhea), and changes in urination.  Affected cats may also show changes in activity level and attitude.  If you ever notice any of these signs in your cat, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately.  These clinical signs are caused by the over-production of thyroid hormone by the cat’s thyroid glands, which are small endocrine glands located on the cat’s ventral neck, just adjacent to the windpipe (trachea).

Diagnosis:

In many cases, a veterinarian will become suspicious of hyperthyroidism based on a history of common clinical signs and findings from a complete physical examination.  Some of the most common findings on physical examination include evidence of weight loss, dehydration, and the presence of a heart murmur.  In some cases, the veterinarian will be able to feel a lump or enlargement on the thyroid gland itself.  To confirm a diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism, blood tests are used to measure the levels of thyroid hormone circulating in the cat’s blood, which will be elevated in affected cats.  Remember that all cats need to have a veterinary examination performed at least once each year so that diseases like hyperthyroidism can be identified as early as possible.

Treatment:

There are a few different treatment options available for cats with hyperthyroidism, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages.  Traditionally, the most common method for controlling hyperthyroidism is the administration of anti-thyroid medications that help to suppress the production of excessive thyroid hormone.  These medications are often effective and are relatively inexpensive, however life-long treatment is required and some cats will develop significant side effects.  A more definitive treatment option is also available, which involves the administration of a radioactive iodine injection to the cat. The radioactive iodine is only absorbed by the overactive thyroid tissue, which results in the destruction of this abnormal tissue.  This procedure is very safe and typically very effective, however it is associated with higher initial costs and requires the cat to be hospitalized in a specialized facility for several days.  More recently, a new therapeutic diet was developed for cats with hyperthyroidism.  The therapeutic food has restricted levels of iodine, which is an essential component for thyroid hormone production.  Therefore, by limiting the cat’s intake of iodine you are also able to limit the amount of thyroid hormone that the cat can produce.  This option offers the ease of providing treatment by simply feeding the cat, however, the cat’s diet must be strictly limited to the prescription food, which can sometimes present a challenge in multi-cat households or in cats with picky appetites.  Finally, surgical removal of the thyroid gland itself is also a method for treating hyperthyroid cats.

No matter which treatment option is selected, many hyperthyroid cats can be effectively managed and will often show improvement, if not resolution, of their clinical disease.  Nevertheless, long-term monitoring and regular veterinary checks are important for affected cats.  If you have any questions about this disease or if you think your cat may be showing signs consistent with hyperthyroidism, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Veterinarian Barbara Sherman, director of the N.C. State Veterinary Health Complex’s Behavioral Medicine Service, says cats purr during moments of positive interaction, including owner-cat and cat-cat interactions. A purr is a vibration of the vocal folds, composed of sound bursts that occur some 25 times per second, Dr. Sherman explains. Most but not all felids purr, Dr. Sherman notes, but she says lions, jaguars, and leopards roar instead. The Charlotte Observer (N.C.)/Ask a Scientist blog

What a pleasure to have a cat sitting in one’s lap, purring loudly! Cats are thought to purr in order to maintain contact with other cats or humans. This may be when the cat appears to be expressing contentment, as sitting on the lap of a familiar person.

One investigator put throat microphones on free-ranging cats and recorded their purring. She found that purring occurred in a wide range of circumstances, including the presence of the cat’s caretaker, when greeting another familiar cat, during tactile stimulation such as rolling or rubbing, and during drowsy sleep, particularly in warm, familiar environments. Female cats purr when nursing their young; kittens purr while nursing. Some situations appear to “turn off” purring, including aggressive or sexual interactions; while hunting, in the presence of prey, and upon first exposure to catnip.

In general, purring is associated with positive cat-human interactions or positive cat-cat interactions. In addition, purring may occur just prior to sleep or, surprisingly, when in pain. When veterinarians examine a cat presented for emergency treatment after having been hit by a car, they may note that it is purring.

Q: How do they make that characteristic sound?

Purring is triggered by a signal from the central nervous system. As the cat inhales and exhales, the vocal fold muscles in the larynx vibrate to produce sound bursts. These sound bursts occur every 30 to 40 milliseconds (or approximately 25 times a second) and result in the familiar purring sound. Purr frequency is independent of cat age, size, weight, or sex, and is easily audible to a nearby person or cat.

While purring, cats can simultaneously produce other vocalizations, including cries. An example is well-known to cat owners: the plaintive “demand” cry of cats, which can be heard when opening a can of cat food at feeding time.

Q: Do any other animals (domestic and other) exhibit similar behaviors?

The purr is highly characteristic of felids. The famed naturalist Charles Darwin noted that, in addition to the house cat, the puma, cheetah, and ocelot purr. The large roaring cats, such as the lion, jaguar, and leopard (in the genus Panthera), do not purr.

AHF Board of Trustees member, Veterinarian Dr. Dirk Yelinek is a well-known disaster preparedness expert.  Go to our website and download his primer on “Disaster Preparedness for the Pet Owner”.

Xylitol, an artificial sweetener used in sugar-free gum, baked goods and other items, causes a rapid, dangerous drop in pets’ blood sugar levels and, if left untreated, can result in liver failure in less than 36 hours after ingestion, writes veterinarian Dana Brooks. Symptoms that develop 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion of xylitol include lethargy and seizures, while vomiting can occur sooner. The condition may be treatable with emergency interventions, but signs of liver failure, such as skin and intestinal bleeding, carry a poor prognosis, even with treatment, Dr. Brooks notes. The Seattle Times/Tails of Seattle blog

Question: Why is xylitol so dangerous for dogs and cats?

Answer: Ingestion of xylitol primarily affects insulin release throughout the body. Insulin causes an increase of glucose (blood sugar) uptake into the liver, muscle, and fat cells resulting in decreasing blood glucose  levels.

Xylitol strongly promotes the release of insulin from the pancreas into circulation leading to a rapid decrease of blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can occur within 30 to 60 minutes of xylitol  ingestion with levels as low as 0.1g xylitol /kg body weight.

Hypoglycemia may compound further into liver toxicity, liver damage, and ultimately liver failure. Ingesting amounts of xylitol greater than 0.5 g xylitol /kg body weight increases the risk for developing liver toxicity.

Sugar-free chewing gum is the most common cause of dogs that present to the emergency room. However, the recent introduction of xylitol as a substitute for sugar in grocery stores has increased the potential for toxicity.

Xylitol is perfectly safe for people, but because of different metabolisms, it can be fatal for dogs and cats. A simple piece of cupcake or cookie could kill an animal if the danger is unknown and not addressed immediately.

Question: What are the signs my dog might have eaten xylitol?

Answer: Immediately after ingestion, vomiting may occur. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) develops within 30 to 60 minutes, resulting in lethargy and weakness. These signs may quickly develop into ataxia (trouble walking), collapse, and seizures. Prolonged blood clotting times as well as skin and intestinal hemorrhaging are clinical signs that may develop within hours and warrant a very poor prognosis.

Question: What do I do if I think my dog has eaten xylitol? What is the treatment and prognosis?

Answer: If xylitol ingestion occurs, consult your veterinarian immediately. Inducing vomiting to remove the xylitol is imperative, but close monitoring of blood sugar levels and intravenous infusions of glucose (sugar) may also be needed depending on the amount ingested and how quickly the problem was recognized.

The prognosis for dogs with hypoglycemia is good with immediate and proper treatment, while the prognosis for dogs that have developed liver toxicity is poor. Large ingestions of xylitol (a relatively small amount of the product) that are not caught immediately can result in fulminant liver failure and death despite aggressive supportive care. This can occur in less than 36  hours in dogs that are otherwise young and healthy.

Dr. Dana Brooks

Dana Brooks is a internal-medicine specialist at Seattle Veterinary Specialists (SVS) in Kirkland. She graduated from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1991 and completed her residency at Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 1995. She worked in the Northeast until 2007, when she joined SVS. Her special interests include hormonal and immune-mediated diseases as well as endoscopy. She lives with two black cats named Jasper and Logan.