Feline Mammary Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and unfortunately, humans aren't the only ones who are affected by breast cancer.  Cats can suffer from mammary cancer as well.

Risk Factors & Symptoms

According to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, mammary cancer occurs in female cats 95% of the time and is the third most common type of feline cancer, following lymphoma and skin cancer.  Mammary cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in kitties over the age of 10.

Cats given the female hormones estrogen and progesterone for behavior modification or as a form of birth control are much more likely to get cancer than those who were not given hormones.  Additionally, Siamese cats seem to possess a genetic disposition for developing mammary cancer; they are twice as likely than other breeds to be affected by it.  Spaying a female before her first heat cycle decreases the risk of developing this type of cancer later in life.

There may be no noticeable lump or other symptoms in the earliest stage of feline mammary cancer.  In later stages, you or your veterinarian will be able to feel a lump under your cat's skin.  Some lumps can ulcerate the skin.  When this happens, many kitties will excessively groom or lick the ulceration, which can lead to infection.  Kitties with cancer may also experience fever, pain, and swelling.  It is not uncommon for a cat to have multiple mammary glands with cancer at one time.

Diagnosis & Treatment

If your veterinarian finds a lump in your kitty's mammary tissue, he or she will send tissue samples to a special laboratory for testing.  According to PetMD, approximately 85% of mammary tumors are malignant.  X-rays and abdominal ultrasound can be utilized to determine if a tumor has metastasized to surrounding lymph nodes, the lungs, adrenal gland, kidney, or liver.

Photo Credit: K B

The most common method of treatment for mammary cancer in cats is complete removal of the affected gland and associated lymph node.  A veterinarian may also choose to do a radical mastectomy where the entire mammary gland chain on one side is removed to prevent recurrence of tumors.  Chemotherapy may be combined with surgery if a tumor has metastasized to other parts of the body.

Prognosis

As with humans, early diagnosis and treatment of feline mammary cancer offers the best survival rates.  The removal of tumors smaller than two centimeters in diameter can offer a kitty three years or more of survival time.  

Always consult your veterinarian if you feel any unusual or new lumps under your cat's skin.  Early detection and treatment offer the best outcomes for surviving mammary cancer.  

Carmine's Vet Visit

As promised, here is an update on my little baby, Carmine.

We went to the vet on Tuesday to get an opinion on his health and to see what else we could do to help with his stress levels.

The vet noticed what I've known for years - Carmine is a *very sensitive* cat.  He picks up on stress and he is stressed *very easily!*

She weighed him and he has maintained his weight (thank God!).  He has been feeling lighter to me and some days he is too nervous to eat much, so I was really worried he was losing weight.  She gave him an exam, too.  His heart is perfect (yay!).  But his teeth are not :(  Carmine goes to the vet on a regular basis and they always look at his teeth, so I was disappointed to hear that he now needs 1-4 extractions, depending on how many they can clean up versus have to pull.

The vet specifically said that she doesn't want to put him through the stress of an oral surgery and recovery from extraction/s *until* the family is gone.  She thinks the stress would be too much for my baby and I totally agree with her on that.  She wants Carmine to come back for his dental surgery in three months.  The family is *supposed* to be gone by Sept. 1.  IF they keep their word (God, PLEASE let them keep their word!!!) then he will have some time to recover from this situation before we have to take him in for his surgery.

I really hope my little boy isn't in pain from his teeth.  He doesn't really chew his kibbles, but he never really has crunched his kibbles the way Milita does.  It concerns me that he eats on the side of his mouth when he's eating wet food sometimes.

I'd much prefer to take him in right away for the surgery to make sure he's not in any unnecessary pain, but I think the vet is right - I think we need to wait for this stressful situation to be over before we stress him with the surgery.  I just hope we're doing the right thing.

She also recommended Rescue Remedy for cats for him in conjunction with the Comfort Zone deffuser for his stress/anxiety, so I'll look for that as soon as I make it over to PetSmart.  I feel so helpless sometimes to help my baby.  I just want to make his anxiety go away.

We are sorry we haven't visited many of your blogs lately.  We plan on visiting everyone again soon.

An Update on Carmine

I wanted to give everyone a little update about Carmine.

Some days he eats well.  Other days I have to try to get him to eat his noms about five times before he'll eat a decent portion of them.  He will eat his kibbles regularly as they're in my room, but the wet food is a little harder to get him to eat some days, depending on how nervous he is.  He needs his wet noms for his FLUTD.  We've been mixing a little extra water into his wet noms so when he eats some, he's getting a good bit of water. :)

I went out and bought the Comfort Zone diffuser like many of you suggested and that seems to be helping him quite a bit, actually!  Thank you everyone who has been offering suggestions, purrs, prayers, hugs, and kind words.  We appreciate you all so much! :)

Carmine still isolates himself in his cube a bit more than I'd like, but he has been running around at night more, which is a good sign.  When everyone but me is asleep I think he's most comfortable.  He has been acting like his usual self more often at night since I plugged in the Comfort Zone in our room. It's nice to see him improving.

Carmine has a vet appointment on Tuesday (because they aren't open on Mondays).  We'll see if he's losing any weight, and if he is, how to get some of that weight back on him.

Thank you all for your support.  It means a lot to us :)

Purrs and Prayers for Carmine and Some Sad News

It shouldn't still surprise me after so long in the pet blogging world, but it still does.  I have found some of the most compassionate, caring, wonderful people and kitties and woofies over the years; it never ceases to amaze me how supportive and wonderful everyone, every kitty, and every woofie is when a furry friend isn't well or crosses over to the Rainbow Bridge.  Thank you so much for all the love, support, comments, suggestions, hugs, purrs, and prayers.  We so appreciate you all more than we can say.

Ann from Zoolatry made this badge for us.  Thank you, Ann! You are so talented and such a generous and compassionate person.

Carmine is hanging in there.  He ate well both yesterday and today.  Everyone stayed downstairs for the most part when it was time for him to eat, and I think that helped him not be so anxious. He is spending a lot of time in his cube in my room.  At night, sometimes he goes out to the living room and lays under the coffee table for a while.

The more I think about it, the more I think a lot of his behavior is stress-related.  BUT I don't want to assume it's stress, so I'm definitely still taking him to the vet.  We will get him an exam and they will probably want to test his urine to make sure his crystals aren't back and probably some blood tests, too.  Of course, we will get him any other test the vet feels is appropriate as well.  I'm just guessing what they might want to use to figure out what's going on with my baby.  I hear that stress is very bad for FLUTD so that is definitely cause for concern.  However, I have been watching him in his litter box to make sure he isn't having trouble urinating.  He has been urinating without trouble so far, so that's definitely good. :)

I really hope the stress doesn't make his arthritis pain worse.  I'd hate for him to hurt at all.  He is too precious to me and I cannot stand to see him suffer - it seriously makes me cry to even think about it.

I am definitely going to look into getting him Comfort Zone or Feliway like many of you suggested.  Does anybody recommend one over the other or are they about the same in terms of effectiveness?

I think I will be heading to PetSmart later.  They have been selling Comfort Zone, but if Feliway is better, I can always order that on-line.

I just want my little fuzzy baby to be happy and content again.

In other news, my little fishie passed away today.......RIP my little Angel.  I wonder if fishies go to the Rainbow Bridge like kitties?  If you are there, Angel, say hi to Emma for us.  We miss you both.

Need Some Ideas on How to Get Kitty to Eat

I am getting really concerned about my baby Carmine.

There have been a lot of changes in his life in the past month (one horrid roommate moving out, a family moving in, kids being here....).  He uses my room as his safe place, specifically, he loves to spend time is his cushy cube :)

What worries me is......he seems to be losing a little weight - again - and he can't afford to lose any.  I have already made a vet appointment for him.  As soon as I noticed it, I knew we had to take him to the vet.  He is due for his three-month visit anyway....

He also doesn't seem to be eating as much as he used to.  I think a lot of that has to do with anxiety/nervousness.  I *thought* we agreed that the family would be in the basement (their space as they're only here for a couple of months) after 8 or 9pm.  Or at least we requested the kids be down there around that time (they are young so should be in bed then anyway) as the kids make Carmine especially nervous.  He's never been around kids before now.

But our request has gone ignored and they are up here a lot after the time we requested they not be up here.  Carmine gets his wet food around then and we want him to feel comfortable eating and not be nervous.

I tried feeding him in my room tonight to try and make sure he could eat in peace, but he was still too anxious to eat much of anything.  After everyone was actually downstairs, we gave him some more wet food.  I sat right by him and reassured him that he was okay.  He ate really well then.

My question is......what can I do to help my baby feel comfortable eating?  Should I just feed him later after everyone is supposed to be asleep?  Do you think me sitting by him would make him feel better?  I know quite a bit about cats, but I'm at a loss here.

Any ideas?  Of course I will ask the vet when we go, too.  I just know that a lot of you probably have some good ideas I can try in the meantime and I'd really appreciate it if you share them with me :)

Thank you so much!

New Flea and Tick Products Just Released for Cats and Dogs

Central Garden and Pet subsidiary Veterinary Product Laboratories (VPL) have just released two new flea and tick products for cats and dogs.

Both Ovitrol X-Tend Flea and Tick Shampoo for Dogs and Cats and Ovitrol X-Tend Flea and Tick Spray for Dogs and Cats contain an adulticide, etofenprox and an insect growth regulator, (S)-Methoprene.  While the etofenprox kills adult fleas and ticks on contact, (S)-Methoprene interrupts the flea life cycle and prevents larvae and eggs from maturing, according to Veterinary Pet Laboratories.

According to CatChannel, because the Ovitrol X-Tend products do not contain permethrin, something that's toxic to cats, these products are safe to use on either dogs or cats.  Thus these products are great for households that have both cats and dogs in them.

The spray comes in a 16-ounce bottle and the shampoo comes in 12-ounce and one gallon bottles.  It can be used on puppies and dogs 10 weeks of age and older and kittens and cats 12 weeks of age and older.

If you are interested in trying the new Ovitrol line, ask your veterinarian about where you can purchase it.


Please note that I am not endorsing this product or making any claims about its effectiveness or safety.  It is always best to consult with your pet's regular veterinarian before trying any new product.

Sources:

Veterinary Pet Laboratories:
With Two New Ovitrol X-Tend Products, Veterinarians Can Now Offer the First Complete Etofenprox System Against Fleas and Ticks

CatChannel:
VPL Launches Vet-Exclusive Flea and Tick Killer for Cats and Dogs

Carmine's Hospital Trip

If you get grossed out easily, I would read the short version of this story. If you'd like a more detailed account of what occurred, you can read the detailed version.

Short Version:
On Saturday night/Sunday morning, Carmine was having litterbox issues.  I was afraid he had a UTI or that his prescription diet c/d stopped working and his crystals were back, so we took him to the vet hospital.  It turned out not to be his Feline Lower  Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), but something else, which could have also turned out badly if we didn't get it fixed.  Carmine is okay now, and we will be taking him to the vet in a few weeks to make sure the problem does not reoccur.



Detailed Version: 
On Saturday night/Sunday morning, I noticed Carmine running back and forth between the two litterboxes.  I went to watch and see what he was doing, and found him squatting in the box grunting.  He'd then get out and go to the other box and do the same thing.  My first thought was that he was having a urinary tract infection or that his prescription c/d diet had failed suddenly (he's been on it for three years) and that he had developed crystals in his urine again.  I was afraid he was obstructed, so I woke up one of my roommates and we went to the vet hospital.

At the hospital, I told them about his Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease and they took him to examine him.  The vet came out and said he was not obstructed, so that was definitely a relief!  But she said he could have a urinary tract infection or he could be constipated.  So, they took an x-ray of him to see what they could find.

The vet came out to get us a little while later (and she was carrying my baby boy around!) and brought us back to show us the x-ray.  She said she did not see any crystals in his bladder and it did not look like he was constipated, either.

Then she asked me if I had ever had a pet with anal sac problems and I told her I hadn't.  She took us over to show us what she had gotten out of Carmine's.  She said that they were nearly full and about to rupture, which would have caused an abscess and an icky infection.  She was a little puzzled as to why his were full, though, because he isn't on a low-fiber diet.

She informed us that it will take about a month for the sacs to fill up again (if they fill up again), so we are going to take Carmine to his regular vet shortly and see if he is having any problems with them.  Some people have to regularly express their dog's anal sacs, so if this is not a one-time thing for Carmine, it looks like it will be safe to do at home.  I'm going to ask the vet what the best thing to do is, of course.  If she feels it would be better to bring him in every month to have her do it, then I will do that.  It doesn't seem too complicated though, so maybe she can teach us how to do it so Carmine won't have to endure a vet trip every month.  I'm also going to ask her if more fiber in his diet would be beneficial.

I'm hoping this was just a one-time thing, but we will deal with what comes.  Carmine is totally worth it!!  He is feeling a lot better now :)

Top 10 Cat and Dog Toxins of 2011

In 2011, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, located in Urbana, IL, received more than 165,900 phone calls regarding pets being exposed to toxic substances.  The 10 most common toxic substances pets were exposed to are as follows.

1. Prescription Human Medications: The Animal Poison Control Center reports it received nearly 25,000 calls regarding pets ingesting prescription human medications last year.  ADHD and heart medications were among the most commonly swallowed prescription drugs.

To prevent your pet from swallowing any prescription medication, take your pills in the bathroom or another room containing tile or non-carpeted floor.  This way you can hear it more easily if a pill happens to fall on the floor.  Being aware that a pill has fallen will give you a chance to search for and pick up the medication before your pet has a chance to ingest it.

2. Insecticides: Eleven percent of calls last year concerned pets being exposed to insecticides.  These products included those utilized in the home, on pets, and on the lawn.  The ASPCA reminds pet owners it is essential to read a product's directions before using it around a pet.  Only use products that are safe to use around pets in your home and on your lawn.  Finally, do not use a product specifically made for a dog on a cat or vice versa.

3. Over-the-Counter Human Medications: Over-the-counter human medications are also toxic to pets.  Common over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (found in Tylenol) or ibuprofen, often found in the home, can actually kill your cat or dog if he or she ingests them.  Always check with your veterinarian before you give any type of over-the-counter medication to your furry friend.

4. People/Human Food: As much as you might want to share your food with your furry friend, you must be careful what you feed your pet.  Several human foods can cause severe damage to your cat or dog if he or she eats them.  Chocolate, for instance, may cause diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, and increased heart rate in pets who have ingested it, according to the ASPCA.

You may find a list of common toxic foods to cats in my earlier posts - Toxic Food to Cats Part 1 and Part 2.  Please note that these are NOT complete lists of all the foods toxic to cats.

5. Household Products: The household products ingested were not specified by the Animal Poison Control Center.  Be sure to keep all small items, such as rubber bands, staples, needles, thumb tacks, and so forth put up in containers where pets cannot access them.  These products may cause dangerous intestinal blockages or tares if ingested.  Likewise, keep all string, streamers, tinsel, yarn, thread, etc. out of your furry friend's reach.  These items can also have fatal consequences if ingested.  Finally, keep all chemical cleaners out of your pet's reach.

6. Veterinary Medications: Some chewable pet medications may taste good to your furry friend.  If he or she ingests more than he or she is supposed to at one time, it may result in poisoning.  Be sure to keep your pet's medication out of reach, such as in a secure medicine cabinet in the bathroom, so that he or she cannot gobble all of his or her pills at once.  If your furry friend eats more medication than your vet recommends per dose, call your veterinarian immediately.

7. Rodenticides: Use rodenticides with extreme caution around pets.  Bait to trap mice may be especially attractive to dogs as it is grain based.  According to the ASPCA, ingesting rodenticides may cause kidney failure, internal bleeding, and/or death.

8. Plants: Cats seem to find chewing on plants irresistible.  There are hundreds of plants toxic to cats and dogs.  For instance, lilies can lead to kidney failure and death for cats who ingest them, according to the ASPCA.  You may reference their list of toxic and non-toxic plants here.  You may also view my list of some safe plants to keep around cats if you enjoy having plants in your home.

9. Lawn and Garden Products: According to the ASPCA, lawn and garden fertilizers may be made of bone meal, dried blood, and/or poultry manure, which attract pets.  If you utilize lawn and/or garden products, it is a good idea to only let your pets roam outdoors when you can supervise them.

10. Automotive Products: Antifreeze, brake fluid, and so forth can be fatal if ingested by your furry friend.  Thankfully, the number of automotive product poisonings has decreased as more people choose to keep their cats indoors, according to the ASPCA.

Taking some simple precautions and pet-proofing your home, lawn, and garden can go a long way in preventing your pet from accidentally ingesting a poisonous substance.

If you believe your pet has been exposed to a toxic substance, please call your veterinarian immediately or contact the Animal Poison Control Center 24 hours a day at: 888-426-4435.

Source:

ASPCA: Top 10 Pet Toxins of 2011

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Launches New Pet Food for Hyperthyroid Cats

I think this is really exciting news, and a great development in feline medicine!

This short video explains how a new Hill's Prescription diet formula can help restore thyroid function in cats suffering from hyperthyroidism. Simply click the link to watch the video. Enjoy!

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Launches New Pet Food for Hyperthyroid Cats

You can read more about hyperthyroidism here.

The Things Pets Eat

Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) received more than 6,500 claims for foreign object ingestion and spent nearly $5.2 million on such claims from January to November of this year, according to the Brea, California-based pet insurance company. Some of the notable items dogs and cats swallowed this year are listed below. All of the pets who swallowed these items underwent surgery to remove them and recovered.

• Approximately 100 rocks
• 14 hair bands
• 62 vitamin D soft gels
• Dental floss
• A makeup sponge
• Staples
• A rat (which was swallowed whole)
• Two plastic eyeballs and a bunch of broccoli stems
• A rosebush
• A sweatshirt
• A wedding ring
• Poison ivy
• Soap
• Pepper spray
• Wires
• Three sewing needles
• Glue
• 130 fish oil capsules
• A battery

To see a full list of the notable items dogs and cats have swallowed this year, you can view this article.

Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe

Keep Small Objects Out of Reach: Keep small objects of any sort out of the reach of your pets. These can include: paper clips, staples, thumb tacks, rubber bands, hair bands, twist ties, and other small objects that could be easily ingested by your pet. I think it's best to keep small items in containers out of your pet's reach, if possible.

Buy Appropriate Toys: Unfortunately, just because a pet store sells it, doesn't mean every toy is safe for your pet. I recommend not purchasing any toys that have small parts that can be easily pulled off and ingested by your furry friend.

Keep All Poisonous Plants Out of Your Pet's Reach: There are hundreds of plants toxic to cats. You can visit the ASPCA's list of toxic plants to cats in order to find out which plants are harmful for your kitty.

Signs of Foreign Body Ingestion

If your kitty has swallowed something he or she shouldn't have, your furry friend may exhibit vomiting, lethargy, and possibly diarrhea (with or without blood). Cats who have swallowed a foreign object may not be able to eat or to keep anything down. They may appear depressed or become dehydrated as well. It is important to note that the symptoms a cat may show after swallowing a foreign object can vary significantly depending on the location of the object, object size, how long ago the object was swallowed, and the degree to which a pet's intestines or stomach is obstructed.

If you suspect your cat has swallowed a foreign body and begins to show clinical symptoms, please take him or her to the vet (or emergency veterinary hospital) as soon as possible to avoid life-threatening consequences.

Good Samaritan Endowment Program Helps Indianapolis Pets in Need

Struggling families in the Indianapolis Indiana area will soon be able to get needed preventive veterinary care for their pets. The aim of the Good Samaritan Endowment Program is to give non-emergency preventive veterinary care to pets whose families cannot afford it due to financial difficulties. The program will also provide fourth-year veterinary and veterinarian tech students attending Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine hands-on learning experiences.

The Good Samaritan Endowment Program has been made possible through a $100,000 gift by an anonymous donation from an Indianapolis woman. Elanco Companion Health, a global company that develops and markets products to increase animal health, matched the donation.

Individuals who are interested in receiving basic, preventive care, such as vaccinations and heartworm prevention through the Good Samaritan Endowment Program must verify their financial need by filling out a questionnaire. Three community centers located in Marion County - Church Within, the Concord Center, and Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center - will help determine if an individual meets financial qualifications to receive veterinary care through the program.

Stephen A. Connell, DVM and director of technical, academic, and consumer services for Elanco Companion Health stated, "It's crucial to establish programs like the Good Samaritan to reinforce the importance of adequate veterinary care. Elanco fully recognizes the important role pets play in our lives and is committed to keeping pets happy and healthy."

If you would like more information on this program, you can visit Purdue University's News page.

Source:

Purdue University: University News Service: Purdue Veterinary Medicine-led Project to Help Care for Indianapolis Pets in Need

Take Your Cat to the Vet Week

This week (August 22 through 28) has been declared as Take Your Cat to the Vet Week. You’re probably wondering why such an event is needed. Unfortunately, the CATlyst Council and the American Humane Association estimate that even though cats outnumber dogs in the U.S. by 15 million, cats see the veterinarian half as often as dogs. In fact, Feline Pine, which founded Take Your Cat to the Vet Week, surveyed feline owners in 2009 and discovered that fewer than half of the owners took their kitties to the vet for checkups unless they were ill. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that felines visit the veterinarian twice a year for checkups.

CatChannel speculates there are a few reasons pet parents do not take their cats to the vet as often as they should. First, it is difficult to get a cat into his or her carrier. Oftentimes, when you pull out the carrier, a cat will bolt under the bed or the couch and is difficult to capture.

When I take my kitties to the vet, I pick up one of my cats while my roommate gets the carrier ready. It is definitely easier to get a cat into a carrier when you have two people on the task. However, if you do not have anyone to help you get your feline into his or her carrier, you might want to put your kitty into the bathroom and then get the carrier out. Take the carrier into the bathroom with you and shut the door. This will ensure your cat does not have a lot of room to run around or things to hide under.

Another great idea is to help your cat get used to, and even like his or her carrier. Petfinder has some tips on how you can get your pet to like his or her carrier. You can read the tips here.

I speculate another reason pet owners do not take their felines to the vet as often as is recommended is that the vet can be expensive. If your kitty does not have many medical problems, you might want to look into pet insurance, which will help cover the cost of preventative vet care. If you are on a limited or fixed income, do an Internet search for “low-cost veterinary care” in your city and state. Many states offer low-cost vet care for individuals who cannot afford to pay full price for their pet’s vet visits.

Even though vet visits may be stressful for both you and your feline, they are very important. Cats are very good at hiding health problems from humans. If you do not notice subtle changes in your cat’s behavior, he or she can suffer for weeks or months before you notice that he or she may not be feeling well. You can read more on how to tell if your cat may be sick in my posts How to Tell if Your Cat is Sick - Part 1 and Part 2.

Regular checkups can help diagnose and treat diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, arthritis, and kidney failure earlier, which could mean less suffering for your furry friend and less expensive treatment for you as well.

Regular vet visits are beneficial for both you and your furry friend. If you haven’t been to the veterinarian in the past six months, I really encourage you to schedule an appointment for your kitty soon.

Sources:

Petfinder: Take Your Cat to the Vet Week 2011

CatChannel: The CATalyst: Celebrate Take Your Cat to the Vet Week

Tips for Bringing a New Cat or Kitten Home

Bringing a new cat or kitten home is exciting! However, what some new pet parents don't realize is that the new kitten or cat often needs time to adjust to his or her new home. Using these tips may help your new pet adjust to your home.

Coming Home: When you pick up your new feline from your shelter, adoption center, or breeder, have a carrier ready to take him or her home in. Most shelters and adoption centers will provide cardboard carriers for you to take home your new kitten or cat. Take your new pet directly from the shelter, adoption center, or breeder to your home. Do not stop and visit with anyone else or stop to go shopping. It is always dangerous to leave a kitten or cat in a car alone due to temperatures inside the car at any time of year. Therefore, purchase everything you need for a new cat or kitten ahead of time, if you don't already have a resident cat at home. In addition, if you have children, do not allow them to take your feline out of the carrier while you are in the car. Cats are almost always afraid to ride in the car, and taking your pet out will only cause chaos and more trauma for him or her.

Preparing a Place: New felines tend to be very nervous in new surroundings; moving from one home to another or from the shelter or adoption center to a home is very stressful for them. Thus, it is a great idea to set up a special quiet place for your new pet. This could be a spare room or in your bedroom, for instance. This space should contain a litterbox, food, water, toys, and a comfortable place for your cat to sleep, like a cat bed.

Be Patient: New feline owners must realize that when a cat moves into a new (or different, if previously owned) forever home, he or she needs time to adjust to his or her surroundings. Give your cat at least one month to adjust to your home. If he or she is hiding, simply let him or her be until your pet is ready to come out and explore. However, if your feline isn't drinking, eating, or toileting, it is time to call or visit your veterinarian.

Spend Time With Your New Feline: It is advisable to get your cat or kitten on a day when you can be at home with him or her, such as a weekend. Once you take your new feline out of his or her carrier, immediately show him or her where the litterbox is and provide a bowl of water. PAWS recommends waiting an hour to provide your new companion food.

Throughout the day, spend a lot of time with your new pet, talking calmly and softly to him or her and playing if he or she is interested in doing so. Supervise all visits children have with your new companion and remind them to treat the kitty with tenderness. PAWS also advises keeping children's visits to a minimum as to not overwhelm your new furry friend.

It is also common for felines to exhibit behavior problems in the first few days or weeks after moving into a new home. These problems often go away as your new pet adjusts to your home. Remember to give your kitty a month to adjust to your home before becoming concerned about any behavioral issues. If your pet is still exhibiting behavior problems after a month has passed, your veterinarian or vet behaviorist should be able to help you and your cat through the problem.

Additionally, it is quite common for a cat or kitten to hide in his or her new environment or for adult cats to jump up onto high furniture. Don't panic if your new cat or kitten does this. He or she will come out of hiding or down from the furniture when he or she is ready. Simply continue to talk calmly and gently to your feline.

Finally, find out what type of litter and food your cat or kitten was using before you bring him or her home. Continue to utilize the same litter and food your kitty was using previously to decrease the number of changes your new companion must cope with at once.

Bringing a new feline into your home is certainly exciting. Following these tips and being patient with your new companion will help you develop a loving, lasting bond with him or her.

Free First Cat Exam at VCA Hospitals

Now through August 31, 2011 you can get a free first-time cat exam at any VCA Hospital. In addition, VCA Hospitals are giving special offers on Hills cat food and free first dose of cat heartworm prevention when you purchase six doses.

You can get your coupon for the free first exam for your cat here. You can find VCA Hospital locations here. VCA Hospitals are located in nearly every state within the United States.

Foods Toxic to Cats - Part 1

Veterinarians always encourage pet owners not to feet their cats food from the table. This is partly because a lot of the food we consume is toxic to cats. These are some known foods that are toxic to felines and how your kitty may react if he or she ingests them. Please do not use this list as a complete list of toxic foods to your pet.

Apples, apricots, peaches, cherries and plums: If your kitty ingests apples, crab apples, apricots, peaches, cherries, or plums, he or she may experience panting, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, and/or panting.

Avocado: The fruit, seeds, bark, and leaves of avocados are all likely toxic to pets. If your pet ingests any part of an avocado, he or she may vomit and/or have diarrhea.

Garlic and leeks: Garlic and leeks can cause serious symptoms if ingested by your cat. These include: the breakdown of red blood cells (which may result in Heinz body anemia or hemolytic anemia), vomiting, panting, a high heart rate, blood in the urine, and/or weakness.

Corn plant and cornstalk plant: Corn plant and cornstalk plant are both toxic to kitties as well. If your pet ingests these planets, he or she may experience vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, depression, excessive salivation and/or dilated pupils.

Fig: If ingested, your pet may salivate, vomit, or experience irritation in his or her mouth. If your pet's skin comes in contact with fig, he or she may develop dermatitis.

Chamomile: Chamomile can cause contact dermatitis where your cat's skin came in contact with the plant. If your feline ingests chamomile, he or she may experience an allergic reaction, loss of appetite, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.

Coffee: Coffee can increase a cat's heart and respiratory rates, can affect the central nervous system, and cause restlessness.

Grapefruit, lemon, and lime: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and possible photosensitivity are the clinical signs you may notice if your kitty has ingested grapefruit, lemon, or lime.

Grapes: diarrhea, lack of appetite, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, and kidney damage may all occur as a result of your kitty ingesting grapes.

If you believe your cat has been in contact with or has ingested a toxic food or plant, please call your veterinarian, local veterinary/animal hospital, or the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 right away. It is important to note that a $65 fee may be charged to your credit card for utilizing the ASPCA's National Animal Poison Control Center.

How to Tell if Your Cat is Sick - Part 2

In my last post, I discussed some ways in which you can tell if your cat is not feeling well. In this post, I will continue that discussion so that you have the best chance of spotting illness or pain early in your feline.

Skin and Coat: Changes in your cat's skin and coat is one sign that your furry friend may not be feeling well. A healthy feline's coat is slightly lustrous, clean, and soft, according to the website How Stuff Works. If your cat's coat is looking unkempt, dry, oily, or dull, he or she may not be feeling well.

If you see bald patches or spots with thinning hair on your cat, he or she could be experiencing an allergic reaction, flea infestation, or obsessively grooming oneself in reaction to stress.

As you probably already know (if you are a cat owner), cats are very diligent about keeping themselves clean. If you suddenly see your feline stop bathing or grooming himself or herself, he or she may be ill or in pain.

Of course, sometimes when a kitty looks unkempt, it is merely a sign that he or she needs more grooming attention from his or her human. It is always best to ask your veterinarian about changes you notice in your feline's grooming habits.

Ears: The appearance of the ears is another way in which you can determine if your pet is healthy. You should look inside your cat's ears periodically. Checking your pet's ears during grooming time is a good way to get into a routine. Ear mites look like dirt or coffee grounds in the ears. While some felines will itch or rub their ears if they have ear mites, not all of them do. Seeing a blue or yellowish tint in or around the ears indicates something may seriously be wrong with your kitty and you should call your vet immediately if you notice this.

Cats who spend time indoors and outdoors or who stay outdoors all the time also need to have their ears inspected regularly. In winter, a kitty's ears can develop frostbite in as little as an hour's time. Additionally, if your cat gets into a fight, his or her ears are easy targets for scratches and bites. Examining your pet's ears regularly will help you avoid infection if injury occurs.

Gums: Changes in the gums are another sign that something is wrong with your pet. In order to open your cat's mouth, How Stuff Works recommends placing one of your hands on top of your feline's head with your thumb on one side of the mouth and fingers on the other side. Lift your cat's head up so that his or her nose is pointed upward. Next, take your other hand and put one finger where your cat's front teeth meet. Push down on the lower jaw gently to open the mouth.

It is not uncommon for a feline's gums to take on the color of his or her coat. Additionally, orange cats can have harmless freckles on their lips, noses, and inside their mouths.

Your cat's gums should be a pink color (if not the color of his or her coat). White gums may mean your kitty is suffering from anemia. If your cat's gums have a bluish tint, he or she may not be getting enough oxygen. Finally, if you notice the gums have a yellowish tint, there may be something amiss with your furry friend's liver.

Eyes: A cat's eyes are also a good source of information about his or her health. Cat pupils come in different shapes naturally. However, if the shape or size of your feline's pupils change, it could be an indication that something is amiss. Additionally, if your pet's eyes appear milky, cloudy, or filmy, your furry friend may be suffering from cataracts, viral ulcers, or another type of vision problem, asserts the website How Stuff Works.

The iris, the colored part of the eye, is often a shade of blue, yellow, or green in cats. Some cats even have two different colored irises. If you notice changes to your pet's iris or if you notice the appearance of spots or splotches in the iris, call your veterinarian. Sometimes the iris looks like Swiss cheese, as if it's falling apart as a feline ages, even though it isn't.

The sclera, the white part of the eye should be white; you may also be able to see some small blood vessels as well. However, you should be concerned if the sclera is "bloodshot," contains ulcers or splotches of color, is yellow, or has obvious signs of injury like scratches, bruises, or scrapes.

Felines also have a third eyelid known as the nictitating membrane. Normally, you probably do not notice this eyelid very much. However, one of the ways you can tell your cat is sick is if his or her third eyelid is up - partially occluding the eyeball.

Finally, the pink fleshy part under your furry friend's eyelids is known as the conjunctiva. As with the third eyelid, you probably don't usually notice the conjunctiva. If the conjunctiva swells, it may give your cat's eye a "meaty" appearance and is an indication that something may be wrong.

If you notice any of the signs or symptoms discussed in this post or my last post, it is best to call your veterinarian for his or her opinion and recommendations on your cat's health.

May all the beloved felines and their humans remain healthy :)

Source:

How Stuff Works: How to Tell if Your Cat is Sick

How to Tell if Your Cat is Sick - Part 1

Cats are notorious for being able to hide their illnesses and pain from everyone. They've had to do this historically in order to not appear vulnerable to predators. However, their great ability to hide pain and illness can also make it difficult for feline parents to recognize when a cat is sick or in pain. Getting to know your cat's routine and his or her habits is very important for being able to recognize the early signs of possible illness or pain in your pet.

Appetite and Eating: Knowing your cat's eating habits will help you recognize when something is amiss with his or her appetite or eating. For instance, if you feed your cat dry food in the morning and it typically lasts all day, you'll recognize your cat is not eating as much or doesn't have an appetite if his or her bowl is half-full at the end of the day. If you feed your cat wet (canned) food everyday and he or she is typically excited about it, you can assume he or she has no appetite if your cat doesn't come running for his or her wet dinner as usual. However, if your cat comes running for his or her dinner and then doesn't eat much (or anything at all), your cat may not feel as if he or she can eat much. Loss of appetite and/or changes in eating habits is one sign your fur baby may be ill.

Drinking: Your cat's drinking habits are another important thing you should know about him or her. If your cat is not drinking as much as usual, he or she may become dehydrated and may need to get fluids at your veterinarian. In order to tell if your pet is dehydrated, gently lift up the skin between his or her shoulder blades and release it. If the skin falls back into place immediately, your feline is hydrated. If the skin does not snap back into place immediately, your cat is likely suffering from dehydration.

Similarly, if your furry friend begins drinking more water than usual, it could be a sign of a serious problem, such as diabetes.

Elimination: Though it may not be the most comfortable thing to think about, it is important to know your cat's usual elimination habits. If your feline is litterbox trained and typically uses his or her litterbox, he or she may be ill or in pain if he or she suddenly stops using it and eliminates elsewhere. Of course, a refusal to utilize the litterbox could simply mean that the box is not clean enough for your furry friend. However, if after cleaning the box and filling it with fresh litter, your cat still refuses to use the litterbox, there is likely something amiss with your pet.

Personality and Behavior Changes: Personality and behavior changes are another sign that may indicate something is wrong with your pet. If your cat typically greets you at the door when you come home and stops doing so, there may be something wrong. If your furry friend usually follows you around your home, but stops doing so and begins sleeping in another room while you are at home instead, this could mean your fur baby is ill. Lethargy and sudden aggressiveness are some other changes you might see in your pet if he or she is not feeling well.

These are just a few of the signs that may indicate your pet is not feeling well. I hope you will return to learn about other signs that your feline may be ill or in pain.

Dangers of the Great Outdoors to Cats

Many cat owners debate on whether they should allow their furry friends to go outside or whether they should keep their furry friends as indoor-only cats. Consider this: according to Traci M. Jones who wrote, "Perils in the Life of an Outdoor Cat," the average lifespan of a cat who spends all of his or her time outdoors is approximately a year and a half whereas the average lifespan for a cat who spends all of his or her time indoors is more than 15 years. There are several dangers to consider when deciding whether to allow your cat to spend time outdoors, and if so, when and where.

Heartworm: Cats, like dogs, can get heartworm when they spend time outdoors. This occurs when an infected insect bites a cat. If you allow your cat to spend any time outdoors, please be responsible and provide your furry friend with heartworm prevention. You can get heartworm prevention through your veterinarian.

Diseases: While there are vaccinations for some diseases, vaccinations have not been created against every disease your cat can get outdoors through other animals. Furthermore, according to Tracie M. Jones, while there are vaccinations against feline leukemia and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), they are not reliably effective.

Fleas, Tics, and Worms....Oh my! While fleas, tics, and worms do not pose life-threatening dangers to your cat, fleas, tics, and worms can make your cat - and you - very uncomfortable. When a cat gets fleas and brings them into your home, the fleas are just as likely to start biting you as they are your kitty. Additionally, getting rid of fleas is time-consuming and challenging! If you allow your cat to spend time outdoors, please be a responsible pet owner by putting regular flea and tic prevention on your kitty. You can purchase good quality flea and tic prevention, like Frontline or Advantage, from your veterinarian. Please do not utilize over-the-counter flea and tic prevention products such as Hartz as these products are often not safe for your furry friend.

In addition to fleas and tics, kitties can contract different types of parasites and worms while spending time outdoors. For instance, cats can contract ringworm by digging in dirt. Ringworm is very contagious to humans as well.

Toxic plants: There are hundreds of toxic plants to cats. If ingested, these plants can cause everything from vomiting to coma to death, depending on the plant ingested and how much was eaten. A few of the plants toxic to felines include: all types of lilies, cherries, daisies, spring parsley, tulips, irises, tomato plants, wisteria, and yews.

Cruel people: You might have a fence in your backyard, but this means nothing to your furry friend. To your furry friend, a fence is merely an obstacle to get over, not a barrier to keep him or her in your yard where he or she might be safe. If your cat jumps your fence into a neighbor's yard, your neighbor may or may not mind. If your neighbor doesn't want a furry visitor in his or her yard, though, your neighbor may not have any problem shooting, hitting, poisoning, or harming your fur baby in any other way.

Cats may not even be safe in your own backyard. I heard a very tragic story where a cat was taken from his own backyard and dunked in paint thinner! The cat ultimately lost his life due to the insanely cruel actions of another person.

Automobiles: In addition, if your cat escapes from your yard, he or she runs the risk of getting hit by an automobile. I used to live in the country where there are no speed limits on roads and it was not an uncommon occurrence to see a poor fur baby laying on the side of the road. It's horrible to think about, but the sad truth is, a lot of people never see cats (speed limit or not) until it's too late.

All of these dangers pose very real threats to our fur babies, but that doesn't mean you can't let your furry friend enjoy the great outdoors. If you choose to keep your cat strictly indoors, you can buy him or her nature DVDs that allow him or her to see the outdoors from the safety of your home. Window perches are another great way to allow your feline to enjoy the outdoors while inside. If you want to let your kitty go outside, my best advice would be to either build (or buy) him or her a secure outside enclosure or to put a harness and leash on your feline and take him outside with you so you can supervise his or her outdoor time.

Heat Stroke in Cats

In the heart of summer, the extreme heat may lead you to become dehydrated, and to experience physical symptoms such as dizziness and heart palpitations - signs that you may be suffering from heat stroke. Likewise, the heat can lead your cat to experience heat stroke as well. While our furry friends cannot tell us they are too hot, you can observe several signs in them that will tell you they are overheated.

At-Risk Cats:

Some cats are more prone to developing heat stroke than others. However, remember that ALL cats can suffer from heat stroke.

Cats who are especially prone to developing heat stroke include: kittens, senior cats (8 years old and older), obese cats, and cats who have dense coats, such as Persians.

Signs of Heat Stroke in Cats:

• Anxiety - your cat may be agitated or pace around.
• Lethargy.
• Panting.
• Gums that are dark red or pale in color.
• Bright red tongue.
  
• Increased internal body temperature - according to About, normal body temperature for felines is between 100.5 to 101.5 degrees. An internal temperature of 104 degrees or higher is cause for concern.
  
• Diarrhea and/or vomiting.
• Collapse.
  
• Nose bleed.
• Muscle tremors.
  
• Increased heartbeat.
• Lethargy.
• Hyperventilation or respiratory distress.
• Coma.
  

Preventing Heat Stroke in Cats:

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways in which you can help keep your kitty from overheating during the summer months. First, keep your cat indoors during summer months in a cool interior room of the house (preferably with some air conditioning or a fan). Some cats enjoy laying in the bathroom because the tile floor is often cooler than carpeted spaces.

One suggestion About has regarding keeping your cat cool that I really like is to take a bag of frozen peas and put them in your cat's bed. The peas will mold around him and he or she will have somewhere very cool to sleep.

Never leave your furry friend alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes. The temperature in a parked car rises very quickly, even in the cooler months, so it is essential that when you are traveling with your feline that there is plenty of ventilation.

In order to ensure your cat stays hydrated, ensure he or she always has a supply of fresh, cool, water. You might want to put more bowls of water down for your kitty during the summer because staying hydrated is so important. You can even drop an ice cube in your cat's water to encourage him or her to drink it.

If your cat shows the signs of heat stroke, it is essential that you begin cooling your cat as soon as possible. Get your kitty wet with cool, but NOT cold water. Next, wrap some cool, damp towels around him or her so that he or she can continue to cool down while you take your furry friend to the vet. If your cat exhibits the signs of heat stroke, it is essential that you take him or her to the vet (or a vet hospital) immediately, as this is a life-threatening condition.

You can help your cat stay cool this summer by utilizing these techniques. If you have found other techniques to work for keeping your feline cool, please feel free to share them in the comments section.

Types, Treatment, and Prevention of Sunburns in Cats

As I noted in an earlier post, cats can get sunburned just like humans. Sunburns raise the risk of your cat developing skin cancer in the future. Thus, it is important to know how to prevent sunburn. It's also important to be able to spot the signs and symptoms of sunburn in your cat so that he or she can get prompt treatment for it if it occurs.

While white cats are especially prone to sunburns, any place where a cat has thin fur is also prone to getting burned. These places include a feline's ears, stomach, and nose.

Prevention:

Prevention is always best when it comes to sunburns in pets. There are several ways in which you may prevent your furry friend from getting a burn in the warmer months. First, make sure your cat stays out of the sun during the sun's peak hours - between 10am to 4pm.

Next, if your kitty goes outside, lays in sunbeams, or sits in the window while the sun is out, you can put sunscreen on him or her to protect your kitty from burns. Some veterinarians recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher that is safe to use on infants. Ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendations for your furry friend. Be sure to apply the sunscreen to your cat's thin-skinned areas if he or she is not white or light-colored. If your furry friend is white or light colored, it is best to apply sunscreen all over his or her body to protect against sunburn. You should reapply sunscreen every two hours for best protection.

Finally, make sure your cat always has access to shade, whether he or she is spending time indoors or out. If your kitty likes spending time sunbathing or looking out the window, you can buy UV window film from your local home improvement store. The film is easy to apply and remove. The film is also available for sliding glass doors. As an added bonus, the film also helps keep your home cooler during the summer.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of sunburn in your cat will help you know when your pet needs medical attention.

Types of Sunburns:

First degree burns: When your cat has a first-degree sunburn, the top layer of his or her skin is affected. The burn will be red or pink in appearance.

Second degree burns: When your feline is suffering from a second degree sunburn, not only is the top layer of skin burned, but so is the layer of skin underneath the top layer. The burned skin will be red in appearance. There may also be blisters present.

Third degree burns: A third degree sunburn affects all the layers of a feline's skin. The affected area may appear white and dry or crusty.

Cats who are suffering from any degree of sunburn may begin to experience itchiness and/or pain. If your furry friend itches a sunburn a lot, it may also lead to bleeding and/or infection.

Treatment:

If you notice your cat has ANY degree of sunburn, it is important to get him or her veterinary care as soon as possible.

Treatment for sunburns in cats depends on what type of burn your furry friend has. Cleaning the burn, shaving the hair around the burn, antibiotics, and topical creams may be needed for first and second degree sunburns. Treatment of third degree sunburns requires hospitalization with intravenous fluids, daily bandage changes and wound care, topical creams, and possibly skin grafts.

Please take care of your cat's skin this summer to prevent your kitty from getting burned.