Posts Tagged ‘Cat health’

My husband Denny and I live with four cats, 3 of which are over the age of 6. Our eldest, Ajax, is 14 years old. I started researching kidney disease in hopes to stay on top of any symptoms that may arise, so that  we can catch it before it gets too far (of course, we’re hoping all of our cats live to the age of 30 and die in their sleep). Kidney failure is the second biggest killer in cats worldwide.

Kidney failure is very common in older cats, but can occur at any age. Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is an advancing, irreversible deterioration of kidney function. Keep in mind that when cats don’t feel well, depending on the personality of course, they do not like to show signs that they are sick. In order to hide their symptoms, a lot of times they’ll hide themselves. If your usually upbeat and friendly cat is making himself scarce lately, start looking for symptoms of illness. Some symptoms of kidney failure are:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Increased volume of urination
• Decreased frequency and volume of urination
• Urination in the middle of the night
• Blood in urine
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Reluctance to move or lethargy
• Weight loss
• Poor or unkempt fur

This is not a complete list, and as you see, symptoms vary. Don’t take any chances- we take our kitties in for blood work at least once per year, just to be safe.

Causes of kidney failure vary as much as the symptoms. Parasites, age, cancer, infections (viral, bacterial or fungal), inflammation, trauma, genetics, auto-immune diseases, reactions to medications or poisons are just some of the causes.

There are many different tests that your veterinarian can perform to determine a diagnosis- chemistry panel tests, urinalysis, complete blood count, radiography, and ultrasonography are some of the tests your vet may talk to you about.

If caught early, there are treatments such as fluid therapy, diet change, electrolytes, vitamins and fatty acids that may help your cat get through kidney failure. Chronic Renal Failure can come on very quickly, though and it is not guaranteed that a cat can live through it. Early detection and healthy living is a good way to do all that you can for your cat. Remember, if you pay more for higher quality foods, you’ll probably spend less on vet bills in the long run.

The difference between friends and pets is that friends we allow into our company, pets we allow into our solitude.  ~Robert Brault

A few months ago, I was giving my dogs their monthly dose of Revolution, a flea, tick and heartwork preventative. When I say monthly, that’s what it’s supposed to be, but I had found that the top spot treatment was lasting longer than that, so I only used it once every 2 or 3 months.

This was shortly after we adopted our newest dog, Josie, from Georgia Humane Society (an AWESOME rescue and pet adoption group), so this was the first application of the treatment that we had given her. I noticed that evening that she was acting a bit lethargic, but I wrote it off as sleepy. The next morning it became apparent that something was wrong. I checked her gums and they were pale and as I was getting dressed to take her to the vet, she threw up a huge amount of water.

I had heard a few negative things about flea meds, but never had any reactions in my pets, so I continued to use it. After blood tests turned up with nothing, the vet said there was no way of knowing what was wrong and that I should continue to use the Revolution. I’ve been considering all of this and have decided to go the natural route instead. Below, you will find a story that I found on the MSNBC website, and then under that I will place a few natural flea preventative web links. I’m not sure how any of this works, so if you have experience with natural flea/tick/heartworm preventative, don’t be shy and leave a comment with your knowledge. Here’s the story:

Pet deaths prompt warnings on flea meds

EPA seeks to improve safety after increase in harm to dogs, cats

updated 6:18 p.m. ET, Wed., March. 17, 2010

WASHINGTON – Products intended to treat cats and dogs for fleas and ticks kill hundreds of pets each year and injure tens of thousands, the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday as it outlined plans to make the products safer.

The EPA said it will develop stricter testing and evaluation requirements for flea and tick treatments that are applied to a pet’s skin. The agency also will begin reviewing labels to determine which ones need to say more clearly how to use the products.

The EPA’s effort follows increasing complaints from pet owners that the “spot-on” products have triggered reactions in dogs and cats, ranging from skin irritation to neurological problems to deaths. Cats and small dogs appear particularly vulnerable, the EPA said, especially when given products intended for larger animals.

Steve Owens, assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, said new restrictions will be placed on flea and tick products, with additional changes for specific products likely — including possible changes in some product formulas.

“These are poisons,” Owens said. “These are products designed to kill fleas and ticks — and they do their jobs.”

The EPA is committed to better protecting the health and safety of pets and families, Owens said, but added that pet owners “need to carefully read and follow all labeling before exposing your pet to a pesticide.”

The agency announced last April it was increasing scrutiny of topical flea and tick products because of the growing number of bad reactions reported.

The EPA said it received 44,263 reports of harmful reactions associated with topical flea and tick products in 2008, up from 28,895 in 2007. Reactions ranged from skin irritations to vomiting to seizures to, in about 600 cases, death of an animal.

An EPA spokesman said he did not have a breakdown of how many deaths were dogs and how many cats.

Dog and cat owners say their pets have suffered burns and welts on their skin; started to drool excessively; begun to shake uncontrollably; lost control of their legs or experienced other neurological problems after using the flea and tick treatments.

A 2009 study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported that the majority of illnesses linked to proper use of topical flea and tick products were mild. Cats were more susceptible than dogs to illnesses and deaths from misuse of the products, the report said.

“The important take-home message is that although adverse reactions can occur with all flea and tick products, most effects are relatively mild and include skin irritation and stomach upset,” said Dr. Steven Hansen, ASPCA veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president for animal health services.

Pet owners should keep using the products as directed when faced with a flea infestation, Hansen said.

Georgia-based Merial Ltd., which makes the popular Frontline tick and flea treatment, defended its product and disputed the EPA data.

“The number of adverse events reported for Frontline has remained consistently low since the product’s introduction in 1996,” the company said in a statement e-mailed to reporters. The vast majority of reactions are minor, the statement said.

In a 29-page report, the EPA said the majority of problems for dogs occurred in smaller dogs, weighing 10 to 20 pounds. Some incidents occurred when products intended for larger dogs were given to smaller animals, the report said. Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, miniature poodles, Pomeranians and dachshunds were among breeds where problems occurred the most, the EPA said.

Similarly, many problems for cats occurred when they were given treatments intended for dogs. The EPA is likely to require companies to revamp labels to clarify that products intended for dogs should never be used on cats, Owens said.

END

Links for Natural Flea/Tick Remedies and Pest Control:

Only Natural Pet Store (I can’t believe the variety they have on this subject)

Earth Easy

Alternatives For Animal Health

These are just a few, there are many safe alternatives to the literal poison in topical flea preventative. Do your research and give your pet a hug!

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches.
Alice Roosevelt Longworth

 

UPDATE:

9/29/2011

Through trial and error, Denny and I have found that Ark Natural’s Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker! spray in conjunction with their Neem Protect Shampoo and Neem Protect Spray, the fleas, even here in the Georgia woods, pretty much steer clear. I found more ticks on myself this year than on our pets, so that says a lot for Ark Natural’s in my opinion. Maybe I should start using it myself….

I’ve gotten this in my email box quite a few times and it never ceases to make me laugh, so I thought I’d share. Obviously this is NOT the correct way to give a pill to cat. I found a few links that do describe a better way to give your cat a pill and will list them below the article.

How to Give a Cat a Pill (followed by How to Give a Dog a Pill)

1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm, as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop in the pill. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor, and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw away soggy pill.

4. Take new pill from foil wrapper. Cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force open the jaws and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl, and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees. Hold front and rear paws, ignoring low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand, while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat vigourously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, and get another pill from foil wrapper. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth, and set aside for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel, and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat’s mouth open with pencil, and blow down straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill is not harmful to humans. Drink one beer to take awy taste of pill. Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbour’s shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage, and replace cupboard door on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of Scotch. Pour shot and drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check medical records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw away tee-shirt and fetch another one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve the cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrapper.

13. Tie the little sod’s front paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Fetch heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth, followed by large piece of fillet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wash down pill.

14. Consume remainder of Scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm, and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call in at furniture shop on the way home, to order new dining table.

15. Place “Free Mutant Cat from Hell” ad in local newspaper and ring local pet shop to see if they have any bunnies.

How to Give a Dog a Pill

1. Wrap it in bacon.

Humor put aside, I put a few links together to help you give your cat a pill.

Partners in Animal Health

About.com-Veterinary Medicine

Pet Place

Cats are notoriously sore losers. Coming in second best, especially to someone as poorly coordinated as a human being, grates their sensibility. – Stephen Baker

As a pet sitter in Gwinnett County, I do quite a bit of driving all over the many cities, including Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Snellville and Grayson. Being that so much of my day is spent on the roads, it’s hard not to notice how many unfortunate kitties are hit by cars. If you do allow your cats to go outside, please make sure that they are up to date on vaccinations, spayed or neutered, have collar with ID, and are micro-chipped.

Although cats love to go outdoors  for many reasons, the truth is that outdoor cats have an average life span of 3 to 5 years, when indoor cats have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years old. That’s quite a difference! Being owned by 4 cats of my own, I know how it is to have a cat constantly yowling to get outside. Besides the guilt, it can get pretty loud when you’re trying to sleep or concentrate! There are a lot of things that you can do to “compromise” with your cat. I’ve compiled some good ideas for you to try out with your frisky felines:

Fence: Ok, ok, so keeping a cat in a fence can be nearly impossible. They can jump it or find holes. It’s definitely not fail proof, but to limit escapes, you can hang wire mesh at the top of the fence at a 45 degree angle. This would probably work best on a high, wooden fence. There are also invisible fences that use collars that as the cat gets closer to the boundary that you don’t want them to cross, it will tingle and as they near closer, it will actually give the cat an electric shock to tell them to stay away. Obviously the wire mesh is a bit less harsh.

Leash: There is nothing I love more than harnessing my cats and taking them in the backyard. They don’t really know how to act and it definitely takes some training to get them used to it. You want to make sure you have a well-fitted harness, snug but not tight, and perhaps a retractable leash to give your kitty more free reign. Patience is necessary to leash your cat, that’s for sure! When you start, I suggest starting at a quiet time of day, like early morning or evening.

Cat Door: Our cats have a window that they go out of into our screened porch. We have lattice work around the bottom of the screen so that they can’t claw their way out. They love it out there and we think that they are mostly satisfied with this “outdoor” time, although Comet never stops trying to fly past us as we’re going out or coming in! Some things never change. A fenced yard with the wire mesh on the fence is another place that the cat door can lead to.

Runs and Pens: You can use a wire dog crate to let your cat have some time outside, but there are great alternatives to that. There are a number of habitats, pens and runs that you can buy or build yourself at a huge range in prices, from cheap to extremely expensive. I’ll list a few of the companies and their websites at the end of this blog post.

A few things to keep your indoor cat happy besides supervised out doors time are cat grass and cat nip that you grow yourself (make sure that what you buy is for cats; for a list of poisonous plants to cats, go to http://www.bestfitpetsit.com/archives/201 ), cat trees that they can climb, window perches and boxes, and lots of interactive toys that you and your cat can play with together.

Here are a few of the companies that I found online that sell great enclosures so that your cat can enjoy the outdoors safely:

Habitat Haven

Cages By Design

Purr…Fect Fence

Kittywalk Systems

Safecat Outdoor Enclosure

Cats-On-Line.com

Drs. Foster and Smith

Wild Whiskers

Cats On Deck

C & D Pet Products

Prowling his own quiet backyard or asleep by the fire, he is still only a whisker away from the wilds. – Jean Burden

There are tons of great resources to learn training tips, pet diet tips, read great stories, etc. I’ve decided to make a list of some of these sites that I enjoy visiting and reading on.

Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer’s official website:

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com

On Pet Web Site you will find information on dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, gerbils, and mice.

http://www.petwebsite.com/

Dog breed, adoption, health and care information:

http://www.dogster.com/

Dogster’s fantastic blog:

http://dogblog.dogster.com/

Cat breed, adoption, health and care information:

http://www.catster.com/

Catster’s fantastic blog:

http://blogs.catster.com/the-cats-meow-a-cat-and-kitten-blog/

Horses, horse care, horse riding and driving, and safety:

http://horses.about.com

A site dedicated to saving animals of all kinds. Click the purple button once a day to feed a pet in a shelter for free. Lots of great merchandise, all money goes to animal rescue:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Pet adoption, great blog and lots of info:

http://www.petfinder.com/index.html

All about birds. How to choose the right breed of bird for a pet, health tips, etc:

http://birds.about.com

Victoria Stilwell of It’s Me or the Dog’s official website:

http://www.victoriastilwell.com/

Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen. A non-profit organization helping struggling pet owners with pet food cost:

http://www.daffyspetsoupkitchen.com

Lifeline Animal Project, Atlanta’s LifeLine for Homeless Pets:

http://www.atlantapets.org

There are many more websites to choose from, these are just a few. Type any pet question that you may have in your search engine and you’d be surprised how much information you have to choose from. Personalize tips to fit your pet and your schedule and don’t be afraid to modify!

Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. ~ George Elliot

My husband, Denny, and I have cut some holes in a few cardboard boxes, taped 2 of them together, and the cats are going nuts! I added some catnip, a few of their toys and shine the laser pointer in there one in a while. It is so fun to watch and basically hands free! The best part is, our cats are getting some exercise. Here are a few more ideas for your kitty’s exercise plan, whether they are actually indoor or outdoor cats. Lots of fun and bonding for you and your feline friend!

• Bring out your cat’s primal side and buy some toys with feathers. If they make some sort of noise, even better! Our cats really go for a rattle sound or a bell sound. I suggest something on a string attached to a pole. I can’t tell you how many scratches that I’ve gotten playing with Ajax with a toy in my hand. Ouch!
• You can use that toy on a pole to get your cat to chase it up a tiered cat tree, up and around the furniture, and down and up the stairs. Getting them to move and use their balance and coordination skills is important.
• I also LOVE the laser pointer. Be sure that you don’t shine it in anyone’s eyes, they can do some real retina damage. Get your cat to chase the laser pointer up a tiered cat tree; all the stretching and climbing helps to strengthen and tone the muscles in your cat’s shoulders, legs, hips and back.
• You don’t have to spend extra money to get your cat something fun to play with. Use the cap from your milk jug or water bottle, or even a piece of ice and throw it on the floor so your cat can chase and scoot it across the floor. Be sure that you supervise your cat so that he doesn’t try to swallow the cap or anything. Also, if you have dogs, be sure that the pup doesn’t pick up the caps. Major choking hazard!
• Before you play any of these games with your cat, be sure that they have a clean bill of health. Monitor your cat’s behavior and be on the watch for signs of change in personality, eye color, smell or behavior. Playing with string or yarn with your cat may be funny, but if he swallows the string, thread or yarn (or any other similar object), it could get wrapped around his tongue and if he swallows much of it, the string can wrap itself around your cat’s intestines, causing serious illness and eventually death.

Our cats are now all pooped out from playing. They’re still all 3 a little overweight (well, Ajax is a lot), but we’ll continue to work on it and keep you updated! Please feel free to comment with suggestions, comments or anything that you want to say on this subject!

“The reason cats climb is so that they can look down on almost every other animal…its also the reason they hate birds. – KC Buffington