Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Cat Training - Don't Buy Expensive Products
I was reading an article recently which was, in fact, a terse commentary to my own article about how to discipline a cat. The author was berating my comments and clearly trying to get his own readers to follow his own doctrine. The information I gave, based on opinion and the fact that I have owned cats for many, many years, was solid and factual. Oh, and it was free. His information, however, led the reader to an expensive digital product about some system that not only purported to be effective but which, rather unsurprisingly, carried a significant price tag. It was also full of gobbledegook and showed, in my opinion, lack of feline knowledge.
Training your cat or disciplining it can often prove to be very difficult. They have a smaller brain capacity to dogs- yet still show a unique wisdom. But, you don't need to buy an expensive digital product when you can simply follow some basic rules.
Cats can be destructive animals so many owners tend to have cats de-clawed. This process will ensure the safety of your furniture around the house from sustaining tears and rips. This can be very cruel, however, as it is natural for a cat to use its nails. When it is scratching something- including you, it is merely sharpening its nails or ‘playing’ with you like it would another cat.
A reaction to bad behavior is naturally to slap or hit your cat- but they do not respond well to physical abuse. It will think you are playing, or will obtain an attitude problem as a result of this treatment. The only treatments that work are loud noises and water guns. A loud clap, or squirt with a water gun, will effectively tell your cat it did something wrong in a sensible manner.
You should never discipline your cat if they haven’t done anything wrong - this prevents confusion. You can also use these methods to ‘teach’ your cats new things- such as where to relieve themselves. Cat training can prove to be quite difficult- but it is often very much worth it in the end to cat lovers everywhere.
Feline Asthma - Investigation and Treatment
It is quite common for cats to present to veterinary clinics with a chronic cough or wheeze. The problem may be constant or just recur from time to time, and can range from mild to severe. Clinically the disease may resemble human asthma, but the term feline asthma can be misleading as there are a number of different possible causes. Here we look at what those underlying causes can be, and the different forms of treatment available to affected cats.
Cats usually present with one or all the following signs:
1. Coughing
2. Wheezing
3. Difficulty breathing
A minority of cases will have the classic human status asthmaticus, rapid onset breathing difficulty due to severe narrowing of the bronchi. Cats tend to be middle aged or older, and Siamese cats may be more prone than other breeds.
The Pathology
Little is known about the underlying causes or exacerbating factors in feline asthma. There may be an element of genetic predisposition. While chronic inhalation of airway irritants, such as smoking, has been shown to cause bronchitis in humans, this has not been studied in detail in cats. Likewise, allergens such as pollen, housedust mites, dander, fungal spores, dust and cat litter could all be implicated theoretically.
To return to the comparison with human asthma, when trying to understand the underlying causes it is important to differentiate between asthma (constriction of the bronchi), chronic bronchitis (oversecretion of mucus with a chronic cough) and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Asthma is reversible bronchial constriction caused by eosinophil cells, whereas COPD is irreversible bronchial constriction involving neutrophil cells.
The Differentials
There are a large number of possible diagnoses when a cat first presents with coughing or breathing difficulty. Here are some of the more important ones:
1. Pulmonary edema. Often due to severe heart disease.
2. Infectious bronchitis. This can be due to bacteria, viruses or parasites.
3. Pleural disease. Filling of the space between the lung and the chest wall with air or an effusion.
4. Cancer. This can be a primary lung tumor or metastatic spread.
5. Potassium bromide induced respiratory disease. A side effect from an anti-epileptic drug.
6. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Responds poorly to treatment.
7. Pulmonary thromboembolus. Lodging of a clot in a respiratory blood vessel causing sudden onset breathing difficulty.
8. Pulmonary hypertension. Usually secondary to other heart or respiratory disease.
Diagnosis
1. Clinical examination
The first step in the diagnostic protocol is a thorough clinical examination by a veterinarian. This should localize the origin of the disease to the upper airways, lower airways or pleural space. If the cat is found to have pleural disease, a needle may be inserted straight away to remove either air or a sample of the effusion for both diagnosis and short term treatment of the respiratory distress.
2. Radiography
The next test performed is usually thoracic radiography. This is best performed under general anesthetic so there is lee chance for motion blur, though in acute situations this is not possible. This is where the most meaningful information can be gained.
3. Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy allows visualization of the larger airways, and assessment for increased mucus and inflammation.
4. Tracheal wash
This involves injecting a small amount of saline into the trachea and immediately withdrawing it, and then examining the cells and debris harvested under a microscope.
5. Bronchoalveolar lavage
This is similar to the technique described above, but the catheter is inserted all the way into a lower airway before the saline is injected and withdrawn. This is therefore a good test for lower airway disease.
6. Lung biopsy
This is an invasive procedure that carries a significant risk to the patient. It is only indicated where diffuse cancer or extensive fibrosis is suspected, or in severe disease that responds poorly to treatment.
Treatment
The aims of treatment are as follows.
1. Eliminate any suspected infectious agents. This may be a sufficiently long course of antibiotics if bacterial infection is suspected, or a wormer such as fenbendazole if lungworm is suspected.
2. Remove or avoid airway irritants. The most obvious one is ensuring the cat has no contact with cigarette smoke, and purchasing dust free cat litter.
3. Removal or avoidance of potential allergens. House dust mite allergy must be excluded by spraying the house with an acaricidal product.
4. Chronic therapy for the underlying condition. For long term treatment of cats with feline asthma, a combination of steroids and bronchodilators are a popular choice. Steroids reduce the inflammation and lower mucus production, and can limit long term consequences such as fibrosis. Bronchodilators are most useful when there is airway spasm. Traditionally, medication has been given orally via tablets, but over the last few years, metered dose inhalers such as the ones used for human asthma have come on the market.
Aerosol therapy has the advantage that the maximum concentration of drug is delivered to the target site. This means that lower overall doses can be used, and the cat is less likely to suffer the negative side effects of steroids. Various inhalers can be used in both cats and dogs, but they tend to be designed for humans. As a result, higher doses are given compared with human medicine, as humans can be instructed to breathe deeply whereas cats will breathe normally at best.
Glucocorticoid drugs (steroids) used in inhalers include Beclometasone, Fluticasone and Budesonide. Beclometasone is cheap, but is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream when you want it to hang around in the area where it applied. Fluticasone is more expensive, but tends to stay where you want it to. Budesonide is relatively inexpensive and though it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream, it tends to be removed the first time it goes through the liver.
Bronchodilator drugs used in inhalers include Salbutamol and Salmeterol. Salbutamol is very fast acting and therefore useful in a crisis caused by spasm of the bronchi. However, it only lasts for about 30 minutes and is therefore unsuitable for chronic therapy as frequent dosing is required. Salmeterol on the other hand is longer acting, and lasts for about 12 hours so twice daily dosing is possible. Salmeterol is better for long term control of mild to moderate asthma while Salbutamol is better for relief of acute bronchospasm.
The Seretide Evohaler is useful for cats requiring both steroid and bronchodilator therapy. It contains salbutamol and fluticasone, a combination allowing minimal dosing frequency.
Cats usually present with one or all the following signs:
1. Coughing
2. Wheezing
3. Difficulty breathing
A minority of cases will have the classic human status asthmaticus, rapid onset breathing difficulty due to severe narrowing of the bronchi. Cats tend to be middle aged or older, and Siamese cats may be more prone than other breeds.
The Pathology
Little is known about the underlying causes or exacerbating factors in feline asthma. There may be an element of genetic predisposition. While chronic inhalation of airway irritants, such as smoking, has been shown to cause bronchitis in humans, this has not been studied in detail in cats. Likewise, allergens such as pollen, housedust mites, dander, fungal spores, dust and cat litter could all be implicated theoretically.
To return to the comparison with human asthma, when trying to understand the underlying causes it is important to differentiate between asthma (constriction of the bronchi), chronic bronchitis (oversecretion of mucus with a chronic cough) and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Asthma is reversible bronchial constriction caused by eosinophil cells, whereas COPD is irreversible bronchial constriction involving neutrophil cells.
The Differentials
There are a large number of possible diagnoses when a cat first presents with coughing or breathing difficulty. Here are some of the more important ones:
1. Pulmonary edema. Often due to severe heart disease.
2. Infectious bronchitis. This can be due to bacteria, viruses or parasites.
3. Pleural disease. Filling of the space between the lung and the chest wall with air or an effusion.
4. Cancer. This can be a primary lung tumor or metastatic spread.
5. Potassium bromide induced respiratory disease. A side effect from an anti-epileptic drug.
6. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Responds poorly to treatment.
7. Pulmonary thromboembolus. Lodging of a clot in a respiratory blood vessel causing sudden onset breathing difficulty.
8. Pulmonary hypertension. Usually secondary to other heart or respiratory disease.
Diagnosis
1. Clinical examination
The first step in the diagnostic protocol is a thorough clinical examination by a veterinarian. This should localize the origin of the disease to the upper airways, lower airways or pleural space. If the cat is found to have pleural disease, a needle may be inserted straight away to remove either air or a sample of the effusion for both diagnosis and short term treatment of the respiratory distress.
2. Radiography
The next test performed is usually thoracic radiography. This is best performed under general anesthetic so there is lee chance for motion blur, though in acute situations this is not possible. This is where the most meaningful information can be gained.
3. Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy allows visualization of the larger airways, and assessment for increased mucus and inflammation.
4. Tracheal wash
This involves injecting a small amount of saline into the trachea and immediately withdrawing it, and then examining the cells and debris harvested under a microscope.
5. Bronchoalveolar lavage
This is similar to the technique described above, but the catheter is inserted all the way into a lower airway before the saline is injected and withdrawn. This is therefore a good test for lower airway disease.
6. Lung biopsy
This is an invasive procedure that carries a significant risk to the patient. It is only indicated where diffuse cancer or extensive fibrosis is suspected, or in severe disease that responds poorly to treatment.
Treatment
The aims of treatment are as follows.
1. Eliminate any suspected infectious agents. This may be a sufficiently long course of antibiotics if bacterial infection is suspected, or a wormer such as fenbendazole if lungworm is suspected.
2. Remove or avoid airway irritants. The most obvious one is ensuring the cat has no contact with cigarette smoke, and purchasing dust free cat litter.
3. Removal or avoidance of potential allergens. House dust mite allergy must be excluded by spraying the house with an acaricidal product.
4. Chronic therapy for the underlying condition. For long term treatment of cats with feline asthma, a combination of steroids and bronchodilators are a popular choice. Steroids reduce the inflammation and lower mucus production, and can limit long term consequences such as fibrosis. Bronchodilators are most useful when there is airway spasm. Traditionally, medication has been given orally via tablets, but over the last few years, metered dose inhalers such as the ones used for human asthma have come on the market.
Aerosol therapy has the advantage that the maximum concentration of drug is delivered to the target site. This means that lower overall doses can be used, and the cat is less likely to suffer the negative side effects of steroids. Various inhalers can be used in both cats and dogs, but they tend to be designed for humans. As a result, higher doses are given compared with human medicine, as humans can be instructed to breathe deeply whereas cats will breathe normally at best.
Glucocorticoid drugs (steroids) used in inhalers include Beclometasone, Fluticasone and Budesonide. Beclometasone is cheap, but is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream when you want it to hang around in the area where it applied. Fluticasone is more expensive, but tends to stay where you want it to. Budesonide is relatively inexpensive and though it is easily absorbed into the bloodstream, it tends to be removed the first time it goes through the liver.
Bronchodilator drugs used in inhalers include Salbutamol and Salmeterol. Salbutamol is very fast acting and therefore useful in a crisis caused by spasm of the bronchi. However, it only lasts for about 30 minutes and is therefore unsuitable for chronic therapy as frequent dosing is required. Salmeterol on the other hand is longer acting, and lasts for about 12 hours so twice daily dosing is possible. Salmeterol is better for long term control of mild to moderate asthma while Salbutamol is better for relief of acute bronchospasm.
The Seretide Evohaler is useful for cats requiring both steroid and bronchodilator therapy. It contains salbutamol and fluticasone, a combination allowing minimal dosing frequency.
The Importance Of Appropriate Cat Food
Part of the responsibility of pet ownership is the care and feeding of our animal friends. For cat owners, appropriate feline care can greatly increase the health of our cats and extend their lives significantly. Subsequently, choosing the appropriate cat food – based on breed and size - is of the utmost importance in taking responsible care of our cats.
Cat food comes in a dizzying array of choices; as we browse the shelves, we hardly know where to start. The most important thing to remember when choosing a cat food is that each particular brand is specifically designed for a particular stage in a cat’s life. So a food that is appropriate for a kitten is not appropriate for an older cat. Read the packaging to determine what cat food is meant for your specific age of cat.
That being said, there are still quite a lot of ingredients and nutritional contradictions when it comes to cat food. A reputable veterinarian will be able to tell you what is essential to the health and longevity of your cat. It is important that you follow these guidelines when making a selection of cat food based on the nutrients it offers.
To narrow it down even further, when it comes to choosing between brands, look for those that carry an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal of approval. This ensures that this particular brand of cat food meets with the nutritional guidelines as set forth by the AAFCO.
Other things to take into consideration when it comes to cat food are the size and health of your cat. Stay within the feed guidelines – as recommended by your veterinarian – for your cat’s size. And if your cat has any existing health conditions you must be sure to take this into consideration when asking your veterinarian about appropriate cat food.
Cat food can be found anywhere from your grocery store to your local large retail outlet or pet supply store. The pet stores tend to carry a larger selection and offer a more competitive price so if you have one close by it is worth checking out.
Feeding your cat the most appropriate cat food for them is an essential part of an overall program for good health and long life.
Cat food comes in a dizzying array of choices; as we browse the shelves, we hardly know where to start. The most important thing to remember when choosing a cat food is that each particular brand is specifically designed for a particular stage in a cat’s life. So a food that is appropriate for a kitten is not appropriate for an older cat. Read the packaging to determine what cat food is meant for your specific age of cat.
That being said, there are still quite a lot of ingredients and nutritional contradictions when it comes to cat food. A reputable veterinarian will be able to tell you what is essential to the health and longevity of your cat. It is important that you follow these guidelines when making a selection of cat food based on the nutrients it offers.
To narrow it down even further, when it comes to choosing between brands, look for those that carry an Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) seal of approval. This ensures that this particular brand of cat food meets with the nutritional guidelines as set forth by the AAFCO.
Other things to take into consideration when it comes to cat food are the size and health of your cat. Stay within the feed guidelines – as recommended by your veterinarian – for your cat’s size. And if your cat has any existing health conditions you must be sure to take this into consideration when asking your veterinarian about appropriate cat food.
Cat food can be found anywhere from your grocery store to your local large retail outlet or pet supply store. The pet stores tend to carry a larger selection and offer a more competitive price so if you have one close by it is worth checking out.
Feeding your cat the most appropriate cat food for them is an essential part of an overall program for good health and long life.
Understanding The Changes of Your Aging Cat
A cat will not always be young and sharp, and after it grows old, its senses will become duller, such as vision worsening and hearing or sense of smell deteriorating. Some cats age before others, or have different changes as they age, so here are some common signs of aging in a cat that you should look out for to be able to take care of your cat.
Some changes may be harder than others to notice, for your cat may have adapted to the changes themselves. But after some extra attention and checkups, you should be able to find out diseases or negative aspects of your cat’s aging, and find the best prevention method. Some changes would be noticeable, such as dental diseases, which causes bad breath.
Besides that, there are also harder-to-spot signs such as hearing senses deteriorating. Your cat may have gotten used to not hearing as properly as it used to, and due to that, you would not have known that your cat is actually becoming deafer.
To find out for sure if your cat is really not hearing well, you can look out for its reactions to certain noises. Once when your cat used to react quickly to loud sounds and yet now, it is not really startled, or shows no signs of hearing the sound, you can be sure that your cat is suffering from hearing loss.
Snap your fingers quickly behind your cat’s head, and see if it curls back right away, or react in any way to the direction of the noise. If your cat is unsure of the origins of the noise, or looking somewhere else instead, then you can be certain it has hearing problems.
If you usually keep your pet in the house, then there is no need to worry about its loss in hearing. If your cat is an outdoor cat, then you should take precautions about letting it wander outside, as it may not be able to hear oncoming dangers such as vehicles or other animals like dogs. As it cannot hear the approaching sounds of these things, it may become a victim before it realizes it is in danger.
Besides hearing and eyesight that is affected in your cat, its sense of taste is also reducing. For cats, this could be a problem, for they are picky animals that usually test and smell at their food to see if it is still good, or spoilt. Therefore if they cannot sense if it is delicious enough or bad, they may ignore the food, and not eat it for enough nutrition. An aging cat needs its health, and this may be damaging for its health. See below for more information on Siamese Cats.
Some changes may be harder than others to notice, for your cat may have adapted to the changes themselves. But after some extra attention and checkups, you should be able to find out diseases or negative aspects of your cat’s aging, and find the best prevention method. Some changes would be noticeable, such as dental diseases, which causes bad breath.
Besides that, there are also harder-to-spot signs such as hearing senses deteriorating. Your cat may have gotten used to not hearing as properly as it used to, and due to that, you would not have known that your cat is actually becoming deafer.
To find out for sure if your cat is really not hearing well, you can look out for its reactions to certain noises. Once when your cat used to react quickly to loud sounds and yet now, it is not really startled, or shows no signs of hearing the sound, you can be sure that your cat is suffering from hearing loss.
Snap your fingers quickly behind your cat’s head, and see if it curls back right away, or react in any way to the direction of the noise. If your cat is unsure of the origins of the noise, or looking somewhere else instead, then you can be certain it has hearing problems.
If you usually keep your pet in the house, then there is no need to worry about its loss in hearing. If your cat is an outdoor cat, then you should take precautions about letting it wander outside, as it may not be able to hear oncoming dangers such as vehicles or other animals like dogs. As it cannot hear the approaching sounds of these things, it may become a victim before it realizes it is in danger.
Besides hearing and eyesight that is affected in your cat, its sense of taste is also reducing. For cats, this could be a problem, for they are picky animals that usually test and smell at their food to see if it is still good, or spoilt. Therefore if they cannot sense if it is delicious enough or bad, they may ignore the food, and not eat it for enough nutrition. An aging cat needs its health, and this may be damaging for its health. See below for more information on Siamese Cats.
Choosing a Veterinarian for Your Cat - Five Things to Consider
Our choice of veterinarian can be one of the most important long-term decisions we can make for our cats. Many people make the decision based on cost. Others make it based on the office closest to their house. Cost and location are important consideration but there are other things to take into consideration when placing your cat’s life in someone’s hands.
1. Accessibility. Location is part of accessibility. While the best vet in the area may be “only” forty minutes away, what if you have an emergency? Do you want to drive that far? If you are choosing a veterinarian closer to you, what is their policy on emergencies? Can you get your cat in as soon as you need to or do they refer to another doctor? If they have multiple doctors in their office, can you request that the doctor you regularly see treat your cat once the life threatening emergency has passed?
When considering accessibility, you also want to consider how easy it is to reach the veterinarian by phone. In many cases technicians are more than capable of answering questions about your pet and setting up appointments if it goes beyond their knowledge, but what about when you have a specific question about blood work? Does your veterinarian return your calls promptly?
2. Communication. This can be a big issue. If you have questions about your cat’s health, can your vet answer them so that you understand them? Do they talk at the level you understand? Many people have medical backgrounds. They don’t need a doctor telling them in simple general terms about what’s going on with their pet’s blood work, they want to know the actual numbers. Other people just want to know what those numbers mean. Can your veterinarian talk to you?
3. Specialization. Should you go to a veterinarian who specializes in cats? Many people choose to do this. They like an office where there are only cats. Their cats are not exposed to barking dogs and the visits are less stressful. Other vets have separate entrances for cats and for dogs, which can make it easier for cats who are stressed by dogs.
Veterinarians who specialize in cats often have a better grasp of cat specific illnesses simply because they only treat cats and are more likely to be exposed to these illnesses. They can be a font of knowledge about some of the more unusual cat breeds as well.
Whether or not your veterinarian specializes only in cats is less important than whether or not your veterinarian appreciates the bond you have with your cat. They should understand that your cat is very important to you. They should be able to honor that bond.
4. Costs. Cost is important. No matter how wonderful or knowledgeable the veterinarian is, if you can’t afford to see them, there’s a problem. If you can’t afford any veterinarian, you might want to consider delaying adopting a cat. Medical expenses happen.
Some clinics are more expensive than others. Some clinics also insist that owners always do thorough blood work and recommend expensive diagnostic tests and treatments without offering the owner any other more “cost effective” options. While the most expensive may be the best way to go, it’s important to know that if there are alternatives, your veterinarian will tell you about them.
5. Comfort. Are you comfortable in the office? What about your cat? While going to the vet is rarely a cat’s favorite activity, an office that makes you and your cat feel more comfortable can ease a lot of stress. Consider how you feel upon thinking about going to the vet. If it’s very stressful for you, your cat will know. They’ll be stressed as well. Look for an office that will make you feel more welcome and works on easing your fears and your cats fears.
There are many wonderful veterinarian offices out there. No one office is the right office for everyone. Communication styles differ. Different office décor can make some people comfortable but not others. The most important thing is to find the vet that fits you and your cat.
1. Accessibility. Location is part of accessibility. While the best vet in the area may be “only” forty minutes away, what if you have an emergency? Do you want to drive that far? If you are choosing a veterinarian closer to you, what is their policy on emergencies? Can you get your cat in as soon as you need to or do they refer to another doctor? If they have multiple doctors in their office, can you request that the doctor you regularly see treat your cat once the life threatening emergency has passed?
When considering accessibility, you also want to consider how easy it is to reach the veterinarian by phone. In many cases technicians are more than capable of answering questions about your pet and setting up appointments if it goes beyond their knowledge, but what about when you have a specific question about blood work? Does your veterinarian return your calls promptly?
2. Communication. This can be a big issue. If you have questions about your cat’s health, can your vet answer them so that you understand them? Do they talk at the level you understand? Many people have medical backgrounds. They don’t need a doctor telling them in simple general terms about what’s going on with their pet’s blood work, they want to know the actual numbers. Other people just want to know what those numbers mean. Can your veterinarian talk to you?
3. Specialization. Should you go to a veterinarian who specializes in cats? Many people choose to do this. They like an office where there are only cats. Their cats are not exposed to barking dogs and the visits are less stressful. Other vets have separate entrances for cats and for dogs, which can make it easier for cats who are stressed by dogs.
Veterinarians who specialize in cats often have a better grasp of cat specific illnesses simply because they only treat cats and are more likely to be exposed to these illnesses. They can be a font of knowledge about some of the more unusual cat breeds as well.
Whether or not your veterinarian specializes only in cats is less important than whether or not your veterinarian appreciates the bond you have with your cat. They should understand that your cat is very important to you. They should be able to honor that bond.
4. Costs. Cost is important. No matter how wonderful or knowledgeable the veterinarian is, if you can’t afford to see them, there’s a problem. If you can’t afford any veterinarian, you might want to consider delaying adopting a cat. Medical expenses happen.
Some clinics are more expensive than others. Some clinics also insist that owners always do thorough blood work and recommend expensive diagnostic tests and treatments without offering the owner any other more “cost effective” options. While the most expensive may be the best way to go, it’s important to know that if there are alternatives, your veterinarian will tell you about them.
5. Comfort. Are you comfortable in the office? What about your cat? While going to the vet is rarely a cat’s favorite activity, an office that makes you and your cat feel more comfortable can ease a lot of stress. Consider how you feel upon thinking about going to the vet. If it’s very stressful for you, your cat will know. They’ll be stressed as well. Look for an office that will make you feel more welcome and works on easing your fears and your cats fears.
There are many wonderful veterinarian offices out there. No one office is the right office for everyone. Communication styles differ. Different office décor can make some people comfortable but not others. The most important thing is to find the vet that fits you and your cat.
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