Category Archives: Feline Health

Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Feline Health

Stress in Cats

February 22, 2015 DustyAdmin 1 Comment

IS YOUR CAT STRESSED?

Stress in cats or other animals is the organism’s response to any demand. When faced with a fight-or-flight emergency, the body releases nerve chemicals and hormones that quicken the pulse and respiration, cause the muscles tense, to help the animal face the threat or run away. All of these functions help improve the chance of survival. But these same chemicals released over a prolonged period may lead to health problems. In humans chronic stress can cause heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and other illnesses. It may also lead to suicidal thoughts, or alcohol or drug abuse. Long term stress in cats can suppress the immune system and cause the same health issues, sans suicide and drugs.

Cats don’t make it easy for their humans to help them. As a survival strategy, they hide their anxiety and fears as well as symptoms of illness and injury. Some signs of stress are subtle and difficult to detect. And even when they’re detected, it’s hard to determine whether it’s stress and symptoms of illness. If your kitty’s habits or behavior suddenly changes in any way, take him to the vet to rule out any underlying medical causes.

Spraying cat2 b — Urine marking and missing the litter box are both signs of stress in cats and early symptoms of illness. Take your cat to the vet.

Signs of stress in cats include:

Urine marking /Peeing or pooping outside the litter box is the cat’s version of an SOS, the universal code for ‘send help.’ Don’t yell at him or discipline him. That will just add to his stress and exacerbate his fear. Inappropriate elimination is often the first symptom of illness.’
Defensive or redirected aggression towards people or other pets.
Change in appetite (eating more, loss of appetite or not eating at all). Go to the vet now! Both anorexia and overeating could be due to either stress or an underlying medical condition.
Change in grooming habits. (Excessive grooming which may cause bald spots, or under grooming resulting matted or soiled fur.
Isolation. Hiding is common sign of stress or pain. Go to your veterinarian if you notice your cat spending less time with family than usual or no long hangs out with other pets.
Excessive Scratching/furniture scratching.
Change in activity level. Suddenly quiet or lethargic or extreme vigilance with a heightened startle response when he startles at the slightest noise.

PURRfect Feather Dancer SC 060827 146 — Exercise releases serotonin that makes humans and cats happier.

So what does your cat have to be stressed about?

After all he doesn’t have to worry about his dinner or being eaten by predators. He just lies around all day and dines whenever he wants.

Well, you can take the cat out of the wilderness, but you can’t take the wilderness out of the cat. Even inside your home, he’s still worried about falling prey to larger predators and protecting his personal territory. In your cat’s mind, he’s still responsible for his own survival. Cats are creatures of habit. Any change in his life or surroundings generates stress. Despite your safe walls, he’s constantly accessing risk and looking for danger. Any change in his environment could indicate a threat. Also because feline senses are much more sensitive than human, sounds, smells and textures that we find pleasing may be overwhelming to him.

Sources of stress in cats could be:

Litter box issues. Unscooped or dirty litter box, scented litter, a new brand of different litter, a covered box, a different location, laundry room noise or another pet or child interfering with using box.
Food. Switch cat food brand or flavor, not enough bowls, dishes clustered in one area or food dishes located near litter box. Another cat guarding food.
Change in family. Arrival of new baby, pet or spouse, death or divorce or death of another pet, or moving to a new home.
Family conflict. Fighting between family members, child or animal abuse, cat bullied by kids or other pets.
Home remodeling. New carpet, rearranged or new furniture, construction, painting, or home repairs
Loud music or noise.
Not enough territory. No place to hide or elevated spots to escape to.
Stray or wild animals in the yard.
Schedule disruption. New job and work hours, house guests arrive or you leave town.
Illness or injury.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Providing your cats with interesting activities and exercise will go a long way in reducing stress.

Reducing Your Cat’s Stress

Exercise. National Institute of Mental Health recommends that people exercise (just 30 minutes per day) to boost mood and reduce stress. It also recommended scheduling regular times for healthy and relaxing activities. What’s good for you is also good for your kitty. Just two 10-minute bouts a day of Chase the Feather Toy can release serotonin and reduce your cat’s stress.
Make sure there are plenty of resources (food and water bowls, litter boxes, scratching posts and toys) and they are distributed throughout the house rather than one centralized one location. One litter box for each cat (plus one) also set up in several locations.
Provide plenty of territory. hidey holes, elevated shelves, window perches and cat trees and so he can escape unwanted attention from kids or dogs.
Use a Comfort Zone® with Feliway® diffuser. This is a stress-relieving synthetic facial pheromone promotes a feeling of well-being and helps reduce stress-related behaviors such as urine marking, vertical scratching and aggression.
Sentry® Calming Collar for Cats. This is a synthetic pheromone that mimicks pheromones given off by the lactating mother cat and help reduce unwanted stress-related behaviors.
Boredom breeds stress, so create a challenging environment with food puzzles, cat toys, cat grass, high up hang outs, hidey holes, cat videos and window perches with a front row seat to bird feeder action.
Keep changes to a minimum. If you must change his food or litter, do it gradually.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or to provide veterinary treatment for your pet. All information is for educational and support purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your cat’s medical condition. If you notice a change in your cat’s health or behavior, take him to the veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical causes.

Feline Health, Uncategorized

New Test for Kidney Disease in Cats and Dogs offers Earlier Diagnosis

February 13, 2015 DustyAdmin 3 Comments

Kidney cat2 — The new SDMA test for kidney disease in cats can detect kidney failure months, maybe even years earlier than standard blood tests.

Exciting News! There’s a new test for kidney disease in cats and dogs. Last week, IDEXX Laboratories announced the introduction of the symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) that will detect feline and canine kidney loss months, maybe even years earlier than current screening.

The presently used blood panel won’t indicate elevated creatinine (waste products in the blood) levels until the cat has already suffered a 75% kidney function loss. According to IDEXX, the SDMA shows up in blood tests when there is only 25 to 40% kidney loss. IDEXX says the test should be run alongside BUN and creatinine panels and urinalysis.

kidneykitty2 — By the time Balew started showing symptoms, she was already in end-stage kidney failure.

IDEXX plans to include the SDMA test in all routine lab test at no additional cost. IDEXX will begin offering SDMA screening to a small group of vets in March and will fully roll out the test this summer.

An Oregon State University study showed that SDMA identified kidney disease four years earlier in one animal. On average, the research SDMA detected kidney disease with only 40% function loss. In some cases, the animals had only suffered 25 percent of function loss. This will allow vets to discontinue any medications that may not be kidney friendly, switch the pet to a renal diet, increase fluid intake and monitor the kidneys more carefully. Early diagnosis and treatment may slow the progression of the disease.

Take your cat to the vet if you see symptoms of kidney disease

Symptoms of failing kidneys include: weight loss, loss of appetite, increased water consumption, as well increased urination, occasional vomiting, reoccurring bacterial bladder and kidney infections, mouth ulcers, bad breath, constipation, lethargy, and/or a brownish-appearing tongue. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your cat (or dog) to the vet as soon as possible.

Fortunately with the new test vets should be able to catch kidney disease well before the onset of symptoms and before extreme kidney function loss.

Feline Health

7 Important Facts about Feline Heartworms

January 13, 2015 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

_Kiki Shady smaller — You can easily protect your cat from heartworms with a monthly applications of heartworm preventative.

Can cats really get heartworms? Yes. Heartworm disease is no longer considered just a dog problem. If you live in an area where veterinarians recommend heartworm prevention for dogs, your cat should be on prevention too. Even ferrets can suffer heartworm infections. Those pesky mosquitoes will bite any animal—regardless of whether its tail wags or flicks.
How do mosquitoes transmit heartworms to cats? Mosquitoes transmit heartworm larvae to cats (and other animals) after enjoying a bloodmeal from an infected host. It only takes one one bite can infect your cat. When a mosquito bites a cat, the larvae enter the cat’s system through the bite wound. Some of these larvae develop into adult heartworms and eventually die, causing severe inflammation or damage to blood vessels in the lungs that can be fatal. The larvae that don’t make it to maturity die in the cat’s lungs, leading to earthworm-associated respiratory disease. Heartworms can even be found in the body cavities, arteries and central nervous system of cats. What’s worse, vets can only treat the cat’s symptoms because there’s no approved or recommended treatment for heartworm disease in cats.
Mosquitoes aren’t near my home. Does my cat still need prevention? Yes. Cases of feline heartworm disease have been reported in all 50 states. The occurrence of heartworm disease is markedly lower in some states, but mosquitoes are resilient and can even survive through the winter. 90% of the dogs transferred across the country after Hurricane Katrina were heartworm positive. These dogs likely infected animals in near their new homes.

My cat doesn’t go outside, so isn’t he safe? Indoor cats may be at lower risk for heartworm disease than outdoor cats, but mosquitoes can sneak in through damaged window screens and open doors. Studies have shown that approximately 28 percent of cats diagnosed with heartworm disease were inside cats.

How do I know whether my cat has heartworm disease? Unlike dogs, who can be diagnosed with heartworms with a simple in-office blood test, there is no definitive heartworm test for cats. Your vet consider the symptoms (which are similar to symptom of numerous diseases) and he will likely want to perform bloodwork, an x-ray, and/or sonogram. Symptoms include coughing, panting, open-mouthed breathing or wheezing,

What happens if my cat becomes infected with heartworm disease? Unfortunately, there’s no treatment for feline heartworm disease. Kitties can be made more comfortable with supportive care for the symptoms.

What kind of heartworm prevention are available for cats? Topical and oral monthly prevention is available only from your vet. Blood tests are not necessary for cats. Always make sure you are putting cat-safe treatments on your cat. Some canine heartworm preventatives are highly toxic to cats.

For more information about feline heartworm disease check out Nixie’s HEARTworm Beat and KNOW Heartworms.

Cats, Feline Health, Special Days, Uncategorized

What You Should Know About Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

December 7, 2014 DustyAdmin 1 Comment

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). People contract the virus through unprotected sex or sharing needles.

Cats can suffer from a similar disorder, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), a retrovirus in the AIDS family that impairs the cat’s ability to fight infections. FIV is found in felines worldwide including lions, tigers, cheetahs and cougars. One to three percent of visibly healthy domestic cats in the U.S. are actually infected with FIV. Around fifteen percent of sick kitties test positive for the disease.

The slow-acting autoimmune disease is sometimes called “the disease of angry cats” because it’s transmitted from cat to cat through bites. The most at-risk kitties are intact, outside males who fight over mates and territory. Unlike the human disease HIV, FIV is seldom directly transmitted through sexual contact, but the male cat can infect his lady friend with an amorous neck bite during mating. On rare occasions an infected mom cat can infect her kittens during birth or nursing.

People often confuse FIV with the Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV), which is in the same retrovirus family. These two diseases cause many similar secondary complications, but unlike FIV (that requires aggressive contact), FeLV is passed through shared food bowls, litter boxes and mutual grooming. Because of this, FeLV is sometimes referred to as “the disease of “friendly cats”.

The best news is FIV is species-specific, meaning humans and dogs can’t catch it.

Disease Progression

Because it is such a slow-acting virus, an infected cat may appear healthy for many years. However, eventually the cat’s immune system declines and kitty will begin to suffer from secondary infections caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites that usually don’t affect healthy animals. Symptoms from secondary infections may wax and wane in severity for years.

Protecting Your Cat

You can protect your cat by preventing cat bites. Alter him and keep him inside and away from potentially-infected adversaries. Fortunately common bowls, litter boxes, mutual grooming or sneezing don’t appear to spread the virus, so cats who don’t fight are at little risk for contracting the disease even when living with an infected feline housemate.

For kitties who do go outside, there is an FIV vaccine available, but it has drawbacks. After receiving the FIV inoculation, cats will test FIV-positive for life. If your vet recommends the vaccine for your at-risk cat, have the cat tested beforehand. Make sure he has been implanted with a microchip and that the chip registration database is notified regarding his FIV status.

Don’t Abandon Hope

Goofus small — Goofus had been infected with FIV before he was rescued at the age of eight. When he was 11 he began showing symptoms. But with good care he lived to be 19.

In the 1980s, my husband’s kitty Goofus, who was found living next to a dumpster, was brought in off the street and neutered at the age of eight. After he turned 11, Goofus developed a persistent inflammation of the gums (stomatitis). His vet pulled all his teeth, and treated the inflammation with steroids. Goofus made it to 19½, finally losing out to cancer.

Kiki, an orphan kitten, came to us with an abandoned litter when she was only two weeks old. When the four kittens were tested for viral diseases, Kiki was the only one who tested positive for FIV. Eleven years later, Kiki still tests positive, but remains healthy except for similar dental issues. In both cases, no other cats in the home contracted the virus.

If your kitty develops any of the symptoms below, take him to the vet immediately:

Persistent fever, or bladder, skin or upper respiratory infections
Weight loss or loss of appetite
Dental disease including inflammation of the gums and mouth or bad breath
Dropping food while eating
Persistent diarrhea
Conjunctivitis or chronic eye conditions
Unkempt coat
Enlarged lymph nodes
Anemia
Wounds that don’t heal

Caring for FIV-positive kitties

_BraveHeart 003 — Stray cat Braveheart tested positive for FIV, but was adopted by a wonderful family anyway.

There’s no specific antiviral treatment for FIV, but some antiviral therapies may help FIV kitties who suffer with seizures or stomatitis. Vets work to keep kitties healthy as long as possible. Once symptoms appear they provide supportive care as secondary infections crop up.

Your vet will likely recommend:

Altering your cat
Keeping him exclusively inside to reduce stress and protect him from exposure to bacteria, parasites and other diseases
Feeding a balanced diet. Avoid uncooked meat, as it may contain bacteria or parasites that would not affect a healthy cat, but may cause problems in immunity-compromised cats
Monitor your cat for any symptoms listed above or changes in behavior
Vet examinations every six months
Treatment for secondary infections
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Immune-enhancing drugs
Parasite control

If you reduce your kitty’s stress, keep him inside, monitor changes and treat secondary issues as they arise, your FIV kitty may have months to years of good health.

Feline Health

Early Spay Helps Prevent Feline Mammary Cancer

October 22, 2014 DustyAdmin 2 Comments

The Winn Feline Foundation reminds cat owners that female cats get malignant mammary cancer too. According to the Winn Feline Foundation 2012 study, Developing New Therapies for Feline Mammary Cancer Siamese, domestic short-haired kitties and tri-colored cats are at increased risk of developing the third most common feline cancer. While males can also get develop breast cancer, it’s rare. Typically tumors appear between 10 and 12 years.

Prognosis is usually poor because owners delay seeing a vet for an average of five months after discovering lumps.By the time kitties are often taken to the vet, the disease is quite advanced. Vets treat the cancer with a radical mastectomy on both sides. Even with a radical mastectomy average survival time is only a year after the detection.

The 2012 Winn study, reveals that spaying a kitty before she reaches six months reduces the chances of developing breast cancer. Please have female cats spayed by 5 months of age to avoid this problem.

To catch any potential tumors early, perform a breast exam on your kitty every month. Pick a special day, the first of the month, the day you make your house payment, the day you put heartworm preventative on your dog and cat and cop a feel. Run your fingers up and down your cat’s underneath region. Better still, move your fingers in small circles, in the same way a woman performs a monthly breast exam. You’re looking for lumps, bumps, swelling, discoloration or areas of sensitivity.

Never ignore a new lump. Statistically, lumps in dogs are likely to be benign (but still shouldn’t be ignored), lumps in cats are likely to be malignant.

Cats, Feline Health, News, Uncategorized

What the CDC says about Cats & Dogs & Ebola, Oh My!

October 14, 2014 DustyAdmin 2 Comments

Now that Ebola is in the U.S. (and for those of us in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex, it’s in our community), there is an understandable concern about Ebola and your cat and dog. People want to know can pets catch Ebola from humans; can people catch Ebola from their pups and pusses.

While the information available suggests that the virus may be found in several kinds of animals, CDC, the US Department of Agriculture, and the American Veterinary Medical Association do not believe that pets are at significant risk for Ebola in the United States.

Which animals can become infected with Ebola?

CDC: Scientists believe that the first patient becomes infected through contact with an infected fruit bat or primate (apes and monkeys)…In some past Ebola outbreaks, primates were also affected by Ebola, and multiple spillover events occurred when people touched or ate infected primates. In the current West African epidemic, animals have not been found to be a factor in ongoing Ebola transmission.

Can cats and dogs become infected with Ebola?

CDC: At this time, there have been no reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with Ebola or of being able to spread Ebola to people or other animals. Even in areas in Africa where Ebola is present, there have been no reports of dogs and cats becoming sick with Ebola. There is limited evidence that dogs become infected with Ebola virus, but there is no evidence that they develop disease.

Are cats and dogs in the U.S. at risk of becoming sick with Ebola?

CDC: The risk of an Ebola outbreak affecting multiple people in the United States is very low. Therefore, the risk to pets is also very low, as they would have to come into contact with blood and body fluids of a person with Ebola. Even in areas in Africa where Ebola is present, there have been no reports of dogs and cats becoming sick with Ebola.

Can humans get Ebola from cats or dogs?

CDC: At this time, there have been no reports of dogs or cats being infected with Ebola or of being able to transmit Ebola to people or other animals. The chances of a dog or cat being exposed to Ebola virus in the United States is very low as they would have to come into contact with blood and body fluids of a symptomatic person sick with Ebola.

Can a pet’s body, fur, or paws spread Ebola to a person?

CDC: We do not yet know whether or not a pet’s body, paws, or fur can pick up and spread Ebola to people or other animals. It is important to keep people and animals away from blood or body fluids of a person with symptoms of Ebola infection.

What about a pet living in the home of an Ebola patient?

CDC: The CDC recommends that public health officials in collaboration with a veterinarian evaluate the pet’s risk of exposure to the virus (close contact or exposure to blood or body fluids of an Ebola patient). Based on this evaluation as well as the specific situation, local and state human and animal health officials will determine how the pet should be handled.

Should I get my dog or cat tested for Ebola?

CDC: Currently, routine testing for Ebola is not available for pets.

What are the requirements for bringing pets or other animals into the United States from West Africa?

CDC: The CDC regulations require that dogs and cats imported into the United States be healthy. Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies before arrival into the United States. Monkeys and African rodents are not allowed to be imported as pets under any circumstances.

Each state and U.S. Territory has its own rules for pet ownership and importation, and these rules may be different from federal regulations. Airlines may have additional requirements.

How does Ebola spread?

CDC: When infection occurs in humans, the virus can be spread in several ways to others. Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose, or mouth) with

In Africa, Ebola may be spread as a result of handling bushmeat (wild animals hunted for food) and contact with infected bats.
Only a few species of mammals (for example, humans, monkeys, and apes) have shown the ability to become infected with and spread Ebola virus. There is no evidence that mosquitos or other insects can transmit Ebola virus.

Can monkeys spread Ebola?

CDC: Yes, monkeys are at risk for Ebola. Symptoms of Ebola infection in monkeys include fever, decreased appetite, and sudden death. Monkeys should not be allowed to have contact with anyone who may have Ebola. Healthy monkeys already living in the United States and without exposure to a person infected with Ebola are not at risk for spreading Ebola.

Can bats spread Ebola?

CDC: Fruit bats in Africa are considered to be a natural reservoir for Ebola. Bats in North America are not known to carry Ebola and so CDC considers the risk of an Ebola outbreak from bats occurring in the United States to be very low. However, bats are known to carry rabies and other diseases here in the United States. To reduce the risk of disease transmission, never attempt to touch a bat, living or dead.

Where can I learn more information about Ebola and pet dogs and cats?

CDC: The CDC is currently working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the American Veterinary Medical Association, and many other partners to develop additional guidance for the U.S. pet population. Additional information and guidance will be posted on this website as well as partner websites as soon as it becomes available.

Cats, Feline Health, News

Winn Feline Foundation is Calling for Research Proposals

August 22, 2014 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

The Winn Feline Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization that funds research into health issues affecting cats.This is so important because feline health issues are the redheaded stepchild of the medical world. That’s why most cat meds were originally for human or canine patients. But as you and I know, cats are not little dogs and they aren’t people either. Physically and behaviorally they are complicated creatures. So cat specific-studies are necessary

Each year, Winn funds feline health studies through the generosity of their donors. Last year Winn funded nine studies including research on gastrointestinal disease associated with E. coli infection in kittens,feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), kidney disease, oral squamous cell cancer, feline calicivirus,and new drug treatments forTritrichomonas foetus.

In the past I have lost foster kitties to virulent E. coli, and my personal kitties to FIP, HCM, kidney disease. I hope they will soon fund studies on feline pancreatitis.

Maybe your vet is interested in pursuing a research grant. If he/she is, the deadline for receipt of applications is Monday, December 15, 2014 and awards will be announced in April, 2015. Here are a few Winn grant FAQs.

The maximum grant amount is $25,000.
Projects should have discrete and achievable goals within the $25,000 limit.
Continuation of grants awarded in 2014 or earlier will be considered.
Studies applicable to all cats are encouraged. The Winn Feline Foundation is also interested in projects that address issues in individual breeds, nutrition and behavior.
Although we are interested in all areas of feline health, we have dedicated funds for research in feline infectious peritonitis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and lung cancer in cats.
In addition to the aforementioned funds, current breed specific funding is available for Norwegian Forest Cat and Persian HCM studies and Birman heart disease studies in general.
Applicants may be faculty veterinarians, post-doctoral fellows, practicing veterinarians or veterinary students.

For detailed instructions please review the Winn Foundation Grant Guidelines Document. All studies must abide by our Humane Guidelines. All studies must use our cover sheet for submission. A document and pdf version are provided.

The Winn Feline Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1968 that supports studies to improve cat health. Since 1968, the Winn Feline Foundation has funded more than $4.8 million in health research for cats at more than 30 partner institutions world-wide. For further information, go to www.winnfelinehealth.org.

Feline Health, Special Days

National Mosquito Control Awareness Week

June 27, 2014 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

When you think about the most deadly animal in the world, what creatures come to mind? A great white shark? Venomous snakes? Crocodile? Hippopotamus? Mankind? Nope, not even close.

The most dangerous creature is also one of the most annoying: the mosquito. Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project says that mosquitoes have killed more human beings than all the wars, famines and natural disasters throughout history combined—that’s more humans than are alive in the world today.

If you’re not intimidated by those tiny bugs, you should be. According to the World Health Organization, in 2012 there were between 135 million to 287 millions cases of mosquito-caused malaria, and 473,000 to 789 000 malaria deaths. According to the American Mosquito Control Association over one million people worldwide die every year from all mosquito-borne diseases. Not only do humans suffer from mosquitoes mosquito-borne diseases, our dogs and cats fall prey to mosquitoes, including heartworms.

Mosquito sensitivity — Mosquitoes not only transmit disease, they can cause allergic responses in sensitive cats.

While heartworms were once thought to be specifically a transmitted by mosquitoes to dogs only, but we now know that unprotected cats are at risk of being infected with heartworm larvae too. Unlike dogs, who develop a spaghetti bowl of worms in the heart, cats develop Heartworm-Associated Respiratory Disease affecting the lungs. There is no cure, and vets can only treat the symptoms.

It’s almost impossible to diagnose in cats. Tests are notoriously inaccurate. Veterinarians often mistake symptoms like coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, exhaustion, vomiting and loss of appetite, for asthma or another respiratory ailments. Some heartworm cats never show any symptoms at all. Somewhere between 10% and 17% of HARD kitties die with no symptoms at all. HARD cats can also succumb to blood clots in the lungs.

Indoor cats aren’t exempt. Mosquitoes can sneak in through a hole in the screen or as you close the door. In one North Carolina study, 28 percent of the cats diagnosed with adult heartworms were inside-only.

Protect your cat and dog with a monthly application of preventatives.like Revolution or AdvantageMulti. Also be diligent about emptying containers with standing water.

For more information about the world’s most dangerous creature, check out www.mosquito.org.

Feline Health, Obituary, Uncategorized

Saying Goodbye to Nixie

June 24, 2014 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

Nixie taught me a lot in her almost 18 years. In saying goodbye to her, she taught me her greatest lesson. Read about how I learn to use the quality of life scale at Catster.com.

Black cats, Cats, Feline Health, Uncategorized

Shady the Fat Cat Goes on a Diet #HillsPet #giveaway

June 13, 2014 DustyAdmin Leave a comment

__Shady 026 — Shady is a sweet girl with a BIG problem.

Four years ago Animal Allies of Texas (AAT) adopted out a feisty black girl kitten named Shadow. Adoption counselors did all the usual background checks and thought the lady would be a responsible adopter. A couple of months ago we got a call from the woman wanting to return Shady. The woman had violated the contract and declawed the kitty, and now her two male cats were picking on her, so of course, she had to give up the nice defenseless cat.

Since AAT suffers from a chronic lack of foster homes, I agreed to take Shady for a “couple of weeks”. No big deal.

When I met Shady, it was a way bigger deal than I thought. I felt like Sheriff Brody in the movie, Jaws. “We’re going to need a bigger carrier.” Shady looked like a Great White, except she was all black. Poor kitty tipped the scale at almost 20 pounds. There was enough fat on that cat to build two tabbies.

Apparently, like many of cat lovers, what the woman couldn’t give Shady in attention, she made up for in food. After all, humans equate food with love, and we certainly don’t want to skimp on love, do we? Shady’s woman had almost loved her to death.

Shady the Great Black certainly isn’t alone. According to the CDC, 69% of human adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Pets aren’t far behind. The Banfield Pet Hospital State of Pet Health 2012, in the US, 53% of dogs and 55% of cats are now overweight or obese. Over the last five years the number of overweight or obese cats has increased by a heartbreaking 90%.

Shady and I eyed each other. Who in their right mind would adopt a black cat big enough to have her own personal zip code? Where do we go from here? First step, the vet’s office where I heard “the weight lecture.”

The sad truth is, most pet parents don’t even realize they have obese or overweight cats. I confess I have a couple of plumpies myself. I do worry about the extra girth affecting their health. I’ve tried to help them lose weight and failed. Controlling portions or withholding treats is tough. No one wants to feel like they’re starving their cat– even when it’s to help them stay healthy. And who can resist those big green eyes? But I digress…

Shady is such a sweet girl. Despite her reputation as a victim, she gets along with our resident kitties and even the dog. The vet said she needed exercise, so I tried using the Rainbolt Test Kitties’ favorite feather toy to get her blood pumping. She stared at me as if I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. “Does this body look it should be exercising?” Shady refused to extend so much as a claw. There goes the vet’s exercise program. She reminds me of the cat in the
One Big Kitty video.

So what’s the trick behind this cat weight loss thing?
Since Shady’s not going to be burning calories except to convert oxygen to carbon dioxide, I had to come up with Plan B. Diet, oh no! A friend of mine mentioned that Hill’s was conducting a special program for overweight cats.

Hill’s says you can transform your pet’s weight simply by changing what you feed, not how you feed. Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution . is clinically proven nutrition that naturally activates metabolism to burn fat and regulate appetite. They say pets feel full and satisfied and still lose weight. (Cool. Do they make a taco-flavored formula for humans?) They tell me the diet is safe, effective and fast, and I’ll see a leaner, more playful Shady in just 60 days. Alright Hill’s, you’re on.

How is Metabolic Different?
The program includes dry and canned food and even treats designed to work together. Yea, I still get to give her treats. Since I’m not cutting back on her portions, I’m more likely to stay on the program and be compliant with my vet’s recommendation.

On what do they based these claims?
314 pet parents just like you and me participated in an at-home feeding study using Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution. Without strict protocols or precise measuring, 88% of pets lost weight within two months at home. 8 out of 10 pet parents said they’d recommend the program to a friend with an overweight pet. Hill’s even offers a 100% great taste guarantee.

Cat and Dog Giveaway Information & Instructions
But why should Shady and I have all the fun? Do you have a Great White of your own? Hill’s has offered ALL of my readers a free Feline Metabolic Starter Kit (a $70 value). Each kit contains:

• 1 Weight Loss Success Tote Bag
• 1 Weight Loss Success Guide
• 1 4lb bag of Metabolic dry cat food
• 2 (5.5oz) Metabolic cans
• 1 (2.5oz) Metabolic treats
• (2) $25 coupons

To receive a free Feline Metabolic Starter Kit fill out the form completely including your vet’s contact information. There’s also a kit canine kit, if you have a pudgy pooch. You don’t have to pay for a vet visit. Hill’s just needs to get your vet’s authorization to send the product.

I’ll be receiving my kit in a few days and will keep you posted about Shady’s Metabolic Adventure.

It’s full disclosure time. This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Metabolic Advanced Weight Solution, but as you know, Dusty Rainbolt’s Universe only shares information I feel will benefit my readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

Dusty Rainbolt's Universe