CAT HEALTH & MEDICINE

Letters to Tufts Veterinarians - Nipples on males; fascination with veggies

…

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of illness in cats - especially in older cats - and unfortunately the incidence is increasing. In 1990, for every 1000 cats admitted to veterinary teaching hospitals, there were 45 cases of CKD. In 2000, the number increased to 96 cases per 1000 admissions. In my feline specialty practice, CKD remains the most common illness we encounter, and the most common reason for euthanasia. …

Your older cat seems like hes in pain. He doesnt limp or moan, but you notice that he wont jump up on his favorite windowsill the way that he used to, and if you put him there, hes reluctant to jump down on his own. He has trouble walking up and down stairs. Hes not playful any more. …

You cat cant tell you shes in pain. But her actions are a clue. Your cat may not be limping, but she may have trouble navigating the stairs, says Dr. Karas. Watch out for changes in activities such as: Running Chasing objects Jumping up - and down Hunting Going up and down stairs Using the litter tray Playing with toys or other cats Decreased grooming (because they are no longer flexible enough) Running, whether it's to food or away from a dog Increased grooming (because…

Letters to Tufts Veterinarians - A cat who vomits on a regular schedule

Researchers are closing in on a more accurate method of determining if cats are infected with heartworm, according to a study recently published in the journal Parasites & Vectors. The study also suggests that feline heartworm - a potentially lethal parasite transmitted by mosquito bites - may be more prevalent than previously believed. …

A few decades ago, recommendations regarding feline vaccinations were relatively simple. Veterinarians generally agreed that all domestic cats should be inoculated annually with a number of vaccines. In recent years, however, the issue has become far more complicated - and in some respects, more controversial. Back in the early 1990s, only four or five vaccines were available; today, no fewer than 10 vaccines have proven to be generally effective in providing a cat with immunity against…

Many people assume that the hardest part of my job as a veterinarian must be putting pets to sleep. Surprisingly, it isnt. Putting a beloved pet to sleep is certainly the saddest part of my job, but by the time weve reached the point of euthanasia, weve run out of options for maintaining a good quality of life for the cat, and humanely ending the cats life is the proper and kind thing to do. …

I look forward to kitten season every year. Nothing brightens my day more than examining a kitten and seeing all of the joy and amusement it brings to the family. I do not, however, look forward to peering inside a kittens ear - especially a kitten thats been aggressively scratching at her ears with a hind paw and shaking her head afterward. This behavior is usually the telltale sign of ear mites. …

My ten-year-old female cat was recently diagnosed with carpal hyperextension in one of her front paws. I am reluctant to have the surgery performed on her, and there is currently no medication that can help the condition.

According to a recent study from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, higher levels of vitamin D could potentially help the survival rate for hospitalized cats. Blood samples were obtained from 99 hospitalized cats with life-threatening conditions that were admitted to the Universitys small animal hospital - and those with higher levels of vitamin D were more likely to still be alive a month after admission. …