April 2014 – Full Issue PDF
April 2014 - Full Issue PDF
Time to Make a Plan for my Cat
It is Autumn in the beautiful Hudson Valley, and Im starting to dismantle and clean up my expansive summer garden to prepare for the impending upstate New York winter. I have lived in this new house for close to a year now, and I truly cant believe how quickly time passes.Like the readers of Catnip, I live with cats of various ages and different backgrounds - but the same reality exists for all of them. What would happen to them if something happened to me? Its a sobering thought (probably morbid to some), and just like many people, …
Dear Doctor: October 2015
Frankly, I have a feeling that this is not feline acne. I suspect your cat has idiopathic facial dermatitis of Persian cats, also known as Dirty Face Syndrome. It is seen most commonly in young Persians and Himalayans and is thought to have an inherited basis. It is characterized by a dark greasy exudate that adheres to the hairs. The muzzle, around the eyes, and the chin are the most commonly affected areas. Concurrent waxy ears and ear infections are common.
Estate Planning and Your Pets
We plan for so many happy life events like birthday parties, graduations and weddings, yet we frequently postpone planning the major life event we all face - our death and distribution of our earthly possessions. Simply put, life happens despite our best-laid plans (or lack of planning). We like to think our family or friends will take in our pets and love them the same way we do - but that is not always the…
Ten Urban Feline Legends or Fact?
In past centuries, people invented fanciful explanations for cats mystifying behaviors. Modern science and common sense have debunked such notions as supernatural cats conspiring with witches. We know that cats have only one life, not nine. And black cats dont cause future bad luck by dashing across our paths. But urban legends persist. Thats because old wives tales may include partial truths, or rely on an inaccurate and coincidental cause-effect notion, says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, veterinarian…
Valentines Day
Now that the holidays of 2012 are merely warm and fuzzy memories and were forging full-steam ahead into the new year, its important to consider the cautionary tale that weve all heard by various experts: Avoid giving pets as holiday gifts. Pet adoption still remains very popular during the holiday season - with many well-meaning people seeking out the perfect kitten or puppy to give to a loved one. Unfortunately, many of these furry four-legged gifts…
Disaster Planning for your cat
Unfortunately, natural disasters or manmade catastrophes dont come marked on the calendar. As we recently learned with Hurricane Sandy, it is always better to listen to the experts when they tell us to evacuate, and to have a plan in place should disaster strike suddenly. Hurricane Katrina can ultimately be credited with changing the perspective on disaster planning for our animals. Sadly, countless reports of people being forced to abandon their pets to the fury of…
Important Steps You Can Take Today for your Cat
An emergency neednt be large-scale to impact you and your cat. In fact, the odds are higher that the emergency will affect only you and your family. Even a problem that affects only you or other family members can have huge consequences for your cat. Examples would be an owners injury in a car accident with the cat left home alone; an explosion of a chlorine tanker that requires a quick evacuation of your neighborhood…
Finding Your Lost Cat
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, well over 86 million cats currently live in U.S. homes. Two-thirds of them, the organization estimates, are indoor-only feline companions - their owners keep them confined within the home at all times. The remaining one-third are so-called indoor-outdoor cats - they are free to trot in and out of their owners houses as the mood strikes them. …
Search Methods to Help Locate Your Lost Cat
If your cat has been absent from your home for 24 hours, emphasizes Nicole Cottam, its time to take action. To recover a missing cat, she recommends the following: - Conduct a thorough search for the animal that covers every obscure area - high and low - within 500 feet of your home. Keep in mind that a curious indoor cat who suddenly finds himelf in unfamiliar outdoor surroundings may be terrified and will do everything…
