Is Your Cat Really "Indoors Only"?

When you take your cat to visit your veterinarian, one of the most common questions asked of you is whether your cat is an indoor or outdoor cat.  Most owners will say that their cats are indoor cats.  However, if your cat spends any amount of time outside, even on a covered patio under your direct supervision, he's not an indoor only cat.

Why is this distinction so important?  Because any type of outdoor exposure can impact your cat's health in terms of exposures, from other animals to parasites.  All of this information helps your veterinarian help you take care of your cat, and can potentially prevent health issues down the road.

Even if your cat is strictly indoors, if you have other pets that go outside, your indoor cat may have additional exposure risks from your other pet.  For example, let's say you have a dog as well as your cat.  Your dog goes with you to the local dog park where other dogs expose him to fleas, which he brings home with him.  Now your cat has been exposed to them too.

If you have a multi-cat household and the other cat goes outside, this can impact your indoor cat in similar ways as having a dog that goes outside.  In addition to parasites, your outdoor cat may also bring in viruses that your indoor cat may not otherwise encounter.  This means your indoor cat may need additional vaccinations, for example.

Here at Scottsdale Cat Clinic we do recommend keeping cats indoors due to the variety of dangers that are outside.  These include parasites, predators - including abusive humans - toxins, cars, and even fights with other cats.  We went into more detail on these dangers in our blog The Dangerous Outdoors.

Still, keeping a cat indoors does mean that special attention must be given to ensure a healthy life.  Although the always sleeping cat is a popular image, cats do need exercise and mental stimulation, something that can be lacking in the indoor environment.  Fortunately, it is relatively easy to add these elements to your indoor cat's life with interactive toys, a well placed perch to check out the great outdoors through a window, or even a companion cat assuming they get along.

Because of the additional exposures and potential risks for cats outside, it is very important for your veterinarian to know if your cat goes out, even for a few minutes.  Make sure your veterinarian knows all of your cat's habits so she can help you take the best possible care of your cat.

Now At Scottsdale Cat Clinic - Nutraceuticals for Your Cat

Nutraceuticals are foods or food nutrients that are taken orally to provide a health benefit, either for the prevention or the treatment of disease.  Multi-vitamins are an example of nutraceuticals.  They are not as closely regulated as medications so extra caution needs to be taken to be sure you are buying them from a reputable manufacturer.  Because cats can react differently than we do to herbal and vitamin supplements, it is especially important to give them ingredients and dosages that are safe for cats.

Here at Scottsdale Cat Clinic, we have always carried a few nutraceutical formulas manufactured by RxVitamins for Pets.  This company only sells their products through veterinarian offices so we know that each batch has gone through proper quality control.  After learning more about their products and how they can help enhance your cat's health, we have expanded our selection.  


Most of the formulas are hypoallergenic.  This is even true of the formulas that are listed as having specific flavors such as salmon or beef.  All of the proteins that cause allergic reactions have been removed.  Although RxVitamins for Pets has never heard of an allergic reaction from their formulas, if your cat has an extreme allergy to food proteins, caution should be taken.

Below is a listing of the formulas we carry.

• Amino B-Plex Liquid: This formula provides B complex vitamins, aqueous liver fractions and essential amino acids in a highly palatable, easily administrated formula.  It is particularly beneficial for cats who have chronic illness and need enhanced support for vitality.
• Amino B+K Liquid: Similar to the B-Plex formula, this liquid also includes potassium to help cats who have been diagnosed with low potassium.
• NutriFlex Chewtabs: These chewable tablets are a great option to help increase mobility for your cat.  This formula contains chondoprotective agents to help maintain and repair articular cartilage, tendons and ligaments; antioxidants; and glucosamine and other nutrients that are found naturally in joints and connective tissue.
• Hepato Support Capsules: These capsules are designed to help support normal liver function and help the liver recover from disease.
• Liquid Immuno: This formula combines L-lysine with plant based nutrients to promote optimal immune system function.  It has been shown as highly therapeutic for patients with chronic and acute immune system challenges.  The highly palatable, liquid formula makes administration easier.
• Liquid NutriCalm: This salmon-flavored formula is designed for cats exhibiting nervousness or anxiety.  It contains L-tryptophan, an essential amino-acid that the brain converts to seratonin; L-Theanine; valerian root; and ashanganda also help to naturally soothe and relax.
• Nutrigest Powder: This formula contains phytochemicals and essential nutrients that help restore and maintain normal function in the gastrointestinal tract.  It also contains a prebiotic nutrient to help nourish and fortify friendly intestinal bacteria.
• Nutritional Support Powder: This nutrient dense liver/salmon powder is a great overall wellness supplement that helps to support a healthy digestive tract; strengthens the immune system; and improves the appearance of skin and haircoat.
• Onco Support Powder: This formula is designed to provide nutritional support for conditions of the immune system.  The unique combination of elements increases patient vitality as well as improves immune system resistance.  It is specifically formulated to support the increased metabolic needs of the patient with chronic disease and cancer.
• Rx Zyme Powder: This comprehensive and versatile formula was created to address overall digestive function, promote the breakdown and absorption of food and its nutrients and support the normal digest of protein, fats and carbohydrates.
• Rx Essentials for Cats Powder: This powder contains a full range of essential daily vitamins and organically chelated minerals along with spirulina, kelp, milk thistle and taurine for the additional nutritional support that cats need.
• Rx Renal Feline Capsules: The botanical extracts and nutraceuticals in this formula have shown efficacy in stabilizing renal laboratory parameters and improving quality of life.  Each ingredient has scientific evidence supporting its usefulness in effective addressing elevated renal values.
• Rx Biotic Powder: This powder contains a blend of four major probiotic bacterial strains with two prebiotics.  Clinic research demonstrates that beneficial bacterial in the bowel normalizes gastrointestinal function as well as contributes to improved overall immune response.
• Rx Clay Powder: This formula helps regulate bowl function and promotes normal stool by adsorbing bacterial toxins, inflammatory cytokines and metabolic toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.  It is free of heavy metal contamination, contains no available aluminum, and is sterilized.  It can help with chronic diarrhea or acute diarrhea flare-ups.

Please contact us if you would like more information about adding nutraceuticals to your cat's diet.  

Adopting A Cat? Consider one with "Special Needs"

The month of June is designated as Adopt-A-Cat month.  Most rescues run a variety of adoption drives and specials during this month to help the cats in their care find new forever homes.  However, there is one group of cats that always seem to be overlooked: cats designated as "special needs".

What does "special needs" mean?  The term can cover a wide variety of situations from chronic conditions to physical disabilities, but generally means that that specific cat will need a little extra care.  Adopting a special needs cat can be a very rewarding experience and can provide that cat a much needed home and family.

Many times special needs indicates that the cat will need to be on a special diet.  For example, the cat may have chronic cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder.  Or the cat may be prone to crystals or stones in the bladder.  Both of these conditions make the cat prone to urinary tract infections.  In the case of crystals or stones, if left untreated and unmonitored, it can lead to urinary obstructions.  Fortunately, both of these conditions are controlled through proper diet - usually a prescription veterinary diet - and regular preventative visits to the veterinarian.  The rescue may label these cats as special needs because they will require extra financial investment in the specific food and possibly more frequent veterinary visits than just the recommended twice a year preventative exams.

There are other health considerations and/or chronic conditions that may cause an adoptable cat to be classified as "special needs". These can include weight issues, allergies, and even some mild behavioral issues.  In the latter case, a cat that may appear fearful and highly stressed may calm down once out of a rescue setting and into a permanent home.

Of course, there are cats with physical disabilities that wind up in shelters and with rescues.  These types of disabilities include blindness and deafness.  A healthy cat has three very powerful senses that he uses to get about in the world: sight, hearing and smell.  So even if a cat is missing one, he still has two other to rely on.  This means that this cat will still have a very happy and rewarding life.

If you are considering adopting a cat during Adopt A Cat month - or at any time - take a second look at a cat designated as "special needs."  Find out why the rescue has categorized this way and think about if you are able to meet this cat's needs.  You might find the "purr-fect" match for you.

Anesthesia Free Dentals Are Not Good Medicine

A few years ago in a Dental Health Month blog, we briefly discussed the troubling use of anesthesia-free dentistry for pets.  Since then, this procedure - also known as Nonprofessional Dental Scaling (NPDS) - has become increasingly popular with well-meaning owners who understand the importance of dental care but are afraid of the risks from anesthesia.  And because it is usually less expensive, NPDS is also attractive to pet owners who have concerns about cost.

However, as we stated in our first blog on this topic, this procedure actually can cause more harm than good.  Additionally, if this procedure is not performed by a veterinarian, or even under the supervision of a veterinarian, NPDS is actually illegal in many states.

Below are more details and common questions about the procedure.

Is Non-professional Dental Scaling (NPDS) as effective as a cleaning under anesthesia?
No.  NPDS is a purely cosmetic procedure.  Because NPDS only removes tartar build-up from the visible portion of the tooth, it can provide a false sense of completion and illness prevention.  Many times there is plaque built up under the gum line, and most oral disease is actually happening below the visible surfaces of the teeth.  NPDS fails to address or fix these problems.  Dental procedures performed properly under anesthesia are not just about cleaning the teeth.  Radiographs (x-rays) are taken during the process in order to assess general bone health as well as the health of the roots of the teeth.  The visible portion of the teeth can look perfectly healthy, but the cat can have severe bone loss, lesions, or other pathologies below the gumline where they are not visible (see our case study blog on Oz for an example of this type of situation).

Isn't NPDS safer for cats than putting them under anesthesia?
No.  The principal reason anesthesia is required for a proper and thorough dental cleaning is due to patient cooperation.  Unlike with people, we cannot explain to the cat what we are doing and ask that she hold still while her teeth are scaled (have the tartar removed) and x-rays are taken.  Many cats will not tolerate even a cursory inspection of their mouth during a regular office exam, much less a complete exam plus cleaning and x-rays.  Additionally, dental instruments are sharp by design, presenting a clear danger to an awake cat if she jerks away from the process in fear.  And as most of us know from visiting our own dentist, cleaning below the gumline is uncomfortable at best.  Think of the last time you had your own teeth cleaned and how it felt.

We must also worry about the cats ability to breath during a dental procedure.  Dental instruments require water to reduce heat from friction and to rinse the mouth.  When your cat is properly anesthetized, she will be intubated.  This means a tube is placed down her throat directly into her trachea (windpipe) so she can breathe.  Intubation is especially important during dental cleanings to reduce the chance of water getting into the cat's lungs.

Is anesthesia safe for my cat?
Overall, yes.  Of course, there are risks with any anesthesia procedure.  Here at Scottsdale Cat Clinic, we take every precaution to minimize those risks, tailoring our general protocols to specifics for each individual cat.  We always start with a pre-operative exam.  During this exam, your cat's weight is verified in order to ensure she is getting her correct dosage of medications.  The pre-operative medications include analgesics (pain relief), which research has shown improves post-operative recovery.  We also place an IV catheter which helps to maintain blood pressure, keeps your cat hydrated during the procedure, and also allows us to administer any additional medications directly into her blood stream.  While your cat is under anesthesia, her vital signs are constantly monitored, both with state-of-the-art equipment and a trained veterinary technician.

Additionally, dental procedures are part of our regular anesthesia procedures.  This means we know what to look for during oral exams and on the dental x-rays.  This adds up to less time for your cat to be under anesthesia while we evaluate her dental health.  If your cat needs extractions, we use nerve blocks to allow us to perform the extraction without having to have your cat at deeper levels of anesthesia.  All of this leads to safe anesthesia while enabling a complete and thorough dental cleaning and exam for your cat.

At Scottsdale Cat Clinic we feel that any dental procedure that isn't performed under anesthesia fails to provide proper care for your cat.  NPDS is absolutely an inadequate treatment for your cat's dental health.  Any cost savings are completely negated by the substandard results and will almost certainly lead to more serious dental problems later in your cat's life.

Case Study: Kristina

Many clients when facing a medical decision with their cat will ask me what I would do if it were my cat. Most of the time, that question is asked when an owner is facing difficult decisions. But you may want to know what I do for my cat to keep her from developing severe medical problems.

So this case study is about Kristina, the cat I adopted a little over a year ago. She was about five years old and in good health when I took her home from a local shelter. At that time she had some dental disease and we performed a dental cleaning and radiographs. We also extracted four lower teeth that had problems. She did well with her recovery and was right back to eating her dental dry food and ProPlan canned food.

Last summer, we discovered she has a food allergy. She had developed chin acne, which resolved only when we fed her a hypoallergenic food exclusively. Unfortunately, this meant she could not continue her regular dry food - a dental kibble. As you will see, this led to some other problems.

You might be surprised to know that even though I see Kristina every day, I still schedule a semi-annual exam for her. She gets swept up and whisked into an exam room, where she gets the exact same exam your cat gets when it visits. I do this so I am sure to give her a thorough examination, running through the same checklist and comparing data from her last exam.

At her most recent six-month wellness exam, I found she had mild tartar and her gingivitis had returned. Some of this is attributable to her switch from her dental diet to a different food. A few days later, I performed a dental cleaning to treat those issues. I did not find any lesions during the oral exam or on the radiographs, which meant she did not need any extractions. We gave her teeth a thorough cleaning, polishing and applied a sealant. I'll be watching her teeth closer now, knowing that she is susceptible to tartar buildup.

Her blood panel before the anesthesia did show a mild increase in one of her liver enzymes so I will recheck that in the next month. This progress check will let me know if that increase is worrisome or if it was a reaction to her gum disease. If the enzyme is still high, I will run more tests to look for a cause. Tests like these are crucial because there is no way to observe a liver enzyme increase by looking at a cat. The blood panel on Kristina may have caught an issue early. We hope not, but if there is an issue, catching it now is far, far better than later.

If you have met Kristina at our front desk, you will see that she has developed into a very affectionate and outgoing cat. Even though she lives here and is very comfortable with all of us, she still gets nervous when we need to trim her nails and give her vaccines or other care. We handle her gently and reassure her the way we do all our patients so that we can be sure she receives all the medical care she needs. She is up-to-date on her FVRCP and Rabies vaccines, stays indoors exclusively, receives Heartgard once a month, and has her semi-annual examinations.

My goal as a veterinarian is to focus on preventing problems so your cat lives a long and healthy life. Kristina is a healthy cat with a few minor health concerns. Yet because we provide her with regular care, check-ups and dental work, those problems stay minor. It is important to provide regular preventative care to keep our cats in good health as long as possible. Dental health especially can be difficult to notice easily in cats but it can impact their health greatly.

So if you've ever wondered what your veterinarian would do, here was a glimpse into how I take care of my cat.

---

Dr. Judy Karnia

Case of the Week: Java

In today's case, we will see how therapy laser treatment can be very helpful with a frustrating chronic medical condition.

Java is a fourteen-year-old Burmese cat with a typical problem for many cats. He vomits once in a while. He first came into the clinic three years ago. At his previous veterinary clinic, he had some basic blood tests and radiographs done which showed nothing unusual. Since some cats with vomiting have food allergies causing the vomiting, I tried Java on a hypoallergenic diet. He would not eat it but continued to do okay, just vomiting periodically.

About eighteen months ago though, Java started to vomit more often, twice weekly. We evaluated his abdominal organs with an ultrasound, an again, nothing seemed unusual. I also sent blood to the laboratory for a pancreatic profile. This profile tests pancreatic enzyme levels and cobalamin and folate, two vitamin levels that help us evaluate how well the small intestine is functioning. While most of Java's panel results were normal, one of his enzyme levels - his Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity (PLI) level was three times normal. With this result, we knew that Java had chronic pancreatitis.

Chronic pancreatitis is common in cats, especially as they age. The pancreas is an organ that creates and excretes enzymes into the small intestine to help with the digestion of food. Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed or irritated. This causes pain and vomiting and can lead to poor digestion and weight loss. It is often associated with inflammation of the intestinal walls as well, called Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD.

I prescribed an anti-oxidant and a probiotic for Java and also had his owner give him Pepcid AC, an antacid. Java did well on these and his vomiting decreased. A few months later, his owner brought him in for a progress exam and to recheck his blood work. His kidney and liver values and blood cell counts were normal but his PLI had increased from three times to fifteen times the normal level. The antacid and the probiotic were helping the symptoms, but Java's pancreatitis was getting worse. To find out exactly what was going on, we had to perform biopsies on his pancreas and intestines.

In early 2011, we did an exploratory surgery to obtain the biopsies. The pathology report on the biopsies showed that there was inflammatory bowel disease in his small intestine and pancreas. This ruled out cancer and infection so we could treat Java more specifically and aggressively. I could now add corticosteroids to his medications. These steroids are very effective at suppressing inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory pancreatitis, but can make other diseases worse.

After starting the oral steroids, Java did well. His vomiting continued a little but decreased greatly in frequency and he seemed to be feeling better. Yet despite these modest improvements, neither the owner nor I were satisfied with Java's condition. In consultation with his owner, we also decided to try a more experimental approach. Scottsdale Cat Clinic now has a therapy laser that uses photostimulation to decrease inflammation, decrease pain and promote healing. We've been using the laser for post-surgical treatment and arthritic patients. Although there have been no studies using the therapeutic laser for treating pancreatitis, I believed the same healing results we were seeing on wounds might also occur with Java's problem.

We started therapy on Java three times weekly for two weeks, then twice weekly for a week, then once the following week. After this intense initial treatment, we reduced it to once every three weeks. Java seemed to feel much better. He was more active and affectionate, and he was not vomiting. A month after he started the laser therapy, his PLI had decreased to five times normal. We therefore decreased his steroids from daily to every other day. He returned to vomiting a little and did not seem to feel as good so we increased the frequency of his laser therapy to every other week. His most recent PLI was decreased to just over two times normal. By continuing his laser therapy every two weeks, we are able to minimize his steroid dose and keep him feeling well.

Java is currently doing very well. He is not vomiting, is eating well, and is back to jumping up onto high furniture. His owner is very excited about his response to the treatment with the therapy laser. She says that he is back to his old self, bossing around the other cats, and being very active. In the previous couple of years, she was very concerned about his regular vomiting and slowing down in activity level and is very happy that we were able to diagnose and treat his condition.

Pancreatitis can be a difficult disease to diagnose and treat. It is probably fairly common in cats but usually goes undiagnosed and untreated, leaving the affected cats to deal with the discomfort for many years. Many owners believe vomiting in cats is normal but it can be a sign of a serious disease. Pancreatitis is unlikely to be completely cured, but treatment can help reduce the severity and help the cat to live much more comfortably.

--

Dr. Judy Karnia

Case of the Week: Oz

Oz is a three-year-old flame point Siamese. When he came into the clinic for his six-month Wellness exam, I could see a small amount of gingival recession on his upper right canine tooth - his fang. He had mild dental tartar build-up and mild gingivitis but no other dental problems visible on his exam. He otherwise appeared to be a healthy young cat, so we scheduled him for a routine dental cleaning.

A few weeks later, Oz came into the clinic for his dental cleaning procedure. After a thorough cleaning of the teeth with the ultrasonic scaler, I performed an exam of his mouth. When cats are under anesthesia, I am able to perform a much better exam of their teeth. As you might imagine, probing a cat's gums with a sharp stick is not the easiest thing to do when he is wide awake. I look at all the surfaces of the teeth and probe the gum line for any defects in the enamel or gingival recession. At the upper right canine tooth, where I had seen the gum recession during his exam, there was a 6mm periodontal pocket. Basically, I could place the probe more than half way down along the tooth root. The upper right carnassal tooth, a three-root tooth towards the back of the mouth, also had a large periodontal pocket around both of its two front roots.

The lower teeth also had some gum recession and periodontal pockets. The lower left first premolar had a 1mm pocket. The lower right first premolar and lower right molar each had a 4mm pocket, which is large for these small teeth.

After the cleaning and polishing of the teeth, I took radiographs (x-rays) of all the teeth. There was a larger amount of bone loss evident around many of the lower teeth. Bone loss occurs due to periodontitis, an inflammation of the tissues that hold the tooth in the bone. In Oz's case, two premolars showed substantial loss of bone and his lower right molar had lost so much of the bone that the roots were almost entirely exposed. Remember that at Oz's Wellness exam, all I could see were minor problems. It wasn't until he was sedated and had radiographs taken that I could diagnose the severity of his dental problems.

Oz's x-ray showing bone loss (on left) vs. a normal x-ray (on right)

I extracted four teeth - the upper right canine tooth, carnassal, lower first premolar and molar. The large pockets around these teeth were allowing bacteria and plaque to extend down the roots leading to infection and pain. These teeth also would have eventually become loose in the mouth, causing more discomfort and even making it difficult for Oz to eat. After extraction of the teeth, I closed the gums over the empty sockets and the tissue healed very well.

Oz may have had more trouble on the right side due to the formation of his skull and teeth during development, or because of how he chewed his food. Sometimes, once a small problem starts and causes discomfort, the cat will chew more with the other side of his teeth allowing the plaque to develop even more. We will continue to monitor the rest of his teeth to watch for further problems.

Oz was not showing any symptoms of any mouth discomfort at home and his routine Wellness exam showed only the tip of the iceberg of his dental problems. In many cats, it is very difficult to see the extent of dental problems until we are able to probe the teeth and take radiographs under anesthesia. His case shows us the importance of routine exams and performing dental procedures whenever there is even a hint of dental disease on the exam.

-- Dr. Judy Karnia

Home Dental Care Tips for Cats

February is annually known as Pet Dental Health Month. To maintain your cat's dental health and to reduce the frequency of needed dental procedures, home care is important. While a small percentage of cats have excellent dental health without any care, the majority will develop tartar, gingivitis and periodontal disease without consistent home care.

Your cat's teeth require cleaning and exercise. Cleaning the teeth removes plaque and bacteria to prevent tartar build up and decrease the amount of harmful bacteria that can pass through the gums. Exercising the teeth keeps the tissue that surrounds the tooth healthy. This helps prevent tooth loss and decreases pockets that can form between the tooth and gum which can collect tartar and bacteria. There are multiple methods to provide home care, depending on your cat's personality and tolerance, and your ability to provide treatment.

Tooth brushing: Brushing your cat's teeth is the single best method if cleaning his or her teeth. Most cats can be taught to accept tooth brushing if you gradually get them used to it. However, do not attempt if your cat is aggressive or prone to biting. Use a toothpaste made especially for cats such as C.E.T. which comes in either seafood or poultry flavors. Do not use human toothpaste - it will upset their stomach and the fluoride can be toxic.

Brushing your cat's teeth might seem difficult or even somewhat silly at first. Your cat may not be thrilled with the idea either, but it can and should be done. It may take a few weeks until your cat accepts tooth brushing. Go slowly and be patient. Offer a treat that your cat really enjoys after you work with your cat each day. You only need to brush the outer surfaces of the teeth, but you should try to brush all the teeth daily if possible. Here are the steps you can follow to get your cat to allow you to brush his or her teeth:

1. Get your cat used to the flavor of the toothpaste. Place a small amount on your finger and let your cat lick it off.
2. Get your cat used to having something put into his mouth. Place a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and rub it over your cat's upper canine teeth. Every day, increase the amount of time and surface you cover.
3. Get your cat used to the toothbrush. Place a small amount of toothpaste onto the brush and let your cat lick it off.
4. Start brushing the outer surfaces of the teeth.

Dental Diets: Veterinary diets such as Hill's t/d, Purina DH or Royal Canin DD are proven to improve dental health. The kibble is larger to encourage chewing and exercise the teeth. The structure of the kibble is formulated to scrub the teeth as the cat chews. The Hill's diet is coated in hexametaphosphate which prevents the calcification of plaque. All three diets provide all the nutrients your cat needs so they can be the dry portion of your cat's diet or you can mix them into another dry diet.

Maxiguard OraZn Pet Oral Care: OraZn is a gel that reduces the deposition of plaque, aids in the reduction of gum inflammation, and neutralizes mouth odors. It contains Taurine which combines with the Zinc to kill bacteria and reduce the bacterial products that cause halitosis and make the gums more permeable to bacterial toxins. You apply a pea-sized droplet with your finger or a cotton swab onto the outside gum areas above the upper molars on each side of the mouth. Use daily for best results.

Maxiguard Oral Cleansing Gel: This is similar to OraZn but has Vitamin C added to help repair tissue. It is recommended for severe oral problems and after a dental procedure.

Oravet Sealant: Oravet is a waxy sealant that is applied to the outer surfaces of your cat's teeth at the end of his dental procedure. It significantly reduces plaque and tartar formation by creating an invisible barrier that prevents bacteria from attaching to your cat's teeth both above and below the gumline. You can then apply the home care Oravet to the outer surface of your cat's teeth once weekly to maintain the barrier against bacteria. It can be used along with brushing or dental chews.

Dental Chews: There are a variety of chews available. Most of them will exercise your cat's teeth and may help reduce plaque. C.E.T. chews have an antibacterial system and time-tested Dual-Enzyme System to control plaque and eliminate bacteria buildup. They can be fed as a treat once a day and come in poultry and fish flavors.

Dental Rinses: Dental rinses contain chlorheidine or xylitol to fight bacterial and reduce plaque build up. This will also help freshen your pet's breath. Chlorhexidine rinses must be applied directly into the mouth. They fight bacteria for up to twelve hours but can have a taste that is unacceptable to your cat. C.E.T. AquaDent contains xylitol which kills bacteria. It is easy to use - simply add 2 teaspoons to a quart of our cat's drinking water every day. However, when you first add any medication to your cat's water, you must make sure he will drink it. It is especially important if he has any medical problems that he continue to drink his water. Xylitol has been proven to reduce dental disease in humans, and it is safe for cats, but no research has shown how effective it is for their dental health.

All of the products mentioned above are available at Scottsdale Cat Clinic. If you are looking to purchase any of pet dental care products at the pet store or grocery store, it's best to look for products carrying the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal. In order to display the seal, the product must have good scientific research backing their claims.

For more information about these products or about your cat's dental health, please contact us by visiting our website.

Cat Food Labels Decoded

You know that proper nutrition is an important factor in helping to keep your cat healthy. But what does that mean? How do you know what is good and what is just clever marketing? Here are some facts, tips and labeling definitions that can help you navigate the shelves of cat food options.

First of all, did you know that pet food products are among the most highly regulated items in a typical grocery store? Pet food ingredients, the manufacturing processes and package labeling are all governed both at the state and federal levels. Almost all of the state laws and regulations are based on the work of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), an organization of state officials who regulate animal feed, which includes pet food. AAFCO has established a standardization of ingredient definitions, nutritional requirements, labeling and other guidelines. This has helped to create uniformity between states so you know you are getting the same quality regardless of where you are buying the food, or where it was manufactured.

At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) all have regulatory authority over pet food. In addition to specific state requirements, the FDA also has specific requirements for all food products, human and pet. These include ensuring that the products are "pure and wholesome", "free of harmful or deleterious substances", and "truthfully labeled". In addition, canned pet food has to meet the same conditions as human food canning requirements.

To read more about labeling requirements at both the state and federal levels, visit The Pet Food Institute.

So in keeping with the "truthfully labeled" requirement, what do all those different words mean?

Holistic - This sounds as though it would be a great option, doesn't it? However, under the AAFCO labeling requirements, there is no legal definition of the term "holistic". This means that any company can put the word holistic on their cat food labels without having to define just what makes their food holistic.

Natural - This is also a great sounding option, and it actually does have specific AAFCO requirements to be included on a label. However, "natural" simply means the food consists of ingredients that have not been subjected to chemical synthesis. Plus, natural does not mean organic.

Organic - Just as with human foods, in order for a cat food to be allowed to carry the USDA organic seal at least 95 percent of the content by weight must be organic. And organic is defined as a product that is grown with only animal or vegetable fertilizers.

By-Products - Many of us think that by-product is a dirty word. Not the case at all, and in fact, by-products actually can provide a great deal of nutritional benefit for your cat. A by-product is simply the parts of the animal that are not used for human food production, such as fat, internal organs, etc. If you think about how your cat's wild cousins hunt and eat, they don't waste those parts of the animal and focus only on the whole meat. Many wild animals actually start with the so-called by-products, saving the whole meat for last because the internal organs contain essential vitamins and minerals not found in the whole meat. For example, the liver provides vitamin A and iron, and bone marrow and bones provide calcium, fatty acids and antioxidants. Poultry by-product meal, or chicken meal, can actually be quite beneficial for cats as it contains taurine in much higher levels than in whole meats. Taurine is essential for cats' cardiace and ocular (eye) health.

AAFCO does regulate what is considered a by-product fit for inclusion in pet food. They do not include feathers, hair, hide, hooves, manure or stomach content. As an added green benefit, the use of by-products helps to reduce waste since these are products that would otherwise be trashed.

And now for some of the trickier labeling definitions:

Formulated to meeting nutritional levels established by AAFCO: If your pet food has wording similar to this on it, it has not gone through any feeding and/or digestibility trials. While the formulation method is still highly regulated, there is no documentation on how this particular formula will affect your cat. A much better label wording is animal feeding test using AAFCO procedures substantiate that this food provides complete and balanced nutrition.

Ingredients. Just as in human food labels, ingredients in cat food are listed by weight in descending order. For example, a cat food label that begins "chicken, corn meal, poultry by-products...." has a greater weight of whole meat chicken than corn meal. But be careful. Although ordered by weight, there is nothing that indicates how much more chicken than corn meal may be in there. The weight difference could be as little as less than a tenth of a percent or it could be 20 percent more.

"Beef Dinner" "Chicken Platter" "Seafood Entree" "Liver Formula" You pick up a can that's labeled "seafood entree". That means it's going to be full of yummy seafood for you cat, right? Not necessarily. Diets with these examples of labeling are only required to contain 25 percent of the main labeled ingredient.

"with Chicken!" Any label that has this type of wording, whatever it might be with, is only required to contain 3 percent of that ingredient.

And the silliest labeling requirement of all: "Flavor". As long as the "flavor" is "recognized by the pet", a product can be so labeled. No word on how a flavor is "recognized", though...

It is a good habit to read the labels of your cat's food. Just keep in mind that manufacturers will obey the letter of the labeling laws as far as the content of their products. We hope that this blog has helped you to become a little savvier in reading between the lines.

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For more information on all things pet food related, visit these websites:
AAFCO - Association of American Feed Control Officials
AAHA - American Animal Hospital Association
ACVN - American College of Veterinary Nutrition
The FDA Pet Food Site
NRC - National Research Council for nutrient requirements of dogs and cats
Pet Food Institute

Bringing an Outdoor Cat Inside

In an earlier, recent blog, we discussed many of the hazards and dangers for cats in the outdoors. So how can you make sure a cat that's used to living outside can be happy becoming an indoor cat? With patience and persistence, that's how.

Nowadays, it's a sad fact that many of the cats roaming outdoors have actually been turned out or otherwise abandoned by families that can't take care of them any longer. That means that many of them are already at least familiar with being indoors on a regular basis. Some of these cats will be happy to have a family again and will make the transition more easily. But what about those cats that have only ever known the outdoors?

Stray cats brought indoors, or feral cats trapped, neutered and re-homed sometimes have a difficult adjustment period if kept indoors. Even though to our point of view that living indoors is preferable and cushy, to the cat that has never been confined indoors, the experience can be one of terror and suspicion. In addition, many have never seen a litter box, much less know that's where they should do their "business". Some other common behaviors can be door dashing, constantly meowing at doors and windows, scratching at carpets and even the walls, etc.


You can alleviate the stress these cats face by understanding their behavior and redirecting it in a positive direction. Again, patience and understanding is the key when helping these cats make this big adjustment.


Most importantly, before you bring any cat into your house, be sure to have the cat examined by your veterinarian, spayed or neutered if needed, and vaccines updated. It's also important to check for parasites and have the cat dewormed before coming inside. This is especially important if you already have resident cats. In fact, make sure your resident cats are up to date on their vaccines as well.

One of the ways to ease transition is to use a pheromone diffuser like Feliway. The Feliway brand is a synthetic copy of the natural feline facial pheromone. These specific pheromones let a cat know an object is safe and familiar. Using these types of diffusers can help to reduce the stress and marking behavior in cats.

A good way to start this transition is to time it with the outdoor weather. If you live in colder climes, the cat may be more apt to settle inside during the winter. In Arizona and other hotter areas, summer may be the better season to start this transition.

Here are some additional tips to help your outdoor cat transition to being an indoor cat:

• When the cat first comes indoors, keep him in a small room with non-absorbable surfaces (such as a bathroom). Provide several litter boxes in the area. You can even try different types of litter in the different boxes to see if the cat has a preference. If the cat refuses to use the box, you can try using an organic potting soil or clean sand on top to simulate what is outside. There are also several products available that can be added to the litter to draw a cat to the box.
• Provide places to hide. You don't have to spend a lot of money on fancy cat furniture. A cardboard box, or an old, large carrier without a door, with a towel draped over it will be more than enough for the cat. Unless you have provided soft surfaces for the cat outside, many outside cats have never encountered cushions, so experiment with different textures to see what he prefers, including straw, sawdust or pet bed shavings.
• Plant cat appropriate plants and grasses in a small container, such as catnip or catmint. Many pet stores have pre-planted containers to grow the grasses, and some specialty retailers have organic versions. This gives the cats fresh vegetation to eat, which they would do outdoors, and will discourage the cat from going after houseplants.
• Play with your cat. An outdoor cat possesses a higher prey drive than an inside cat. This prey drive has kept him alive. There are many types of interactive cat toys on the market, and you may need to experiment to see which type your cat prefers. Plus, the more you play with your cat, the stronger the bond you will create with him, adding to his sense of security.

If you already have cats in your house, make sure you take the time to properly introduce the new cat into your family. Whether your new cat has lived with other cats or not, your house has a new set of dynamics for him to integrate into.


If your resident cats are not finicky about where they eat, while the new cat is still confined, feed the resident cats near the closed door. This will help them associate something they enjoy with the smells of this new cat.



Once you are certain the new cat is safe with fabrics and other absorbable surfaces, swap bedding between the new cat and the resident cat as another way to get used to each others' scents. You can also switch out toys and scratching posts. These are good ways for the cats to get used to each other without having direct, face-to-face interaction.



If the introduction is not going smoothly, and/or their interactions are too aggressive, separate the cats again and start over. Again, with patience and time, your cats can become a family.



Overall, bringing a cat indoors can be a very rewarding experience for both you and the cat.

Case of the Week: Koli Poki

Koli Poki is an eight-year-old Burmese that was brought into the clinic to have her teeth checked. Her owners were concerned because she did not seem to be eating well. When I examined her, I found that she had moderate tartar build-up over most of the teeth and the gum above her upper left carnassial tooth was very inflamed. The carnassial tooth is the fourth premolar (cats typically do not have the first premolar present) and has one large and two small roots.

I prescribed an antibiotic to start right away and scheduled her for a dental procedure. I knew I would need to extract this tooth but would also probe and radiograph (x-ray) all of her teeth to see if there were any other problems.

Once Koli Poki was anesthetized for her dental procedure, I was able to thoroughly examine her mouth and discovered many problems with her teeth. She was already missing seven teeth, including her upper right carnassial tooth. Two of her premolars had resorptive lesions - erosions of the enamel of the teeth - which are usually progressive and painful. She had gingival recession at multiple spots including the upper left carnassial and there was gingivitis around most of the teeth. I also did radiographs of all her teeth and found a large amount of bone loss around the roots of her incisors, premolars and molars.

I extracted all of the teeth that were mobile, had resorptive lesions, or a large amount of gingival recession and periodontal bone loss. In all, I extracted fourteen of Koli Poki's teeth. I closed the gum tissue with sutures that dissolve, usually within one to three weeks. I then treated all the extraction sites with the Companion Therapy Laser. Unlike our surgical laser that we use to cut tissues, the therapy laser works to reduce inflammation and pain and helps to speed healing. We also gave her an injection of an anti-inflammatory medication, which also helps with pain, and prescribed oral pain medication for a few days.

The following day, Koli Poki's owner reported that she was doing well. She was eating and acting normally. At her progress exam a week later, her owners were very happy with her recovery. They said she was more active and affectionate than she had been for a while. Her gums were healing very well although they were still a little inflamed. She was eating well and did not seem to have any pain.

Most of our patients develop some dental disease over their lifetime. Even though Koli Poki did show some symptoms of a problem, it was subtle and many cats do not show any signs of pain. Although Koli Poki's owners did notice a problem, they had no idea how severe her dental disease was. They are very happy that we were able to relieve her pain.

A thorough dental exam and radiographs under anesthesia are the best way to investigate any possible problems. At every physical exam, we look for any indication of dental disease and can recommend if your cat needs a dental cleaning and a more thorough exam under anesthesia. Tooth lesions can be very painful but the symptoms a cat will show can be very subtle. Many of our clients, like Koli Poki's owners, are not able to see how much the painful teeth are affecting their cat until they see how much better their cat feels after the problems are resolved.

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Dr. Judy Karnia

The Dangerous Outdoors

Have you ever watched a cat stalk its prey through the tall grass, looking so much like its wild, big cat cousins? Seeing this image, it's easy to believe that being outside is the best life for a cat. However, an outdoor cat lives a more stressful life than an indoor cat, and stress leads to a myriad of physical and psychological disorders. Outdoor cats on the street, or even in the country, are faced every day with territorial disputes, threats from other animals, people or cars, and environmental noises that can cause panic. In addition, the physical threats, illnesses and parasites outside can put free-roaming cats in immediate jeopardy. As a result, indoor cats generally live longer and healthier lives than outdoor cats.

It is a myth that cats easily return to a wild existence and are able to care for themselves after having been pets. Although all cats retain the instinct to hunt, they are no longer adapted to life in the wild. Domestication has suppressed or even silenced many of the wild skills necessary for survival. As such, feral cat populations are most commonly found in and around well-populated human areas because even feral cats require human intervention to survive.

PHYSICAL HAZARDS

There are many threats to an outdoor cat, including other cats, dogs, and even predators such as birds of prey and coyotes. The latter become especially hazardous if the outdoor cat is hunting the predator's natural prey such as rabbits. Fights with other cats over territory and food can lead to scratches and bites that can easily become infected, to say nothing of passing infectious diseases. Many dog breeds kept as pets have a high "prey drive", meaning they will see your free-roaming cat as something to attack. Not every cat will be able to get out of the way quickly enough, especially if there is more than one dog.

Sadly, another very real threat to your cat is intolerant neighbors. Not everyone is fond of cats. Avid bird watchers may be angry that your cat is stalking the birds at their feeders. Others may not appreciate muddy paw prints on their cars. Animal care and control agencies have numerous cases of cats that have been deliberately burned, stabbed, kicked and even poisoned by humans (see this recent blog posting from The Phoenix New Times).

Even if your neighbor doesn't have it out for Fluffy, normal parts of human lifestyles can pose tremendous hazards to your cat. Grooming after walking across treated landscaping can lead to poisoning. Another possible danger is fluid spilled from a car, such as oil or antifreeze. These every-day car essentials are poisonous to animals and can cause them to become incredibly ill. Outdoor cats are especially drawn to this hazard as they are naturally curious and tend to explore unfamiliar fluids tongue first. Cats may also scavenge in garbage when something smells too enticing to pass up. Small bones, plastic wrappers or even some medications can be found in neighborhood trash, all of which could threaten a cat's health.

The number one killer and crippler of outdoor cats is cars. Even a quiet residential street has enough traffic to pose the danger. It only takes a moment for even a street-wise cat to lose concentration and dash into oncoming traffic when being chased by a dog, pursuing prey, or distracted by other kitty delights. Even parked cars can pose a risk if it's a cold day and the cat goes inside a warm engine block for shelter. The cat can be injured, if not killed, the next time the engine is started.

DISEASE AND PARASITES

Cats who roam in the great outdoors are at much greater risk of exposure to diseases and parasites, some of which they can pass on to their human owners.

The Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) compromises a cat's immune system. While there is an effective vaccine against FeLV, no vaccine can be 100% effective. Once a cat is infected with FeLV, his or her immune system is compromised, and the cat will have difficulty fighting off any other type of infection and can even develop cancer. The virus is shed in bodily fluids and is primarily spread through biting, although there is a small risk from grooming and sharing dishes. Kittens can be infected by their mother while in the womb or during nursing after birth.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) also affects a cat's immune system and is ultimately fatal. There is no cure for this virus or for FeLV. There is a vaccine for FIV but it is not proven effective and will always cause any tests for the virus to come up as "positive" making it impossible to know if the cat is really infected. FIV leads to chronic infections and can affect organs and bone marrow. The most common transmission of the virus is through bite wounds and the carriers are most commonly un-neutered, free-roaming males.

Rabies is a caused by virus, which can infect warm-blooded mammals, including cats, people, wildlife, and farm animals, and is always fatal. Outdoor cats are at risk of contact with rabid wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. As noted in a previous blog, in Maricopa County one of the most common carriers of rabies is bats. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cats are the domestic animal most commonly found to be rabid. Cats are closely associated with people and rabid cats often become aggressive. These two factors increase the risk of human exposure. Bites are the most common means of transmission. Rabies is lethal if not detected and treated immediately. Rabies attacks the central nervous system, resulting in paralysis and death.

Plague is cause by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis, and is transmitted primarily by wild rodent fleas mainly in the states of NM, AZ, CO and CA. Cats can become infected from flea bites or from eating infected small mammals. In 2011, a barn cat in Oregon tested positive for plague. The most frequent route of transmission to humans is via the bite of an infected flea. People can also contract the illness by direct contact with the secretions of an infected animal or person through scratches or bites, or from inhalation of infective droplets released by coughing or sneezing. In recent years, almost all human cases of the most lethal form of the disease, pneumonic plague, have been linked to domestic cats.

There are additional parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, Giardia, toxoplasmosis and bacteria that cats can become exposed to while roaming outside. Most of these are zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted to humans. For more information about zoonotic parasites, visit the Companion Animal Parasite Council website.

So while it may seem that allowing your cat to indulge his or her "wild side" by roaming free outside is the natural thing to do, the reality is that it can be dangerous and stressful for both your cat and your family.

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Coming up in future blogs: how to transition an outdoor cat to an indoor cat; how to enrich an indoor cat's life

Case of the Week: Orange Boy

Orange Boy was a young neighborhood stray cat. He visited many houses, but when he had a bad fight a few months ago, he came calling to the right house. His new owner saw the terrible wound on his face and knew he needed treatment right away.

When Orange Boy was brought into the clinic, he had a large wound on the right side of his face about three inches in diameter. There was a large scab from under which oozed green, puss filled liquid. We sedated him so we could clean the wound and evaluate it better.

The most likely cause of Orange Boy's wound was a ruptured abscess due to a cat bite. Outdoor cats will often fight over territory and can inflict a large amount of damage on each other with teeth and claws. The cat canine tooth, or fang, is long and pointed and will puncture another cat's skin. The wound in the skin is only a few millimeters deep and heals over quickly. However, when the tooth punctures the skin, it injects bacteria deep inside. These bacteria will replicate and cause severe infection. The body of the cat will attempt to fight the bacteria by sending white blood cells to the site leading to pus being formed. This can form a large soft pocket under the skin called an abscess. The abscess usually causes a fever, pain and lethargy in the cat. The skin over the abscess usually will die and slough off, leading to oozing of the pus. In some cats, such as Orange Boy, the amount of skin that dies can be quite large.

We anesthetized Orange and scrubbed his wound. I removed the scab over his wound and trimmed the dead tissue around the edges. I also cleaned the wound with surgical scrub to remove any infected material. The wound had some good pink granulation tissue, which is the healing tissue, extending three inches in diameter across the whole side of his face. There was also firm swelling on the lower part of the wound due to inflammation from the infection. Because the wound extended from the base of his ear almost to his mouth, I was not able to close it surgically. I therefore left the wound to close on its own by what is called "second intention" in which the normal healing process of the skin closes the wound with time. As the body tries to heal, the skin edges on a wound contract and tissue gradually rejuvenates from the edges of the wound inward. Since the wound was so large, though, I thought I might need to do surgery at a later time to close the wound completely.

While Orange Boy was under anesthesia, we took care of some other preventative measures and tests. A blood panel showed that he was negative for the Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. His white blood cell counts and protein levels were increased due to the infection on his face, but his organ function tests were all normal. We also neutered him. Neutered males are much less likely to be territorial and get into fights.

I prescribed antibiotics for Orange Boy along with a medicated spray to keep the wound clean and help healing. When he came in for his progress exam a little more than a week later, the wound had already improved greatly. The wound was half the original size, much more shallow and much of the inflammatory swelling had resolved. I removed some scabbed tissue from the top of the wound and cleaned it thoroughly. After another week and a half, the wound was down to a 1x2cm scab with scar tissue around it.

Now Orange Boy spends a good deal of time indoors in his new home. He is up to date on all of his vaccines and has been treated for possible intestinal parasites.

Cats have a great ability to heal well and often surprise me with how well they handle many injuries or illnesses. However, when they go outdoors there is a great chance that they will be exposed to bites and other types of injuries or be exposed to infectious disease and parasites. If your cat does go outdoors, be sure to protect him or her from disease by keeping vaccines up to date and giving parasite medications (including heartworm prevention). If you notice any wounds or swellings, bring your cat to your veterinarian promptly so that any infection can be treated as quickly as possible. This will reduce your cat's pain and distress and often save money by addressing the problem early.

Dr. Judy Karnia

Cats Can Have Allergies Too

Any allergy sufferer will tell you how uncomfortable those allergies can be. But did you know that your cat can also suffer from allergies?

An allergy is a hypersensitivity to a substance that is otherwise considered harmless. Some of the most common allergens - those things that cause the reactions - include pollens, dust mites, molds, insect bites, fibers, foods and dander. The most common contact with allergens is through physical contact, inhalation (breathing in) or ingestion (eating). This contact causes the body's immune system to overreact and produce antibodies to attack the invading allergens. These can show up as skin and/or eye conditions, respiratory issues, or even gastrointestinal issues.

Allergies are an inherited trait and a lifelong condition because they are the result of an immune system imbalance. The tendency to develop allergies is a genetic trait. When one parent is allergic, there's an increased likelihood that his/her offspring will also be allergic. Allergies are not curable, but they can be managed with immunotherapy treatment, medications that treat symptoms and simple avoidance of the offending allergen.

Cats, just like people, can suffer allergic reactions to a wide variety of allergens. In fact, there are estimates that about 15% of cats suffer from one or more allergies. Research has shown that the immune system imbalance that causes allergies in humans is essentially the same in cats.

There are four known types of allergies in the cat: contact, flea, food, and inhalant. Each of these has some common expressions in cats, and each has some unique features. These allergies might be why your cat has itchy skin, respiratory problems, sneezing, or even vomiting and diarrhea, the latter being possible indications that your cat has a food allergy.

Contact allergies are the least common of the four types of allergies. They result in a local reaction to the skin. Examples of contact allergy include reactions to flea collars or to types of bedding, such as wool. If the cat is allergic to such substances, there will be skin irritation and itching at the points of contact. Removal of the contact irritant solves the problem. However, identifying the allergen can require some detective work.

Flea allergy is common in cats. A normal cat experiences only minor irritation in response to flea bites, often without any itching. The flea allergic cat, on the other hand, has a severe, itch-producing reaction when the flea's saliva is deposited in the skin. Just one bit causes such intense itching that the cat may severely scratch or chew itself, leading to the removal of large amounts of hair. There will often be open sores or scabs on the skin, allowing a secondary bacterial infection to begin. The most commonly involved area is over the rump (just in front of the tail). In addition, the cat may have numerous, small scabs around the head and neck. These scabs are called miliary lesions, a term which was coined because the scabs look like millet seeds.

The most important treatment for flea allergy is to get the cat away from all fleas. Therefore, strict flea control is the backbone of a successful treatment. Unfortunately, this is not always possible in warm and humid climates, where a new population of fleas can hatch out every 14-21 days. However, a topically applied monthly parasite treatment that covers fleas may kill fleas before they have a chance to bite your cat.

Inhalant allergies are the most common type to affect cats. Cats may be allergic to all of the same inhaled allergens that affect us. These include pollens, molds, mildew and the house dust mite. Many of these allergies occur seasonally, while others are with us all the time, such as molds, mildew and house dust mites. When humans inhale these allergies, we manifest the allergy as a respiratory problem, or hay fever. The cat's reaction, however, usually produces severe, generalized itching. In fact, the most common cause of itching in the cat is the inhalant allergy.

Most cats that have an inhalant allergy are allergic to several allergens. If the number is small and they are the seasonal type, itching may last for just a few weeks at a time during one or two periods of the year. If the number of allergens is large or they are present year-round, the cat may itch constantly.

The second most common type of allergy to affect cats is food allergies. Generally cats will develop allergies to food products they have eaten for a long time. The allergy most frequently develops to the protein component of the food; for example, beef, pork, chicken or turkey. A food allergy may produce any of the clinical signs previously discussed, including itching, digestive disorders, and respiratory distress.

Treating allergies depends on the type of allergy that the cat is suffering. As noted, the contact allergy is the easiest to treat, once determined, as it simply involves removing the offending item. Limiting exposure to fleas by keeping your cat inside and treating with a regular, monthly parasite control will help. Inhalant allergies may need to be treated with steroids to control seasonal outbreaks. Food allergies may require a specialized diet in order to prevent recurrance.

If you are concerned your cat may be suffering from an allergy, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to review and discuss your concerns.

Case of the Week: Duke

One-year-old Duke and his brother Sebastian are two cute and sweet cats waiting for adoption at Safe Haven for Animals. Duke and Sebastian had developed a severe upper respiratory infection at the rescue home. It is very common for shelter kittens to develop viral and bacterial upper respiratory infections due to the wide exposure to other cats and the stress on their bodies from changes in their life. When I first saw Duke, he was very congested, not eating well, and was very thin and lethargic. He had a fever of 104 degrees and his lymph nodes under his chin were enlarged. I prescribed an antibiotic for him, started L-Lysine which helps fight herpes virus, and switched him to a high calorie prescription food.

He improved quickly. He gained one and a half pounds in three weeks and his sneezing and nasal discharge cleared. However, he still had a loud noise when he breathed through his nose. This presented a difficult challenge for me. When feeling a cat's soft palate way back in his mouth, he only gives you a second or two to get a feel before jerking away or biting. In that brief moment, I thought I could feel a firm mass above Duke's palate. This, and the noise in his nose, led me to suspect a growth or foreign body up in his nasal sinus.

I placed Duke under anesthesia, pulled back his soft palate, and found a large, soft, pink growth. With firm but gentle traction, I was able to remove the growth from his sinus. The growth was a 1.5 cm spherical polyp with a long stalk. Polyps are inflammatory growths that can form in the nasal sinus or ear canal of cats. They mainly cause problems by blocking the interior of the sinus or ear canal stimulating discharge and causing discomfort. Removal by traction - that is, pulling the polyp until it comes loose - can be successful in many cases although some may grow back. Removal by surgery is needed in those cases. In Duke's case, it appeared I had removed the entire stalk of the polyp, which minimizes the chance of it recurring.

Since his procedure Duke has been doing great. He breathes without any noise and does not have any nasal discharge. He is very active, and we are hopeful that this marks the end of his problem.

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Dr. Judy Karnia

For more information about Duke, his brother Sebastian, or any of the other cats available for adoption through Safe Haven For Animals, please visit their website at www.azshfa.org