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.  

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.

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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

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

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.

Feline Dental Health - It's Always Important

Every February, several veterinary groups, including The American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) and the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) designate the month as Pet Dental Health Month. During this time, the importance of regular dental care is emphasized.

While the official Pet Dental Health Month is drawing to a close this year, the effects of gingivitis and periodontal disease in cats can be so far-reaching it seems as though every month should be dedicated to dental health. According to the AVDS, 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age three, and 85% of all adult pets have periodontal disease. Left untreated, harmful bacteria from the oral cavity can spread throughout the bloodstream to infect the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

Dental disease is the most common disease in cats, and studies confirm a strong relationship between the presence of dental disease and poor general health. Even though cats are very good at hiding any problems, dental disease is a painful condition. Left untreated, many pets suffer silently and age prematurely. As several of our recent Cases of the Week illustrate (see: Bianca; Tommy; Sweetheart), preventing and treating dental disease will keep your cat healthier and improve his quality of life.

Dental disease begins when a combination of food, bacteria and saliva combine to form plaque on the teeth. If plaque is not removed, it mineralizes and forms calculus. As plaque and calculus build up, they lead to gingivitis, an inflammation along the gum line. This is painful for your cat and encourages bacterial toxins to form along the gum. At this stage, gingivitis is reversible with professional dental cleaning and oral home care.

If gingivitis is untreated, there will be a progression to periodontal disease, a destructive process causing a breakdown of the supporting structure of the teeth. This will cause oral pain, loose teeth, and more severe oral infection. As periodontal disease progresses, the gums recede and become more permeable. This allows bacteria to enter and travel through the bloodstream leading to heart, liver, and kidney disease.

Whether your cat is a youngster with shiny white teeth or has advanced dental disease and halitosis, the combination of your good home care and our medical treatment will ensure a healthy mouth and body for your cat. Your cat will live a happier, more comfortable, and longer life.

The first step to ensuring your cat's dental health is a visit to your veterinarian for a thorough exam of the mouth and the entire body. If tartar, calculus, gingivitis, or periodontal disease is already present, your cat will need dental treatment. During the exam, home dental care will also be discussed. If the tartar and gingivitis is moderate to severe, a professional dental cleaning will be needed.

To perform a thorough, safe, and comfortable dental treatment, your cat must be anesthetized. In many cases, the veterinarian can only determine which teeth may have lesions and/or need extraction after the teeth are cleaned and dental xrays are reviewed.

Many cat owners are understandably concerned with having their cats anesthetized. While there is a slight risk with anesthesia, there is much greater likelihood that continued dental infection will adversely impact your cat's health and comfort. Healthy teeth are well worth the risk of general anesthesia. At Scottsdale Cat Clinic, your cat's safety and comfort are our primary concern during anesthesia. We use very safe anesthetic agents and monitor your cat closely throughout the procedure.

Please contact us if you would like more information about our dental care and cleanings. You may reach us by phone at 480.970.1175 or by email at info@scottsdalecatclinic.com

New Year's Resolution: Make New Friends

Friends are a great addition to anyone's life, and the best friend of all is one that can guarantee unconditional love and acceptance. Animals are the perfect example of this. They don't judge us when we have a bad day, or tsk when we sneak that extra helping of ice cream or cookies. And after a long day, there are few things more rewarding than a purring bundle of fur sitting on your lap, or even just near you on the couch.

Making New Friends Method 1 - Adopt a Cat
If you are considering adopting a cat, consider adopting an older cat instead of a kitten. As anyone can tell you, rescue organizations are in the difficult situation of having to turn away cats that are found and/or need to be surrendered. In a few short months, "kitten season" will begin and organizations will be inundated with litters and litters of kittens.

There is no denying that kittens are adorable and are a blast. But they are babies, and like any baby, they require a great deal of attention and energy. Because many people who are looking to adopt a cat want a kitten, older adult cats are often overlooked and stay in shelters longer. And yet, for many families an adult cat would be a better fit.

Adult cats will most likely require less energy in caring for them as they are already up to date on vaccines, neutered and litter box trained. Since cats generally reach their social maturity around 3 years of age, you will already have a good idea of an adult cat's personality. An adorable kitten could grow up to be a grumpy adult. In addition, you won't have to "kitten proof" your house, watching them constantly to make sure they don't try to eat every foreign object they come across. And if you already have a cat in your home, an older cat introduced properly will present less stress as they come in cautiously, unlike kittens who seem to have no fear in new territory.

Making New Friends Method 2 - Foster a Cat
If adopting a cat is not feasible for you right now, consider fostering one. One of the greatest needs many rescue organizations face is the space to help all of the cats who need them. If a rescue does not have a physical facility, the number of cats they can help is limited to the number of foster volunteers they have.

Fostering is not for everyone, especially if you are prone to bonding with every cat you meet! Giving up the cat to her new permanent home can be heart wrenching, even while you have the satisfaction of knowing you gave her the time she needed to find them. Additionally, some rescues cannot financially support all the day-to-day needs, relying on their fosters to provide food, litter, etc. If you already have other animals, you will need to make sure they are fully vaccinated, and that you can keep your foster and your family animals separate.

While fostering is a crucial part of most rescue organizations, think carefully before diving in. Do your research, both in terms of general requirements for fostering and the specific requirements of the rescue you are interested in helping. Discuss the options thoroughly with family and with the rescue, and make your decision from there.

Making New Friends Method 3 - Volunteer
If you cannot adopt or foster right now, consider volunteering with a rescue organization. Rescues that have a physical facility, or shelter, generally need volunteers to help with the care of the animals in their charge. These needs can range from social interactions with the cats to physically keeping the shelter clean.

Even organizations that do not have a physical facility have need for volunteers. Many need people to help participate in events, providing support at information tables or fundraisers. Do you have a particular skill such as photography? Offer to take photos of the cats in their care to help get them adopted. Even purchasing food and other supplies, or a straightforward cash donation can help rescues continue their important work.

Volunteering with a rescue organization can help you meet some amazing cats who will greatly benefit from your help. You will also have an opportunity to meet some amazing animal-loving people, and you never know who might become your new best friend.

New Year's Resolution: Quit Smoking

Are you a smoker? We don't need to tell you the health risks associated with smoking. We probably don't even need to tell you about how bad second-hand smoke is too. But have you realized how bad it is to smoke around your cat?

While there has been extensive, long-term research on the effects of cigarette smoke and nicotine on humans, there hasn't been much documenting the effects on our feline friends. However, recent research has revealed some startling information about second-hand smoke and our cats.

Based on a 7-year study at Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, cats in smoking households seem to be at a much higher risk of developing lymphoma, a type of cancer, than cats that live in smoke-free environments. This study also determined that cats who live in homes with one smoker have twice the risk of developing lymphoma and cats who live in households with two ore more smokers have four times the risk. Also, cats who are exposed to a smoking environment for over 5 years and those who live in households with over 100 cigarettes smoked per day are also at a significantly higher risk. The exact cause of this increase risk of lymphoma is not known at this time.

New studies suggest that cats are also at increased risk of feline oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) when exposed to environments with tobacco smoke. This may result from smoke and nicotine residue landing on the cat's fur. The fastidious nature of cats and their grooming habits cause oral exposure to the carcinogens.

In addition to an increased risk of developing cancer, cats that live in smoking environments are also predisposed to lung disease and eye irritation. Although second-hand smoke alone has not been shown to cause the lung disease or eye irritation, the primary culprit is thought to be chronic exposure to smoke in poorly ventilated areas. If you think about it, smokers don't spend their entire day inside. Most people do spend some time outside. But most cats do not, and thus are forced to breathe and rebreathe the same stagnant, contaminated air. Therefore, environmental tobacco smoke cannot be entirely filtered out through ventilation systems or special fans. It can take many hours for the smoke of a single cigarette to clear.

There are also other dangers to your cat from the nicotine itself. If you leave ashtrays around with cigarette butts, your cat may accidentally ingest one, or part of one if it decides the butt is a toy to bat around. Your cat may also try to eat nicotine replacement gum or patches.

Obviously the best option for everyone would be to simply quit. However ideal that may be, it's not always easy. If you cannot quit smoking, even for your cat, here are some tips to minimize her exposure to the dangers and to improve her health:

• Designate smoke free areas: Consider smoking outside, or smoke only in rooms where pets are not allowed. The less the exposure, the greater the changes your cat will stay healthy. The smoke-free area should include your car. If you are transporting your cat anywhere, don't smoke while she is in the car.
• Use air filters: Air filters may help remove harmful chemicals in the air, reducing how much your cat is breathing into her lungs.
• Clean your pet and your house: Regular baths, or at the very least wipe-downs with a damp cloth, can help remove smoke residue from cat fur. Vacuum and keep all cigarette butts, tobacco products and even nicotine patches out of sight and reach to prevent accidental illness, poisoning or even death.
• Look for symptoms: Excessive drooling or difficulty eating are symptoms of oral cancer, while labored breathing is a sign of lung cancer. Observe your cat frequently, as catching as early as possible always helps with treatment. If something is out of the ordinary, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Case of the Week: Amadeus

For our case this week, we look at a trembling cat and learn what we discovered when we investigated this minor change in behavior.

Amadeus is a four-year-old domestic shorthair that has been coming to the clinic for two years. On his first visit, he weighed seventeen pounds and had a body score of 8/9. A body score of 5/9 is ideal and 9/9 is obese, so Amadeus was quite portly. We started him on a prescription diet food and he began losing weight well. He developed constipation but did well with a regular stool softener added to his food. Over two years, he eventually lost four pounds and decreased to a body score of 6/9.

In December, he came in for an exam before going off to college with his owner. She had noticed him trembling in the past few days and wanted to have him checked out before they left town. He also was not eating as well and seemed constipated again. When I examined him, I did not find any neurological problems or any other medical problems except that his colon was very full with stool. We gave him an enema, which was, to put it delicately, very successful.

We also ran a full blood panel to check his overall medical health. His blood counts and thyroid level were normal. However, his blood chemistry test showed that both of his kidney values were increased and his potassium level was a little low. Muscles need potassium to function well so the low potassium was likely the cause of Amadeus' trembling. The kidney values could have been elevated due to dehydration associated with the constipation or an indication of kidney disease. This would be unusual in such a young cat so we needed to do more tests.

A urine sample showed that Amadeus' kidneys were not concentrating his urine properly. Normally, cats have very high urine concentration, called specific gravity. Amadeus' urine was mildly concentrated but nowhere near what is normal for a cat.

We suspected something was wrong with his kidneys. We had Dr. Green, an internal medicine specialist, perform an ultrasound of Amadeus' abdomen at our clinic. He found stones in each of Amadeus' kidneys but the structure of the kidneys appeared normal. The stones could have formed because of early onset kidney disease or due to diet related factors. We do not typically remove kidney stones in cats because of the high rate of complications with the surgery and most cats do not pass the stones. A special diet and increasing fluid intake can be used to prevent the growth of the stones and help slow kidney decline.

We started Amadeus on a potassium supplement and a prescription urinary diet. We showed his owner how to give him fluids under the skin and she will give him fluids twice weekly. The trembling could also be due to discomfort from the stones. If it does not stop with the potassium supplement, we will see if pain medications help. We will need to examine him and check his blood levels regularly to monitor his kidneys and see if other medications are needed.

Although kidney disease occurs much more frequently in older cats, it can develop in young cats as well. Cats are very good at hiding symptoms and often owners do not know that there is a medical problem developing. Amadeus' owner was right to be worried about an apparently minor change in behavior. The sooner we diagnose kidney disease and other medical problems, the more we are able to do to treat the disease. We recommend that all cats be examined every six to twelve months by their veterinarian. A full blood panel should be done at least once after the cat's first year and then regularly starting at six or seven years of age.

Dr. Judy Karnia

New Year's Resolution: Lose Weight

We are already one month into our New Year and most of us are still committed to, or are revising, our list of resolutions. Why not take a moment or two and see if your cat needs to be part of those resolutions too?

If a poll were taken, losing weight would probably be number one on anyone's new year resolution list, especially after all the indulgences available during the holiday season. And even if your kitty did not indulge with you, he or she may also be in danger of being overweight.

You invest a lot in your cat's health, from vaccinations and neutering to regular veterinary wellness visits. Yet one of the best ways to maintain your cat's good health is by simply providing the right type and amount of food. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight is a vital part of keeping him or her fit. Being overweight or obese is detrimental to the health of your cat. Neutering and keeping cats indoors has led to increased life span and better health. However, they have also led to decreased metabolism and activity levels. Add overfeeding of calories and carbohydrates, and we have a large percentage of overweight cats.

The best way to evaluate your cat's size is by a body condition score rather than actual weight. A body condition score is a scale from one to nine with five being the ideal condition. We check this score each time we see your cat, but here's a quick guide for doing this at home:

Healthy Cat

• The ribs are easy to feel
• There is a waist behind the ribs
• There should be minimal fat hanging from the belly

Overweight Cat

• The ribs are difficult to feel
• There is a rounding of the abdomen
• There is a growing abdominal fat pad

Just as with humans, obesity can be a definite health risk for your cat. Being overweight can put your cat at risk for many diseases, including arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, etc.

Helping your cat get back to a healthy weight is not just a matter of cutting back food, although that may be part of what your veterinarian recommends. Because cats are at risk of liver disease and other complications if they stop eating, or aren't getting enough nutrition and calories, a diet is something that should be set in place and regularly monitored by your veterinarian. A few months ago, our Case of the Week profiled one of our patients - Nahmi - whose weight loss journey is still progressing well.

How we start a kitty's weight loss journey

1. We conduct a complete physical exam and body score assessment to determine your cat's ideal weight
2. We look for any medical problems that need to be addressed
3. We calculate the daily calorie needs for your cat
4. We may suggest a particular cat food or prescription diet
5. We determine the exact amount of food that should be offered daily

To help your cat get off to a good start this year, Scottsdale Cat Clinic is holding a weight loss contest. We last held one in 2008 and the winner is still maintaining his slender form. For more information about weight loss for your cat, or our Weight Loss Contest, please contact Scottsdale Cat Clinic by phone at 480.970.1175 or by email at info@scottsdalecatclinic.com

If there is any way we can help get your cat off to a great start for 2011, please let us know.

Case of the Week: Gambit

Today's Case of the Week is a simple story of how regular maintenance care and physical exams help to keep your cat healthy. Gambit is a 2 1/2 year old Egyptian Mau. He has been very healthy and his owner has brought him in regularly for his wellness exams and vaccines.

We first met him a year ago when he was due for his vaccination updates. He received his FVRCP and Rabies vaccines as usually recommended for indoor cats. These protect against Feline Panleukopenia (often referred to a distemper), the upper respiratory viruses Herpes and Calici, and Rabies. We also started him on Heargard to protect him against heartworm disease. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, cause severe lung damage, and can be difficult to diagnose. By giving your cat a monthly dose of Heartgard or Revolution, you prevent the spread of the heartworm larvae through your cat.

At his following six-month wellness exam, Gambit was doing well at home. On exam, I found that he had gained over half a pound. We calculated his daily caloric needs so that his owner would know how much he should be eating each day. I also found that he was starting to develop gingivitis, an inflammation of his gums, due to plaque accumulation on his teeth. Cats can start developing dental disease as early as one year of age and it can become severe with time. We started a new diet of Purina DH, a dental diet that helps to clean the teeth and break down plaque and bacteria as the cat chews.

Last month, we saw him again for a six-month wellness exam and to update his Rabies vaccine. I did a complete exam as usual and he looked very good. His teeth looked great, no tartar build-up and the gums appeared normal without any gingivitis. He also had lost a quarter of a pound. He is still a little heavy with a body score of 7/9 (5/9 is ideal) but at least he is going in the right direction. Many cats gradually increase their weight each year if their food intake is not controlled. By bringing Gambit in regularly, we were able to find two medical problems that were just starting and work toward reversing them before more severe medical problems could develop. With good care by his owner, he is very likely to live a healthier, happier life.

Dr. Judy Karnia

Diabetes in Cats: Diagnosis and Testing

In our last blog on diabetes, we defined the illness and mentioned several symptoms that could indicate your cat has, or is developing, diabetes. In this blog, we will discuss the tests used to diagnose the disease as well as the short-term and long-term treatment and management.

Diagnosing:
Generally, the following screening tests are recommended when diabetes mellitus is suspected: a complete blood count (CBC), a serum biochemistry profile, and a urinalysis. While it would seem that simply checking for an elevated blood sugar would be enough, a thorough set of screening tests gives us much more information that will help to treat the disease. Cats present a unique challenge in diagnosing diabetes because their blood glucose levels can become elevated simply from stress. Additionally, because diabetes is often found in senior to geriatric cats, there may be unrelated conditions that may affect how your cat's diabetes is treated and may also need to be managed for your cat's optimal health and well-being.

The complete blood count (CBC) evaluates the red blood cells, the white blood cells, and the platelet components of a blood sample. With uncomplicated diabetes mellitus, these results are often within the normal range. Some problems we can see is an elevated white blood cell count if there is an infection, to which diabetic cats are more susceptible. Also the red blood cell count may be elevated if there is dehydration or decreased with anemia, which are common with severe diabetic states and other concurrent medical conditions.

The serum biochemistry profile evaluates substances in the serum component of the blood including glucose, enzymes, lipids (fats), proteins and metabolic waste products. The serum glucose level is usually very elevated in diabetic cats. We can also find changes in the electrolytes (potassium, sodium, etc.) and liver enzymes secondary to the diabetes. Chronic kidney disease is very common in older cats and often seen in diabetic cats.

Another blood test that is very valuable in a diabetic cat is a Serum Fructosamine. This test looks at how sugar levels have been over the previous week and not just at the moment of the blood draw. Therefore, it is not affected by the level of stress the cat experiences at the clinic. This test confirms the diagnosis of diabetes and aids in evaluating how well the diabetes is being managed with treatment.

Finally, a urinalysis is needed. Urine from healthy cats typically does not contain any glucose (sugar). A diabetic cat will have a large amount of glucose in the urine, which aids in the diagnosis. Urinary tract infections are also more common in diabetic cats as the presence of glucose in the urine makes conditions ideal for bacterial growth. By detecting white blood cells in the urinalysis, the infection can be detected and treated.

The presence or absence of ketones in the urine are also evaluated. Ketones are by-products of fat metabolism. Increased utilization of fat occurs in diabetic animals because their insulin deficiency results in poor utilization of carbohydrates as an energy source. The presence of ketones in the urine indicates a more severe or long-standing case of diabetes, which will require more intense treatment.

Treatment:
Once your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, it's likely that your cat will be started on insulin treatment. Insulin is a very effective treatment for the regulation and management of diabetes. Fortunately, insulin from one mammal is biologically active in another, which means your cat's system will respond to the injected insulin as if it were its own insulin.

Here at Scottsdale Cat Clinic, we generally prescribe Glargine, frequently known by the brand name of Lantus, which can be purchased through a human pharmacy. This is a long-acting human recombinant insulin analog that forms microprecipitates at the site of injection from which insulin is slowly released. It generally starts to work within 2-4 hours, continues working for 24 hours, and does not have a peak effect. There are other insulin formulas available as well.

In addition to starting insulin, we also strongly recommend changing your cat's diet to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate formula, ideally in a canned formula. We do have several diabetic prescription diets available, and there are wonderful resources for finding other high-protein foods on our website.

At Scottsdale Cat Clinic, once a patient is diagnosed with diabetes and prescribed insulin, we follow up with daily phone calls to the owner for the first three or four days to monitor any changes in symptoms and to make sure the insulin administration is going well and without difficulties. Because it can take time to establish the correct insulin dosage for your cat, we recommend having a glucose curve every two weeks until the correct dosage is established. A glucose curve is a test that takes a glucose reading every two hours for 12 hours. Once the correct dosage is established, the glucose curve should be repeated one month later. If everything is still good, then the test can be repeated every 4-6 months.

The long-term goals of treatment are to remove all the symptoms of diabetes, maintain a healthy and appropriate weight and to regulate the cat's glucose levels. If insulin and a high-protein diet are begun fairly early in the course of the disease, many cases of diabetes can even resolve and go into remission. These cats still need a high-protein canned diet, but no longer require insulin injections.

It is very important to follow through on all treatments and diet changes recommended by your veterinarian to have the best outcome for your cat.

Senior Feline Care - Arthritis

One of the more common ailments to afflict senior cats is arthritis. Clinical studies have shown that 22-64% of all cats and 90% of cats older than twelve years old have radiographic (x-ray) signs of arthritis. Cats most commonly develop arthritis in their hips, elbows, knees, ankles, and spine.

Arthritis causes pain and loss of movement of the joints. The word arthritis literally means joint inflammation (arth=joint, ritis=inflammation). Inflammation is a reaction of the body that causes swelling, redness, pain, and loss of motion in an affected area. Normally, inflammation is the way the body responds to an injury or to the presence of disease agents, such as viruses or bacteria. During this reaction, many cells of the body's defense system - called the immune system - rush to the injured area to wipe out the cause of the problem, clean up damaged cells, and repair tissues that have been hurt. Once the battle is won, the inflammation normally goes away and the area becomes healthy again.

In many forms of arthritis, the inflammation does not go away as it should. Instead, it becomes part of the problem, damaging healthy tissues of the body. This may result in more inflammation and more damage - a continuing cycle. The damage that occurs can change the bones and other tissues of the joints, sometimes affecting their shape and making movement hard and painful.

As with most illnesses and injuries in cats, the symptoms of arthritis can bey very subtle and easily missed especially if they are gradual in onset. Many of them are dismissed as simply being signs of "old age" and not necessarily indicative of an actual, treatable (or at least manageable) ailment. Symptoms can include:
unusual sleep patterns;
eliminating outside the litter box;
hiding;
avoiding interaction with people or other pets in the home;
dislike of being stroked or brushed;
decreased grooming, reluctance or inability to jump as high as they once could or to go up stairs;
reluctance to jump down or landing ungracefully/with difficulty;
decrease or change in play;
stiff gait or lameness.

Diagnosing arthritis involves a thorough exam that may reveal pain, crepitus, and/or swelling in the joints. Pain can be difficult to interpret in cats during an exam because they are not in their familiar environment. To help with this, we rely on your observations of the cat's behavior at home as well as diagnostic tools as radiographs (x-rays). Radiographs can show changes in the bony structures of the joints, which do indicate developing arthritis. However, there can be cartilage changes that cannot be seen on radiographs.

Although treatment may not turn your senior cat into an agile and active kitten, it will relieve pain and distress and enable your cat to do normal activities. Treating arthritis is tackled with a three-pronged approach: nutrition, medication and environmental changes.

Nutrition: Just as with humans, being overweight can exacerbate symptoms and pain associated with arthritis. If your cat is on the heavier side, we will work with you to help her lose some of those extra ounces. We can calculate calories needed and monitor weight loss with regular progress exams. Additionally, there are prescription diet formulas specifically designed to help with mobility issues in older cats. Finally, we may recommend fatty acid supplements that many help reduce inflammation.

Medications: Most medications used for arthritis in cats are not approved for use in cats by the FDA and are "off-label". This is due to the cost of the research to prove the safety and efficacy in cats. The medications, however, have been used extensively in cats by veterinarians and can be used safely if used at proper doses and with proper monitoring, including regular medical progress exams, blood panels, and communication with your veterinarian.

There are a variety of medication types available to help your cat:
Glucosamine/condroitin promotes the health of the cartilage and joint fluid. Adquean, delivered by subcutaneous injection, is a polysulfate gylcosaminoglycan which also helps cartilage and joint fluid. Stronger medications include NSAIDS (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs), which control inflammation in the joints providing pain relief. NSAIDS can cause gastrointestinal upset and damage to the kidneys, although the side effects are rare with low doses. Analgesics or steroids might also be part of your cat's arthritis therapy depending on various factors.

Many cats with arthritis benefit from multiple medications and supplements. By using various types of medications, we can keep the doses of each lower to minimize side effects. All medication treatments require regular monitoring by your veterinarian through progress exams.

Environmental modifications: In order to improve your arthritic cat's quality of life around the home, here a few suggestions for easy modifications to accommodate her. There are many litter boxes out on the market now that have lower sides, or a least a low entry side, making it easier for her to get into the box and reducing the risks of eliminating outside of it. You can also mound the litter to one side to help her position herself more comfortably when defecating. You might also consider adding additional litter boxes around the house, especially if you live in a multi-story house, so she doesn't have to walk as far to reach one.

Because access to heights is important to most cats, consider adding ramps or steps to help her get to her favorite places. There are many manufacturers of such products, specifically for older cats, or you can do a simple rearrangement of the furniture for her. Make sure she has easy access to food and water. If you feed her on a counter, add steps for her, or start feeding her on a lower plane, or on the floor.

Arthritis is a lifelong disease, and one that is likely to progress over time. The sooner it can be diagnosed and treatment begun, the more comfortable your cat will be.

Case of the Week - Midnight

Midnight is an eight and a half year old domestic short hair cat. She first came into the clinic nine months ago because she was straining to urinate and defecate. I examined her and found that she was constipated and obese. We want cats to be a healthy 5/9 on our body condition score scale. Midnight was an 8/9. Her bladder was too small to obtain a urine sample, but I suspected a urinary tract infection due to her symptoms. We gave her an enema and started antibiotics and medication to soften her stool. We also advised her owner to start feeding canned food and started her on a prescription diet food to start weight loss and relieve her constipation.

Two weeks later at her progress exam, Midnight had improved and was urinating and defecating better. However, a urinalysis showed that there was still blood in her urine so we ran more tests. Her bladder and kidneys appeared normal on an ultrasound and a urine culture ruled out bacterial infection. Since no underlying cause could be found, I diagnosed her with "cystitis" which is inflammation of the bladder. In many cases, we do not know the cause of the cystitis but it can be caused and/or made worse by stress. Stress in a cat's life can be very subtle and can be related to their environment, other animals, their diet, or painful medical conditions.

I prescribed Metacam for Midnight to help ease the inflammation and discomfort in her bladder. Metacam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. As with any medication, repeated and long-term use may cause some side effects. If we make sure we use proper dosages and the cat is monitored well, Metacam relieves discomfort in many cats with cystitis and arthritis.

Midnight immediately started feeling much better. She was much more active. Her owner said that she had noticed stiffness in Midnight's hind end previously, but she was now moving much better.

At her progress exam a month later, Midnight was still doing very well. She was urinating and defecating normally. She no longer needed stool softeners. Her diet was doing well and she had lost almost a pound by this point. However, her urinalysis showed that she still had blood in her urine indicating that her cystitis was not fully resolved.

In order to try to improve this, we started Adequan injections to help the bladder and the likely arthritis. Adequan is polysulfated glycosaminoglycans; these are normal components of joints and the bladder wall. We give it as an injection under the skin - weekly or bi-weekly - then fewer injections as the cat improves.

Midnight is currently given Adequan injections once monthly and Metacam every fourth day and continues to do well. She has lost almost two pounds and is active and feeling well. We needed to switch her prescription food to a low calorie food with high protein rather than high fiber. This has produced more regular bowel movements for her but still helped with her continued weight loss.

Nearing nine years old, Midnight is now classified as a senior cat. Like human senior citizens, it is common to see multiple problems in senior cats. Keeping a healthy weight and feeding quality cat food helps all aspects of their health. But even trim senior cats can be plagued with troublesome and intersecting problems. Many times we have to prescribe multiple medications to address the various problems and make sure we are treating them as well as possible.

Dr. Judy Karnia

Senior Feline Health Care - Diagnostic Testing

As we mentioned in our senior wellness blog, many of the diseases and conditions that commonly develop in senior cats are more easily managed when they are caught in their early stages. This helps maintain or even improve your older cat's quality of life.

In this blog, we will explain in a little more detail what exactly the tests we run tell us about your cat's health.

Many of the same technologies and medical diagnostic testing that help humans live longer, healthier lives are also available to your cat. Even a few standard tests allow us to gather a wealth of information about the well-being and health of your cat. These tests become increasingly important as your cat continues to age.

The most common lab test we run in our clinic is a combination blood panel consisting of a complete blood count and blood chemistry. A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a series of tests that evaluate the number of cells in circulation in the blood. White blood cells, WBC, help fight infection and inflammation and can increase with cancer. Red blood cells, RBC, carry oxygen to the tissues. Platelets allow clotting of the blood and are another indication of the health of the bone marrow. Overall, the CBC tests for anemia, infection, inflammation and the health of blood cells and the bone marrow.

A blood chemistry panel is performed to get an initial overview of the health and function of body organs. This panel surveys many of the organ systems of the body to make sure they are working properly. Our chemistry test checks the following organ functions: liver, kidney, pancreas, muscle, bone, thyroid and electrolytes.

For many conditions, such as chronic renal disease and diabetes mellitus, a urinalysis should also be run to provide a complete picture of organ function. For example, in verifying renal disease, the specific gravity - or concentration - of urine is a key diagnostic tool in addition to the blood chemistry numbers. In diagnosing diabetes, glucose levels in the urine are examined.

Finally, we recommend radiographs (x-rays), first to establish a baseline at a younger age, and then regularly to monitor any changes or developments. Cats do develop arthritis, but as with many illnesses, they hide their discomfort and it's not always readily apparent until the condition becomes severe. There may be subtle signs, such as taking extra steps to get places, jumping from floor to stool to bed instead of straight from floor to bed, or refraining from jumping at all. Arthritis pain can be managed with a variety of different treatments, including a specialized diet.

Ultimately, the tests performed are designed to ensure the best quality and longevity of life possible for your cat.

Case of the Week: Sweetheart

Sweetheart is a four-year-old calico cat. She came into the clinic because her family had recently moved here and she needed a refill on medications for her chronic Feline Herpes infection. Due to her chronic problems, her owners keep a close eye on her, but they had not noticed anything unusual with her besides her typical watery eyes and sneezing.

During the exam, I noticed a small lesion on one of her lower premolar teeth. Cats frequently will develop this erosive lesion, called a Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesion (FORL). The cause of these lesions is not known, and an affected cat tends to develop the lesions in multiple teeth over its life. As FORL progresses, the lesion becomes very painful as the loss of enamel exposes the nerves in the pulp of the tooth. The only treatment is to extract the tooth to remove the pain and source of infection.

Sweetheart quickly moved her face away when I touched this tooth showing how painful it was. Her owners were surprised to learn of the problem. Sweetheart had shown no signs of distress. Yet in looking back, they had noticed she was holding her head at a slight angle when chewing and was leaving crumbs of food on the floor when she ate.

They scheduled her the next week for a dental procedure, including ultrasonic scaling and polishing of the teeth, a complete exam under anesthesia, dental radiographs (xrays) and extraction of the affected tooth. When examining her teeth under anesthesia, I found that the opposite lower premolar also had an FORL. The dental radiographs showed that both of the teeth had some resorption of the roots of the teeth as well. The rest of her teeth appeared normal. I placed a nerve block on each side of her mouth to numb the areas, then extracted these two teeth.

The day after the surgery, when I called Sweetheart's mom to check in on her, she said that Sweetheart was doing very well. She was back to her usual self the evening of the procedure and was eating well. At her progress exam two weeks later, the gums had healed well. Her mom was very happy with how well Sweetheart was doing and happy that she no longer had to clean up crumbs around Sweetheart's dish any more. After her extractions she was eating completely normally without any mess.

Cats are very good at hiding dental discomfort. They rarely stop eating, even with severe dental disease. Few even show the subtle signs of discomfort that Sweetheart did. If your cat will let you, you can try lifting his lip to look at his teeth. If you see any yellow or brown matter on the teeth, or redness of the gums, your cat may have dental disease that needs to be treated. If he is reluctant to let you touch his mouth, he may be feeling pain from gingivitis or an FORL. Regular veterinary examination of your cat every six months will help us to find problems early and treat them before they cause pain or infection. We can also discuss what you can do at home to reduce tartar build-up and minimize dental disease. The more knowledge you have about your cat's health, the happier your cat will be.

- Dr. Judy Karnia