Obesity in Cats

Many cats owners just wake up one morning and their cat is overweight....or at least that is how it seems. Much of the cat population is overweight, for various reasons, and like with humans, obesity can cause health problems and discomfort in their feline friends. There are many reasons for obesity such as overfeeding or disease which we will discuss in this column. If your cat is overweight, visit your veterinarian to determine the cause and help find a solution before its too late.

Overfeeding and Caloric Intake

Some cats, like people, eat only what they need; others eat and eat and look for more. The amount of food your cat eats and the type of food can both contribute to being overweight. Treats, premium high energy foods and table scraps also contribute to obesity, especially in lap cats who do not hunt or run or get much exercise. The age of the cat and activity level are also factors, as well as whether your cat is spayed or neutered. Though spaying or neutering does not directly affect your cat's weight, it does affect their metabolic rate; therefore, they don't require as many calories. It is how they are maintained after spaying and neutering that affect their weight as they do not require as much food intake.

Genetics and Breed may also have an impact on weight gain. There are some signs that mixed breed cats are more predisposed to weight gain then say a Siamese; however, this has never been proven.

Age is also a factor. From 2-12 years is the most important time to watch your cat for weight gain. Sr cats very seldom gain weight, in fact, just the opposite is more common with them.

Stress on your cat, like humans, can cause them to overeat, therefore, adding more calories then they are burning. Bringing a new cat into your home, or another pet can cause stress, travel, moving or other things that upset your cat.

Environment naturally will affect how many calories your cat burns. Outside cats trying to stay warm will burn more calories than an inside cat.

Disease

Hypothyroidism - This is when your cat produces less thyroid hormones, thus lowering the metabolic rate and lowering energy needs. Quite uncommon, but does occur, and any cat with this condition cannot eat the same amount of food that they ate prior to it, or they will gain weight.

Cushings - This is when the adrenal glands produce too much glucocorticoids. This increases appetite and affects deposition of fat.

Pituitary Gland- This controls the production of hormones in the glands and changes in levels can cause changes in metabolism, appetite and fat deposition. This is the "master gland".

Once you and your vet have determined the cause of your cat being overweight, you will need to follow their advice on a strict dietary and medical regimen. It's not easy to aid a cat in losing weight, but for your pet's health, its a necessity.

What Do I Put in Fido's Stocking?

What kind of toys and treats you put under the tree for your pet can be determined by your pet's age, size and dietary limits. Obviously you don't want to buy a small ball for a large sized dog, or even a ball so small that your smallest dog can lodge it in his mouth or throat. Tennis balls make a nice ball, as well as those hard rubber balls. Any toys with squeakers should be monitored while being played with as those toys usually are very pliable and the squeaker can easily be chewed out and swallowed.

Rawhide chews are one of my biggest concerns. Once the dog has chewed consistently on the bone, it becomes very soft and slimy. Large chunks can be pulled off easily and swallowed, irritating the intestinal tract or becoming lodged in the throat. Never let your dog chew on one of those unattended. A much better choice would be a compressed rawhide where it has been processed and put together in small chunks which break apart easily when your dog chews on it.

Kongs are a great toy for both young and old dogs. You can fill them with peanut butter or cheese and your pet will be occupied for hours. Chewbones make of cornstarch are also excellent. Some of these can be boiled in chicken or beef broth and their flavor brought back.

Always read the ingredients on the edible treats, even if it says "all natural". Your pet may be on special dietary restrictions and your treats need to follow the restrictions also. If you have a pet that is on a prescription diet such as S/D, or W/D, you can purchase those in canned form also, cut them into shapes and bake them to make treats.

Remember, large biscuits are to your dog in terms of calories like a Snickers bar is to us, so don't overdo it. Like us, they too can put on those holiday pounds, which we all know go on much easier than they come off.

Please read the Dec 04 archives article on further safety holiday tips for your pet.

Happy Holidays from Cindy and her critters.....

Zeus, Kaiser, Blazer, Scatman, Cybil, Bingo, Minnie, Mickey, Myah, Oz, Babe, Annie, Dudley, Sarah and Angel.

Traveling with your Pet

This time of year, a lot of people are considering traveling and taking their pets with them. If your pet is a good candidate for traveling, here are certain recommendations and tips you many find helpful.

First off, always consult your vet before taking your pet on vacation with you. Vaccinations must be current.
Second, make sure you are prepared for the cost of air, hotels and unexpected vet bills you may encounter.
Third, be sure your pet is trained and knows his four basic commands of sit, stay, come and no.
Fourth, proper ID on your pet is a must, whether it is a microchip, or name and address tag that is well attached to collar.

Before traveling here are a few tips that may be helpful.

Know your pet's general health. Have some medical records as well as knowing their normal temperature, pulse, medicines they can and can't take and and other health problems they may have had.
Prepare a first aid kit or purchase one to take with you. It should include a thermometer, tweezers, gauze, antibiotic ointment, ear drops and Pepcid.
Take a crate; make sure it is sturdy, comfortable and the right size. Have food bowls, water bowls and a blanket or cushion available in your crate.
Make sure you have all the required documentation you will need for traveling. A health certificate is only good for 10 days prior to flying. Weather should be between 50 and 80 degrees and non stop flights are preferable. Larger planes with more ventilation are also preferable. Also, do not feed directly before flying, administer any sedatives about 1 hr prior to flying and exercise right before flying if possible also.
Be sure your motel is pet friendly before you arrive. Get a room on the ground floor near the door. Keep pet clean in room, crate them preferably and use the do not disturb sign when leaving them in the room. Turn on the television or radio to make them feel more comfortable.

Checklist:

Bowls
Food
Snacks
Crate
Toys
Grooming tools
Leash and collar
Health Documents
First aid kit
Blanket
Vets phone number

Happy vacationing!

Pet Protection and Advice for Halloween

With Halloween night approaching, here is a little advice for your pet.

Do not leave your pet unattended or tied up in your yard. It seems that some people have a tendency to be a little cruel this time of year and think it's funny to torture and tease animals, or even hurt them badly. The best way to protect your pet is to not put it into a position where anyone can get to it.

Absolutely no holiday food, especially chocolate. No desserts or beverages or candy. They can cause diarrhea and vomiting or worse. Also, be careful your pet doesn't get any of the candy wrapper packaging. The smell is very attractive to them and if they eat it, it can cause a bad intestinal obstruction, leading to illness or death.

When opening your door to trick or treaters, put you pet in a different room. Even the nicest pets can become scared of the costumes and bite someone. Or they may even escape your home if they become too scared.

Keep those pumpkins with the candles out of reach of your dogs and cats. Cats especially are very curious and love heat and could become badly burned.

If you want to dress up your pet, make sure you fit him properly with a costume that is his size, not to hot and is comfortable for his. Also, make sure the costume does not have any small or harmful pieces that your pet can chew off and swallow.

Happy Holidays are Safe Holidays

Helping your Pet cope with Storms and Disasters

In light of the most recent tragedy in New Orleans and Mississippi, I feel this article is important for anyone with a pet, especially if you live in an area that has hurricanes, tornadoes, lightening storms or earthquakes.

Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Earthquakes

Always keep a tag on your animals, and put one on those that are not used to wearing them. For cats and horses, break away collars are recommended. On horses, banding around the legs or woven into the mane are recommended. Have your name, pet's name, your number and vet's number on the information. A microchip or tattoo is also recommended.

Be prepared to know where you can take you pet in case of emergency. Check with local kennels, vets, boarding facilities, stables, grooming shops, training clubs, friends, family and motel friendly places.

Plan ahead if you go on vacation just in case disaster strikes while you are gone. Notify your vet that your sitter has their permission to take the pet to them at your expense.

In addition to regular food, have one week's supply of food in airtight containers or pop top cans. Treats and chew toys are also advisable to keep your pet occupied. Have a gallon jug of water at least for them also.

Have pictures of your pets in plastic baggies stored with important papers.

Have a first aid kit prepared. You can buy them at your local pet stores, or make your own. Ask your vet where you can take your pet after hours in case they are not open.

Have back up supplies of long term meds, and if they have to be refrigerated, have a small cooler ready.

For smaller animals, have crates or carriers or even pillow cases available to carry them in. Have a harness and leash for each pet. Harnesses are recommended over collars as collars can easily slip off. Be sure pets that are left outside have shelter and runs that are clear of falling debris.

Injured Pet

If your pet is injured, or if you come across an injured pet, approach slowly and with caution.

Stay calm; do not upset the pet any further. Don't make quick movements and scare them. Use towels or blankets to subdue them and protect you from getting bit. Have your vet's number handy and also an emergency vet clinic's number available for after hours.

Storms and Fireworks

Many pets, big and small, are terrified of storms and fireworks. If your pet falls into that category, before the storm or fireworks start, confine your pet to a small area. Close the curtains, put on a radio, or place in a carrier in the closet or shower or other small area. If it is an outside pet, they really shouldn't be left alone. Bring them indoors if possible. If not, hold them, play a radio, or even tranquilize if necessary. Outdoor pets can easily escape and get hit by a car.

If you have the time and patience, behavior modification may be something you want to try. You can find those relaxation tapes with storm sounds. Start them low and gradually get louder. This works especially well with young pets who are exhibiting signs of storm fear.

Always comfort your pet. If you are scared, they will be too. Using a calm, relaxing voice and holding them close helps a lot.

Your pet is your responsibility. Over the years, we have taken them into our homes and domesticated them. They depend on us for food, shelter and companionship. Please don't let them down in times of disaster. Make arrangements to take them with you or to a safe harbor. Over 90% of the pets that are left behind during disasters don't survive. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Warning: Grapes and Raisins and Artificial Sweeteners Toxic to Your Dog

Many times owners are looking for low calorie treats for their dogs, and because humans use grapes and raisins and artificial sweeteners in their low calorie diets, many dog owners think it is okay to substitute those in their dogs diets also. Be aware, though, raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs. They cause gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, diarrhea and also kidney failure and death. We aren't talking about just a couple grapes, we are talking about several ounces; however, it is best to avoid feeding them any grapes or raisins at all. If your dog should happen to get a hold of a large amount, watch for signs of illness. If your pet exhibits any signs of toxicity within 24 hrs, an aggressive therapy of induced vomiting, stomach pumping, activated charcoal and IV therapy are recommended.

Also, artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, which has been around for years, are sending many pets to their veterinarians for seizures. These sweeteners can cause blood sugars to plummet rapidly causing the seizures.

If you find it necessary to share some of your low calorie foods with your dog, try carrots or green beans or even Snackwell crackers or animal crackers. These are a much safer and a better alternative.

Heartworm Prevention and Treatment

Every day I get asked a lot of questions by my customers concerning heartworms. In Florida, as in most of the country, heartworm preventative is a must for every dog. It needs to be started at a young age and continued through the dog's lifetime. There are two types of preventatives for your dog. One is a monthly pill, such as Heartgard or Interceptor and the other is a monthly liquid put on the body between the shoulder blades called Revolution. All these products are equally good, it just depends what works best for you and your pet.

Since heartworms are spread through mosquito contact with dogs, in warm climates it is always best to keep your pet on preventative year round. In areas where you experience very cold winters and the chance of there being a live mosquito is unheard of, it is okay to take your pet off preventative for those cold months only. Heartworm checks, done by a blood draw at your veterinarians, are recommended at least every year and no less than every two years. Even though you think you have been faithful in giving the preventative, you just never know when you may have skipped a month or your pet exceeded the weight of the preventative you are using, therefore, it would not be sufficient as to ward off heartworms. If your pet is borderline on the weight cut off, it would be best to go up to the next size preventative, just in case. Never split a pill in half as the preventative is not spread equally throughout the pill.

Let me explain a little how the heartworm cycle works. A mosquito bites a dog that has baby heartworms, the heartworms incubate in the mosquito until teenagers, the mosquito then bites a dog and incubates for the next 6-7 months in the dog until adults. That is one of the reasons that heartworms do not show up as soon as a dog is bitten. The heartworms grow in your dog, basically squeezing the heart. Most dogs do not exhibit major signs of heartworms until the heartworms are getting bad. This does not mean that they aren't curable, because in most dogs, depending on age and health, they are.

Treatment itself can be very serious. Most vets use what is called Immedicide, an arsenic based treatment. After being administered over a two day period, the pet must be kept very calm, as the heartworms break off into small pieces, entering the bloodstream and could clog it if the pet is very active. It is extremely important to keep the dog calm and resting for 5 weeks. Some vets will chose not to proceed with the Immedicide if after xrays and further bloodwork they feel as though the dog is in early stages of heartworms and will just have their client continue to give the preventative so that the heartworms do not get any worse. After approximately three years, the remaining heartworms should die on their own. Further bloodtests should be given to see if the treatment prescribed by your vet has worked.

Symptons of heartworms range from lethargy, difficulty breathing, enlarged abdomen to coughing or not eating.

Another question I get asked is if cats can get heartworms. Yes, they can. There is also a preventative for heartworm in cats, and I recommend it for all cats that go outside. There is however, no cure for heartworms in cats. Other than staying on the preventative, there is no Immedicide at this time to cure them. Cats are not a natural host for heartworms and are not as likely to get them. Also, they may never exhibit any signs of having them. They are not a good candidate for any treatment since they can get clogged arteries very easily from the dying heartworms.

If you do nothing else for your pet, please put them on the monthly preventative. It is a lot less expensive than the treatment and promotes good health for your pet.

Here is a picture of heart with heartworms.

QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS

Q. Is it ok to prepare my dog's food at home. He seems to like it better than store bought food and I feel like a much better parent.

Judy K

A. Preparing your dog's food is okay if you know exactly how to make sure that he is getting all the vitamins and protein he needs; however, most people do not know how to do that. Store bought foods have already combined all the essential nutrients for your dog. Perhaps it would be best if you used a store prepared food and made him some homemade treats instead to make sure he is getting all the proper nutrition.

Q. Everyone says I should neuter my dog, but he will get fat after so I don't want to.

A. Actually, that is a myth that your dog will get fat after neutering. However, what is true is that the chance of your dog living a longer, healthier life is more likely if neutered. The possibility of prostrate cancer is very high in unneutered dogs. As for the weight gain, you can probably attribute some of that to your dog's activity level lessening after neutering as male dogs don't have that desire to run and aren't quite as anxious as unneutered males.

Q. My poodle has all this staining under her eyes and everyone tells me there is nothing that can be done about that. I have tried products from the pet stores and nothing has worked. Do you have any suggestions?

Mary B

A. First off, daily cleaning is essential. You can buy regular saline solution for contact wearers and squirt it right into the eye for good cleaning, and it's very inexpensive. Second, ask you vet about Tetracycline powder. This powder can be put daily on your dog's food for a period of time to reduce the staining. It will not eliminate the tearing; however, the staining will be lessened. Some vets are hesitant to prescribe this for their patients and each patient should be looked at on an individual basis before prescribing.

Q. I keep hearing all kinds of stuff about heartworms in dogs. Is preventative really necessary. It's so expensive.

Gary J.

A. If you do nothing else for your dog, please put him on preventative. It is not nearly as expensive as the heartworm treatment nor is there any cost as dear as the life of your pet or watching him die from heartworms. At the age of 10 weeks, all puppies should be started on the preventative and continue for life. In some parts of the country, where it gets colder in the winter, your pet can be taken off the preventative in the winter. In warmer parts, they need to stay on year round. Have your pet tested once a year for heartworms. It's a simple blood test that can be done at your vets in just a few minutes. Always make sure that you are giving the proper dosage for your pet's size, and if your pet is borderline on his weight, go to the next size. Heartworm disease is deadly and with the influx of mosquitoes which transport the disease, it's becoming more and more rampant. Watch our future column for a complete article on this deadly disease.

Preparing Fido for Bringing Home Baby

Fido has been your baby for 5 years now, and all of a sudden, there is going to be a new baby....or should I say, an additional baby. Was your first reaction to perhaps call the local shelter or find another home for Fido? If so, that isn't necessary. Below is a list of tips for introducing the newest baby in your family to the one you already have, the one that sheds his hair, drinks out of the toilet, and races around the living room looking at you when he wants to go out to potty. The first thing I want to stress is obedience. If you have not already completed an obedience class with Fido, now is the time. It will be good exercise for you both as well as a great prelude to bringing home baby. With obedience training, your dog knows just what you expect of him.

Lets start with before baby is born

Set up the playpen, toys, crib etc. Let Fido get used to these items. That way, you aren't introducing too much new stuff at one time. Let him smell the items.

Play baby crying noises, or invest in a baby doll that cries. Let him get familiar with that sound (and you, too).

Sprinkle baby powder around; the scent will become familiar also.

Have your friends and neighbors and relatives expose their baby to Fido so he can get used to those little people.

If Fido is a cat, you can purchase a mesh cover for the crib incase you plan on leaving the nursery door open so that the cat cannot jump into the crib on the baby. For that matter, it will keep those small bouncing dogs out of the inside of the crib also. If the nursery is going to be a pet free zone, close the door and whenever you do open it, make sure Fido understands not to enter. That way, he won't associate not entering the room with the baby.

After the baby is born

Before bringing home baby, take home a blanket from the hospital with baby smells on it so Fido can familiarize himself with those smells and not be so curious.

When mom or dad walks through the door with baby, greet Fido, call his name, and let the introductions begin. Reward Fido for his good behavior with baby.

When singing songs to the baby, incorporate Fido's name into the songs also.

Keep Fidos routine as close as possible to the way it was before baby.

Play with Fido not only while baby is sleeping, but while baby is awake also. Reward Fido.

When Fido and baby play well, reward Fido.

Including Fido in the hoopla of having a new baby is the key. Do not make him feel like he is an outsider now. Reward, reward, reward.

Following these few simple lessons can make the difference between a smooth transition for your household or an upset one.

Your Pet and Diabetes

Not many people are aware of the risk of diabetes in their cats and dogs. What is diabetes? Well, just like people, pets can suffer from a deficiency in the secretion of insulin, which is produced in islet cells of the pancreas and secreted into the blood to control blood concentrations of the body's main fuel which is glucose.

Signs of diabetes include, but are not limited to:

Excessive urination

Excessive water consumption

Loss of weight

Increase of appetite

Cataracts

Recurrent infections

Diagnosis: A good physical examination is the start, followed by lab tests which will can show the presence of elevated blood sugars and glucosuria.

What are the chances my pet has diabetes? Diabetes occurs in one out of every 400-500 dogs and cats. It generally appears to be a disease of older pets. Cats that are over 6 years old tend to be more likely and dogs that are over 8 years old seem to be more at risk. However, cats seem to be at a higher risk than dogs.

Is there a cure? There are two types of diabetes. One is secondary, the other primary. Secondary diabetes is generally brought on by another primary condition such as a pancreas tumor or inflammation, steroid side effects or pancreatitis. Sometimes when the primary condition is cured, the diabetes will resolve itself. If the diabetes is primary, and not due to obesity, it will most likely not go away, though there have been cases where it has mysteriously gone away. Through a strict insulin regimen however, diabetes is very controllable with little side effects.

Will it shorten my pet's life? Though there is not sufficient evidence to say either way, past experience shows us that once diabetes develops, the life expectancy is for another 3-5 years even if not aggressively treated. This could just be a case of the most common cases being diagnosed in older animals anyway, so it may not have really shortened their lives. With the new drug developments and better means of pet care, if the pet does not have any other health problems, there is a good chance that the diabetes will not effect the life expectancy at all. Keep in mind, getting the proper amount of insulin to regulate your pet's glucose may take awhile-- don't be discouraged if it takes several visits to the vets to establish this; it's well worth it.

During your pets annual exams, or if your pet is exhibiting any of the signs of diabetes, it's always a good idea to have normal blood work performed on your pet.

Wellness Programs to Keep Your Pet Healthy

As your pet gets older, his needs change. To make sure that he is getting the proper health care, many veterinarians are now recommending a wellness program. For example, young pets in the pediatric stage have far different nutritional needs than pets in their senior years. No matter what stage of life your pet is in, there are some common elements to wellness programs such as:

Routine physical care

screening tests for hidden problems

nutritional program to fit their age and lifestyle

behavioral and training strategies

Dental care

Parasite control and prevention

Immunizations

Remember to write down any abnormal behaviors from your pet so that you can tell your veterinarian on your annual visit. Lumps, loss of hair, vomiting, change in bowel or urinary habits, eating habits or choking or coughing would all be included.

Annual vaccinations are extremely important for your pet; however, in the past couple of years, vaccine protocol has changed. After the required initial vaccinations and boosters, your vet may recommend a 3 year rabies shot, if allowed in your county, or even giving the DHPP vaccination every three years instead of annually. This especially applies to senior and geriatric pets. During the senior years, though your pet may not need vaccinations as often, it is recommended that he be taken every six months for an exam to avoid any problems. Blood work, ECG and good exams can detect early signs of disease or illnesses. Eye exams may alert your vet to such problems as anemia, ulcers, lacerations or glaucoma. Detection of arthritis or other joint problems can also be found during these exams and if treated early, can prolong and make your pets life more comfortable.

Remember that just like us, different stages of life require different needs, and your vet is there to help you decide your pet's needs to help him live a longer, happier and healthier life.

Zoonotic Disease

Pet Diseases that are Communicable to Humans

There are some viruses, bacteria and parasites that are carried by your pets that can be transmitted to you. Nose, eyes, ears and mouth can easily be points of entry to viruses, bacteria and parasites. This means that air, water, food, soil and direct contact can all contribute to assisting disease causing organisms.

Many of you are familiar with ticks. These are most likely to be transmitted directly from your pet to you instead of you picking one up on your own. Ticks are well known for causing Lymes disease, which can be treated but only if caught in the early stage.

Viruses and bacteria are transmitted through nasal droplets and feces. Internal parasites like roundworms and hookworms, the most common, are passed through feces. Another source of bacteria associated with cat feces is Toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women, infants and anyone with immune deficiencies should be very cautious when cleaning cat litter boxes or near an uncovered sand box.

While there are probably over 100 or so zoonotic diseases, most of them are extremely curable and some of them asymptomatic and cure themselves.

Prevention

Feed your pets either commercial prepared for home cooked foods.

Dispose of all animal feces properly and with caution

Have you pet checked and dewormed annually or if you notice a change in their appearance, appetite, or activity

Be vigilant with the hygiene of your pet

Always wash your hands after coming in contact with a pet.

Here is a list of some common zoonotic diseases and their symptoms.

Cats

Brucellosis - fever, headache, chills, nausea, weakness

Chlamydia - fever, chills, anorexia, headache and cough

Dermatophy (ringworm) circular lesions, red, scaly, itchy skin

Scabies - itchy, uncomfortable skin

Toxoplasmosis - Fever, malaise, cervical lymphadenopathy, myocarditis, pneumonia

Cat scratch disease - fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy

Dogs

Blastomycosis - influenza symptoms, cough, weight loss, bloody expectoration

Stronglydes - diarrhea, pain, weight loss, nausea, rales

Visceral Larral migranis - fever, cough, wheezing, hepatomegaly

Demodex - itchy, scaly skin

Winterizing for Pets

Here are a few tips for getting your outside pets and shelters ready for those cold winter days and nights.

Holiday Advice

Poinsettias were once thought to be the most dangerous toxicity to your pets during during the holidays. However, there are far worse dangers for your pets than the lovely poinsettia. While ingesting it can cause your pet to have a mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation, even some drooling or vomiting, it is not nearly as dangerous as other things.

Please be sure to keep all alcoholic and chocolate products away from their reach. If you suspect that your pet has ingested either of these, you can call the Pet Poison Hotline at 800-565-5719. You will need to know what was ingested, how much, what time and your pet's weight. You should also contact your veterinarian for a follow up visit.

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