Newsletter

How to give your cat a pill:

So, the veterinarian has sent you and your cat home with a bottle of pills and some instructions. Don't worry - giving pills to your cat is not as difficult as it may appear. It's just a matter of know-how and plenty of praise.

One thing to remember though, giving a pill to a cat is not quite the same as giving a pill to a dog.

1. Have someone hold your cat's front legs and chest from behind so you're free to do the rest, or vice versa. If you have trouble, wrap a blanket or towel around your cat.



2. Put your hand on top of the cat's head, avoiding the lower jaw. Raise the head until your cat's nose points to the ceiling. As the mouth opens, use your other hand to hold the pill and press down on the lower jaw, pushing the pill as far back on the tongue as possible.

The staff at our hospital would like to develop a close relationship with you and your pet. You will find that among the members of our staff, we have interest and expertise in many species and specialties. Hopefully, your pet will never require more than routine care, but sometimes more complex issues arise.

In many cases, early detection and monitoring can help prevent problems and provide long-term management of existing conditions. We have found great satisfaction in keeping our patients comfortable and happy! Because some health conditions have a genetic basis, we know that puppies of certain breeds are more likely than average to show specific problems. We would like to offer you help with early detection of these, so that their effects, if present, can be minimized. Please scan the list below; it is an illustration of how pervasive genetic diseases are. If your breed is listed, please ask a member of our staff about the linked disease, screening test(s), and recommendations.

German Shepherd

This list is just a sample and is not exhaustive; ask us if your pet is pre-disposed to something so that we can discuss how to help. Some problems, such as heart valve disease, dental/periodontal disease, and skin allergies are seen in many breeds. Some of our suggestions may be hospital-oriented (lab-work, X-rays, etc.) while some may relate to home management. For example: a large breed puppy that is checked for hip dysplasia may have a long, relatively comfortable life if he/she avoids games of Frisbee and long runs; a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel placed on cardiac drugs pre-emptively may significantly increase its life expectancy.

King Charles Cavalier Spaniel

When should these problems be addressed? Before the problem is so severe that your pet is showing symptoms. More often than not, a few simple tests can give a diagnosis. From there, we work with you to keep your pet comfortable and symptom-free.

Boxer

The costs of veterinary health care, much like those of human health care, are rising and many pet owners are turning to pet health insurance to help defray some of those costs. Unlike human health care, you don't need pet health insurance to ensure your vet treats your animal companion. For pets, insurance coverage is a choice, not a necessity. But as the pet insurance industry has changed in recent years, more options are available to pet owners for coverage levels and care options than before.

Pet insurance policies are largely similar to human insurance policies. There are annual premiums and deductibles, and plans are based on age, medical conditions, a pet's lifestyle and species. Some policies provide comprehensive coverage, and will reimburse owners for costs associated with annual wellness exams, vaccinations and other routine visits; other policies will cover only accidents or injuries. Depending on the policy you chose, there may be limits on coverage for pre-existing medical conditions for older pets.

Pet insurance plans differ from human insurance when it comes to filing claims. Following a procedure - a TPLO surgery, for example - the owner will pay the veterinarian directly and then submit a claim to the insurance provider for reimbursement. How much the insurance company pays all depends on the policy and the procedure. Some plans, such as the one offered by PetFirst Healthcare, do not cover "cosmetic or preventative surgeries" such as declawing procedures, anal sac removal and ear cropping and tail docking. Other plans, like the one offered by ShelterCare, cover cancer treatment but do not cover spay/neuter procedures. Other popular providers include Veterinary Pet Insurance and Pet's Best. Even organizations like the ASPCA and the American Kennel Club offer insurance plans.

The costs for pet insurance are small compared to human insurance, with monthly costs averaging about $30 and deductibles averaging about $100. Most plans begin enrolling pets at around 8 weeks of age and limit enrollment to pets under eight to 10 years of age (though if the pet was enrolled before this limit, he or she will remain covered).

What should you watch out for when purchasing pet insurance? First, make sure your veterinarian is approved by your provider. Some providers limit coverage to certain veterinarians in a network or provider list, though most pet insurance companies allow owners to use the veterinarian of their choice. Next, review the exclusions in the policy. Some plans will cover pre-existing medical conditions if they are stabilized, while others may exclude some conditions and procedures all together. Also look at the various caps (maximum amount paid) for each claim. In some cases, a provider will use an annual cap, limiting the amount of reimbursements paid out over a year, while in other cases, a lifetime cap may be applied.

Pet insurance is not the only option when it comes to covering health care costs for your pet. Some veterinary hospitals accept CareCredit, which reimburses veterinarians for expensive procedures and allows clients to set up extended payment plans. Meanwhile, some veterinary hospitals offer wellness packages for new kittens and puppies. These packages offer a combination of services (wellness exams, vaccinations, diagnostic tests, etc.) at a reduced rate for new pet owners.

Obesity is the most common nutritional problem of cats. Since most cats are relatively inactive, it is not surprising that up to 40 percent of all cats seen by veterinarians are overweight. Obesity puts a considerable number of cats at risk for associated diseases such as lameness, feline urologic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, skin problems and cardiac disease. Due to the amount of fat that is present in the body of an overweight cat, x-rays are sometimes difficult to assess and surgical procedures can be difficult to dangerous.

It is tempting to tiptoe around the issue of feline weight reduction. One reason is lack of client acceptance of the problem. The realization of owning an obese cat can sometimes prove awkward if the owner is also markedly overweight. More important to remember, however, is that although the "lose weight fast" mantra is appealing to humans, it can be deadly for cats. Rapid weight loss in cats is associated with hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), most commonly seen in obese, spayed female cats undergoing a short-term "crash" diet.

Traditional high-fiber (up to 25 percent) weight-loss diets can also cause problems, such as excessive stool output, poor skin and coat condition and decreased nutrient digestibility and absorption. Weight loss can be achieved safely, however, with a low-fiber, low-calorie diet. Research has found that a cat can lose an average of 1.5 percent of their body weight per week over a 16-week period with no adverse effects. Ultimately, it is important to work with your veterinarian in order to find a diet that your cat likes, as well as having the ability to help your cat lose weight safely.

Another weight-loss tool on the horizon is L-carnitine. Obtained from diet or synthesized by the body, L-carnitine facilitates "fat-burning" and is already used in humans. Following studies, it has been concluded that a lipid solution of supplemental L-carnitine accelerates weight loss and may increase the rate of fatty acid oxidation in cats. It has been cautioned, however, that this effect requires further investigation. As with human diets, there is no magic feline diet pill!

Before embarking on a feline weight loss program, it is important to have your veterinarian assess your cat's body condition, current health condition and medical history. Weight reduction in cats is a tough problem. Research confirms that cats can lose weight safely with the proper diet, but with so many foods to choose from, it can be difficult to go it alone. Use both the advice from your veterinarian and the choice of your cat (if he won't eat it, then it might not be such a good choice!) to determine the right food. Just remember: as cats lose weight on a well balanced portion, they become more active and playful and have a healthier appearance. This is a win-win situation!

The West Highland White Terrier, or the "Westie," as the breed is commonly known, are descended from Cairn Terriers and Scottish Terriers. The breed is believed to have originated in the Argyll region of Scotland in the 1800s. Col. Edward Donald Malcolm is credited with being the first to develop the breed, though some sources say it was the 8th Duke of Argyll who originated the Westie. The breed was originally known as Poltalloch Terriers, named for Malcolm's home.

The Westie's shaggy white coat is the result of years of selective breeding. According to some breed histories, Malcolm used a pack of light-colored working terriers for hunting. During one trip, a dog was mistaken for a fox and shot. Malcolm decided then to breed only white dogs that could be easily identified while on the hunt. The breed is small, with an average height of about 11 inches at the withers and an average weight of between 15 and 22 pounds.

Because the Westie is descended from working terriers, it is energetic, intelligent, and curious. The Westie was originally used to hunt small game, like rabbit and squirrel. Westie's living in a home require a brisk walk and some play time each day to prevent boredom. However, Westie's tire easily and require about 13 hours of sleep each day. Owners should be surprised if they see their Westie settle down for a nap after a vigorous play session. To keep the Westie's coat soft and white, frequent brushing is needed. The breed is susceptible to dry skin, and too much bathing may exacerbate this problem. A bath once a month should suffice.

Westies are independent and bold (some might call them stubborn), but make excellent companion dogs. Because of their fearless nature, Westies consider themselves to be guard dogs, though their small stature makes them less than intimidating. They get along well with other animals, though owners should exercise caution when introducing a Westie to cats living in the household.

Normal ears of dogs and cats have a relatively smooth inner lining with a minimal amount of wax buildup. Any one of several problems can cause the ear canal to become filled with odoriferous debris. Your pet will probably tell you its ears are uncomfortable by excessive scratching and head shaking. Early treatment of ear problems is important to prevent complications such as damage to the inner ear, long-term infections, and hearing loss.

Ear mites (Otodectes) are a common cause of ear irritation and frequent ear scratching in cats. Ears infected with mites are often filled with dark brown, flaky debris. The mites can sometimes be seen when the debris is examined under a microscope.

Magnified Ear Mite

Cat Ear With Mites

Allergies are a common cause of ear irritation in dogs. Allergies can be caused by pollens, molds, plants, fleas, and a variety of other substances. In addition to scratching their ears, dogs with allergies often lick their feet and rub their face.

Trauma to the ear from foreign objects, such as plant seeds or burrs, or from aggressive cleaning with cotton-tipped applicators can also cause pain and inflammation to a pet's ears.

Any of these conditions, if left untreated, can lead to additional and more complicated problems, such as yeast or bacterial infections. These organisms grow best in warm, humid ears that have little air flow. Thus, breeds that have very long or very narrow ear canals, dogs with heavy drooping ears (e.g., cockers), animals that enjoy swimming, and those that live in hot, humid environments will be predisposed to ear infections.

Yeast (Malassezia pachydermatitis), in small amounts, is a normal inhabitant of the ear canal. Inflammation of the ear, from any of the above conditions, allows the yeast to grow in excessive numbers. Yeast-infected ears have a smelly waxy buildup.

Bacterial infections can result in smelly pus-like drainage from the ear and can be extremely painful.

Your veterinarian can examine your pet's ear canals; test a sample of the discharge for bacteria, yeast, or mites and choose the most effective course of treatment. Along with choosing the most effective medication, the treatment must be administered correctly. Your veterinarian can show you the proper way to clean and medicate your pet's ears.

To prevent ear problems, keep your pet's ears clean and dry. It is more important to check your pet's ears regularly for dirt and discharge than it is to clean them. Look in your pet's ears once a week or whenever you are petting him or her. If the ears need cleaning, use only products and methods recommended by your veterinarian. Never clean the ears with a cotton-tipped applicator any deeper than you can see. Pushing the applicator too far down can cause serious internal damage. Finally, if your pet's ears require frequent cleaning, see your veterinarian and treat the cause before complications develop.

For more information on proper ear care, please call our hospital.