Sometimes a cat’s grooming ability isn't enough. Here are tips for unfortunate incidents. Veterinary teams and retail associates can use this information to help cat owners deal with dirty cats, including alternatives to a good soaking bath. Source: Catster, June 21, 2016. Although cats are excellent self-groomers, there are times when we do have to intercede. Here are some … [Read more...]
Tap feline prey instinct when considering nutrition
Liz Bales, DVM, presents compelling information beyond the food dish for cats. The fundamental message is that whether they are wet, dry or raw food eaters, cats should not be served. Cats are hunters and their natural prey instinct needs to be considered when determining how to feed them. Source: Cat Talk, June 2016, page 18. (link unavailable) Cat’s bodies are designed to … [Read more...]
It’s Adopt-a-Cat Month
Local animal shelters are full of cute, cuddly kittens and mellow older cats ready for new homes. June is Adopt-a-Cat Month. The folks at American Humane Association offer tips for bringing new cats home, posters that can be used in clinics and even computer wallpaper that’s free and ready to use. Source: American Humane Association. Shelter staff are ready to help you … [Read more...]
Ease cat stress during moves
Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant, offers her perspective for dealing with felines during moves. Her proactive steps make good content for veterinary websites, blogs and newsletters. Source: Catster, May 13, 2016. Although moving is stressful for all of the members of the household, cats are especially sensitive and can be easily traumatized by the … [Read more...]
Sponsored Content: The latest on the feline sarcoma controversy
A roundtable of experts discusses injection site sarcomas in Part 1 of this Clinician’s Forum overview. The experts include Sarah Boston, DVM, DVSc, DADVS; Audra Fenimore, DVM,DACVM; Shannon Vawter, DVM, MS and Nancy Welborn, DVM. Source: Clinician’s Brief, May 2016. KEY POINTS The most recent studies suggest that in the genetically predisposed cat the injection of … [Read more...]
Canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines now available
Partners for Healthy Pets, an alliance of more than 100 veterinary associations, veterinary colleges and animal health companies focused on preventive care led by AAHA and the American Veterinary Medical Association, is offering complimentary canine and feline preventive healthcare guidelines. Source: AAHA NewStat, May 11, 2016. A one-page, double-sided, easy to use set of … [Read more...]
Feline hyperthyroidism guidelines released
AAFP has issued new guidelines for managing feline hyperthyroidism. They include: Distill current research into simple, testing sequence recommendations to avoid misdiagnosis. Organize a FHT diagnosis into six clinical categories with associated strategies. Outline the currently available disease treatments. Explain how to monitor the patient to minimize co-morbid … [Read more...]
Cat scratching explained
Cats aren’t trying to be destructive when they scratch things, despite how it appears. Cat guru Tony Buffington, DVM, offers reasoning for why cats scratch like they do. Source: Huffington Post, May 2, 2016. Don’t be offended if your cat scratches your brand-new couch to shreds. She’s just following the way of her ancestors. INSIGHTS: This article features a TED-Ed video … [Read more...]
Improved environments stop cats from eating non-food items
Pica or wool-sucking is common in oriental cat breeds. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University shares an experience with a pica cat and discusses the disorder. Source: Cat Talk, March 2012. These days, wool-sucking/pica is regarded as a form of feline compulsive disorder and, as such, has … [Read more...]
Top dog and cat medical conditions
Learn about the top 10 medical conditions affecting dogs and cats and their associated costs based on Nationwide claims data from 2015. Here are the top three in each category. Top three medical conditions in dogs: Allergic dermatitis Otitis externa Benign skin neoplasia Top three medical conditions in cats: Feline cystitis, or FLUTD … [Read more...]
Homemade feline diets are complex
Veterinary hospitals and retailers will find this article supportive of commercially available cat foods. Dr. Cailin Heinze strongly warns against preparing homemade cat meals without talking with a veterinarian and requesting a referral to consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Consider using this information on websites, in blogs or newsletters for feline … [Read more...]
Feline FIP tops concerns
A 2015 survey of cat owners indicated Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) as the most urgent disease of concern, followed by heart disease and chronic kidney disease. Definitive diagnostics and treatments remain elusive, although great strides have been made in viral genetics and pathobiology. Veterinary teams, sales representatives and marketers will appreciate the perspective … [Read more...]
Canine influenza confirmed in felines
The first confirmed report of multiple cats testing positive for H3N2 canine influenza virus in the U.S. shows the virus can affect cats. Researchers hope that infections and illness in felines will be rare. An H3N2 vaccine is now available for dogs, but no vaccine is currently approved or recommended for cats. Source: AAHA NewStat, April 7, 2016. Suspicions of an outbreak … [Read more...]
You gotta’ be kitten me
This issue of Catster is dedicated to kittens. Marty Becker, DVM, sounds off on flea and tick prevention. Susan Logan-McCracken guides readers through 22 distinct needs and attributes of kittens. Catherine Holm proposes Maybe not everyone should have a cat. The publication is filled with tidbits, splashy photos and catchy ideas sure to garner the attention of … [Read more...]
Vetfolio – New product podcast
Onsior® (robenacoxib) injection is reviewed for its value in feline pain management in this Vetfolio Product Showcase podcast. VetFolio is a joint program of NAVC and AAHA, non-profit organizations committed to the veterinary profession. These two groups have partnered to provide online continuing education for veterinary professionals. Source: Vetfolio News, March 28, … [Read more...]
Feline leukemia recommendations reviewed
Veterinary teams can use this article to discuss their knowledge and practice recommendations about feline leukemia. Without prevention, the life expectancy of any cat that contracts FeLV is short. Source: Tufts Catnip, April 2016. (partial link) The incidence of feline leukemia has declined significantly since the introduction several decades ago of a vaccine designed to … [Read more...]
Stem cell therapy promising for feline chronic gingivostomatitis
Stem cells and their regenerative abilities are intriguing to veterinarians and university researchers. They have potential to be useful in everything from healing wounds in dolphins to easing arthritis in pigs and horses. Source: Tufts Catnip, April 2016. (partial link) In a clinical trial led by Dr. Boaz Arzi — a dental surgeon and researcher with the UC Davis School of … [Read more...]
Feline anesthesia and analgesia: recent developments
Products approved by the FDA for use in felines are historically sparse. Recently, there have been a few new approvals. Source: Today’s Veterinary Practice, March/April 2016, page 20. In this peer-reviewed article, Kristen Messenger, DVM, North Carolina State University, reviews current and new options for our feline friends. … [Read more...]
Cats speak for good reasons
Since we can’t understand their body language, cats learn to vocalize based on their needs and human environments. Veterinary teams and retail associates will find this interesting, as will animal health pros who own cats. Source: Washington Post, February 24, 2016. Swedish phonetics expert and cat lover Susanne Schötz has developed a program to analyze and interpret cat … [Read more...]
Not everything is a hairball
Feline gastritis is the focus of this article for cat owners. Veterinary hospital teams will benefit by reviewing the information and redistributing the content to cat-owning clients. Source: Tufts Catnip, February 8, 2016. Vomiting, refusal to eat and lethargy are the most common signs of gastritis. “The most common reasons for gastritis are self-limiting dietary … [Read more...]
Keep cats happy
Veterinary teams building feline practice will appreciate this article. Sharing some of this content via websites or newsletters may keep clients and their feline friends purring. Source: Catster, January 15, 2016. Interacting with the cats, observing behavior and making homes feline-friendly help keep cats mentally and physically healthy. See recommendations in these key … [Read more...]
Cat parasite basics
Dr. Marty Becker gives cat owners a concise and pragmatic overview of parasite risks. This article will make a great addition to any veterinary hospital website, newsletter or blog post. Source: Catster, March/April 2016. (direct link unavailable) Talking about cat parasites is a little challenging for veterinarians. Even parasites we can see at some phases of their life … [Read more...]
Hire a cat sitter or not?
Veterinary hospital teams will find this article valuable for newsletters, websites or blogs. Team members will want to have this as a resource for owners looking to responsibly leave their cat at home. Source: Tufts Catnip, January 25, 2016 newsletter. Ideally, the visit to a cat’s home shouldn’t just be for feeding and emptying the litter box. The pet sitter should spend … [Read more...]
If a cat poops in the bed…?
Cat poop and Aristotle? Not two references you would expect to see in an article. However, the author uniquely correlates behavior to philosophy to discuss a common problem. Veterinary team members will value the perspective. Consider this content for clinic websites, blogs or newsletters. Source: Catster, January 5, 2016. Aristotle’s concept of the “four causes” provides a … [Read more...]
What kind of cat do you have?
This fun quiz will interest cat owners as they wait in the lobby or exam room. It may open discussions between an owner and vet technician or DVM. Consider using it on veterinary hospital websites, as well. Source: Modern Cat, Winter 2015/2016, page 46. Five multiple-choice questions lead cat owners to assess their cat’s personality type and the kind of toys and activities … [Read more...]
Taming feline aggression
Increasing the volume of feline veterinary care is an important opportunity for companion animal practices. Multiple client experiences, as well as their feline frustrations will accompany this growth. Petey, a much-loved, six-month-old kitten, is the main character for this story. It is a great guide for handling aggression. Veterinary hospital teams will appreciate this … [Read more...]
Top 5 maintenance insulins
This peer-reviewed article is great material for a veterinary hospital staff meeting. Ruth Gostelow, BVetMed(Hons), DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, MRCVS, Royal Veterinary College, provides perspective on treatments of diabetes mellitus in dogs and cats. Representatives can lead the discussion as a service to the veterinary team or use this information to become more aware of the variances … [Read more...]
Do cats present a big pet market opportunity for 2016?
Feline pet food and market trends are featured in this piece by Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. She also highlights: the latest developments in pet nutrition food safety hot topics Feline marketers and veterinary staff members will be interested to learn more about cat ownership. Source: Petfood Industry, December 9, 2015. Almost … [Read more...]
Pet travel accessories for keeping Fido safe on the road
My dogs had always been greater than 50 pounds until recently, so travel with them involved crates in the back of my pickup secured with tie-downs. However, an 11-pound Morkie now runs our household, hates crates and loves to go on rides. This story comes from a subscriber who thought veterinary hospital personnel and animal health pros who travel with pets would want to know … [Read more...]
Prevent holiday CATastrophies
Dr. Marty Becker contributes sound, referenced information to help keep cats more comfortable during the holiday season. Seven topics are covered, including risks and behavioral cautions. Veterinary hospital teams will find value in the information for websites and client inquiries. Source: Catster Special Holiday Issue 2015, page 20. (direct link unavailable) There is a … [Read more...]