Translating Cat Years to Human Years
Newsflash for cat lovers: You can forget that popular belief that you can determine your cats age in human years by simply multiplying his age by seven. A cat celebrating his first birthday is actually the equivalent of a person who is 15 years old, a 10-year-old cat is the equivalent of 56, and a 17-year-old cat is the equivalent of 84, according to the new Feline Life Stages Guidelines.
Dear Doctor: A decision to make after the euthanasia
My cat is dying of kidney disease; the time to put her down is not far off. This is my first cat. Can you tell me what they do with the body afterwards? Id kind of like to be involved in what happens to it.
Dear Doctor: My cat has a heart murmur
My veterinarian told me my kitten has a heart murmur. Does that mean he is going to have a lifetime of heart disease, with me shuttling him back and forth to the doctor?
FDA-Cleared Device May Aid in Pain Management
Imagine a medical device that hastens the healing process and provides relief from conditions ranging from osteoarthritis to itchy hot spots on the skin, often to the point that a lower dose of medication may be used. The Assisi Loop may be such a device.
Tricks for Getting Your Cat To Take Her Pills
As a last resort for getting their cat to take a pill, some owners will physically pry open their pets mouth with their fingers. The head of the Tufts Animal Behavior Clinic, Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, thinks thats a bad idea.
Why Spay and Neuter is So Important
Besides curbing overpopulation, a spayed or neutered cat is a healthier and happier pet. Heres why.
Massage for What Ails Them
Massage therapy for cats can ease the pain and lack of mobility related to a number of conditions, says Lisa Ruthig, chair of the National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure and Massage, and director of Animal Programs at the Bancroft School of Animal Massage in Worcester, Massachusetts. These include arthritis, post-operative pain, muscle strain, and even aggressiveness stemming from anxiety.
Getting Rid of Fleas
The question remains: Whats the best flea treatment for my home? Well, researchers discovered that in a typical flea-infested house, the adult fleas represent only about one to five percent of the flea population! So where are the rest of the pests? Flea eggs make up about 50 to nearly 60 percent, flea larvae makes up about 35 percent, and the pupae (a life stage of the flea that comes after larvae and before emergence as an adult) about 10 percent.
Bad Breath May Signal Illness
Bad breath, medically termed halitosis, is a common problem in cats, says Tufts veterinary internist Michael Stone, DVM, and can be severe enough to create problems in the animal-owner relationship. For sure, its hard to get up close and personal with a cat whose breath smells worse than fishy.
Dear Doctor: Pockets of pus on different parts of the body
Our cat sometimes gets one or two pockets of pus on different parts of his body that ooze a bit, then often go away. Should I be concerned?
Dear Doctor: Will my cat be okay with an amputated limb?
My cat was in a terrible car accident. Shes going to live, but the veterinarian had to amputate one of her legs - there was just too much damage.
Dear Doctor: Special diet for failing kidneys can prolong life
My veterinarian told me my 14-year-old tabbys kidneys are beginning to fail but that a special prescription diet thats more expensive than over-the-counter cat food could extend my cats life. Could that really be true? Or is she just just selling snake oil?
