Vet Notes : cats
- Sep 20, 2011
Exercising Your Cat - Exercising your cat is very important, especially if your cat lives indoors. Just like people, cats also benefit from exercising. It can help release nervous or aggressive energy, prevent them from destroying your house and help prevent obesi …
- Sep 20, 2011
Microchipping Your Cat - Even indoor cats can sometimes slip out an open door. Because they can be so difficult to find and catch if they do escape, it is important to microchip your cats. Microchips are tiny, about the size of a grain of rice and can be …
- Aug 4, 2011
Keep Your Pets Safe in the Summer Heat - This summer is bringing record heat to many parts of the US. It is easy for us to realize when we are too hot, but sometimes it can be difficult to tell if our pets are too hot. Remember that your pets do not sweat and they are wearing a fur coat. …
- Aug 4, 2011
Otto, Feline "Biggest Loser" - Have you heard about "Otto", the rescued cat that weighed 35 pounds? According to veterinarians, this is equivalent to a 500 pound person. Otto has lost 6 pounds, to reach 29 pounds. He is still very overweight, but is on his way to …
- Feb 24, 2010
Dental Health - Next time you visit your vet, take the opportunity to get your pet's teeth checked. Although dogs do not typically develop cavitiies like we do, they can develop plaque and tartar that if left untreated, can lead to more severe problems. Cats do …
- Jun 26, 2009
Senior Cats need Special Care - Is your cat getting older? With good care, cats can live into their late teens even twenties. The percentage of older cats in the US is increasing. Many cats, especially older cats, do not receive the preventive care that they need. Older cats …
- Jun 26, 2009
Take Care with Flea and Tick Control - Did you know that 44,000 potential toxicities associated with the use of topical parasite prevention products were reported to the EPA last year alone? There are many over-the-counter flea and tick medications that are available, but are they safe? …
- Jun 26, 2009
This Will Not Go Away - Our Pets are FAT! - Mirroring the obesity epidemic among the human population of the US is an obesity epidemic in our pets. This problem is not going away, despite the warnings in the press and in the vet clinic of the serious medical conditions that go hand in hand …
- Nov 4, 2008
Are your foods made in the United States? - Yes, all of our products are manufactured in the United States. Our dry foods are made in three company owned manufacturing facilities located in Missouri, California and South Carolina. Our canned products are also manufactured in the US.
- Sep 29, 2008
Fat cats are not healthy cats - I'm sure you saw pictures of "Princess Chunky", the 44 pound stray cat (male, despite the name) that made headline news after he was left at a shelter in New Jersey. Even if your cat is not even close to the size of this mammoth cat, a …
- Sep 29, 2008
The Housing Crisis Affects Pets Too - Record numbers of foreclosures have left many homeowners struggling to find a place to live for themselves and their pets. If you are in this situation, please do not abandon your pets. Pets are not able to fend for themselves and will become ill …
- Sep 29, 2008
Vaccinate Your Cats Against Rabies - While most dog owners are quite punctual when it comes to updating vaccinations, us cat owners are not quite so prompt. World Rabies Day was September 28, 2008 and its mission is to raise awareness of the impact of human and animal rabies, how …
- Aug 3, 2008
Vomiting Cats - Many cats vomit occasionally, sometimes it's a hairball, sometimes a bug that they have caught and swallowed. However, regular vomiting is not good for your cat. Vomiting brings the acid from the stomach up into the esophagus and out through the …
- Jul 9, 2008
VPI's Top Ten Reasons Cats Went to the Vet in 2007 - Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) is the oldest provider of veterinary pet insurance in the United States. Each year VPI analyzes its claims to compile a list of the top ten reasons that cats were taken to the veterinarian. Not surprisingly, urinary …
- Apr 28, 2008
Where are your foods made? - All of our dry foods are made in our of our manufacturing facilities in California, Missouri or South Carolina. Our canned foods are all made in Utah. So, all of our foods are Made in the USA.
- Feb 5, 2008
Protect Your Pets and Your Family with Rabies Vaccinations - Most people have heard of rabies and many of us who saw the Stephen King movie, "Cujo", hope never to have firsthand experience with this fatal viral disease. As dramatic as that horror movie was, rabies is not very often that obvious. …
- Feb 3, 2008
Should You Shave Your Pet Cat? - I recently had a friend of mine ask if she could have her pet cat shaved. Her cat is an indoor cat, long haired and is suffering a bit from benign neglect because of the addition of twin boys to the family. The regular brushing that was once occurr …
- Feb 1, 2008
Pet Dental Health Month - February is National Pet Dental Health Month! Celebrate this year's "Pets Need Dental Care, Too" campaign by taking your pets for a dental checkup. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show …
- Sep 25, 2007
National Pet Wellness Month - National Pet Wellness Month is just around the corner - what are you going to do to celebrate? Why not take your special kitty into the veterinarian for a thorough checkup? Did you know that when your pet has a checkup, many of the things that …
- Aug 22, 2007
Hyperthyroidism - Another potential cause? - The incidence of hyperthyroidism in cats has steadily been on the rise. Cats with an overactive thyroid will lose weight while eating much more than normal, be irritable (read mean), and often will grow thick nails. The disease can be diagnosed …
- Aug 20, 2007
Itchy Ears - It is important to pay close attention if your cat or kitten starts scratching at his ears. An occasional scratch is not of any particular concern, but if the scratching continues or is incessant, there is likely a problem that needs to be addresse …
- Jul 13, 2007
Cats can get Heartworms Too - We don't hear a lot about heartworm disease in cats, but it is certainly something we should be concerned about. Mosquitoes transmit the microscopic heartworm larvae to cats. If a cat is not taking a preventive medication to stop the heartworms in …
- Jun 4, 2007
What in the World is a Zoonosis? - It's important! A zoonosis is a disease that can be transmitted from an animal to a human. One well known example is rabies. Rabies kills animals and people. There is no cure. You can prevent your pets from becoming infected with a rabies vacci …
- Mar 20, 2007
Kidney Failure - With the recently announced recall on many different pet foods, there is information about kidney failure circulating in the media. It is important to understand kidney function and health because kidney disease is quite common in aging pets. Acute …
- Mar 9, 2007
Topical Treatment for Hyperthyroidism - Cats can be notoriously difficult to treat with oral medications. They are quite adept at spitting pills back out and slobbering and foaming when liquid medications are administered. With a chronic medical condition like hyperthyroidism, which …
- Feb 27, 2007
Happy Cats, Healthy Bladders - Feline lower urinary tract disease, or FLUTD, is a commonly diagnosed medical condition in veterinary practice. This frustrating and sometimes devastating disease can be a challenge for the veterinarian and the pet owner alike. It seems that …
- Feb 14, 2007
Spay Day USA - February 27, 2007 has been declared Spay Day USA 2007 by the Humane Society of the United States. This campaign, which began in 1995, claims that it has resulted in more than one million spays and neuters. Have your pet spayed or neutered to help …
- Jan 31, 2007
Purring Cats - A cat's purr is a truly amazing sound. What's most amazing to me is how incredibly loud my little cat can purr when she receives wanted attention. What's scientifically amazing is the fact that cats can purr when they are breathing in and out. …
- Jan 31, 2007
Valentine's Kitten - Think your sweetie might like a kitten for Valentine's day? Have you been out checking the shelters so that you can adopt one that truly needs a home? Well, you probably found that kittens are a bit scarce this time of year. Wonder why? Cats are …
- Jan 24, 2007
Dental Care for Your Cat - February is Pet Dental Health Month so get ready to celebrate! The majority of pets older than 2 years of age has dental disease. It is important to get involved with the care of your cat's mouth to prevent a minor problem from becoming a major …
- Nov 16, 2006
High Blood Pressure - Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common disease in humans. Some studies have shown that petting a cat or dog can lower high blood pressure because of the calming effects of the human-animal interaction. Did you know that cats can suffer …
- Nov 1, 2006
Diabetes - In Pets? - November has been declared Pet Diabetes Month by Intervet, an animal health company. Intervet recently announced that less than 50% of pet owners surveyed were aware of the fact that pets can get diabetes. Diabetes is a life-threatening disease if …
- Sep 29, 2006
Allergy Free Cats? - Do you have a child who is begging for a pet but suffers from allergies? You may be able to give in to your child’s persistent pleas, if you’re willing to part with a bundle of cash and wait and wait… Allerca, a Californ …
- Aug 24, 2006
New Research about Urinary Tract Disease - Urinary tract disease has been a recognized syndrome in cats for more than 70 years, yet the prevention and treatment of this condition still eludes the veterinary community. This disease is painful for the cats that suffer from it and frustrating …
Please note that this information does not replace onsite, professional, veterinary care. It is solely for educational purposes. Your pet's medical condition should be evaluated by a veterinarian before any medical decisions are implemented. If there is a potentially life-threatening emergency involving your pet, take your pet to a veterinarian or veterinary facility immediately.
Veterinary Technical Services Department