CatWatch Newsletter

Cold Laser Therapy Gains Acceptance

Don’t be surprised if your cat’s veterinarian dons special dark goggles in the exam room and applies a handheld wand to targeted areas on your cat’s body to speed up healing from surgery or ease the pain of arthritis. The latest tool in pain management — called cold laser therapy — is quickly gaining acceptance from veterinarians in teaching hospitals and small animal practices across the country.

When a Health Scare Hits Home, the Tests Begin

Dear Friends, Nothing brings home the seriousness of a medical condition like the frightening prospect of having the condition yourself, and I’d like to tell you about a recent scare that I had. We usually take questions from readers for this column, but please allow me to tell you about an important feline health issue.It all started when my mom was petting me. She was stroking my belly and suddenly felt a small lump in…

The Coat Tells the Tale: Illness or Allergy

All cats shed, but some cases become extreme to the point of baldness. If you’ve ever wondered if your cat needs a toupee, you’re not alone. Hair loss, or alopecia, is common in cats. It is, however, a symptom of an underlying disorder, rather than a disorder itself, says dermatologist William H. Miller, VMD, Medical Director of the Cornell University Companion Animal Hospital. “In order to solve the alopecia, we need to determine the cause of the problem,” Dr. Miller says.

New Rules for CPR Save More Lives

For years, pet owners were instructed to first check for a pulse before using cardiopulmonary resuscitation to revive a cat. Now, however, new guidelines from emergency care veterinarians advise that if you find your cat unresponsive and motionless, immediately start chest compressions. The reason: This protocol simply saves more lives.

The Message Worth Repeating: Leave No Pet Behind in a Disaster

At one point when rushing rivers flooded Colorado towns and farms earlier this year, 2,000 stranded people and 500 pets were evacuated by helicopter. The swift, rising water caused loss of life and damage to 2,380 acres in the state. The American Humane Association and other organizations on the ground rescued hundreds of pets and livestock.

Welcome Mat for Pets

A growing number of hospitals around the country are prescribing what they call “pet medicine” to boost patients’ spirits. They’re allowing family cats and dogs to visit. North Shore University Hospital and the Hospice Inn, both on Long Island, even let pets stay with patients around the clock.