From the April 2014 Issue
Peace and Harmony Among Pets
Nearly four out of 10 pet-owning households in the U.S. have more than one animal — multiple cats, dogs or a variety of other pets, according to the American Pet Products Association. No matter the combination, the potential for conflict always exists, especially with different species whose biological and behavioral imperatives run counter to each other.
Current Issue
Evaluating a Human Drug for Feline Heart Disease
Veterinarians are increasingly using a human drug to prevent arterial thromboembolism — a blood clot interrupting blood flow — in cats. The clots are common in feline heart disease, and their presence carries a guarded to poor prognosis: more than 60 percent of cats don’t survive them. In addition, because cats who do survive often develop a second clot, usually causing extreme pain and paralysis of the rear limbs, many are euthanized.
Coming to Terms With Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease, a progressive condition that worsens at varying rates, affects an estimated 35 percent of cats over the age of 13. Although it has no cure, CKD is the subject of considerable research in the veterinary community.
Be on the Lookout for Nail Injuries
Owners, take note: At some point in time, your cat might tear a nail. It’s one of the top 10 pet accidents requiring veterinary care, according to a review of thousands of claims by Veterinary Pet Insurance. And it can happen in a flash.
Short Takes: April 2014
A lack of knowledge about cats’ reproduction and the myth that cats should have a first litter before spaying may lead to 200,000 accidental litters — and more than 850,000 kittens — annually in the U.K.
Ask Elizabeth: April 2014
Q. I lost my calico after 17 years and miss her greatly. I am 79; my husband, 83. I have no children. I would like to adopt another cat, an older one, but worry that at our age, the cat may outlast us or that in coming years we may have to go into assisted living. Is it fair or wise to take on the responsibility of a cat at our age? Thank you for whatever advice or insight you can give into this situation.