April 2006
Ask Dr. Richards: 04/06
Subscribers Only Events in the world of infectious diseases have been hitting the headlines recently, and because they involve cats, I’d like to discuss them in this column rather than answering questions from CatWatch readers (just this once, I promise). Superbugs: Is there a human/cat connection? Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium that lives on the skin and in the noses of people and other animals, usually without much consequence. But human infection with a certain form of…
Mind of the Cat: 04/06
Subscribers Only Are my cats playing or are they fighting? Are there ways that I can tell? Simple enough, right? In fact, not really; these are actually difficult questions to answer, and sometimes we just cannot tell. It is rather obvious when one cat frequently requires medical attention for bite wounds. But short of that, many cats can look quite wild as they spin around the house and still be just playing. …
Cat Research Woes
Subscribers Only Why has feline health research fallen behind? Here’s the scoop.
The Importance of Tooth Care
Subscribers Only Serious health problems — such as heart, lung and kidney disease — can stem from dental neglect. Here’s some expert advice.
The Joys of Cat Toys!
Subscribers Only We test more than a dozen new and old favorites sure to fire up your feline.
Developmental Defects
Subscribers Only Some abnormalities are apparent at birth. Others become evident later in life. Here’s how best to help your kitten or cat.
Cornell’s James R. Richards, DVM
Subscribers Only Like many veterinarians-to-be of his era, Jim Richards had boyhood visions of becoming the next James Herriot. The old veterinarian who treated the hogs and cows on the Richards farm inspired some awe out there in the very flat fields beyond New Paris, Ohio. “He once let me carry the syringe and warm up the penicillin in my hand,” Dr. Richards remembers. “This was a great responsibility for a little boy, and an honor.” …
Stop That Scratching!
Subscribers Only Getting your cat to stop scratching certain objects requires a two-pronged approach. Here’s some help in redirecting the behavior.
Cancer: All Cats Are at Risk
Subscribers Only Early diagnosis can sometimes reduce the impact of this widespread disease. Here’s what you should know to protect your cat.
Short Takes: 04/06
Subscribers Only Why We Prefer Cats: Reason #1 An article in the journal Veterinary Research Communications, titled “Nutritional Peculiarities and Diet Palatability in the Cat,” brings up a key difference between feline and canine tastes for treats. According to veterinary researchers from the University of Bologna in Italy, “Cats also reject the monophosphate nucleotides that accumulate in mammalian tissues after death, and this may be partly responsible for the cat’s dislike of carrion.” …