May 2006
Ask Dr. Richards: 05/06
Subscribers Only When our one-year-old female cat enters rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, she begins twitching and suddenly throws herself several feet backward. Sometimes she growls while asleep and then thrashes wildly; she acts as if she is dreaming but she reacts violently. She chews, claws and acts as if she’s being attacked, and she also passes urine during most of these sleep episodes. She’s difficult to arouse, but once awake, she appears normal. Her laboratory test…
Mind of the Cat: 05/06
Subscribers Only I recently received a letter from a concerned cat owner. Her dilemma is a common one: Her beloved eight-year-old cat bites her. This particular cat was adopted at three months of age from a lovely family and has known only gentle handling. The bites are hard — sometimes requiring medical attention — so the situation is very serious. And the owner is distraught, trying to determine where she could have gone wrong. …
What Is Nasal Disease?
Subscribers Only Runny nose, teary eyes, sneezing and open-mouthed breathing are the signs to look for.
Do Cats Grieve? It Appears They Do
Subscribers Only The loss of a beloved companion can be difficult for your cat. Here’s how to help her heal.
When the Cat Bites...
Subscribers Only You can suffer serious medical consequences, but the wound may also attract the attention of local health authorities. Here’s why.
The Power of Touch
Subscribers Only Each cat has specific preferences in petting. Here’s why you should accomodate them.
Vaccine-Associated Sarcomas
Subscribers Only One suggestion on prevention: Give your cat only the vaccines that it really needs. Here’s why.
Beware the Seven Deadly Viruses
Subscribers Only Fortunately, vaccines are available that may serve to reduce their lethal threat. Here’s what the cat owner needs to know.
Sensitive Skin and Diet
Subscribers Only Incessant scratching is annoying for your cat and troublesome to you. But how can you tell if it’s her food that’s the main culprit?
Short Takes: 05/06
Subscribers Only FIP “Breed Predisposition” Defies Explanation [IMGCAP(1)]Veterinary researchers now know which six breeds of cats are more likely to get feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), the relatively rare but invariably fatal disease that begins with an enteric coronavirus infection in the upper respiratory tract and spreads throughout the body. Writing in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (Vol. 8, No. 1), scientists at North Carolina State’s College of Veterinary Medicine report on a 16-year study of mixed-breed…