April 2005
Ask Dr. Richards: 04/05
Subscribers Only I have a friend who wants to get a cat, but she’s slightly allergic. Does a longhaired cat cause a worse allergic reaction than a shorthaired cat? Or is it something besides the hair itself that causes allergies? Also, are female cats easier on allergies than male cats? Doctors who treat human allergies routinely suggest that their cat-allergic patients not seek felines as pets — advice that often goes unheeded, as evidenced by your friend. …
Mind of the Cat: 04/05
Subscribers Only At least once each month, I am called to evaluate a cat that bites the hand that feeds him. Sometimes, even after a bite, people decide to excuse the behavior. Perhaps the cat was stepped on or startled. Maybe the kids tried to dress him up. “I’d have bitten too!” some people may claim. …
Cats and Their Place in Culture
Subscribers Only This fascinating animal has played different roles in various societies for thousands of years.
Hepatic Lipidosis: A Serious Problem
Subscribers Only This liver ailment — the most common in cats — can be fatal without prompt treatment.
How to Find a Pet Friendly Rental
Subscribers Only For you, living with cats isn’t an option. Here’s how to get your new landlord to agree.
For Asthmatic Cats, Relief May Be A Few Puffs Away
Subscribers Only Inhalant therapy is revolutionizing the treatment of a tormenting feline affliction.
Feed Your Older Cat Well
Subscribers Only It’s better to tailor your aging cat’s nutrition to her individual needs and not her age. Here’s why.
The Cures for Feline Hyperthyroidism
Subscribers Only If untreated, an overproductive thyroid gland can cause a cat to waste away and die.
Learn Ways to Help The Timid Cat
Subscribers Only A cat with chronic fear requires gentle handling and patience. Professional help is also available.
Short Takes: 04/05
Subscribers Only Oh, My Achin’ Back! Dogs have a reputation for back problems — maybe because they whine so much. But the more stoic cats could be suffering from diseases of the spinal cord, too, according to a report in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Vol. 18, Issue 6). [IMGCAP(1)]Veterinary researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Tennessee checked the medical records of 205 cats with spinal cord disease. Overall, the cats had a variety of…