August 2005
Ask Dr. Richards: 08/05
Subscribers Only I am the owner of Tassu, a 10-month-old cat I adopted from an animal shelter. A few weeks after I had her neutered, I noticed her behavior had changed. She seemed very lazy and not really interested in any physical activities, and she also lost her appetite. I took her to my veterinarian, and he found that she had pale gums, so he recommended she be tested for infection with feline leukemia virus (FeLV). To…
Mind of the Cat: 08/05
Subscribers Only Where do housecats like to sleep? Most often, it seems, right in bed with their favorite people. And for most of us, that is just fine. They’re so soft to snuggle, admittedly best on a chilly night — but not so very bad on a warm night, either. Luckily, most cats enjoy a good night’s sleep. Some may get up to do a little nibbling, or just some wandering. But most seem ready to return…
Safe Food Storage
Subscribers Only Here are some common-sense rules for storing your cat’s food so that it remains fresh and healthful.
Mammary Cancer
Subscribers Only Early neutering and an owner’s vigilance can minimize the potentially lethal threat.
Why No Two Are Exactly Alike
Subscribers Only Some experts believe it’s become “survival of the cutest.” Here’s what makes your cat unique.
Kids and Kitties
Subscribers Only Beloved pets can help round out a happy home. Here’s how to teach your children to treat animals with care and respect.
Treat Ear Conditions
Subscribers Only Otis externa and other conditions will usually respond well to prompt, professional treatment.
Kidney Failure and Diet
Subscribers Only Providing enough calories to prevent further weight loss is one of the objectives when feeding a cat with kidney disease.
Short Takes: 08/05
Subscribers Only FIV Secret Shoppers One problem with some tests for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) — including the ELISA, western blot and immunofluorescent antibody tests — is that they can’t distinguish real FIV antibodies from the antibodies that result from whole-virus vaccinations against FIV. This so-called false-positive problem makes some cat owners fear that their pets actually have the disease they were vaccinated against. (See related article in CatWatch, July 2005.) …