From the December 2018 Issue
The Power of Steroids
Steroids can be lifesaving drugs, but they can also have deleterious side effects. So, what do you do when the veterinarian suggests using a steroid? Well, first, you need to understand that these compounds occur naturally in your cat and are essential for health.
Current Issue
Rehoming and Asthma
A study from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital analyzed environmental exposures, like pets and secondhand smoke, to determine if they have a role in asthma control among children whose asthma is managed per National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines. Researchers found that, once asthma guidelines are followed, environmental exposures were not significant factors in overall asthma improvement over time.
No More Compounded Mirtazapine Ointment
Compounded drugs are medications where bulk ingredients are mixed together by a pharmacist, as opposed to a commercial drug that is approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and manufactured under the FDA’s monitoring. When an FDA-approved drug becomes available, the FDA forbids the same medication to be compounded. This is the case with Mirataz (mirtazapine transdermal ointment), which is applied to the inner surface of a cat’s ear to manage undesired weight loss.
Tick Identification Service Available
In an effort to identify the tick species in pets across the United States, the National Center for Veterinary Parasitology (NCVP) at Oklahoma State University is offering a free tick identification service.
Cries in the Night
You love your cat, but you also love a good night’s sleep, and her midnight acapella is not exactly the perfect lullaby. She may be meowing for attention, but it could also be because she needs or wants something, or an indication of a developing health problem.
Oh No! Did You Really Eat That?
We can’t watch our cats all the time nor can we predict with any degree of certainty what trouble they may seek out. Sometimes, you may not even realize that your cat ate something bad for him. You just have to be on the alert for signs of poisoning:
On the Alert for Liver Problems
The liver is one of the busiest organs in your cat’s body and is a real multitasker. While it does have amazing regenerative powers, once 75 percent of the healthy tissue is gone, clinical signs of illness usually will start to appear. By then it can be too late for treatment to help beyond palliative measures, so be alert for early signs.
The Cornerstone of Bloodwork
It requires just a little blood, but the CBC, or complete blood count, can reveal important information about your cat’s health. It’s usually part of a senior wellness panel, diagnostic bloodwork for an ill cat, and as part of a pre-operative workup. It may also be used to evaluate your cat’s response to a medication or its possible side effects.