From the November 2018 Issue
Do FIV Testing Before
Questions still surround testing for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV, or “feline AIDS,” is caused by a retrovirus like feline leukemia virus. It’s found in 1.5 to 5 percent of apparently healthy cats.
Current Issue
Heartworm in Cats
Centragard (eprinomectin and praziquantel transdermal solution) was approved by the FDA in April and is now on the market. This drug is used to prevent heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, which is spread through the bite of mosquitoes. It is applied monthly. Centragard is also approved for the treatment and control of roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms in cats and kittens 7 weeks of age and older and weighing at least 1.8 lb.
Feline Parasite May Jump-Start New Businesses
Medical News Today reported that a new study found that an infection with the cat-borne parasite Toxoplasma gondii makes people more risk-prone and likely to start a business. T. gondii, a protozoan parasite that infects 2 billion people a year, is found in domestic and wild cats. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say 11 percent of the U.S. population over the age of 6 may be infected.
Appropriate Scratching
Punishment doesn’t stop cats from scratching things. “It’s like yelling at a cat for doing something as natural as grooming,” says Dr. Bruce Kornreich, CatWatch Editor-in-Chief and associate director of the Feline Health Center. Instead, be smarter than the cat. Give her an appropriate, comfortable, sturdy scratching surface, such as flat horizontal scratchers, and toys covered with sisal rope, fabric, or cardboard. Sprinkle some catnip on the surface to attract her attention. Once she’s interested, it’s time to place possible deterrents where you don’t want scratching. Here are five tricks that can work:
Potential Deadly Feline Calicivirus
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is found in up to 40 percent of cats. It commonly causes a self-limiting upper-respiratory infection, but a rare, virulent strain can cause fatal inflammation of the liver, intestines, pancreas, and cells that line the blood vessels.
First-Aid for Shock
At the most basic level, “shock” is when something causes the body to shut down and fail to function properly. This is largely due to malfunctions in or damage to the circulatory system leading to low blood pressure, which makes it difficult to get sufficient oxygen to the tissues.
Nutritional Power for Senior Cats
The challenge with senior cats is that their digestive systems often don’t function as efficiently as when they were young. On top of that, just like older humans, geriatric cats may not digest or absorb nutrients as well as when they were in their prime. Keeping your older cat well-nourished just takes some attention to ensure that she is eating and that the food you’ve chosen addresses the nutritional issues an aging cat faces.
Screening Tests and Bloodwork
Advances in veterinary medicine have enabled our feline friends to live longer, healthier lives, and these are not just improvements in treatments. Technology has pushed screening and prevention to the forefront, so disease can be headed off before it gets a stronghold. Some screening tests are recommended before you bring your cat or kitten home. Like any new thing, you may find yourself wondering, “Are they all necessary?”