From the May 2018 Issue
A Root Canal for Cats
A study at the University of California at Davis looked at root canals in cats. Nadine Fiani BVSc, DAVDC, Assistant Clinical Professor and Section Chief of the Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service at the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine contributed to this study.
Current Issue
Prescreen for Diabetes
A recent study took blood glucose readings from a variety of cats 8 years old and older as they entered the veterinary clinic, after they had been hanging out for a few hours, and again after fasting. One challenge of measuring blood glucose in cats is that their levels tend to skyrocket temporarily when they are stressed, such as at the clinic.
Paw Preference by Gender
A study from Queen’s University, Belfast, says cats exhibit clear paw preference, much as humans do. Researchers recruited 24 neutered male and 20 spayed female cats and asked the cat owners to collect data on which paw cats used when they stepped down the stairs or over objects, whether they slept on the left or right side of their body, and which paw the cat used to reach for food inside a three-tier food tower.
Tramadol for Osteoarthritis
Bony or osteo arthritis can be painful. While cats often hide pain well, with the use of pain medications owners often see a dramatic improvement in their cats’ mobility and quality of life. Many pain medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are not metabolized well by cats and can even be deadly.
Taking a Page From the Canine Seizure System
We may now start classifying seizures in cats based on the canine system of the International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force (IVETF).
Trim Those Nails
Many cats will wear down their nails with routine scratching (hopefully on an approved scratching post and not your furniture), but for others, we’re responsible for their “pawdicures.” You may need to keep your cat’s nails trimmed to lessen the damage from scratches or to make your cat’s affectionate kneading less painful. Cats who don’t wear down their nails must be trimmed regularly to avoid the nails growing into the cat’s paw.
Cats Hide Signs of Hip Dysplasia
A diagnosis of hip dysplasia might take you by surprise. Usually, a cat comes into the veterinarian because the owner notices that the cat is lame or sore, or less active than normal. Some cats with hip dysplasia will be consistently off in their gait, while other cats only show stiffness after a wild chase through the house.
Low-Calorie Treats for the “Rotund Cat”
People love to give their pets treats and pets love to eat them. What’s not to like? The catch is when your cat is on the “round” side and needs to lose some weight. You would still like to reward her for good behavior and possibly use some treats for training. What are good options?