From the November 2019 Issue
Smart Pet-Insurance Decisions
In August, the American Veterinary Medical Association encouraged veterinarians to educate their clients about pet health insurance, saying it “may be an important approach for the veterinary profession to continue to provide high-quality veterinary services.”
Current Issue
Blood in Urine Samples
Urinalysis (UA) is an integral part of clinical veterinary practice, and the use of dry reagent urine-testing strips is an essential component of UA in most veterinary practices.
Thoughts on Laser Play
Laser pointers catch your cat’s attention, and rare is the cat who doesn’t chase that red dot. But it may not be all that fun in the end. While a bouncing laser causes the cat to leap and run, it doesn’t give the cat a satisfying finale: He can’t catch that beam, and he may end up feeling frustrated.
Pets May Reduce Need for Pain Medications
An article in the June 2019 Journal of Applied Gerontology looked at using pets to help senior citizens with pain. Cognitive behavioral self-management strategies are used to help seniors deal with chronic pain, and this study looked to see if pets might be incorporated into these strategies with a positive end.
Acute Upper Respiratory Infections Study
Upper respiratory infections are common in cats. Treatment can be frustrating, especially since the primary culprit is often feline herpes virus (FHV). While FHV infections aren’t usually life-threatening, infected cats sneeze, may develop corneal ulcers, and have nasal discharge and conjunctivitis. Currently, treatment is aimed at supportive care, with antibiotics added if there are signs of secondary bacterial infections.
The Good, the Bad, and the Coffee
Playing with cats while enjoying a cup of coffee—what more could you want? Cat cafés have blossomed in popularity since the first one opened in Taiwan in 1998. Expansion into the U.S. has been slow due to regulations around food preparation and animal welfare, but they’re starting to appear.
IBD Is Chronic GI
It’s a common misconception that vomiting is normal in cats. Cats should not routinely vomit more than once per week. The possible causes include everything from gastrointestinal (GI) parasites to dietary indiscretion to foreign bodies. In middle-aged to older cats, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a frequent culprit.
Blood Types and Donor Cats
Does blood type really matter other than as a matter of curiosity? Yes! Any time a cat needs a blood transfusion, that cat ideally should receive blood of the same type.