Alleviate Holiday Stress for your Family Felines

With Christmas just a few weeks away, life can be crazy in December.  As special as Christmas is, this
season is also filled with lists and errands and company and chaos.  Lets consider this time of year from your cats point of view:  favorite furniture moved to make room for a tree, bright lights flashing, scented candles, strangers visiting, doorbells ringing, things out of place -WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE!

Help your cats survive the holidays.   Start with Feliway!  Feliway is an amazing product specifically made to manage feline stress.  If you have not used it, you owe it to your cat to have some on hand for stressful times (like the holidays!). 

Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure.  By mimicking the cat’s natural facial pheromones, Feliway creates a state of familiarity and security in the cat's local environment.

As a result, Feliway can be used to help comfort and reassure cats while they cope with a challenging situation and help prevent or reduce the stress caused by  changes in their environment.  FAQ about Feliway

I recommend Feliway for a variety of stressful situations:  travel (to the vet), new baby, remodeling, moving, new pet, and especially holidays.  It also works well in the treatment of territorial aggression and urine marking. It is simple to use, and will really make a difference in your cats happiness!

STRESS REDUCTION = HAPPY CATS.**   
 ** Create safe zones  in your house so that when your cat is stressed, they can "hide" in the safe zone, where there is no chaos and minimal noise.   This is as simple as adding several cardboard boxes under the bed or in a quiet closet.
 ** Offering food and water dishes in multiple locations will eliminate the need for kitty to venture into the chaos of the holiday spirit if they are hungry.       **Remember to add "play with the cat" and "groom the cat" to your holiday list of daily tasks.

Stress and anxiety can lead to medical issues like cystitis, loss of appetite, dehydration.  Being aware of how much your cat is eating and drinking daily is valuable information during stressful situations.   Any changes should be closely watched and reported to your veterinarian.

The holidays are a special time for many of us.  Finding quiet time for your felines will allow them to adapt to the temporary craziness in their house, and will also help you relax and enjoy the little things that you love so much about having a pet.
 Happy Holidays to both you and your feline friends from my family and felines.  Stay warm, travel safely, and remember the Feliway!

Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

CATification

A new book, recently released by Animal Planet's Jackson Galaxy, is called Catification. I havn't read the book, but did listen to the "My Cat From Hell" star discussing what he terms CATifying your home.  It is not a new concept.  It it commonly called "adding vertical space" to your home.  And it is a recommendation that I commonly make when doing a Behavior Consultation involving aggression problems between cats in the same family.
Mr. Galaxy talks about adding a super highway above floor level so that felines can get from here to there without interacting with too-active dogs, too-inquisitive toddlers and too-scary visitors.  But this vertical space also allows Miss Shy more control over her interactions with Mr. Toughguy.  Miss Shy can chose to perch above the chaos that we call LIFE, watching it all from the safety of her six foot high perch or shelf or overlook.
One of my cats is a shy cat.  Her name is Posie ( a Neenah Shelter rescue)  that is frightened by just about anything but absolute silence.  She can be found "above ground level" 95% of her day.  Vertical space allows her to adapt to a household with 2 other cats and 2 dogs. 
You may have a cat with similar anxieties.  Many cats without "vertical space" chose to hide under the bed, or in the basement.  Consider CATifying one room in your home  or your whole house and see how the cats respond.  Be creative!  Better yet, send us photos of your CATifying project that we can share on facebook so that we can share the CATtification!

Oh, and the new book, Catification,  may be a great Christmas gift for the cat lover in your life!

Second Opinions are not just for people

In the last few weeks I have seen quite a few second opinion appointments, and met some very
devoted cat owners.

One gal has a handsome 5 year old cat who was diagnosed with sudden onset of  renal failure and given a very poor prognosis.   She was not prepared to give up, and was searching for more options.

One couple have a very sweet middle aged cat that was having a hard time jumping up and had a weak back end, and was told she was arthritic, but they were not comfortable with this diagnosis, and wanted further testing.

And I met a very concerned couple with quite a sick cat. She was not getting better after several weeks of medical care, and they wanted to pursue other treatment options.

 This got me to thinking about when and why people reach out for a second opinion.   Where do you turn?   Who can you trust?    When do you get a second opinion?

 Please remember:

Feel comfortable about getting a second opinion!  You will not be hurting anyone's feelings or ego by doing this. Second opinions are well accepted in this time of  progressive veterinary medicine.   Remember, getting your pet better should be  EVERYONE'S goal.

Research your options.  Many clinics may refer you to a local 24 hour emergency facility only.  But that does not mean you can't explore other options.  Many private clinics "specialize" in certain types of medicine or certain species or alternative therapies.

Consider alternative treatments for common problems, if you are uncomfortable with the options you are currently being offered.  If surgery is the only option you are being give, perhaps there are non-surgical options available at another clinic. Make some phone calls.  Clinics are happy to discuss their services by phone.

Ask questions.  You can never ask too many questions!  

Your pet's radiographs, lab results and ultrasounds  may be  digital, and easy to send by email or on a CD disk.  Be sure you transfer this information along with a copy of your pets medical record.

Expect a second opinion appointment to take 45 minutes or longer, especially in a complex case.
 

And Don't:

Don't feel you are locked in to this second opinion.  You are just researching your options.  The final treatment decision is yours alone.

Don't scrimp on testing.  Second opinions should ALWAYS include a thorough physical examination, and probably repeat testing as well.  Things change over time, and trends in lab work or radiographs are often very important information.

Be careful of the internet.  "Dr. Google"  is not a legitimate second opinion!

And if you want an update of my 3 patients... 
 My renal failure case is eating well, gaining weight, taking his medication well,  finished with his acupuncture treatments and is back to  playing with his housemate buddy!
My arthritic case ended up having an enlarged spleen, is under medical treatment (both western and Chinese herbal medication) , and feeling good again, jumping and running and acting her playful self
My sick patient has finished her medication, her fever is gone, and her appetite is finally back to normal.  

Please share this is you know someone that is considering a second opinion.

Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

Purina vs Blue -who is telling the TRUTH?

This week a client brought to my attention a law suit between Purina and Blue disputing the claims made by one company about the ingredients used by the other company.  Basically a"he said- she said" scenario.  OK I admit, this piqued my interest, so I googled for more information. 

As I followed the lawsuit story deeper, I came upon a webpage called Truth About Petfood.  It discussed  the need for TRANSPARENCY  by petfood companies (gee, what a great idea!).

 To date, the only assurance to actual quality/grade of ingredients pet food consumers have is the Pledge to Quality and Origin – a pet food transparency effort from their consumer group Association for Truth in Pet Food.  Pet food manufacturers can argue all they want through the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau, but the real truth in pet food lies in actual grade/quality of ingredients.  Are they pet grade or are they certified human grade?

 TRUTH is a word not usually  associated with pet food ingredients, so I needed to find out more.     The Pledge provides company name, address and website.  All ingredients in your pet foods/treats will be listed on the Pledge.  This includes all meats, organ meats, by-products, by-product meals, meat meals, fish, fish meals, oils, fats, grains, vegetables, fruits, flavorings, supplements, vitamins and minerals.  The quality information and origin information in provided in respective columns.  And the stated information will be signed by a CEO or President of the company as their Pledge.

 Here is the interesting part -there are currently only  22 companies that have signed the PLEDGE, and not one of them is a big name.  Not Science Diet.  Not Iams. Not Royal Canin.  Not Purina.  Not Nutro.  Not Blue.
Check it out for yourself:
http://associationfortruthinpetfood.com/the-pledge/

I commend these 22 companies, and am going to look closer at their products and encourage you to do the same.  We as consumers need to make a stand about the importance of SAFETY, QUALITY and transparency in the petfoods on the market.  I want HEALTHY choices for my patients as well as my own pets, not just marketing hooey with nothing to back it up. 


Maureen Flatley, DVM
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

Emergency or Evacuation -how to keep your cat SAFE!

With the sudden and violent storm last night, and with a large percentage of the Fox Valley being without power (including the Fox Valley Cat Clinic), I thought I would share some thoughts about planning ahead for an emergency -be it a tree falling on your roof, a flood affecting your neighborhood, a tornado hitting in your city, or a long term power outage across the Valley ….

• Planning ahead, before a crisis hits, is the KEY. Know where you can go and how you will get there. Make sure your cats are welcome or that you have an alternative location in which to house them.
• If you have to evacuate your home, always take your cats with you. Even if you believe you’ll only be gone for a short time, don’t ever leave your cats behind.
• Prepare an evacuation kit ahead of time.  To help you with this, refer to the AVMA booklet "Saving the Whole Family" on   when an emergency hits.
  
• Prepare a first aid kit, and travel with it if you travel with your cat. Again, refer to
•  "Saving the Whole Family".    Remember that in many parts of northern Wisconsin, veterinary care is difficult to find, especially on a weekend.
• Be sure your cat has Identification. This identification should include rabies and license tags. Forms of ID for cats include tags (with your name, address, and telephone number engraved) and microchips. Ideally, your cat will have both an identification tag and a microchip.  Many emergency shelters will accept pets, but only with documented proof of vaccinations, and an appropriately sized carrier.
• Include your cat’s medical records and other important documents (licenses, etc.) in your evacuation kit.  If your cat is on medication, consider including several days worth of medication in your kit.
• Be sure you have a carrier available to transport and, if necessary, large enough to house each of your cats comfortably.

These are just a few of the more important suggestions provided in the AVMA booklet

  "Saving the Whole Family" .  Remember that if your power is out, medical records including rabies certificates may not be available from your veterinary clinic because they may be affected by the same emergency that may be city wide, or county wide or even larger. 

Please share this information with you pet loving friends.  Together, we can make the world safer for pets!

Dr. Maureen Flatley

Fox Valley Cat Clinic

Menasha, WI

Jack Sprat's Cat

Murphy's law states that if you have more than one cat (and don't we all?) then one cat will be thin and one cat will be fat.  But, how should you deal with this dilemma at feeding time?   The myth that one food is appropriate for both of these cats as in "multicat" food defies logic.  If it were that simple,  40% of my patients would NOT be overweight.   But, here are some innovative ideas that might help you to  help your cats!

Convert your feeding style from a shared free choice food bowl to feeding 2 or 3 times a day in MEALS.  Once the meal is done, the food goes away.    This discourages the cat that likes to overeat when there is nothing else to do.  It also allows you to feed the cats in separate rooms with a door between the fat cat and the skinny cat.  With this plan, you can feed each cat an appropriate food for their size.  This  will also allow skinny cat to eat at leisure and fat cat to cool his heels after the meal is gone. 

If you are concerned that skinny cat needs food out all the time to graze on, then try placing skinny cats food in an elevated location -like the top of the refrigerator- where fat cat can not physically access. 

Or, you can "build" a feeding box that has a skinny cat silhouette as a door, so fat cat can not enter.  This allows skinny cat to go in and out of the feeding box to graze whenever he wants.
 DIY Cat Feeding Box

It is sometimes hard to motivate a fat cat  to exercise.  Try playing "catch the kibble" at mealtime.  Toss one piece of food (from the meal portion) at a time down a hallway or stairway.  This is a fun game for fat cat as well as skinny cat, and will burn calories too.

There are some really COOL interactive feeding toys available for purchase.  This will challenge your cat, give them more of a hunting experience, and slow their eating down -all of which are beneficial  to both skinny cat and fat cat.

Select a low-carbohydrate food for weight loss, as a high protein food will increase energy expenditure.  (i.e.-carbs make cats sleepy, protein makes them more energetic).  See my previous blog on the importance of feeding high protein foods to cats:  Be Savy about your Cats Nutrition

If you are considering a weight loss program for your fat cat -please consult your veterinarian.  Fat cats are at risk for a liver condition called Hepatic Lipidosis, if they do not eat a certain number of calories per day.  The rule of thumb is a cat should never lose more than 1/2 lb per month, while dieting.  More weight loss would increase the risk of Hepatic Lipidosis in your cat.  How do you measure?   A scale and a written  record of bi weekly weight checks are very important.  Sharing this information with your cats veterinarian with allow them to be a partner in your cats weight loss program. 

As always, thanks for sharing this information with your cat loving friends.  Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

5 Reasons to Flip the Lip

If there was one thing that you could do- only once a month- that could prevent your cat from suffering constant pain, would you do it?  That is a silly question, right?  OK, here's the challenge.  It involves flipping up the lips, and taking a look at what is hiding behind the lips.  What I hope you see are shiny white amazingly healthy teeth and pink gums. But....

Here are 5 reasons why you should be FLIPPING the LIP :


DENTAL disease is COMMON in cats of any age.  A cat as young as 6 months old can suffer from red swollen painful gums.  This condition is called gingivitis and is reversible if caught early in its progression to periodontal disease.  Do you notice a smell from your cats mouth? -this is often the first sign that infection is starting below the gum line.  Mouth smell (or hallitosis) usually equals infection in a cat.  And infection equals pain.

You don't KNOW if there is a problem  unless you look!  Teeth crack, teeth fall out, teeth abscess, gums bleed, gums swell, gums become inflammed.  ALL of this happens behind the lips, where you can not easily see.  Your cat does not brush or floss daily.  So, very slowly plaque and tartar and infection will begin to develop... it is just a matter of time....Your cat should get an annual physical exam, but what about the other 11 months of the year?  Flip the Lip.

YOUR cat is NEVER too old to benefit from dental care.        Most cats by the time they are six years old would benefit from a teeth cleaning, which requires anesthesia. But as a cat ages, dental health becomes even more important.  Infection in the mouth can be transported thru the blood stream to major organs, like the kidneys or the  heart. As your cat ages, it is vital to prevent this from happening, by keeping their mouth disease free.

CATS don't stop eating if they have a tooth ache.  Even with tooth pain, your cat will still be hungry and will eat.  They may only chew on one side of their mouth.  They may swallow their food whole.  But, don't use eating as a sign that your cat is pain-free.  You need to be a dental detective!

CATS don't show pain with a tooth ache.    It is a fact that a painful cat does not cry or vocalize at all.  A painful cat may become less interactive, may hide, or may stop playing, or may appear perfectly normal to you.  So, this makes it very challenging to tell if your cat's mouth hurts.  Assume they WON'T tell you it hurts -you need to flip the lip and look for changes, redness or smell. 

Your cat deserves the very best care.  And as an owner, you are on the front line, so flip the lip at least monthly, for your cat's sake. They will LOVE you for it (if you follow a lip flip with a treat!)

As always. please feel free to share this information with your cat loving friends.
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic
Menasha, Wisconsin

Hunter dodges Nerf Bullet

No one knows why some cats eat foreign material. Things like silk plants, crayons, kids plastic toys, and ribbons don't taste good but of course they are fun to play with and chew on, and without an opposable thumb, things get swallowed.     My own cat, Pipsqueak, used to chew on, and occasionally ingest the spiral part of phone cords (this was before cell phones were invented).  I have a client who now keeps her hair scrunchies under lock and key (after hair scrunchie surgical removal last year).    In my career as a veterinarian, I have surgically removed many interesting items -or  "Foreign Bodies." from the GI tract of dogs and cats.     The list includes a barbie doll head, a cassette tape, a plastic dinosaur, sparkle balls, a sewing needle, and several phone cord spirals.

Recently, I saw a patient with a history of eating  NERF BULLETS.   The kids in the house thought this was great fun when the cat would chase and chew on the soft spongy bullets.  They would occasionally find a nerf bullet in the litter box, and never thought much of this, until last week, when Hunter was vomiting, had a painful belly,  and was not interested in his food.

The good news for Hunter and his family is that he did not need surgery (this time).  His body was again able to pass the bullet.  The really  important lesson is this:  just because a foreign body passes one time, does not mean that it will EVERY TIME. If you see foreign material passing in your cats stool, remove the offending item from your house. ( I've been assured that the nerf bullets  and gun are now being kept at grandma's house.) 

We may not understand why certain cats chose to swallow things that are not food.  We DO KNOW that if you have a cat that fits this description, expect them to be a  REPEAT OFFENDER!  Any cat toy small enough to be swallowed should be removed from the home.  Any toy with chewable parts (like eyeballs, or tails) or ribbons that dangle should be avoided. A good rule of thumb is that any toy smaller than a quarter is a FOREIGN BODY WAITING TO HAPPEN for a cat.  Most cat toys are safe, but not all.  And many things that our cats play with are not really cat toys to being with. 

 Hoping that all your cats are able to "dodge" the foreign body bullet, like Hunter did!
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic 

     

MRSA and your cat...

I fielded a question from a client this week about MRSA and cats.  As many of you know, MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.  MRSA is considered a zoonotic disease.

A zoonosis (pron.: /ˌzoʊ.əˈnoʊsɨs/) (also spelled zoönosis) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species (sometimes by a vector) from animals other than humans to humans or from humans to other animals (the latter is sometimes called reverse zoonosis or anthroponosis). (Wikipedia)

With the recent Salmonella contamination of many of our pet foods and human foods  in the last year (spinach, tomatoes, peanut butter....) I thought it would be a good idea to share a web page that is one of my favorite sources for information about specific diseases that both people and pets can share (ie zoonotic diseases).  

This web page blog contains well researched information sheets for pet owners on each specific disease such as:  MRSA, Salmonella, Giardia, Rabies, Toxoplasmosis, Cat bites and more.  For each disease, they divide the disease risk into 2 catagories:  Healthy Adult/ Older Children and Young Children/ Immunocompromised persons.

 Here's the link:  http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/

Worms and Germs Blog is supported by the Ontario Veterinary College's Center for Public Health and Zoonoses.  Please trust this site for fact based information pertaining to safe pet ownership -not just with cats, but the many different species of animals we chose to share our lives with.  We love our pets, but it is good to remember that we can share more than love....

The internet is a powerful tool for knowledge -but sometimes it is not easy to know what to believe.  I hope you find WORMS and GERMS as valuable as I do.  As always, if you found this information helpful, please share with other cat lovers.

Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

My thoughts on Trap, Neuter and Release

Trap-Neuter-Release, or TNR is happening in the Fox Valley. It is one approach to addressing the explosion of stray cats in our area, and all across Wisconsin and the country. 

Why is TNR important?    Stray cats are everywhere. You don't have to look beyond your back yard to see stray cats.  In rural areas,  it is an ever present problem. And many of these cats are feral- they have been born in the "wild" and have never been handled, and so are more like wild animals than domesticated pets. They starve, they are hunted,  they are shot, they are trapped, they get sick, suffer and die. They need our help to stop reproducing, and eventually this will help to solve the overpopulation.


Who is involved?  Cat lovers (like you!) volunteer their time  to  trap, transport, identify and document, tranquilize, perform surgical prep, vaccinate, deworm,  anesthetize, neuter/spay, monitor recovery, and release.  There are volunteer opportunities even if you don't have experience in this type of work.  Trained veterinary volunteers perform the "technical" duties, but most of the pre- and post- surgery work is done by lay-people. 

Where can you find a TNR group nearby?
 Cats Anonymous is located in Green Bay:   http://catsanonymous.org/ 
 Wish TNR is located in Neenah:  http://wishuponapaw.org/tnr/                                                         Fox Valley Humane is located outside of Appleton:   http://www.foxvalleypets.org/Services/TNR_Program.aspx

How can you help?  Consider giving of your time.  It's a fun way to spend time doing good, surrounded by like-minded cat fanciers.  Or donate money.  All of these TNR groups function on donations only.  Although everyone volunteers their time, drugs and supplies and equipment are expensive.  Donate supplies. Become a "Colony Caretaker".   Talk to someone you know that has a colony of cats that need spaying/neutering.  Spread the word about the advantages of TNR.  Attend a fund-raiser for a TNR group.

I have volunteered with Cats Anonymous several times in 2012,, and found it very rewarding.  I have met some great people through CA.   They are a great organization with an amazingly committed group of people from all walks of life.   We join together with one goal in mind -giving feral cats the help they need.
 I will be helping out in 2013, will you?

If you found my blog interesting, please feel free to "Share" it with others.
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic LLC

Be SAVVY about your cat's nutrition

I encourage my clients to  ask me questions about their cat's food because, as a consumer, making healthy choices  is not easy.  However,  it is SO very important to your cat.   Your cat DEPENDS on you for good quality nutritious food -and NOT ALL food on the market fits into this catagory. 

 Very few of the pet food manufacturers put useful information on their label.  The most important information, aside from the ingredient list, is calorie count.  How many calories are in each 8 oz cup or 5.5 oz can of your cat's  food?  The average 10# indoor  cat should be fed 200-250 kcal per day.  Without knowing how many calories are in the food you feed, you do not know how much to feed daily.  And PLEASE do not trust the chart on the bag that tells you how much to feed your cat!  These charts always encourage overfeeding!  (It is a sad fact that pet food companies are more concerned about the bottom line, than the health of your cat.)

 As many of you know, part of my annual exam appointment  includes a discussion of nutrition and  healthy choices, we calculate how many calories to feed , and the amount to feed based on YOUR food choices.  I do this because I am convinced that the way to keep your cat  healthy is by making healthy choices.  I also carry a variety of wellness diets in my practice that I have researched and feel comfortable recommending.  These are foods that I feed my own cats.  I know that many of you don't have time or the desire to do the necessary nutritional research before you chose your cat's food.   I have the calories per cup or can clearly posted on my shelves.  My staff can advise you on how much to feed to maintain a healthy weight.  I have recently posted the  percentages of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in these canned wellness foods.  Again, this information is not found on the label (without doing the math), but it is SO important.

I recommend looking for a food that is at least  40% protein, whether you are feeding canned or dry food.  Watch the carbohydrate percentage -cats should not be getting more than 25% of their diet as carbs (and some nutritionists think that even this is too high.).  The first ingredient in your cat food MUST BE meat based protein, or DO NOT FEED IT.  I recently had a client bring a bag of Science Diet dry food in for me to evaluate, and I was shocked to see the first two ingredients were rice and corn.  Remember that companies change their ingredient list AT WILL.  They are not required to change the label or notify their customers in any way -so ALWAYS read the label with every purchase. And a reputable name brand does not ensure quality ingredients. 

Lastly,  evaluate the water content in your chosen canned food.  Water in canned food should be around 75-78%, and this is plainly marked on the label .  If the water content is 78%, then you are paying for 22% food.  Water is a great addition to canned food,  but you can always add more water before serving .   I have seen some quality canned foods as high as 87 1/2% water -so your cat is only getting 12 1/2% food.    If the water content is high, the calorie count is usually lower, but the PRICE MAY STILL BE HIGH -so READ THE LABEL.

The internet can be your friend, if you are wanting more facts about the food you feed your feline friend.  Or, feel free to bring your cat food bag/can in with your next annual exam.  We will be happy to do the research for you!
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

Cat treats and Baseball

What do Cat Treats and Baseball have in common?   I have 2 rules when it comes to treats for my cats.  One, a cat treat should serve a useful purpose , besides being tasty.  And two, I believe that cats should EARN their treats -treats should not be FREE!  I use the treats to get my cats off the couch and MOVING!

 My cats and I play an ALL-American game of baseball (OK, modified somewhat.)   I get to be  the major league pitcher, and they cover the  outfield.   I shake the dental treat jar, and they assume their positions.  I windup and throw.  They chase, attack, crunch and swallow.  And then prepare for the next ball -er... treat. Sometimes they catch a fly ball.   OK, sometimes I roll the ball toward the cat that is not quite so coordinated (Peabody).  He loves the game, but comes up short on catches unless I stack the deck a bit.  No one seems to mind this favoritism, least of all Peabody.

I expect that my cats think of this as a fun aerobic hunt- and-kill game. But  I see this as a way to keep them at a healthy weight, enriching their day with a natural hunting activity while cleaning their teeth one crunch at a time. Win-Win-Win. Oh, and it is really fun!

So now, what do I use as treats?  I use and recommend Purina DH. It is the only "treat" my cats receive.   It is a large round dry crunchy "ball" of kibble that is scientifically formulated to keep tartar from building up on the teeth-and the best part is that cats seem to LOVE DH.  It is fairly low in calories as well, which is a plus as most indoor cats, mine included,  tend to be a bit chubby.

So, as the New Year is just around the corner, and  your New Year Resolutions are under construction, consider adding a resolution like this one:  Every day I will engage  my cat in a game of  " chase and crunch".  It will be great for them in so many ways, and it will make you smile as well!

Let me know how your game of baseball is working at your house.  Please share this, if you have a cat loving friend.  Dr. Maureen Flatley, Fox Valley Cat Clinic

What is wrong with TOBY?

Toby could have lost his sight.  Or developed kidney failure.  This beautiful 12 year old boy is SO lucky that his owners were able to recognize the subtle but abnormal changes occuring in his eye.  What they noticed was a small red area developing in the margin of the iris (the colored part of the eye).  It was not bothering Toby, and he was acting perfectly normal.  But he was suffering from HYPERTENSION, or elevated blood pressure.  This elevated pressure was causing damage to the fragile blood vessels in the iris of one eye.  And could have caused him to go blind....thank goodness I was able to help him before that happened.

HYPERTENSION is a disease of people, and has many causative factors:  genetics, obesity, stress, poor diet, sedentary life style, smoking...  But did you know that high blood pressure is a real threat to your cat as they age as well?  Several of the common diseases seen in older cats, such as kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, hyperthyroidism can be associated with high  blood pressure. 

HYPERTENSION in people (and animals) is a HIDDEN DISEASE.  The blood pressure can be high without ANY outward signs. Toby actually was the lucky one -with an outward sign in his eye before severe damage was done to the rest of his body.  Measuring the BLOOD PRESSURE is the only reliable way to know what is going on at the level of the blood vessels (which is what this is all about!).   Measuring a blood pressure on a cat is very similar to what we are all familiar with -the cuff, and the pressure gauge on your upper arm.  The challenge is that most cats do not appreciate having their feet worked with, and Toby was definitely in this category! 

The benefits of having blood pressure measured in your older cat definitely outways the challenge of taking the measurement.  I recommend having this test done for  any senior cat that is diagnosed with thyroid disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or in the healthy geriatric catagory.  It is a simeple, inexpensive test, and can be SO IMPORTANT to the health and vision of your older cat.  Toby is now on daily medication to control his high blood pressure, and his eyesight is no longer at risk, thanks to Toby's loving owners.

If you found this information helpful, please pass it on to your cat loving friends.  Thanks for following!
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

Nutritional supplements are not just for people these days. 

In fact, there are many supplements that will benefit your cat's health too.  First let me talk a bit about your choice in supplements.  Nutritional supplements, also called nutriceuticals, are not regulated by the FDA. What that means to you as a consumer is that you must be careful in your selection. Read the labels carefully. Understand the ingredients and their uses, or purchase these items from someone that you trust -i.e. your veterinarian. The supplements carried by the Fox Valley Cat Clinic are from sources that I have carefully researched, and that I use on my own pets. I explain to my clients how they work, and when they should be used -if you trust your veterinarian, then ask them BEFORE using over the counter medications. 

Next, lets look at some safe and very effective supplements that you may want to try for your cat.

 PROBIOTICS are a healthy addition to the diet of  any cat  that has gastrointestinal problems, be it vomiting, diarrhea, constipation or just a sensitive stomach.  Probiotics are given daily mixed into each meal.  Feline probiotics need to be specifically formulated for the carnivorous GI tract, so human formulations (like yogurt) are not an appropriate substitute.  Probiotics enable the healthy bacteria to function as they should, which leads to a normalization of food processing.  This is a simple way to keep the GI tract healthy and happy.

GLUCOSAMINE/CHONDROITIN is a commonly used supplement to maintain healthy joints.  These compounds  helps to keep the joint surfaces lubricated and therefore more functional and comfortable.  Research has shown that 50% of cats over 10 years of age, and > 80% of cats over 15 years of age are suffering from arthritis and/or  degenerative joint disease.  Adding this supplement daily to your older cat's diet may make it easier for them to jump up and down, maneuver stairs, get into the litterbox, and just feel better.  Please remember that senior cats won't show obvious signs of arthritis in its early stages.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS  are a fantastic addition to any feline diet.  In the form of Fish Oil, this high powered supplement is packed with antioxidants and other healthy compounds that benefit the heart, the liver, and the GI tract.  Research has shown a positive benefit when used in cats with heart disease, as well as certain  chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, hypertension and arthritis.  It has a fishy taste and smell, so with this as with ALL supplements, start with a VERY small amount mixed well into the food and gradually work up to the appropriate amount.  Cats instinctively don't like anything that changes the smell of their food, be patient and persistent with any food additive.

The take-away message I want to leave you with is that nutritional supplements can be a safe and effective way to boost the nutritional power of your cat's diet.  And diet is often the key to a healthier cat.  Nutriceuticals do not require a prescription and are easily accessible.  So, at your next wellness visit, ask your veterinarian about nutritional supplements that would be of benefit for you cat.

Thanks for following the Fox Valley Cat Clinic blog -if you found this information helpful, please share it with a friend!

Dr. Maureen Flatley

Bat is Positive for Rabies in Menasha

It is a fact that in Wisconsin, BATS can carry rabies...and  BATS can easily get into your home or my home...and a flying BAT is the perfect cat play thing -it flies, it squeaks, it squirms, it bites.  This adds up to DANGER.

I recently sent a bat in to be tested for rabies, as it got into a clients house, and the indoor cat played with it, and then killed it.  Unfortunately, the indoor cat also got bit by the bat.  Fortunately, the owner  had recently vaccinated their cat against this dangerous and deadly threat.  Luckily, THIS bat tested negative for rabies, but I have gotten positive results when testing other bats from the Fox Valley, under similar situations.

SO, when asked if an indoor cat really needs to be vaccinated against rabies the answer is a resounding YES PLEASE!  For the safety of your cat and the safety of your family members, keep this very important vaccinations current please!  Remember, 99.9% of rabies kills -cats AND people.

And if you know ANYONE that lets their cat outside, the risk is even greater, as racoons, skunks, fox and other wild animals also carry rabies in Wisconsin.  All it takes is ONE BITE for this virus to be transmitted from one animal to another.  ONE tiny little bite wound..... is it worth the risk?

Please forward this posting to someone who needs to understand the risks of NOT vaccinating their cats!
Thanks for listening,
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

5 things to consider when adopting a new cat in the Fox Valley...

This summer, as in summers past, the shelters and rescues are FULL of beautiful kittens and cats that really need a forever home.  Are you tempted as I am?  If you are, this posting is for you. 

My goal with this list is to encourage you to adopt, but also the encourage you to do it carefully, and not to expose your resident cats to  any unnecessary disease.
 
1.  Many of the rescue cats and kittens  in the Fox Valley area started out as strays.  And strays can  carry skin parasites:  fleas, ear mites, and  lice to name a few.  A new cat can bring skin parasites into your home and share them with your resident cats.


2.  Kittens often carry herpes virus -an upper respiratory virus that is quite contagious.  It is essential that your resident cats are CURRENT on their vaccinations BEFORE bringing a new cat into your protected indoor environment.  This will give  your resident cats protection against herpes

3.  Any cats that share a litterbox are likely to share GI parasites. And ALL GI parasites are contagious to your resident cat.   Please be sure to have a stool sample checked for parasites BEFORE allowing your new cat to share a litterbox. 

4.  A very SLOW introduction of a new cat is MUCH MORE LIKELY to be successful.  This is best done over several weeks, and after your new cat has a clean bill of health from a veterinarian.  Consider using Feliway, a pheramone spray that will  help decrease the stress of introductions.

5.  Ringworm is a fungal infection that is contagious to animals AND  people and quite common in the humid months of summer.  A physical exam is the best way to be sure your new cat will not expose your resident cats, or your family to ringworm. 

We offer a FREE examination to any cat or kitten recently adopted from a local shelter or rescue -so that we can help you and advise you on this new transition.

If you know someone that is considering adopting, please share this information with them.

And if you are not able to adopt  another cat right now, please consider a donation to a local rescue. We have a donation basket in our lobby, so it's easy to drop off ANY needed items.  Just stop in at the Fox Valley Cat Clinic!

Thanks for reading!

Dr. Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic
Menasha, WI























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Mealtime Montras to live by

What meat does your cat seem interested in? -if you are cooking fish for dinner, are they right there watching?  If you make a chicken breast sandwich, do you have sudden helpers?  One of my cats LOVES liver.  I just have to open the container of fresh beef liver, and the cat appears out of nowhere.  A little close observation will usually yield YOUR  cat's answer.

"What should I feed my cat."  (I am asked this question several times every day.)  This is not a simple question to answer, as many cats will not eat what is good for them (but with persistence, you may be able to change their minds.)  Good cat nutrition is essential to keeping your cat healthy, and their weight under control.

It makes sense to feed the protein source that your cat actually wants.  It also makes sense to ROTATE different protein sources if you can.  Most beef/lamb/poultry products in cat food manufactured in the USA are sourced from the USA.  This may not be true for fish.  Fish sources could be international (China...) so be aware of this.  Some higher quality canned cat foods are made from human-grade meat sources, ALWAYS a good thing.   If your cat has skin allergies, you may want to stay away from beef.

"How much protein should be in my cat's food'"  The pet food companies will tell you that 35% is enough protein for your cat. And they will tell you that plant protein is fine.   Mother nature says 90%+ and MEAT is more appropriate for a carnivore.  Cats do best with high protein and low carbohydrate foods, what nature intended them to eat. 

Read the label:  If the food is called "Chicken Medely"  or Beef Stew", it could contain any and all meat sources.  Read the label closely.  Try to chose foods with only MEAT based proteins.  Rice gluten or Soy protein are PLANT based proteins, a cheap protein source, but NOT OK for a meat-eating animal.  By-products, altho a meat based protein source, should never be a first choice.

"How much should I feed." - Please do not follow the recommendations made by the pet food company.  Their primary goal is to sell more cat food, not feed YOUR cat appropriately.  The average 10# cat should be fed between 200-250kcal per day total.  You need to add in treats to this number.  AND you need to find out how many calories are in the food you are feeding.  The internet is the best reliable source for this information.  Or next time you are at the Fox Valley Cat Clinic we will help calculate this for you.

"Can I supplement with table food?"  YES, if you stay within the calorie limit, and feed this as a supplement, not a well balanced meal.   It must be human grade non-processed lean lightly cooked MEAT.  Chicken, turkey, beef liver, beef, pork, chicken gizzards/liver/heart.  Small chewable pieces, not seasoned.  NOT sandwich meat (processed), NOT sausage (processed), NOT ham (cured in salt).  I don't recommend dairy products like ice cream or cheese, as these are not sources of protein.

Do you want BRAND recommendations?  Feel free to stop into the clinic.  I have a large number of the most popular brands catagorized into EXCELLENT, GOOD, FAIR and DO NOT FEED, and we will happily share this with you.

Thanks for reading my blog- if you found it helpful, please share it with a friend :)
Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic