Cold-Weather Watches They're Definitely Attached Your Cat Will Seek out Warm Spots, Which Must Be Safe

THE FELINE HEALTH CENTER. CORNELL COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Wac December 2019 - Vol. 23, No. 12 Expert illjorllla/ioll olllllet!icillc, bcful\';or, 1/1111 II('t/It" ill CfllIlIl1oralio/l witTI i/ world lem/cr ill \'citTil/ary /lu'liid/l"

® TH IS JUST IN Cats and Bonding 5Things: Cold-Weather Watches They're definitely attached Your cat will seek out warm spots, which must be safe

studYreported in Current Drafty, cold houses and shelters Biology shows that most cats are O can be difficult for cats, especially Asecurely attached to their owner and young kittens and seniors used to a use them as a source of security. nice warm home. Make use of warm Researchers set up a test with cats air rising, and consider higher retreats to mimic tests Dreviouslv done with for your kitty. Bedding options that infants to test bonding. During the test, are off the floor will be especially the feline spent two minutes in a novel appreciated, as long as they're within room with their caregiver followed by jumping distance. If she usually enjoys two minutes alone. Then they had a two looking out the window, add a towel minute reunion. The cats' responses to to the windowsill for added comfort. seeing their owners again show that cats bond in a way that's similar to infants. A Cold, arthritic joints become In humans, 65 percent of infants are U'more stiff when it's cold, says securely attached to their caregiver. Elisa Mazzaferro, MS, DVM, Ph.D., Warm spots will attractyour cat, Amazingly, the researchers classified ACECC, Staff Criticalist, Cornell about 65 percent of both cats and kittens University Veterinary Specialists as securely bonded to their people. Adjunct Associate Clinical Professor of Emergency-Critical Care, Cornell University The findings show that cats' human College of Veterinary Medicine. Many cats enjoy a heated pad. Choices include electric attachments are stable and present in pads, microwaveable pads, and thermal pads, which are designed to capture the cat's adulthood. This social flexibility may own body heat to make the pad warmer. If you do opt for an electric pad, be sure it have helped facilitate the success won't overheat, which can cause thermal burns, and always test the microwaved pad of the species in human homes. before giving it to your cat. If it's hot to you, it will be too hot for your cat. As you work The researchers are now to keep kitty warmer, remember that a space heater may be attractive to your cat. Be exploring the importance sure he can't inadvertently knock it over (some come with a safety switch that turns of this work in relation to off if it falls). If you build a fire in your fireplace, use a fire screen to keep your cat {~if:~~~t\the thousands of kittens from getting too close. Candles don't give off much heat, but they're used a lot during and cats that wind up holidays and may attract your cat. "Cats may want to play with the flickering flame:' in animal shelters. • Dr. Mazzaferro says. "They can singe their whiskers and get second or third-degree , KR, cl 01. Altarhrnml burns on their paws. Candles can be knocked over, and melted wax can also cause serious burns:' ill/maIlS. CUITCllt Biology, 20 19; 29 (18): 11864 DOl: 1O.1016/i. cub.20J9.0S.036 ~ Consider where you've placed the litterbox, Many of us prefer to put the cat's box Science Daily. W in an out-of-sight location and, really, the cat prefers that privacy as well. But basements and garages can become chilly and damp, making your cat less inclined to INSIDE THIS ISSUE use the litterbox. If you're finding messes, give the litterbox location some thought.

New Way of Evaluating Feline Pain .. "... ""."..2 A Carbon monoxide can kill in less than five minutes. "Like people, cats are highly V sensitive to carbon monoxide poisoning. Signs of carbon monoxide intoxication Bacteria May Be Source of Scent """"..""..2 include stumbling, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and unconsciousness;' says Dr. Mazzaferro. "Know these signs and have a working carbon monoxide detector and Feeding the Cat with Cancers ...."..".""",,.,3 alarm in your home:' Rabies Cases in Cats"..."".."""""".",,..... ,,4 A Check the garage. We know cats will seek warmth from a warm engine. Be sure Managing Rival Cats".".""..""".""."""..,,6 .,you don't run your car in the garage, and always check for your cat before you CatWatch Index of Articles "".""...""".."...? start the car if he has access to it. Be sure winter chemicals like antifreeze, de-icers, and cleaning fluids are away from the cat. Check to be sure your car doesn't have an Nictone, Vaping, and My Cat """".""".."".8 antifreeze leak. Antifreeze tastes sweet and tempting but is deadly poison. "It takes less than a teaspoon of antifreeze to intoxicate a cat. The minimal lethal dose for a cat is Happening Now .".."..""""""".."..."""",,8 one-fourth teaspoon per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight;' Dr. Mazzaferro says . • New Way of Evaluating Feline Pain CatWatch The Feline Grimace Scale uses facial expressions EDITOR IN CHIEF Bruce G. Kornreich, DVM, t the 2019 AVMA Convention in August, Dr. Paulo Steagall, an associate PhD., Dipl ACVIM professor of veterinary anesthesia and analgesia at the University of Montreal, Apresented the Feline Grimace Scale or FGS, which is a method of evaluating a EXECUTIVE EDITOR cat's pain using facial expressions. Cynthia Foley Using the FGS, researchers looked at ear position, tightening of the eyes, tension of the muzzle, how whiskers were held, and head positioning see if they varied with TECHNICAL EDITOR pain status. The status of each of these five features was rated 0 to 2, with 2 indicating Debra M. Eldredge, DVM an obvious problem and 0 meaning none. ADVISORY BOARD Any cat with a score over 4 was determined to be showing discomfort. A cat in James A. Flanders, DVM, Dipl ACVS, severe pain would hold her ears flattened and out to the side, squint her eyes tightly, Associate Professor, Cl inica lSciences keep her muzzle tensed and tight, maintain her whiskers straight out to the side and tipped a bit forward, with her head down below her shoulder height. Margaret C. McEntee, DVM, Use of this new scale will require some careful observation for Dipl ACVIM, DACVR, Professor of Oncoloyy consistent evaluations and additional research. StiU, this could be an easy way for veterinarians and veterinary technicians to evaluate William H. Miller, Jr., VMD, DipJ ACVD, hospitalized cats without adding the stress of handling. Since cats are Pro Fessor, Clin ic ' ) 5c i ence~ notorious for hiding signs of pain or illness, the more ways we can use to evaluate them, the better. For more on pain, see "Your Guide Pamela J. Perry, DVM, PhD. to Pain in Cats:' May 2019, at catwatchnewsletter.com . • Lecturer, Cl in ica l SCiences, ACVB Behavio r Resident CatWatch is an independent newsletter produced in collaboration Bacteria May Be Source of Scent with the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine Feline Health Center Cats may be communicating by bacterial secretions Cornell University omestic cats, like many other mammals, use smelly secretions from anal sacs College of Veterinary Medicine to mark territory and communicate with other animals. A new study from the tJ) Feline Health Center DGenome Center at the University of California, Davis, shows that many odiferous For information on your eat's health, visit compounds from a male cat are made not by the cat but by a community of bacteria the Cornell University College of Veterinary living in the anal sacs. Medicine, Cornell Feline Health Center "Cats use a lot of volatile chemicals for Signaling, and they probably don't make website at www.vet.comell.edu/fhc /. them all:' said David Coil, one of the researchers. Send Ask Elizabeth questions Many specieS-including cats, dogs, bears, pandas, skunks, and hyenas-use anal and letters to the editor: CatWatch' sac secretions as a chemical language. Skunks, of course, also use them as a means of 535 Connecticut Ave. defense. Norwalk, CT 06854-1713 The researchers obtained anal sac secretions from a Single male Bengal cat catwatched itor @cornell.edu volunteered to participate by its owner. They extracted DNA for sequencing to identify types of bacteria and took samples for chemical odor analysis. Subscriptions: $39 per year (U.S.) . $49 per year (Canada). For subscription and Sequencing showed that the microbial community was not very diverse and customer service information, visit dominated by a small number of bacteria. The most abundant bacteria from the www.catwatchnewsletter.com/cs screen were grown in culture. A postdoctoral researcher analyzed the volatile or write to: CatWatch, P.O. Box 8535, chemicals given off by the bacteria, using a lab that focuses on technology for Big Sandy, TX 75755-8535. 800-829-8893 detecting and characterizing low levels of volatile organic compounds that can be markers of health and disease, from influenza to citrus greening in fruit trees. CatWatch' (l SSN: J095-9092) is The researchers detected 67 volatile compounds released by the bacterial cultures. published monthly for $39 per year by Belvoir Media Group, LLC, Of these, 52 were also found directly in the anal sac secretions. 535 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, The results support the idea that the bacterial community, not the cat itself, - CT 06854-1713. Robert Englander, Belvoir Chairman and CEO; Timothy H. Cole, produces many of the scents used by the cat to communicate. Coil and colleagues - Executive Vice Pre sident, Editorial want to follow up by looking at more cats. If these scents are made by bacteria, why Director; Philip L. Penny, Chief Operating Officer; do cats smell different to each other? How do cats acquire the bacteria and do they Greg King, Executive Vice President, Marketing Director; Ron Goldberg, Chief Financial Officer; change over life? Understanding how microbes influence their Tom Canfield, Vice President, Circulation. --,.... scent could have wide implications for understanding scent ©2019 Belvoir Media Group, LLC. ~ .- ~~~munication in animals . • Postmaster:Send address corrections to ~ Ya maguchI, M. et a/. Hllclcn a "alaleel jrom Bensal cat CatWatch, P.O. Box8535, Big Sandy,TX 75755-8535. f"/ • (FelIS calliS X P, iO/laz luTUs bengalell>ls) anal sac serretlOrlS Express written permission is required to p rodu ce volatile compounds potelllially associllld lVitl, animal reproduce, in any manner, the contents of this ., \ si 'llilling. P!.OS ONE, 2019; 14 (9): e02 16846 DO l: 1O.13711journa l. issue,either in full or in part. For more information: Permissions, CatWatch, 535 Connecticut Ave ., ~pOll e. 02 16846 Norwalk, Connecticut 06854-1713.

2 CatWatch December 2019 these include ondansetron (Zofran), Feeding the Cat with Cancer metoclopramide (Reglan), and maropitant (Cerenia). Each of these Decreased appetite and weight loss are expected drugs works in a different area of the body, and they can be used together to reating a cat with cancer takes a manage severe GI symptoms. They can be whole-health approach. It's more Managing Pain given by injection if a cat is unwilling to take oral medications or is vomiting. Tthan treatments. It's your attention to A cat in pain may hide and refuse Prebiotics and probiotics may your cat's daily life. One area that needs to eat. Gabapentin (a medication help reestablish disrupted intestinal extra attention is decreased appetite. frequently used to treat neuropathic bacterial populations that lead to Weight loss can be tough to see pain) can help, as can opioids like because it's so gradual. You should weigh buprenorphine and tramadol or diarrhea. Metronidazole (FlagyO has your cat every week if possible. The an anti-inflammatory drug like immunomodulating effects in the gastro sooner you recognize she's losing weight, robenacoxib (Onsior). intestinal tract and can improve diarrhea. the sooner you can address the problem. In cats suffering from oral ulcers, Like people, many cats with cancer "Magic mouthwash" can help. This is a suffer from muscle wasting and weight Managing Appetite compounded slurry often containing loss even if they eat normally. This Obviously, a highly palatable and lidocaine, diphenhydramine (BenadryO, condition is called "neoplastic cachexia." digestible food is important, but the cat and sucralfate, a coating agent, to soothe In a cancer state, a cat's energy needs are needs to want to eat it, too. Encourage oral and esophageal burns. usually increased and glucose production your cat by using the juice from a can increases. Muscle and fat breakdown of tuna mixed with her regular diet or As the Cancer Worsens may occur Simultaneously, as the cancer diluted with some water to drink. Feeding tubes may become necessary. competes for energy. Almost any meat or fish choice that Esophagostomy tubes are placed via is warmed up slightly will give off strong an opening in the neck and advanced Adjusting the Diet odors to help entice the cat. Sick cats to the end of the esophagus. Food In some cases, the physical nature and often have an impaired sense of smell, so and medications can be placed into location of the tumor cause the cat to "stinky" foods may get their attention. them. These tubes can be left in place become anorexic, while in others the "You will become a good customer of all for months and can help prevent tumor affects the cat's desire to eat andlor those tiny, expensive cans of cat food;' food aversion while a cat undergoes utilize nutrients. says Katherine Houpt, VMD, Ph.D., chemotherapy andlor radiation. "If the cancer involves the ACVB, Cornell University Emeritus A feeding tube is not an easy decision, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, a cat may Professor of Behavior Medicine. "Do not and quality of life considerations and have trouble absorbing nutrients;' says stock up on one flavor; for example, feed long-term goals are important to assess. Margaret McEntee, DVM, DACVIM, salmon on Monday, turkey on Tuesday, If the tube is a temporary bridge, it may DACVR, professor of oncology at the beef on Wednesday:' Adding bits of meat be an excellent option. Ifall other options New York State College of Veterinary can also make mealtime more exciting. have been exhausted, and a patient still Medicine at Cornell. "Or if it has oral refuses to eat, reevaluation of goals is cancer, it may have trouble eating. It's not Treatment Side Effects worth considering. uncommon that a cat with cancer will not Managing side effects is critical to Managing a cat with cancer can be eat well and will lose weight;'she says. maintaining appetite. Radiation and challenging, even with close attention Tumor cells preferentially use chemotherapy can cause nausea, to the cat's eating. Keeping your cat carb.ohydrates to promote their growth. vomiting, diarrhea, oral ul.cers, and comfortable, well fed, and pain-free As a result, dietary recommendations anorexia. Medications to combat should be your goal. • for feline cancer patients are for foods with a high fat content and no more than 25% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis. GI Side Effects of Cancer Treatments These properties can be difficult to find in most adult cat foods, and there are no cancer-specific diets on the market. Your Chemotherapy: targets rapidly Nausea Antiemetics best bet is kitten food. Many meet this dividing cancer cells but also affects/ Vomiting Appetite stimulants nutritional recommendation and can be damages rapidly dividing GI cells Diarrhea Feeding tubes used for your adult cat with cancer. Little-to-no appetite Dietary modification Making nutrients easily available Surgery: somewhat dependent Pain Anti-Inflammatory to the digestive system will improve upon where surgery is performed Anxiety drugs absorption. For example, cobalamin Opioids (vitamin B12) deficiency commonly Gabapentin occurs with gastrointestinal lymphoma, the most common feline cancer. To Radiation: collateral damage can Oral ulcers "MagiC mouthwash" combat this, your veterinarian may occur to nearby organs such as Nausea Pain relief salivary glands, GI tract Vomiting Feeding tubes supplement your cat's vitamin BI2 with Diarrhea under-the-skin injections. www.catwatchnewsletter.com December 2019 Rabies Cases in Cats Vaccine Laws Vary It's far more prevalent than most people believe Among States Regulations regarding rabies e tend to associate rabies with ~ Seizures vaccination of cat.s vary among US states, and many rely on the guidance dogs, but rabies cases reported to ~ Staggering of the "Compendium of Animal Rabies Wthe Centers for Disease Control ~ Swallowing problems and Prevention (CDC) show that far But odd symptoms are known to Prevention and Control" presented more cats than dogs contract rabies. In occur, too. Rabid cats may begin to act by the National Association of State 2015,67 rabid dogs and 244 rabid cats vicious, scratching and biting, but some Public Health Veterinarians (see were reported to the CDC; in 2017, rabies individuals instead become affectionate. http:// bit.ly/rabiescompendium). was found in 62 dogs and 276 cats. Wild animals may lose their fear of For instance, Hawaii only requires "Cats were the most frequently humans. Nocturnal animals may be seen vaccinations for dogs (and possibly reported rabid domestic animal in the in daytime. other animals) entering the state. United States during 2017 and have been Georgia leaves decisions about so since 1992;' says the Journal ofthe Why Cats? resident pets to the individual American Veterinary Medical Association. ObViously, outdoor cats and cats living in counties. You can review the list of "The percentage of tested cats found to be feral colonies or working as barn cats are regional regulations by downloading rabid in 2017 was the highest it has been at a higher rabies risk, but even indoor a PDF from the AVMA at http://bit.ly/ since 2008. Most of the rabid cats were cats can be exposed to rabid bats that rabieslaw. reported from states where the raccoon get into the house. Still, despite a nearly rabies virus was considered enzootic:' 100% effective rabies vaccine, many cat Although some state laws are Rabies is deadly, and even minor owners neglect this shot and there's little more lenient regarding vaccination exposure can result in infection. The to stop them. Few communities license requirements for other animals rabies virus travels along nerve pathways cats the way they do dogs, requiring a (cats, ferrets, horses), if all pets were to the brain in mammals. A diagnosis rabies vaccine. Even fewer have feline vaccinated, people would be less likely can only be confirmed after death, with leash laws. Cats who are allowed outside to contact a rabies-infected animal. To an examination of the brain, which is access commonly roam about freely, try to control rabies in wildlife, a highly why it's so important to catch a suspected making the likelihood of close contact specialized oral rabies vaccine can be rabid animal. with wildlife higher than with dogs. used to reach susceptible populations Animals with rabies show varying Cat and raccoon encounters are of raccoons, coyotes, and other wildlife symptoms, including: the most common way for rabies to be in some instances. ~ Aggression transferred to a cat. The virus can enter ~ Drooling the cat via infected raccoon saliva when along neural pathways to the brain. In ~ Fear the cat is bitten. The virus will often cats, symptoms may take as long as a ~ Paralysis replicate in muscle cells but then travels month or longer to become evident, depending upon the severity of the bite wound, how much virus was transmitted, and how far the bite wound is from the brain. Once signs appear, the disease progresses rapidly and is fatal.

Incubation Period The rabies virus is always present in the saliva of an infected cat. If that cat bites a person, that person will be infected. Rabies incubation times vary for a cat who has been bitten by an infected wild animal. The average is about hvo months, but the scientific literature suggests a range from two weeks to months or even years in rare cases. This variability can result from the amount of virus transmitted to the cat as well as the severity and location of the bite wound. During this time the virus is migrating to the brain and salivary glands. The rabies virus is already present in the saliva before the cat will start to show signs of illness, so if that cat bites a person the person wi1l be infected. The

4 (atWat(h De

www.catwatchnewsletter.com December 2019 5 You can step in to stop bullying early. Managing Rival Cats "Ifowners notice one cat staring at the other or blocking access to an area, they Keeping the peace requires adequate resources can calmly redirect the aggressor by tossing a toy or treat nearby or by calling ust like people, not all cats like each him away from the area and engaging other. Maybe your cat is not thrilled him in an appropriate behavior;' Dr. Jabout the latest feline addition to the Perry says. Distracting the cat who is family, or two long-time housemates are being a jerk relieves the tension of the no longer seeing eye to eye. Whatever the situation, whereas correcting the cat for cause, there are some things you can do his poor behavior (by spraying him with to manage rival cats and prevent rivalries a squirt water bottle, for example) could from escalating. cause redirected aggression toward the other cat. Notice the Signs Prevention is the best medicine. Every Strategies for Success once in a while, really watch what your Resource management is the best way cats are doing and how they interact to keep rival cats happy and out of with each other. "Obvious behaviors The sitting cat's backward ears and pointed each other's hair. "Both cats should displayed by cats who are not getting stare are telling the orange and white kitty, have separate but equal areas in the along well include growling, hissing, "Move! I want this spot!" home so that they can 'time-share' their swatting, chasing, and attacking;' says environment;' says Dr. Perry. "These Pamela Perry, DVM, PhD, ACVB and cause increasing stress to the cats areas should have separate resources, Behavior Resident at th New York State involved. Everyone has off days, but if such as food, water, resting areas, College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell you notice these behaviors happening perches, scratchers, and litterboxes, to University. But just because there are no on a regular basis, some changes may allow the cats to co-exist without needing active fights doesn't mean that all is well need to be made to prevent the cats from to encroach upon the other's space:' in the kingdom. escalating to full-on fights. Physical barriers are often not Dr. Perry says, "More subtle signs Other signs that may indicate your necessary as long as resources are located that may go undetected include staring cats are not getting along well include throughout the house so that one cat can't and posturing. For example, [one] cat eliminating outside the litterbox and/or block the other cat from something he or may have his ears turned back and stare urine marking. This can be because one she needs. For example, a single feeding intently at the other cat. He also may cat is preventing the other from accessing station located in a bathroom is easy for block access to parts of the house, thus the litterbox, or because the two cats one cat to block off. Setting up two food forcing the 'victim' cat to make a wide arc are marking out their "territory" in the bowls (or more depending on how many around him:' house. If one cat is being picked on by cats you have), each located in separate These small slights can add up another, he or she may frequently hide. parts of the house, ensures that each cat can always access food even if a bully has Stepping In claimed one spot. What You Can Do Whether you can let the cats work Also, make sure that each cat gets things out on their own or need to step some one-on-one attention from you .. Pay attention to your cats' body in depends on the severity of the rivalry every day. Cats can consider their owners language and watch for signs that and the frequency of issues. Dr. Perry coveted resources, too! Petting and they aren't getting along says, "Mild agonistic encounters, such grooming can help to enforce your bond as an occasional spat that ends quickly with your cat, and playtime is both fun • Set up food, water, popular perches, without injuries, usually do not need and good exercise-and a tired cat will and litterboxes in multiple areas owner intervention, especially if there have less energy to put toward harassing of the house to reduce resource are enough perches and hiding spots a feline rival. guarding available so that the cats can avoid each Dr. Perry warns, "If there is frequent other until the conflict is resolved:' These aggression between the cats, they should • Give each cat one-on-one playtime little spats can sound terrifying due to the be separated completely until a program with you fo r exercise and attention noise, but only some hair will be ruffled. of systematic desensitization and counter "If two cats are overtly fighting, they conditioning can be implemented (with .. If you notice posturing or blocking should not be allowed to work things the help of a veterinary behaviorist)." behaviors, distract the aggressor out on their own;' advises Dr. Perry. "In Behavioral management and training with a toy or by calling him/her addition, if one cat frequently blocks take time, but it is well worth the effort to away to do something else access to areas of the home or perSistently ensure your cats' safety and well-being. In ousts the other cat from a resting area, the meantime, use closed doors to keep ... Never break up a cat fight with then intervention may be necessary:' For the rival cats apart so that they can't stress your hands. Use a broom or towels cats who are seriously fighting and at risk out or harm each other. In extreme cases, so that you don't get bitten or of harming each other, separation is in it may be necessary to place one cat in a scratched by accident order, either temporarily or permanently. new home. •

6 (atWa tch December 2019 NUTRITION 2019 Annual Index of Articles ~ Acute upper respiratory infections 111 19 ~ Catnipcrazy7/19 ASK ELIZABETH ... Pancreatitis, chronic 2/19 ... Diet. implement a simple. safe 3/19 ~ Can't wait for Elizabeth reply 311 9 ~ Prednisone vs. prednisolone 8/19 ~ Feeding guidelines, new 1/19 ~ Cat demands attention 3/19 ~ Rabies cases in cats 121 19 ~ Five feline food facts 3/1 9 ~ Diabetes battle 7/19 ~ Sinus problems 2/19 ~ Five things to know about supplements 2/1 9 ~ FeLV testing 2/1 9 ~ Sphynx cat care 8/19 ~ Five weight-loss tips for cats 1119 ~ FIP, new hope 5/1 9 ~ Urethral ruptures 4/19 ~ Special nutritional needs 8/19 ~ FIV unlikely to cause blindness 11119 ~ Urinary crystals 5/19 ~ Veggies as treats 2/19 ... FIV-positive cat pain 4/19 ~ Grain-free diet question 10/19 GROOMING MISCELLANEOUS ~ Grieving is a natural process 8/ 19 ~ D andruff solutions 6/19 ... 5 things when choosing a kitten 10119 ~ Heart disease, 6/1 9 ~ Paw care 6/19 ~ Allergies to cats 6/19 ~ Lyme disease, cats are resistant 9/ 19 ~ Shedding, excessive or normal 3/19 ~ Board-certified veterinarian, choosing 5/ 19 ~ Nicotine, vaping, and my cat 12/19 ~ Pet health insurance 11/19 ~ Radioiodine therapy 1/19 NEWS ~ BEHAVIOR ~ Acrylic skull piece 4/1 9 RESCUE ~ Angry or frightened cat 9/19 ~ Adulterated pet food fines 1/19 ~ Cat cafes 10119 ... Cats prefer to WOl'k fol' food·3/19 ~ Animal cruelty l.aw Virginia 5/1 9 .,.. Stray ca ts with kittens 1/19 ~ Chirps and chatters 811 9 ~ AVMA statistics on pet ownership 2/ 19 ~ Eating grass 3/ 19 ~ Bobcat kitten whoops 12/19 RESEARCH ~ Laser play 11/19 ~ Cat burglar I II 19 ~ Anal sac cancer 7/1 9 ~ Litterbox covering at I month 2/19 ~ Cat cafe 7/19 ~ Bacteria mal' be source ofscent 12/19 ~ Pheromone scent 10/19 ~ Cats in the U.S. 911 9 ~ Blood in urine samples 11/19 ~ Rival cats, managing 12/19 ~ Cats move 9/19 .,.. Canned mouse 7/1 9 ~ Shivering cats 1/19 ~ Cats vS rats in New York City 1/1 9 ~ Catnip mal' help with cancer drugs 3/1 9 ~ Therapy cats, temperament 11/19 ~ CatWatch awards 8/1 9 ... Cats and bonding 1211 9 ~ Whiskers as radar for communicating 5/1 9 ~ Cornell grant renewal 8/19 ... Cats are larger than ancestors 5119 ~ Declawing law in New York 8/19 ~ Diarrhea in kittens 6/19 CANCER ~ Developing better cities for pets 4/19 ... Dolasteron fails for vomiting 1/19 ~ 5 questions about cancer therapies 9/19 ~ Distracted driving law Florida 5/19 ~ Feline chronic gingivstomatitis 4119 ~ Emerging effective cancer option 9/ 19 .,.. Download free AV MA veterinary coloring book ~ Feline DNA analysis 10119 ~ Feeding the cat with cancer 12/19 1/19,2119 ~ Feline pain. new way of evaluating 12/19 ~ Mammary cancer 3/19 ~ FIP research grant 9/19 ~ Feline stress relief 211 9 ~ FPV breakout in California 12/19 ~ FIP: Tiny antiviral molecule offers hope 5/19 DENTAL ~ Fungas in Brazil 6/19 ~ Homemade diets, caution 8/19 ~ Denta! sprays 9/ 19 ~ Man climbs trees to rescue cats 3/ 19 ~ Hyperthyroidism and flame retardant 10/19 ~ Tooth resorption 2/1 9 ~ Man converts house to cat house 6/19 ~ Kidney disease. excess gastric acid 2/19 ~ March special dates 3/19 ~ Mirta>..apine for liver disease 4/19 HEALTH ~ Microchips work 11/19 .,.. Predictable behavior in breeds 9119 ~ 5 things cold weather watches 12119 ~ Most expensive cats 9/19 ~ Reduced allergens food 9/19 ~a-1DLl9 ~ Musewn,lovlng cats 3/19 ~ Restrictive cardiomyopathy poor prognosis 5/19 ~ Blind cats 1/19 ~ New cat breed Tinybob 6/19 ... TB and raw diet 10/1 9 ~ Blood types and donor cats 1111 9 .,.. New species 9/19 ~ Technology improves veterinary care 10/1 9 ~ Common accidents and injuries 5/19 ~ New York law for rescuing pets 10/19 ~ Understanding time, cats tracking li19 ~ Congestive heart failure 10/19 ... Novel viruses found 4/1 9 ~ Ureteral obstruction technique study 7/19 ... Coughs, chronic 7/19 ~ October cat calendar days 10/ 19 ~ Vegan pet food intcre$t rising 6/ 19 ~ Diarrhea: worry or wait 7/19 ~ Oxygen mask donations 8/19 ~ Video records of what cats do aU day 10119 ~ Drool, what it mal' mean 6/19 ~ PACT Act 4/19 ~ Yes. they know their names 7/19 ... Ear scratching, headshaking 6/19 ~ Pet limits 9119 ~ Emergency, what clinics see most 4/19 ... Pet spending 1/19 TH ERAPYIDRUGSIVACCINES ~ Emergency. when it is time to go 3/19 ~ Pet stores vs. state of Maryland llil9 ~ Compounded drug benefits 8/19 ~ First-aid. assemble a simple kit 9/19 ~ Pet week 5/19 ~ Pain. identify and ease 5/19 ~ Fleas. your role as flea fighter 7/19 ~ Pets may reduce need for pain meds 11/19 ~ Physical rehabilitation 4119 ~ HairbaUs (trichobezoars) 4/19 ~ Pillows for cats 12/ 19 ~ Revolution Plus approved by FDA 2119 ~ Heart failure 6/19 ~ Pizza and missing pets 10/19 ... Titers. are the answer? 7/19 ~ Hospice 8/19 ~ Restricted pet sales laws 311 9 ~ Vaccine recommendations 6/19 ... Hypertension. 5 things to know 5/19 ~ Smuggling kittens. man caught 4/19 ~ Irritable bowel disease (lBD) 111 19 ~ Stowaway cat 7/19 Subscribers can access articles online ~ Kidney disease. blood work 6/ 19 ~ Subscriptions 5/1 9 at catwatchnewsletter.col11 ~ Liver problems. blood work 3/1 9 ~ Travel rules. USDA 5/19

www.catwatchnewsletter.com Dece mber 2019 cognitive function (thinking, reasoning, Nicotine, Vaping, and My Cat remembering) of our nervous systems, which can also be affected by nicotine. Of Elizabeth tackles a timely health topic course, nicotine is also highly addictive, and this addiction is likely caused, at least My 8-year-old domestic in part, by mechanisms that are distinct shorthair panther, Max, has from its phYSiologic and cognitive effects lost his appetite and is losing on the nervous system. weight. Kidney values/ Signs of nicotine toxicity in people bloodwork are normal, so the vet is may include high heart rate, high blood looking at environmental factors as a pressure, indigestion, nausea, dizziness, possible influence. My neighbor uses insomnia, nervousness, headache, an electronic nicotine delivery device diarrhea, and an unpleasant taste in the (e-cigarette) extensively, to the extent that mouth; and those of these signs that I feel that it may be affecting my health. Is we can document in animals are also there any research involving vaping and commonly seen in animals with nicotine cats, particularly the influence of neo toxicity. Interestingly, there are also nicotinoids on appetite? studies showing that nicotine exposure may change the behavior of animals. I am very sorry to hear of Max's While I do not know about the Many things can affect your eat's Willingness problems. Of course, there are proximity and phYSical arrangement to eat. Ifhe stops eating with his normal many reasons that a cat might enthusiasm, talk with your veterinarian. of your home with respect to that of lose his appetite and weight, your neighbor, it is likely that for your from dental disease to kidney disease scientific data regarding the effects of the neighbor's use of e-cigarettes to affect (perhaps not supported by bloodwork nicotine vapor that is produced by these Max's exposure to nicotine, this use in your case thus far) to various forms products on the health of cats (and pets would have to be extreme and prolonged. of gastrointestinal disease, so the most in general), but perhaps a review of the Interestingly, there are published studies important thing is for you to continue to effects of nicotine on animals may be a investigating the use of feline hair work with your veterinarian to rule out reasonable place to start this discussion. nicotine concentrations as a potential the more common and well understood The physiologiC effects of nicotine assay for nicotine exposure in cats, but causes of these signs in cats and to (whether inhaled or ingested) are caused these are pilot studies that require follow address any that may be identified. by its binding (attaching) to receptors up work to validate their accuracy and Your question regarding the effects (called nicotinic receptors) in the central potential application. of e-cigarettes is certainly timely, as this nervous system. It is probably more likely that Max's relatively new technology has received These receptors are important for problems are due to other health issues, Significant attention from public health the normal function of what is called so please continue to work with your officials (and the media) with respect to the autonomic nervous system, which veterinarian to rule these out. Of course, potential negative health effects on the is that part of the nervous system that doing whatever you can do to minimize people that use them . functions to control things like blood any exposure to nicotine vapor (i.e. The short answer to your question pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, air purification) could not hurt in the is that there is very little published temperature regulation, and circadian interim, and I hope that this discussion rhythms (phYSiologic changes that are has been helpful. Elizabeth works synchronized to daily light cycles). Best of luck. and please send us an with the Cornell The autonomic nervous system update when you can. Feline Health functions without us (or our pets) All my best, Center to provide being aware of it, as opposed to the Elizabeth answers on this page (vet. cornell.edulfhc/). @) HAPPEN ING NOW.. . Write to her at catwatcheditol'@ Whoops-WBIR-TV in Knoxville, TN, outbreak among shelter cats. The virus cornell.edu or CatWatch reports that a local animal lover was can be fatal for unvaccinated cats. 535 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk, cr06854. caring for a bobcat kitten, not realizing it We welcome digitalphotos ofyour cat to wasn't a lost domestic kitten. She had no Pillows/or Cats-Bertha Singer, 88, consider for use with your question. idea the tiny bobcat, named Arwen, was is making pillows for the Meshoppen a wild animal. The kitten is now being Cat Rescue, combining her love of cats cared for by a wildlife shelter. and sewing, reports WNEP-TV in Coming Up ••. Moosic, PA. She learned there were .. Life for the Cat Without Teeth FPV Olltbreak-Longbeach, CA, I __",",-,~"...l about 100 cats at the shelter who .. What You Should Know About TNR news outlet Patch reports that Long needed spots to snooze. "She has early-onset dementia, and it keeps her .. Laryngeal Diseases in Cats Beach Animal Care Services officials are working to combat a feline hands busy and her mind active:' said .. Sources for Building or Buying aCatio panleukopenia virus, or FPV, out her daughter Ethel Singer Walter. • ~''' ~ ':''''~~ln:r~, ~r

8 (atWatch December 2019