Expert information on medidne, behavior andhealth from a world leader in veterinary medidne

Short Takes 2 The Many Reasons They Love to Scratch leave no behind; aparasite makes mice unafraid of . They're marking territory and grooming their New CPR Rules Save lives 3 nails ­ destroying the sofa is merely incidental They call for immediate action rather than checking the pulse. cratching is a normal the eat's behavior. If there is The Coat Tells the Tale 4 yet complex behavior one, the will use it. Hair loss or failure to grow can S in cats that can damage be asign of stress, diet and disease. both the house and the Training Needed. Ask Elizabeth 8 cat-owner bond. Under­ "It's good to know that a The considerations and anxiety standing the basis ofde­ scratching post is not just when ahealth scare hits home. structive scratching is the an ornament," says ani­ first step in preventing it. mal behaviorist Katherine INTHE NEWS ••• A preliminary study H. Houpt, DVM, Ph.D., Hospitals Put Out the at the University of Pisa professor emeritus at the Welcome Mat for Pets in Italy, examining the Cornell University College Agrowing number of hospitals variables in cats' use of ofVeterinary Medicine. around the country are prescrib­ scratching posts, found ~ However, as owners who ing what they call " medicine" what seems to be self-ev­ ~ have bought scratching posts to boost patients' spirits.They're ident: Having a scratch­ have learned, sometimes The opportunity to stretch is an allowing family cats and dogs ing post, or not having added benefit. they need to train the cat to to visit. North Shore University one, made a difference in use them.

Hospital and the Hospice Inn, both (continued 0/1 page 6) on Long Island, even let pets stay with patients around the clock. Among participants in this trend are the University of Iowa Cold Laser Therapy Gains Acceptance HospitaLaFld Clinics, two MaYEl Its benefits have yet to be scientifically validated, but Clinic-related hospitals and more than a dozen other medical cen­ experience suggests it can treat pain and inflammation ters. Requirements usually include adoctor's approval and proof the on't be surprised if your eat's veteri­ ago. It has been used in animals for about pet is healthy and vaccinated. Cats D narian dons speCial dark goggles in 10 years, but only in the past few years has must be taken in and out of the the exam room and applies a handheld its popularity grown. hospitals in carriers. wand to targeted areas on your eat's body Questions were raised about to speed up healing from surgery or ease Anecdotal Reports. While the effective­ possible health risks from pets, the pain of arthritis. The latest tool in ness of this mode of therapy has not been but Rush University Medical pain management ­ called cold laser fully evaluated by controlled studies in veteri­ Center in Chicago decided therapy ­ is quickly gaining acceptance nary patients, its benefits may be considerable that the benefits to patients from veterinarians in teaching hospitals judging by the anecdotal reports. outweighed the risks, with one and small animal practices across Today, veterinarians are using low- observer there con cluding that the country. level lasers to treat a variety of conditions, the visits allow patients to get in The medical treatment, also called including asthma, renal and thyroid dis­ touch with a part of their lives low-level laser therapy, was first intro­ eases, arthritis and other join pain, open that is often lost in the hospital. -t. duced in human medicine nearly 50 years wounds that are slow to heal, inflammatory (continued on bottom ofpage 5) CatWatch SHORT TAKES The Message Worth EDITOR IN CHIEF Bruce G. Kornreich, DVM, PhD., Repeating: Leave No Pet Dipl ACVIM Behind in a Disaster EDITOR Betty Liddick At one point when rushing ART DIRECTOR Mary Francis McGavic rivers Aooded Colorado towns and farms earlier this year, 2,000 stranded ADVISORY BOARD James A. Flanders, DVM, Dipl people and 500 pets were evacuated ACVS, Associ te Pro~ss o r, by helicopter The swift, rising water Clin ical Serences caused loss of life and damage to Marc S, Kraus, DV I, Dlpl ACVIM, 2,380 acres in the state. The American Senior Lec turer, Clinical Sciences Humane Association and other Margaret C. McEntee, DVM, Members of the American Humane Association Red Star Dipl AC 1M, DACVR organizations on the ground rescued rescue team inch along a Idvine (0 reach a cat Irl a flooded house Profes sor ofOncoiogy hundreds of pets and livestock. In Colorado. They made it and successfull y brough tile cat ou t. William H. Miller, Jr., VMD, ACVD, "Floods are among the most Professor, Clinical Sciences terrifying and destructive of Ilona Rodan, DVM, Dipl ABVP natural disasters," says Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., Fearless Mice? Wisconsin Ca t Care Clinic, President and CEO of the association, which Madison, WI It's well known that exposure to the the is devoted to protecting children and parasite Toxoxplasma, which is spread through animals. It offers these lifesaving tips in the event a Aood is forecast: cat feces, can cause spontaneous abortion in Cornell University pregnant women and pose a health threat to _ College of f). Veterinary Medicine • Microchip pets or put a tag on their immune-compromised people. collars with your name, address and Now, University of California, Berkeley For information on your cat's health, cell phone number. (Some experts visit the Cornell University College of graduate student Wendy Ingram has Veterin ry Medicine, Cornell Feline advise doing both) Gather their uncovered a new development: Mice Health Cellter websi te at vaccination papers and photos of infected with Toxoplasma lose their fear of wwwvet.comell.edu/fhc/. them in case you become separated cats, and the parasite's effect seems to be and need to identify them if they're long lasting. rescued and taken to a shelter. "The fearless behavior in mice persists • Have an emergency kit ready and long after the mouse recovers from the evacuate as early as possible with Au-like symptoms of toxoplasmosis and for G:lI Worch· (ISSN: 1095-9092) pet food, medications, water, leashes months after the parasitiC infection is cleared _ Is published monthly and cat carriers. Stock extra pet from the body," according to research for 539 per year by :]_ Bel VOir Medic Group, supplies in your car. published in the journal PLoS ONE. LLc' 800 Connecticut "Even when the parasite is cleared and Be\volr Ave,NorwalkcCT068S4­ 1631. Robert Englander, • Plan routes to higher elevations and it's no longer in the brains of the animals, Chairman and CEO; TImothy H. Cole, a safe destination. Avoid routes near Executiv Vice President, Ed torial some kind of .. long-term behavior change Director; Philip L. Penny, Chief bridges. At least 50 were destroyed has occurred," Ingram says. Operating Office r; Greg King, Executive or damaged in Colorado. Plan a safe Vice President, Marketing DirecfOf; Ron Researchers haven't identified the Goldberg, Chief Financial OffiLer; Tom walking route, too. Canfield,Vic President, Circulation. mechanism responsible for the change, but mOl BelVOir Media Group, LlC • Don't leave pets home alone. Ingram speculates that the parasite cou ld Postmaste r: Sef'ld address correctio s Disasters can change quickly, and damage the smell center of the brain so that to Cat Wa tch, PO. Box 8535, Big Sandy, TX 75755-8535. you may not be able to return. the odor of cat urine can't be detected. The For Customer Service parasite could also alter neurons involved in or Subscription information, visit After a Aood, be ca utious walking on memory and learning. www.c(l[watchn wsle ter.com/cs higher ground. Snakes, insects and other or call to ll free: 800-829-8893. While earlier studies showed mice lose animals may have found refuge there. Give Express wri tten permiss ion is their fear of bobcat urine for several weeks required to reproduce, In any your cats time to re-orient. Familiar scents manne r, the coments of th is issue, may be altered and cause confusion. after infection, Ingram has found that the either in full or In part. For more three most common strains of Toxoplasma info rmation, write to Permissions, For more information, please refer to CatWatch, 800 onnec ticut Ave., "When a Sudden Disaster Strikes" in the July gondii make mice less fearful of cats for at Norwalk, Connec icu t 06854-1 631. 2013 issue of CotWotch. least four months. •:.

Catwatch DECEMB ER 20 13

- -- FIRST AID New Rules for CPR Save More Lives They call for immediate action to begin compressions - not to check for a pulse

or years, pet owners were instructed versity Veterinary Specialists in Stam­ Pto first check for a pulse before using ford, Conn. "The mindset is that there cardiopulmonary resuscitation to revive is enough oxygen in the bloodstream a cat. Now, however, new guidelines from so that compressions of the chest alone The two-handed compression technique with emergency care veterinarians advise will circulate enough oxygen to keep Interlocking fingers can be used on large cats. that if you find your cat unresponsive an animal alive." and motionless, immediately start chest compressions. The reason: This protocol Chest Compressions. The revised Then you can repeat the 30 compres­ simply saves more lives. technique calls for 30 immediate chest sions and two breaths of air. Do not stop "If a pet's heart does stop, time is of the compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 com­ to take your eat's pulse -leave that for essence," says Gretchen Schoeffler, DVM, pressions per minute. That equals 15 to 18 a veterinary professional. "Every time DACVECC, Emergency and Critical Care seconds for the 30 compressions. Follow you stop compressions, you decrease the Section Chief at the Cornell University with two quick breaths through the chance for survival," Dr. Schoeffer says. College of Veterinary Medicine. "You need eat's nostrils. Then immediately resume to take action, especially if the nearest vet­ another cycle of 30 compressions and two Seek Help. Injuries and illnesses, such erinary clinic is 15 or 20 minutes away." breaths. Continue these cycles until your as choking on a toy, being hit by a car To ensure a greater chance for surviv­ cat is resuscitated, and he's breathing on or suffering from a chronic heart condi­ al, the guidelines from the American Col­ his own or moving, or until you obtain tion, can cause cessation of a heartbeat in lege of Veterinary Emergency and Critical professional help. cats. After starting CPR, seek veterinary Care urge action rather than an assess­ Ifyou're doing CPR alone, you may help as soon as you can. Ifpossible, have ment. "Evidence s~ows that every time find it difficult to track both the com­ an individual call the nearest clinic to you stop compressions, you decrease the pressions and the timing. Instead, count alert the staff of your arrival and ask for chance ofsurvival," says Elisa Mazzaferro, aloud as you perform 30 fast-paced chest advice. If you're alone, use the speaker DVM, Ph.D., a boaFd-certified emergency compressions followed by breathing two phone to call to continue CPR. and critical care specialist at Cornell Un i­ breaths of air directly into the eat's nose. (continued on bottom ofpage 7)

SIX QUICK STEPS FOR RESUSCITATION

If you believe your cat's heart has stopped beating, start chest compressions immediately: • Open the mouth and ensure nothing is obstructing the over the heart and perform the compressions. They airway.This should take no more than five seconds. should be strong enough to compress the depth of the chest by 30 to 50 percent, being sure to allow the chest • Lay your cat on his side on a firm surface. to completely recoil between compressions. • Perform chest compressions directly over the heart. The heart lies under the ribs where the elbow naturally • Compress 30 times in 15 to 18 seconds and then falls against the body wall.For small-to-average size breathe two short breaths into the cat's snout. Hold cats, you may use one-handed compressions. Wrap his mouth tightly closed and place your mouth over one hand around the chest with the thumb over the the nostrils, making a seal with the snout. Blow strong, heart on one side and the first two to three fingers quick breaths into the nostrils to achieve a normal over the heart on the other side. Wrap the hand chest rise. Then immediately resume compressions. around the underside - not across the back. • Repeat this cycle of 30 compressions followed by • You may prefer a two-handed technique for a large two quick breaths until the cat is resuscitated or cat. Place one hand over the other interlocking the fin­ until you obtain veterinary assista nce, or the effort gers.Then place the heel of the bottom hand directly is deemed unsuccessful.

DECEMB ER 2013 Visit us at www .ca twatchnewsleller.com 3 HEALTH The Coat Tells the Tale: Illness or Allergy Hair loss or its failure to grow can be a sign of stress, parasites, endocrine disease or poor diet

ll cats shed, but You may no­ A some cases be­ tice your cat lick­ come extreme to the ing excessively or point of baldness. If chewing at his fur. you've ever wondered Or you may find if your cat needs a tou­ clumps of hair in pee, you're not alone. his favorite resting Hair loss, or alopecia, spots. A sudden in­ is common in cats. It crease in hairballs is, however, a symp­ and constipation tom ofan underlying often follow exces­ disorder, rather than a sive grooming, so disorder itself, says dermatologist William An allergy caused licking and pulling of the be alert for these symptoms as well. H. Miller, VMD, Medical Director of the haircoat and resulted in Ihis traumatic hair loss. Diagnosing hair loss is easy, Dr. Cornell University Companion Animal Miller says. "The coat is thinner than Hospital. "In order to solve the alopecia, chew at them. Veterinary behaviorists normal or may be totally gone. The tricky we need to determine the cause of the now recognize the behavior as obsessive­ part is determining the cause. The history problem," Dr. Miller says. compulsive and sometimes prescribe and location of the hair loss may help the Among the types of hair loss and anti-anxiety medications. veterinarian decide which diseases need their causes: In almost all cases of traumatic hair to be considered." loss, though, "The trigger event is underly­ • Fa ilure to regrow. "It's usually due to ing allergy, typically to a parasite or an Diagnostic Tests. Blood tests may an underlying endocrine condition," Dr. environmental or food allergen," says Dr. uncover underlying diseases. X-rays may Miller says. Causes can include diabetes Miller. Just as humans do, some cats can help detect adrenal gland abnormalities. mellitus, hyperthyroidism, which is an have allergic reactions to pollen, dust, Ifyour cat's veterinarian suspects a der­ overproduction of thyroid hormone, and mold, rubber, plastic, dyes or chemicals in matological problem, skin samples may Cushing's syndrome (hyperadrenocorti­ carpets, bedding and cleaning products. be taken to check for mites or a fungal cism), an overproduction of cortisol by One particularly common allergen is culture to check for ringworm. the adrenal gland. flea saliva. In allergic cats, flea bites can Treatment depends on the cause of the • Hair falling out. "This is often due to cause intense itchiness, which may prompt hair loss, says Dr. Miller. "Parasitic diseases stress - for example, the delivery of kit­ them to repeatedly lick and chew at their are treated with anti-parasitic agents. En­ tens or a serious illness," Dr. Miller says. haircoat. Cats may react Similarly to cer­ docrine hair loss needs to have the under­ Some cancers, such as those of the pancre­ tain topical medications or injections. lying endocrine disease treated." Flea pre­ as, have been linked to hair loss. The ring­ "While allergies can affect any breed ventives are available for flea allergies, and worm fungus and parasitic mites, which of cat, some purebred lines have an in­ veterinarian-prescribed antihistamines or cause mange, can also be culprits, as can creased frequency of allergy," Dr. Miller steroids can treat the inflammation. poor diet, sometimes from poorly formu­ says. "The breeds affected can vary de­ A food allergy may require an over­ lated with low nutritional value. pending on the region of the country, but haul of your cat's diet. His veterinarian • Hair being licked off or pulled out the Siamese and Persian breeds tend to be may recommend a food elimination trial wil en a cat engages in excessive grooming over represented." to determine the offending allergen. to dispel anxiety. Breeds most affected For cats with an illness or allergy, the It may not be easy to determine the include the Siamese, Burmese, Hima­ coat tells the tale. "Pay attention to your reason your cat's hair is falling out, but layan and Abyssinian. Over-grooming cat's coat and behavior," Dr. Miller says. once you do, proper treatment will allow can lead to small reddish bald spots that "If the coat starts to get dull and dry, or the hair to regrow normally and your will spread and become irritated or in­ develops hairless patches, take the cat to favorite feline will return to their full­ fected as the cat continues to scratch or the veterinarian early on." coated glory. •:.

4 CatWatch DECE MBER 20 13 CUTTING EDGE

COLD LASER.. . (continued from cover) bowel disease and feline eosinophilic granuloma, a complex skin condition that causes rashes, bumps, ulcers and swelling on the thighs, face, mouth and abdomen. Low-level lasers represent a cut­ ting-edge therapy that is turning many doubters into advocates. Among them is anesthesiologist Andrea Looney, DVM, Senior Lecturer in the Section of Pain Management at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Med­ icine. She emphasizes that cold lasers are not the same as surgical lasers. "Cold lasers don't coaguiate or cut tis­ sue, but they are able to positively af­ fect all kinds of healing processes," she says. "Any tissue with pain or inflam­ mation can be affected."

Non-invasive Treatment. In her A cat will feel warmth from a low-level laser but isn't at risk of burns and (uts as may occur with surgical lasers. work, Dr. Looney encountered cats who wouldn't accept acupuncture needles for post-surgery therapy and decided to try risk of burns or cuts as may occur • The sessions are short, lasting be­ cold lasers. Because cats can move fast with the use of surgical lasers. Vet­ tween three and 30 minutes, depend­ and often feel stressed at clinics, some of erinarians liken the heat generated ing on the pet's condition and size. them don't easily tolerate acupuncture, by low-level lasers to the warmth she says, adding that a noninvasive treat­ from heat lamps. One caveat, however: Low-level ment like lasers seems to have a soothing • The lasers don't require pets to be se­ laser therapy is not recommended for effect on them. dated or the affected areas to be shaved. cats or dogs with cancerous masses. "l started using cold laser therapy • They safely complement other pain­ The laser beam could increase blood for these cats and the results were pret­ fighting treatments, such as medi­ flow to cancer cells. ty miraculous," says Dr. Looney. "We cations, acupuncture and physical Otherwise, there is no evidence that saw improvement in their mobility, rehabilitation. "It's sad to say that the this form of laser therapy has produced even in senior-aged cats." average antibiotic or pain medica­ harmful side effects, Dr. Looney says. Cold lasers use short wavelength tion may not completely relieve the In fact, as more owners hear about the light to generate energies within the pain or aid in the healing," says Dr. therapy, they request it for their pets, cells, much as photosynthesis works in Looney. "Even though an animal prompting more training sessions at plants. In a typical treatment session, may be on a non-steroidal medica­ veterinary conferences. "It takes, on a cat is made comfortable on a towel in tion, the surgical site may still hurt, average, about a month or two for a vet­ a quiet exam room. A veterinarian or a sore may not readily heal and hair erinarian to feel comfortable using this technician wearing protective goggles may not grow back." form of laser therapy," she says. "There is applies the laser wand to a specific area • Therapy laser treatments are afford­ a learning curve involved, but the more of the cat to relieve pain. The frequency able. Sessions generally cost $20 to we use it, the more we learn about it." of treatment and its length are deter­ $50 per session and may total $200 Dr. Looney expects peer-reviewed mined on a case-by-case basis. to $400 for a package of treatments studies to emerge as more veterinar­ Dr. Looney cites these advantages of over six weeks. For pets with chron­ ians use the therapy. "I wish I could say using low-level lasers in managing pain ic conditions, such as osteoarthritis, what the next step will be," she says, in cats: Dr. Looney says after completing a " but I do urge interested pet owners full session, the pets usually need to speak to their veterinarians about • Their pain is considerably reduced. only shorter, follow-up sessions this new option in managing pain and A cat will feel warmth but isn't at monthly to every other month. chronic inflammation." .:.

DECEMBER 2013 Vis it us at www.catwalchnewsle tter.co m SCRATCHING ... claws. Neutering decreases scratching in (continued from cover) males, but it is not known if the same is The research, published in the Jour­ true for spayed female cats. nal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, also Whatever the status of your cat, it's found that scratching behavior varied easier on you - and him - if you don't with the cats' gender and neutering status. have to change this innate behavior. Trim­ For example, intact male cats scratched ming the nails regularly, everyone or two surfaces other than scratching posts, but weeks, makes a Significant difference. A neutered males and females and intact cat's nail is shaped as a hook, and when females rarely chose furniture to scratch. you trim it, you cut off the hook, which Not all cats scratch with the same can prevent household damage. Plastic frequency, and there is no breed predis­ nail sheaths can prevent the nails from do­ position. It can be difficult to determine ing damage, but nails grow out quickly. scratching's importance to an individual While owners sometimes believe cat, but frequency is a tell-tale factor, Dr. that cats scratch expensive objects, such Houpt says, explaining that the more a cat as the brand new sofa, Dr. Houpt says scratches, the more important it is to him. location and substrate are more impor­ "Scratching is an evolutionary rem­ ~ tant to them. So is the ability to mark nant of marking behavior," says Bruce l their territory. "Let's say you bring a G. Kornreich, DVM, Ph.D., Associate box in. He will scratch it to show the Some cats prefer material with loops they Director for Education and Outreach can dig their claws into - blisSI other cat or people that this is his terri­ at the Feline Health Center at Cornell. tory," she says. "Many times when you "It allows deposition of scents from come home, a cat runs to the furniture the glands in paws and also helps cats Neutering's Effect. Declawed cats and starts scratching. That could be groom their nails. It removes the nail continue to scratch, which suggests that marking behavior. The cat appears to be sheath so that the new nail can grow." they're not merely sharpening their (continued on top ofpage 7)

'WE CONSIDER DECLAWING AS ALAST-DITCH EFFORT'

Declawing is a controversial surgical procedure that niture. That's play aggression. You can teach them to removes a eat's claws and the last joint of his toes. It's play with appropriate things or blow whistles when the frequently performed when a cat is neutered; however, cat is stalking you, 50 you don't have to amputate his both the American Veterinary Medical Association toes. However, by the time one member of a couple and American Animal Hospital Association oppose the gets to 'He goes or I go,' in that case I would put the practice, saying that it is not medicall y necessary in cat through declawing rather than have the cat surren­ most cases. dered to a shelter and euthanized. Dec/awing is a w hole lot better than death." The surgery should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using claws Bruce G. Kornreich, DVM, Ph.D., Associate Director for destructively or when clawing presents serious health Education and Outreach at the Feline Hea lth Center at risks to geriatric, diabetic or immunocompromised Cornell, concurs. "Declawing is a pretty dramatic mea­ owners, the AVMA says. sure. We li ke to consider the concept of declawing as Cats use scratch ing to mark their territory both visually a last-ditch effort. It can be associated with discomfort and with scent, to stretch themselves and to condition and surgica l risks. If you've tried all of the non-surgical their claws, the AVMA says, adding that the surgery, alternatives without success, and scratching will force called an , has risks, including anesthetic you to give up your cat to a shelter, it's better to have complications, hemorrhage, infection and pa in. him declawed."

"I am against routine declawing that happens when a If the surgery must be done, it 's important that the cat gets altered," says an imal behaviorist Katherine H. veterinarian use good analgesia, Dr. Houpt says, adding Houpt, VMD, Ph.D., at Cornell. "More people declaw that declawing with a laser is generally less painful than cats because they are getting scratched, not the fu r­ using a scalpel because it causes less tissue damage.

6 Catwatch DECE MBER 2013 BEHAVIOR saying, 'You may be in this room, but it use of pheromones ­ is my room.'" chemical substances produced by an animal Watch Him in Action. The best way to that usually serve as a determine the kind ofpost your cat likes stimulus for behavioral is to simply watch him. If he doesn't like responses - but she one post, try another. Some scratching has heard anecdotally posts have indoor/outdoor carpeting that that they can help. doesn't appeal to cats. They might prefer One problem she wood covered with fabric or sisal. Material sees in her practice is with loops they can get their claws into is a when a couple marries special favorite. and one ofthem likes Some posts can be hung from door the new furniture better knobs or lie horizontally. Some cats prefer than the scratching cat. Plastic nail sheaths, or caps, can prevent scratches on furniture, but nails grow out quickly. a horizontal surface such as the rug, and "Once a cat has learned for them Dr. Houpt recommends ­ it's OK to scratch the impregnated corrugated cardboard. furniture, it's going to be hard for him to Cat Deterrent. When a cat approaches a Whichever type of post or tree your discriminate between the old couch on restricted area, a motion detector releases cat likes, place it where he likes to scratch, the porch vs. the new one in the living a spray of non-toxic gas in a hiss to shoo probably in the room where you and room. Try to teach him to use only his him away. She puts it on her kitchen the cat spend time. Putting it next to the own scratching post or areas." counter and at doorways to keep her cat couch is good because it's a prominent Punishment doesn't work because indoors. "It's like being hissed at by a place. The minimum number ofscratch­ cats don't respond to yelling by not lion," Dr. Houpt says. ing posts for multiple cats: the number scratching. It's like yelling at a cat for that prevents inappropriate scratching, Dr. doing something as natural as groom­ It's not reasonable to assume that Kornreich says. He suggests working your ing, Dr. Kornreich says. discouraging your cat from scratch­ way up from the lowest to highest number. A variety of possible deterrents are ing one piece of furniture will stop the You can train your cat to use a post available: behavior altogether. He may simply in steps. With and young adults, pick another object, and more than one the best way is to encourage them to use • Furniture repel/ent sprays. They deterrent may be necessary. Often the scratching devices. These are objects de­ discourage some cats, but often scents more effective course is the positive one, signed to attract a eat's scratching atten­ last for only 10 minutes before the odor Dr. Houpt says. "Give him something tion, including flat objects such as pads for dissipates. more appealing to scratch." .:. horizontal scratchers and toys usually cov­ • Sticky double-sided tape. Place it on ered with sisal rope, fabric or cardboard. furniture, as long as it doesn't damage it. • Smooth shields. They may deter FOR MORE INFORMATION Catnip Helps. Take your cat to a scratching on furniture because the cat Please look up Destructive device and put toys on top of it. Or try loses interest when he can't get a good pull. Behavior in Health Topics rubbing catnip on it or placing treats • Safe booby traps. A tower of plastiC on the Cornell Feline on it and giving positive reinforcement cups works harmlessly. Health Center's website, when the cat uses it. Dr. Houpt says • A compressed air can designed for cats. wwwvet.comell.edu/FHC. there's a lack of good research on the Dr. Houpt is a fan of Ssscat Automated

FIRST AID

(PR .. .(continued from page J) owners enroll in pet CPR or first-aid haVing been hit by a car or involved "Being prepared for a pet emer­ classes taught by qualified instructors. in a fight," says Dr. Schoeffler. Cer­ gency and knowing what to do when Check with your cat's veterinarian for tainly, you face limitations when your one occurs may make a difference a recommendation. cat has been injured, but if you know in the outcome for your pet," says "In our ER, we see an awful lot of first aid and apply it correctly, it could Dr. Schoeffler. She recommends that trauma-related injuries, such as cats be life saving. •:.

DECEMBER 2013 Visi t us at www.catwa tc hn ew slet te r.com When aHealth Scare Hits Home, the Tests Begin Dear Friends, 3 cm in diameter - slightly more than an inch ­ Nothing brings home the seriousness of a medi­ survive an average of four to six months. Tumors cal condition like the frightening prospect of having between 2 and 3 centimeters usually result in sur­ the condition yourself, and I'd like to tell you about vival of about two years, and with tumors less than a recent scare that I had. We usually take questions 2 cm in diameter, more than three years. from readers for this column, but please allow me to I felt my life pass before my eyes until the veteri­ tell you about an important feline health issue. narian said that my mass was about - drumroll here It all started when my mom was petting me. - one-half to three-fourths of a cm in diameter and She was stroking my belly and suddenly felt a small that he did not feel any lymph node enlargement. Elizabeth lump in my mammary region. She immediately After a long discussion with my parents, during tlizaberh IS thankful/or rhe assisrance of Bruce G. became concerned and took me to the veterinarian. which they expressed concern for the discomfort Kornreich, DVM, Ph.D., After a complete physical examination (that that may result from a radical mastectomy and the DACVIM, AI,OClote Din' -ror of the Lomeli Felme Health tickled!), my veterinarian agreed that the lump was likelihood that a tumor of this size would significantly (ente r. in proViding rhe answer of concern. He explained that mammary cancers shorten my life, they decided I would have a lumpec­ on this page. are among the most common cancers in cats, with tomy, with removal just the mass itself, along with a type called adenocarcinoma being the most wide margins around it. The veterinarian said that this

PLEASE common. Although benign tumors occur, they are was not the standard recommendation and that a SHARE YOUR relatively rare. He also explained that the majority radical mastectomy would be ideal, but he also said QUESTIONS of mammary adenocarcinomas are diagnosed in that he understood my parents' position. female cats between 10 and 12 years old (I'm slight­ Surgery went surprisingly well, and everyone who We welcome ques­ tions on health, medi­ ly older) and that affected cats are most commonly took care of me was so wonderful. Recovery was rela­ cine and behavior. but regret that we cannot intact (I was spayed years ago). tively quick, and I got a lot of sympathy from many comment on prior I had a series of tests, including chest X-rays to visitors (boy, did they spoil me!). We anxiously awaited diagnoses and specific products. Please write make sure that a cancer hadn't spread (metastasized) the opinion of the pathologist, who would do a micro­ CatWatch Editor, 800 to my lungs (thankfully, not) and blood work to make scopic evaluation of the mass. When the results came Connecticut Ave .• Norwalk. CT, 06854 or sure my organs were doing well (they were). The back as benign hyperplasia of the mammary gland email catwatchedltor@ cornell.edu. veterinarian then said, given the potential for adeno­ (a non-cancerous condition characterized by a mild carcinoma, which is very aggressive, surgery would overgrowth of mammary gland tissue), I let out a huge be the best course and that in the majority of cases, meow of relief, as did my parents. We all felt so lucky. a radical mastectomy (removal of all the mammary So, my feline friends, the take-home message is to glands on the affected side) is the treatment/diag­ have your owners examine you regularly and focus on nostic of choice because of mammary cancer's high the mammary region, as early diagnosis and treatment risk of recurrence. In some cases, a complete mastec­ are the key to favorable outcomes with this disease. tomy, in which all the mammary glands are removed, I hope this letter finds you well and that you will is elected, depending upon the masses' distribution go over to your parents, roll over on your back, and and other issues like lymph node involvement. let them feel your belly. The worst that will happen In many cases, he said surgery is used with che­ is that you may get a jump on any problems in your motherapy. A very important consideration and a mammary glands. The best is that you will get a factor in determining prognosis is the mass' size. belly rub. Sounds like a win-win to me! This was the scary part. Cats with tumors larger than -Best regards, Elizabeth .:.

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8 CatWatch DECEMBE R 2013