• Expert Information on medicine, behOll/o( and health from a world leader In vervinory medicine

INSIDE ShortTakes 2 Ticks Become a Full-time Menace Become acitizen scientist and help with researching ticks. Warmer weather and an increase in their carriers How to Safely Store Medicines 3 Don't leave them in high heat and combine to extend their reach and health threat label them for easy identification. The Trouble With Ticks 6 f you think your zoonosis - more Those that attach to your cat ­ I cat can't get ticks informally known as or you ­ depend on your location. or the diseases th:tt bobcat fever. "This Ask Elizabeth 8 they spread, emerg­ is a very serious and The essentials of along, happy ing evidence indicates often fatal disease and healthy life for anew kitten. otherwise. While caused by protozoa cats, unlike dogs, are ~ called cytauxzoon IN THE NEWS ... fairly resistant to tick­ ~ felis," Dr. Miller says. AWarning on Human borne diseases, they Sldn (anter Cream I can be affected, says " PrIme Season. The Food and Dru g Admin­ Meredith L. Miller, 'Outdoor c.ats are at highest risk, especially 1f The disease is most istra tion is warn ing owners, vet­ DVM, ACVIM, a lec­ they Itve In wooded areas where ticks thrive. likely to strike erinarians, health care providers turer in small animal between March and and pharmacists of the risk of medicine at Cornell University College of September, when the incidence of ticks is at pets' illness and death associ­ Veterinary Medicine. its highest. Cats with cytauxzoonosis seem ated with the topical human One of those diseases is a merciless kill­ fine one day, sick the next. They develop a cancer medication ftuorourdcil. er with a tongue-twister of a name: cytaux­ high fever, become depressed or lethargic Initial reports cited the death (contlnu etl on page 6) of five dogs who accidentally ingested th e prescription cream, which is also sold as Cara c, Efudex ANew Definition for Animal Hoarding and Fluoroplex. Whil e the FDA h<>l)Iet to receive reports involv­ Jt'snD longeuomidered obsessive compulsive behavior ing cats, the agency expects cats to be ex tremely sen sitive but paranoia, depression and an attachment disorder to the cream, which is used to treat pre-cancerous and cancer­ an you identify the animal hoarder in suggests that hoarders suffer attachment dis­ ous skin growths. If an owner Cyour community? Is she the neighbor orders, paranoia and depression. applies the crea m dnd to uches who has cats gathering in her yard? Perhaps hiS ca t, the ca t may accid entall y it's the quiet man who keeps his window Often In Denial. As director of the ingest it when grooming. shades closed? Or an outgoing community Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell The FDA recommends that leader? How can you determine the difference University College of Veterinary Medicine, cloths or applicators be cleaned between an animal hoarder and someone Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MA, ABVP, has or safely discarded to avoid leav­ who responsibly cares for multiple pets? participated in more than a dozen hoarding ing residue on hands and cloth­ The majority of hoarders are women, and investigations and says, "Typically, animal ing. If you or someone in your the most common animal victims are cats, hoarders do not recognize that they're failing household uses topical medica­ with dogs second. However, animal hoarders to provide adequate care, and they may not tions containing fluorouracil and come in all income levels and ages. While they even recognize death." yo ur cat becomesexposed, con­ were believed to have an obsessive-compulsive Each year, between 900 and 2,000 new sult a veterinarian immed iately. 0) basis, the American Psychological Association cases of animal hoarding impacting as many (conlinued on page 4) CatWatch SHORT TAKES Become a Citizen Scientist EDITDR IN CHIEF Bruce G. Kornreich, DVM, Ph.D., and Help Research Ticks Dlpl ACVI M Hundreds of projects are underway across EDITOR the U.S.and perhaps thousands worldwide Betty Liddick using citizen scientists. They're volunteers ART DIRECTOR who collec t information, usually in coopera­ Mary Francis McGavic tion with professional scientists, in nelds from You can partldpateln a Comell.tudy by .end,ng ADVISORY BOARD computer science to medicine, ecology, outer a tI ~ lhdt was altached tOYOUT ... dt 10 t\~e uni~lt)"~ Feline tlealth Center for Kienl ihcdtion James A. Flanders. DVM, Dlpl space and beyond. AQIS, ASSOCiate P(Ofe~SOf, Cli nical Sciences 'The massive collaborati ons that can oc­ If th e carr ier requires a phone numbe r, use Margaret C. McEntee, DVM, cu r through citizen sci ence all ow investiga­ [)pl ACVIM, DACVR, tions at continental and global scales and (607) 253- 3394. For mOre information, email Professor or Oncology across decades - leading to discovery that a fhc [email protected] . General results of the William H. Miller. Jr.,VMD,Dlpl study will be se nt to pa rticipants In the sp ring ACVO. Plotes~r. Onlca\ SclfflCes single sCientis t could never achieve on their as new sa mples are received. Pamela J. Perry, DVM, Ph 0 own: says 5c istarter, a website that track s I Pew ,"r, (hnical Soences, 1,600 research projects and is partly support­ A ~ VB BehaVIor ReSident ed by th e National Science Foundation and An Enduring Mystery Arizona State Universit y. Ra ther than the big breakthrough, the Cornell University , College of Ifyou'd like to participate in citizen science resu lts of SCien tific studies often can indicate I) Veterinar y Medicine in a simple but signincant veterinary projec t what's ineffective in treatm ent. That was For rn'olm mon Oil your cat's health, at Cornell, save a tick removed from your cat the case when Craig Webb, DVM, PhD,at viSit 1I 1e Co~nell Univ(lfSl ty College of - read about the growing threat of ticks in Colorado State Unive rSity led a clinical trial of Vet erll\lfy Me diClr ~, Cornell Feline Hp~l t h (cna'r Site at this issue - and send ir to the Cornell Feline a diabetes mellitus treatment www vetcomellcdu/fhcl. Health Center. Our previous report nOled that his team You could contribute to a greater under­ would evaluate the effec ts of a nutraceutical standing of the viruses, bacteria and para­ antioxidant. ' Unfortunately, our study si tes that ticks carry and that cause disease failed to demonstrate any clear benefit to in cats and people in the center's Feline cats: Dr. Webb says. "The frllctosamine level (a serum protein test) in the treated (ol ~1 m c h' (IS' 1095-9092) Tick/ Lyme Oisea se Surveillance Program, IS published mOnlhly cat s did decrease signincant ly compared fm S39 per year by says parasitologist Dwight D. Bowman, PhD., 8etVOIf Ml!dra Group, to the placebo control group, but this I Lr, SlS (MI"rf.'C\!C U[ director of the program. I1 wa s most likely beca use the two groups III 1\" H rh..... ·, I-Jo rwalk, CT 00854­ Scientists will identify the type of tick us­ 17 1.t Robert En g'lund er, - chose n randomly - were different to Ch,lJrr nl1l. <" Id CEO. TimMhy H Colt!, ing visual and DNA based methods, and will E~t'Cu t l ve VICE! PI~s l de n! . Editorial begin with, This is sometimes a problem DlfoKlor. Philip l PfOnn y, Chief test each tick to determine whether it carr ie s (1p~dt in g OP ic (> r, Grrg King, Execurl lfl! seen in clinica l trial s where individuals are Vict- Pr~'l d ~n t. M:UK.f"tJnl} [l1re( tOf. Ron Borrelio bergdorferi, th e ba cteri a that cau ses Gnldbfor'J, (t"lh~f frl"iol li(ldl Ortl .... ~ r . Tc, m grouped randomly and th ere are important Lyme disease. ( <'Infl~ Vile ~e !. l de nl . l. l r(U~l1On differences 'by chan ce:" CI~OI7 6elvU' f Media Group. l L( To submit a tick, remove it from your cat Like other expert s, Dr. Webb bel ieves Pc~ tmo ~lf:r Seno '}c JrC'Sscorrections and provide information described on www. to (:l M'~I .. h. PO i:X)). 853.5. elY Sandy. that oxidative stre ss - an imbalance in rx 75JS5 SS]S corn ell.edu/ fhc under Research Studies. Place free radicals tha t can damage cells - plays For Customer Service it in a sealed, zippered plastic bag and pla ce or Subscription Information. VI SII a role,and that there may be a place for wwwC".1I'A'Jtchncwslel tcrcom/cs that bag inside another sealed, zippered plas­ c, (JI loll flot:~ BOO ·829·.e893 antioxidant therapy but says, "It is al so likely tic bag. Send via overnight carrier or priOrity h:f1It>~ ~ IN/men pf'rmlSSion IS that type 2 diabetic catsare different from leaulrt'd to /t'"Ofoouce. In .3ny mail to: type 2 humans and we just need to be InJI"IOer, UIe eolltemsof t hiS Issue, FHCTICKS CIIlh!r In rull 01 In part ror more smarter when It comes to figUring out this InfOIll l'ton. write to PCrIH !SSfOnS, Cornell Umverslty utWaltll, 535 t onl1ec:.eut AV!!.. C4-11 4 VMC very complex process in this even more J\ orwalk. (C'l lieu! 06854 -1 713 930 Campos Rd. Ithaca, NY 14853-6401 mysteriOUSspec ies l' <)

2 APR IL 2017 MEDICINE Keeping Medicines Safe and Effedive Avoid storing them in sunlight, high heat and humidity, and label them for easy identification

hen you pick up antibiotics at the at Cornell University College of W veterinary clinic for your ailing Veterinary Medicine. cat, your handling, storage and disposal "Also, don't leave your medi~ of the medicatjon can go a long way cines or your cats' medicines on toward improving his health, safety and a kitchen counter or a shelf ex~ the environment. posed 10 sunlight where they can Risks of medicine-related calamities get too hot and the cats can easily exist in every home with pels. They in­ reach them," clude accidentally mixing human and pet Safer storage locations are ASk the veterinarian or pharmad st ilbout specIal medications. exposing cats to flea topical dresser and nightstand drawers. .yringe stoppe" tha' r,t an lOp aI bo,tIEs or liquid flea preventives made for dogs and stor­ closed kitchen cabinets and a shelf med.iCine You f.an turn the borde upsIde- cJo.Nn (J1\d draw OU t the nghl dose wllhout spilling ing medications incorrectly in a manner in an enclosed china cabinet. that may reduce their effectiveness, Penny has been a pharmacist in human and veterinary medicine for if they are exposed to it, Penny pur­ The Wont location, Case in 2S years. She shares her home with three posely gives her Ihree dogs a safer alter­ point: don't stash medicine for you dogs and two cats, All are on preventive native: chewable versions. One reason: or your cat in the bathroom cabinet. medicines to keep thcm free of fleas and "If you apply topical flea and tick medi­ "It's one of the worst pJaces to store ticks. Each day. she gives vitamin sup~ cations on your dogs, you arc adviscd medicine because the potency of many plements and anti ~ inflammatory pills to not to have you r cat around them for 24 medicines is impacted by exposure Mac, her 12-year-old Great Pyrenees. to 48 hours," she says. "Separating your to extreme environmental conditions dogs from your cats for that time can - such as the heal and humidity gen­ Chewable Versions. Knowing that be challenging." eraled by people laking hot, steamy permethrin, an insecticide commonly Also, consider the weight differ­ showers," says Lisa Penny, director of found in canine flea and tick preventive ences if the cats and dogs were together. pharmacy and a registered pharmacist topicals, can be highly toxic to her cats "The flea and tick medicine I give I11y I30-pound Great Pyrenees would be a HOW TO SAFELY DISPOSE OF MEDICINE toxic overdose to my 9-pollnd cat, Lilly, because cats cannot tolerate permclhrin, It's Important to follow local laws on disposal of unused or expired medicine to especially at that high dose," Penny says. minimize health risks. For starters, never fiush them down the tOilet because the Ifyou have a cat who loves to snuggle medldne can impact your community's water supply, says Usa Penny, director under the covers, don't fit him with a of pharmacy and aregistered pharmacist at Comeli,'Also, drugs can be Intro­ flea and tick collar containing medicine duced into the environment and can make their way back into the food chain,' deSigned to last six months or morc. "There arc no studies out there, but logi­ Instead, she offers these safe measures: cally, if a pet wearing such a coll"r snug­ • Crush pills and mi. them with kitty litter in a sealed bag and put it in gles under the covers, the person can be the trash. in contact with that topical insecticide during the entire night of sleep. Why • Ask about medical "take-back" programs In your community, Hospitals, take that risk?" Penny says. "However, if some veterinary clinics and community news bulletins often have Infor­ mation on the programs. your cal sleeps at the foot of your bed on top of your bedspread, that is fine." • Follow guidelines on disposing of need les and syringes. Some By law, any prescription medicine syringe con tainers can be sealed and delivered to designated medi­ must be in a childproof container, but cal recycle centers. Penny knows that many people like "Remember, what you put in the environment eventually goes back Into the convenience of pill organizers to your body, so take the proper precautions: says Penny, store daily amounts of pills and vita­ mins. Again. stash these organizers in (,OI1 / ill w.'il 011 pag~ 7)

I PRll1017 Vh ll us.1 WWW.tol .w .l c; hntw $ l ~tltr . co m 1 WElFARE

HOARDING... (c. rrt,"rr"lji~m co....) as 250.000 animals are reported in the U. S., with cases doubling in the past four years. according to the Animal League Defense Fund. Experts credit the increase to greater public awareness and wider cooperation by law enforcement, humane societies, social services and mental health agencies. Identifying an animal hoarder can be difficult because some isolate themselves. while others may be viewed as champions ofhomeless pets. Some tend to be over· " whelmed by a large number of animals d1 il sanuuary WI",)l~rn ~nnsylvdllia . but often will ask for help. Others see The ASPCA said It fou nd an overwhelming situation cat In whf're more han 400ca(S weir-liVIng on rhe first fiool of a commcrckll bull .nq. M.ulI( ~~ suff~'nq themselves as rescuers, but fan to rec­ from UppCf ,esp!r,JtOl'Y and eyE! jnfectJon~ arxj felme I ~keml.l virus. dnrl so(nf' VV('re In cmKiJI ~1(:lIUOII ognize their failure to provide adequate care. They are resistant to help, often hostile to authorities. and will undermine rnals, has been involved in animal hoard­ diagnose and treat, and difficult to stop attempts to improve the situation. Still ing for more than 30 years. ''I've found that due to a nearJy 100 percent recidivism othe::s are exploit hoarders, collecting hoarding cases tend to be an interesting rate. Professionals from various agen­ animals to breed and sell them. but strange juxtaposition ofpeople think­ cies are increasingly sharing information Randy Lockwood, Ph.D., senior vice ing they are helping animals. but in actual­ about hoarding, Dr. Lockwood says. president for Anti-Cruelty Initiatives and ity, are killing them with kindness." "This is critical because animal hoarders Legislative Services for the American So­ As it turns out, animal hoarding is a can be mobile, and ifthey feel threatened, ciety for the Prevention ofCruelty to Ani- complex mental disorder challenging to they often move to a neighboring town

CORNELL TEAMS TRIAGE HOARDING CASES

As part of their training, veterinary students at Cornell's Shelter Medicine Program participate In medical teams to treat and rescue animals In hoard­ Ing cases. In November 2015, Dr. Elizabeth Berliner, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine at Cornell, and her students worked with the SPCA of Tompkins County and other agencies In Newfield, N.V.. where three animal remains were found, and 28 dogs, cats, and small mammals were found inside a single-wide trailer. The Cornell ream worked closely with SPCA officials and provided triage, documentation and veterinary management of the animals In this case. Five years earlier, the owners had been found gUilty of hoarding 100 animals In similar circumstances in Caroline, NY. The veterinary team follows health and safety protocols by wearing heavy gloves, masks, respirators and knee-high boots. Animals are quickly triaged based on their levels of need. Humane restraint equipment is used, Includ­ ing catch poles, transport cages and humane traps to safely remove scared or potentially aggressive animals. "We can use humane traps for under-socialized cats," Or. Berliner says. "We set the humane traps in the home and then return within hours to retrieve the cats inside these traps.The use of nets Is not successful on these cats Millin)' communities provide "harm reduc· as many tend to be feral, and we absolutely do not want to endanger the tion,"lmillng the ~mbef of pets lhal hoardef5 can have and carefully mal"l{1gtog and monl{()f'ing people retrieving the animals. It takes a team and we are forWnale to have mem, '¥Elzabeth s..Hner, DVM. MA. AEVP. di­ this collaboration between the college and the SPCA In our community." ,,,<.to<' or the shelterrnedldne P<09",m at Comen. • WELFARE or the next state. We are much better at were soaked with fecal matter and the are usually under socialized. They may be sharing information when we hear that a air was unbreathable. We wore masks, socialized toward other animals, but not hoarder has moved." rubber boots, other personal protective to people. They can be hard to re-home." The big difference between oeD and gear. While it is hard to fathom how a Individuals who adopt a ca t who has hoarding is the level of insight in the in­ person can live in this environment. what been hoarded need to have realistic ex­ dividual. "People with OeD perform cer­ is mOre striking was that these poor ani­ pectations about their Jevel of interaction tain compulsive rituals that they are often mals had no choice." with them. "Shelters need to be sure the aware ofand uncomfortable with and Specifically, cats rescued from people who adopt them know their situa­ OeD is relatively treatable," Dr. lock­ hoarding situations often suffer from tions"and are committed to keeping them wood says. "However, a prime charac· one Or more ofthese medical conditions. physically and behaviorally healthy," Dr. teristic of a hoarder is the lack of insight. Dr. Berliner says: Berliner says. "We can sometimes help 1hese are people who otherwise function these animals overcome their socializa­ at high levels and can be highly educated, • elm",l, respiratory conditions. tion issues and fears of people - or we but don't seem to realize the harm they including calidvirus, feline herpes, need to give them the space they reqUire are doing to animals," and pneumonia to live a quality life in whatever setting

When you go into a hoar der's home • Skin cOJJditiani J including flea and we determine to be more appropriate." and see the clutter and presence ofdead mite infestation, ringworm, lice, animals, you wonder why they can't see mange, infected open sores, urine Public Policy. Animal hoarding task it or smell it, Dr. l.ockwood says. "Denial scalding, and overgrown nails forces are being created at community is a big part of this condition. You see the • Ga.!lrolntesllnal conditio'... . includ­ and statewide levels. Mental illness plays conflict ofa person wanting to care for ing diarrhea from parasites such as a big role, so criminal prosecution is not animals. but the animals in their care are worms, giardia and coccidia always the most effective approach, Dr. dying and the only way for this person to • Nutritional conditions. up to and Berliner says. "When animal hoarders reconcile this is denial." including starvation are prosecuted, it is usually under anti­ cruelty statutes." Effect o n Health. Par more evident is "Cats in these hoarding situations Many communities are providing the medical and emotional toll on cats incur diseases of neglect and poor hus­ more of a "harm reduction" approach by and other animals. "Last year, we were bandry," says Dr. Berliner. "Sadly, some offering assistance to animal hoarders part of a team that investigated a hoard­ animals we find are dead. Others are in with a limited number of pets who are ing ca se in a Single-wide trailer," Dr. such bad condition that they need to be carefully managed and monitored over Berliner says. "It was shocking. TIle floors eu thanized. And those we are able to save the long-term, Dr. Berliner says. "This requires cooperation hetween human 'DO NOT TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM ON YOUR OWN' health providers, hOUSing services and humane investigation units to be suc­ Here are signs that may Indicate a person Is an animal hoarder, according to cessful and guarantee that the animals the Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium from Tufts Cummings School are provided proper care and kept to a ofVeter~ Medic;ne, which.gathered early research on the 5Ubje~ reasonable number.'" (l • The home Is cluttered and may have holes in the wails and broken windows. TO LEARN MORE: • The floors are caked with dried feces, urine and vomit These sites have Information • The animals inside are emaciated, lethargic and not well socialized. about animal hoarding:

• Fleas and vermin are present. • Animal Legal Defense League • Th e Individual is isolated and appears to be in neglect himself. at www.aldl.org • The IndiVidual insists animals are happy and healthy. • Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium at www,vets. If you suspect a person is hoard ing animals, contact your local animal tufts,edulhoardlng humane investigator or law enforcement agency. "It takes someone call­ Ing attention to the problem to get It solved: says Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, • ASPCA at www,aspca.org/ MA, ABVP, director of the shelter program at Cornell. 'Do not try to solve anlmal·auelty/anlmal­ the problem on your own because It is very complex and requires con­ hoarding/closer-look· certed efforts among various agencies." animal-hoarding,

APRlll017 Vis it U5 .1 WWW . (liIIlw,Uclin~wslettu " om s TICKS '" «oltlin",dJrvm ,o'Tr) where ticks thrive. City kitties are le ss Ticks that carry C. feli s are the and lose appetite. The protozoal infection prone but not immune from the threat. Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma ameri­ prevents blood fl ow to tissues, resulting The only treatment is a cocktail of canum). which is considered the pre­ in multiple organ failure. a ntiparasitic and antibiotic drugs, plus dominant carrier of the disease. and Cats who develop cytauxzoonosis "go aggressive supportive care such as IV the American Dog Tick (D ermacentor down really fast," says Cornell parasitolo­ fluids and a fee ding tube for nutritional variabilis). These ticks are found in gist Dwight D. Bowman, Ph.D. Even with sustenance. Some cats may need oxygen Southeastern and South-Central states treatment, cats can die within a week or bl ood transfusions. suc h as Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma of infection. The mortality rate is often greater than 50 percent. "There are stud· ies showing that cats die within days of the tick bite," Dr. Bowman says. Infected cats cannot spread the deadly disease to humans or other cats or dogs. Despite its name, bobcat fever affects domestic cats as well as bobcats and moun­ tain lions, Bobcats appear to be the main reservoir for the disease, hence the name. CytauxlQonosis may develop from five to 20 days after exposure, so note it Tick S don't Jump on a pa.s5ing animal or human. They climb onto blades of g,a30sor tall weeds. and grab .anlT'nals dnd humans. The American Dog Tick. ilt the lE>ft, and thE" LO'lE" ~tar 1fck Ph?­ on your calendar ifYOll nnd a tick on your dom1nilfltiy transmit cytauxzoonosls. TO c:..lts The (leks are fou4'\d In the Southeast and as fa t a$ thl" cat. Outdoor cats are at highest risk, espe­ Atlantic "OdSI and Nonh ODkora cially if they live in rural or wooded a Teas

THE TROUBLE WITH TICKS

Cornell parasitologist Dwight D, Bowman, Ph.D., and other experts say that licks extending their range remain viable throughout the year in many parts ofthe country. While cats typically don't directly transmit tick-borne Illnesses to humans, if your cat is exposed to ticks, you are, too, The kind of tick that attaches to your cat depends on where you live: • In the Northeast: Deer, or black-legged, ticks Cats are safest from these diseases If they live Indoors. (Ixodes scapularis) can sprea(J anaplasmosis phaga­ Those who go outdoors should receive a routine tick cytophilum and ehrlich/osis to cats, Despite its name, preventive year-round or wear a breakaway tick col­ the brown dog tick doesn't discriminate and may lar, It's a myth that cats don't get ticks and don't need also feed on cats and transmit ehrlich/os/s, protection from them. That belief may stem from the • south: Cats are at the greatest risk from the possibility that cats groom ticks off themselves more Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma amer/canum) and the quickly than dogs or that ticks are hidden In the feline American Dog nck, Both transmit the potentially fur coat. fatal cytauxzoonosis . They may al so encounter "Tick preventives can be either monthly spot-ons, such the same ticks and tick-borne diseases found in as Frontline Plus or Revolution, or a tick collar such as a the Northeast. You can identify the Lone Star Tick Seresto collar that lasts for eight months: Dr. Miller says. by the bright white spot on its back, "It Is also important to brush your cat and look for ticks • Upper Midwest: You can expect to see the to remove manually if he goes outdoors, particularly In same ticks and tick-borne diseases found In the warmer months." Northeast. Cytauxzoonosls Is also a threat to cats in this region. Some preventives repel ticks or kill on contact. With oth­ ers, the tick dies only if it bites the cat. 'Seeing a tick on • West Coast: Cats may acquire anaplasmosis from you r pet does not necessarily mean the preventive isn't black-legged ticks, Those in the Pacific Northwest working: Dr. Miller says, may also encounter the American Dog Tick, which carries cytauxzoonosis. Talk to the veterinarian about the best choice for your cat

6 AP Rtl 20 11 HEALTH

We don't have a clear answer, but there are SAFE TICK REMOVAL: NO MATCHES, PLEASE reports ofcats with Lyme-like symptoms responding to treatment for Lyme disease. You may have heard tales about how to remove ticks. Ignore them. Never Ticks can also ca rry Mycoplasma 'pp., try to burn off the tick by applying a hot match or a lighted cigarette; you a blood parasite that can cause severe are likely to bum your cat. Other ineffective techniques Include covering anemia in cats. Other potential patho­ the tick with Vaseline or minerai oil. These methods are messy at best, inju­ gens that can be passed by a tick bite in­ rious at worst. They may even cause the tick to release more bacteria or clude Ehrlichia spp. and Bartonella 'pp. protozoa into the bite site. Mycoplasma, formerly known as If you can't face removing the tick, take your cat to the veterinarian and 1,,1 haemobartonella felis, is transmitted by a professional do It. Otherwise, start by putting on gloves to protect your the bite ofan infected tick but can also be skin from possible infection if the tick bursts. With tweezers or a sp",ial transmitted from mother cat to kittens or tick removal device, grasp th" tick dose to the skin and tug firmly. Place from one infected cat to anotht!f during a the tick In a sealed container fi lled with alcohol to kill It. AVOid flushing live fight. It 's also possible infected cats could ticks down the toilet; they have air sacs that allow them to survive in water. transfer the disease to humans through bites or scratches'.".:_-:-_ A1'ter removfng a tfck, wash your handsthoroughly with soap ~nd warm In cats with fcline leukemia or feline water. Apply antiseptic to the area where your cat was bitten, and give him immunodeficiency virus and even some a treat to take away the sting. healthy cats, mycoplasma can cause severe and occasionally fatal hemolytiC anemia. and Texas, but that's not the limit of Lyme disease is the most common Ehrlichia and Anaplasma transmitted by their range. They are seen as far east as tick-borne illness. It's seen primarily in ticks can cause disease in cats, but little the Atlantic coast and as far north as humans but is also known to affect dogs. else is known about their effect on felines. North Dakota. The disease, which is transmitted by spi­ Cats with Ehrlichia or Anaplasma may "The trouble is Amblyomma arneri­ rochete bacteria through the bite of a tick, have a fever. seem lethargic. lose their ap­ canum is definitely moving north," Dr. causes joint inAammation, kidney disease, petite and weight, suffer joint pain or have Bowman says. "We know that for a fact. appetite loss and lethargy. It's not known vomiting and diarrhea. Treatment with So it is becoming much more common." for certain ifcats can get Lyme disease. antibiotics may resolve these signs . .)

MEDICINE

MEDICATION ... (rollliIUled]",,,, ,,"go J) a drawer or enclosed shelf to prevent a some companies offer online rebates or flare up, Penny says. "You don't want to curious cat from accessing them. discounts, or ask a registered pharmaCiSt." unintentionally create antibiotic resistance "Yes, there are childproof containers, in your pet." but nothing exists in life that is truly pet Choice of Compounding, In choosing Ifyour cat is diagnosed with diabetes 'P'I"oQ{;" -..h~ ,,';\ys. "And tfyour pet"Vomlts~the form of the medlcaUon;"'?enny-s-ays and reqUires insulin lnjectlo·ns; Penny after receivi.ng medication, do not re- some feline medications to treat hyperthy­ stresses the importance of not trying to medicate him. Call the veterinarian. The roidism or infections can be made more save money by re-using the needles or same applies if you are not sure if your pet palatable by compounding pharmacies syringes. "There is a concern of infection swallowed one of your pills. Sometimes, that add meat or fish flavoring that do development ifyou re-use syringes, and inducing vomiting is the right thing to do not detract from the medicine's potency. every time you use the needle, it gets a little and sometimes it is not) which is why you Ask your eat's veterinarian or pharmacist duller and a dull needle hurts more. And need to call the veterinarian right away." about special syringe stoppers that fit on never use insulin beyond its expiration If owners want to split medications top of bottles ofliquid medicine. These date, as it becomes less effective." in advance to fit pill organizers, they enable you to turn the bottle upside down Her final tip: use visual markers to eas­ should know some medications should and draw out the right dose into the ily identify your medicine and your cat's. be left whole. "Always check with the syringe without spilling. Prescription bottles from Cornell feature veterinarian or registered pharmacist," If your cat is on antibiotics and seems images of cats and dogs. You can go a step Penny says. "In addition, splitting a dose to be completely healthy, give him tI,e farther by placing something brightly col· to save money is never a good idea. The entire dose. Do not stop halfway through ored like neon orange duct tape on the top dose prescribed is what is needed to the course ofthe prescription and think of the bottles and always store medicine treat the condition. Ifcost is a challenge, you can save these antibiotics for the next for your cat separately from yours. <>

APRIllOt1 YhH In a t www . c.uw.t t (hn.!W51~I!et.cc)m 1 ASK EliZABETH

The Essentials of aLong, Happy additional vaccines. Vaccines most commonly and Healthy Life for a New Kitten require regular boosters at varying intervals, and it is important that you follow the veteri­ We've recently acquired a new kitten and narian's advice regarding vaccine boosters. Qwant to make sure that we do a/l we can It will be important for you to feed your kitty to give her a long and happy life. With so much a nutritionally complete and balanced diet for information available, I wonder ifyou can give me whatever stage of life she is in (i.e., kitten versus a quick rundown of the things you feel are most adult), to always provide access to clean water, important to assure that our baby has the best to provide her with a clean litter box and to chance to live a long and happy life. monitor her elimination to make sure that she does not have diarrhea, bloody stools, overly Elizabeth First, thank you for taking this new kitty into dry stools or excessive or decreased urination. D.Vrlbt,'11 r !honkfoi for ,t}1~ A your life. I am sure that with a few point­ Monitoring her appetite, weight and activity OSfI5!Or7(l' of rtl(,(Offtt'lIl-t'iine ers, you will have her with you for a long, happy level is also important, as abnormalities in any ! r,a1rh Crl1ll"r 1.11 prp• .,,j,lnl1,11t' (lri5'1o'\" G'!'llh ..., rJf.i;lr' time. There are some basic things that may seem of these may signify a problem. like common sense, but that can be very helpful Your kitty should be kept indoors and should for owners to be proactive about with respect to be provided with appropriate places to scratch assuring the well-being of their kitties. (i.e., a scratching post), to play and climb (such The first recommendation is to have your kitty as a kitty condo), and to retreat to for quiet examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible times and sleeping. Taking 15 minutes per day after acquiring her. This is important to make to play with her with an appropriate feather or sure that no congenital diseases are present, that other kitty-appropriate toy will also be great for she is free of intestinal parasites (i.e., worms) and her psychological well-being and for your rela­ PLEASE ectoparasites (i.e., fleas and ticks) to begin pro­ tionship with her. SHARE YOUR QUESTIONS viding appropriate preventive care and to take Making sure she does not have access to com­ advantage of the veterinarian's expertise with mon household toxins, such as antifreeze, acet­ We wekom~ quest10ns issues such as feeding, grooming and behavior. aminophen (Tylenol), various plant species such on health. medjcfne and behavior, but reqrel that After your kitty has received the initial series of as pOinsettias, lilies and tulips; and to foreign we unnotcomment vaccines, it is generally recommended that you objects that she can ingest and bite into, such as 011 puor diagnoses and take her to the veterinarian annually for a weil string, holiday tree garland, chicken bones and specifIc: products. Please wri te CafWOIc/l editor, care visit until the age of 10 years, after which electrical cords, is also very important. 535 Con~(!c.tlcut Ave.. she should be taken twice yearly for checkups. As she ages, management changes such as f'4orwalk, CT 0685441 713 Of A very important component of these early placing litter boxes with low sides (easier for email c.atwl}tchedltor ~ visits to the veterinarian is the administration of arthritic kitties to step into) in easily reachable c:.orne-lI.edu . vaccines to provide protection against infectious places, providing ramps for access to different diseases. All cats should be given the appropri­ levels in your house and providing a warm, soft ate course of vaccines for feline panleukopenia, place to rest will make those golden years that COMING UP ... feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus and rabies much more pleasant. (these are considered "core" vaccines). Others This list is not comprehensive. Please talk may benefit from additional vaccines for feline with your cat's veterinarian about more specif­ leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency ics, but if you follow these simple gUidelines, virus, depending upon a number of factors that you will be going a long way toward maximiz­ influence their risk for these viral diseases. ing both the duration and the quality of your Your cat's veterinarian is best equipped to time together. -> provide counsel about the necessity for these -Sincerely, Elizabeth

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8 APRIL !Gl1