Expert information on medicine, behavior and health from a world leader in veterinary medicine Feline Upper Respiratory Infedions Short Takes 2 Feedback from TNR groups; anew These pernicious disorders can be traced to just two oral NSAID for cats; genetic testing to help the Burmese breed. viruses. Here's what you need to know to protect your cat. The Risk of Glaucoma 3 Treatment can be difficult and costly, our seven-year-old affecting her nose, so prompt care is very important. Ycat is a generally sinuses, pharynx and healthy animal. In fact, larynx. Why is it, you Broken Bones: All Cats At Risk 4 she's never had a really wonder, that your cat Fortunately, most feline fractures can serious sick-day in her never experiences this be repaired by aveterinary surgeon. life. But your neighbor's problem, while the cat An At-Home Health Exam S cat always seems to be next door can't seem to Here's how you can be the eyes and ill. Indeed, every few shake it? ears of your vet in just afew minutes. months she shows up on The answer, most your doorstep wheezing, probably, is that you've Ask Elizabeth: 8 sneezing and coughing. taken your cat to your What feline purring is all about. Her eyes are red and wa­ veterinarian for period­ ------------1 tery, and she acts lethar­ ic booster vaccination IN THE NEWS '" gic. These disturbing signs persist for a week to protect her against the infectious agents or 10 days, but then she seems to be all right responsible for most feline upper respiratory Let Them Eat Cake! (Just again - for a while. infections. Your neighbor's cat, on the other Don't Invite Your Cat.) It's quite likely that the cat next door is hand, hasn't seen a vet in years. I suffering from a deeply rooted upper respira­ Sweetness is detected by a tory infection, a highly contagious disease (continued on page 6) specific receptor protein (what we commonly refer to as a 'taste bud') in the tongue. Cats are known to be insensitive to sweet Is Your Cat Afraid of Strange Noises? tastes, but the specific reason was not known until recently. Personality, experience and genetic makeup will help create Researchers analyzed the genes encoding the taste buds afearless tiger, or a confirmed scaredy cat. Here's why. Tn tWelve dffferent carnivorous species, including cats ("Major "' A Jhenever cat owner Susan Lomond turns or a hair dryer. "But thunder and fireworks taste loss in carnivorous V V on her printer, her cat Sylvester dashes don't seem to bother cats," says Katherine A. mammals," in Proceedings ofthe over to sit on it, lie on it and watch in fascina­ Houpt, VMD, PhD, the emeritus James Law National Academy ofSciences, US, tion as the paper comes out. But when Susan's Professor of Animal Behavior at Cornell Uni­ 2012 ). They found that those friend Diana turns on her printer, her cat, Petra, versity's College ofVeterinary Medicine. "I have species such as cats - whose flees in terror. never seen fireworks or thunder phobia in cats," diet is exclUSively meat-based Cats respond differently to noise depending she says. - had lost the gene encoding on their personalities and experiences - and Genetics playa strong role with cats. "Some the taste bud for sweetness. even their genetics. When cats get scared of cats are genetically afraid of almost everything. Other affected species noise, we often feel the need to soothe them. These are the ones we call 'scaredy cats,'" says included dolphins, sea lions, Actually, that may not be helpful. Dr. Houpt. "They not only run from noises, but seals, otters and hyenas.An also from visitors." While frightened dogs may animal with a diet devoid of How to Help Your Cat. Cats differ from try to run away, cats are more likely to retreat vegetables may have little dogs when it comes to being frightened by and find a place within the house to hide, such need to detect sugars, explains noise. Dogs are notoriously afraid of thunder as in a closet, under the bed or high up on a Gary Beauchamp, director of and fireworks, and will often try to escape from kitchen cabinet. the Monell Chemical Senses the house in a panic. Cats are more likely to be But not all noise is bad. Take Susan's printer, Center in Philadelphia, PA, and scared of unexpected noises around the house, for example. If your cat associates a noise with the lead author of the study. (. such as the vacuum cleaner, construction work (continu ed on page 7) CatWatch SHORTTAKES sites, lethargy, vomiting and inappetence. EDITOR IN CHIEF Feedback from TNR Groups Elizabeth Vecsi Most "trap-neuter-return" feral cat groups The drug is indicated for cats weigh­ CONSULTANTS provide vaccines and other veterinary ser­ ing 5.5 pounds or heavier, and at least six Bruce G. Kornreich, DVM, PhD, vices prior to releasing them, according to months old, for a maximum of three days. DACVIM. Cardiology a sur vey of 120 such groups conducted by The drug should not be used in cats that ADVISORY BOARD Alley Cat Rescue, a feral cat TNR advocacy have a hypersensitivity to robenacoxib or James A. Flanders, DVM, Dipl ACVS. Associate Professo r. group. known intolerance to NSAIDs. The drug Clinical Sciences Ninety-six percent of the groups provide should not be administered in conjunction Richard R. Goldstein. DVM. rabies vaccinations, while 64 percent provide with any other oral or injectable NSAID or DACVIM DECVIM-CA, Associate distemper vaccinations. Twelve percent corticosteroid, according to Novartis. Professor of Chnical Sciences provide feline leukemia shots, 62 percent Marc S. Kraus, DVM. Dipl ACVIM. deworm feral cats and 64 percent provide Lecture r. Clinical Sciences Help for the Burmese Breed Aea treatment. Burmese cats can inherit a muscle weak­ Margaret C. McEntee, DVM, Diol ACVIM, DACVR. The majority (96 percent) of feral cat ness - called Burmese hypokalaemia ­ Professor of Oncol ogy groups neuter stray cats before placing them which is caused by low levels of blood potas­ William H. Miller, Jr.. DVM. ABVP. in homes, and most groups also provide sium. However, with the identification of the PI fessor, Cllnlnical SCiences spay and neuter services to owned cats to genetic mutation responsible for the disease, Ilona Rodan, DVM, DipJ ABVP prevent future colonies from forming, ac­ a genetic test has been developed. Wisconsin Cat Care Clinic, Madison. WI cording to Alley Cat Rescue. The researchers hope that, by genetic Feral cat groups' efforts to educate the testing and selective breeding, the disease public about trap-neuter-release programs can eventually be eradicated in the Burmese have been productive, with 65 percent of breed. Cornell University College of respondents calling their education efforts This genetic disease - also known as Fa­ f) Veterinary Medicir "somewhat" effective, and 18 percent finding milial Episodic Hypokalaemic Pol ymyopathy their efforts extremely successful. - is characterized by skeletal muscle weak­ For information on your eat's health, Most animal control agencies do not offer ness, which is episodic in nature and can ei­ visit the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Corn ell Feline trap-neuter-release programs (61 percent), ther impact the animal's entire body or may Hea lth Center, website at and one in three agencies have trapped and be localized to the neck or limb muscles. As www.v et.comell.edulfhcl killed whole colonies, according to re spon­ a result, affected cats usually have problems dents. walking and holding their head correctly. Respondents had some luck working with The new genetic test for Burmese hypo­ the animal control agencies, with a fairly kalaemia allows cat breeders, ow ners and even split between "difficult" and "somewhat veterinarians to test for this disease. Burmese successful" responses and 21 percent of re­ hypokalaemia is an autosomal recess ive CotWorch· (lSSN: 1095-9092) spondents reporting a "positive" experience. disease, which means that carrier cats do not IS published r nr hly for show signs of d isease. However, mating two 539 p<' r year by BelvOir :j_ Media Group, LLC, 800 ANew Oral NSAID for Cats cats carrying the mutation has a 25 percent (onnee leur Ave. Norwalk. Novartis Animal Health has recently un­ chance of producing kittens that w ill be He\vol r cr06854-1631 Roben Englander. Chairman veiled its Onsior (robenacoxib) tablets affected. and CEO; Timothy H. Cole. ecutive - a three-day non-steroidal anti-inAamma­ According to Dr. Chris Helps, Head of the Vi ce President. Editorial Director; Philip L Penny.ChiefOperating Officer; Gr _ tory drug for postoperative cats. The drug Molecular Diagnostic Unit at Langford Veteri ­ King. Executive Vice PreSident, Marketing is indicated for the control of postopera­ nary Services (LVS): "It is possible to continue Dile<:ror; Ron Goldberg. Chier Finandaf Office'; Tom Canfield.Vice President, tive pain and inAammation associated with to use carrier cats in breeding programmes Circulation.<02012 BelVOir Media Group, orthopedic surgery, ovariohysterectomy to retain important breeding lines and to LLC. and castration. It is the first multidose oral avoid reducing the size of the Burmese gene Postmaster: Send address corrections NSAID to be approved for cats, according to pool. As long as carrier cats are mated to to CatWatch, p.o. Box 8535, Big Sandy. TX 75755-8535. Novartis. normal cats, no affected kittens will be pro­ For Customer Service The drug's short blood half-life causes the duced. This mating is likely to produce kit­ or Subscription information. visit active ingredient to be quickly eliminated tens that are carriers, which can be identified www.catwatchnewsletter.comlcs from the blood while persisting longer at the by genetic testing and, if necessary, future or call toll free 800-829-8893 site of inAamed tissue, allowing for once-a­ matings arranged with normal cats ." Expres s wri tten pe rmi SSIon is required to reprodu ce.