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This is an unindexed assortment of questions that I really didn't have a category for or are about several completely different issues or that didn't quite seem to fit anywhere. Miscellaneous questions.

For an indexed table of contents please see Cat Info

For an alphabetical index see Cat Index

Having the best veterinary info for your cats and other pets is a great way to make sure they stay healthy and have a long life. Don't be afraid to go visit your local pet hospital and see that they are using the best veterinary drugs and medicine available for your pet. A healthy pet is a happy pet so do all you can to ensure that healthy happiness!

 Keeping a cat home

Q: I have a ten-year old, neutered, de-clawed, male cat, who was given to us
when he was four. He has traditionally been an indoor-outdoor cat, but
lately he just wants roam the neighborhood, getting out of the yard,
being gone for hours. Because he cannot fend for himself, we put him on a
chain attached to a clothes line so he has some movement, but I
continually feel this is cruel.  What can I do to help him be more
content, and is there any way I can keep him in the fenced yard we have?
 I know of dog owners who put up an electric fence, but again, I think
this to be cruel.  Any help you can offer would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Linda L
 

A: Linda-

I know of several cat owners in our practice who have built outdoor play
areas for their cats using aluminum or fiberglass screening. The cats seem
to like the arrangement. I'm sure it is a little expensive and you have to
have some ability to build things but my clients seem to think it was worth
the effort. Cat Fancy magazine had pictures of some of these types of
things in an issue last year, I think.

Most cats are pretty happy staying indoors. That might be the best option
if your cat is content. Not all cats are, though.

Other than those two options I don't know of any other way to change
things. He is probably able to defend himself better than you think but I
really don't think that it is safe to be wandering the neighborhood so it
would be good to avoid that option.

Wish I could help more.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 
  Neuromuscular disorder and excessive water consumption

Q: Hi, My cat is about 13 year old. For more than a  month now she is obsessed by water and seems to have a urinary problems. On  top of that, since yesterday, she is not able to walk ok, like here front legs are not able to carry here front body.

The bad part is  that I got also problems with my urinary track. I did have a high fever and  was not able to urinate, I did go to an emergency room and got help. I never  had a blood test.

Is this related to my cat ?   What is  happening to my cat ?

What to do about it with very limited finance and  no insurance ?

Thank you for replying to me

Jean-Pierre

A: Jean-Pierre
 

When cats are drinking a lot of water and showing signs of neuromuscular disorders the two most likely problems are diabetes and kidney failure with low potassium levels. There are other possibilities. It is not possible to distinguish between these problems without at least some labwork but a urinalysis is usually pretty inexpensive and can help a great deal in making a diagnosis, especially if the problem is diabetes. It is very unlikely that there is a contagious urinary tract problem, especially one that would be contagious between humans and cats.

It is costly to treat diabetes well. It is a little less costly to treat chronic kidney failure in cats. It would definitely be worth finding out what is happening to cause the symptoms you are seeing because it can help in making decisions about what to do, even if treatment isn't an option.

Good luck with this. If you are upfront with your vet about your budgetary limitations and you are reasonable you will probably be surprised at your vet's willingness to work with you.

Mike Richards, DVM
 

 Eye Problem
 

 Q:Dear Dr. Mike:
        I have spent over $3,000 trying to find out what is  wrong and still      History:" Around the end of 9/97, my cat developed an eye infection in  his right I  took him to the vet and he gave us oral amoxicillin and Gentocin  drops  The vet prescribed Antirobe    We used  Viroptic  The vet then  put him on Baytril and Gentocin      It occurred to me that it might have  helped to do bloodwork, but this vet never did it.   The next vet gave him a shot of steroids and  put him on atropine     In 2 weeks, his left  The vet have him another  shot of steroids, an injection of Baytril, and  put him on Baytril pills as well as Tobramycin  drops, and Optimune ointment The vet have him Aktrol  The  eye was no better in a week, so the vet gave him Panmycin and  aktrol  In 2 weeks, we were back, and got an  injection of steroids, Terramycin ointment,  oral Medrol and Optimune   The vet  gave
him another steroid injection, Panmycin,  metoclopramide, and aktrol    The
doctor  finally  Precious is put back on  Panmycin  His eye pressures are
high so he is put on  Trusopt . He prescribed  Clavamox ,clindamycin, bile salts, and  enrofloxacin  I know this is a difficult  case.

Alice

A: Dear Alice,

I found this message today and can not remember whether I replied to it or
not. I am sorry for the long delay if I did not respond previously.

I didn't understand the reference to cholangitis in the subject since it
wasn't mentioned in the body of the email. If this is considered to be part
of the eye problem by your vet, please let me know.

The eye problem sounds difficult. Without seeing the eye it is very hard to
give much advice. The two most common disorders affecting the cornea, other
than trauma, are probably rhinotracheitis ( a herpes virus ) and
eosinophilic granuloma complex. Both of these can be very difficult to
treat. The treatment for the conditions is different but it appears that
your vet has attempted to treat for both conditions. Viroptic is used for
herpes virus infections and cortisone injections may be but are more often
used for eosinophilic granulomas. I realize that you have spent a great
deal of money already, but if this eye continues to be a problem the best
course of action would be to ask for referral to a veterinary
ophthalmologist, probably. They see the most difficult cases and usually
have more experience in diagnosing and treating them than general
practitioners. We have a patient who had a two year long bout with
recurrent and painful eosinophilic granuloma lesions affecting one eye,
even though her treatment was being supervised by a veterinary
ophthalmologist. Finally, the eye cleared up and has been OK for almost
three years now. Hang in there -- both disorders tend to wax and wane so
time is on your side.

Trusopt seems to work, based on anecdotal reports by veterinary
ophthalmologists but I don't know if there are any validated studies
showing effectiveness. Glaucoma is somewhat common in Siamese cats so it is
likely to be present and would probably aggravate almost any other corneal
disease.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Mother and kitten conflict

Q: I need some expert advice.  We have two cats, a mommy and one of her babies, who is now about six months old.  Yesterday afternoon some maintenance workers came into our apartment while we were at work and left a window open.  Our kitten fell five floors.  Miraculously, we were
able to find her and our vet took xrays which did not show any broken bones or damaged organs.  The problem we are finding is that the mommy now hisses and moans whenever she comes near her kitten.  Why is she doing that and what can we do to get these two back to the chummy pals they were?  What can we do to help the kitty heal?  How long can we expect our normally fearless, curious kitten to be somewhat hesitant and lethargic?  Any information you can pass along would be so helpful.

Thank you. Staci

A: Dear Staci,

It is not unusual for cats to fight or exhibit aggressive postures towards each other when they have been separated. Most of the time they will readjust to each other if they got along previously but it may take several days. If they have not made progress after a week or so, it may be worthwhile to consider using anti-anxiety medications but your vet will need to help you decide which cat would be best to treat or if both need treatment.

Hopefully this problem has resolved itself.

Mike Richards, DVM
 

 Elimination Behavior

Q: Dear Dr. Mike, A lady in my office has a long-haired mixed breed neutered male cat that periodically has eliminated on the floor in the room that its litter box is in. Medical tests have ruled out physical problems. Litter box is kept clean. They have noticed that this only happens after they have had company. Their vet has put their cat on Ovban (sp?) with no results - 1/4 tablet every other day. They are not sure if the cat is spraying or just urinating. They have not been able to catch him doing it. Carpet has been cleaned with enzymatic type cleaner. What would you suggest as the next step to try? Cat has been on hormone therapy for appox. 1 1/2 month. Jill-

A: I would recommend getting this cat a second litterpan if possible and then I'd try diazepam (Valium Rx) or buspirone (Buspar Rx) to aid in the control of the urination. These have been more effective for us than megestrol acetate (Ovaban Rx) and are less likely to produce serious side effects.

Mike Richards DVM
 
 
 

Lesions under tongue

Q: I was just told, from the front desk at the Vet's office, that my 4 1/2 month old kitten had lesions under her tongue. What is that? It isn't apparent to my unproffessional eye. Could lesions appear immediately after being spayed...from licking the suture? I know that I should ask more questions at the Vet's office, but at the time, it was very busy, and they didn't answer my question, when I called them later in the day. Thanks. Robin

A: Robin-

I guess it is possible that the lesions could be from licking the sutures but it would appear to me if that was the case the lesions would be on the top of the tongue, not underneath. Cats do have various types of viral diseases which have oral lesions as a clinical sign (calici virus, herpes virus, fiv) and underlying diseases such as renal disease but most of the time, other clinical signs are associated with the above diseases such as sneezing, ocular or nasal discharge with calici/herpes or decreased appetite and lethargy with the other problems. There is a good chance the lesion isn't anything. Most oral lesions can interfere with eating if severe enough and you may notice drooling, decreased appetite etc. Since are concerned, I think you need talk to your vet directly or schedule an appt to have your kitten rechecked. I am sure your vet would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Moe Richards, DVM
 
 

Weight loss, older cat
 

Q: Dr. Mike-

My ten-year old cat has been losing weight for several months. She seems to feel fine except for the weight loss and labwork has all been normal, including a T4 value of 1.7 mcg/dl (normal 0.8 to 4.0 mcg/dl), normal glucose levels and normal kidney values. Is it possible that hyperthryoidism is the problem despite the normal blood values?

A: Linda-

As cats get older their T4 levels drop.  Some older cats with T4 levels in the midrange
or  even in the lower half of the range for T4 are actually hyperthyroid because their individual "normal" value is very low. We have seen this problem mostly in cats that
are 15 years or more of age.

Thyroid hormone levels can vary a lot over time in cats and some cats with
hyperthyroidism can be detected simply by repeating the total T4 test at a
later time. Usually it is best to wait at least a week and some endocrinologists recommend waiting a month.

 It is possible to test for hyperthyroidism using more specific testing if it seems warranted. There are two ways to do this. One is to draw blood and test for free T4
levels (the free T4 is the portion of total T4 that is circulating in the blood system
without being bound to anything).  It is possible for the free T4 to be high while the
total T4 is low. This test is also occasionally misleading because some other conditions, most notably kidney failure, can cause rises in the free T4 levels. An alternative test
is T3 suppression testing.  The test takes three days, on the first day blood is drawn
and saved under refrigeration so it can be compared with blood drawn on the last day. Oral T3 (Cytomel Rx) is administered every 8 hours for 2 days and the morning the of the  third day. Then blood is drawn again within 8 hours of this pill. The T4 levels in the two samples are compared. In cats with hyperthyroidism, the T4 level in the second sample should be below 20nmol/L.

Of course, there is also a strong possibility that your cat doesn't have hyperthyroidism, so it is important to evaluate the overall situation. If weight loss continues and can not
be explained by other lab results or physical exam results then it would be a good idea
to test for mild or hidden hyperthyroidism. Other signs that might indicate hyperthyroidism are increases in activity level, increases in vocalization, vomiting or
regurgitating frequently, heart rate increases and sometimes other behavioral changes (increased aggression, changes in urinary habits such as an increase in marking behaviors) and sometimes increased drinking and urination.

There is not a great deal of risk in being patient and waiting for further developments
if hyperthyroidism is present, so there is no strong need to eliminate the possibility through further testing in the absence of supporting clinical signs.  I have been trying
to figure out what percentage of older cats that we see with unexplained weight loss may have this problem and do not really have a firm idea at this time.
 

Dr. Mike
 
 
 
 

Ringworm

Q: Dear Dr. Mike:

Heard of a cure and preventative of ringworm in cats.  With a humane society and am very interested in finding out what the name of this medication is. Our vet has no knowledge of this medication.  Can you help me?

A: D-

There is a "vaccination" for ringworm. It is effective at controlling clinical symptoms of ringworm but not at preventing the actual infection. In a humane society situation this may not be a satisfactory solution to ringworm infection since suppressing the symptoms would make it even more difficult to identify carriers. Cleanliness and routine disinfection are still the best options for controlling ringworm in a shelter situation, probably.

Ringworm is not very responsive to topical medications in pets, at least partially due to the presence of haired skin over the entire body. Internal medications are most effective at treating infection. Griseofulvin is an effective medication for ringworm and ketaconazole and itraconazole are also considered to be effective if used properly.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 
 
 

Strays and heat cycles

Q: MIKE: My sister-in-law has cats in the house and some strays outside she feeds. How many days after birth does a cat come into heat? Thank you very much. Dennis

A: Dennis - Cats can come into heat within a week of having kittens and many come in heat sometime during the time they are nursing the kittens. Spaying the outside cats will help to reduce the overall population in the future because the spayed females will still maintain a territory. The more territory around your sister's house that is occupied by spayed cats, the fewer kittens will be produced. Since the cats won't be as inclined to allow another adult onto their territory as they are to allow their kittens to stay, the population will stay more stable. If the cats stay outside and are not spayed, she can reasonably expect to have a huge number of cats soon -- as many as she will provide food for.

Mike Richards, DVM

Chewing Cat

Q: Hi Dr. Mike! My cat keeps chewing on all kinds of plastic items such as bags, chair arms, telephone cords, etc. I know that cats that are allowed outdoors often chew on grass as a natural constitutional. My cat is an exclusively indoor cat. Is there some essential vitamin or mineral that cats obtain from green grass and which my cat is lacking? He is not generally a compulsive animal.

I recently adopted him from the Toronto Humane Society ( 2 weeks ago). He is 1.5 years old, neutered and declawed on the front. He has no medical problems which I am aware of ( and none were reported by the humane society ). He has healthy eyes, nose and coat. However, he is a little underweight and is a very fussy eater. I have tried many different types of dry and wet food, none of which seem to meet his satisfaction.

I have started a cat grass kit which should be ready in 3 or 4 days. Will this solve his compulsive chewing problem? Could the chewing be related to his poor appetite?

Thanks in advance for any advice you could suggest. Ruth P.S. His teeth are good.

A: Ruth- Sometimes it does help to have an available source of grass to chew on. In other cases, adding fiber to the diet can help. This can be accomplished by buying a high fiber diet, such as Hill's r/d or by adding a fiber source such as Metamucil (tm) or pumpkin pie filling to the diet. Some of my clients have just added string beans to their cat's food and had success in curbing chewing behavior. Other times, this occurs as a behavioral problem that seems to be unrelated to fiber in the diet or to the availability of green vegetable/grass food items. Some cats will respond to treatment with anti-anxiety medications such as amitriptyline. For others it is possible to work out a behavior modification plan if you have the help of an animal behaviorist. Your vet may be able to refer to you to someone in your area who can help develop a plan.

Good luck with this.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Rule out health problems first

Q: Dear Dr. Mike, I hope you can help me. I have a four-year-old female cat that is declawed and neutered. Here is my situation: We (myself, my cat and my dog) have had a lot of changes in our live in the past 10 months, we moved three times, plus I got engaged and moved in my fiancée, so we have an addition to our family. Newton, my cat has always been a bit mischievous (she is a vocal cat and would hit papers or anything off my dresser during the night to wake me up, I learned to try to sleep throught this) but the past 4 months she has been just terrible. Every night she screams and cry's at the door non-stop until one of us wakes up (I don't let her out since I live in city in an apartment and she has always been an indoor cat). When I get up she runs to her food dish and wants food; I try not to give in to her, since I am sure that this is a way she is training me. I cuddle her in bed and sometimes she goes to sleep and sometimes she goes off to terrorize the apartment. I tried feeding her later in the evening, putting her in a create for the night, playing with her a lot before bedtime to tire her out, locking her out of the room and I don't know what else to do, she keeps screaming all night! We have tried squirting water at her, shaking cans with pennies in them at her and tossing socks at her (she must think this is a fun game by now or we are the crazy ones.) I love her very much, she is a smart, affectionate cat and I don't want to get rid of her. I was told that cats take time to adjust to changes but we have been at our new location for 4 months and the problem is getting worse. I was also told that pure white cats, which she is, are crazy or end up going crazy. Is this true? When I spoke to a veterinary, I was told that there was nothing wrong with her and it was the move that is upsetting her. I have to find some way so that we all can get some sleep and I don't know what to do next. Do you have any advice, suggestions, or any help for me? I appreciate any help you can give me! Sincerely, Pat

A: Pat-

The behavior you describe is pretty common with hyperthyroidism but your cat is a little younger than this condition usually occurs. I think I'd want to rule it out as a possibility, though. Diabetes in its early stages can also lead to hunger and behavioral changes associated with it. The best first step is an examination by your vet to rule out these conditions and other physical abnormalities. If things check out normally you may have to deal with this as a behavioral problem. Your vet may be able to help with that as well or may be able to suggest a behaviorist in your area who can.

Good luck with this. Mike Richards, DVM

Spraying behavior in female cats

Q: Hello. I've searched you cat database but I didn't exactly find what I was looking for. Have you ever heard of female cats spraying? My mother has one spayed cat and one that was unspayed. The one that would go into heat would spray on furniture and things and then the other spayed female picked up the habit. Do female cats spay for the same reasons as male cats (territory marking)? My 11 month old female cat just went into heat and I have another female spayed cat as well and I'm worried about the spayed female picking up the habit. She hasn't begun spraying yet tho. Is the only gaurentee getting her fixed? Why do female cats do this? sincerely, susan

A: Susan- I recently read an article, which I wasn't able to find when I went looking for it, that suggested that spraying behaviors are more common in spayed cats than they are in unspayed cats. In any case, spraying does definitely occur in female cats although not as frequently as it does in males. Presumably they spray for the same reasons, which include territorial pressures. Some clients note that their female cats spray when they are in heat, which I suppose may be a form of advertising their readiness to mate. Sometimes the cats are not really spraying, just urinating where they shouldn't. In these cases it may help to add litterpans, provide separate litter pan time or to try other treatments for litterpan problems. Medical therapy seems to work in female cats a little less reliably than in male cats, based on our practice experience. It still works often enough to make it worth trying if the problem really does seem to be behavioral after a thorough exam.

Mike Richards, DVM

Birth control - feral cats

Q: From time to time there will be a feral cat that can not be trapped in order to spay or neuter them no matter what kind of trap or bait is used. Are there any oral contraceptives or sterilization drugs available? Do you have any suggestions on ways to stop the birth of more unwanted animals. Any help would be appreciated.

A: Danesel- I am not aware of an effective oral contraceptive approved for cats. I am aware of veterinarians using megestrol acetate (Ovaban Rx), 1 5mg tablet per week, to control estrus in cats. I have not tried this and have no idea how well it works or even if it works for sure. I am very reluctant to use Ovaban in cats due to the potential for harmful side effects including induction of diabetes and mammary cancers. In some circumstances we do use this product and this may be a situation in which its use is justified. This is a chewable tablet that most cats will eat if mixed with food so that is an advantage in your situation.

There are injectable versions of progesterone which have also been advocated for birth control in cats. They have similar potential for side effects and it would seem impossible to inject these cats if you can't catch them so it probably isn't necessary to go into more detail. Mike Richards, DVM

Adjustment to new home

Q: I recently adopted a 1 year old cat from the pound. She looks like the runt of the litter? She looks very sad and isn't very responsive. I think she has been it a cage for a long time and she only wants to sit. I can't seem to get her attention and see doesn't seem to want to play at all. I think she may have been abused or maybe has a neuralogic problem? She will let you pet her, but she seem to be very scared of people. She looked so sad I just want to help her, but I'm not sure if I can. What advice do you have, I've search the Internet and can't find any info. I appreciate you help.-Chris

A: Chris- It takes a while for cats to adjust to a new home and become bold enough to enjoy their surroundings. For some cats this may only take a few hours and for others it can take a long time. If your cat continues to act as if she is unhappy it would be a very good idea to have your vet examine her to make sure there is not a physical reason for her to feel lethargic such as pain or anemia. If nothing is found on a physical exam you may have to work pretty hard to reassure her that life is OK at your house. Often, it is better to be patient and let a new cat come to you on its terms. If you do not push her limits too much she may find that she can be much more comfortable in your presence than hiding under the couch or avoiding you in other ways. It is reassuring to pets if the big events in their lives, such as feeding times, waking times, bedtimes, etc. occur at a regular time each day. If you can manage that it would help some, too. As a last resort, anti-anxiety medications help some cats adjust to new homes when they are having a difficulty doing so due to nervousness or fear. If necessary, your vet can help you decide what medications would be appropriate for your cat.

I hope that she has already discovered that you care for her and that you two are enjoying each other's company.

Mike Richards, DVM

Cat questions

Q: I have a long-haired male cat, about seven years old. Over the last couple of years he has developed a tendency to get a lot of knots and matting of his fur. I try to trim him with scissors, but he doesn't like it. He also hates being brushed. If I take him somewhere for grooming, should it be a vet or a pet groomer? Is there something I could feed him to improve the quality of his coat and avoid this problem? His diet consists of Purina Cat Chow Special Care dry food and water, and he seems to like it. He is an indoor cat. Also, while I am asking questions, is it necessary to get more shots for him at any time? He received the regular series when he was a kitten. He seems to be generally healthy. I have another behavioral question: I need to move his litter box from its current location, in a closet, because I need to use the closet. How can I do this so that he doesn't get confused or unhappy about it? He consistently urinates in the box, but sometimes defecates outside of it, on the rug in the same room. His box has been in this same place ever since we moved into the house four years ago. Thanks for your help.

A: Harriet- It doesn't matter whether or not you take your cat to a good groomer or a vet for the removal of mats, unless it is necessary to use a sedative or anesthetic in order to get the knots out. In that case it would be best to go to your vet. Most cats do not require sedation to get mats out. I do not know of a dietary supplement that will help decrease the number of mats but bathing and using a conditioner helps in cats that are possible to bathe.

The quickest way to help your cat adjust to a new litterpan location would be to move the original litterpan to the new location you wish to use and put a second litterpan at the site currrently in use. Once your cat has discovered the new location of the old litterpan and started to use it, too, you can remove the new one or put it in another spot in the house. Having two litterpans can help to avoid problems. If your cat won't use the new location or continues to use the spot where the old litterpan was it may be necessary to replace the litterpan at the old spot and then try to move the pan very slowly from the old spot to a better one. It is best to move the litterpan only inches a day, so moving one in this manner can take several weeks.

You should update his rabies vaccination as a minimum since that is required by law in most (all?) states. Updating his other vaccinations every three years or so is probably a good idea even in a totally inside cat.

Mike Richards, DVM

Keeping pets apart

Q: I recently found a kitten , about 3 months old, in the road who had been hit by a car. I took her to my local vet where much to my surprise she recovered. She has a broken leg which was not set, and is being confined for most of the day in a kennel to allow it to heal more or less straight. I have let her out for brief periods while I am cleaning her kennel and in order to meet my yorkie dog. In two weeks her time of recovery confinement will be over, and I'm not sure what to do about the current cold war that exists between her and the dog. Her litter box will be in the basement, which is only accessable through the area the dog considers his own. He and she will both be confined in this area when I am not home. It is a large area, kitten/breakfast room. This is the only place for a litter box as I am living in a parsonage and the other rooms are carpeted and public. My office is in the parsonage and the front rooms double as living rooms for me and meeting areas. The cat is curious about the dog and has approached him to play. He seems to be afraid of her but has been aggressive with wild animals and occasionally with other dogs. I don't want to come home one day to find he has been blinded by her claws. I can't let either of them have the run of the house because he is not trust worthy with his housebreaking and I don't know how she will be. I don't know if I can get cat urine odor out of a carpet. I have had success with getting the dog odor out, but I've been in homes where cats live that smelled terrible. So I'm not taking any chances. I also have about 50 large house plants and don't want her in the rooms with them when I am gone. any suggestions?

A: k- It is unlikely that the kitten would seriously hurt the Yorkie, but it is possible that something like eye damage could occur in an altercation. In the time I have been in practice I have seen three or four scratched corneas on dogs that were inflicted by cats. It is more likely that he could hurt the kitten at this stage in their lives. If you are worried about their behavior when you are away it would be acceptable to confine one or the other of them to a small area of the basement or to keep one or the other in a crate during the day, especially since it seems like you are there most of the time to make sure the confinement isn't too long. Some cats are good about confinement and others don't tolerate it very well. It would protect the houseplants if your kitten continued to tolerate the crate well.

There are pretty good odor removers for cat urine. Feline Odor Neutralizer, X-O, Equalizer and Nature's Miracle are some of the brands that clients seem to think work well. If there are accidents these would be good to have on hand.

Mike Richards, DVM

A: Kronborg- I'm not sure I can be much help with your problem. From the history you have provided, I would be concerned with allowing the dog and kitten to occupy the same area without any supervision since you have stated your Yorkie is aggressive with other animals and is unsure of the kitten. I would advise taking the time to introduce the kitten and your Yorkie to each other often under controlled situations to see what type of behavior results. Many times kittens and cats will hiss at dogs and then end up running away and hiding. Most kittens or cats will not outright attack a dog unless they are threatened. You may have to keep separate areas in the basement if the dog and kitten do not learn to get along or there appears to be aggression problems between the two. If separating the basement is not feasible and there isn't anyone to supervise the two especially if they don't get along, you may want to consider finding a home for the kitten. Your situation may make it impossible to keep both animals based on their personalities and the living arrangements. Good luck.

Moe Richards, DVM 

Oral Lesions

Q: I was just told, from the front desk at the Vet's office, that my 4 1/2 month old kitten had lesions under her tongue. What is that? It isn't apparent to my unproffessional eye. Could lesions appear immedietly after being spayed...from licking the suture? I know that I should ask more questions at the Vet's office, but at the time, it was very busy, and they didn't answer my question, when I called them later in the day. Thanks. Robin

A: Robin- I guess it is possible that the lesions could be from licking the sutures but it would appear to me if that was the case the lesions would be on the top of the tongue, not underneath. Cats do have various types of viral diseases which have oral lesions as a clinical sign (calici virus, herpes virus, fiv) and underlying diseases such as renal disease but most of the time, other clinical signs are associated with the above diseases such as sneezing, ocular or nasal discharge with calici/herpes or decreased appetite and lethargy with the other problems. There is a good chance the lesion isn't anything. Most oral lesions can interfere with eating if severe enough and you may notice drooling, decreased appetite etc. Since you are concerned, I think you need talk to your vet directly or schedule an appt to have your kitten rechecked. I am sure your vet would be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. Moe Richards, DVM 

Black area at scratch site

Q: Hi, I couldn't access your email from the web site so I hope this is ok. a friend of mine has a cat who got a scratch and she cleaned it out and thought she was ok. now, there seems to be a black spot growing there on the right cheek where the scratch was, and now on the other cheek and even on the nose. this black spot grows. please help us. sincerely, deborah

A: Deborah: It is hard to say exactly what the black area is but it very well could be associated with infection and tissue necrosis (dying tissue). Most cat scratches and bites have a lot of organisms which like to produce abscesses which in turn cause the overlying skin to die. The best thing is for your friend to do (if it hasn't been done already) is to take the cat to her regular veterinarian for a complete exam and possible antibiotics. Your vet should be able to help with this problem.

Moe Richards DVM

Choking Cat

Q: Hi, my sister took her cat to the vet after a choking incident. The vet could find nothing in the throat. But I think he gave it a steroid shot. Anyway, the cat had had a bandaid on a wound, and after the choking incident the bandaid was not found and the cat had been biting at the bandaid. The cat now has intermittent spells of shallow or wheezy breathing, but then it clears up the same day. Could this be a foreign body in the esophagus, and can the vet see it with a endoscope type utinsel, Should she return the cat to the same vet or try an animal hospital. She has 8 cats. Thanks, Paula,

A: Paula- Hopefully your sister's cat is OK now. Inhaling a bandaid could lead to the signs seen. It may show up on an X-ray in this case (but it might not) and an endoscopic exam of the trachea would probably be a good way to find it, too. It would be less likely for something to obstruct the esophagus more than a few hours but that is also a possible. I think it is usually just as good to go back to your usual vet for a second opinion -- lots and lots of times I discover things when clients come back that I didn't see or that hopefully weren't there on the first visit! If for some reason you do not trust your sister's vet, or she doesn't, then it may be best to find a new vet. Communication and trust between a vet and client are both important in order for the best pet care.

Mike Richards, DVM 

Blood in stool and weight loss

Q: I have three cats. One male and two female, a family for 6 years. Recently, my oldest cat (10-year old male) has abandoned the litterbox. The only other incidents in the past have been when dirty (like when using paper due to declawing of other cats). It seems that now he doesn't even head to the box, opting instead for my living room carpet. Now I have noticed some blood in his stool. Do you think he is trying to tell me something? The other two cats don't seem to have this problem. I will also mention that I think he's lost some weight recently and that I am battling a flea infestation. Could these things be related? My animals have had tapeworm in the past; I see no signs of it now. How shall I treat my precious companion? Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

A: k- The best first step is a trip to your vet to make sure that there is not a physical problem leading to these behaviors. In older cats problems like inflammatory bowel disease and hyperthyroidism can lead to changes in litterpan behaviors and cystitis or other conditions can affect cats of all ages. We have information on behavioral problems relating to litterpans in our catinfo section -- the index should lead you to them.

Mike Richards, DVM
 

Swollen lip - cat

Q: Dear Dr. Mike, I have a 3 year old cat with a swollen bottom lip. I don't notice any abrasions or anything embedded inside which might be causing this. I noticed it about a week ago and it is getting worse. So far, it has not effected her eating habits. Is this something you have heard of before? Is there any medication available over the counter that I might be able to try before bringing her to the vet?

A: Michele- Swollen lower lips are commonly associated with acne in cats but can occur for several other reasons, including low blood protein levels, parasitism, eosinophilic granuloma complex and contact allergies.

Your vet is the best person to help sort these out and to provide treatment for whichever problem seems to be occurring.

Mike Richards, DVM

Eosinophilic granuloma complex

Q: Greetings, My cat Trixie has had a non-healing scabbed sore on the corner of her nose that my local vet has called eosinophilic granuloma complex. She had it this time last year, for which we gave her 2 steroid shots, and it went away. It came back this spring, and before I had decided to take her back for another shot, it began to clear up on its own. It is on a part of her nose that previously had had dark pigment, but now it does not. Does this sound like EGC? I have read some other web pages about this complex, and none of the symptoms sound quite right. Can EGC manifest like I have described? Is there something else this problem might be? I would love to hear from you. Thanks, Liz

A: I think that the lesion you describe could be from eosinophilic granuloma complex. I would also worry about squamous cell carcinoma, a skin cancer, contact allergies (such as to plastic food bowls) and other immune mediated diseases. A biopsy may help differentiate between the possible causes if the lesion continues to occur. I can not explain why squamous cell carcinoma lesions sometimes seem to respond to corticosteroids but have seen this in our practice.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Spay and neuter - plus chronic diarrhea

Q: Dr. Mike, Can you tell me at what age I should have my female kitten spayed? She is approx. 3 1/2 months old. I have five other cats, one of whom is an 18 month old unneutered male (under threat of neutering for some time now, but I haven't got round to it). With a family of 6 cats and 1 dog, kittens would be a major problem.. (they are indoor/outdoor cats) Also, the kitten has been suffering for several weeks from diarrhea. She has seen two different vets (because I commute weekly between 2 homes, along with the menagerie), been de-wormed, de-flead, put on a course of antibiotics, put on a 48 hour diet of rice and yoghurt, put on a special diet of "special formula" baby feed with rice, chicken and cottage cheese (not all together), given three different types of anti diarrhea tablets (active levure capsules for one, I can't remember what the others were). Nothing seems to have any effect, except perhaps to change the consistency and colour of the diarrhea... I, and both vets, are at our wits' end...

DO you have any suggestions? If I ignore it, is it likely to eventually go away, or could it be dangerous to her health? (she seems to be perfectly fit, healthy and active in all other respects). I would also like to know if this problem would be at all likely to complicate matters if and when I have her spayed. (I have already lost one kitten, who died the day after being spayed - I would hate it to happen again.)

I would also appreciate it if you could give me or point me towards any information on possible DISADVANTAGES of having the male (16 month old) dog neutered - all I can find is a lot of information on the ADVANTAGES - I'm sure there must be a down-side to it as well... Many thanks for your help, Wendy

A: Wendy- The only disadvantages I know of to neutering a male cat or dog are the cost and the risk of anesthesia. Overall, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Diarrhea in kittens can be incredibly difficult to control once it becomes chronic. Almost all kittens will eventually outgrow diarrhea but it can be a long frustrating wait. It is a good idea to rule out intestinal parasites by giving appropriate medications for giardia (hard to diagnose sometimes) and considering deworming even if stool checks are negative. We have the best luck controlling diarrhea with diphenoxylate (Lomotil Rx) but it may not be a good choice for long term use.

We have spayed several kittens when we were not controlling their diarrhea well. It worries me but it doesn't seem like they'd do better if they were pregnant, either. Judging from the results of recent studies on the effects of early spaying and neutering it seems safe to spay early - certainly by 4 months of age.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Breaking old habits

Q: Dear Dr. Mike, I have a 7 year old female cat whom I have had since she was two months along with her brother. The female cat has the bad habit of scatching on my bedroom door and crying every night to get in my room. I have never let the cats sleep in my room at night. I cannot seem to break her of this habit. I live in a one bedroom apt. and have to now lock her in her cat cage all night long so that I can get a peaceful nights sleep. I feel guilty about doing this however this behavior has been going on for 7 years now. There is no trouble from the male cat. Any suggestions? Karen

A: Karen- This is a situation in which some sort of remote punishment or deterrent might work. You could put a cookie pan with water in it in front of the door for a few weeks to see if it would break your cat of the habit by making it unpleasant to get to the door. Of course, if you're like me you'll forget and step in the water yourself. A plastic runner or plastic drop cloth placed in front of the door might help, too. Putting a small speaker there and blasting your cat with a sudden loud noise might help. You just want something that you can consistently make happen when you cat scratches the door that isn't too harmful but that is unpleasant to your cat.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Environmental control  - Diabetes

Q: Hi, I thought that you might find it interesting to know about my experience with feline diabetes.... My kitty, after being diagnosed with a flea allergy was, in fact, given a cortisone shot as treatment which somehow triggered diabetes. Fortunately I had student loan money and a good vet (Dr. Ashley)at the University of Georgia. His insulin dosage was hard for them to regulate, but he did improve. I was giving him 2 shots a day (fortunately I had 2 great roomates both experienced at giving shots)and we had moved and alleviated the flea problem (which was hard because my roomate had a cat as well). Then one evening my kitty threw up and started having seizures. We rushed him to university clinic(who fortunately had students there late.) After a couple of days in ICU and no insulin he was fine . The diabetes I had been treating for 6 months had disappeared. Strange, indeed but a relief as well. All of his hair had grown back-he was a normal cat again. I moved three times after that and still he was fine . However I have been living with my brother for the past 5 months. There are 2 other cats and a ferret as well. I can control my cats fleas and my space --but The rest even when they are all on Top Spot still do not seem to help collectively. My cat is once again losing hair and forming scabs-worse than before. It is very sad to see all the improvement that he had made reverse itself. I'm moving to San Francisco soon and I hope the cooler climate there combined with being in the city will be a better environment for him. I no longer have the student loan money to help me get him quality and consistent treatment . So meanwhile I am doing what i can with Top Spot(I know when it wears off because he starts throwing up) and an oatmeal cream. Just hearing him scratch and sneeze makes me feel helpless. Sorry for such a long story and I found you site very imformative. Thanks for yor time. Julie

A: Julie - Thanks for the review of your cat's experience with diabetes. Sometimes it will return when this sort of thing happens but using a diet with a moderately increased fiber content and controlling the weight and skin disease (so no corticosteroids need to be given) can help. Antihistamines help some cats with skin allergies and do not seem to have the affect of promoting diabetes, so it might be worth tring them, too. Ask your vet about this.

We have had very good luck with TopSpot eliminating fleas in our practice but some people do seem to have situations in which it won't totally control fleas by itself. Hopefully, when you move things will improve since one pet in a houseold is always easier to treat successfully than several pets in a household.

Good luck with all of this.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Sunblock - actinic keratitis

Q: I have a white short-hair cat with pink nose and ears. the cat's ears are getting sunburned, causing tips of ears to curl back. There is some scabbing on outer ear and inner ear is fine. What brand of suntan lotion should I use or is there another way to protect ears from sun? Thanks..Marie

A: Marie- You can use any sunblock you want on your cat's ears. The higher the SPF, the better. Also, the waterproof ones are better, as well.

I hate to be pessimistic, but there is a pretty good chance your cat already has actinic keratitis (precursor to cancer) or squamous cell carcinoma (the cancer that affects white cat's ear tips and noses from sun exposure).

Please have your vet examine your cat for these problems. When caught early it is easier to treat these problems.

Mike Richards, DVM
 

New kitten - older cat not herself

Q: Dr. Mike - Before I begin, I would like to say thank you. Your web site is a wealth of information for pet lovers throughout the world! I'm new to the pet care world, so please bear with me as I ask a question that may seem like common knowledge... We have three cats, two brother and sister, both 1 1/2 years old, spayed/neutered and shots given, and the newest addition is a 6 1/2 week old female kitten. We have had the older cats for about four months and recently received the kitten about 3 weeks ago. The older cats have gotten adjusted to their new home and are still adjusting to their new sister. However, "Belle" the older female, has become somewhat reclusive. She won't eat much, her energy level has dropped dramatically, she's become reclusive and sleeps a majority of the time. Her brother, "Tippy", on the other hand, has not changed at all. His behavior is the same has it has been since we received him. "Belle" was initially frightened when we first received her, but overcame that after a week or so. "Peeper", our new arrival, was extremely frightened, but is breaking out of her shell. She has seemed to taken a liking to Belle, with her responding as a mother figure. Tippy has been somewhat territorial with Peeper. He'll swing at her, hiss, and hit her, but she still tries to play with him. I realize most of this is probably normal behavior during an adjustment period, which will pass as the Peeper gets older. But my concern is with Belle. Is her behavior normal or could she be sick and if she is sick, what do the symptoms (not eating, hides, sleeps alot, very low energy level) suggest?

A: Martin- If Belle still seems reclusive and tired, please have your vet examine her. There are a several illnesses which could cause this sort of behavior. Hopefully she won't be sick but it is best to have her examined.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 
 
 

Cardiomyopathy and weight loss

Q: Dear Dr. Mike, My 15-yr old female cat was diagnosed with the beginning stages of cardiomyopathy a little over 1 year ago. She has been treated with Diltiazem. During her last visit to her vet (who is wonderful), evidence of her heart murmer was gone. Results of her blood and stool tests were excellent. However, she continues to lose weight (even though she continues to eat heartily (no pun intended). Is it possible that the medication could be causing the weight loss? Do you have recommendations as to diet or further testing? Thank you.

A: Tcejq-In any older cat with weight loss and an increase in appetite I think it is important to rule out diabetes and hyperthyroidism. These are both eliminated through blood testing. Hyperthyroidism can be a little tricky to diagnose in cats over 15 since normal blood levels are often low -- so when the cat gets hyperthyroid (too much thyroid hormone for it to handle) the blood levels may still be in the lab's "normal" range. Specialized testing may be necessary to sort this problem out if it occurs.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Rectal blood

Q: Dear Dr. Mike, My female siamese mix kitten has been treated for roundworms, but continues to get thin, and frequently has blood coming from her anus. Do you know of anything else we may have missed, perhaps something in the house causing her problem? She's an indoor cat. Regards, Kevin

A: Kevin- There are a number of possible causes of blood in the stool in kittens. If the blood is coming directly from the anal area it may also be a problem with anal sacs or even an asbcess in the perineal region.

Intestinal parasites other than worms (giardia, coccidia) can occasionally cause blood in the stool. Colitis for any reason can do this. It is best to have your kitten rechecked by your vet.

Mike Richards, DVM
 

Loss of function in rear legs, incontinence

Q: Hello. I've just located your website and hope you can help our family with a really tough problem. We have 2 DSH tabbies, both neutered males, 13 years old. Nicholas weighs about 18 lbs. -- not small! They stay indoors, as we're in a coyote habitat neighborhood. Over the past 13 years, both cats have had occasional periods of several weeks to several months of using places other than the catbox to urinate. However, for the past four years, this has not been a problem. Over the past year or so, Nicholas has gotten increasingly weak in the hindquarters, falling often, having trouble getting up stairs, or jumping up or down from his favorite chairs. The vet has been monitoring him, and he (the cat, not the vet!) has been on medication (Pred 5mg - once a day) for the past year+. We've tried getting him to lose some weight -- he eats NutroMax feline "Lite" dry food, + a half can of natural choice daily, which he must share with Thomas (whose health is fine, by the way). He doesn't seem to lose weight unless we virtually starve him by cutting way back on feeding, but then when we do feed him he eats so fast he throws it all up again. Anyway, now he can't use his back legs at all, but drags them behind him. Seems to have good front leg strength -- has no trouble going wherever he wants to get, except up the stairs. He doesn't seem to be in any pain at all, so it's not like arthritis -- doesn't meow or whine, eats fine, is always purring and friendly, just like he's been for all his life. In fact I don't think he has much feeling in his lower half at all... you can pinch or step on his tail and he doesn't respond. This lack of feeling I believe has led us to what is the real problem for us... he can't tell when he needs to urinate or defecate any more, so he just goes wherever he is. His stools aren't that much of a problem--they are fairly dry and hard and can just be picked up. However, his urine isn't. It seems normal, no crystals, no blood. In fact, it's fairly dilute (pale rather than deeper yellow). But there's a lot of it -- big puddles a couple of times a day. Needless to say, he now lives in a confined space on a vinyl floor -- the master bathroom, to be specific-- and I clean up after him all the time. The vet says there's not much we can do.My latest idea is to keep him in diapers--but he slides out of them when he scoots across the floor. I've now got him rigged into a combination of diaper, held in place by one of those sanitary napkin belts for dogs, held in place by hooking it to a leash harness contraption with a strap across his chest. It seems to hold OK, and he doesn't seem to mind it at all. Continues to purr while I hold him on his back to change him. Most tolerant cat... I have a strong aversion to euthanasia, and especially as he's not apparently in pain, I couldn't justify it on the grounds of personal inconvenience to me. My children also are adamantly opposed. However, we really can't live like this for very long. Our carpets smell, our bathroom is not available, and the time I spend on cat cleaning up really should be spent in other ways. DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER IDEAS FOR US? ANY FELINE INCONTINENCE PRODUCTS ("DEPENDS" for cats?) that you know of? Any ideas for building a cart for his back legs to ride on? I've seen dogs on them, but don't know how to access information about making one... I tried a skateboard but he kept tipping it over. Or any other resources I might find? We love our Nicholas and we all need help! Thanks so much.

A: Bev and Dave-Please check to see whether or not your vet has tested for low blood potassium and for hyperthyroidism. These would be treatable conditions that could cause many of the symptoms you are seeing.

If these diseases are not the problem and treating the urinary incontinence is necessary it may help to learn to express Nicholas' bladder on a regular basis (if the problem seems to be neurologic) or to use medications for incontinence if neurologic problems does not seem to be the problem. One of my clients says that if you reverse the pattern for baby diapers you can make a pretty good set of diapers for pets. I don't sew (at least not fabrics) and didn't really understand what she meant by that, but you might.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Selective litterbox habits

Q: Dear Dr. Mike, I have a question that I did not see covered in your index. My 5 year old female Persian has decided not to use her litter box for defecation although she will urinate in the litter box. This problem appeared to start sometime after we acquired a new dog. The dog was with us for close to a year and then the cat started demonstrating this problem. The dog is not indoors at all times as are the cats (we do have a male tonkinese too) . I have not changed the brand of her litter nor the location of the litter box. She will defecate right outside the litter box on the carpet. At times, she have even covered her mess with a piece of carpet that is immediately outside the box. I have used a deorderizer but have not had success in correcting this behavior. She is very willful. Please help because my Fiance is threatening to evict her. Thank you for your help/insight. Gloria

A:  Gloria- The first step in treating litterbox problems is to get a second litterbox and place it somewhere else in the house, if possible. If it is impossible to do this, put it close to the current box. Putting a different litter in this box can be helpful - if you currently use clay litter consider changing to clumping litter, for instance. Make sure that the dog and the other cat are not harrassing this one when it is in or near the litterpan. If this is occurrring it would be helpful to figure out a way for this cat to have "private time" with the litterbox. Your vet may be able to evaluate the situation and give you more specific advice, too. Mike Richards, DVM
 

Bladder infection in male cat

Q: Dear Dr. Mike: My two year old neutored male cat, Tigger, has been having much trouble urinating the last couple of days and now can hardly walk. For the past three weeks I have found cat urine in many different places-- but passed it off as the new kitten we bought last month. This morning our vet examined him and did a urinalysis and determined Tigger had a bladder infection. He prescribed 20mg of Baytril a day. It is now almost 5:00pm and Tigger has not eaten or drank today. He just lays down in the shower (his favorite spot now). When should I contact our vet again? He did say to come again if Tigger got worse or stopped eating and drinking. Is it an emergancy or should we just wait and see for a few days (let the medicine work)? Also, is there anything I could do to make Tigger more comfortable? He is usually very social and even now seems to enjoy our company when we check on him. I would also like to prevent this from happening in the future. Could the kitten's food caused this? Thank you ! Lori

A: Lori- There are times when I wish that this was my sole job and that I could give immediate responses to inquiries. I hope that Tigger is OK and that you did contact your vet. Anytime that a male cat is having urinary difficulties it is potentially an emergency. If there are signs like lethargy, not eating, depression or coma, it is necessary to consider the situation an emergency and to contact your vet or an emergency veterinary clinic. It is always better to make an unnecessary trip to the vet then to risk death from urinary blockage.

Again, I hope Tigger is OK. Mike Richards, DVM

Litterbox abandonment

Q: We share a large house with our daughter and 8 cats. My husband and I started with 4 cats (all nutered) which we've had for over 4 years. No real problems with their litterbox behavior. Then my daughter moved in with her 2 cats, one of which we thought had worms. She took the cat to the vet for worming and was told of kittens instead. So now, there are eight cats here. The two large litterboxes are totally changed daily. They are on a patio with access through a cat door. But in the last few weeks, the cats (all of them) seem to ignore the litterbox. My house has become a large litterbox instead. I'm at the point where all eight may end up as outside cats. I really don't want this to happen, as we live in a wooded area with some wild animals (foxes, etc) about. But we also have a brand new baby in the house and helping to care for him as well as working and daily chores along with cleaning up after cats is getting to be too much. I have tried a number of OTC sprays and liquids that are supposed to take the odor out so that the cats will not return to that spot. But it's an entire hallway and nothing has worked so far. HELP please. Sue

A: Sue- It is hard to be sure what will work in a situation like this but the first step I'd advise would be to add several more litterpans, preferably located where the problem is occurring. This may give you a temporary reprieve from the problem. Then you would have time to sort out the rest of the problem.

With eight cats someone is going to urine mark in the house. It would take extraordinary luck to avoid this problem with that many cats in a household (or maybe a very big house). If the offending cat can be identified anti-anxiety medications may help to control the problem. If several cats are involved this will get to be a lot of work to administer, too, though. While it isn't always an acceptable option, the best way to deal with this problem is to decrease the population of cats in the household. Just moving some of the cats outside may not work, since an inside cat can be stimulated to urine mark by the scent or sight of an outside cat. This is particularly true if the cats who are allowed access to the house have to contend with the outside cats to use the litterpans. You may very well have to resort to the "everyone out" plan if you intend to keep all the cats. Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Seizures followed by Hepatic Lipidosis

Q: Dear Dr. Mike; Thank you for your web column. I have a 5 year old female indoor cat that began having grand mal seizures 6 weeks ago. All blood tests, EKG, Xrays, LP were WNL. She was started on Phenobarbital 1/4 grain BID which completely zombied her, and was reduced over 1 week to a quarter of a 1/4 grain tablet BID. She did well until 3 weeks ago when she stopped eating or drinking regularly, and began to urinate outside of her box. 2 weeks ago, she became extremely jaundiced and ill. In the hospital, she received IV and IM fluid replacement and oral administration of tube feedings. Her blood tests showed extremely abnormal liver enzymes at this time. By one week, her values were about 20% improved, but the vet still did not have an idea what was the problem (some sort of liver disease).

I searched the web, found your column on Hepatic Lipidosis, and asked for the cat to be transferred to an internist. Ultrasound was WNL (liver wnl size, no sparkling), however, the fine needle aspiration was positive for hepatic lipidosis. I am having a PEG tube placed today ( at a cost of $1,000.00) to save her life. However, I am greatly concerned that the original problem has yet to be identified - the seizure etiology, and that I am going to lose her anyway. Could the Phenobarbital dose be so high that it was toxic to her liver and caused the HL? and do you recommend any other tests that I should have done to diagnose the seizure activity? I figure that my total cost already is around $1,500.00, and I am not sure I want to spend another $500.00 on a head MRI. On the other hand, I am already invested, and really do not want to lose her. Any suggestions? I really am grateful for the web and you, for I would not have known to seek a specialist. My kitty now has a chance at survival. Thank you

A: Denise- It is often difficult to determine the initiating cause of hepatic lipidosis. In this case, I would be very suspicious of a drug reaction to phenobarbital. While this is the standard therapy and still the best available therapy for seizures some dogs and some cats will develop liver disease when normal dosages are administered. To confuse the situation even more, liver disease can cause seizures so it is even possible that there is or was a primary liver disease. Since there was not an indication of this on the biopsy, it is probably less likely to be the situation, though.

I would recommend continuing to work towards finding a cause for the seizures. I hesitate to recommend MRI exams because it seems more like a way to give an owner a prognosis than to develop a treatment plan since tumors are not often removed if they are present. For some people knowing the prognosis is very important and I do not mean to belittle that --- I just don't see this as a strong cost/benefit relationship. I'd spend the money looking for something I could treat if I was making the decisions.

Good luck with this. Thank you for the kind words about our site!

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

snoring

Q: Hello. I have a spayed female cat of 10 mos. old. When she sleeps nearby me I can hear her breathing. My boyfriend says it sounds like snoring. Do cats snore? Or could she have a breathing problem? When she's awake and active she's perfectly fine she doesn't weeze or anything. But is this something I should ask my vet about?

A: Marty- Both cats and dogs can snore. It is more common in the short-faced breeds like Persians, pugs, Himalayans and Boston terriers but can occur in any breed. As long as everything else seems OK it is probably OK just to discuss this on your next visit with your vet so that any chance of a problem like a palate defect can be ruled out.

Mike Richards, DVM
 

Jaw twitching in older cat

Q: Our 18-year-old house cat Broadway awoke from her afternoon nap today with her lower jaw twitching, her tongue moving in and out of like she was trying to clear her mouth. We inspected her jaw and found no abrasions, no swelling and a lot of plaque on the rear teeth. We massaged her jaw and the symptoms seemed to go away, but her appitite has been reduced so far tonight. This was such an unusual sight, at least to us, that it raised concerns. Hope you can provide some insight. Thanks for your informative web site.

A: cs- I would be most concerned about seizure activity with the signs you give in your note but it would also be a good idea to make sure that Broadway's teeth are OK and that she doesn't have temporomandibular joint degeneration. We have seen these kinds of signs with ingestion of string and with oral tumors as well. There also seems to be some cause(s) of jaw twitching and oral irritation that occur in older cats and are hard to identify. Three or four of the older cats in our practice have developed signs similar to this that we were not able to pinpoint a cause for. Hopefully, your vet will be able to tell you which of these things is the problem, if this wasn't a one time episode.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 
 

Enlarged spleen, anemia

Q: Our cat has been at vet since Mon. Vet has no idea what's up. - hasn't eaten since last Sat. morn. X-ray revealed enlarged spleen. Vet notes discomfort . Cat's temp. is normal. Cat has little energy and is dehydrated. Vet puts cat on fluids. Vet says cat is slightly anemic. Blood work reveals a white blood cell count of o.8 and a platelet count of 8 .Vet puts cat onto anti-biotics in hopes to get levels back up. -still waiting on results. Today they force feed her. She cannot keep food down. She is now drooling and frothing somewhat. -perhaps an effect from the anti-biotics??? Vet is trying but cannot identify a cause for the blood count or enlarged spleen. -our cat must feel the effects of her disorder.

Quick history: 4 year old female Indoor cat always Spayed No exposure to other felines ( we do have a dog) Never before sick or injured .I've been looking for any info or case with similarity. I've bugged our local vets. Needless to say I've found nothing. I would appreciate your expertise and some direction. Thank-you Leantoo

A: Leantoo- I am assuming that the white blood cell count is 800 cells/cc of blood. This is a very low white blood cell count. The primary differential that comes to my mind is feline leukemia virus. This can also cause a drop in platelet count. I am less certain about the platelet value you give. A normal platelet level is around 250,000 platelets or more per cc of blood. A platelet count of 8 would be extraordinarily low. Essentially a platelet count like this indicates no platelets. That happens at times. The most likely cause is immune mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) but in some instances feline leukemia can stop the production of platelets as well. I can't recall seeing a platelet count this low in a cat. They are less likely to experience ITP than dog and the counts are normally higher but not normal with feline leukemia. ITP can be associated with drug reactions, vaccine reactions, allergies, infections, cancer and almost any other cause of immune system activity that has the potential to become deranged. I am sure your vets have probably already advised feline leukemia virus testing and feline immunodeficiency virus testing but if not, these would be a good idea.

When I have a severely ill patient and can not figure out what is going on, I usually try to refer them to an internal medicine specialist. You might consider asking for a referral if things are not improving by now.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Sanitary eating habits and cats

Q: We feed our cats 95% dry food and only occasionally give them canned food (we call it wet food). A friend of mine is an M.D. with two cats. She gives them an endless supply of wet food, putting one can on top of what is left. My first concern is that the food at the bottom is very old. My second concern is that one of the cats, in particular, is very overweight. My third concern is that the cats go outside and yet are allowed to walk on the dinner table's tablecloth. Should my children and I eat at her table? don

A: Don- I guess it depends on how much you like this friend and what risks you are willing to take in life.

There is probably very little health risk associated with the cats walking on the tablecloth. I am sure that there is at least a small risk of some transmissible problem such as toxoplasmosis, though. Whether or not that is an increase in the risk associated with just owning a cat is hard to say. My cats (and once in a while my dog) run across my dining room table, too. While we do discourage it, we don't worry about it when dinnertime comes.

Feeding the cats wet food instead of dry food is not a problem. Cats do fine on either food, or any combination of the foods as long as reasonably good foods are chosen. It is better to feed canned foods on a timed basis (two or three meals a day, picking up the leftover food after 10 minutes or so). This allows time to clean the bowls and any leftover food can be discarded so that no spoilage occurs. For some reason these sorts of feeding habits lead to less problems than you might anticipate but we do occasionally see health problems that seem to relate to food spoilage.

When cats are fed free choice and become obese, it is best to limit feed them, as well. Obesity contributes to some health problems in cats and dogs just like it does in people. The problems are a little different for each species but they do exist.

People react to pets at an emotional level. They don't necessarily do the logical things when taking care of their pets. It makes it hard to discuss care giving with pet owners -- so be careful when using this information.

Mike Richards, DVM

Rapid decline and death

Q: Dear Dr. Mike, My apparently healthy 16 pound 7-year old part-ragdoll cat was given a healthy checkup 2 weeks ago. last week after eating dinner, Wolfgang howled, squatted and defecated, then remained under the table for the rest of the night. The next day the Vet examined him and thought he might have injured his back somehow. He perscribed dexamethazone. Wolfgang seemed to improve gradually over the next 3 days, then took a drastic downturn, becoming extremely and atypically lethargic. At the animal hospital they took a blood sample to be sent out, and kept him overnight. The next morning I received a call from the vet that he was dramatically worse and probably would not survive unless he received a transfusion at the nearest facility which would do so, some 2 hours away. He did not survive the trip.

His blood tests from the day before revealed high glucose (290), high bun (42), high creatinine (2.2), high alt/sgpt (148), high amylase (1153), high bilirubin (1.1 total), hematology showed low hct (5), low hgb (3.6), high wbc (20.7), low rbc (1.6), low mcv (34), high mch (24), and high mchc (70.6). The differential showed high neut (74), and high band (5). His rbc morphology showed mod anisocytosis, slight polychromasia, slight poikilocytosis, and platelets appeared large. An xray taken the morning of his death showed a shadowy mass in the vicinity of his spleen. The Vet mentioned the possibility of "hematiosarcoma". Since I have 2 other cats, should I be concerned about this being contageous? All cats are indoors only. I am devastated by Wolfgang's death and do not want to lose the other cats as well. Regards, Hal

A: Hal- To the best of my knowledge, hemangiosarcomas are pretty rare in cats. If that was the cause of the problems seen it is very very unlikely that it would affect your other cats. The most common cause of anemia this profound in our practice is feline leukemia virus infection. It may be worthwhile to test the other cats for this virus, even though they are indoors. Due to the potential for very long latent infections this virus has to be considered in almost all cats with severe systemic disease. Unfortunately, when the infection is latent the virus is sequestered out of the blood stream and testing can fail to detect it. Some cats are not able to sequester the virus and are chonic carriers of the disease, though. Identifying this problem could help you make decisions about the best way to protect the other cat if it was not also infected. Of course, there may be no problem with this virus at all, too.

Early spay/neuter

Q: I'm involved with cat rescue and adoption. Some of the animal shelters in Southern California are doing spay/neutering of cats as early as 8 weeks old. I know of some studies that are against early spaying and neutering. Are there any negative outcomes of early steraliztion? I have heard of something involving hormones, growth and bones. Thanks! Becky

A: Becky- The issue of early spay and neutering is being studied in several places around the country and so far the results of all the studies I have seen indicate that there are no discernible problems associated with this practice. There was an article on this in one of the AVMA journals late last year (December ?). Your vet may have access to this if he or she saves the AVMA journals for a while.

Mike Richards DVM

Collar irritation

Q: I have a two year old tabby cat who has only worn a collar for a few weeks, we just took the collar off today because it seemed a little tight on her, (she is rather plump) on the skin under the collar, there was no hair and the skin was covered in scabby flaky sores, that flake off and have blood in them, it was a normal collor, not a flea collar, what could have caused this? It doesn't seem to bother the cat. But it resembles athletes foot but worse.

A: Astarte- Collars seem to irritate some cats, even if they are not flea or medicated collars. Also, this is a common site for miliary dermatitis which looks a lot like you describe. This is a symptom of several skin diseases in cats but the most likely two are flea bite hypersensitivity and allergic skin disease. Also, a condition known as eosinophilic granuloma complex can occur in this region and it looks like a scabby raised sore at times, too. Your vet can help get this under control.

Mike Richards, DVM

Moving cats to a new home

Q: We are planning to move soon to a house from an apartment. My two cats have never been outside of this apartment and have never traveled after the first visit to the vet. They are extremely shy and I am looking for a tranquilizer or relaxant to make the actual move easier for them. What can you recommend? Thanks for your help. Angelika

A: Angelika- I think that it is best not to tranquilize your cats in this situation unless it really seems necessary. If so, I like to use acepromazine because I have used it a long time and have a good feel for the necessary dosages, etc. Your vet may have a different "favorite" for similar reasons.

If you get traveling crates or bags for your cats and let them acclimate themselves to them it will help a lot. Put the crate out for a week or so prior to moving and put a small treat in them. Most cats will explore the crates and many will sleep in them just because they are something new. If you have time, taking them for a short drive in the crates will give you some idea of how bad they are in the car. If you have a cat that is truly terrified, sedation may be a good idea.

At the new house, the crates can again be left out to give your cats a familiar safe place to hide in and to serve as a base of operations while your cats check out the new place.

Hope all goes well.

Mike Richards DVM

Cat with seizure episodes

Q: Hello. I am asking this question on behalf of a co-worker. I love cats and would like to help. My colleague has 3 cats. Apparently, over the past 8 months, one of his cats has had 3 seizure-like episodes, where the cat stops everything and appears to lose control of all muscle movement, and begins twitching and shaking and moving his body uncontrollably. Each "seizure" lasted for about a minute. My colleague says that during each "seizure", he tried to hold his cat until the cat calmed down. After each of the 3 "seizures" was over, his cat would go lie down somewhere and be quiet for a while. He said he will take him to the vet, but in the meantime, what does this sound like to you? The cat is 6 years old, and otherwise appears normal (appetite, behavior, moods, & habits are all normal). He's afraid his cat will have another episode. What to do if he does? Thanks, Donna

A: Donna- It does sound like your friend's cat is having seizure episodes. There are many causes of seizuring and it is a good idea to have her cat checked by the vet to rule out treatable causes of seizuring if one can be found. It is likely that the seizures will continue to occur. If a cause for them can not be found it is acceptable to use anti-seizure medication to control them. Most of the time it will work.

Good luck with this.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Pulmonary distress

Q: I just found your website. I was looking for ideas as to what might be wrong with Max. He is a 3 year old male cat and appears to be having problems breathing. I first noticed while he was asleep he was taking short, rapid, heavy breathing (several weeks ago). No other sympthoms. Than we were away one week and he stayed at our son's home. (They have a cat and dog.) He was shy the first two days there but than played with the other cat. Since we returned he has been very aloof, eats very little, and just sits around. I first thought it was his normal behavior after our having left him for a week. However, I've noticed he does not lay down, just sits on his haunches and the breathing that a mentioned earlier has become more prominent. He opens his mouth slightly at times as though to help him to breathe. When I put my hands around the area just behind the front legs he lets out a tiny meow. He isn't ever a very vocal cat. He seems to be urinating as usual (once or twice a day). His bowels have only moved twice (just two very small pieces each time) since Sunday but he hasn't eaten much either. I feed him Iams dry food--keep it out all the time. He is not overweight and his shots were uptoday last Sept. I have an appointment to take him to a vet this evening but would be interested in your thoughts. Thanks. PS: I have bookmarked your website!

A: I would be really worried about cardiomyopathy or other heart disease with the symptoms you are describing. Other causes of pulmonary distress like pneumonia, pleuritis or even pyothorax (pus in the chest, usually from a wound) are possible. I am glad you took him to your vet. It is really important to catch these problems early when possible.

Mike Richards, DVM

Gestation of cats

Q: Dr. Mike, I searched the web over and over again and I guess nobody feels like writing about how long a cat is supposed to stay pregnant. My cat has been pregnant for I think about a month. She looks like she's ready to pop!! I thought it would take three months. Could you please tell me the gestation of cats? thanks,Rayetta-

A: Cats are pregnant for 9 weeks (63 days).

Mike Richards, DVM 

Michal Response: Rayetta, we have a page with norms for healthy cats - temps, gestation, age range, etc.- http://www.vetinfo4cats.com/catnorm.html
 
 

New Kitten adjustment

Q: Dear Dr Mike, We have a seven week old kitten which has two major problems. The first is that she will meow loudly and constantly when she is left alone for any period of time, sometimes even if I just leave the room to go to the bathroom! She sleeps in the kitchen at night and spends much of the night waking us up by her baby cries. We do not want to make bad habits by fussing her everytime she does this, but we are also getting frustrated by the fact that she wont quieten. How can we prevent her loneliness, without succumbing to her cries everytime??

Secondly, although you deal with diarrhea on your page, it does not answer my question. Our kitten has had very loose bowel movements since we had her...right now she eats canned food, but we are gradually combining more and more dry food to her meals. Occasionally I will give her milk, but I have read that kittens often have an intolerance to cows milk. How should I go about eliminating parts of her food to discover the culprit? How long does it take for a kitten to digest a meal...ie. could milk from two days ago, still affect her bowel movements on this day? Apart from the diarrhea, the cat is in perfect health and shows no discomfort at all. Sorry to demand so much from you...but for us, this is like having a newborn baby! Thank You so much for your help. K.

A: I actually do not know how long milk stays in the digestive tract of intolerant cats but I suspect it is a lot less than 48 hours since most cats with this problem develop diarrhea when fed milk. The problem is that the diarrhea can become self-perpetuating through changes induced in the bacterial flora and intestinal mucosa and last a lot longer than it would if it was just a matter of getting rid of the milk. So I would start by eliminating milk in the diet! It would also be a really good idea to have your vet examine the kitten and make sure there isn't a cause for the diarrhea that is treatable, like intestinal parasites.

Some kittens have a really tough time adjusting to a new home. It can help to keep a radio playing softly near the kitten's bed. A clock that ticks (if you can find one) can be helpful, too. Someone told me there are stuffed toys with real heart sounds that help with kittens and puppies who need some reassurance -- even it comes from an inanimate "mom". We always take the route of letting our pets sleep in bed with us but I guess that doesn't work for everyone. We probably wouldn't do that except that we usually decide we need the sleep.

Mike Richards, DVM

Cat eats paper

Q: I have a 15lb long hair tabby cat and he has this thing about eating paper. Books;newspapers any thing paper related. Is there something in his diet that is missing that makes hime do this?

A: I doubt that this is caused by a dietary insufficiency. Eating paper is a pretty common habit among cats and even dogs. It doesn't seem to cause much harm to the cat. I don't remember ever having to treat a cat for something related to paper ingestion.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Grass eating

Q: My cats love to eat grass! I've heard something about grass being good for cats, and even started growing them some Cat Grass and Cat Nip. But the eldest has had diarrea a little bit, vomited once, and my husband says there are blades of grass in their feces. Is grass actually bad for them?

A: Lots of cats eat grass and some cats vomit routinely after eating it. In these cats it sometimes seems to help meet the urge for green things but cause less vomiting if you give them green beans (and they will eat them). Often, we can not really find a cause for the grass eating but sometimes the vomiting is actually a sign of a problem like inflammatory bowel disease or even internal parasites. If this occurs at times when your cat is not eating grass it would be good to schedule a vet visit to see if the problem can be resolved.

Mike Richards, DVM

Young cat - staggering, weight loss

Q: I'm hoping you can help me. We live in the country and have ten outdoor cats and three indoor cats. We've had the usual problems with cats that run off and never come home, cats that return having gotten into something caustic with a resultant infection (cured with antibiotics and plenty of TLC), but one cat has me worried. About two months ago I noticed that Patchwork (a year old female who had always been small but healthy) occasionally staggered. Later the same day she would be fine, running around and playing. I assumed she'd eaten the wrong weed. Then she stared losing weight, even though she was eating. I finally brought her into the house two weeks ago when I noticed that she had a discharge from her eyes and was so weak that she fall down by the food bowl and didn't get up right away. I got some antibiotics from a vet in town (an hour away where my husband works) and gave her that plus half a can of canned food a day and constantly available Iams kitten food to build up her strength. I also give her-every other day-a mixture of warmed milk, egg, and a teaspoon of Karo syrup. She seemed to be regaining some weight, her appetite is good, she became more active, and she started using the litter box. I thought she was on the mend. Then yesterday, her eyes were totally dilated - you could only seen a thin rim around the pupils and she appears to be partially, if not totally, blind. She's still eating, but this morning, she was laying in the litter box.

My question is this: can you tell from the description if she has something curable? I'm reluctant to take her to the vet because money is very tight and the last time I took one of the outdoor cats to the vet it cost me $200 (I'm still paying on the bill). The cat ran off a few weeks after he was cured and I've never seen him again. I'm willing to pay for treatment rather than just let Patchwork die, but she does not appear to be in pain and I don't want a bunch of expensive tests to find out she's going to die not matter what we do. Any ideas? Sorry for the length. Any feedback would be apprediated. S.

A: In a cat as young as Patchwork is most of the problems like you are describing come from the infectious illnesses or congenital defects such as circulatory shunts bypassing the liver (just as an example - there are lots of possible problems). I would worry about feline leukemia with the symptoms you are seeing and would want to test for that early in the diagnostic process. The presence or absence of this problem would influence what else seemed necessary to test for to a big degree.

I can not tell you for sure whether or not there is a treatable condition. It does sound like Patchwork would benefit from veterinary care. I see that it is a long trip to go to the vet but a good physical exam and a small amount of testing may make it possible to figure out what is going on. If this is feline leukemia it is important for your other cat's health to know that.

Hope this helps some.

Heartgard for cats

Q: We have an 8 pound neutered male cat and it has been recommended that we give him HEARTGARD for cats (165 MCG Ivermectic chewables) and we were wondering if there are any side effects or risks to taking this medication. Thanks, D.

A: There are no known side effects other than occasional vomiting or diarrhea after administration of the medication in cats at this time. Since this is a newly approved medication there is some chance side effects may exist that are not currently known but it is not that likely. Ivermectin has been used on an experimental basis for other problems in cats for some time and I have not heard of adverse effects from those uses, either.

Mike Richards, DVM
 
 

Introducing new cat

Q: Dear Dr. Mike: We brought Sasha, a 9 mo. old female, home on Saturday. Emily, our beloved and always sole ruler of the house is 6 years old. She is a very odd cat, will not even attempt to venture into the hall of our apartment building when our front door is open, doesn't give a hoot about any food other than her kibble, doesn't like to be picked up (too far from the ground....). Not exactly Captain Courageous. (We've had her since she was 6 weeks old and have been loving and gentle with her. No abuse - honest! At her first sight of the new cat, Emily retreated, with much hissing and growling and hiding. Sasha has become increasing bold and even agressive, while Emily is nervous, fearful, and tense. We've just started to keep them apart and allow Emily the run of the house this evening. It was only once the problems began and I started researching on the Net that I learned that the proper way to introduce a new cat to a resident cat is to keep them separate, let the resident have the run of the house, confine the newcomer and take it slow. It seems that we've done everything wrong! Can we turn this situation around? We very much want Sasha to be able to stay and be a companion for our 11 year old son. He's already fallen completely in love with her. However, we won't be able to keep her if Emily can't make the adjustment. Please respond at your earliest convenience. We are all pretty upset at how miserable Emily is - and the prospect of possible having to give Sasha up. Many thanks in advance

A: It isn't too late to just follow the procedure you outlined. Sometimes it will work well even after the cats have been introduced. It would be worth a try.

It can also help to use an anti-anxiety medication for the frightened cat (Emily in this case). Sometimes their nervous reaction to the situation is the trigger to the aggressive behavior in the other cat. If a medication like buspirone (Buspar Rx) can reduce her fearfulness she may not hiss or run and incite a reaction.

Often, cats will get along after a few days even when the situation doesn't look good at first. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case.

A good behaviorist may be able to help with more specific advice. I don't know where you are in NY but there are good behaviorists at the University of Pennsylvania and at Cornell, I think.

Mike Richards, DVM

Tracking device for outdoor cats

Q: Hi! Are there any devices for home use to keep tabs on the location of outdoor cats? If my kitty should become lost again it would be nice to be able to locate him in a manner similar to that by which tagged animals in the wild are tracked. The implants introduced a couple of years ago, often advertised for locating lost pets, actually locate the OWNERS after the pet has been found by someone else. I'd like to be able to find my cat myself. Thank you for any information and suggestions.

A: I know that there are tracking collars for hunting dogs which can be used in conjunction with directional antennae to find the dog. The collars I have seen have a pretty heavy box attached to them, though. I am not sure they would work for a cat and I can not recall ever having seen a cat version of these collars advertised.

I have also seen tracking devices for car keys that are activated by clapping or something like that. They don't look too large. If your cat doesn't go too far, maybe something like that would work. (just a wild thought).

Lots of cats - can there be clean air

Q: Hello! I am wondering if you think that there is a problem bringing in a newborn baby (already with signs of respiratory problems) to a house with twelve cats and 3 litter boxes? I am trying to get advice from both medical and veterinarian people. Thank you for your assistance!

A: I guess you probably realize that anything I can say about this is a guess, but I'll try. Cat litter can be very dusty and I would imagine that it would be best to use litter that is dust-free (dust reduced?) if possible. I don't know of any directly transmissible diseases offhand, so I don't think that is a major concern. It seems like allergies may be more likely to develop in a child exposed to this high a level of allergen but I am not actually sure there is a correlation. Unfortunately, veterinarians rarely see medical information relating to problems in people from the pets we work on, except for information on the diseases that are transmissible between pets and humans. Problems like allergies that people suffer from due to pets are not well covered in the veterinary literature. I believe that a similar situation exists with human physicians. In many instances, they do not appear to understand the actual risks versus the imagined risks associated with owning pets. This creates a problem for people like you who are seeking information that it seems logical for someone to track. For some reason, both professions drop the ball when it comes understanding some of the interactions between pets and humans.

Do not give acetaminophen to cats!

Q: I got a bottle of Cerumite from the vet to try to treat a cat that has adopted us. He is fairly wild, and I'm having problems getting the drops in his ears. I believe he is running a fever, and was wondering if it would be ok to try to put some aspirin in his food..I'm not sure if this would be safe for a cat. Is there any way of sedating him so I could clean his ears out? I would really appreciate any help you could give me.

A: Please DO NOT give your cat apirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol Rx, etc.), ibuprofen (Advil Rx, etc.) or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication without the direct advice of your vet to do so.

Aspirin has a half-life in people of about 2 to 3 hours -- so it is given every 4 hours. Aspirin has a half-life in cats of about 72 hours -- so one dose lasts 3 days! It is extremely easy to overdose a cat on aspirin. Acetaminophen is even more toxic to cats and they may die with a single administration of extra-strength acetaminophen products.

When treating semi-wild or nearly wild cats for ear mites, I favor the use of ivermectin. It is not approved for cats but it requires only two treatments at intervals greater than 2 weeks to resolve most cases of ear mites.

I haven't had much luck sedating cats that didn't want their ears cleaned but there are very good short acting anesthetics -- which allow the ear to be cleaned and treated the first time.

If you just can't get the Cerumite in, you might want to ask your vet about treating your cat at the office. It is obviously more expensive than Cerumite but it might be the only way to resolve the problem.

 Last edited 03/16/07

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