Cat Friendly Treat Recipe: Crackers

Ingredients:

½ cup of hamburger

½ teaspoon shrimp paste (see Asian food section of your local grocery store)

¼ cup shelled shrimp, washed in hot water, and minced

½ teaspoon catnip

Directions:

Mix shrimp paste with the catnip and then hand work it into the hamburger.

Add minced shrimp to the hamburger mix and make into little meatballs.

These can be fed raw, or baked at 425° F for 10 minutes.

Halloween Safety Tips

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! Taking some common sense precautions this Halloween will keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

Are You Allergic To Your Cat?

Breathe easy! You can still keep your animal companion! 

Although more and more people are discovering the beneficial effects of owning a furry bundle of joy, the fact remains that roughly 15 to 20 percent of the population is allergic to animals. The result? Countless owners in unhappy, unhealthy situations—and their beloved pets are the cause! Allergen is the medical term for the actual substance that causes an allergic reaction. Touching or inhaling allergens leads to reactions in allergic individuals. Symptoms can include red, itchy, watery eyes and nose; sneezing; coughing; scratchy or sore throat; itchy skin, and most serious of all, difficulty breathing.

The most common pet allergens are proteins found in their dander (scales of old skin that are constantly shed by an animal), saliva, urine and sebaceous cells. Any animal can trigger an allergic response, but cats are the most common culprits. People can also become allergic to the urine, dander and saliva of exotic pets such as ferrets, guinea pigs, birds, rabbits and rodents. There is no species or breed to which humans cannot develop allergies. Fur length and type will not affect or prevent allergies. Certain pets can be less irritating than others to those who suffer from allergies, but that is strictly on an individual basis and cannot be predicted.

Once the diagnosis of a pet allergy is made, a physician will often recommend eliminating the companion animal from the surroundings. Heartbreaking? Yes. Absolutely necessary? Not always. Keep in mind that most people are allergic to several things besides pets, such as dust mites, molds and pollens, all of which can be found in the home. Allergic symptoms result from the total cumulative allergen load. That means that if you eliminate some of the other allergens, you may not have to get rid of your pet. (Conversely, should you decide to remove your pet from your home, this may not immediately solve your problems.) You must also be prepared to invest the time and effort needed to decontaminate your home environment, limit future exposure to allergens and find a physician who will work with you. Our three-part program follows:

Improving the Immediate Environment

1. Create an allergen-free room. A bedroom is often the best and most practical choice. By preventing your pet from entering this room, you can ensure at least eight hours of freedom from allergens every night. It's a good idea to use hypoallergenic bedding and pillow materials.
2. Limit fabrics. Allergens collect in rugs, drapes and upholstery, so do your best to limit or eliminate them from your home. If you choose to keep some fabrics, steam-clean them regularly. Cotton-covered furniture is the smartest choice, and washable blinds or shades make good window treatments.
3. Vacuum frequently using a vacuum equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arresting) filter or a disposable electrostatic bag. Other kinds of bags will permit allergens to blow back out of the vacuum.
4. Install an air purifier fitted with a HEPA filter. Our modern, energy-efficient homes lock in air that is loaded with allergens, so it’s smart to let in some fresh air daily.
5. Use anti-allergen room sprays. These sprays deactivate allergens, rendering them harmless. Ask your allergist for a product recommendation.
6. Clean the litter box frequently. Use lowdust, perfume-free filler. Clumping litter is a good choice.
7. Dust regularly. Wiping down the walls will also cut down on allergens.
8. Invest in washable pet bedding and cages that can be cleaned often and easily.

Decontaminating Your Pet

1. Bathe your pet at least once a week. Your veterinarian can recommend a shampoo that won't dry out his skin. Bathing works to wash off the allergens that accumulate in an animal’s fur.
2. Wipe your pet with a product formulated to prevent dander from building up and flaking off into the environment. Ask your veterinarian to suggest one that is safe to use on animals who groom themselves.
3. Note any symptoms of dermatitis exhibited by your companion animal. Dermatitis often leads to accelerated skin and fur shedding, which will up your allergen exposure.
4. Brush or comb your pet frequently. It’s best to do this outdoors, if possible. (The ASPCA does not recommend keeping cats outdoors, so make sure your feline is leashed if you take him outside.)

Taking Care of Yourself

1. If possible, have someone other than yourself do the housecleaning, litter box work and pet washing, wiping and brushing. If you must clean the house or change the litter, be sure to wear a dust mask.
2. Wash your hands after handling your companion animal and before touching your face. The areas around your nose and eyes are particularly sensitive to allergens.
3. Designate a “pet outfit” from among your most easily washed clothes. Wear it when playing or cuddling with your companion, and you’ll leave other clothing uncontaminated.
4. Find a physician, preferably an allergy specialist, who will make sure that your pet is the cause of your allergies and will help alleviate your symptoms. Medications and immunotherapy (desensitizing shots) can often allow you and your companion animal to remain together happily ever after.

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/allergic.aspx

Cat Behavior

Does your cat often misbehave around guests, whether by jumping up on people, or even showing aggression? The holidays are swiftly approaching, so it is the perfect time to start pet behavior counseling or training! Ask us for our recommendations to help make your cat a well-behaved greeter of your holiday house guests this season.

Can owning a pet help you live longer?

People love their pets. More than 60 percent of U.S. households include pets, and those pet owners pour $41 billion a year into pet care. This may seem like a lot of money. But when you consider the fact that owning a pet could very likely add years to your life, a pet can quickly seem like a wise investment.

According to a study by the Minnesota Stroke Institute that followed more than 4,000 cat owners over 10 years, owning a cat can dramatically reduce a person's chance of dying from heart disease. Specifically, people who owned cats were 30 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack. Although those researchers cannot make the same conclusions about dogs based on the data they gathered, they suspect a dog study would provide similar results.

For whatever reason, pets certainly can have a special effect on their owners.


Adapted from an article originally posted on Animal Planet.

Feline Idiopathic Lower Urinary Tract Disease

What is feline idiopathic urinary tract disease?

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a term used to describe a set of clinical signs associated with abnormal urination in cats. When the condition has no identifiable cause, it is called Feline Idiopathic Lower Urinary Tract Disease (iFLUTD) to indicate that this is an exclusionary diagnosis.

"iFLUTD is the exclusionary diagnosis made once all of the common or known causes of the clinical signs have been eliminated."

It is important to understand the difference between iFLUTD and Feline Urologic Syndrome or FUS. FUS is simply a description of the syndrome manifested by straining to urinate, frequent attempts at urination, and a partial or complete urethral obstruction. FUS is not a diagnosis but a term used to describe the cat's condition, just as you would say a cat is itchy or is vomiting. iFLUTD is the exclusionary diagnosis made once all of the common or known causes of the clinical signs have been eliminated.

What are the clinical signs of feline idiopathic lower urinary tract disease?

The most common clinical signs of IFLUTD are the same as those of FUS:

• Straining to urinate
• Bloody or discolored urine
• Frequent urinations
• Urinating in unusual locations
• Urethral obstruction or the inability to urinate

What causes feline idiopathic lower urinary tract disease?

By definition, in cases of Feline Idiopathic Lower Urinary Tract Disease there is no known cause. The conditions that should be ruled out include:

• Bladder stones and urethral plugs
• Bladder infections
• Trauma
• Neurologic disorders that alter normal urination by affecting the nerves and muscles of the bladder
• Anatomic abnormalities such as urethral strictures
• Neoplasia (cancer or benign tumors of the urinary tract)

Once all of the common causes of abnormal urination have been eliminated, a diagnosis of Feline Idiopathic Lower Urinary Tract Disease may be made.

How is iFLUTD diagnosed?

iFLUTD is diagnosed by performing tests to eliminate the known causes of abnormal urination. These tests include any or all of the following:

• Thorough medical history and physical examination - especially pay attention to any changes in environment, feeding, stress, etc.
• Blood tests - complete blood cell count (CBC) and serum chemistries
• Complete urinalysis
• Urine culture and antibiotic sensitivity tests
• Abdominal radiographs, which may include contrast radiographic studies
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Cystoscopy or endoscopic examination of the urethra and bladder
• Bladder biopsy

Your veterinarian will formulate a diagnostic plan based on your cat's specific clinical symptoms.

What is the treatment of iFLUTD?

"Since the exact cause of iFLUTD is unknown, treatment will be symptomatic, and is based on your cat's individual needs."

Since the exact cause of iFLUTD is unknown, treatment will be symptomatic, and is based on your cat's individual needs. Drug choices include:

• Propantheline
• Amitriptyline
• Butorphanol
• Phenoxybenzamine
• Pentosan polysulfate sodium
• Metacam® (meloxicam)

Corticosteroids, DMSO, antibiotics and methenamine have not been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of iFLUTD. Your veterinarian will develop a treatment plan based on your cat's needs.

What is the prognosis for iFLUTD?

"The number of recurrences tends to decline as the cat gets older."

Many cases of iFLUTD improve without medical intervention in four to seven days. However, recurrence is common. Medical treatment may help reduce the recurrence or improve clinical signs, thus relieving your cat's discomfort. The number of recurrences tends to decline as the cat gets older. While a frustrating disorder for both the cat and owner, iFLUTD rarely causes long term or serious consequences.

Ernest Ward, DVM

© Copyright 2009 Lifelearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license.

Cats & Microchipping

There are several ways of identifying your cat…but…did you know that there is one form that will always stay with your cat? At the Cats Only Veterinary Clinic, we recommend microchipping to ‘help your cat find their way home’ and ensure a permanent form of identification. The microchip contains information that will speed up the process of returning your beloved companion home, if lost or stolen. Call us at 604-734-2287 for more details about microchipping.

Mobilize the Earth for Earth Day 2012

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life to speak out against the deterioration of the environment and demand change. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency was created, the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were passed,and the modern environmental movement was born.

Today, more than 1 billion people in 192 countries participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. This year, in the face of global inaction on pressing environmental problems, we must harness that power.

Earth Day Network is calling upon individuals, organizations, businesses and governments to Mobilize the Earth™ and demand that environmental issues become a top priority.

Chick Falls Asleep on Cat

Pets & Easter Lilies

Lilies are a popular Easter flower, but did you know that they can actually be toxic to your cat? Like the Christmas poinsettias, lilies can attract the attention of your cat, and then have a toxic effect when ingested. Keep those Easter lilies far from your pet's reach this season, or look into artificial options. The art of artificial flowers have gotten so advanced that your guests won't be able to tell the difference...and your cat will be safe.

Tomorrow is 'If Pets Had Thumbs Day'

Today is National Pet Travel Safety Day

Today is National Pet Travel Safety Day! When traveling with pets it's very important to ensure the safety of all passengers on board...even our furry ones. What is the furthest distance you have traveled with your pet?