Holiday Hazards for Cats

Watch out for the following potential cat hazards during this holiday season:

Flowers And Plants
Poinsettias get the bad rap, but the plant you actually need to worry about is the fragrant lily (such as tiger, Asiatic, and Stargazer), which is commonly found in holiday arrangements and is highly toxic to cats. Just one chewed leaf can result in severe, acute kidney failure. Yuletide plants (like holly and mistletoe) can easily be mistaken for food, resulting in gastrointestinal upset and even heart arrhythmia. Silk and plastic arrangements are your safest bets; if you prefer real flowers, however, choose bouquets made of nonirritating choices such as roses, marigolds, orchids, or daisies.

Candles
Curious cats have been known to knock down candles causing house fires. Never, ever leave candles unattended with a cat in the house. As a Red Cross volunteer, I've been to a couple of fires caused by a curious cat and careless owner. The ending is never good.

Tinsel
If you own a cat, toss the tinsel--she's attracted to it and may eat it. Ingesting tinsel can cause severe damage to the intestinal tract. It can get wrapped around the tongue or caught up in the stomach while the rest of it continues to pass through the intestines, which may require expensive abdominal surgery.

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New Cat Food Recall: 21 Cats Confirmed Sickened

On September 23, 2009, Diamond Pet Foods issued yet another voluntary recall of certain bags of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat food due to a lack of thiamine, an essential nutrient for cats. Diamond Foods has confirmed 21 cats became sick from the dried cat food, but there is no new or expanded recall, according to the Premium Edge Pet Food Web site.

The recalled cat food was distributed in a total of 18 states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida), but all 21 accounts of thiamine deficiency were reported in New York and Pennsylvania.

All incidents were reported prior to October 19. However, if you've given this food to your cat, it's not a bad idea to be familiar with the signs of thiamine deficiency. The company's Web site states that cats deficient in the nutrient will exhibit neurological symptoms, such as "wobbly walking or muscle weakness, paralysis of the hindlimbs, seizures, ventroflexion (bending towards the floor) of the neck, and abnormal eye movement called nystagmus."

The issue has been rectified through numerous tests -- other Diamond foods do not have a problem -- but if you find that you have any bags with the codes below, you should return the recalled cat food for a full refund to the place where it was purchased, or call 800-977-8797.

Affected codes: RAF0501A22X 18lb., RAF0501A2X 6 lb., RAF0802B12X 18lb (BB30FEB11), RAH0501A22X 18 lb., RAH0501A2X 6lb. The dates of manufacture are May 28, 2009 and August 30, 2009.

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Watch Out for those Toxic Yard Plants

Did you know? That plants commonly found in yards, such as Azalea, can be toxic — and even deadly — to pets if ingested.

According to a recent MSNBC online article entitled 10 of the Most Toxic Plants to Pets,a veterinarian states, “A rule of thumb is that the prettier it is, the more likely it is to be toxic,” says Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, a veterinarian and board-certified toxicologist who is vice president of the Animal Poison Control Center, based in Urbana, Ill.

According to that same article the 10 top toxic plants are:

Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are highly toxic to cats. Ingestion of even very small amounts of any part of the plant can result in severe kidney damage.

Sago Palm
Also known as the cycad palm, all parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, in particular the seeds or “nuts.” Just one or two seeds can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Autumn Crocus
Ingestion of Colchicum autumnale can result in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.

Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododendron spp. contain cardio toxins that may produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, depression of the central nervous system in animals and potentially coma and death. More refined, or domesticated, azaleas and rhododendrons tend to be less toxic than the wild varieties.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, with the potential to cause gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and death.

Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs
If a pet eats a large quantity, the bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities. Small amounts generally cause a little stomach upset or vomiting.

Castor Bean
The toxin in Ricinus communis is ricin, which can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Marijuana
Marijuana may be illegal, but it’s still in some people’s homes. A pet that ingests Cannabis sativa can exhibit the following signs: depression of the central nervous system, incoordination, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, seizures and coma.

Yew
Known scientifically as Taxus spp., yew contains a substance called taxine, which causes central nervous system effects — trembling, incoordination and difficulty breathing — as well as gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.

Mushrooms/Toadstools
Often found growing in yards, mushrooms and toadstools should always be considered highly toxic. They can cause liver failure and death.

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Pet Preparedness

Do you have an emergency plan for your pets?

Your home is not only a safe haven for your family, but also for your pets.

When disaster strikes, people often have no other option than to leave their homes. Depending on the severity of the disaster, you may be away from your home for a few hours or a few months.

So what happens to the furry, four-legged members of your family? Here are some tips to help you prepare:

• Take time now to identify potential shelter sites or other safe havens where your pet could feel comfortable and be housed temporarily. Many emergency shelters do not allow pets.

• Make sure your pet wears a tag with up-to-date information. Your pet’s ID tag should contain his name, owner contact information, and any urgent medical conditions. Other ID items include license and vaccination tags, or microchips IDs.

• Prepare a pet evacuation kit containing a pet carrier, collar leash, harness, bedding, food/water dishes, medications, toys, pet first aid kit, and at least a three-day supply of food and water.

• It’s always preferable to take your pet with you in an emergency, but if you must leave your pet behind:

o Put him/her in a secure area in your home.
o Leave him at least 10 days of dry food and several water dishes.
o Place signs on doors and windows, describing the type and number of pets inside and providing owner contact information.

• Be prepared to describe your pet, having a photo of your pet can be especially helpful in reuniting pets and their owners.

Adapted from the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) article in CITYSCAPE (City of Tigard’s, OR Official Newsletter – June 2009 Edition.)

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Taking home another cat? Prepare, be patient.

Article obtained from Jacques Von Lumen, Pet Talk, and the Oregonian, March 24, 2009

People and kittens are on the move right now. Spring is when a lot of kittens are born -- and brought into new homes shortly thereafter – and a recession such as the one we’re in can force pet owners to move in with relatives or friends to reduce expenses.

Whatever the reason, if pets need to get along with new companions, pet owners can make that process a lot easier for everyone involved. If both pets involved are Canis lupus familaris, aka pooches, things work out easily enough, in general. Dogs have learned to get along with other dogs since they roamed the steppes together in search of food.

Cats? That’s a different story. If you own a cat and plan to add another cat, a dog or a baby to the mix, it’s best to prepare thoroughly.

If you’re adding another cat voluntarily, choosing the right cat is the first step toward avoiding conflict, said Jacqui Neilson, a Portland veterinarian who teaches veterinary behavior at Oregon State University and helps dogs and cats at her Animal Behavior Clinic in Southeast Portland.

Contrary to common belief, studies have shown that neither gender nor size matters when picking a second cat, Neilson said. The best way to have two cats get along? Take in littermates. If that’s not an option, at least pay attention to warnings such as “Doesn’t get along with other cats.” In any case, get ready before the other kitty gets there.

Set up a room to house the new cat separately from the one that rules the house. Furnish that room with litter box, scratching post, food station – the works. And keep, the door closed for a good while. “We all want things quickly,” Neilson said. “But patience is definitely a virtue in this case.”

After some time, start feeding the two cats on opposite sides of the closed door so they can sense each other’s presence while having a pleasant experience. If that goes well, tie two cat toys to the same string and thread it underneath the door – still closed – so they can play together, yet apart.

During this time, do what Marilyn Krieger, a nationally syndicated columnist, calls a “pheromone exchange.” Rub small towels or socks over the cats’ faces. Then put each cat’s towel into the other’s room.

If everything goes well, after a week or so, let them see each other. You could stack baby gates open the door just a crack, Neilson said. Again, take your time with this step.

After a few more days, let them into a room together but be prepared to separate them – you might keep a squirt bottle on hand – if things don’t work out.

It’s important to have something positive happening when the two first come face to face, Neilson said. Provide toys, treats, food, and play. Keep the time limited at first. Each day, increase the time the two spend together and reduce supervision. If problems arise, separate them again and start the process over.

Did we mention this could take a long time?

In severe cases when one cat is living “in constant terror,” is not eating, hides or gets injured, owners may have to consider drug therapy, Neilson said. Also, she said some cats will just never get along and may be a lot happier staying segregated.

Many cats will get along with a dog, no problem. But the dog may not feel the same way. “If I’m introducing a new dog, I’m taking plenty of precautions to make sure the dog can’t get aggressive toward the cat,” Neilson said.

In this scenario, there’s no need for separate rooms, just a lot of safety measures. Keep the dog on a leash initially. Give the cat plenty of get-away options, such as perches. Watch for food aggression in the dog. If you know the dog – or even better, the owner – consider its history. If the history spells problems with cats, be forewarned. “Do not think you can make a difference if the history says otherwise,” Neilson said.

If the newcomer is a newborn human, preparation is key, cat behavior writer Krieger said. She recommends getting the cat used to baby sounds long before the real thing arrives. Owners should find an audio recording of a baby and play it, at soft levels, at regular intervals. “Baby sounds can really startle a cat,” she said. “It sounds like a distressed animal.”

It also helps to get things that smell like a newborn baby and expose the cat to the new smell. Blankets from the hospital or another baby’s clothes can help. When the baby arrives in the home, sit down with the baby and cat and watch the cat’s body language. Make sure the baby can’t reach for the cat.

Providing a tall cat tree for sanctuary from the noise and commotion a baby creates can help keep a cat calm, Krieger said. When babies get older, it’s important to teach them not to chase the cat, not to climb cat trees and how to pet the cat. A parent should always be present. The most important rule kids can learn regarding cats is to not use their hands to play with them. “Hands are for loving, toys are for playing,” Krieger said.

In cases not dictated by economic necessity, it’s also important to ask yourself why you’re adding another pet, said Tanya Roberts, who manages the behavior-training department at the Oregon Humane Society. A lot of times people are getting another pet for the wrong reason, she said. If your cat is acting happy, if it’s greeting you and eating, and grooming, why are you getting another pet?” she said, “Don’t assume it’s lonely just because you would be.”
Jacques Von Lunen also blogs about pets at orgeonlive.com/pets.

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Warning Signs: PBDE Linked to Feline Illness

Hyperthyroidism has become a frequently diagnosed illness in cats in recent decades. And new research implicates an environmental source.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s), chemicals used only in recent decades as a flame retardant, have been shown in research to cause injury to the feline nervous system, as well as interfere with the production of certain hormones. Scientists are concerned that these chemicals could also lead to similar symptoms in humans, too.

PBDE’s have now been phased out of commercial production, but many of the products that contain them, like fabrics, furniture, foams, some plastics and other items, are still in use.

This evidence suggests that if your cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism, it could be the result of an object in your home – one that could be removed, and possibly lessen the severity of the illness.

Source: Environmental Science and Technology, August 2007.

When Smokers Quit, Pets May Also Get Healthier

A study conducted almost a decade ago showed that cats living with smokers are 2-4 times more at risk for intestinal lymphoma said Kristi Ellis, a veterinarian at the Oregon Humane Society. This type of cancer usually kills cats within one year of diagnosis. The reason cats end up with cancer in their bowels, and not their lungs, is apparently that smoke particles settle in on their fur and are injested when cats groom, Ellis said.

This however, is a worst case scenario and some say secondhand smoke hasn't been shown to directly cause cancer in felines. "It's important to note that there's no absolute direct link between smoking and cancer in pets," said Nancy Zimmermann, director of medical support at Banfield, the Pet Hospital, one of the world's largest veterinary practices.

But Zimmermann agreed that cigarette smoke can increase the risk of cancer in animals predisposed to tumors by genetics or viral infections. Cancer is not the only disease that can show up when your pet breathes in smoke. Asthma is common in cats but some people may never know that their cat has the condition - until they start smoking around them.

Ellis said she has persuaded cat owners with asthma to quit smoking inside, and their cats have immediately improved without any medication. Dogs on the other hand don't get asthma and don't groom the way cats do, but they're not immune to the effects of secondhand smoke. Small-breed dogs are apparently at a real particular disadvantage. They usually spend more time indoors, they often are lap-sitters, closer to smoke plumes, and they are more prone to respiratory diseases anyway, said Banfield's Zimmermann.

While larger dogs aren't as susceptible to repiratory illnesses, they still are more likely to get cancer if they live with a smoker. Long-nosed dogs may develop nasal cancer, and short-nosed dogs are at risk for cancers of the lung said Zimmermann.

Smoke can trigger other diseases and illness too, including ear infections. Other smaller pets can be at risk and don't fare well in a smoky environment. Vets agree that whether its a small hamster, parrot, or large animal like a Great Dane keeping you company in your own home, not smoking will assist in preserving their health.

To keep your pets healthy, this blog's author recommends not smoking indoors and feeding your loved ones health food for cats. Visit: Life's Abundance Cat Food.

Some content for this article was taken from the January 20, 2009 issue of The Oregonian.

Why Do Cats Eat Plants?

Cats have a tendancy to nibble on indoor plants as a substitute for eating grass.

Eating grass is a perfectly natural behavior for a cat. Eating grass is nature's way of inducing vomiting.

One of the reasons why cats need to regurgiate (vomit) is to help rid their digestive system of hairballs that accumulate from grooming. They instinctively seek out blades of grass to help them cough up fur balls. (Cats will resort to house plants if they don't have access to grass.)

Since they'll eat almost anything green when they need help to cough up a furball, it's important that they don't chew on houseplants because some are toxic and even poisonous.

You can make sure that your cat is safe from poisonous plants by buying special grasses sold for cats.

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