Spotlight on Feline Illness - FeLV and FIV

About FeLV and FIV

(Article by Dr. Jane Bicks from February 2013 Edition of the Life's Abundance Newsletter.)

The great thing about cats is that they are superb at being independent and social companions. Most cats enjoy spending time outside playing with other felines.

As a pet parent, it is very important that you are aware of some possible dangers associated with having your cat freely roaming outdoors.

Since the 1960’s, Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) have been spreading amongst the feline population worldwide. While these two diseases are preventable, they are contagious and potentially fatal if they are not detected early enough.

The good news is that vaccines are available to decrease the chances that your feline will catch FeLV or FIV.

FeLV is commonly referred to as the ‘friendly cat disease’ since it’s transferred via saliva. Your cat can catch FeLV through sharing water bowls or even grooming an infected cat.

On the other hand, FIV is transmitted through bite wounds and cat fights. Since males tend to be more involved in territorial fighting they are at an even higher risk of catching FIV.

It is imperative to note that these viruses cannot be passed on to humans, dogs or other pets.

Feline immunodeficiency virus closely resembles HIV in humans. The virus attacks your cat’s immune system and may not show any signs until several years later. Another sinister aspect of FIV is that the symptoms can mimic other common illnesses, making it even harder to detect.

FeLV is somewhat different in its plan of attack. Feline leukemia virus goes after your cat’s genetic coding. This maneuver allows the virus to continue to reproduce infected cells at an alarming rate. Some cats are able to eliminate the infection before becoming sick. Other cats will carry and spread the disease despite never getting sick themselves. This virus can hide in bone marrow until it eventually surfaces in the form of many general symptoms.

There are several warning signs associated with FeLV and FIV; however, not every infected cat will exhibit the same red flags. Your cat may initially develop a fever or become suddenly and extremely fatigued, important indicators that something may be wrong.

Other chronic issues include respiratory infections, dental and gum infections, bone marrow issues and certain cancers. Also, if your kitty starts losing weight, having chronic diarrhea, or develops chronic infections of the skin and eyes, make an appointment to see your vet immediately.

Your vet will perform a SNAP test to accurately determine if your cat is infected with FeLV or FIV. The test is quick and requires only a small blood sample. FIV is predominantly diagnosed through this blood sample alone. A bone marrow sample, in addition to the initial blood sample, may be required to successfully determine a positive FeLV result.

Since FeLV and FIV are so complex, re-testing may be necessary. For example, if a kitten’s mother is infected with FIV or FeLV, the kitten may test positive at a young age. However, over time, their immune systems may be able to fight and overcome the infection, eventually resulting in a disease-free kitty. In contrast, if the FeLV virus is in the early stages and has not fully developed, it may not show up in the initial results. Later tests, further into the virus’ progression, will ultimately lead to a clear diagnostic result.

Early detection, treatment, and proper nutrition are essential for your cat to live as long and comfortably as possible. If your feline does test positive for FeLV or FIV, then they will require premium nutritional support since their bodies will be stressed and weakened from the virus. Make sure that the food you feed provides an optimal balance of vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants, to give your feline the best chance at maintaining strength and general well being. In cases like these, pet parents should strongly consider augmenting meals with nutritional supplements to further boost health and vitality.

If your cat tests positive for FeLV or FIV, I recommend that they make the transition to strictly indoor living. When immune systems are compromised, going outdoors could increase their risk for catching other viruses, parasites, or infections. Your cat will also be in harm’s way if they sustain any wounds from cat fighting or other traumatic events. Resulting injuries may not heal properly and might even become infected. You should isolate any infected cats or kittens from other cats to avoid further contamination. It is essential to test any new cats or kittens that you may be bringing home for FeLV and FIV.

As a feline pet parent it is great to provide your cat with the independence that they crave. However, you should pay close attention to any changes in the overall health or physical appearance of your outdoor cat. Early detection could be the key to saving your cat’s life.

Thank you so much for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

Dr. Jane Bicks

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What Happens if your Cat Gains Just One Pound?

Pet Obesity is Downright Dangerous
By Amanda Baltazar

(Adapted from Hills Pet Nutrition, Pet Chat Email Newsletter 1-31-13.)

Sadly, like us, our cats are expanding their waistlines year after year. Why? One reason is we don't always grasp how much smaller our pets are when compared to us. Fortunately Petfit.com has developed a calculator to stack up your cat's weight gain to that of a woman. Simply select your pet's breed and the number of pounds she's gained and it will give you the human equivalent based on a 125-lb. woman.

“Humans almost always anthropomorphize their pet, says Dr. Jim Dobies, a veterinarian with South Point Pet Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., and a member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association. “If you can compare them in a real world way and how it compares to us, that will go a long way towards helping an owner see the reality of what’s going on.”

Here are a couple of examples of how just a few extra pounds can be disastrous to your cat:

Siamese:  A mere 2 lbs of extra weight on a sophisticated Siamese cat that weighs 10 lbs. is tantamount to you gaining a whopping 25 lbs. This poor kitty’s setting herself up for diabetes.

Persian:  If your Persian tabby gains just 1 lb. — the weight of most typical household cans — it’s the equivalent of you gaining 11 lbs. A little more exercise and fewer calories should put you both on the right track.

Singapura: A 6-lb. Singapura cat that eats enough to add 2 lbs. of weight is the equivalent of a woman gaining a massive 41 lbs. Time to cut the portion sizes or risk putting her — and other cats like her — on a fast track to diabetes, arthritis and heart problems.

American Shorthair:  An American Shorthair cat whose weight jumped by 3 lbs. would be seeing the same kind of gains as a human gaining 27 lbs. Overweight cats can suffer from fatty liver syndrome (hepatic lipidosis) which means their liver functions poorly and they may even suffer liver failure.
Maine Coon: A typical 17-lb. Maine Coon gaining 4 lbs. of body weight would be seeing the same increase as a human who gained 29 lbs. This cat is setting herself up for a potential heart attack.

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If you are looking for a nutritious food for your cat, check out Lifes Abundance Health Food for Cats

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Plan a Safe Holiday for Your Cat

When it comes to this busy holiday season, there are so many things to be careful of — not to mention keeping your cat healthy, happy and safe.

Below are some thoughtful and helpful tips that can help with just that:

• Provide a quiet place of solitude. Your cat may not welcome your guests as you do, so keep her favorite place free from the holiday hubbub so she can relax.  (Our cat acts out and poops outside the litter box when she is stressed.)
• Keep poisonous and dangerous plants away from kitty. Cats love to chew on plants. Mistletoe and poinsettia are poisonous to cats. Ingested pine needles can block their digestive tract. Keep your cat away from these poisonous and dangerous plants and you just might save yourself a trip to animal emergency hospital.
• Decorate with your cat's safety in mind. A variety of decorations can cause problems for your cat. Ribbons and tinsel are frequently implicated in veterinary emergency rooms. Light cords, when chewed on can cause severe burns, electrocution and death. Prevent these disasters by keeping decorations out of reach.
• Prepare for trips well in advance. Take special precautions when traveling with your cat no matter how you choose to travel. Several days before departing, consult with your veterinarian about how to properly prepare. Some cats may need a relaxant to help with anxiety.
• Table scraps aren't snacks. Holiday foods are loaded with fat and sodium and can cause stomach upset. Chicken bones can easily get stuck in the digestive tract and other foods like onions or chocolate may be poisonous. Chocolate can cause illness and even death in cats so it should be avoided completely. Chocolate contains theobromine, a potent cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant that is eliminated very slowly in cats.
• In short, people food is for people. Stay disciplined and keep your cat on the right cat food formula such as Life's Abundance Cat Food for optimal health. Consider giving your kitty a wholesome kitty treat such as Gourmet Kitty Treats for Healthy Skin and Coat as a stocking stuffer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Cold Weather Care for Cats and Dogs - Part 1

Cold Weather Care for Pets - Part 1

(Article obtained from At Home - a special advertising section of the Daily Inter Lake dated Saturday, October 20, 2012.)

When temperatures drop, humans are not the only ones who feel the chill.  Cold weather also can take its toll on animals including dogs, cats, and birds.  Protecting pets when winter arrives involves modifying care tactics.
 
A major winter snowfall or simply a snap of cold weather can cause many problems for pets.  Much like humans, dogs and cats can experience frostbite on extremities when subjected to cold temperatures.  Ears, noses, and paws all may bear the brunt of cold weather, increasing the risk of injury.

Provide Warm Shelter
Although it may appear that pets are well insulated against cold temperatures, fur or feathers do not make pets impervious to the cold.  According to the ASPCA, fur wetted by snow may not dry quickly, putting animals at risk for a chill or even hypothermia.  As a precautionary measure, keep companion animals inside when temperatures drop below 30F.

If yours is an outside cat or dog, be sure that he or she is equipped with dry, draft-free shelter.  A dog house that is too large will not retain heat, so keep this in mind.  Reduce wind chill by placing the dog house where it will not be in the direct line of wind.  You may want to think about keeping the dog in an insulated shed or garage if you prefer not to move the pet inside. Cats can easily freeze while outdoors; therefore, it is safer to keep them inside.  Also, outdoors a cat may seek unsafe shelter, such as under the hoods of cars where they can be injured or killed if the car is started.

Dress Warmly
A mammal’s system for regulating heat can be compromised when there is excessive cold.  No matter its type of fur, a dog or cat may not be able to tolerate long periods of cold weather, unless it is a breed that was specifically bred for remaining outdoors in the cold, like a Malamute or Husky.  When venturing outside the use of a sweater or vest on short-haired dogs, but keep an eye on the pet.  Wearing a coat doesn’t mean he or she should be left outdoors unattended.

Cats probably will not tolerate any type of clothing.  If going outdoors to a vet appointment, use a carrier that is insulated from the cold with thick blankets.
Limit Drafts
Limit drafts around the house, which will increase your comfort and that of your companion animals.  Dogs and cats lie on the ground, where colder air tends to collect.  It may be several degrees cooler near the floor where they reside.  Check windows and doors for drafts.  If repairs or replacements aren’t financially possible, consider the use of draft guards or insulating curtains.  The measures will also protect pet birds.  Most birds that are kept as pets are from tropical climates and cannot tolerate severe cold temperatures.  Reduce risk of illness by keeping birds away from drafty windows and doors that open and close frequently during the winter.

Keep Them Leashed
Many dogs like to frolic in the snow, but snow can cause a pooch to lose his scent on the ground and get lost.  A dog also may run off and get smothered by tall snowdrifts or slip through the ice when not being able to gauge its surroundings.  It is best to keep dogs on leashes during any type of inclement weather.

(Part 2, coming soon.)

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Today's posted suggested by kitty food.

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Feline Feeding Behavior

Feline Feeding Behavior and Why It Matters
Credits: July Lifes Abundance Newsletter, Thursday, 26 July 2012 16:53 by Dr. Jane Bicks 

Cats are enigmatic creatures.

Having an appreciation for their motivations will not only help you to develop a deeper bond, it could make your cat healthier, too.

Feeding your feline optimal nutrition not only requires an understanding of your cat’s unique nutritional needs, but also of their feeding behavior. In fact, understanding the nuances of feline consumption can help combat one of the most common feeding disorders in cats - obesity.

When it comes to feeding behaviors, domestic cats aren’t vastly different than their wild cousins.

Felines are so fundamentally predatory that they will actually stop eating a meal to initiate a new hunt. This instinctual strategy evolved in the wild over the course of millenia to maximize food availability. This is why, if a cat even sees a mouse, she feels compelled to catch it.

Domesticated cats exhibit this same hunting impulse, and sometimes pet parents mistake feline hunting behavior as an expression of hunger. However, it’s simply a manifestation of their predatory instinct.

It might amaze you to learn that cats in the wild consume 10-20 small meals per day! And 40% or more of the diet of feral domestic cats consists of small rodents, but the typical mouse only provides a tiny amount of the daily energy requirement of an adult cat. In order to obtain enough calories, a cat must hunt throughout the day and night.

Generally speaking, domesticated cats demonstrate similar behavior, ‘snacking’ throughout the day on their kibble and canned food. The significant difference here is that prepared food features substantial calorie counts, especially compared to a field mouse.

With many indoor kitties adopting the couch-potato lifestyle, a sizable portion of the U.S. cat population is overweight or obese. A major concern that affects overall health, obesity was nearly unheard of in cats 100 years ago.

In a relatively short period of time, cats have gone from outdoor predators, constantly searching for small prey, to indoor loafers with a nearly constant supply of freely available food! No longer subjected to the daily hardships of environmental dangers (such as predators, rampant disease, increased risk of traumatic injury and at the mercy of the elements), cats are not only falling prey to obesity, they are suffering from collateral disorders like arthritis and diabetes. Simply by adopting new methods of providing sustenance, pet parents can not only help their indoor cats avoid obesity but also boredom … talk about a win-win scenario!

Unless your cat is hyper-vigilant at regulating her caloric intake, the amount of food for the day should be measured out to prevent overeating. Resist the temptation to ‘feed the empty bowl’.

A good reality check is readily available in the form of the Suggested Daily Amount listed on the back label of Life’s Abundance food bags. It’s important to note that neutered and sedentary cats have lower energy requirements than outdoor hunters or extremely active kitties.

Food intake should be adjusted according to a cat’s activity level, to help maintain an optimal body condition. Remember, a cat is at a good weight when you can feel ribs, but not see them. It’s always a good idea to discuss weight management issues with your veterinarian. Feeding your cat in a manner that mimics hunting can result in positive health benefits. Doing so will decrease boredom and increase exercise levels, helping to trim fat and build muscle tissue.

We encourage you to employ some of the following suggestions, provided by from the American Association of Feline Practitioners (catvets.com):

• Use a puzzle feeder or food ball to dispense food as a challenge. Or make your own homemade puzzle feeder by cutting holes into a taped-shut shoebox or empty two-liter bottle, either with holes large enough that she can paw kibble out, or kibble-sized holes that will dispense food as she bats the container around. Begin with easy-to-solve puzzles … as your smart kitty works out the chow challenge, introduce new, more difficult mealtime mystifiers. *Hide food throughout the house … be creative and change up locations frequently, effectively recreating a ‘scavenger hunt’.
• Throw kibble for your cat to chase, to mimic pursuit of prey.
• If you feed treats, make sure the calories for those treats are reflected in the total daily counts.
• Make sure all the members of your family are on the same page when it comes to curtailing feline obesity. That means, no duplicated feedings or treating.
• If your kitty stares at you with longing eyes during meal time, then feed the largest meal during that time to prevent begging.
• If your kitty pounces on you at night demanding to be fed, then feed the largest meal right before bedtime.

If you feed your cat Life’s Abundance Premium Health Food and Instinctive Choice Premium Canned Food, you obviously care about improving the health of your cat. Just keep in mind, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

I truly believe that if you make the commitment to alter your feeding habits, you can make a big difference in the long-term health of your furry best friend. Thank you so much for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jane Bicks

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The quality of cat food you feed is important to your Kitty's health and well-being. Healthy, happy cats make fewer trips to the Vet, too. We feed Life's Abundance Cat Food. It's healthy, wholesome and does not contain artificial colors or flavors. It does not contain animal byproducts, corn or what gluten. Your kitty will love Life's Abundance Kitty Food.

>>> Learn More and Order Lifes Abundance Kitty Food.

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