iPawz

Rabies–free roaming animals at highest risk

Rabies is a fatal viral disease spread by the saliva of an infected warm blooded animal. It can be prevented in cats and dogs by the use of proper vaccines. However, once the rabies virus is present within the animal it spreads through the nerve tissue and eventually affects the brain in such a severe manner that the cat or dog will become highly agitated and possibly aggressive. In other cases the cat will become very depressed and withdrawn. More common in feral or free roaming cats, Rabies exposure always presents a serious public health hazard. Even indoor cats have potential for contracting Rabies if there happens to be the opportunity for bats to get into the home. Bats, foxes, raccoons, coyotes and skunks rank high in the number of Rabies cases diagnosed in free roaming animals. Cats are natural hunters and will seek out small animals such as bats. Always contact your veterinarian and physician if you are bitten by any animal. And keeping you feline friend up to date on Rabies vaccine provides you with a safety buffer between your cat and potential outdoor carriers of Rabies virus.

Poisonous house plants affecting pets (dogs and cats)

Information on this page may change without notice to iPawz.com. Therefore iPawz.com cautions you to update your own information regarding emergency numbers and contact personnel such as your veterinarian, local physician and emergency care offices.

If your pet has come into contact with a potential toxin...
leave your computer and call your veterinarian or animal emergency immediately!

Or call the ANIMAL POISON CONTROL CENTER 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)
$50 fee may be applied to credit card

Here is a quick reference guide to the more common house and garden plants and foods that are toxic to our dogs, cats - most all animals and children. If you have these plants or foods, you need not dispose of them-just keep them away from pets and children. (*substances are especially dangerous and can be fatal).

 

Pictured here: Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestion of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.

Cardiovascular Toxins
Avocado (leaves, seeds, stem, skin)*
Azalea (entire rhododendron family)
Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)*
Bleeding heart*
Castor bean*
Foxglove (Digitalis)*
Kalanchoe*
Lily-of-the-valley*
Milkweed*
Mistletoe berries*
Mountain laurel
Oleander *
Rosary Pea*
Yew*

Gastrointestinal Toxins
Amaryllis bulb*
Azalea (entire rhododendron family)
Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale)*
Bird of Paradise
Bittersweet
Boxwood
Buckeye
Buttercup (Ranunculus)
Caffeine
Castor bean*
Chocolate *
Chrysanthemum (a natural source of pyrethrins)
Clematis
Crocus bulb
Croton (Codiaeum sp.)
Cyclamen bulb
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)*
English ivy (All Hedera species of ivy)
Garlic*
Hyacinth bulbs
Holly berries
Iris corms
Lily (bulbs of most species)
Marijuana or hemp (Cannabis)*
Narcissus, daffodil (Narcissus)
Onions*
Pencil cactus/plant*
Potato (leaves and stem)
Rosary Pea*
Spurge (Euphorbia sp.)
Tomatoes (leaves and stem)

Respiratory Toxin
Almonds*
Apricot*
Cherries*
Chinese sacred or heavenly bamboo*
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)*
Elderberry, unripe berries*
Hydrangea*
Jimson weed*
Peaches*

Neurological Toxins
Alcohol (all beverages, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl)
Amaryllis bulb*
Azalea (entire rhododendron family)
Bracken fern
Buckeye
Caffeine
Castor bean*
Chocolate*
Choke cherry, unripe berries*
Chrysanthemum (natural source of pyrethrins)
Crocus bulb
Delphinium, larkspur, monkshood*
Lupine species
Marijuana or hemp (Cannabis)*
Mistletoe berries*
Morning glory*
Poinsettia
Potato (leaves and stem)
Rosary Pea*
Tomatoes (leaves and stem)

Kidney/Organ Failure Toxins
Anthurium*
Begonia*
Caladium*
Calla lily*
Jack-in-the-pulpit*
Lantana*
Oak*
Philodendron*
Rhubarb leaves*
Scheffelera*
Shamrock*

What should pet owners do if they suspect their animal has ingested a poisonous plant? What symptoms should they look for?

If a pet owner suspects that their animal ingested a poisonous plant, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. It's advised to bring in part of the to a nursery for identification if the exact species is not known. Symptoms of poisonings can include almost any clinical sign. The animal may even appear completely normal for several hours or for days.

Pain, heart medication and more 'people pills' can be poison to pets

Human medications and supplements pose serious risks to pets, and exposures accounted for many of last year's 180,000 calls to the Animal Poison Control Center. Heart medications are the most commonly eaten pills, said veterinarian Tina Wismer, but there are a host of others, including over-the-counter substances, that can sicken pets. "It only takes one extra-strength naproxen to kill a shih tzu-type dog. Ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure in dogs and cats, and acetaminophen can actually cause the blood to change so it can't carry oxygen and cause liver failure," Dr. Wismer said.

 

“Companies are constantly making more and more palatable supplements and the soft gels for example are made from a gelatin which is made from cow hide, which might be attractive to an animal," said Doctor Tod Cooperman.

Dogs are more likely than cats to sniff their way into trouble. How an animal recovers after an accidental poisoning depends on its weight and what kind of medicine is consumed.

Just like with toddlers, make sure your pets can’t get into cabinets or jump on counters, protect medicines in locked cabinets and high shelves. Also make sure to chase down (vacuum up if necessary) those pills that fall and roll under beds and cabinets. Tiny paws can often reach them.

 

Strange Facts About Cats

Did you know cats sleep an average of 16-18 hours per day? Or that cats respond better to woman than to men? These strange fun facts and more are below...

from ThePetsCentral.com

APPA National Pet Owners Survey Statistics: Pet Ownership & Annual Expenses

According to the 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 62% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 72.9 millions homes. In 1988, the first year the survey was conducted, 56% of U.S. households owned a pet as compared to 62% in 2008.

Breakdown of pet ownership in the U.S. according to the 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey

Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet (millions)
Bird	5.7
Cat	38.9
Dog	46.3
Equine	2.4
Freshwater Fish	11.9
Saltwater Fish	0.7
Reptile	4.6
Small Animal	5.0

 

Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)
Bird	16.2
Cat	86.4
Dog	78.2
Equine	7.9
Freshwater Fish	151.1
Saltwater Fish	8.61
Reptile	13.0
Small Animal	16.0

 

According to the 2011-2012 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, basic annual expenses for dog and cat owners in dollars include:

	Dogs	Cats
Surgical Vet Visits	$407	$425
Routine Vet	$248	$219
Food	$254	$220
Kennel Boarding	$274	$166
Vitamins	$95	$43
Travel Expenses	$78	$48
Groomer/Grooming Aids	$73	$34
Food Treats	$70	$41
Toys	$43	$21

**Note: APPA does not ask Survey Participants how much in total they spend on their dog or cats annually. The expenses listed above are not all inclusive and each category was asked separately of the survey participant.

Your cat's health: Feline Panleukopenia

What you should know about feline panleukopenia

Feline Panleukopenia (FP) is a highly contagious viral disease of cats caused by the feline parvovirus. Over the years FP has been known by a variety of names including feline distemper, infectious enteritis, cat fever and cat typhoid. Feline distemper should not be confused with canine distemper. Though sharing the same name, they are different diseases caused by different viruses; neither of the viruses is transmissible to man. FP virus kills rapidly dividing body cells. This cell loss makes the cat more susceptible to other complications and bacterial infections.

How Can You Tell if a Cat Has FP?

Hyperthyroid Disease in Cats

Hyperthyroid disease in cats is common and is usually discovered in older cats that lose weight but yet eat well, and seem otherwise healthy.  Take a look at Hyperthyroidism in cats as explained by an experienced veterinarian...

There are a number of options for feline patients that need treatment for Hyperthyroidism, including radiation therapy and oral medications.  Be sure to consult with your veterinarian regarding specific treatment and therapy for your cat if hyperthyroidism is a problem.

“Doctor, is there something wrong with my cat, Tigger? She's losing weight but she can’t be too sick because her appetite is terrific!”

I encourage this concerned pet owner to bring Tigger in for an examination. Further questioning revealed some important clues to solving her health problem. The owner told me that Tigger has seemed restless for several months, wandering around the house at night, yowling and making a terrible racket. The owner also told me that Tigger has had occasional diarrhea and vomiting, and these symptoms have become more frequent.

During the physical exam, several abnormal findings are noted. Tigger is very thin with a poor, dull haircoat. She is very Weight loss, rapid heart rate, good appetite, poor coat... could be Hyperthyroidism in this cat. anxious and restless on the exam table and her heart rate is very fast... more than 200 beats per minute! (average is 110 - 140 beats per minute.)  As I continue the examination, I think I can feel a lump in the neck area. At this point, I am pretty sure that I know what is causing Tigger to be ill, and I explain to the owner that some blood tests will help confirm the diagnosis. When the blood test is back, we discover that the Tigger’s thyroid hormone level is more than twice what it should be. We have our answer- feline hyperthyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common diseases of the middle-aged and older cats. It is a disorder that ultimately affects many of the body systems. It is caused by an increase in the amount of thyroid hormones produced by enlarged thyroid glands. First documented 30 years ago, the actual cause of the disease remains a mystery. In most cases, the enlargement in the thyroid gland is caused by a non-malignant tumor called an adenoma. In very rare cases, a malignant form of this disease is seen.

The thyroid glands are located in the front of the neck on each side of the trachea (windpipe). Normally, they are tiny, about ¼ inch long, and difficult to feel through the skin. If the glands begin to enlarge, the veterinarian may be able to feel them. Hyperthyroidism is diagnosed by checking levels of the thyroid hormone in the blood. Since these levels can fluctuate daily, sometimes repeat testing or special thyroid function testing may be necessary for diagnosis.

The most common symptoms of this disease include weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst, restlessness, unkempt hair with excessive shedding and matting, vomiting and/or diarrhea (although these symptoms are often sporadic). Because of the effects of the thyroid hormone levels on the heart, these patients have a fast heart rate, and may have a heart murmur, high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and other heart problems.  It is important to note that not all of these symptoms may be present in every cat.  Therefore, any middle-aged to older cat that presents with any of the above symptoms should be screened for hyperthyroidism.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

This virus, for which there is a very effective vaccine, is transmitted by cat-to-cat contact. It severely limits the cat’s immune systems ability to ward off all sorts of infections. Cats affected with FeLV may be carriers of the virus for long periods without displaying any ill effects. Occasionally, if stressed by surgery or being lost outside or injury, a cat that is harboring the virus–and seemed to be healthy–will develop clinical signs. Sick cats may have periods of time when they will seem healthy only to have relapses of illness. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, It is commonly fatal over a period of time.

Toxoplasmosis in cats

This disease of cats and other mammals is caused by a parasitic protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. Protozoa are single-celled organisms but are not in the same classification as bacteria. They are among the simplest creatures in the animal kingdom. Cats that hunt and consume raw meat will have the greatest chance for contracting Toxoplasmosis. Ingestion of tissue cysts in infected prey or in other raw meat is probably the most common route by which cats are exposed to Toxoplasma.

Although infection with Toxoplasma is fairly common in cats, actual disease caused by the parasite is relatively rare. Cats are able to shed Toxoplasma in their feces for a few weeks after they are first infected with the parasite. And as in humans with the disease, cats rarely have symptoms when first infected. A cat can remain healthy appearing and yet have the organism within their bodies. There are no good tests available to determine if your cat is passing Toxoplasma in its feces.

Acutely infected cats might display lethargy, depression, poor appetite, lesions in the retinas of the eyes, weight loss and fever. Liver and lung abnormalities may occur. Any cat that displays a brain disorder such as incoordination, sensitivity to light, constricted pupils, circling, personality changes or other central nervous system abnormalities should be evaluated for Toxoplasmosis.

Cat videos try to make kitty litter more glamorous

Playtex is running a series of cat videos on YouTube to promote its Litter Genie odor-reducing receptacle. The clips, which show cats singing along to R&B, psychedelic and punk music, are an attempt to inject some fun and glamour into what can be a stinky subject, says Claire Capeci, global business director at JWT New York. "At the end of the day, we're talking about a disposal system for cat poop," she says.

At this writing, "I Haz a Catnip in Mah Head" has over 1.3 million views. Enjoy this "trip" back to college days...

more Litter Genie videos like this here