Cat Scratch Disease

I got the phone call while away in college. “Your mom is in the hospital with cat scratch fever,” my dad lamented. At first I thought he was joking, but his serious tone convinced me that my mother really had this strange sounding illness. I must admit, I had heard the song with a similar name by Ted Nugent (Cat Scratch Fever), but I didn’t know anything about cat scratch disease.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes cat scratch “…as a bacterial disease caused by Bartonella henselae. Most people with CSD have been bitten or scratched by a cat and developed a mild infection at the point of injury. Lymph nodes, especially those around the head, neck, and upper limbs, become swollen. Additionally, a person with CSD may experience fever, headache, fatigue, and a poor appetite.”

I found out from my dad that our kitten had scratched mom during play, and that’s when my mom had become infected. Although complications like my mother’s are rare, cat lovers should still try to prevent contracting the disease.

The CDC recommends that you do not engage in rough play with your cats – play that promotes scratching or biting. Also, if you are bitten or scratched, wash the site thoroughly with warm water and soap. Health experts also advise controlling fleas on your animals.

Toxoplasmosis

I first learned about toxoplasmosis when pregnant for the first time. The doctor, knowing I had a cat, advised me to refrain from changing the litter box. Why? Because toxoplasmosis may be present in cat feces.

ASPCA explains that “toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in garden soil and raw meat. Cats can get toxoplasma infection by killing and eating infected prey. The disease can also be passed on from cats to humans. If a woman is infected while pregnant, the growing fetus can also become infected. This can result in cysts in the fetus’ brain, and can lead to developmental abnormalities, miscarriage or stillbirth.”

As outlined above, cats, especially those allowed to hunt outside, may end up with toxoplasmosis. In order to not become infected, women who are pregnant should not change litter boxes. Also, always make sure to wash your hands with soap and water after handling your pet and before eating.

Being the owner of cats is both rewarding and fun; however, make sure to understand that there are certain risks involved, including cat scratch disease and toxoplasmosis. If you understand what these illnesses are, you will be able to prevent transmission.

There are several ways to assist with this important cause. By doing one or more of the following things, you can help give a deserving pet a loving home (or make their wait in the shelter a more pleasant one).

1. Sponsor an Ad
Many local newspapers provide space for ads to aid the adoption process. Pictures of cute cats and dogs are pictured together with the animal’s name and a brief synopsis of temperament. If your local shelter works with the newspaper in this manner, consider providing the funds for one or more of these ads. The cost is relatively inexpensive, and they do work to match pets to the right owner.

2. Collect Free Food Samples
Free samples of cat and dog food remain easy to obtain, both from local vendors and over the Internet. All you need to do is be on the lookout for these offers. For example, Rachael Ray now has free samples of  dog food on her Nutrish website. Other offers are easy to find just by searching the terms, “free cat and/or dog food.” This would be a great project for a youth group or senior center to tackle. Once you, or your group, have accumulated a box full of samples, drop them off at the local shelter or rescue.

3. Actively Seek Pet Adopters
Can’t take another pet yourself? Maybe you have a friend or two who have been thinking about getting a purebred dog or cat. Why not steer them to the local shelter? The Humane Society claims that “25 percent of pets in shelters are purebreds.” You not only will save your friend lots of money by letting him or her know that the dog or cat they have been wanting can be found at the shelter, you will be saving an animal’s life.

4. Support Fundraising Events
Many shelters and adoption groups host fundraising events. Make a point to support these events. One unique fundraiser held in Fayetteville in 2011 was the PAWcasso event, where cats “painted pictures” with their paws! The pictures were then sold as a way to raise money for the shelter. (I can imagine one of those masterpieces hanging on my wall). Other shelters raise money by hosting 5K’s or even dances. You can have fun while helping out.

5. Donate Old Linens
Shelters are always in need of blankets and towels, especially during the cold winter months. Don’t throw away your faded linens, give them to the local shelter to make a cat or dog more comfortable.

Although everyone celebrates Christmas in their own special way, a recurring theme I see amongst many families is the giving of gifts to the pets on Christmas.  I think it is a fun and creative way to involve the pets in family celebrations.  At my Dad’s house this Christmas, we gave our dog several toys as Christmas presents, and my uncle gave his dog some presents too.  Sadly, at my mom’s house, neither the chickens nor Gonzo got Christmas presents.  So, I was thinking about whether or not it is actually worth getting your pet a present.

1. It really depends on the species of pet you have.  I’m pretty sure that every time the chickens get human food, they consider it a holiday.  Gonzo is in a similar situation.  Every time he is fed, he is probably happy, and adding a new fixture to his tank may freak him out just as much as it could make him happy.  On the other hand, smarter animals like cats and dogs are excited to get new things and may actually make a connection with the festivities and gifts.
2. It also depends on what they are getting.  If you decide you want to give your dog a sweater, he may not be overly pleased with the gift du jour.  At the same time, my dog was very excited to get new chew toys and a blanket (he piles the blankets in his bed and sleeps in them).
3. Be careful with the festivities.  I know many people who have dogs who can unwrap presents and get the gift out.  This is all fun and games, but be careful to make sure that Fido doesn’t ingest any of the wrapping paper or ribbon.  This could make him one very un-jolly pooch.

With this in mind, have some Happy Holidays!

Joe, the oldest cat, has kept somewhat busy by helping me wrap Christmas presents. He especially loves tissue paper, as well as the thin curling ribbon. To keep him occupied, I’d place a piece of tape on the end of his tail, and he’d spend a few glorious minutes chasing it around and around.

Bear, the younger cat, seems to be suffering from the blues. He sleeps a lot, and he meows a lot. Poor little guy keeps forgetting it is still cold outside, no matter if he uses the front door or back door.  (He gets so mad he buries himself under the top blanket of my bed for hours on end).

So what’s a pet owner to do to help his or her stir crazy cat? Give them something to think about, of course. Here are a few ideas for helping your indoor/outdoor cat survive the rest of the winter ahead.

1. Boxes

Since Joe had such a good time helping me to wrap presents, I realized that he would be happy with an assortment of boxes to play in. With presents arriving from around the country, we were blessed with an assortment of box sizes, some in which he fit quite well, and others where he struggled to sit down. But each box brings intrigue into his life.

2. String

To help keep both cats happy, I play with them using the curling ribbon I mentioned above. I walk quickly through the house, the string trailing behind, and the cats love the challenge of catching it.

3. Furniture

This might not work for all cats, but my cats love when I change the furniture around. They spend time exploring the new layout, as it gives them something to occupy their minds. In addition, I always make sure they have a lookout. By this I mean that although they do not like being outside in the cold, they still like to watch the squirrels and birds, so I always have a special perch for them to do this.

4. Toys
I do invest in a few cat toys in the winter as well. Those filled with catnip make Joe and Bear especially happy. My cats also like playing with pens and the plastic circles that surround milk cartons; however, I let them play with these items only when I am around to make sure they don’t try to chew (or swallow) them.

She stated she has three cats, as she had just rescued another one from her friend’s house. She proceeded to explain how the kitten had shown up on her friend’s porch one cold morning, tired and hungry, in search of a home.

This story reminded me of my own cat rescues, including Muffy and Joe. My mom and I rescued Muffy from the lobby of a credit union where we both worked at the time, and Joe showed up on the door step of a local farmer, who was a friend of a friend.

By now you must be seeing the pattern? Cats are not dumb. I believe if they are in need, they will search out people in hopes of finding shelter, food, and love. Sometimes they are lucky, such as in the cases I described above, and they find a human who is a cat lover. Unfortunately, I am sure they find other humans who are not so kind.

Here’s another interesting example of a cat asking for help. Several years ago, I met an intelligent feral male. As if on a mission, he used to peek into the windows of my friend’s living room, and you could see he was meowing frantically. A gorgeous feline, his coat was jet black and sleek, yet his paws were white, just like he had on tube socks. Over the course of a few days, another cat, grey and fluffy, began to hang around Socks, not looking into the windows, but standing back a bit. Socks continued meowing for days, so my friend set a trap to find out what was going on with this pair. Unfortunately, he only managed to capture the fluffy one.

Renamed “Mama Cats,” the female proved to be pregnant, and in desperate need of vet care. Sadly, Socks ended up being hit and killed by a car about a week later, but Mama Cats – rescued from the wild – gave birth to seven healthy kittens. She now lives with a single lady – in a home fit for a queen. And the woman who rescued her found loving homes for all the kittens.

That is how my cat, Bear, came into my life. He was one of Socks and Mama Cat’s kittens, and I have been privileged to have known him his entire life – from hours after birth, until now…six years later. I have never had a black cat before, or one that meows quite so much!

That’s the great thing about cats…you never know when a new one might come knocking at your door – literally!

I’ve read that eating raw eggs can make animals’ fur shiny — but can they get salmonella from them?

Animals can definitely get Salmonella from raw eggs. There risk is less than that of humans, but it is still a problem. They can develop severe diarrhea and GI upset when infected and may require IV fluids and antibiotics to recover.

Further risk occurs to humans also. Not only can humans get Salmonella from raw eggs when handling the eggs themselves, but the Salmonella will also be present in the pet’s food bowls. There have been cases of young children coming into contact with the used bowls and getting Salmonella from those.

Animals who are elderly, have another illness, or who are on immunosuppressive medications such as prednisone, cyclosporin, or chemotherapeutic agents are at higher risk and should never be given raw eggs. There are other things that can be done to improve the texture and shine of your pet’s fur, so please contact your veterinarian about your options.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

This story reminds me of the valiant dog, Ginny, who during her lifetime rescued hundreds of cats from certain peril. The Ginny website explains that after she was rescued from an abandoned apartment building, Ginny began a career that has been unmatched to date. She literally made it her life’s work to seek out the most frail and needy cats; those trapped and/or near death. And even though a canine, she connected with all of these felines immediately. Her devotion to these rescues was so astounding, that her owner even wrote two books about her adventures, and when Ginny died in 2005, 18 of her cat rescues were with her.

Closer to home, I witnessed another example of a dog’s love for a cat first-hand. When we first brought our kitten, Muffy, home she did her best to be brave in the unfamiliar surroundings. She puffed herself up into a round ball of frizzy grey fur, she arched her tiny back, and she let out a series of tremendous hisses. Our beloved mutt, Barnie Sue, didn’t let Muffy’s standoffish demeanor trick her. She knew what Muffy needed to feel at ease in her new home, a furry friend. With a few gentle licks followed by a several soft whimpers, Barnie quieted the kitten, and in a matter of hours, the two were fast friends, cuddling and playing as if they had always known each other.

For many years, Barnie relished her role as Muffy’s mentor and protector, and Muffy loved her “big sister” as much as she would have loved one of her own kind. So great was their love, that when Barney died, Muffy seemed lost, and she never acted the same again.

These examples all point to the fact that the old saying, “fighting like cats and dogs,” is not always correct. In many cases, dogs and cats live harmonious, loving lives, and they can care for one another. Yes, it’s true, some dogs absolutely love cats!

Maybe it’s because in all of these instances, the cats involved were kittens when they first met their canine friends, or maybe it’s because certain dogs tolerate cats better, but whatever the case, canine/feline love is possible.
What about you? Do you have an example of a dog that would rather love a cat that tear it to pieces?

There’s been an outbreak of feline calicivirus in our community – would it be a good idea to wash our cats’ things with a bleach solution?

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a virus that is one of the possible causes of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. This disease cannot be transmitted from cats to humans.  Cats that are infected by feline calicivirus can have an acute infection, chronic infection, or may not show any signs at all.  Cats can become carriers of the infection after they contracted the virus, become sick, and recovered.  The virus can be transmitted in several different ways.  Direct contact from secretions from the eyes, nose, or mouth and in the urine from a sick or carrier cat is one mode of transmission.  It can also be transmitted via indirect contact with things such as food and water bowls, bedding, litter boxes, and carriers.  Calicivirus is resistant to many disinfectants and can live in the environment for long periods of time.  A 1:32 bleach and water solution can be effective against the virus.

To prevent infection it is important to keep your cat up to date on all vaccines.  The vaccine may not always be 100% effective, but it has been shown to reduce the severity of infection if a vaccinated cat does become infected.  If there are no new cats that have been brought into your household, there is no reason to disinfect your cat’s things with a bleach solution.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal.Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Baker.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

Do dogs and cats ever really need sweaters or coats in cold weather? What

Dogs and cats don’t need sweaters and boots nearly as often as their owners think they do, except just to look even cuter, but there are times when they may be warranted.

Animals who are elderly or have very thin hair coats or very minimal body fat and musculature may be more comfortable with a sweater or jacket when the temperature drops to an extreme low. Animals who look miserable when it’s cold and shiver uncontrollably will probably be more comfortable with an added layer. This is especially true with the toy breeds who have more relative body surface area and less body mass than the larger breeds. It is not very often that an active Lab or Siberian Husky or Maine Coon cat will be in need of a jacket though.
Booties can be helpful for dogs whose feet don’t spend much time touching the ground in the first place, especially when there is a lot of ice on the ground or when walking in areas where de-icing agents have been applied. If a dog or cat were to lick his paws after walking through that, he may become ill. Some arthritic animals may find booties helpful to maintain traction on slick surfaces also. Cats tend to be much less tolerant of things on their feet though. Also beware that outdoor cats seeking warmth will frequently crawl onto the engine block of a recently driven car.
Unfortunately, when the driver comes back out and starts the car, the cat can be
severely injured or killed by the fan belt. It’s a good idea to bang on the hood of
your car before starting it to startle the cat away.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical
diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

Most recently, Joe, my cat has been fascinated by pens. His favorite activity includes watching me work at my computer until the moment I reach for my pen. As soon as I pick one up, his eyes dilate, and he moves his body to the “ready” position. I can’t even finish writing one word, when with lightning speed he snatches the pen from my hand, and rolls onto his back holding it to his furry chest. After a few meaningful gnaws to the tip, he whips the pen onto the table, then swats it so it falls to the floor.

In his eyes, I wonder if the pen appears to be a dangerous snake. Whatever the case, he acts as if he must do what it takes to remove it from my grip, kill it, then remove the carcass from both our sights.

This obsession of his isn’t dangerous, but a few years ago, his curiosity almost cost him his life. At two years old, tree tops called to him. Maybe it was because he had spent the first year of his life in a two bedroom apartment, cooped up with only cat toys (and people) to entertain him, but whatever the reason, when we moved to a home in the woods, the world of trees mesmerized him.

Several times during that first summer I would hear Joe meowing overhead, and each time, I rescued him from the lower branches of scrub trees. It seemed as if he simply had no power over his desire to see what curious happenings occurred in the trees’ branches.

That winter, he made the mistake of climbing too high into a leafless oak – one on a hill, with mounds of snow piled at the base. I could not reach my shivering Joe. He was stuck, for what ended up being two terrible days and nights. When finally rescued by my dad, Joe ran into the house, ate and drank heartily, then took up residence next to the heat register for an entire day.

Since that time, he continues to enjoy the surrounding woods, including the variety of creatures that inhabit it, yet he hasn’t climbed another tree, and he stays much closer to me. His curiosity must have been tempered by those long hours in the tree, sub-zero temperatures embedding the experience into his memory for life.

Yes, my curious cat sticks close, whether I’m picking black raspberries, pulling weeds in the garden, or working at my computer. His eyes still gaze at the world in wonder, and he does go off now and again by himself, yet it seems as if he has more sense now. Well, at least enough sense to forgo tree tops so he can concentrate on the snake-like pens that threaten his owner!