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Click here to learn more about Catnips and Cats
Want to learn more about fleas?
Pets and the Aging Process
Spaying or Neutering Your Pet
Why Do Dogs and Cats Eat Grass?
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in Cats
Catnip and Cats
The catnip plant is a member of the mint family, and its scientific name is Nepeta cataria. Catnip usually grows wild throughout the United States . Catnip contains an oil that causes a behavioral reaction in some cats. Not all cats are attracted to or stimulated by catnip, and kittens less than 3 months of age usually show no interest or reaction to it.
Cats that like catnip will usually lick, chew, or rub their head on the leaves. Some of the most common reactions to catnip include:
- drooling
- rolling
- rubbing
- running
- jumping
- sleepiness
- hunger
- hallucination-like behavior
The effect of catnip usually lasts only 10-15 minutes, and most cats will not react again if given more catnip within 1 hour. Cats that are already anxious may also fail to react to catnip, so it may have no effect if they’re already in the car or at the veterinary clinic!
Catnip is generally considered safe for cats, and most cats can occasionally be given a small amount without harm. The effect of catnip is decreased if given more than once weekly. Fresh, green leaves are usually best, but dried catnip is also desirable. Be sure to store any catnip in a well-sealed container to keep it fresh and attractive to your cat.
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Fleas
Fleas are blood-feeding parasites that can be found almost anywhere in the world. The most common flea affecting both dogs and cats is the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. Adult fleas have hard outer bodies made from chitin. Fleas have eyes but have poor eyesight. They feed with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. Adult flea bodies are wingless and flattened from side to side so they can slip between the hairs on their hosts. Cat fleas are considered permanent ectoparasites, meaning once they locate on a host they do not leave voluntarily. Their legs have hair-like spines that stick to the fur of their host like VelcroÒ.
Adult fleas cause irritation and itching, and can cause flea bite anemia, flea allergy dermatitis (F.A.D.), and tapeworms in dogs and cats. Fleas will bite a human if an animal is not available, but do not thrive off of human blood. Flea bites can also cause itching and irritation for people.
Fleas undergo a complete metamorphosis like a butterfly or moth. Their life cycle contains an egg, larval, pupal, and adult stage. Warm humid conditions help the life cycle to proceed quickly. An average life cycle takes 3-4 weeks to complete, but can become protracted due to the pupal stage. At any given time during an infestation, the eggs constitute approximately 50% of the population, the larvae 35%, the pupae (cocoon) 10%, and the adults 5%.
A household flea infestation usually begins when adult fleas jump onto the pet, usually from outdoors, or from another animal. Once on the pet the flea immediately begins feeding, mating, and laying eggs on the pet. The eggs are dislodged from the pet by shaking, scratching, and general movement, and fall to the ground. These eggs will hatch into maggot-like larvae that crawl downward, away from light to pupate (form a cocoon). Often this is deep in carpeting underlying furniture.
Once they have found a dark location, larvae spin a cocoon like a butterfly or moth, incorporating carpet fibers and other debris from the environment. The larvae and pupae are never found on the pet, they exist only in the environment. An adult flea will then emerge from the cocoon to perpetuate the life cycle.
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Senior Pets
All living things age with time. Unfortunately, pets age more rapidly than humans do. Most dogs and cats are considered “senior” at 7 or more years of age. Many diseases and behavioral problems only become apparent with age. Arthritis, dental disease, cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, thyroid or adrenal problems, and diabetes are among the most common problems in older pets. The good news is that dogs and cats are living longer and healthier lives now than ever before, because many problems in older pets can be prevented, treated, or managed.
Some of the warning signs that a pet owner should watch for include:
- change in food or water consumption
- change in weight
- change in activity level
- difficulty in rising, walking, or climbing stairs
- abnormal urination or defecation
- unusual body odors
- lumps or masses in or under the skin
- coughing or sneezing
- increased panting, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
- vomiting or diarrhea
- change in behavior
Some steps that can be taken by the pet owner to assure the continued good health of their senior animal include, but are not limited to, the following:
- more frequent veterinary health exams (at least twice yearly)
- regular blood, urine, and fecal testing
- vaccination against appropriate contagious diseases
- heartworm testing and prevention
- feeding of a diet specially formulated for senior pets, or a therapeutic diet to help manage specific medical conditions
With recent advancements in veterinary medical and surgical care, and a pet owner’s sincere commitment, dogs and cats can lead long, happy, and healthy lives.
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Spaying or Neutering Your Pet
One step you can take to ensure your pet will lead a long, happy, and healthy life is to consider early spaying or neutering. In general, both male and female dogs and cats not part of a carefully planned breeding program should be spayed or neutered by six months of age. Spaying or neutering your pet will also help reduce the number of unwanted or abandoned animals.
Non-spayed female dogs usually go through an estrus or heat cycle approximately every six months. This heat cycle may last up to three or four weeks. In addition to bleeding, some female dogs will experience some personality changes during their heat cycles, such as becoming aggressive.
Non-spayed female cats usually come into heat every few weeks beginning in early spring, and may continue until fall. Many female cats will become restless during these heat cycles and exhibit unusual behavior such as rolling on the floor, rubbing up against you or your furniture, or meowing often as if in pain.
Surgical spaying of female dogs and cats eliminates heat cycles. The surgery, which technically is an ovariohysterectomy, includes the removal of both the ovaries and the uterus. Spaying your female dog or cat prevents uterine infections, pregnancies, and reduces the chance of developing mammary tumors. Studies show that spaying your female dog before her first heat cycle can greatly reduce her chances of developing mammary cancer in later life. It is not necessary, or even desirable, to wait to spay your female dog or cat until they have gone through a heat cycle.
Non-neutered male dogs and cats are prone to roam in search of a mate. In doing so, they are more likely to fight with other animals, and to be hit by cars. In addition, male cats and dogs are more likely to mark their territories by urinating on furniture, walls, shrubs, trees, and other objects. Also, the urine of non-neutered male cats usually has a pungent odor.
Surgical neutering of male dogs and cats eliminates most roaming behavior. The surgery, which technically is an orchiectomy, includes removal of the testicles. Neutering your male dog prevents testicular tumors, reduces the chance of developing perianal tumors and prostate disease in later life, and reduces the desire to mark territory. Your male dog or cat will also be happier to stay at home with you.
It should be emphasized that spaying or neutering your pet will not change their unique personality. Having your pet spayed or neutered when they are young and healthy will further reduce the already low risk of anesthetic and surgery, and will maximize the long-term health benefits of the procedure.
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Why Dogs and Cats Eat Grass
The question "Why does my dog and cat eat grass?" is a common one posed to veterinarians. The question has many answers, or at least theories, to explain it.
One possible explanation is that wild canines and felines often eat all of an animal after they catch it and kill it. Most of these hunted animals are herbivores, therefore, the hunters end up eating the grass in the intestines of their prey. Domestic dogs and cats, eating prepared dog and cat food, lack grass as part of their normal diet. This explanation assumes that dogs and cats are somehow able to sense that grass is missing as part of their diet, and so they eat it to compensate for this "deficiency". However, even dogs and cats that are fed a high quality, complete and balanced diet often eat grass.
A second possible answer is that dogs and cats may eat grass when they have an upset stomach. The grass acts as an emetic and causes the dog or cat to vomit, thereby bringing up the offending material. It is also important to note that even when a dog or cat without an upset stomach eats enough grass, they will vomit due to the direct irritation of the grass on their stomach lining.
A third possible explanation is that dogs and cats may only appear to eat grass when they are just smelling and tasting it. Their sense of smell and taste may act together to detect if other animals have been present in the area. However, this doesn’t explain the fact that many dogs and cats actually do end up eating the grass.
And finally, the last answer, which may be the best one, is that dogs and cats just like the taste of grass, so they eat it!
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Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in Cats
The following information was presented in the 2001 Report of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Academy of Feline Medicine Advisory Panel on Feline Retrovirus Testing and Management:
All cats should be tested for infection with Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
Cats infected with FeLV or FIV may live for many years.
A decision for euthanasia should never be made solely on the basis of whether or not a cat is infected.
A confirmed positive test result should be considered only an indication of retrovirus infection, not clinical disease.
Diseases in cats infected with FeLV or FIV may not necessarily be a result of retrovirus infection.
No test is 100% accurate at all times and under all conditions.
FeLV is associated with illness in and death of more cats than any other infectious agent.
FeLV and FIV infection occurs worldwide, with prevalence varying by location.
The most effective way to prevent FeLV infection, and the only way to prevent FIV infection, is to prevent exposure to infected cats.
Testing to identify infected cats is the mainstay of preventing viral transmission.
FeLV vaccination should not be considered a substitute for testing cats.
While there is currently no vaccine available to prevent FIV, one to prevent FeLV infection has been available for many years. It is recommended that only those cats at risk of exposure to cats carrying FeLV infection receive the vaccine.
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