Looking for Trouble

Cats are notorious for hiding the symptoms of illness until they're just about dead; it's a self-preservation thing in the wild. But it can be trouble if you're trying to keep your cat healthy, as problems addressed earlier are much easier (and cheaper!) to cure.

So it's especially important that we interact closely with our cats, monitoring them for any signs of health trouble. Here are some good places to check when loving on your kitty:

• Breath - If you're keeping kitty's teeth clean, she shouldn't have fishy breath, even when she eats fish. If her breath is stinky, she may have periodontal disease that can lead to problems with her heart, liver, and kidneys if left untreated. The cause could also be an abscess, sore, or even a tumor in the mouth. Cats with kidney disease may even develop an ammonia smell in their breath. So if you have to hold your nose when kitty exhales, make a trip to the vet...and start a daily dental health program. (Read my post on proper oral care here.)
  
  
• Eyes - Your cat's eyes are normally clear and wide open. If an upper respiratory infection is plaguing her, they may be runny. Upper respiratory disturbances are also symptomatic of the first stage of the "wet" form of FIP. And in cats that are really not feeling well, you'll see that "third eyelid" emerging from the inner corner of their eyes. It's a membrane that helps protect the eyes. When my first cat was in his final hours, he looked half asleep and his third eyelid was plainly visible. White or light-colored cats may get a yeast infection that causes a brown discharge from the eyes that looks like tear stains. This can be prevented with a dietary supplement.
  
  
• Ears - Most cats are meticulous groomers and keep their ears clean. If you see any spots in their ears, or if there appears to be debris in them, your cat may need a little help. Use a large cotton ball (not a swab) and a special ear cleaner designed for cats to flush out any foreign matter that may be lurking there. If you find spots in there that look like dried blood, your cat may have ear mites, and will need a special ear mite remedy. If you let things like this progress, they could result in your cat losing his hearing! (Read my post on ear problems here.)
  
  
• Skin - Unless your cat is a hairless breed like the Sphynx, her coat should be supple, sleek and glossy. Regular grooming distributes oils from the skin out onto every hair shaft to moisturize it and provide a little waterproofing. If your cat's not feeling well, she may not be grooming normally and may need a little help from you. Long-haired breeds need daily brushing to reduce hairballs and keep the coat in good condition. If you see any patches of baldness, especially around the head and neck or the base of the tail and rear legs, it could indicate flea dermatitis. Get kitty on a good flea prevention program (several options are available), and use a soothing product to treat the dermatitis. I once had a cat who used to lick all the hair off his tummy in times of stress; if yours does something similar, a calming product may help. Dandruff in the coat could mean that kitty needs more essential fatty acids in the diet, which can be given in a coat-enhancing supplement. (Read my post on proper grooming here.)
  
  
• The Ribs - Our indoor kitties tend to spend more time lounging around than they would in the wild, so obesity can easily result. Reaching down to hug your cat from above, you should be able to feel his ribs on either side. If you can't, it's time for a diet and exercise regime. Watch the amount of food you're feeding, and avoid "free feeding" of dry food without controlling the amount given daily. Increase your cat's activity level by playing with him every day for a few minutes. Provide places for him to climb, explore and scratch. (Did you know that scratching things is how cats exercise their front legs?) Use environmental enrichment toys where you hide dry food or treats inside to make kitty work for them while stimulating his natural curiosity and playfulness. And if diet and exercise don't work well enough, there are actually diet aids for cats!
  
  
• The Litter Box - Yes, it's nasty to pay attention to what you're scooping, but if you find that your kitty's stools are softer than normal and it's not due to something you've fed her (like too much dairy or fats), there could be a health problem. Loose stools could indicate pancreatitis, or even FIP. No stools at all may indicate mere constipation or an intestinal blockage. If kitty's peeing or pooping somewhere other than the litter box, she's trying to tell you that something's wrong. It could be a health problem, something lacking in her environment, or a change in the normal regime that's got her stressed. Get her checked out by the vet and correct any dietary transgressions by feeding her a high-quality food or a raw diet fed with your vet's guidance. And if it's an environmental issue, you may even want to invest in a consultation with a pet behaviorist or animal communicator to determine the cause and get it corrected. (Read my posts on consultations with a "pet psychic" here, here, and here.)
  
  
• The Floor - Hairballs are a fact of life for cats, who must comb their hair with their tongues. If you're finding an unusual amount of them and it's not spring or fall shedding season, help your cat by providing a hairball remedy. Several of these are available, and they're usually flavored so kitty will happily lick them off your finger or his food dish. If yours won't, there are also hairball treats available. Other cats overgroom due to stress and could benefit from a calming remedy or soothing music. Sometimes, cats will vomit right after eating. This could be a sign of renal failure, or just that his dish is too low and you need to elevate it. If the post-meal vomiting continues after your vet has given him a clean bill of health, try raising the dish about 4" off the floor. (Read my post on renal failure symptoms & treatments here.)

Interacting throughout the day with your cat is good for you both! It forces you to take a break from your stressful day, stimulates your endorphins and your cat's intellect, and cements the bond between you. Interacting with purpose adds another dimension to the whole equation and will ensure that your cat has the longest and healthiest life possible.

Purrs!

You'll find several pages of products to maintain your cat's oral health, ears, coat, and digestive system in the Health Time section of OldMaidCatLady.com. Visit there now and see what you're missing!

Spotlight: Feline Leukemia

Among the recommended vaccines your cat should have is that for FeLV, the feline leukemia virus. Why is this inoculation important for your cat's health? Because FeLV is the cause of a preventable cancer, and yet the most common cancer in cats. While its victims are found worldwide, it infects 2% to 3% of cats in the U.S. This low percentage is likely due to good veterinary care that includes administering the vaccine.

What FeLV Does
Much like HIV, the AIDS-causing virus in humans, FeLV produces an enzyme that causes the virus to copy its genetic material over into other cells when it infects them. That means it attacks the immune system and starts turning your cat's own defense cells against themselves. This has earned it and others like it classification as a "retrovirus".

FeLV infection occurs in two stages. In the early stage, some cats are able to mount an effective immune response to it. In these lucky cats, it may never progress beyond the initial stage. But if it progresses into stage two, persistent infections of your cat's bone marrow will bring on all the symptoms, and will always prove fatal. If an initial "ELISA" FeLV test in your veterinarian's office comes back as positive, you should request a second "IFA" test, which will be sent to a lab to determine whether the disease has progressed into stage two. Repeated testing may be necessary.

When the disease begins, your cat will lose his appetite and his coat will look unhealthy. You may feel swelling in the throat that indicates enlarged lymph nodes. There may be a persistent fever. His mouth and gums will become inflamed, yet appear pale in color.

As FeLV progresses, your cat will lose weight as infections in his skin, bladder, and upper respiratory tract take hold. His weakened immune system will be unable to fend off any bacteria, viruses or fungi in his environment. He may suffer from persistent diarrhea and various eye conditions. Pregnant females may spontaneously abort their kittens.

Soon, you may see your cat experience seizures and other neurological disorders that can cause changes in behavior. Toward the end, severe wasting will cause even more rapid weight loss until poor kitty succumbs to the disease.

How long this will take is difficult to determine. A lot will depend on the care and diet of the infected cat, as well as how far along the disease had progressed when discovered. Some cats may live only months, while others may survive for a few years.

How FeLV is Spread
Again, just as with HIV, FeLV is spread through bodily fluids. These include saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and mother's milk. Natural feline behaviors such as fighting and grooming each other facilitate spreading of the disease. More rare is spreading through human-imposed situations such as sharing litter boxes, toys, beds, or food bowls. Once outside the cat's body, the virus can survive for a few hours at most.

If you have an FeLV-infected cat, your other cats are at risk of catching the disease. So are cats who go outdoors without supervision and any kittens who have nursed from an infected mother cat. All should be tested and vaccinated as soon as possible.

There is no indication that FeLV can be spread to humans. However, some of the other diseases that may have infected a cat whose immune system was suppressed may be. Elderly or immunosupressed people, infants and pregnant women should avoid contact with FeLV-infected cats. If you are unable to keep your cat once he has contracted FeLV and cannot find him a cat-free home or a shelter specifically for FeLV+ cats, the humane thing to do would be to have your veterinarian euthanize him. Never try to surrender him to a regular animal shelter or sanctuary, as he would be immediately euthanized as soon as he was tested and found to be infected with FeLV.

Treating FeLV+ Cats
While FeLV will ultimately claim your cat's life, there are ways to give him a good quality of life and delay the more severe effects of the disease. Feeding him a balanced diet with complete nutritional needs is first and foremost. Never feed him raw or unpasteurized foods. Get him checked by your vet at least twice a year to monitor progress of the disease, including blood and urine analyses and weight monitoring. If you notice any behavioral changes, alert your vet at once.

There is a new USDA-approved drug that's now being used effectively to treat both FeLV and FIV. It is only available through veterinarians. The long name of it is Lymphocyte T-Cell Immunomodulator, and it's made by T-Cyte Therapeutics. The drug works by restoring the cat's normal immune system. Shots are given weekly for a month, then monthly thereafter, depending on the cat's response and the veterinarian's opinion. Some cats have responded within the first few weeks of treatment. If your veterinarian has not heard of this drug, the company's website is http://tcyte.com. Several companies sell homeopathic or natural supplements that may also help normalize the cat's immune system, or treat some of the infections that accompany FeLV. You'll find many of them in our "Health Time" section on OldMaidCatLady.com.

Preventing FeLV
While the symptoms of FeLV sound bleak, it is preventable! Vaccination will keep most cats safe from it, but test any new household additions before vaccinating them; if they already have the disease, the vaccine will not help them. And not all cats are protected by the vaccine, so preventing exposure is of great importance. Be careful of adding any untested stray cats to your home, as strays are at higher risk for FeLV.

If, for some reason, you weren't able to get one of your cats vaccinated before he contracted FeLV, you should take steps to protect your other cats and any others that will be introduced into your home. Keep any unvaccinated cats isolated from the infected one. Once the infected cat is gone, throw away all his bedding, cat toys, litter boxes, and dishes.

Disinfect any surfaces with which your cats come into contact. And keep in mind that these won't all be horizontal, as cats tend to rub their faces on vertical surfaces to "scent mark" furniture, walls, appliances, and anything else they pass. If you can mop and wipe these surfaces with a solution of bleach water (4 oz. of bleach per gallon of water), you should. Carpets are more difficult and may require the help of a professional carpet cleaner. Make sure you tell them that your carpets need disinfection.

While FeLV is a horrible disease that claims cats' lives, it can be diagnosed, averted, and treated. Education is the first step, and by reading this article, you've just taken it!

Is There Hope for Cats With FIP?

Frankie, pictured here, was one of those special cats you have only once or twice in a lifetime, those ones who really steal your heart. He loved everybody and was certain that they loved him back...and they usually did. Dog people would say he was "just like a dog," which is something they consider to be a compliment. He was a large cat with beautiful green eyes that looked directly into your soul, strong as an ox, fearless, gregarious, smart and curious. Every time we'd raise the garage door upon driving up to the house, he'd run out to greet us.

When Frankie started sneezing all the time and having runny eyes, we put it off to allergies. After all, it was springtime and there was a lot of pollen in the air. I had allergies, my mother had allergies, so it only made sense that our cat who mainly lived outdoors would have them, too. He'd gotten into a tussle with something that had given him an abscess in his ear shortly before, so we wondered if there was a connection. The vet said that some cats just get chronic upper respiratory infections that are hard to cure. We got used to being sneezed on because Frankie was worth it.

The following spring, he was plagued with terrible stomach upset that the vet diagnosed as pancreatitis. Since he didn't use a litter box, but went outdoors, it was hard to notice at first. But then after he'd eaten we'd see him squatting right in the middle of the yard, as though he had painful intestinal spasms. His vigorous appetite seemed to wane a bit, probably to avoid the spasms he experienced post-mealtime. After a pricey and extended hospitalization, they put Frankie on a special prescription diet we could only buy at the vet's, and said he'd have to stay on it for the rest of his life. We jokingly called him our million-dollar alley cat.

As it turned out, "the rest of his life" would be less than a year. The following Valentine's Day, he went into the third and final stage. He was breathing very quickly and shallowly. Looking down at him from above, he almost looked like a body builder, with an abnormally huge chest and tiny hips. I scooped him up and rushed him to the emergency vet. Since they didn't have his history, they didn't make the connection and had no idea what was causing his condition. They drained his chest cavity of the fluid, put him in an oxygenated box overnight and sent him home Sunday afternoon, but said he was still a very sick cat who needed to see his regular vet Monday morning.

That Sunday night, Frankie was so happy to be home that my mother let him in the house. He laid on his back in my lap and kneaded the air. She even let him do the same in her lap for a few minutes, something my mother never did. But she knew this was probably our last night with him, and she did love him so. Something told her this was the mysterious "FIP" disease, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, that I'd read about online after encountering the term in an article. "Hey," I'd said, "You know, Frankie has had both the symptoms of the first two stages of this disease; I wonder if that's what's been causing all his problems?" My mother thought so, and kept waiting for the final stage to appear. I didn't want to believe it, but she was right. Despite the vet's best efforts, which included a week of hospitalization and a chest tube to drain the fluid that kept accumulating in his chest, our darling little kitty boy died there a week later. He was textbook case of FIP.

But even with all the evidence pointing to FIP, my vet couldn't make a definite diagnosis without running expensive post-mortem tests that we didn't want to do. And that's not his fault. He's a very good veterinarian, but the disease is so mysterious that it's difficult to diagnose. Since it's caused by a mutation of a very common and usually benign feline virus to which virtually all cats are exposed as kittens, most cats would test positive for it, whether or not they actually had it. So there's no reliable test for it. There's no vaccine against it, largely for the same reason. It's as impossible to prevent as the common cold. And even with a correct diagnosis, there's no treatment for FIP. Once the virus morphs into the wet (effusive) or dry form of the disease, it's always a death sentence. Dr. Al Legendre of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine says that FIP is the most complex disease he's ever studied.

But more cats are affected by FIP than you'd think. It kills one in 100-300 of all cats under 5 years old. Our Frankie was older, but he still developed it. With over 93 million cats owned as pets in the United States, that works out to a disease that will kill roughly 1-2 million cats in this country alone. Cats who have lived in catteries or shelters are even more susceptible. Frankie may have picked it up while he was a resident of our local humane society. With funding for research into cat diseases lagging far behind that for dogs, however, a cure for FIP has remained elusive.

But hope springs eternal. One drug developed to treat feline herpes virus, which causes an upper respiratory infection in cats, has proven effective in the short term at treating the dry form of FIP in about 20% of cases. It's called Polyprenyl Immunostimulant (PI). But PI is completely ineffective against the wet form, the one that claimed our Frankie. Studies continue on the reasons for this difference, and why it works on some cats and not others. While at the Global Pet Expo last week, I heard of another new drug called T-cyte that was developed to treat FIV and FeLV that has also shown promise in treating FIP.

Want more information? Dr. Legendre will join Dr. Niels Pederson, who directs the Center of Companion Animal Health at the University of California School of Veterinary Medicine, in headlining the 2011 Winn Feline Foundation Symposium in June, entitled WINNing the FIP Fight. It will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia. While the symposium will be of most interest to veterinarians, anyone may attend. Register online or by calling 856-447-9787.

Nobody should have to lose a beloved cat the way we lost Frankie, and no cat should have to suffer as he did. Until my mother's death five months after his, whenever we would arrive home and Frankie wasn't there to greet us, she would lament, "I miss him every day." Let's hope that new research will soon yield a cure for this terrible disease.

On Marketing and Cat Health

Having majored in marketing at college, I pay attention to things like the names of products. I mean, seriously, the people who came up with the name "AcipHex" for a drug either never said it aloud, or they have a really sophomoric sense of humor! The first few times I saw their commercials, it took me several minutes afterward to stop laughing.

But turning to more serious matters, I have an elderly cat who always seems to have diarrhea. (Talk about your "ass effects"!) This is despite the probiotic supplement I sprinkle on her soft food every day. Not only unpleasant for me to clean up, as she also has problems hitting her litter box and has a tendency to drape poop across the sides, it has to be causing her some distress, as well. That's why I was really excited to find the product pictured here, RuniPoo Relief. No doubt what that's for, huh?

Who knows what went on in the meetings when the folks at Native Remedies were deciding on the name for this, but I'm ordering a bottle for my little Vixen today. If it even comes close to living up to its name, I'll be a loyal customer!

Oh, and did I mention that I've just added the entire line of PetAlive products to the Old Maid Cat Lady retail site? It's true! You can find a remedy for just about any ailment plaguing your little darlings, from adrenal gland issues to wounds. They're all natural and homeopathic, too. Don't know about you, but I feel better treating my cat with natural products rather than running up expensive vet bills and filling her full of chemicals. Here's a list of the various feline conditions that can be improved with their products:

• Adrenal fatigue & pituitary gland malfunction
• Aggressive behavior
• Anal gland blockages
• Arthritis & rheumatism
  
• Bathing
• Behavior problems
  
• Bladder control
• Blood sugar & insulin balance
• Cellular health & immunity
• Colds, congestion & sneezing
  
• Constipation
  
• Coughing & sneezing
  
• Cushings disease
• Cuts, scrapes & other injuries
• Dental & gum disease
• Diarrhea (Yes!)
  
• Digestion
  
• Dull, dry skin & coat
• Fishy breath
  
• Flatulence
• Flea dermatitis
• Hair balls
• Heart & circulation problems
• Hypothyroidism
  
• Immunity & liver health
  
• Intestinal parasites
• Itching & skin allergies
  
• Kidney problems
• Lactation & nursing
• Liver, gallbladder & pancreas function
• Lyme disease defense
  
• Nervousness from thyroid, heart & endocrine problems
• Obesity & weight control
  
• Pancreas & digestive function
  
• Paw & pad damage
• Performance, physical & mental
• Recuperation from surgery or injury
• Ringworm & other skin fungus
  
• Sadness, grief & separation anxiety
  
• Seizures & epilepsy
• Sinus infections & problems
• Stress & anxiety
• Tear stains
• Teething
  
• Toxin elimination
• Travel anxiety
  
• Urinary tract infections
• Wheezing & chest discomfort
• Wound cleansing

You'll find all the PetAlive products and many other fine health care products for your cat at OldMaidCatLady.com. And why not pick up a little something for yourself while you're there, too? Anyone who serves their cat as well as you do deserves a little treat now and then!