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Check out our
Now you can:
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Order prescription refills
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Request an appointment with a doctor
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Put in a boarding reservation request |
All online and at your convenience!
To utilize these great new options, go to our home page at www.catsexclusive.com
and look for the links under the Find it Fast section
at the top of the page. Please let us know if you have any questions about how they work!
webadmin@catsexclusive.com
Click here for more details on this
nationwide campaign >>
For more information about our local Feral Spay and Neuter Project, run by our own, Dr. Christine Wilford,
click here >>
 Available in Cats Exclusive's Retail Store
 Having trouble finding a treat for your cat who has allergy-related dietary needs or skin conditions?
We now carry Hill's Pet Nutrition's Hypoallergenic Treats for Cats ($4.95 per bag). These heart-shaped morsels are specially formulated for cats on hypoallergenic diets and are great for cats on maintenance diets, too.
 Need a way to keep your cat from jumping on counters, destroying your houseplants, or entering certain areas in the home?
The Snappy Trainer ($9.95 per set of two) is a mousetrap-like device that "snaps" when triggered, which startles cats but doesn't harm them. This multi-use device is also excellent for keeping birds and animals out of your garden.
 Love your cat but not the shedding?
The FURminator deShedding Tool for Cats ($34.99) reduces shedding up to 90 percent by removing the loose, dead undercoat without damaging the topcoat. Whether your cat has long or short hair, this tool is recommended for shedding cats with all types of fur.
Does your cat need a new carrier? For the safety of all of our patients, we strongly encourage that all cats be transported in a sturdy carrier for doctor visits. Here’s one that we just brought in that we are very excited about! Designed by a northwest animal lover, The Cozy Kitty Carrier $32.95 (med), $36.95 (lg), doubles as a cozy cat bed with a fuzzy, pullout center section that is washable. Made out of sturdy black canvas, it has 3 roll-up windows and a convenient zippered pocket.
The holidays will be here before we know it and our store will be brimming with new items as well as popular favorites for feline gift-giving. In November and December, look for our 2007 Top Ten Gift Picks selected by our seasoned staff and highlighted throughout our store.
“ A cat can purr its way out of anything.”
Donna McCrohan
Dennis Wackerbarth, D.V.M.
Katherine Schubert, D.V.M.
Robert Echentile, D.V.M.
Faythe Vaughan, D.V.M.
Christine Wilford, D.V.M.
Jennifer Fligiel, D.V.M.
Richard Lester, D.V.M.
Lora Schuldt, D.V.M.
Cats Exclusive's
Written by Cats Exclusive Veterinarians and Staff
Fall 2007, Volume 1 Issue 2
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Importance of Wellness Exams
by Kate Schubert, D.V.M.
October is National Pet Wellness Month, sponsored by Fort Dodge and the American Veterinary Medical Association. This campaign promotes the importance of regular wellness exams for all companion animals and recommends twice yearly exams for all pets. (http://www.npwm.com/home.htm) At Cats Exclusive, we recognize the critical importance of preventive care. Here are our recommendations on Wellness Exams for cats.
How often does my cat need a wellness exam?
Kittens need at least two exams in the first few months of life, starting at 6 to 9 weeks of age. We want to get them on the right path with good advice on diet, behavior, vaccinations, and parasite control.
Healthy young adult cats need annual exams until 13 years old. This corresponds to a checkup every 5 years for healthy young humans.
Cats of any age with any chronic illness - FIV positive (feline aids), FeLV positive (feline leukemia), chronic kidney disease, most heart problems should be examined twice a year.
After 12 years of age, we recommend an exam every 6 months. Cats in this age group are more likely to develop aging-related diseases like chronic kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders and so on. Untreated, these disorders can shorten the lives of our cats. Early detection can make a big difference in their quality of life.
Why does my cat need an examination when she appears perfectly healthy?
Cats hide illness, pretending to feel fine until they are gravely ill, because they are small and were vulnerable in the wild.
Cats frequently have hard to detect problems, like dental disease, that are much better treated sooner rather than later.
Cats often harbor fleas and other parasites that their people are unaware of.
Cats may show behaviors that can lead to problems - we can help you address problem behaviors before they are deeply entrenched.
Cats are often overweight or underweight and can have their diets improved with veterinary advice.
Why does my cat need a wellness exam if he has been seen this year for a medical problem?
Visits for a medical problem focus on that concern and wellness issues like diet and preventive care may not be addressed.
Vaccinations and baseline blood tests cannot be performed when the cat is ill or injured.
Illness can mask other more subtle symptoms of illness that would be discovered at a wellness exam.
What happens at a wellness exam visit?
At your cat's wellness visit, we will do an evaluation that includes:
Comprehensive physical exam from nose to tail
Check for fleas or other parasites
Check body weight and condition
Review and update vaccinations and preventive care based on your cat's lifestyle and risk factors
Perform blood, urine or other diagnostic tests indicated by the exam
Schedule dental or other medical services
Together, we will design the most effective wellness program for your cat.
Microchipping Alert: No Need to Panic!
by Dennis Wackerbarth, D.V.M., Medical Director
Recent news articles have reported concerns regarding microchip induced sarcoma (cancer) found in rats and how that relates to microchips used in pets, and even in people.
At this point in time we're not sure whether the risk is real in cats or not. If it's a real risk then it would appear to be an incredibly low risk and statistically less significant than risks associated with more common procedures.
The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has the most comprehensive reporting system for reporting adverse reactions from microchips and have collected data for over 10 years. Currently with well over 3 million pets microchipped, they have only had reports of 2 tumors reported in 10 years. Their adverse reaction is far lower than for any other common elective procedure such as spay/neuter and vaccination. Furthermore, there is only 1 reported case of a sarcoma connected to a microchip site in one dog in the literature.
Also, rats are genetically predisposed to cancer and do not represent the genetic diversity we see in companion animals or people.
Any new information that we feel is reliable will be sent to you via email or will be covered in our next newsletter.
For the latest American Veterinary Association Medical Association statement regarding the subject, go to http://www.avma.org/aa/microchip/breaking_news_070913.asp
My Cat's Sneezing - Do I Need to Worry?
by Lora Schuldt, D.V.M.
Sneezing - it's a very common symptom we see every day, yet one that will often not respond to medical treatment. Why is that? It's because the majority of cases are caused by a feline upper respiratory virus, usually herpes. Almost all kittens become infected with herpes and develop cold-like symptoms. The illness can last just a few days, or there can be persistent sneezing and eye discharge lasting up to several weeks. It is more common in cats that have been in animal shelters or stressed by concurrent illness. There is no cure for herpes, but fortunately the symptoms are usually manageable and will improve as the cat's immune system fights the virus.
In most cats, herpes (which is not contagious to people or other animals) is never eliminated from the body. Instead, it remains dormant in nerve tissue. If a cat is stressed later in life, the symptoms will return but are usually mild. We see this frequently after events such as surgery, an owner's absence, arrival of a new pet, treatment with corticosteroids, and environmental changes such as boarding. Cats that have frequent recurrence of herpes symptoms, or more serious problems such as corneal ulcers, may benefit from long-term therapy with Interferon, L-lysine, and other anti-viral treatments.
Not all sneezing is caused by viral infection. Severe, sudden onset sneezing can be caused by inhalation of objects such as grass blades. Older cats that are newly sneezing may have a tooth root infection or a nasal tumor. Sneezing blood can sometimes be seen in cases of hypertension. For these reasons, if a cat develops sneezing in conjunction with symptoms of illness (loss of appetite or energy, weight loss, or evidence of pain), it is essential to have a veterinarian examine the patient.
Perks of Adopting Shelter Cats
by Christine Wilford, D.V.M.
Blitzen, adopted as an adult, living a fabulus new life.
Financial, emotional and societal advantages make shelter cats a consideration for every home whether you have space now or in the future.
For the price of the adoption (range of $50-$90), you may receive $300-$500 worth of services besides acquiring a wonderful family member. Shelter cats are typically tested for feline leukemia, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, treated for fleas and dewormed. Many are microchipped and some are declawed (by previous owners).
Many kittens and adult shelter cats have spent time in foster homes, thus, personalities and likes/dislikes are usually described, e.g., loves dogs, afraid of children, sleeps in the sink, likes to climb, gets along with other cats, enjoys being brushed, etc.. Knowing personalities in advance of adoption can be a huge advantage if you're looking for a certain personality, especially if you're trying to blend a new cat into a home with other cats, dogs, or people with specific desires, such as a lap cat or a quiet cat.
Each year over 40,000 cats enter Washington shelters that never get adopted. Make a difference by providing a home to the cats that wait. By adopting a shelter cat, you'll save a life and find a very special feline friend.
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