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In honor of national Pet Dental Health month,
all dental products are 30% OFF during February
 These essential tools for promoting your cat’s health include C.E.T. cat toothpaste, toothbrushes, oral hygiene rinse, and the ever-popular C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews for Cats. Given to your cat as a treat, these chews feature a Dual-Enzyme System that uses natural antiseptic and an abrasive texture to fight tarter and plaque. In Fish and Chicken flavors; regularly $14.85 for 30 chews and $44.49 for 96 chews, now $10.40 and $31.15 throughout February.
 Available in our Store
It's the time of year for new beginnings, fresh starts . . . and new toys and treats for your kitties!
Cats Exclusive invites you to explore PetCandy Land! We are excited to introduce these unique and colorful toys by PetCandy, handmade by a local Ballard artist. Introduce your cat to a new friend such as the Bed Buddy ($7.50), Squirrel ($5.75), and Caterpillar ($8.95) toys. The Catnip Candy Stix ($4.95) and Catnip Penny Candies ($.95) are guaranteed to satisfy your cat's "sweet tooth" for catnip.
For feline fans of the now discontinued Waltham Coatcare foods, Royal Canin has developed brand new canned varieties of its Growth, Young Neutered Cat, and Mature Neutered Cat formulas. These foods are the wet versions of the Veterinary Exclusive Growth and Neutered Cat dry foods. We expect to have these foods on our shelves by the beginning of February.
 Is your cat one of the 30% who doesn’t respond to catnip? The buzz is out – Honeysuckle is a lesser known but equally effective alternative to catnip! Treat your cat to toys made with honeysuckle by Amazing Honeysuckle: the Honeysuckle Knot ($3.50), Honeysuckle Octopus ($3.50), and Honeysuckle Mouse ($3.25) toys are all infused with its sweet, cat-attracting aroma. Moisten these 100% natural toys with water to enhance their scent. You also can turn any toy or pillow into a honeysuckle one with the Essence of Honeysuckle Spray ($7.25). Because “Every Cat Deserves Honeysuckle At Least Once In Each of Its Nine Lives.”
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www.catsexclusive.com
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
Winter 2008, Volume 2 Issue 1
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February Is National Pet Dental Health Month
The Dental Care Cats Need
by Richard Lester, D.V.M.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the importance of dental health for the feline members of your family. Keep in mind that a cat's dental needs are similar to those of people - they develop tartar, gingivitis, and abscesses. They are also prone to enamel lesions, all of which can cause pain and lead to other significant health problems if left untreated.
Part of any of our physical examinations include an assessment of your cat's oral health and a determination about whether dental procedures are needed. This is another of the many reasons it is so important that you bring your cats in for the recommended yearly physical examinations (twice yearly for cats 13 years and up).
Please visit the recently created dental care section on our website. In this section you will find a list of the signs of dental disease to watch for, and before and after photographs representing varying degrees of dental disease and treatment.
Click here to view our new dental care section http://www.catsexclusive.com/dentalcare.php
In honor of National Pet Dental Health Month we are offering our annual
$5O OFF ANY DENTAL PROCEDURE
scheduled for the month of February.
Call today to schedule your appointment - 206-546-2287
(A current exam is needed prior to anesthesia.)
In addition, our entire line of dental cleaning products from
our retail store, including CET Oral Hygiene Chews are
30% OFF during February. (See sidebar)
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Arthritis in Cats - Q&A
by Robert Echentile, D.V.M.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis by definition is “inflammation of a joint”. Arthritis develops from the inability of connective tissue to repair and maintain itself. Most cases of arthritis develop without a clearly defined reason or specific event. Wear and tear on joints that occurs with age, along with the limited ability of cartilage to repair and regenerate, make arthritis more common in older cats.
How common is arthritis in cats and which joints does it affect?
Arthritis affects about 20% of all cats and 2/3 of cats over 12 years old. However, it is difficult to clinically identify arthritis since cats can’t tell us about their aches and pains. The most common signs are decreased ability to jump, moving slower going up and down stairs or struggling to access the litter box. Less common but more obvious signs could be a limp or apparent weakness. While arthritis most commonly affects the elbow, hip, and knee joints, arthritis can affect any joint. Arthritis can sometimes be confirmed with x-rays.
How do we treat arthritis in cats?
Our goals in managing arthritis are to decrease pain, and to restore and maintain both mobility and strength in a cat’s joints.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin are nutrients that enhance joint fluid and production and cartilage health. There are various over the counter remedies available (the quality of which can vary) but only one formulated specifically for cats. (Cosequin for Cats) For cats that are difficult to medicate, there’s also an injectable form called Adequan that we sometimes recommend.
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Cosequin is now available in our retail store with no prescription necessary. |
- If needed, pain can be managed with a variety of prescription medications available through your veterinarian, but remember NEVER give a cat a drug like aspirin, Tylenol or Ibuprofen as they are highly toxic to cats.
- Weight reduction can decrease the amount of stress that pushes on joints; if your cat is overweight, a weight reduction diet is usually advised.
- Like people, cats can also benefit from fish oil supplements in promoting joint health. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help by reducing inflammation and joint stiffness. An initial dose of 250-1500 mg per cat (in food and supplements) is recommended.
- Other arthritis treatments include Vitamin C, Manganese, SAM-e, Vitamin E, MSM, massage and acupuncture.
Is there anything I can do at home to make my cat more comfortable?
Yes. During cooler weather especially, consider an electrically heated bed or self-warming thermal mat to provide extra warmth – it does seem to help relieve pain. Encourage exercise with a variety of toys and catnip. Provide ramps or platforms to protect your cat’s joints while jumping up to reach favorite furniture. Finally, make sure the litter box is easy to access.
What should I do if I think my cat might have arthritis?
Give us a call and set up an appointment with one of our doctors. Arthritis can definitely affect your cat’s quality of life and there is always something we can do to help your cat feel better and potentially slow the progression of the disease.
Possible Link: Hyperthyroid Cats and Flame Retardants
by Faythe Vaughan, D.V.M. and Dennis Wackerbarth, D.V.M.
Last summer, the Environmental Protection Agency noted a possible connection between the incidence of feline hyperthyroidism, a common feline disease which has shown a dramatic increase over the last 30 years, and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) based on a small study done with cats. PDBEs are chemicals that have been used as flame retardants since the 1970s in household products such as upholstered furniture, carpets, mattresses, and some electronics. Some canned cat foods tested in the study (especially fish-containing ones) were found to have PBDEs.
Ongoing studies have suggested a possible connection between human hyperthyroidism and PDBEs. Yet the cats in the EPA study were found to have as much as 100 times the levels of PBDEs than humans. This is because indoor cats come in direct contact with upholstery and carpets that contain flame retardants. Through grooming, cats ingest PBDE-laden dust that collects in their coats and might ingest PBDEs by eating some cat foods as mentioned earlier. Although several states (including Washington State last spring) have banned the use of certain PDBEs in commercial products, there are no regulations limiting PBDE content in foods.
Over the years, many theories have been proposed in the search for the cause of feline hyperthyroidism. This potentially serious disease affects mostly senior cats, generally causing an increase in appetite with weight loss. We at Cats Exclusive believe the PBDE link seems to be the most valid explanation of a cause thus far.
Unfortunately, we can't effectively eliminate PBDEs from our cats' environments until we have more laws banning their use and we know more about all of the products containing PDBEs. So, the best we can do for now is to be aware of the signs of hyperthyroidism and seek treatment if needed. Fortunately, there is a safe and effective cure for feline hyperthyroidism.
For more info on feline hyperthyroidism and treatments, go to http://www.catsexclusive.com/handouts/radioiodinetreatment.pdf
To view a press release about the ban of PBDEs in Washington State, go to http://www.watoxics.org/pressroom/press-releases/pbde-victory
Diagnosing & Monitoring: Kidney Disease
by Jennifer Fligiel, D.V.M.
Did you know that 25% of the blood from each heartbeat goes directly to the kidneys? Kidneys do more than filter toxins out of the bloodstream - they help regulate blood pressure, assist in red blood cell production, and control important electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and phosphorous. With so many important jobs, protecting your cat’s kidneys is key to a long and healthy life.
The single most important thing that you can do to keep your cat healthy is to schedule annual physicals (semi-annual for cats 13 years old or older). The signs of kidney disease in cats can be very understated. Your veterinarian has been highly trained to palpate your cat’s kidneys and look for other subtle signs of this illness. During the physical examination, if there is any suspicion of kidney disease or if your cat is 10 years of age or older we will recommend the following three tests:
1. Blood pressure testing: Using a pediatric blood pressure cuff and a special instrument called a Doppler, we will take your cat’s blood pressure. Cats with kidney disease often have high blood pressure, which can lead to blindness and strokes. High blood pressure can be both a symptom and a cause of kidney disease. In many cases, we can control high blood pressure with a daily medication.
2. Urine Analysis (UA): This test reveals much about kidney function, ranging from the presence of active infections to the concentration ability. This in turn lets us estimate the functional capacity of the kidneys. An increased urine output generally indicates kidney dysfunction.
Please remember to report any increase in inappropriate urination or increased water consumption to your veterinarian immediately since these may be signs that your cat has kidney disease.
3. General diagnostic blood test: A general diagnostic blood test measures several organ functions which are directly and indirectly related to kidney function.
There are many things we can do with the information gathered from these tests to support cats with kidney disease. Even the “little things” like changing a cat’s diet can help a great deal in some patients.
Environmental Enrichment for Indoor Cats
by Teresa Bornersbach, Office Manager
In addition to providing for your cat’s physical needs (food, shelter, litter box), it is important to support a cat's psychological well-being. Through environmental enrichment (e.g. toys, treats, climbing surfaces) you will have a happier, healthier feline.
The aims of enrichment are novelty, complexity, the ability to achieve a goal, and security. This is also an opportunity to strengthen the human/animal bond.
- Cats prefer elevated spaces to explore and rest such as cat trees, tents, or cat walks.
- Your indoor cat is still hard-wired for hunting so make feeding time more complex than putting food in a bowl. Use hidden treat balls and food puzzles to encourage your cat to “hunt” for food.
- The senses of touch and smell can be stimulated with a variety of textures for scratching (sisal or real wood) and a variety of cat toys filled with catnip or honeysuckle.
- Provide mental stimulation with fishing-pole toys, crinkly paper, paper bags, and tunnels. Rotate toys for increased stimulation. Consider using interactive toys to aid social enrichment. Entertain your cat with an adventure DVD made just for felines.
Our staff is dedicated to improving your cat’s well-being. Feel free to stop in anytime and we will help you find ways to enrich your cat’s environment. |
