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“Purring is the humming sound a cat’s body makes when manufacturing cuteness.”

Text Box: PARASITES Importance of Fecal Testing The majority of kittens have at least one type of parasite, the roundworm. Kittens will contract any type of parasite their mother may have while they are developing and via her milk when they nurse. Adult cats can also contract worms in many different ways (see chart). Every year at your cat’s annual exam a stool sample should be tested even if you have an indoor cat who was dewormed as a kitten. Many parasite larva will lie dormant in a cat’s body and can “awake” at any time from stress or other illnesses. Your cat can even contract worms from things that we track in the house off our shoes. Cats with a heavy parasite burden can die if not treated. Can you prevent parasites? At NECC, we recommend all cats be on a monthly parasite preventative even if you have an indoor cat. Common parasites that can be prevented include roundworms, hookworms, fleas, ear mites, ticks, and heartworm. Can I catch a parasite from my cat? Yes, certain types of parasites are transmittable to humans which is why it is so important to make sure your cat is parasite free. It is especially important for pregnant women to be sure their cat does not have parasites as they can potentially cause great harm to the unborn child. NECC recommends that pregnant women do not clean the litter box or wear gloves if changing the litter box is unavoidable. We also recommend their cat be screened for a rare but harmful parasite called toxoplasmosis. If a cat tests positive for the toxo parasite you do not need to get rid of the cat because treatments are available.

HYPERTHYROIDISM

Disease Process and Treatment

Hyperthyroidism is a disease that typically affects older cats. It is a disease that afflicts the thyroid gland which controls the metabolic rate of the cat. The name “hyperthyroidism” basically summarizes the course of the disease; the thyroid gland starts to work too hard and increases the metabolic rate of the cat. The increase in the metabolic rate begins a domino effect in the cat’s body by causing the other organs to work in overdrive. The two organs most affected by this disease are the kidneys and heart. As cats age, the kidneys become less and less efficient. Hyperthyroidism can be a response to the kidneys to help them work more efficiently by pumping more blood to them. As the heart works harder to give the kidneys more blood, it too becomes affected by increased work resulting in hypertension and eventually heart failure.

Hyperthyroidism and Renal Disease

A cat with renal disease could develop a thyroid problem because once the thyroid senses the kidneys are working less efficiently it tells the heart to feed more blood to the kidneys. When treating hyperthyroidism it is very important to continually monitor the kidneys for infection and to make sure they are not in jeopardy of failing. Renal disease cannot be cured but managed while maintaining the cat’s quality of life.

Text Box: Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism Sudden, severe weight loss Ravenous eating with no weight gain Vomiting Diarrhea Increased drinking Increased urination Hyperactivity / not being able to relax Irritability Howling, especially at night Diagnosis A blood test reveals the level of the thyroid hormone circulating in the body. If it is above the normal range the cat is considered hyperthyroid. Monitoring the cat involves beginning a life-long medication and rechecking the thyroid to see where the level has changed to. It normally takes a few months to regulate the thyroid.

Text Box: Treatment Hyperthyroidism is a disease which can be treated and should be closely monitored by a veterinarian. Treatment starts with a daily medication called Tapazole. At NECC we realize daily pilling is not possible for some kitties so we have the advantage to have the medication made into liquids, chewables, or transdermal ear gels. Hyperthyroidism can be completely cured with a treatment called I-131. The treatment involves radiation therapy of the thyroid gland that “kills” the tiny tumors on the gland that cause disease. Once the tumors are gone the thyroid returns to normal although it should be noted this treatment is not appropriate for all hyperthyroid cats. Treating with daily medication is not a wrong answer to the disease because it can be easily managed as long as the cat is properly monitored by their doctor. Medicating is a life-long commitment as it does not cure the disease.

RENAL DISEASE

Managing Healthy Kidneys

The kidneys are the filtration system of the body and if they are not filtering well then harmful toxins begin to build-up and kill healthy tissue. Eventually, the toxins make their way into the bloodstream and into other vital organs killing their tissue as well. Once you’ve destroyed tissue there is no replacing it. Renal disease is a common killer of cats which is unfortunate because it is easy to prevent or delay onset. NECC is serious about kidney care and we closely begin to monitor the kidneys when our patients are a few years old. A urinalysis should be performed annually to check and make sure the kidneys are not infected and to monitor any age-changes they may be undergoing. With many cats, infections that are left untreated for too long begin to kill the tissue. Other cats are just genetically predisposed to the problem and their kidneys begin to deteriorate at a younger age than the average cat. Other health problems like bladder infections, constipation, and dental disease can cause problems for the kidneys.

Dental Disease and the Kidneys

Dental health is a major concern for our patients and new studies have shown that there is a link between bad teeth and renal disease. If a cat has bad teeth and/or severe gingivitis the bacteria the mouth contains is absorbed into the bloodstream and filters its way through the body. The bacteria enters vital organs and is filtered through the kidneys. If the kidneys are constantly hit with a lot of bacteria it will eventually cause infection. If the dental issue is not addressed the bacteria will continue to accumulate and the constant infection in the kidneys will cause the tissue to die and become diseased.

Text Box: Signs of Kidney Problems Loss of appetite Lethargy Increase water consumption Frequent urination Inappropriate elimination Weight loss Constipation Treatments There is no cure for renal disease but remaining healthy tissue can be sustained with certain medications. It is important that once a cat has this disease they are monitored by their doctor. At NECC, we recommend patients with renal insufficiencies be evaluated at least twice a year to make sure further damage is not occurring. More severe cases require more monitoring. It is important to follow the recommendations of your veterinarian because hospitalization to treat severe infections are very costly and do not always have a good prognosis.

Can you prevent renal disease?

Kidneys will naturally deteriorate with age but there are things you can do to slow the process down for your cat. Following these simple guidelines will help keep your kitty a step ahead of renal problems:

· Diet—a healthy adult food with proper nutrition and low target ph.

· Water—freshen water bowl at least two times a day to encourage drinking. Stagnant water tastes bad to a cat which will cause her to drink less than she should be.

· Dental health—bad teeth cause harmful bacteria to travel through the bloodstream. Brush your cat’s teeth if she permits and make dental food and treats a part of her daily diet.

· Urine samples—have a urine sample checked annually when your cat is a few years old to check for infection and monitor subtle age changes.

Text Box: DIABETES What is Diabetes? Diabetes mellitus is a complex and common endocrine disorder in the cat. It is caused by insufficient production of the hormone, insulin, by the pancreas (type 1 diabetes) or by the inadequate response of the body’s cells to insulin (type 2 diabetes). Because diabetic cats are unable to utilize glucose properly, they ultimately develop high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) and subsequent sugar in the urine (glucosuria). The sugary urine leads to excessive urination (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsea). In spite of maintaining a good appetite, diabetic cats lose weight because they body’s tissues are unable to use glucose properly. Progression of the disease ultimately leads to further metabolic disturbance (called ketoacidosis) and causes vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, dehydration, and sometimes death. Prognosis Managing a diabetic cat requires good communication between you and your veterinarian. A diabetic cat may live many healthy years with owners who are willing to put forth the effort in monitoring the cat’s condition daily. Cats tend to be difficult to maintain on the same regimen for long periods of time and increases or decreases may need to be made in insulin dosages.

Symptoms of Diabetes

· Increased appetite

· Weight loss

· Poor hair coat

· Excessive drinking and urination

Diagnosis

Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed based on the cat’s clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, and laboratory tests resulting in the persistent presence of abnormally high amounts of sugar in the blood and urine.

Treatment

The severity of the disorder determines the protocol treatment. Cats with ketoacidosis require hospitalization and intensive care. Treatment includes fluid therapy to correct dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities and short acting insulin. Diabetic cats that are not ill usually require insulin injections to be given once or twice a day under the skin and a carefully controlled diet.

Text Box: INFECTIOUS DISEASES It is important to know what diseases your cat could be exposed to. NECC believes that by educating our clients and explaining what diseases are out there and what can be done to treat and/or prevent them is essential in your cat’s care. Certain diseases cannot be prevented or treated, so we feel that by understanding these risks our clients will be more capable to make important decisions like whether their cats should go outside, if it’s okay for cats with a certain disease to live with other healthy cats, etc.

Feline Leukemia (FeLV)

Feline Aids (FIV)

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Bartonella (Cat Scratch Fever)

Cats may think they are absolutely purrfect but not without diseases that may afflict them at some point in one of their nine lives. At NECC we want our clients to understand what these diseases are and what can be done to treat them. Most importantly, we want you to know what can be done to prevent them. While some diseases cannot be prevented it is important that every cat owner know that being diagnosed with a disease isn’t the end for their beloved friend. There are numerous treatments available to help kitty’s cope with problematic diseases. We feel that educating our clients and helping them understand the medical world of their furry feline is the key that will unlock the door to a long and happy life for each of our purring friends.

Most common infectious and chronic diseases in cats:

-Leukemia

-Feline AIDS

-FIP

-Bartonella

-Parasites

-Thyroid disease

-Renal disease

-Diabetes

To learn more about internal parasites:

http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/intestinalparasites

Thyroid disease can be cured by a procedure called I-131. Your cat must meet certain health criteria to be eligible to undergo this treatment. To learn more visit: http://www.radiocat.com/

Parasite found in cats	Common ways they get it	Symptoms	Treatable
Roundworms	Other cats, ingesting dirt or grass, eating rodents	Bloated belly, diarrhea, anemia, vomiting, weight loss	Yes
Coccidia	Drinking or walking in stagnant water, other cats	Flatulence, foul smelling stool, diarrhea, yellowish stool, mucus on stool	Yes
Giardia	Commonly from drinking out of dirty puddles, other animals	Diarrhea, bloody stool, weight loss	Yes
Tapeworms	Fleas, eating rodents	Worms sometimes are visible in stool and look like “rice,” weight loss	Yes
Heartworm	Mosquitoes	Lung or heart disease	No
Hookworms	Other cats, ingesting dirt or grass, eating rodents	Diarrhea, vomiting	Yes
Whipworms	Other cats, ingesting dirt or grass, eating rodents	Diarrhea, vomiting	Yes
Fleas	Going outside and hunting. Humans can also track them in off shoes or clothes.	Visible on body, itching, hair loss, hair chewing	Yes
Ear mites	Immune compromised cats or kittens	Shaking of head, scratching at ears, black looking “dirt” visible in ears	Yes
Ticks	Going outside or living with another animal that goes outside.	Visible on body	Yes

	What is it?	Symptoms?	Contagious?	Treatment?	Preventative?
FeLV Feline Leukemia	A virus that attacks the bone marrow of a cat which often results in cancer. Life span is often 2-3 years after exposure.	Enlarged lymph nodes, vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, lethargy, seizures, anemia.	Feline leukemia is transmittable from cat to cat via bodily fluid interactions, bite wounds, sharing litter boxes and food dishes.	No treatment. Patients can be helped with antibiotic therapy and steroids to have more quality of life.	A vaccine is available. NECC recommends this vaccine for all its outdoor patients or patients living with a known positive cat.
FIV Feline AIDS	A retro virus that attacks the immune system of the cat similar to human HIV. Feline FIV is not contagious to humans or other species.	Uveitis, gingivitis and other common symptoms of infection. Positive cats are very susceptible to other disease processes.	FIV is contagious from cat to cat only via bodily fluid interactions and bite wounds.	No treatment. FIV positive cats can live for a long time but have a harder time overcoming infections, colds, etc. and generally require aggressive treatment.	A vaccine is available, but recommended to high risk patients.
FIP Feline Infectious Peritonitis	A mutation of the feline corona virus.	Two forms: wet or dry. Dry FIP presents with lethargy, fever, inappetience. Wet FIP presents as fluid build-up in abdomen and chest.	There is a debate over whether FIP is contagious.	No treatment. A cat with FIP will generally die within two weeks of diagnosis.	No preventative.
Bartonella	Bacterial infection transmitted by fleas.	Severe dental issues, eye ulcers, and general unresolving inflammatory conditions.	Bartonella is commonly transmitted to cats and humans via saliva. In humans, it causes Cat Scratch Disease.	Yes. Very treatable with antibiotics. Cat Scratch Disease is also very treatable.	No preventative.