ALERT: PLEASE READ Canine Influenza Advisory (September 2005) Diamond Pet Food Recall Information (January 2006) Morris Animal Foundation is a 57-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring a healthier tomorrow for companion animals and wildlife. Since its inception, the Foundation has funded more than 1,150 humane animal health studies with funds exceeding $36 million. One hundred percent of all annual, unrestricted contributions support animal health studies, not administration or the cost of fund raising. For more information about Morris Animal Foundation, call (800) 243-2345, or visit their Web site at www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
Canine Influenza Advisory (pdf)
(September 2005)
Top of Page Boarding Facilities
A primary concern of many pet parents is ensuring their kitty receives excellent care when they are out of town. A good pet guardian helps relieve vacation stress by guaranteeing your cat is safe and happy while you are away. Take the time to find out what kind of guardian is best for your cat. Should you choose a boarding facility, the choice can be difficult - particularly because there are more than 9,000 in the U.S. and Canada!
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Cats and Poisonous Plants
When your garden starts to turn green, beware of toxic holiday plants like lilies. The veterinary school at Purdue University rates the toxicity of the Easter lily as high, however the toxicity is only reported in cats. Cat owners should be particularly conscious of the leaves but the flower and stem may also be dangerous. Look for signs such as vomiting, legarthy and lack of appetite and contact your veterinarian immediately if they occur. It's not just the Easter lily. Decorative lilies can also be a problem during the winter holidays. Also, the leaves of rhododendrons and poinsettias can irritate gums and mistletoe and Christmas rose may cause intestinal upset.
Top of Page Chow Down
Cats are carnivorous by nature, which means they need plenty of fat and protein in their diets. Their nutrients should come primarily from animal-source ingredients such as meat, poultry or fish, rather than plant sources. Without animal-source ingredients in their diet, cats will become deficient in certain nutrients. Overall, cats have unique nutritional needs that require they eat diets specifically formulated for cats. The type of food, dry or canned, is up to you. Talk to your veterinarian about the pros and cons of each.
Top of Page Health at Home
Proper exercise, a stimulating environment and good nutrition are important to good health and a long life. Without them, your cat may get sluggish and gain weight that could lead to diabetes. Regular playtime provides bonding time and calorie burning. Pet stores have an endless variety of kitty toys to try. You may also want to look into videos that will entertain your cat while you are away from home.
Top of Page Health at the Veterinarian
Cats are prone to infections -- the good news is that most are treatable. One common ailment is obstruction or inflammation of the urinary tract. Cats who have trouble urinating or appear to have pain need veterinary attention because an obstruction is fatal if it's not removed. Special diets may help cats prone to urinary infection. Another common health problem is upper respiratory infection, which is easily transmitted between cats. Cats with this type of infection usually sneeze and have runny noses. These infections can be viral or bacterial so antibiotics may be necessary.
Top of Page Maintaining Pearly Whites
Many pet owners aren't aware of how important dental care is to their pet's overall health. Tartar buildup can lead to gum infection, which in turn can lead to more serious infections and diseases of the heart, lungs and kidneys. Bad breath is a good indicator of an oral problem that needs attention. Routine cleaning at home and more rigorous cleanings by the veterinarian are critical to stopping periodontal disease before it causes your pet serious health problems and pain. Take the opportunity during routine cleanings to look for any suspicious sores or bumps in your kitty's mouth, as many cancers and infectious diseases begin in the mouth. Dr. Thomas J. Rosol, a cancer expert, is leading a study that focuses on treatment for feline oral cancer, specifically oral squamous cell carcinoma. Affected cats experience difficulty eating, excess salivation and weight loss. The disease eventually causes death. Dr. Rosol says that while no treatment exists for cats with oral squamous cell carcinoma, with Foundation funding, he hopes to learn more about the disease and make life more comfortable for affected cats.
Top of Page Maintaining Your Cat's Health
Maintaining your cat's health is as important to us as it is to you. That is why Morris Animal Foundation is currently funding several feline health studies that are helping provide the best health care for your cat.
Top of Page Safety First
You may not think about needing first aid for your cat, but accidents happen and it's good to be prepared. Cat-proofing your home is a good idea. This includes making sure strings, electrical cords and chemicals are out of reach or locked away. It's also a good idea to know basic first aid for animals and to have a first aid kit and emergency numbers on hand. In an emergency, it's best to call your veterinarian or emergency hospital immediately.
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With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2008, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products. Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe. Below is a list of the top ten pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2008.
Human Medications
For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2008 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed more than 50,000 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.
Insecticides
In our effort to battle home invasions of unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our pets at risk. In 2008, our toxicologists fielded more than 31,000 calls related to insecticides. One of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.
People Food
People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and certain citrus fruit can seriously harm our furry friends, and accounted for more than 15,000 cases in 2008. One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.
Rodenticides
Last year, the ASPCA received approximately 8,000 calls about pets who had accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets, including bleeding, seizures and kidney damage.
Veterinary Medications
Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In 2008, the ASPCA managed nearly 8,000 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.
Plants
Common houseplants were the subject of nearly 8,000 calls to the Animal Poison Control Center in 2008. Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.
Chemical Hazards
In 2008, the Animal Poison Control Center handled approximately 5,500 cases of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.
Household Cleaners
Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. Last year, the ASPCA received more than 3,200 calls related to household cleaners. These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.
Heavy Metals
It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet poison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted for more than 3,000 cases of pet poisonings in 2008. Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.
Fertilizer
It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded more than 2,000 calls related to fertilizer exposure. Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something lawn-side, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
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