|
Welcome to Bastet Resources Page In this page you find many answers to many questions about feline diseases and treatment. The information provides you with a general information, it is not intended for cat owners to diagnose and treat their cats. There are many diseases with common general signs. For the best interest of your cat, let the veterinarian to answer your concerns and treat your cat.
We added many questions and answers listed under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. Below, we have tried to answer some of the most commonly asked questions by the callers to our hospital and or the visitors to this Web site. If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please call us during our business hours at (818) 846-8600. E-mail catbastet@aol.com and we will respond to your as soon as we can.
Avian Flu and Cats! Can my cat contract Avian Flu? Am I at Risk?
The answer is simple at this moment. To be specific , it can be Yes. The possibility of your indoor cat contracting the Avian Flu is slim (at this moment in the USA). The best thing you can do is to bring you cat for biannual exam, and discuss with your veterinarian risk assessment for your cat(s). Here some of the best articles you may want review. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2004_02_20/en/ , http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/sep0304cats.html , http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/asia.htm . Avian Flu of Asia can infect the large feline family too http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/asia.htm .
Mad Cow Disease was reported in Cats in England! Is may cat at risk?
For our clients and their cats, the answer is not so simple. So far in the united States there is no reported cases we know of. But the general answer is YES, please review this article http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/resources/madcow.htm .
What is the story about Calicivirus ? West Los Angeles?
It was reported that about 30 cats died due to virulent strain of feline calicivirus in West Los Angeles. The incident was limited to three hospitals and a Foster care network. This strain causes different clinical signs from that common Upper Respiratory Form. Dr. Hurly of UC Davis wrote to SCVMA a letter stated that there is no evidence that the disease has spread within the community. If your cat shows upper respiratory signs, change in the color of the ears or eyes mucous membranes, please contact us. For more information about Feline Calicivirus here are several sites: www.animalhealthchannel.com/calicivirus/ , www.cfanic.org/health/calici.html , www.iah.bbsrc.ac.uk/virus/Caliciviridae , www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy www.orst.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/1996/96January/cvirus.htm .If you want more information about the W.L.A. incident, contact Dr. Janet Foley, DVM, Ph .D. Director, Maddie Shelter Medicine Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 915616 jefoley@ucdavis.edu , Dr. Kate Hurley, DVM Resident, Maddie Shelter Medicine Program kfhurely@ucdavis.edu
What is the Deworming Protocol for our cats?
We recommend the protocol that approved by the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologist (AAVP) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/roundworms/roundworm.html , www.bayer-ah.com/pet_care_tips.cfm , www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxocara/default.htm The recommended course is today treatment, followed by a second treatment in 2 weeks, then a six months later. Cats deworming as preventive measure is required for both Indoor and Outdoor Cats because cats are curious creatures that chase insects, flies, groom and sometimes they swallow fleas that works as a vector for tape worms.The best gift that you can give your cat is visiting the vet twice a year and deworm three times a year. Discuss it with one of our doctors.
My cat is vomiting for a few days?
Vomiting is not a disease, it is a sign of gastrointestinal tract condition such as obstruction {foreign body (e.g.) rubber bands, ear plugs, etc.}, Dental disease www.petdental.com , Heartworm Disease www.avma.org/care4pets/b2c1.htm Diet {change of diet, food allergy, etc.}, hair balls, parasites http://www.petnet.com/pfelix ,inflammatory bowel disease web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/parasite.html, kidney disease web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/ibd.html, skin disease that lead to excessive grooming, Endocrine disease (e.g.) Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/diabetes.html, toxicity, and many other causes. To know what is the problem and the treatment, you need to write down some information about your cat’s behavior and symptoms before you schedule an appointment, that will help the doctor in establishing a diagnostic list. The information such as what is the nature of the vomit? digested or undigested food, how many times per day or a week? How old is your cat and or for how long you had your cat? Is there any weight change [loss or gain]? Is the cat vomiting water too? Which type of diet are you feeding your cat [including the brand name]? Look at the food bag or can before your cat’s visit to the veterinarian? try to avoid tell the doctor I feed the yellow bag, brown & red can. There are hundrads of over the counter cat’s food.
How often do I need to clean my cat’s teeth?
Dental care for cats is very important. The teeth cleaning starts soon after the cat has the permanent teeth which is usually between five and six months of age. In most cases your cats will not allow you to brush their teeth daily. Our doctors recommend topical solutions and annual teeth cleaning. Please make sure to discuss the dental care when you bring your cat for annual check up. Here is more info feel free to read this brochure www.petdental.com , for chronic gengivitis www.cfainc.org/health/gingivitis.html . One of the chronic dental diseases in cats is stomatitis (Plasmacytic Lymphocytic) that should be treated carefully http://www.dentalvet.com/vets/cats/feline_stomatitis.htm , http://www.vetdentistry.com/feline.html ,
The doctor said that Felix ’s heart murmur could be due to hyperthyroidism!
Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrinological problem in older cats. It can lead to other complications such as renal disease or cardiomyopathy http://members.aol.com/jchinitz/hcm/index.htm , It is very important to monitor the body weight of your cat. If your cat loosing or gaining weight it is essential to let the doctor knows. Our support staff can provide you with printed chart of your cat’s weight during nurse’s checking in and taking vital signs.
Is Heartworm Disease a serious disease in cats?
Heartworm disease is a serious disease in cats especially in males, and outdoor cats. It is diagnosed in both indoor and indoor-outdoor cats. It is suggested that the reason for finding heartworm positive cats is that cat’s nature may swallow different mosquitos or any thing that flies which may be the vector. The clinical signs and diagnosis is different from that in dogs. It is essential to allow your veterinarian to test your cat for Heartworm Antibody and Antigen tests at the same time otherwise, you have 30% chance of missing a positive case. Any cat with chronic vomiting should be tested for heartworm disease even when prevalence is not known. We recommend that you review this site www.heartwormsociety.org/ , www.vetmed.auburn.edu/fhd/ , www.heartvet.com/
Are house plants toxic to my cats?
There are some house plants more toxic than others. We believe that the best way to know is to maintain the name of the plant that you purchased attached on the outside of the vase. Please check this list before you bring your kitty to the hospital www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/ .
I noticed Fluffy drinking more than usual! Is it a problem?
Increased desire to drink water can be normal due to weather, exercise, or abnormal such as the case in Kidney insufficency or failure, endocrine disease (Diabetes mellitus http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/diabetes.html , Diabetes insipdus, hyperthyroidism, etc.) http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/seniorcat.html , You need to present your cat for complete physical exam and diagnostics (blood work, urinanalysis, and radiographs [x-rays]). It is a lot easier and less costly to allow the doctor to order laboratory work and radiograph than visiting the hospital several times with your cat and trying different medications without knowing the baseline before any treatment initiated.
Which vaccine do I need this year for my cats?
Cat’s vaccination is customized based on the enviroment, house hold and other risk factors of exposure to other cats (number of cats, indoor , outdoors, the health condition of other cats in the house). Make sure that your kitten / cat is being examined before any vaccine is given because not all cats were created equally and also their vaccines are not given equally. Your cat is unique and her vaccine is part of her special veterinary care at Bastet. Our doctors recommend that you read this brochure www.vth.colostate.edu/vth/savp2.html , http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/vaccbr.html, http://web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/vaccsarc.html , www.avma.org/vafstf/default.asp before the vaccination risk assessment examination. Our doctors offer vaccine titer, if your cat’s titer results revealed lack of immunity and there is need for vaccination, we will vccinate your cat and wave the cost of vaccination for that specific vaccine which is need. This approach makes the difference between the vaccine titer and vaccination process very small, and will be able understand that you teamed with your veterinarian to provide your cat with the best long term health care.
I am flying back east at the end of the month and I need certificate?
For travelling with your cats between the States of the Union and Internationally, you must carry with you a Federal Certificate that issued by an accredited veterinarian. The Interstate Veterinary Certificate is valid for 30 days, however, most Air Lines request a certificate that was issued within 7 - 10 days from the exam’s date. You are responsible for finding out the requirements by calling the AirLines or the embassy of the country that you are flying to. For those going to Hawaii or Japan you must have special papers and special Rabies vaccine requirment. Please call us or contact Department of Food And Agriculture. Check this site http://www.petsonthego.com .
The airline asked me for a Certificate of Acclemation? What is that?
Certificate of Acclemation is required if your cat will fly with the cargo. Our doctors can issue one after examining your cat. It is a separate from the health certificate. It is usually additional an addition to the health certificate.
I am expecting a baby and my doctor asked me if I have a cat?
In general, having a cat is not a problem, you must let your male partner clean the litter box during and after your pregnancy. You must discuss with your physician testing for Toxoplasma, other parasites such as round worms. Also, it is wise to check your cat and start a deworm program ASAP web.vet.cornell.edu/Public/FHC/toxo.html .
Fleas Control! Treat with a medicine or OTC insecticide ?
Our doctors must establish the Client-Patient-Veterinarian relationship and examine your cat to prevent any unwanted damage that may arise from dispensing medication without knowing the physical condition of the patient. It is against the federal and state laws to dispense medicine without seeing the patient. Revolution is a broad spectrum antiparasitic that kills adults and immature forms. Revolution is the only USDA-FDA approved anti flea medicine [not an EPA product]..
Veterinarians are the other family doctors. They are the behind the scene army in keeping you healthy through providing the preventive veterinary health care to your pets and preventing diseases from reaching you through your pets (Check Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/ascaris/prevention.htm#veterinarians.
|
