Steve Hatchett
,@stevehatchett
0
Friends
I have a senior cat who was receiving insulin but is now off of it per the Doctor’s orders. His glucose level has returned to normal, at least for now, by way of the DM cat food only.
The cat has become very playful, like a kitten, during the last week or so. Should I be concerned about the change in behavior?
Comments
My father told once that animals, cats in particular, would become very affectionate, clingy, and purr loudly when the were seriously ill and death was imminent. Is that true? Those thoughts have always made loosing a pet difficult for me. The one time an animal desperately needs, and is communicating that to me I can’t help them even after they have spent their lifetime showing me unconditional love.
Comments
-
Krista Magnifico I have seen some cats go quiet and some purr. It is, as with all things cats, to each their own.
-
Krista Magnifico I do think that all animals are far more intelligent, intuitive and superior than we humans give them credit for,, especially when it comes to death (and life).
What is the dosage of Pepto Bismol and Immodium for a K-9 with diarrhea?
Comments
-
chad perry 0.05 to 0.1mg of Imodium AD per pound of dog
pepto bismol is 1 ML per ten pounds of dog for every eight hours but it is always good to ask your vet 1ST
The cat had been showing up nearly daily. About mid-February I had to travel out of state. I made arrangements for someone to put out food for it. They never actually saw the cat and upon my return, I haven’t seen it since. The time we were away was the week when it stayed in single digit temperatures throughout the night. I had fixed up a box with a bedding and a light for warmth but it appeared to have been unused. Any advice? I’m really upset with myself that I didn’t do more to protect it from the environment.
Comments
-
PK Dennis Sorry to hear of your concerns for this stray. Often cats will move away if there is a shift in patterns. So, this kitty may be a few streets over, being fed by a different person. Or it may not have been stray at all, it might belong to a neighbor that finally decided to get serious about being a responsible cat owner and has made this kitty an indoor-cat.
There is also the possibility that it got eaten by a coyote or Great Horned Owl. Coyotes take a lot of cats in the fall and during cold snaps in the winter. Great Horned Owls are starting families in Feb and so take larger prey as they prepare to nest. This would have happened even if you had been home during that time.
I think you did the best you could. Cats are independent thinkers and just don’t always fall in line with our expectations.
PK
Both cats used an extra large sized litter pan since the time both were in our household.
4-6 weeks ago Scout stopped using the litter pan and started going on our carpet. We found that she had a UTI. From all indications the UTI has cleared up.
We have a follow up appointment on the 31st to confirm. However, Scout continues to go on the carpet even though we purchased an additional litter pan. The litter has no fragrance. Tux uses whatever litter pan the mood hits him which irritates me. I have to think that this is a behavioral issue that perhaps was initiated by the UTI.
Comments
-
Steve Hatchett Post author The incidents involve both urination and defecation. Could the cause still be a UTI?
When We Are Away They…
Normally Scout is feed separately with (dry) Purina Pro Plan.
When we are away they are both given the DM due to consideration to Tux and the inability to separate the food and the cats.
So my question is could the potential of having Scout switch between Pro Plan and DM once a week, lead to the UTI. She hates the DM and of course the Pro Plan is less costly.
Comments
-
Steve Hatchett Post author Scout was treated at JVC. I don’t know the particulars of the UTI results. Tux is fed nothing but canned DM (purchased at JVC). The only variation is if we are out for the day and the time of dosage of the insulin may be delayed as well as the Pro Plan feeding. In consideration of the diabetic needs the DM dry is available to Tux. Since it is more appropriate for Scout to eat the DM than Tux to eat the Pro Plan, Scout will eat the DM. The wet food may be gobbled up by both cats and the next feeding and insulin may be delayed leaving them with nothing in the meanwhile.
After having our AC in our house stop working last night, I am wondering what temperatures cats can tolerate before a health hazard exists. I see plenty of information out there on dogs but little on cats
Comments
-
Krista Magnifico Hello Steve,
Thank-You for the very important question!!
And for reminding us all, once again, that our kitties (which still far outnumber dogs), always have to play second fiddle to their bigger, slower, domestic partners, dogs.
The good news is that cats are incredibly smart, instinctive creatures. They intuitively know to sleep during the hottest part of the day and to stay low and hide in a dark moist spot..outdoor cats will hide under a shelter on the cool moist soil, or deep in heavily shaded foliage. They are calm, quiet, and slow their metabolism by sleeping or relaxing as a bear does in winter.
Inside cats will often find a cool floor spot, like tile (think tub, shower, sink, or bathroom floor), or wood, in the shade, and sleep.
A fan provides cooling but many cats are initially scared of the noise and the movement, so only a seasoned learned cat will use one, (but try anyway).
Running water, like a fountain, or hose also provides a source of cooling, or cool ground to relax on.
In general cats have a very high tolerance to heat IF they can get access to a cool shaded spot.
Here’s where my concerns come from:
Indoor cats; Have less places to hide, or can’t find soil, or water, or moving air. And they tend to be bigger (fatter) which significantly reduces their ability to dissipate heat (same holds true for bulldogs and thick, heavily muscled dogs). Or they are otherwise immuno-compromised so they do not thermoregulate as efficiently, or have trouble breathing making panting significantly harder to do.
Outdoor cats; these guys are smart, they just need to not be contained. Outdoor cats die if they get stuck in a trap, a box, a something, or if they are otherwise injured or compromised. In essence the sick, the young, the old.
As a last note, I would guess that just about everything written for dogs holds true for dogs. Except I would not try to immerse them in water (will cause stress and exacerbate heat problems) and I don’t know many cats who like fans, at least initially.
I hope this helps..
Please let me know if you have any other questions or things to add.
Stay cool! And if you ever need a cool place to visit, or keep the kitties come say hello!!
Or you can board your cats in an air conditioned facility while the A/C is waiting to be fixed.
Take Care,
KristaKrista Magnifico, DVM
Owner Jarrettsville Veterinary Center
Jarrettsville, MD
http://www.jarrettsvillevet.com
I read your blog concerning the wrenching decisions to be made when a dog bites someone. I am curious if "malpractice" or a similar insurance is available to a Veternarian in the event of a civil suit?
Comments
-
Krista Magnifico Hello Steve,
Veterinarians have malpractice insurance to use if a suit is filed against our license. But even with insurance there is a very high burden placed upon us because we are expected and treated as experts. So, if we know, or believe a pet will bite we are required to notify the owners and document it in the patient file.
This posses a terrible dilemma. Do we tell people and worry that they may give up on their pet? Or do we just cover our butts and place the burden on the owner to deal with.
I am sure that in reality there is a bit of each going on.
For me, I try very hard to notify and address each potential behavior issue with optimism in each pet. Every puppy that I meet gets unknowingly run through a list of behavioral challenges to elicit responses that help me advise owners on what to start doing now to prevent future issues. Because ALL behavioral issues magnify with time if not addressed early and correctly.
From my personal experience files I will add that I have participated in euthanizing two vicious dogs. Both were brought to me by their very devoted and loving parents. Both dogs had caused serious injury and could have killed someone is there had not been outside intervention.
It was incredibly difficult to put down a healthy young dog, but I had seen the damage they inflicted and like any other person or animal that could cause harm to the point of death, I take the responsibility to protect each other as paramount. If I had seen these pets trying to kill my family I would have also insisted that they humanely put them down. We have an obligation to protect each other, but long before that we have an obligation to train, educate, and take every single measure to avoid these behaviors from ever developing or being elicited.
A pet is a responsibility. A responsibility to them and the public.
Thank you for your question,
Take care,
KristaKrista Magnifico, DVM
Owner Jarrettsville Veterinary Center
Jarrettsville, MD
http://www.jarrettsvillevet.com
I recently heard that rescued pets are incapable of showing emotion when taken to their forever home. This seems contrary to my own observations. My most recent adoption, the kitten I named Scout seemed overwhelmingly happy coming into our home and is basically all over me with affection.
From your professional standpoint, is the happiness they show have any scientific basis?
Best regards,
Steve Hatchett
Comments
-
Anonymous Hey Steve!
That has got to be one of the silliest things I’ve ever heard. I’ve met quite a few rescued pets and they are some of the friendliest, happiest, most loving critters on the planet. Of course, there is an adjustment period while they get used to you and their new digs.Dogs who are rescued may have come from neglect or abuse in their past, but it doesn’t condemn them to having no connection to the people they live with going forward.
I don’t have any scientific basis for my opinions, just observations like yourself.
May not have been the answer you were looking for, but I hope it helps!
All the best,
Sandy Kempton
Barks and Blooms -
Kelly Furgason Hi Steve,
I agree with Sandy in her comments. I think that it is untrue to state that rescue’d pets are incapable of showing emotion. I think it depends on the pet…many are happy go lucky and whatever they’ve been through doesn’t faze them, while others take a bit longer to come out of their shells. Actually, from what I’ve experienced, a rescued animal can be more loving and almost seems grateful for the new love and affection of a new person in their life. Congrats on your adopted kitty!!
~kelly
Hi there? If your cat s feeling well enough to be playful and happy, I would take that as a gift. We have a senior dog who has given us the same thing and we are just making sure to enjoy as much time with him as we can, while we can. You could always mention the behavior change at your next vet visit if it is a concern…. however, my thinking is that since he’s feeling good that he is just letting you know. ??
Hello,
I agree with Sarah! This all sounds like excellent news.. but ANY change in behavior should be discussed with your vet, and frequent recheck of blood glucose are the best way to monitor for the progression and state of this disease process. Also, if you see a change in water intake, or the size of the urine clumps (if clumping litter) in the box are also,
let us know how things go,,
xoxo
krista