This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Anemia can be a serious concern for feline patients, and typically is indicative of a much larger issue.  The causes of feline anemia vary in origin, but it is essential to determine the root cause in order to effectively treat the anemia. If you notice symptoms of anemia in your furry friend, always contact your veterinarian immediately — don’t wait!

What is anemia?

Though not a disease in and of itself, anemia is a very serious condition that results from any of a number of different underlying disorders. A cat with anemia has fewer circulating red blood cells (RBCs), less hemoglobin (HB) or in some cases, reduced quantities of both. The condition ultimately deprives the kitty’s body of oxygen, because RBCs and HB are responsible for delivering oxygen to its cells and tissues.

Anemia can occur either due to a more rapid loss of existing RBCs and HB or the decreased production of new ones. As a result, anemia is generally classified as either regenerative or non-regenerative. In the first case, RBCs deplete too quickly or die too soon. In the second, the bone marrow does not produce a sufficient amount of replacement RBCs.

What causes anemia?

Because anemia is more of a secondary condition than a primary disease, the causes of it are diverse. In general, the diseases that cause anemia can be grouped into three distinct categories:

1. Those that cause blood loss. Said bleeding can result from trauma or injury to the cat’s blood vessels or internal organs, severe infestations by fleas, ticks or other parasites, tumors in the kitty’s intestinal tract, kidneys or bladder, or diseases that inhibit blood clotting.

2. Those that cause the breakdown and destruction of RBCs. This process, which is known as hemolysis, can be caused by autoimmune diseases, feline leukemia, the ingestion of chemicals or toxins, or neoplasia. Read More

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Have your ever heard your cat sneeze and noticed watery eyes, a runny nose or even congestion? While it may appear that your cat has caught a cold, there are actually several possibilities that make up feline upper respiratory issues. One of the most common causes is feline herpes, or feline viral rhinopnumonitis or FVR.

The virus is a leading cause of upper respiratory diseases, conjunctivitis, and inflammation of the eyes. FVR is very common and affects a large percentage of cats, but it’s important to remember herpes is not always the cause of your kitty’s upper respiratory symptoms.

 How does a cat get feline herpes?

FVR is caused by the Type 1 feline herpes virus, which like most of its peers, is species-specific. Also like other viruses, feline herpes is passed through direct contact with viral cells that are secreted in an infected cat’s saliva, nasal discharge and tears.

A previously healthy cat can get infected when it shares a litter box, food or water dishes with other felines. The virus can also be passed through mutual grooming or even through contact with viral cells shed onto an inanimate object. One of the most common means of transmission is from pregnant cat to the kittens in her womb.

Once a cat is infected with feline herpes, an incubation period of up to five days usually passes before the kitty starts showing symptoms.

Just like the human form of the virus, feline herpes will remain in the cat’s body forever. Though it largely remains dormant, the virus will become active from time to time, leading to the symptoms mentioned below for about 10-20 days. The cause is most often stress, which is why frequently these symptoms appear during boarding, traveling, moving, or even introducing a new family member or pet into the house.

What are the symptoms of feline herpes?

Unfortunately, many of the symptoms of feline herpes can also indicate other diseases. Some common feline herpes symptoms are:

• Frequent and repeated sneezing
• Discharge from the nose and eyes
• Conjunctivitis and/or lesions around the eyes
• Chest and nasal congestion
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Drooling

These symptoms can also turn into an upper respiratory infection if left untreated. If you notice fever, loss of appetite, drooling, or colored discharge from the eyes or nose, please see your veterinarian immediately.

How is feline herpes treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for feline herpes, and the virus stays in the cat’s body forever. The good news, however, is that the disease’s symptoms can be treated easily. Once your veterinarian has determined that they are not caused by other issues, he or she can prescribe oral antibiotics or antiviral medications if needed.

For mild flare ups, lysine treats or paste can help control symptoms and even reduce the number of flare ups. Eye creams can also reduce any inflammation and irritation of the lining. As with any medical issue, please do not administer any medication to your cat unless you have discussed it with your veterinarian.

This is a sponsored post by Elizabeth Argeulles, veterinarian and owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza.

As a cat owner, one of the most important things to pay attention to in your cat is how much and how often they eat. It can be very indicative of your cat’s overall health and how they are feeling in general. When cats don’t eat enough, it can lead to serious liver disease and other complications. Hepatic lipidosis (HL) or fatty liver disease can be very dangerous in cats of all ages if not treated quickly.

What is hepatic lipidosis?

When a cat stops or drastically reduces its food intake, the body starts breaking down fat reserves to make up for the lost energy and nutrients. Unfortunately, the kitty’s liver is not designed to process so much fat so quickly. As a result, the fat gets stored in the areas surrounding the liver and compromises the liver’s natural functions.

Yellow pigments then collect in the cat’s blood and tissues, leading to a jaundiced appearance. When cats begin to have a jaundiced appearance, it is very important to have them examined and treated as soon as possible because it can be a life-threatening condition.

What causes hepatic lipidosis?

Typically, a drastic drop in food intake is the most common cause of fatty liver disease, but it’s important to remember it’s only secondary to the bigger question of why did your kitty stop eating. In some cases, it can be due to environmental stresses like a change in diet, a recent move, or introducing a new baby or pet in the house. Talk to your vet about any potential stresses that could have occurred in house.

In addition to stress and changes, there are several disorders that can lead to fatty liver disease, such as liver disease, cancer, diabetes, pancreatitis, and chronic kidney disease.

What are the signs and symptoms?

HL is a somewhat unique condition, in that the most important signs manifest themselves before the onset of the disease itself. Those signs include things like a refusal to eat, rapid weight loss, consuming less food than normal, or suddenly becoming a finicky eater. You should also notate other behaviors that could be contributing like vomiting, diarrhea, or even constipation.

Always schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as you realize your cat is not eating enough. Once you start to see symptoms like yellowing of the eyes, drooling, and/or tilting of the head or neck, it is important to get to a veterinarian right away. These symptoms are considered potentially life threatening and require treatment immediately.

How is hepatic lipidosis diagnosed?

If you notice any of the symptoms associated with this disorder, please bring your cat to the veterinarian immediately. He or she will determine your cat’s liver functions based on blood tests and in some cases, through a biopsy or fine needle aspiration. The latter is typically done by inserting a needle into the liver through the skin. The liver sample is then sent to a veterinary pathologist to be analyzed. A cat with HL will have a large quantity of fat in and around the liver cells.

How is hepatic lipidosis treated?

Fortunately, HL is not fatal if the disease is treated with aggressive nutritional support until the cat’s appetite returns to normal. A consistent and continuous high level of nutrition is required before the liver can resume its normal function and mobilize the excess fat. This process could take up to 6-8 weeks.

You can also treat your cat at home using a feeding tube. Your veterinarian will place the tube into your cat so that you can syringe-feed a special diet directly into your cat multiple times a day. While feeding tubes can seem like a scary step, most cats respond very well to the tubes and it can be extremely helpful for them as they heal.

While many cats do recover from HL, it’s important to remember that if the HL is the result of another underlying condition, it’s crucial to treat that disorder as well.

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

As cat parents, keeping our feline friends happy and healthy is a top priority. And we know that good health starts with proper nutrition and a well-balanced diet. But a trip to the pet store can leave us baffled by a dizzying array of choices. “Organic” vs. “all-natural.” “Chicken meal” vs. “chicken products.”

So many different brands and choices with varying protein and nutrition – how can you know what’s best?

Fortunately, there are ways to cut through the fluff of nutrition labels. For starters, the most important thing to look for is the protein content. Remember, cats are carnivorous. Though carbohydrates can be a good source of short-term energy, a feline’s diet should primarily consist of protein-rich foods like chicken, beef, or seafood. But how do you figure out how protein or carbohydrates a food actually has?

Begin by examining the first three ingredients listed on the label. Most pet food companies list the ingredients based on their weight, starting with the heaviest. If protein-rich foods appear near the top of the list, you’re in good shape.

Be warned, however, that water weight can make the rankings misleading in some cases. Chicken, for example, often contains a high percentage of water, which obviously lowers the protein content. This also affects the concentrations of protein in wet and dry foods. The moisture content in the former may be as high as 80 percent, whereas dry food may be as low as 10 percent. So just remember a protein concentration of 8 percent means different things in wet and dry foods.

The next thing to look for is any guarantees or certifications regarding the nutritional content.

For example, check if the label mentions a mandatory guarantee analysis. This ensures that the food contains the labeled percentages of crude protein, fat, fiber and moisture. Don’t be put off by the term “crude,” though. It simply refers to how the product is tested. Another thing to look for is a statement on the packaging that reads: “[Brand name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the [Association of American Feeding Control Officials] AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for [life stage/age of cat].”

Read More

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now

As cat parents, we’ve all been there. Your veterinarian prescribes oral medication for your kitty, and you leave the clinic happy that your feline friend is getting some much-needed treatment.

On the way home, however, you start to wonder how you are going to get the pills or drops in your cat. You remember your past experiences: the food left uneaten after medications have been mixed in or sprinkled on top, the wrestling matches and the gooey pills spit up on the floor, the time spent trying to coax your kitty out of its hiding place when it’s time for its medication. You wonder if there’s an easier way.

Fortunately, there is! Getting cats to take pills or drops will never be hiccup-free, of course, but there are a lot of things you can do to make the whole process smoother and less stressful for you both. For starters, you can try to train you kitty to be more receptive to taking its medication. Here are some relatively easy steps to take:

First, talk to your veterinarian or pharmacist about whether the medication can be compounded into a flavored liquid or even chewable flavored treats. Flavors usually include chicken, tuna, or beef.

Encourage your cat to sit in a place that it likes, such as on a favorite blanket or near its food dish. To do this, give it one of its favorite treats when it approaches one of its spots. Before long, it will to those places every time you get near. Read More

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now

Did you know that cats can develop diabetes? While diabetes mellitus, a disorder of the pancreas, can develop in cats at any age, male cats over the age of 8 are predisposed. The pancreas is composed of two very different types of cells that have very different functions. The first type is the manufacture of enzymes that ensure that food is properly digested. The second type is the production of insulin, one of the body’s most important hormones.

Insulin is critical to the healthy functioning of the body because it regulates blood sugar levels. After a cat eats, its digestive system breaks the food into various nutritional components. At this point, the insulin steps in to transport glucose to the body’s cells. A diabetic cat either cannot produce sufficient amounts of insulin or is not able to utilize it normally to collect glucose. As a result, the kitty’s blood sugar is not properly regulated causing a multitude of health concerns.

How common is diabetes in cats?

Diabetes mellitus is the second most common endocrine disease affecting cats. Approximately one in four hundred cats suffer from some form of the disease. Obesity is a predisposing factor, and diabetes is more commonly seen in middle-aged and older cats. The number of cases is increasing each year due in part to the increase in overweight cats.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

There are four classical signs of diabetes mellitus to watch out for: ravenous eating, weight loss despite the higher food intake, increased water consumption and more frequent urination. If you notice these symptoms, please take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.

Cats that have undiagnosed diabetes can suffer from “diabetic episodes” which can be life threatening. If your cat ever has an unsteady or wobbled gait or collapses, get to an emergency vet or your regular vet immediately — don’t wait! Read More

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Did you know that your cat can suffer from many of the same eye issues that affect you?

Eye infections caused by bacteria or viruses are very common in cats and can be painful. But with early detection, many eye issues are treatable. When left untreated, simple eye problems can worsen and damage the eye further. If you observe any abnormal eye symptoms, always contact your veterinarian immediately.

How can you tell if your cat has eye troubles?

The first step is to conduct a visual inspection of your cat’s eyes. They should be clear and bright, and the area around the eyeball should be white – be sure to note any reddish or irritation. Your kitty’s pupils should be equal in size. Ensure that the eyes are free from any discharge, especially yellowish or greenish mucous or any sort of thick crustiness. Check eyes for signs of inflammation or any swelling. If any of these symptoms are noted, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Read More

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Most cats typically have one healthy bowel movement a day, so if your cat suddenly stops going “number two” for a couple of days, that may be an indication that he or she is constipated.

Constipation is a condition in which a cat’s bowels become blocked, making its movements less frequent and more difficult. It is one of the most common health problems that can affect a cat’s digestive system. This is especially true for middle-aged and older felines.

Though constipation can often be relieved by simply loosening the dry, hardened stool that is blocking your cat’s colon, the condition can also indicate a more serious underlying health problem. For this reason, you should talk your vet if you notice any signs that your cat is constipated.

Even when the cause is relatively benign, there is a danger that the colon will become packed with large amounts of stool if left untreated. This can result in the swelling of your cat’s colon and lead to the loss of the colon’s motility. And the bottom line is that whatever the cause, constipation is painful to your cat and needs to be addressed quickly.

What are the signs that your cat is suffering from constipation?

• Small, dry, hard stools that may be spotted with in mucous or blood
•  Straining or wincing in pain when trying to use the litter box
• Frequent and frantic trips to the bathroom that still do not result in a bowel movement
• Loss of appetite
• Signs of abdominal discomfort
• Lack of grooming
•  Vomiting
•  Lethargy

What causes constipation? Read More

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Food allergies are fairly common in cats, and it’s suggested that about 10 percent of all feline allergies are caused by food. Only flea and environmental allergens are known to cause more reactions. While many food allergies or intolerances present with typical gastrointestinal symptoms, many cause skin related reactions like itching and scratching.

Food allergies can show up in cats as young as five months old and in those as old as 12. Typically allergies will start when the cat is between the ages of two and six.

The most common foods that cause allergies in cats are chicken, fish, corn, wheat and soy. Though allergies to beef, pork, dairy products and eggs are not as common, cats can still develop adverse reactions to those items. Cats can become overly sensitive to the foods that they are most frequently fed.

Symptoms:

It can important to distinguish between a food intolerance and food allergies. Symptoms vary for both but the symptoms of an allergic reaction are typically more severe including:

• A very itchy rash on the head, neck or back
• Unexplained hair loss
• Excessive grooming creating bald spots or sores
• Red and inflamed ears
• Chin acne

In addition to these symptoms, other common symptoms of food allergies and food intolerances are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea or soft stools
• Weight loss

Diagnosis:

As in the case of environmental allergies, many of these symptoms could also be caused by other factors. Your veterinarian will likely discuss diagnostics including lab work to rule out other underlying diseases or conditions.

Once your vet has determined that there are no other potential causes, he or she will usually recommend feeding your cat a prescription protein or hydrolyzed diet for 12 weeks without any flavored medication or treats.

Hydrolyzed diets are those in which proteins and carbohydrates are broken down into such small particles that they no longer trigger allergies. They are specifically called “hydrolyzed protein” diets. Limited protein diets are diets that feature only select novel proteins that aren’t as familiar to your cat like duck, venison, or rabbit. However many of these diets still contain other potential allergens like corn, wheat or soy.

Your vet might also run a food allergy blood panel that can test for common food allergies, but veterinarians will frequently recommend the trial diet instead. While opinion of the accuracy of food allergy blood panels vary amongst veterinarians, it can be beneficial in some cases. Typically, it is more cost effective to try the diet trials.

The goal in diet elimination trials is to find a food that your cat not only likes and will eat regularly, but one that does not cause any reaction. Diet elimination trials take dedication from the owner and the cat to ensure no other treats, flavors, or foods are introduced during the period. Even the smallest crumb can potentially cause a reaction.

Cats suffering from food allergies or intolerances typically do very well once the allergens are removed from the diet.

Next week, we will talk about another allergy treatment option: immunotherapy shots or oral drops.

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Did you know that cats can suffer from environmental allergies? Understanding what your cat is allergic to can help you to limit their exposure to these allergens and improve their quality of life and comfort. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be writing how to define and diagnose allergies, how to identify different types, and how to prevent and treat them.

What is an allergy?

An allergy means that your cat’s immune system has become more sensitive to certain everyday substances and, as a result, has started to identify them as dangerous. Allergens might include pollens, animal dander, mold spores, dust mites and even certain foods. Most of these are found throughout your house or yard, but they are not usually harmful to cats or other animals. However, if your kitty is allergic to any of them, its body will try to rid itself of the offending substance and show moderate to severe adverse reactions in response.

What are the most common allergens found in your home?

Fleas are amongst the most common allergens. Prescription drugs, perfumes and air fresheners, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, fabrics, rubber and plastic materials are other frequent causes of allergies in cats.

In addition to those, your cat could be sensitive to various trees, grasses, weeds, dust mites, storage mites or pollens.

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?

•  Sneezing, coughing or wheezing (if the cat has asthma)
• Itchy skin/increased scratching or over-grooming
• Itchy or runny eyes
•  Itchy back or base of the tail. The latter can be an indicator of flea allergies.
• Sores on the body from excessive scratching
• Scratching ears and possible infections
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Snoring caused by blocked nasal passages or an inflammation of the throat
• Unexplained hair loss

With repeated exposure to the allergens, your cat may over time experience changes in its skin texture and/or unexplained hair loss.

Unfortunately, most of these symptoms are not exclusive to allergic reactions. Your veterinarian will likely first run blood work and other diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions or diseases that could be causing the symptoms, including parasites (fleas, lice, mites, as well as intestinal parasites), bacterial and yeast infections of the skin, and some metabolic diseases.

Once it has been established that your cat is not suffering from any other diseases, your vet may check for allergies with an intradermal skin test or with an environmental allergy blood panel. If you opt to do the environmental allergy blood panel, your vet can discuss immunotherapy shots or oral drops that can be compounded for your cat to treat their specific allergies.

Treating environmental allergies also takes a big commitment from the owner. Depending on what your cat is environmentally allergic to, you’ll need to reduce or eliminate the allergens that affect your cat in your home which could include certain cleaning or air freshening products, storage mites, or dust mites.

Food allergies are typically diagnosed by feeding your cat a prescription limited protein or hydrolyzed diet for 12 weeks without any flavored medication or treats. There is also a food allergy blood panel that can test for common food allergies, but frequently veterinarians will recommend the diet trial instead. Next week we’ll go into more detail about limited ingredient diets, hydrolyzed proteins, and food allergy testing.

Talk to your veterinarian about whether your cat could benefit from allergy testing. It can be helpful to know what your cat is environmentally allergic to so you can better understand how to control the symptoms and hopefully improve the quality of life for your furry companion.

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Cats love routines and are territorial creatures when it comes to their homes. As a result, they often get stressed when their environment changes in some way. Even slightly different sounds or smells can be upsetting. That is why when you go on a short vacation, it is best to leave your feline friend in the safety of its own home, if possible, instead of taking it with you on your trip or leaving it at a boarding facility.

The problem, of course, is finding someone to look after your little one in your absence. One option is a trusted cat-friendly neighbor or friend who can clean your cat’s litter, fill its water and food bowls, and shower your feline friend with the love and attention you would normally give it. But even if you have network of neighbors and friends ready to help out, there may be times when no one that your cat knows or trusts is available to help care for it. In those cases, you might need to engage the service of a pet sitter.

Most professional pet sitters will stop by at least twice a day to check on your cat and attend to its basic needs. Through training and experience, they should be quite adept at making friends with your feline, but having a new person in the house — coupled with the stress of your absence — could make your cat very uncomfortable.

As we all know, when your cat is stressed, bad behavior such as destroying furniture, inappropriate urination or defecation, and increased aggression become more likely. So it pays to try to prepare your cat beforehand for the pet sitter’s arrival. Here are some simple steps you can take:

• Before you leave, ask the pet sitter to stop by and meet your cat a few times with you present. He or she could offer some treats or play with your cat, which would help the cat identify “good” things with this new person coming over.
• Have the sitter feed and change your cat’s water with you around. Having the person go through the cat’s routine in your presence will make this experience less threatening to your fluffy friend. It will then seem like less of a change when it happens with you not around.
• If your cat is particularly skittish or afraid of strangers, have the pet sitter sit with you in a place where the cat can see both of you. Don’t try to force an introduction or pull your feline friend out of its hiding place. Instead, let your kitty come out and greet the stranger on its own time.
• Leave a piece of your clothing in the area where your cat sleeps. This will give your feline friend an added sense of security, making it feel more comfortable when you are gone.

If after all this, your cat is still very afraid of strangers, talk to your vet about other things that you can do to help your cat feel more secure when the pet sitter comes to look after it.

This is a sponsored post by veterinarian Elizabeth Arguelles, owner of Just Cats Clinic at Lake Anne Plaza. She writes weekly on Reston Now.

Cats are creatures of habit and like predictability in their daily routines. As a result, they are easily upset about even the smallest changes in their life or environment. Obviously, the more abrupt the change, the harder it is for a cat to adjust.

Introducing a new baby into your household can be even more difficult for your cat than other big changes. For starters, a cat that did not grow up around small children may be spooked by the loud noises and unfamiliar smells. Subtler issues may also arise. For example, your feline friend will probably have gotten used to being your first “baby” and monopolizing your attention. Sharing time with another may be an unwelcome change that provokes “revenge” behavior.

• If possible, it is best to start preparing your cat before your baby arrives. To help prepare your cat for the new bundle of joy, try focusing on the following:
• Introducing your cat gradually to the new sights, sounds and smells that it will encounter when the baby arrives. If you have friends that have small children, it might help to have them bring their kids for more frequent visits.
• Start associating small rewards or treats with positive reactions to changes, thereby making them exciting instead of upsetting.
• Buying CDs that play “baby sounds” to get them accustomed to hearing all of the various noises babies make that can be frightening to your cat. Start playing them when your cat is eating or snuggling to get it used to the sounds throughout the day.
• Resisting the urge to pay extra attention to your cat before the baby’s due date. This will only lead to more disappointment when it has to share you with someone else. Instead, start setting aside specific time to be alone with your cat instead of showering your cat with affection throughout the day. Getting your feline friend used to this special time before the baby’s arrival and continuing it afterward will help your cat feel less neglected.
• Place Feliway diffusers throughout the house to help your cat feel secure and comfortable.
• Talking to your vet about other suggestions that will make the transition smoother.

If you are not able to prepare your cat before the baby’s arrival, don’t worry. It is not too late to help your cat get used to the new addition. Here are some things you can do after the baby has arrived:

• Continue to reward your cat for good behavior around the baby with small treats.
• Move anything that your cat likes (furniture, blankets, etc.) out of the baby’s room if you decide that that space is off-limits to your feline friend.
• Arrange perches in higher areas around the house to which your cat can retreat when it wants to be out of your baby’s reach.
• Make sure the litter box is in a quiet and private location.

No matter what you do, the most important thing to remember is that your cat needs to feel loved and will need some of your attention to. With preparation and patience, your furry family can help you welcome the newest member with enough love to go around.

For more information please read these tips from the ASPCA and the Humane Society.