Dental Quiz

A few months ago, when a 3-year-old female tortie domestic short-haired kitty came in for her annual examination, it was obvious that on her lower jaw she had a molar with a broken crown (the top part of the tooth visible above the gum line). Cat Hospital veterinarians strongly recommended that the kitty be scheduled for a periodontal treatment.

At Cat Hospital, a periodontal treatment includes:

 A comprehensive examination of the mouth

 Scaling, cleaning and polishing all tooth surfaces

 Probing the gum and pockets of all teeth

 Charting the teeth to record the presence of any loose or fractured teeth, as well as any visible tooth resorptions (feline cavities), root exposure, periodontal disease, and gingivitis or gingival recession

 Taking dental X-rays

 For many cats, oral surgery to remove teeth (and their roots) that are diseased, damaged or unhealthy and not salvageable

From the start, it was apparent that the broken molar would need to be extracted during the periodontal treatment or oral surgery. But once the kitty was under anesthesia, Cat Hospital’s Dr. Thompson was able to get a good look in the kitty’s mouth and took X-rays, and she identified a number of dental issues—serious, painful issues—that needed to be addressed that were not visible in the initial examination.

Can you spot the problems in these photos? Here’s a hint: There are five. See the answer at the end of this column.

Nikko: Regaining Her Girlish Figure

Nikko successfully continues her mission to lose weight!

Nikko’s quest to regain her girlish figure began one year ago (see her profile in an earlier edition of Treats & Tidbits). Last December, Nikko tipped the scale at a very unhealthy 14 pounds, 7 ounces. One year later she has lost 3 pounds, 8 ounces and now is a much more fit kitty at 10 pounds, 15 ounces!

The 13-year-old domestic shorthair Cat Hospital client shed her excess weight by following a strict regimen of 1/3 of a 5.5-ounce can of cat food and 1/8 cup of reduced-calorie dry cat food each day. Previously, she would eat 1/3 can of cat food each morning and then have a virtually bottomless bowl of regular (not reduced-calorie) dry cat food available to her the rest of the day. When cats have food constantly available to them—also known as “free-feeding”—they often gain weight because they consume more calories than they need.

Recently, Nikko’s feeding regimen changed a bit. Nikko’s mom reported that Nikko was acting hungry, so she consulted with Dr. Currigan, and they decided Nikko should start getting all canned food and no dry food. Now, Nikko still gets 1/3 of a 5.5-ounce can of cat food in the morning (other cats in the household eat the rest), but in the evening, she gets a whole 3-ounce can of food. Nikko’s mom is closely monitoring Nikko’s weight to see how she does on this regimen, and she will adjust the amount of food she gives Nikko accordingly.

Nikko’s weight loss success has inspired several Cat Hospital clients to encourage their own cats to trim down a little, too, and that’s great! But cat parents should never put their cats on diets without consulting with their Cat Hospital veterinarian. Cat Hospital’s Dr. Currigan thoroughly examined Nikko before developing this feeding regimen for her. It’s critical that cats don’t lose weight too quickly because rapid weight loss can cause health problems. Cats are poor at metabolizing body fat to produce energy, so a starvation diet can cause a potentially fatal condition called hepatic lipidosis, which is when too much fat accumulates in the liver.

On Nikko’s previous regimen, she lost 1 ounce to 3 ounces most weeks, and that’s perfect. It’s too soon to tell how she’ll do on the new feeding regimen, but you can follow her progress toward her goal weight of 10 pounds through weekly updates on Cat Hospital’s Facebook page.

For more information about managing your cat’s weight and meal-feeding versus free-feeding, see Cat Hospital’s library article Weight Management in Cats.

Lights of Love

In the holiday spirit of memorializing companions who have passed on, and to honor those still with us, Tree House Humane Society is hosting its 12th Annual Lights of Love Open House and Lighting Ceremony.

This joyous event will feature vegetarian comfort food courtesy of Native Foods Cafe, live music by Elle Musique, an artists’ bazaar, unique holiday merchandise, baked goods, arts and crafts, guided shelter tours, presentations by Tree House veterinarians, consultations with an animal communicator and behaviorist, and a silent auction full of fabulous items! The event details are:

Date: Saturday, December 10

Time: 4–8 p.m.

Location: Tree House’s Uptown location, 1212 W. Carmen Ave., Chicago

Admission: A suggested $5 donation, or cat or dog food for the Pet Food Pantry

With each donation of $10, Tree House will illuminate a white light to remember a person or animal who has passed on, or a colored light to honor that loving friend still by your side. To purchase your lights today, go to the Tree House Lights of Love donation page. You also are welcome and encouraged to bring photos to remember those you have loved and lost. Photos will be displayed on Tree House’s Rainbow Bridge memorial board.

The illumination ceremony will begin at 6 p.m.

For more information on this event, please contact Jackie at 773-784-5488, ext. 238, or jackie@treehouseanimals.org.

A Cat’s Favorite Christmas Carols

10. Up on the Mousetop

9. Have Yourself a Furry

Little Christmas

8. Joy to the Curled

7. I Saw Mommy Hiss at

Santa Claus

6. The First Meow

5. Oh, Come All Ye Fishful

4. Silent Mice

3. Fluffy, the Snowman

2. Jingle Balls

1. Wreck the Halls!

Source: Castor.com.

A Prayer for Animals

Hear our humble prayer,

O God,

for our friends, the animals,

especially for those who are suffering;

for any that are lost or deserted or frightened or hungry.

We entreat for them all

Thy mercy and pity,

and for those who deal with them,

we ask a heart of compassion

and gentle hands and kindly words.

Make us, ourselves,

to be true friends to animals

and so to share

the blessings

of the merciful.

– Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965), Alsatian theologian, organist, philosopher, physician and medical missionary

…indoor cats need entertainment? Cats, especially those residing indoors, need stimulation and recreation—or “environmental enrichment”—to maintain good physical and mental health and to minimize behavioral problems. Inactivity and boredom can lead to weight gain and obesity. It can even make some cats act out by not using litter boxes or attacking their housemates. Give your cats a stimulating and entertaining environment with cat trees and window perches, a variety of toys that you rotate and plenty of interactive play with fishing-pole toys. See the library article Couch Potato Cats for more suggestions to enrich your cat’s environment.

A healthy cat’s gums are nice and pink. Somewhat surprisingly, black spots on a cat’s gums are perfectly normal. But if you see that your cat has gums that are pale, white, blue, yellow or bright red, there could be something wrong and you should make an appointment with your Cat Hospital veterinarian right away.

Dental Quiz Answers

In addition to the broken molar crown, this kitty had four other serious periodontal issues that are identified in these photos. Here are the five problems:

1. On her lower jaw, the kitty had the broken molar crown, which was the initial reason for her periodontal treatment. But this tooth also had an advanced resorptive lesion, which is what caused the tooth to break.

Resorptive lesions are quite common in cats. They are similar to cavities in people in terms of the pain and tooth damage they cause. The protective enamel of affected teeth degrades and the teeth slowly disintegrate, which exposes the sensitive inner layers of the tooth—including the nerve—to air, pressure, heat and cold. In some cases this disintegration affects only the crown, leaving normal roots with exposed nerves behind in the gum. In others, the root structure breaks down over time and the root becomes “resorbed” into the jawbone as bone eventually replaces the roots.

This can be quite painful for a cat until the resorption is complete (which can take months or years) or the tooth is removed. Although many cats will not show obvious signs of pain, the discomfort is comparable to pain caused by a jaw tumor. In some cases, even when a cat is under anesthesia and unconscious during surgery, the jaw will still quiver when these teeth are touched, indicating that the cat feels pain.

The entire molar, including both of its roots, needed to be removed.

2. On her lower jaw, she had a mass that was hidden in her inner lip and needed to be removed. (The mass turned out to be benign.)

3. Also on her lower jaw, there was a resorptive lesion on the kitty’s third premolar (below the gum line near the top of the right-hand root). This was the biggest surprise of the periodontal treatment because the crown appeared to be normal and the lesion wasn’t clearly visible on the X-ray. Suspicious, Dr. Thompson cut a little fold-down flap in the gum, which gave her access to the tooth below the gum line. Once she did that, she could see the resorptive lesion. The tooth and its roots needed to be extracted.

4. Also on her lower jaw, her fourth premolar had a resorptive lesion. This tooth, and its roots, had to be removed.

5. Finally, the fourth premolar on the kitty’s upper jaw had a resorptive lesion. The lesion was covered in tartar, so it wasn’t visible until the tooth had been cleaned. The tooth had to go, too, along with its roots.

This kitty serves as a great example of four things:

1. It’s important to have your cat examined regularly. This kitty never showed any signs of discomfort, and yet she must have experienced a great deal of pain with one broken crown and multiple teeth with hidden resorptive lesions.

2. What can be seen on the surface of the teeth may not reflect how many dental issues there actually are, and how severe they are. It takes a thorough evaluation to identify all of the problems that are present, and to determine how extensive they are.

3. High-quality (especially digital) X-rays are vital for veterinarians to make informed decisions that affect patient comfort.

4. Cats are very good at hiding pain. For more information about cats and their superb ability to hide pain, and for tips to determine if your cat might be in pain, see the library article Pain Recognition and Management in Cats.

Happily, even though she lost four teeth, this kitty is doing very well. You can bet she feels a lot better with those resorbing teeth gone!

For more information about dental disease in cats and tips for how you can ensure year-round care for your cat’s teeth, see the special dental edition of Treats & Tidbits or the library article Dental Disease in Cats at the Cat Hospital website.

Dear Boo:

OUCH!!! They’re torturing me! My pet parents took to me the veterinarian, and they poked me. With a NEEDLE. And it HURT!

Why would they do something so nasty to me?

– Feeling Like a Pin Cushion

Dear FLPC:

Fear not, my pretty little poked one. Your pet people and your Cat Hospital veterinarian are actually taking very good care of you, and they’re doing their best to ensure your purrrrfect health going forward.

Needles are not my favorite, either, but they’re used to give us something called “vaccinations.” Along with lots of play and yummy treats, vaccinations are vital if we felines are going to live long and healthy lives, as is our due.

When it comes to vaccinations, cats have come a long way, baby. Within the past 20 years, medical science’s understanding of how to protect cats from the most common diseases has improved a great deal.

At one time, most veterinarians took a more-is-better approach, believing that it was better for cats to have more vaccines in their system than not enough. Cats often were given every available vaccine every year, and believe you me, that was no fun!

Thankfully, experts now know this isn’t the best plan of attack. In general, thanks to an improved knowledge of vaccines, the good veterinarians at Cat Hospital of Chicago administer vaccines based on the personal health and medical history of each patient. They give each cat a thorough physical examination to ensure that they receive the vaccines that are right for them.

In particular:

 Because some vaccines contain live viruses, veterinarians should be sure the cat is healthy enough to mount an effective immune response to the vaccine.

 Some vaccines have been associated with very rare but serious health risks (just like in people), and in cats this may include inflammation and/or tumor formation at the injection site. (The incidence of these problems for vaccinations given at Cat Hospital of Chicago is almost zero, however.) Because of the risk, we cats should be examined to make sure we don’t have risk factors for health problems that could be made worse by vaccines.

Core Vaccines

Although the guidelines for vaccinations have changed from the “every vaccine, every year” standard of old, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (these are human veterinarians who are experts in cat care, NOT felines with medical degrees) still recommends that—if we’re healthy enough—all of us cats stay current on our “core vaccines,” which are:

 Rabies. Required for all cats in Cook County and surrounding counties. Some pet parents might feel that the risk of their cat contracting rabies is low because their cats are indoor-only cats. But even though the risk is low, it is not zero – bats (horrid creatures, I tell you) are notorious carriers and can live inside homes – and rabies is a deadly virus for both cats and humans.

If that doesn’t drive home the need for a rabies vaccine, consider this, my fine feline friend: There is no blood test for rabies; the disease can only be diagnosed by submitting the head of an infected animal to a lab. So if a potentially infected cat bites someone and then dies within 10 days of the bite, Illinois law requires that the animal’s head be removed and submitted for rabies testing. This is obviously a situation that any cat family wants to avoid!

 FVR-CP combination. Protects against feline panleukopenia (feline distemper virus), feline rhinotracheitis virus and feline calici virus. (The latter two are respiratory viruses.) These viruses can be spread from cat to cat by direct contact. But because they also can be “airborne” viruses, which spread through the air, there is a danger that indoor cats may be infected, which is why the vaccine is a core vaccine. FVR-CP is available as an injectable and in a newer version that is administered via nose drops without a needle. (Don’t you love advances in medical technology?) Why humans think a nose drop would be preferable for us kitties over an injection, I just don’t understand. They tell me, though, that it’s all about safety and efficacy, and the nose drops are very safe and effective.

Non-core Vaccines

Experts suggest that “non-core” vaccines be given only to cats who are at risk for contracting the specific diseases they protect against—and then, only after pet parents consult with a veterinarian about the efficacy of the vaccine, and about risks of the vaccine compared with the risks of disease. This group of vaccines is for non-airborne diseases.

Non-core vaccines include:

 Feline leukemia. The feline leukemia virus is transmitted from cat to cat through direct contact with an infected cat’s urine or saliva (usually by biting, mutual grooming, sharing food and water bowls, or sharing litter boxes). Cats should be vaccinated if they (1) go outdoors, (2) live with a cat who goes outdoors, or (3) live with a cat who has the feline leukemia virus. But no vaccine is 100 percent effective, so Cat Hospital encourages all pet parents to keep cats indoors rather than vaccinating.

 Feline immunodeficiency virus. FIV is a relatively new vaccine and the American Association of Feline Practitioners has issued a “guarded” opinion on its use. The current vaccine does not protect against many strains of the virus, and its effectiveness has not been proven. Additionally, cats vaccinated with this vaccine will become positive on subsequent FIV tests (the test measures antibodies, and antibodies to the virus develop after vaccination), and if the tester does not know that the cat has been vaccinated against FIV, the cat likely will be diagnosed as having the virus—even though he doesn’t have it!

 Feline infectious peritonitis. Cat Hospital does not recommend or routinely use this vaccine. Like the FIV vaccine, its ability to prevent the diseases it is supposed to guard against is unproven.

 Bordetella. This vaccine, for the condition also called feline kennel cough, is not often used at Cat Hospital because the disease is relatively rare and—when it does occur—it is fairly easy to treat. Therefore, the risk of disease is outweighed by the risk of vaccination.

 Microsporum canis. This vaccine is for ringworm, but its use is not justified except in more unusual circumstances, such as in a shelter.

Our fine Cat Hospital veterinarians are very careful to use only the safest vaccines available, and they use them only as often as required—some vaccines can be boostered every three years instead of every year, for example.

So be assured that when you get poked at Cat Hospital, it is because the veterinarians have decided that it is absolutely necessary.

For information about how long vaccines last and how often cats should be re-vaccinated, please show your pet parents the article Vaccinations and Vaccine Protocol at Cat Hospital of Chicago at the Cat Hospital website.

Now, scamper off and have the happiest holiday season ever. May Santa bring you as many catnip mice as you desire!

Licks and cuddles,

– Boo

Pardon our Dust!

Cat Hospital recently began construction to make its treatment area more cat- and human-friendly. (See Treats & Tidbits Fall 2011 to read about the improvements the renovation will bring.)

The construction team is going to do everything possible to work around the Cat Hospital schedule and to minimize disruption to clients and patients during the remodeling, which will probably last six weeks.

All of us at Cat Hospital will do our best to keep the facility cat-friendly throughout the construction, but your patience and cooperation will be greatly appreciated as we work to make the facility even more comfortable for your cats and enable more efficient treatment so your felines can go home as quickly as possible!

Feel free to ask for a tour after the renovations are complete!

Holiday Safety Tips

The holidays are coming, and with them will come plenty of potential dangers for your feline friends. To ensure they have a safe and happy holiday season, follow these tips:

 Cat-proof your tree. Kittens tend to think Christmas trees are great for climbing, so be sure your tree is secure, place ornaments high enough so they are out of paw’s reach and use non-breakable ornaments if possible.

 Beware of tree water. Stagnant tree water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, and cats that ingest it could end up with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Aspirin and other chemicals that are frequently added to the water to keep the tree living longer are toxic to pets, so it’s important to keep the tree water covered.

 Tinsel can be trouble! Yes, tinsel, angel hair and ribbons look lovely on Christmas trees, but cats commonly ingest them. Those that do can suffer serious intestinal problems that require surgery.

 Be careful with cords. Some cats like to chew electrical cords. If yours does, give the cords a good dousing with Bitter Apple, Bitter Yuck or another chew deterrent.

 Keep lit candles out of kitty’s reach. Cats could get burned or knock them over and cause a fire.

 Healthy treats, please. Don’t give chocolate and other sweets should to cats. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be deadly to cats. Look for special cat treats instead of cookies or sweets meant for people.

 No bones! Avoid giving bones to your cats. Poultry bones splinter easily and can cause serious injury including intestinal blockages or lacerations. Other holiday foods can cause stomach upset, and spoiled or moldy food can cause tremors or seizures, so keep kitty away from your food preparation area, and make sure garbage receptacles are securely covered.

 Avoid alcohol. Place unattended alcoholic drinks where kitty cannot reach them. A cat that ingests alcohol could become very sick and weak, and may go into respiratory failure or a coma, which could result in death.

 Be particular about plants and floral decorations. Many popular holiday plants are poisonous to cats. Lilies, which are commonly used in floral arrangements at this time of year, can cause kidney failure in cats. Mistletoe and holly berries also can be toxic. Poinsettias are considered to be very low in toxicity, but they could cause mild vomiting or nausea if ingested. Consider safer alternatives like silk or plastic artificial flowers.

 Seclude kitty during parties. If you’re hosting a holiday gathering, place your cat in a separate room during the festivities. Turn on a radio or TV to keep kitty company, and be sure to include food, water, a litter box and some toys.

Winter Safety Tips

Winter in the Windy City also means snowstorms and freezing temperatures, which can be problematic for animals. Here are some tips to help protect your furry friends when temperatures dive:

 Keep your cat inside. The safest place in the world for your cat is indoors. When outdoors, felines can freeze, suffer frostbite, get lost, or even suffer life-threating injuries.

 Never leave kitty in a car. Cats shouldn’t be left inside a vehicle in cold weather for any length of time. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing freezing or hypothermia, an abnormally low body temperature brought on by spending extended time in cold temperatures.

 A warm cat is a happy cat. Make sure your cat has a warm place to sleep, off of the floor and away from all drafts.

 Kitty-proof the fireplace. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, use a protective barrier or fire screen to keep your cat from getting burned.

 Take extra care with space heaters. A cat landing on a space heater can be easily burned, and if a cat knocks over the unit, your place could go up in flames.

 Make sure your cat has identification. More pets are lost in the winter than at any other time of the year, often because they lose their ability to scent their way home in snow and ice. So be sure your cat is wearing up-to-date ID tags or has a microchip. If your feline already has a microchip, now is a good time to be sure the chip manufacturer has your correct contact information. (Please note the chip does not contain your contact information. The chip manufacturer has it if you provided it.) See Treats & Tidbits Spring 2006 and Fall 2007 for more information about microchips and updating your microchip registration information.

 A dry cat is a happy cat. Cats shouldn’t be taken outside after a bath unless they are absolutely, positively, 100 percent dry.

You also can take precautions that help protect other animals that live in your neighborhood:

 Use safe sidewalk de-icers. The salt you use to de-ice your driveway and sidewalks can hurt animals. Use a de-icer that’s animal-safe, such as Safe Paw, which is available at PetSmart stores.

 Use safe antifreeze. It may smell and taste good to cats, but ethylene glycol-based antifreeze is a lethal poison for animals – just a few licks can be deadly. While no antifreeze is safe for ingestion, propylene glycol-based antifreeze, such as Sta-Clean Antifreeze or SIERRA Antifreeze/Coolant, generally is much less toxic. Be sure to keep the product stored in a clearly marked, sealed container in a place where pets don’t have access, never allow animals to be in the area when you are draining antifreeze from your vehicle, and clean up any antifreeze spills immediately.

For more cat care tips and information, visit www.cathospitalofchicago.com.

Paw dominance refers to a cat’s preference for using one paw over another. Studies indicate that 20 percent of cats are right-pawed, 38.3 percent are left-pawed and remaining 41.7 percent are ambidextrous. Can you tell what your cat is? Dangle a toy in front of him and see which paw he uses to bat at the toy. That should give you a good idea!