Feline Health

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Cats & Claws: Why NOT to declaw

Cats need to scratch; it's part of their natural instinctive behavior. Scratching helps to keep cats in shape and allows them to stretch and tone their muscles. If all cats lived outdoors all of the time they would exercise their scratching instinct on tree trunks, fallen logs, and other sturdy objects. However, most of us want to keep our cats safe and warm inside our homes.

Indoor cats sometimes scratch things we don't want them to scratch, like our sofas, beds, or other furniture. This can be upsetting to humans, since scratching can cause damage. Some people decide to declaw their cats, taking them to a veterinarian to have the first joint on each toe removed, eliminating the cat's claws altogether. This does stop cats from scratching. But if you care about your cat you shouldn't declaw.

Reasons not to declaw your cat: 

1) The surgery is extreme, removing not just the claw but also the first joint of the toe. It is painful and traumatic for the cat. While some cats do manage to adjust after this surgery, others will experience pain for years. It may cause the cat to have difficulty running fast, climbing, or jumping.

2) Scratching is both exercise and entertainment for your cat. Depriving your cat of the ability to scratch is a lot like telling a kid he can't ever play hide and seek or baseball again. Your cat will not be able to stretch and tone her muscles in the same way as before. She may feel bored and unhappy.

3) Scratching is a natural and instinctive behavior in cats. A declawed cat cannot understand what has happened to her and she will still attempt to scratch. She will feel frustrated when she cannot scratch or when her injured toes cause her pain. Your cat may act out her frustration in other ways, becoming destructive or crying out constantly.

4) It just isn't necessary to declaw your cat. There are plenty of other simpler, kinder ways to stop her from destroying furniture. Cat lovers who choose not to declaw their cats can still save their furniture. It may take a little effort, but it is well worth it to have a happy cat and happy human. See Other Side If you feel you must have a declawed cat, consider adopting a cat that is already declawed. Millions of cats are dropped off in animal shelters every year. They desperately need good homes. Previous owners have declawed many of these cats. So instead of subjecting another cat to such a terrible procedure, help out a needy cat who has already been through the surgery.

How to live with scratching:

1) Provide at least one good scratching post for your cat. An ideal scratching post should allow your cat to stretch out her entire body length. For most cats the post should be 2 and 1/2 feet tall or long. This will allow her to fully exercise her "scratching muscles." If the scratching post is too short she will look for something else to scratch, like the sofa.

2) You may wish to try placing several scratching posts in various parts of your home. If your cat gets the urge to scratch, but has to go a long way to reach her scratching post, she might decide to give something else a try. Put the scratching posts where your cat can find them easily and has enough space to really stretch out.

3) Try a variety of scratching posts. Most cats like posts covered with thick carpet, which is soft but also provides resistance as they drag their claws downward. Some cats also like tough rope-covered posts, or less expensive cardboard scratching "mats."

4) Make the scratching post appealing to cats. Put catnip on it and be sure to praise your cat when you see her using the scratching post.

5) Replace old, worn-out scratching posts. If most of the carpet is worn away, or the post has become extremely ragged, it just isn't as much fun to use anymore.

6) Keep your cat's claws trimmed. You can do this at home with a safe tool made just for cat's claws available at your local pet supply store. This will make your cat more comfortable, and limit scratching damage to furniture. Shorter, less sharp claws will also keep you scratch-free when you and your cat cuddle. If you don't feel comfortable trimming your cat's claws, ask your vet or groomer to show you how.

7) If your cat is already in the habit of scratching your furniture, you will have to break her of that habit. Provide attractive scratching posts while you make your furniture less appealing. · Cover the furniture: In some cases placing a slip cover over a couch can discourage a cat from scratching.

• If your cat is really determined to scratch the sofa, though, you will need to take more drastic steps.

• Use repellents: There are some commercially available cat-repellents, intended to deter cats from scratching furniture. Choose one that is safe for indoor use, non-toxic, and recommended for furniture. The repellents have a faint odor, undetectable to humans, that cats find unpleasant, so they stay away from objects that have been sprayed. Repellents work for most cats but not all.

• Try herbs: Some people use herbal products as safe non-chemical cat-repellents. Good choices are citrus oils or the herb rue, both of which cats dislike.

• Change the texture of the furniture: You can place specially designed adhesive-backed strips over the areas your cat likes to scratch. These strips, made just to discourage scratching are available in pet supply stores. They stick right on your furniture and have a slippery surface to prevent cats from sinking their claws into the upholstery.

• Don't tempt your cat: If you are buying new furniture, stay away from textures that cats love to scratch. A really fuzzy plush couch may be too tempting for your cat to resist. It's a little like placing a plate of brownies in front of a group of kids and expecting them not to eat them.

8) If all else fails you can ask your vet to put "Soft Paws" on your cat. These are soft plastic covers that go over the sharp part of the cat's claw. They prevent your cat from damaging furniture when she decides to scratch. These are non-toxic and painless. They do, however, need to be replaced from time to time.

Effects of Aging on your Cat 

Effects of aging on the cat:

• Muscle tone decreases reducing ability to run and jump

• Older cats may suffer from poor appetite

• They are less likely to groom their coats as often or as well

• They may have problems with using the litter box

• They have increased risk of dental decay

You can assist them along the way by providing them with them good, nutritious food that they like. Pay special attention to their intake of fresh water as they can become easily dehydrated. You can check for dehydration by lifting the skin on the back of the cat and letting go. It should bounce back fairly quickly. If it does not, they are definitely dehydrated. This can be a dangerous situation for them and you should take them to your vet. immediately.

A lot of health problems can occur if they have dental decay. It is a good idea to have their teeth cleaned from around 7 to 8 years of age. Gingivitis could be a chronic problem and needs to be treated. Painful teeth and inflamed gums can cause them to stop eating.

Kidney failure is a frequent health problem in older cats. Early detection and treatment along with special foods recommended by your vet. can help your cat live with this disease for quite a few years.

Give him a warm bed in the sun and put down a few cushions next to his favorite couch to make it easier for him to climb up. You can even consider getting him an electric heating pad as he may feel the cold more easily.

He can live well into his teens, even though he may not look quite as pretty as he did as a kitten, and he may totter around just a little on his feet. As your cat ages, remember to be more patient with him and provide him with quality care you would provide to any other family member.

FELV - Not a Death Sentence 

There are three things that can happen after a cat becomes infected with the feline leukemia virus:

1. cats (usually young kittens) become extremely ill and die within a few months.

2. cats fight off the initial infection and become immune

3. cats sequester the virus in their bone marrow or central nervous system. They can then suppress it forever, or it may become active later in life. At this stage the virus cannot be transmitted to other cats

In 1991, when I first heard that one of my rescued feral cats, Morris, had tested positive for feline leukemia I was devastated. In those days, the feelings about FeLV were pretty negative and myths abounded. Morris was trapped at four months of age and initially tested negative, however he soon developed a severe upper respiratory infection that would not clear. He also lost a lot of weight and my veterinarian suggested another test, which he sent to the lab. This time it came back positive.

Fortunately, my veterinarian Dr. Pervaiz Manzoor, was always willing to work with me and to try new methods. He helped me stabilize Morris and was open to my suggestion of giving the cat the drug Interferon to boost his immune system. After a few months of intensive supportive therapy, Morris actually starting gaining weight and looking well again.

We have retested a now very healthy Morris, and each time the tests come back from the lab with a negative result. The virus has obviously cleared from his bloodstream. We have also retested several of the cats Morris has lived with for many years. These tests have all been negative for FeLV.

However lately Morris has developed severe gingivitis/stomatitis. This has been an on-going problem for him and it is very difficult for me to medicate him.  He still retains some feral instincts and because eating hurts his mouth, he has associated food served by me with pain. My vet has extracted most of Morris’ teeth and this has helped a lot.

Not having teeth is not the worst thing in the world for a cat that lives in a home and is provided with food. They can still eat dry food as well as moist. I have found that chunky foods—the ones in pouches—are easier for Morris to eat than ground mashed foods, as these stick to his gums and to his remaining teeth and cause more pain.

To treat stomatitis, some recommend a combination of drugs—a  “cocktail” consisting of Interferon, Medrol, and Clinadrops

CATS RESPOND TO TREATMENT WITH ACEMANNAN

Veterinarians at the Texas A & M College of Veterinary Medicine Small Animal clinic had good results treating persistently infected cats with acemannan for six weeks. Acemannan, an aloe vera derivative, has a stimulating effect on the immune system. 

So do not despair if you rescue a cat who tests positive for FeLV. This is not necessarily a death sentence. The cat may still live a good, long, healthy life. Before you decide to euthanize a cat with FeLV, do discuss these options with your vet. Improving the immune system definitely seems to result in an excellent chance of saving an animals’ life.

Home Health for your Cat 

Of course if your cat displays any signs of illness, you should take him to your veterinarian immediately. You should also take him for an annual check up, even if you have switched to a three-year vaccination cycle. The vaccination issue will be covered in the next issue of Cat Mews.

But there are certain things you can do for your cat at home to maintain good health. 

• Grooming: although cats do a good job of cleaning themselves, brushing and combing him will help to get rid of any matted fur, and any parasites such as fleas can be noticed more easily. He will probably enjoy this fussing over him.

• Ears: wipe the ears from time to time with a moistened tissue. If he is scratching his ears a lot, he may have ear mites or an ear infection. Both of these should be treated as soon as possible as this could result a hematoma or swelling beneath the skin. If this occurs, then surgery is needed.

• Teeth: check the teeth as well. If the tissue on the gums is red, the cat could have gingivitis, an early sign of dental disease. Some cats will enjoy you cleaning their teeth, and today one can get feline toothpastes that cats like!

• Nails: you should learn to clip your cats’ nails. Be careful, however, that you clip the tip only, and not the part that contains the nerves and blood vessels.

• Chin: blackheads on the chin could mean feline acne.

Signs and symptoms to look for: 

You should check on his intake of water, food and use of the litter box for any abnormal behavior.

Sudden improper urination could mean the cat has a urinary tract infection. Any straining in the litter box means an urgent trip to the vet. is required as he could have a blockage which could result in death, if not properly cared for.

Any lumps on the body could mean an abscess or even cancer, and should be taken care of as soon as possible.

Rabies Update 

Rabies is an acute viral infection of the central nervous system and has been around for centuries. The United States has a very efficient public health system that has kept rabies in humans down to a minimum. Humans have access to post-exposure treatment for prevention; and for domestic animals we have an excellent preventive system for the animals (dogs) who used to be the prime carriers. The control of rabies in wild animals has relied on culling animals to reduce their numbers. These methods are not only inhumane, but also ineffective, as the ecological vacuum created is soon filled by other animals, who may not be as healthy.

A panic broke out recently in Rockland County, New York, when four kittens at the Hudson Valley Humane SPCA were found to have rabies. This was the first case of rabies reported at the shelter since 1891. The Department of Health’s initial reaction was to rule that all stray cats brought into the shelter would have to be held for six months before being adopted. The press added to the panic by printing headlines such as, "More cats suffering from diseases!" and "Owners heartsick as pets are stricken with feline AIDS, leukemia and rabies."

The sensation caused many owners to give up their cats, even those who were strictly kept indoors. One man whose kitten became ill suspected she had rabies and had her euthanized. Yet the rabies test proved negative. A blood test showed she had feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which is not transmissible to humans, and cats can live with for many years.

To help put an end to the panic, Alley Cat Allies prepared a media release and fact sheet on rabies. If you have a rabies scare in your neighborhood, ask your local media to contact ACA for the facts.

Many innocent animal lives are lost as a result of our own fear and ignorance. There is a sane and sensible way to deal with rabies, as well as other diseases, as long as you understand the facts and take the proper precautions.

According to the latest U. S. rabies figures from the Centers for Disease Control, rabies remains a disease of wild animals. Over 92% of all animals infected with rabies from 1991 through 1995 have been wild. Overall there was a decline in rabies from 1994 by 4.24%, mostly due to the 17.1% decrease in recorded cases of raccoon rabies in the Northeast where rabies in now enzootic rather than epizootic (prevalent but not an epidemic.)

In 1995, four humans died of rabies, all caused by bat viral variants. None of the humans had noticeable bites, following a similar pattern seen during the past few decades. Forty-seven of the 48 contiguous states had reported cases of rabies in bats. If you ever come in contact with a downed bat, the bat should be tested for rabies, or held in quarantine by a veterinarian or wildlife rehabilitator.

Trials of the recombinant rabies vaccine, where the vaccine is placed in baits for ingestion by raccoons, continue in Massachusetts, New York State, Cape May (New Jersey), and Florida.

One of the greatest problems in rabies transmission is the relocation of wild animals from one area to another, usually for hunting purposes, as we saw in the raccoons transferred from Florida to West Virginia, which caused the recent rabies epidemic in the Northeast. Animals in Florida, Montana, and Alabama have been found to have rabies variants previously found only in Texas.