Conference misery::feline_v1

1819.0. "Preventing CATastrophic Illness" by SKETCH::BASSETT (Design) Mon Oct 03 1988 14:20

By June Gibson, Albuquerque, NM
Reprinted w/o permission

The virtues of cats are legendary.  They don't require shampoos, midnight 
constitutionals of constant motivational counseling.  And cats don't have 
psychotic episodes every time their master leaves the room.  These days, cats 
have won the affections of people who once considered the word pet synonymous 
with dog.  But amateur cat managers, and even those with years of experience, 
don't always know the ins and outs of feline health care.

Many veterinarians are concerned by the tendency of some owners to let their 
"indoor" cats' inoculations slide in the mistaken belief that solitary animals 
are immune from contagious diseases.  
                                      
"It's virtually impossible to completely isolate a cat," says Dr. Ilona Rodan, 
president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

Cats risk infection even if they never leave the house and never come in 
contact with other animals -- because people do.  We visit our friends, play 
with their children, pet their animals, and shake hands with possible tainted 
humans who belong to other cats.

Viruses can be spread from cat to cat by human clothing and hands, by fleas, 
and by airborne insects.  "These only need an open window," says Dr. Rodan.

The chances of a virulent attack increase in warm weather and in well_catted 
neighborhoods.  Symptoms may include lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, 
chills and fever, dehydration, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea, and almost 
always huddling beneath the bed in pitiful misery.

All of the communicable diseases against which cats should be immunized are 
serious.  Prevention is always preferable to (and cheaper than) attempting a 
cure.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), panleukopenia 
(a.k.a. cat fever, cat typhoid or feline distemper) has a 75% mortality rate   
among kittens less than 16 weeks old.  Among adult cats the death rate can be
as high as 50 percent, and animals that do survive exposure become more 
susceptible to other ailments.

Within the past decade a vaccine has been developed to protect cats from deadly 
feline leukemia (cancer of white blood cell).  But according to Dr. Rodan, 
truly isolated cats my not need this immunization because the disease is spread 
only through prolonged direct contact.  

Vaccination is available against two viral and one bacterial form of feline 
respiratory disease, which is actually several different types of ailments.  
Because the flu or cold_like symptoms are often similar, diagnosis can be 
difficult.  Cats may wheeze, sneeze or develop fevers runny noses, tearing eyes 
and sometimes painful mouth ulcers.  Often cats cooped up with smokers suffer 
respiratory distress.

While non of these so-called cat diseases can be transmitted to people or dogs, 
rabies definitely can.  Most communities now require pets to be vaccinated 
against rabies, so in this country the rabies is still fatal and it is still 
endemic in various wildlife populations.  Cats given the run of the 
neighborhood, or indoor cats that occasionally bolt to freedom, can tangle with 
rabid animals.  An unimmunized pet can be a dangerous family member.

Perhaps as important to a cat's well-being as the yearly booster series is the 
checkup that goes with it.  Dr. Rodan says that veterinarians should routinely 
check for signs for developing problems, such as cysts, tumors ear mites, skin 
diseases and internal parasites.

"Cat's are living much longer now," she says, "and we're seeing more of the 
geriatric diseases.  There are heart conditions, thyroid problems and 
diabetes, and we're doing more dental work on cats today."

The annual visit to the vet also allows pet owners to clarify the confusing 
matter of proper diet.  Like humans, animals have different requirement at 
different times in their lives.  Kittens, for example need more protein and 
calories to grow on, and they need more frequent meals.  Adult cats may need 
special diets to manage special health problems.

Feline urologic syndrome, or FUS, are one such condition, and one that any cat 
person should be familiar with.

FUS is an uncomfortable, sometimes excruciating, inflammation of the bladder and 
urinary tract.  Inexperienced cat owners often mistake initial symptoms for 
obstinance or behavioral regression.  Typically, a cat tries to urinate 
frequently, and not necessarily in the litter box.  There may or may not be 
blood.  If the cat cannot pass the tiny stones that cause FUS, it will 
eventually begin to strain, its bladder may become tender and distended, and it 
will be in obvious pain.  Anyone who has suffered from cystitis or kidney 
stones can sympathize with the poor creature's agony.

Dr. Rodan says there is a misconception that FUS occurs only in male cats.  
"Female cats suffer from it, too," she says, "but the male's narrower urinary 
tract makes total obstruction more likely.  And, of course, urinary obstruction 
is a life-threatening situation."

There is still no consensus as to what causes the stones that cause the misery, 
but the condition is controlled by a low-magnesium diet.

The old axiom, "You get what you pay for," is particularly true of cat food.  
The most expensive is not necessarily the best, but cheaper is not cheaper if 
your cat develops a costly health problem caused by the inadequate or 
inappropriate diet.  Never feed cats dog food, warns the AVMA, because it does 
not contain a substance called taurine that cats need to prevent blindness.

Cats have several other requirements to remain healthy and happy.  Fresh water 
in a clean bowl every day is a must.  Cats won't drink stale water from a 
scummy dish, and insufficient water intake can cause serious digestive and 
kidney problems.  Brush their fur regularly to prevent them from swallowing 
enough of it to cause hairballs.  Longhaired cats receive another benefit from 
frequent brushing -- this service prevents painful matted fur which causes 
skin diseases.  And every creature needs a safe, private place where it can go 
to get away from prying eyes and clutchy little hands.

One of the kindest things we can do for our feline friends is curtail their 
excursions into the great unknown.  Pets are not equipped to survive in our 
jungle of contaminants, pesticides, pollutants, toxic discards and speeding 
vehicles.  

Cats are funny, loving, intelligent creatures who are pleased to allow us the 
privilege of serving them.  But they are not undemanding.  They expect, and 
deserve, to be treated in a manner befitting Boss Cat, now the undisputed king 
of American petdom.

    Thank you for entering all of that.  It's a very good article.
    
    E.T.

    Excellent--it covers all the bases!
    
    d
    

    re: .2
    
    Actually, it never mentions FIP, that mysterious and sometimes fatal
    disease that has come up in this notes file at least twice in the
    last couple of months.
    
       Gary

RE:  Note 1819.3 by TOKLAS::FELDMAN  -< What about FIP? >-

The problem with FIP is that there is no vaccine for it.  The article
seems to mostly be covering diseases that can be treated or prevented 
by vaccination.  There's basically nothing to be done about FIP outside
of quarantine.

They have no idea how many cats, like Natasha, show a positive reading
but no symptoms because it's not generally tested for unless the vet's
diagnosis could be FIP.  Most cats seem to be naturally immune to it;
they think that only 1-2% of cats that are exposed to it come down with
it.

From what I understand, FTLV is in the same category as FIP in that there
is no vaccine for it.  However, it's quite possible that the FTLV test
gives a more reliable indication of whether the cat will come down with
the disease or not.  The FIP test just seems to show exposure; I don't
think it can be used to judge whether the cat is contagious or will ever
get the disease.

Pam

    Re; .4
    
    What's FTLV?
    

RE: .5    

FTLV is discussed in note 489.  Basically, it's a virus that wrecks
a cat's immune system.

Pam