Vet Blog
11/05/09
Just a week after DVM Newsmagazine (and the Vet Blog) reported that cats and dogs do not appear capable of contracting swine flu (also known as H1N1 influenza), a cat in Iowa has proved the opposite.
Today I received the following action alert from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
2009 H1N1 influenza virus confirmed in Iowa cat
November 4, 2009 – A 13-year old cat in Iowa developed signs of a respiratory infection after several people in the household were ill. Preliminary testing was positive for 2009 H1N1 on October 29, and the results were confirmed on November 2. This is the first report of a cat infected with H1N1. The cat has recovered from its illness.
To date, this is the first cat confirmed infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus. Two ferrets, one in Oregon and one in Nebraska, have also recently been confirmed infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus. The Nebraska ferret died, but the Oregon ferret has recovered. To date, there is no evidence that the ferrets or the cat passed the virus to people.
The American Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners are reminding pet owners that many viruses can pass between people and animals, so this was not an altogether unexpected event. We are advising pet owners to monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness.
The good news, of course, is that the cat recovered and that animals have not yet been shown to pass the virus to humans.
I will continue to relay to my readers all of the information I receive on feline or canine H1N1 influenza.
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11/04/09
 In my practice as a veterinarian I must constantly battle fleas. Worse, and much more frustrating, I also must do daily battle against human ignorance regarding the vile, pestilence-spreading blood sucking parasites.
People’s knowledge of history is poor. Very few of my clients are aware that merely six hundred and fifty years ago fleas spread a disease (bubonic plague, also known as black death) that wiped out a third of Europe and changed the nature of society forever. Only in the last 80 years has the plague receded as the preeminent threat to human existence.
Now that in the United States plague isn’t the imminent threat it once was, many people view fleas as merely pests.
Indeed, fleas are pests. But they are much more than pests. They are vectors for many diseases other than plague in cats and humans.
A page published recently on the NAVC Clinician’s Brief website discussed some of the vague, creepy diseases that fleas can spread to your cat–and to you.
I suggest you check it out. Also, don’t forget to read what I have written about the parasites on my website:
http://drbarchas.com/fleas
Image: The little fella almost looks cute. Don’t be fooled: he’s deadly!
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11/01/09
 Hello, Dr. Barchas!
I wrote to you about a year ago about my kitty that was born with an overbite and asked how common were there etc etc…well, since then she has gotten a bit worse unfortunately. The vet said a tumor has infected her poor deformed jaw and could slowly suffocate her to death because it’s pressing on her throat and eye. We are currently treating her with cortisone and Antirobe, which we see a small change but these medicines never seem to last long enough because abscesses keep coming back. My question is there any hope of this turning a tumor around? Does this seem like the only thing that could be done or used to treat this infection/tumor in the bone? Is there body that could help us on the cost of further treatments? She’s only 2 years old and too beautiful to let go…I would appreciate any help or advice.
Thank you!
shannon
Middletown, Ohio
Overbites are very common in cats. Usually they are harmless. Cats are lucky to be less superficial than humans–cosmetic trivialities like overbites don’t lead to social ostracism or low self esteem.
Severe overbites can be more than a cosmetic problem. In some cases the teeth of the lower jaw can grow into the tissue of the upper jaw. This can lead to painful infections or areas of chronic inflammation (irritation).
The areas of chronic inflammation can look just like tumors. True tumors are extremely rare in the mouths of two-year-old cats.
I therefore wonder whether your cat actually has a tumor. It sounds more likely that a wayward tooth is causing chronic inflammation that looks like a tumor. I suspect that dental work (specifically, extraction of teeth that are growing improperly) might remove the source of inflammation and solve the problem permanently.
I agree that it is too soon to give up on your cat. Some local SPCAs have veterinary hospitals that offer discounted services to needy individuals. If such a facility is available in your area perhaps your cat can benefit from a procedure that will allow her to live a normal life.
Photo: no sign of an overbite on Ben.
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10/28/09
 Swine flu, also known as H1N1 influenza, has been dominating the news recently. The viral strain appears set to cause the first influenza pandemic in a generation. Influenza pandemics are big deals. The pandemic of 1918-1920 caused more people to die from flu than from bullets or bombs during World War One.
Influenza viruses are known for infecting multiple species–as the name would imply, swine flu developed in pigs and then spread to people.
This may lead pet owners to wonder: can cats and dogs catch swine flu?
The answer appears to be no. DVM Newsmagazine reports that there is no evidence cats or dogs can contract, carry, spread, or suffer illness from H1N1 influenza.
H1N1 influenza has been isolated from a ferret. Fortunately at this time there is no evidence that ferrets can spread the disease to people.
Although it appears we can rest easy about our cats and dogs catching swine flu, remember that cats are susceptible to an even scarier form of influenza: bird flu (also known as H5N1). Cats contract bird flu by preying upon or being fed raw bird meat. The virus does not appear capable of spreading from cat to cat. That is a good thing, since the fatality rate among cats infected with H5N1 appears to be 100%.
Fortunately, it is easy to protect your cat from H5N1. If you feed your cat commercial or cooked food and keep him indoors, his chances of catching bird flu are nil.
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10/24/09
 My seven-year-old rescue cat has really gross lumps on the back of his tongue. My vet tested for FIV and feline leukemia – both came back negative. He gave the cat a cortisol shot (I think – some kind of steroid) and the cat is going back after 2 weeks to see if that helped.
He also had some ulcers around his mouth. The vet also told me a couple of other things that it could be, which I will need to ask him about again, because I don’t remember. We are to watch him carefully to make sure he can still eat – no problems there and I hadn’t noticed any problems before he was diagnosed. We found the issue when he was in having a wound attended to.
Have you seen this before? Thanks in advance. Will he need periodic shots to keep this under control? I really feel bad for him.
Lynne
Houston, TX
Based upon your description several things could be going on.
Your cat may be suffering from stomatitis. Stomatitis is a painful condition in which the immune system attacks the teeth. This causes inflammation of the gums and in some cases the tongue. Cortisone shots sometimes reduce the inflammation associated with stomatitis. However, the benefit usually is temporary. Extraction of multiple teeth generally offers the best hope of a permanent cure for stomatitis.
Severe dental disease also can cause symptoms similar to stomatitis. Unlike stomatitis, dental disease does not involve an improperly functioning immune system. Professional dental work at your veterinarian’s office should eliminate oral lesions caused by dental disease.
Eosinophilic granulomas, also known as rodent ulcers, are common causes of ulcers and sores in the mouth. Rodent ulcers occur when an overactive immune system attacks the lips, gums, or tongue. Cortisone is the most commonly used treatment for rodent ulcers. I also recommend that cats with rodent ulcers receive consistent flea preventatives. Flea bites can stimulate the immune system and may exacerbate rodent ulcers.
Certain viral or bacterial infections may cause sores or masses to develop on the tongue or mouth. Calicivirus, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are the most common.
Unfortunately, tumors can develop on the tongue. Squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive cancer that sometimes develops in the area.
If your cat’s condition does not improve significantly after the cortisone injection or if the lesions return when the cortisone wears off I recommend that your cat’s mouth be evaluated under anesthesia. At that time dental work can be performed if it is indicated. A biopsy of the affected area also is very likely to yield insight into the problem.
Meanwhile, watch your cat’s appetite and feed him soft food if necessary.
Photo: Alistair Growley’s tongue looks fine.
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10/17/09
 Vaccines, as I have mentioned many times on this blog, are perennially controversial. Many people worry that pets are vaccinated too often. Experts voice concerns that over vaccination may lead to autoimmune disease. Leukemia and rabies vaccines in cats have been linked to cancers at the injection sites.
The obvious goal for every veterinarian and conscientious pet owner should be to vaccinate pets neither too frequently nor too rarely. In an ideal world, we would vaccinate pets exactly as often as necessary. I predict that in the future this will be the norm. But as of 2009, it is impossible to say how often pets need vaccinations.
Some facts are clear. Juveniles (puppies and kittens) need vaccines more often than adults. Animals with different lifestyles need different vaccination protocols. And most important, every individual responds differently to vaccines. Every individual therefore has unique needs.
Measuring those needs is impossible. Blood tests called titers give some idea of a pet’s response to previous vaccinations, but titers measure only half of the picture. Titers measure antibody levels in the blood. However, antibodies cannot function without another component of the immune system called cell-mediated immunity. At this time there is no way to measure cell-mediated immunity. Therefore there is no way to measure a pet’s true level of immunity to disease.
I agree that many pets are vaccinated more often than necessary. On several instances I have treated animals for autoimmune disease and wondered whether vaccines might have contributed to the problem.
However, on hundreds of instances I have treated canine parvovirus. In every single one of these cases I knew with certainty that vaccination would have prevented the problem. I never have treated a properly vaccinated dog for parvo. The vaccine works.
I euthanized a 12-week-old puppy today because of parvo. A vaccine could have saved his life if it had been administered at the right time.
Over vaccination is a bad thing. Veterinarians and pet owners should work to prevent it. But don’t forget that under vaccination is even worse.
Your best option as a pet owner is to find a good vet who will take the time to discuss the controversies surrounding vaccines. Tailor a vaccination protocol to your pet based upon his or her needs, age, and lifestyle.
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Categorized Food for Thought.Tagged autoimmunedisease, cats, dogs, fibrosarcomas, leukemia, parvo, parvovirus, rabies, titers, vaccines, VAS.
10/16/09
 I have a nine-month-old mix — we got her at a rescue center and they do not know for sure her breed. We were told that she would weigh between 25 and 35 pounds (by our vet). Well at 55 pounds of solid dog I have a question – How many times a day should we feed her and how much? The vet thinks she has the following breeds mixed – Husky, Welch Corgi, Lab and Pit bull. She has short hair and seems to shed about every 4 months.
Nancy
Goodyear, AZ
You illustrate in your question the reason why I never try to guess how big a puppy will be when full grown. This is especially true of non-purebred dogs. Dogs are like people. Some grow early, and others grow late. Either can be normal, and this makes it devilishly hard to guess how big a puppy will be when it is an adult.
The tallest person in a sixth grade class may be among the shortest of the cohort during high school graduation. And the shortest person in the sixth grade could be among the tallest in the twelfth. In general I refrain from speculating on the final size that I expect juveniles of any species to reach.
But your question was about feeding. How much should a dog (or cat, or human) eat? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to that one. Different lifestyles, activity levels, and baseline metabolisms all come into play. The type of food eaten is important, too. Active dogs that eat low calorie food need to eat large amounts in order to survive. Sedentary indoor cats that eat calorically dense diets can get by on close to nothing.
Formulas exist to calculate energy needs for pets. I haven’t used them in years, but I do recall that they involve body mass to the 3/4 power. I also recall, vividly, that the formulas are useless. They make great theory, but real life is more complicated–and at the same time more simple.
I recommend that you feed your pet the amount of food necessary to grow, thrive, and maintain a healthy body weight. That may sound obvious, but it is true. The only method that truly works in my experience is trial and error. If your pet is overweight, feed him less. If your pet is underweight, growing or training for the Iditarod, feed him more. Tinker until you get it right.
Two meals daily is the standard for dogs in the United States, but this rule isn’t set in stone. Some animals, most notably small breed puppies, should be fed more often (young Yorkshire Terrier and Chihuahua puppies should be fed at least four times each day to prevent low blood sugar). I have some patients that eat three square meals every day. Others eat only one (although I generally don’t recommend one meal each day due to an anthropomorphic opposition to going 23 1/2 hours without food).
For most pets the number of meals fed doesn’t matter anywhere near as much as the total amount of food offered. Your dog, as you mention, is “solid”. To me it sounds like you’re doing things right.
Photo: Pogo’s weight looks fine.
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10/14/09
 Cat lovers take note: this entry does not just cover dogs!
My 3-year-old Rottie/Shepherd mix seems to be very touch sensitive. He quivers when he’s touched on his flanks and back. It seems to be in surprise rather than pain, as if he’s not expecting to be touched, though he doesn’t react similarly to touch elsewhere and he doesn’t object to it – it just seems to surprise him. He doesn’t whine or otherwise vocalize. He sees his vet regularly and is in good health.
Margaret
South Austin, TX
Trembling and quivering are very common in pets. Almost anything that can make a human tremble or quiver can make a pet do so as well. There are some exceptions. For instance, I have yet to see a dog or cat tremble upon hearing his favorite piece of music.
Certain medical conditions and metabolic irregularities can lead to trembling, quivering, or increased sensitivity to touch. But based upon your description I doubt that your dog has a medical problem.
Every person has experienced a chill go down the spine when his or her skin was touched in just the right way. That is what I suspect is happening in your dog.
The most sensitive area on many pets is along the back, especially near the tail. This area appears to have highly sensitized nerve endings. Many cats especially are prone to twitching their skin when this area is stroked. Some cats are so sensitive in this area that they engage in compulsive grooming behavior when scratched near the base of the tail.
Flea allergies sometimes exacerbate the sensitivity of the skin and may cause increased twitching when pets are handled. But I am guessing that fleas aren’t playing a role in your dog’s behavior. As long as your dog doesn’t seem distressed when you pet him, I see nothing to worry about.
Photo: there are no reports of excessive skin sensitivity in Sophie.
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10/12/09
 The other day I was at Costco. En route to the checkout line I passed an enormous display of plants for sale. The display consisted entirely of sago palms. (This article discusses cycad sago palms, not true sago palms.)
As I walked to the checkout line I thought to myself that there were enough plants in the display to kill half of the dogs and cats in San Francisco.
Sago palms are beautiful and common house plants. Sadly, few people realize that they are deadly.
Every part of the common sago palm is toxic. The plants are palatable to cats and dogs. Both may suffer liver failure after ingesting the plant. Remarkably few people realize this, and countless loving pet owners unknowingly place their animals at risk by keeping these attractive plants in their homes or gardens.
 Today I saw a cat who was in serious trouble. He was in the prime of life. He was an indoor-only cat. He appeared to be in perfect health. Unfortunately, his face was covered in lily pollen. A conversation with the owner confirmed my worst fears. The cat had chewed on stargazer lilies.
Stargazer lilies are staples of many bouquets. They are beautiful. They also are deadly. Cats especially are at risk. Lilies, especially stargazer lilies, may cause irreversible kidney failure in pets.
If you have pets, please don’t allow these two deadly beauties into your house. Nothing good can come of it.
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10/09/09
 I have said repeatedly on this blog, and I firmly believe, that children derive emotional and physical health benefits from pets. I believe that pets help children to learn patience and empathy. Studies have shown that children living with cats or dogs may be less likely to develop asthma, and that pet visits motivate hospitalized children to get well. Pets make wonderful friends and confidantes for people of all ages.
However, the intermingling of children and pets poses risks for both. Here are some guidelines for protecting your offspring and your furry pals.
Unhealthy pets can spread disease to people. Children are most at risk. The diseases range from ringworm to roundworm to rabies.
However, the key phrase in the above paragraph is unhealthy pets. The risk to children from healthy pets is very low. The first guideline for safe interactions between pets and children is therefore to confirm that your pet is free of parasites and disease. Your vet can check your pet for disease by performing a physical exam and running basic tests. Broad spectrum anti-parasite medications can be used regularly to protect your children–and your pet.
Pets occasionally bite or scratch children. I have noted that many child injuries occur when an unsupervised, poorly socialized pet interacts with an unsupervised, poorly behaved child. I therefore recommend that you properly supervise and socialize your pet, and that you properly supervise and socialize your child. It’s also a good idea to keep your cat’s nails trimmed.
Injury can be a two way street when pets and children mix. Last weekend at the emergency hospital I treated several pets who wound up hurt (accidentally, of course) when left with a child. One, a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, wiggled out of a five-year-old’s arms and broke her leg. I expect her to make a full recovery. Another, a Terrier cross, was not so lucky. A child was holding her leash and she broke loose near a busy street. I don’t need to tell you what happened next. The child was inconsolable. For the sake of your pet and your child, do not allow your child to handle your pet unsupervised until he or she is able to do it safely.
Countless other pitfalls exist. Large dogs can knock children over accidentally. Pets can steal potentially toxic (to them) foods from the hands of careless children. For the sake of both children and pets, exercise common sense and practice due diligence.
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