Month: October 2011

Chemotherapy for Cats

Feline Health| 951 Comments

Feebee cat in blue chair

While cancer in cats is not as common as it in dogs, it is still one of the leading causes of death in older cats. And because cats are masters at masking illness, it is often harder to detect.

Cancer used to be a death sentence for cats, but advances in feline cancer research have made treatment possible in many cases. Just like with human cancers, early detection is key to successful treatment.

Treatment options for cats are almost as varied as treatment options for human cancers, and will depend on the type of cancer. Surgery is the most common treatment for any lumps or growths that need to be removed. In some cases, surgery can be curative. Other cancers may require chemotherapy or radiation.Continue Reading

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Kidney Failure in Cats & How Diet Can Help

Feline Health| 83 Comments

cat eating bowl

Written by Dr. Darren Hawks, DVM

Renal insufficiency, or kidney failure, is very common as our cats age. Early signs are subtle, seen only as increased drinking and urination. More advanced signs are weight loss, poor appetite, vomiting, and dull coat. Problems occur as the kidneys can no longer reabsorb water, leading to excessive urination and chronic dehydration. As problems progress, the kidneys cannot handle the breakdown products of excess protein, leading to the buildup of toxins in the blood (azotemia). This is reflected in an increased BUN and creatinine on blood work.Continue Reading

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National Feral Cat Day

Feline Lifestyle| 10 Comments

National Feral Cat Day

Today is National Feral Cat Day. This annual event is coordinated by Alley Cat Allies as a way to raise awareness about feral cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return, and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them. Each year people in communities across the country hold hundreds of events on National Feral Cat Day to draw attention to the cause and make a difference in the lives of cats. This year there are over 300 events planned in all 50 states.

This year’s motto for National Feral Cat Day is “Compassion for Cats: Coast to Coast.” Continue Reading

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The Naming of Cats

Feline Lifestyle| 52 Comments

cat in the sun

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games. – T.S. Eliot

T.S. Eliot had it right in his famous poem: naming cats is a very important matter! Some of our cats come to us already named, and we keep the name because it suits, them or because the cat already responds to it. Others come with names we don’t like,  so we choose a new name for them. Either way, most cat parents put a lot of thought into naming a cat.

And in addition to their given name, most cats have not just one, but a whole series of nicknames. Some of the nicknames may be so silly that we wouldn’t even admit to them in public, some are terms of endearment, and some are derived from a personality trait.Continue Reading

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The 2011 Petties: check presentation to Kitten Associates

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2011 Petties winner Kitten Associates

All Pettie winners received $1000 from DogTime Media, to be donated to a shelter or rescue group of our choice. I chose to split my prize money between Casey’s House and Kitten Associates.

I finally had a chance to present the prize money to Robin Olson, the founder of Kitten Associates. Kitten Associates is dedicated to saving the lives of cats (and dogs, too!),supporting animal rescue organizations with powerful online marketing tools, and championing legislation for spay/neuter programs to end pet overpopulation.Continue Reading

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Favorite cat quotes

Feline Lifestyle| 23 Comments

cat with flower painting

Quotations resonate with us because they can express the essence of a subject with a few, well-chosen words.  They may teach us something new.  And they can make us smile.

Not surprisingly, I love these literary tidbits.  Here are some of my favorites:

I love cats because I love my home and little by little they become its visible soul. – Jean Cocteau

There are people who reshape the world by force or argument, but the cat just lies there, dozing, and the world quietly reshapes itself to suit his comfort and convenience. — Alan and Ivy DoddContinue Reading

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The Cat’s Trapeze

Products| 13 Comments

the cat's trapeze

When Kate Benjamin of Moderncat asked me whether I would like a Cat’s Trapeze for Allegra and Ruby, I was excited. I had visions of my two kittens flying through the air in an act rivaling anything Cirque du Soleil could put together.

Okay, no. It’s not that kind of trapeze. The Cat’s Trapeze is a unique product designed to provide active cats with an alternative to climbing the curtains and furniture. The sturdy cotton fabric withstands heavy use and the soft cushions provide a perfect place to nap.Continue Reading

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Acupuncture For Cats

Feline Health| 7 Comments

yin yang cats acupuncture chinese medicine

Acupuncture is one of the branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a medical stystem that has been used to treat animals in China for thousands of years. The other three branches of TCM are herbal therapy, food therapy, and Tui-Na (massage).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, disease is viewed as an imbalance in the body rather than a specific physiological disturbance. This imbalance is caused by either a disruption of the flow of chi (life energy) or an excess of chi in the patient’s body. Chi flows through the body through energetic channels called meridians. Continue Reading

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