How do cats get Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)?

Most cats become infected with FIV when they are bitten while fighting with an infected cat. The virus, present in the saliva of infected cats, passes beneath the skin of the victim when it is bitten. Once it is in the body, FIV infects cells, replicates, and spreads to new sites via blood vessels and lymph channels.

Most FIV-positive cats have a history of cat fights and bite-wound abscesses. Considering that bites are the primary mode of transmission, it is not surprising that cats at greatest risk of FIV infection are outdoor, adult males, who are most likely to engage in aggressive fights over territory.

A less common route of FIV transmission is from an infected mother cat (queen) to her kittens. Infection can occur in the uterus during pregnancy, through ingestion of virus-laden milk after birth or possibly as the kitten is delivered.

Not all kittens born to FIV-positive cats become infected with the virus. The reasons for this are not well understood although it appears that several factors may be involved, such as the strain of FIV and the health status of the mother cat. One FIV-positive queen might have a litter with no infected kittens. In some cases, litters may include some kittens with FIV and some without. This is an area of active research, and there are still more questions than answers.

Cats can also become infected with FIV if they receive FIV-positive blood or blood components in transfusions. However, the risk from blood transfusions has lessened considerable since reliable FIV diagnostic tests have become widely available. Today blood donor cats should be routinely screened for infectious agents.

Sexual transmission of FIV is theoretically possible. However, the actual incidence of sexual transmission is unknown. This possibility can be greatly reduced by early neutering.

FIV is rarely spread through casual contact (by sharing food and water bowls or litter pans, by airborne germs, or by mutual grooming). However, extremely sensitive, sophisticated tests have detected FIV proteins in some previously uninfected cats that had been living with positive cats for long periods. These "hidden" infections presumably occurred even though the cats did not fight. Although the affected cats had FIV proteins in their bodies, they did not test positive for FIV infection using routine blood tests and so far have not developed clinical signs of FIV infection. Therefore, the full implications of these observations are still unclear. However, casual FIV transmission must considered a possibility.

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What is FUS?

Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS) is a common problem that affects cats. Its exact cause is still unknown. Diet, inadequate water intake, bacteria, viruses, and stress may all be involved. Four common disorders are often associated with FUS:

Cystitis- inflammation of the lining and wall of the urinary bladder.

Infections- blood or mucus associated with inflamed tissue is a perfect place for bacterial infections.

Urethral Blockage- crystallization of minerals and irritation of the lining of the bladder and urethra can plug up or block the urinary outflow tract. This blockage is life-threatening if not relieved.

Uremia- a life-threatening accumulation of poisonous wastes in the bloodstream. The lack of urination causes a full bladder and this prevents the kidneys from discharging wastes from the body. Unless the blockage is promptly removed, the cat will suffer a painful death. Straining to urinate, depression, weakness, vomiting, and collapse are the signs which, if not corrected, lead to coma and death.

Symptoms to look for:

Since we do not know the exact cause of FUS, the treatment procedures may vary. Medication may help or minimize the problem, but some cases may require surgical or professionally applied procedures. In order to avoid FUS, be sure to provide plenty of fresh water, feed your cat a balanced diet, keep a clean litter box, and provide your pet with exercise.

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Tick-Transmitted Diseases in Pets

Ticks are such small insects, but they can pose a very great danger to us and our companion animals. They prey on the blood of dogs, horses, deer, birds, rodents, and people. There are hundreds of kinds of ticks, including the dog tick and the deer tick.

The diseases that ticks can transmit to companion animals include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis (a bacterial infection), and babesiosis (a blood disorder).

Ticks live in cracks and crevices in the home or outside in vegetation, such as grassy meadows, woods, brush, and weeds. They cannot fly or jump, but they have a way of finding a host. Oftentimes, they will wait in wooded or grassed areas and attach themselves to any living creature that brushes them. Ticks can also detect the carbon dioxide given off by warm-blooded animals. They can crawl several feet to the carbon dioxide source.

Lyme Disease
The first human outbreak of Lyme disease was identified in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975, when an unusually large number of cases of arthritis resembling rheumatoid disease occurred within a small geographic area. Studies concluded that dogs from the same location also developed arthritis similar to that in human Lyme disease. Although Lyme disease is an illness common to humans and animals, there is no evidence that it can be transmitted from one to the other.

Lyme disease cases have been documented in more than 40 states. The disease is transmitted by the deer tick in the Northeast and Midwest, the black-legged tick in the South, and the western black-legged tick in the West.

Clinical signs of Lyme disease in pets include loss of appetite, lameness, lethargy, and fever. Scientists believe the disease can affect humans for a long time, causing problems to the joints, heart, and central nervous system.

Lyme disease vaccinations are available for dogs. If you live in an area that is prone to Lyme disease, consult your veterinarian about the availability and use of this vaccine.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is primarily found in New England and the West. Dogs that live in wooded or mountainous areas are more susceptible to the disease. Depression, fever, rashes, skin hemorrhages, and joint disease are typical signs of Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Antibiotics are effective if the disease is caught in the early stages. Improvement in the animal's health is usually seen within the first 12-24 hours. Once an animal has recovered from this disease, it is probably immune for up to 12 months. However, re-infections can occur if the animal is re-exposed.

Tick Paralysis
Female ticks release a toxin while feeding that causes tick paralysis. The toxin affects the nervous system and can cause weakness and even paralysis that develops 7-9 days after the tick attachment. The signs can vary from a mild form of unsteadiness of all four legs, to acute quadriplegia that leaves all four legs completely immobilized.

Tick Removal
At times, ticks can be difficult to find. Common places to find hidden ticks are the head, neck, ears, or feet. The longer a tick is attached to its host, the greater the chance for disease. If you find a tick, remove it immediately with tweezers. To protect yourself, wear gloves and do not touch the tick. Carefully grasp the exposed section of its body near the pet's skin. Gently pull until the parasite lets go. You can help prevent inflammation by applying antiseptic onto the bitten area.

To dispose of the tick, wrap it in several tissues and flush it down the toilet. Or, you can drop it in a small container of rubbing alcohol (ticks won't drown in water). Do not crush, burn, or suffocate the tick--this may spread the infectious bacteria.

Preventative Care
Dog owners should inspect their dogs regularly for ticks, especially after trips outside to the woods or mountains. By thoroughly combing your dog within 4-6 hours of exposure to tick-infested areas, you can help prevent ticks from attaching to your dog.

Your veterinarian is the best source for more information on the dangers of ticks in your area. Your veterinarian can recommend tick repellents that are available to help ward off tick infestation. When numerous ticks are found, contact your veterinarian for advice on insecticidal bathing or dipping.

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Canine Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder in which dogs have a poor fitting hip joint. This ball and socket joint should fit together neatly, allowing dogs to move the legs freely and without pain. Because their bones do not fit properly, dogs with hip dysplasia are prone to develop arthritis and related joint pain as they age. Motion of the hip joints slowly causes erosion of soft cartilage in these joints. Hip dysplasia can affect either or both of the rear leg joints.

Hip dysplasia can occur in most breeds, but it is predominant in larger dogs, particularly the German Shepherd, St. Bernard, Labrador Retriever, Pointers, and Setters. Although hip dysplasia is a genetic condition, research shows that environmental factors can also put a dog at risk. Overfeeding (especially of puppies) can predispose a dog to hip dysplasia. Excessive exercise may predispose dogs as well.

Diagnosis
Signs of severe hip dysplasia usually appear before the dog reaches one year of age. Signs include rear leg pain, incoordination, and a limp or wavering gait. A common sign is the dog that has trouble rising. Dogs with severe hip dysplasia typically develop lameness by two years of age. Dogs with less severe cases may not experience arthritis and the related pain or lameness until six to ten years of age.

Since the clinical signs of hip dysplasia are similar to those of other diseases, veterinarians rely on X-rays to make a final diagnosis. This requires a mild anesthetic in order to carefully position the dog on the radiographic table. Veterinarians look for degenerative changes and abnormal shapes of the hip joint.

Treatment
Depending on the severity of the dog's condition, veterinarians treat hip dysplasia with either drugs or surgery. Drug therapy doesn't reverse or cure the progression of hip dysplasia, but it does offer relief from the associated pain. There are several steroidal and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs available through veterinarians. Most require daily administration. For many dogs, these prescriptions can offer a tremendous relief--they return to a more active lifestyle that is free of joint pain.

Recent advances in veterinary medicine have made surgery a more successful option for treating severe cases of hip dysplasia. Surgeons can improve the joints in young dogs by making changes to the shape of the femur or pelvis. Another surgery option is hip replacement, which replaces the joint with a stainless steel ball and socket.

Dogs with hip dysplasia should not live a sedentary lifestyle that is free of exercise. By carefully allowing your dog to exercise, at her own pace, you can help loosen up the stiffness in joints. Pet owners should also pay close attention to their dog's weight. Just a few extra pounds can cause skeletal stress and increase your dog's pain. Another precautionary measure is to keep your dog out of the cold. Don't allow your dog to sleep in a drafty area, as the cold can aggravate her arthritis.

Breeding
To prevent passing on hip dysplasia to puppies, pet owners should use extreme caution before breeding their dogs. Large breed dogs that are prone to hip dysplasia should be radiographed by a veterinarian to rule out the condition prior to breeding. Since the signs of hip dysplasia may not be evident until a dog is fully grown, these radiographs should not be performed until the dog is at least two years of age.

For more information regarding canine hip dysplasia, consult with your veterinarian. As with all pet health care issues, your veterinarian is the best source for information concerning your individual pet's health care needs.

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Heartworm Disease

Heartworm is an insidious disease that has spread to virtually all parts of the US and many parts of Canada since the early 1970s. It is spread only by mosquitoes; thus, areas heavily populated by these insects tend to have a greater incidence of heartworm disease.

Heartworm can strike both dogs and cats, although it is much more commonly seen in dogs. As its name implies, heartworm lives in the blood of a dog's or cat's heart and adjacent blood vessels. The adult heartworms living in the heart produce offspring, called microfilariae, which circulate in the infected animal's blood.

When a mosquito "bites" an infected pet, it sucks out blood containing the microfilariae. After about two weeks in the mosquito, the microfilariae become infective larvae. This step is necessary for the transmission of heartworm. When the mosquito bites another pet, the infective larvae are transmitted.

Canine Heartworm
Veterinary research has resulted in medications and procedures that have improved the treatment of canine heartworm disease. Prompt detection and early treatment are vital to a successful cure.

Highly effective diagnostic testing and preventive medications have been developed in recent years. It is necessary to have a heartworm test prior to using a preventive. Severe or fatal reactions may occur if preventives are given to dogs with heartworm disease, or may create diagnostic confusion at a later date.

A small amount of blood is all that's necessary for a preliminary heartworm screening test that is very accurate in detecting the presence of heartworm. In many regions, this may be the only test needed before starting a preventive program. If the dog shows heartworm symptoms or has visited a known heartworm problem area, additional tests are recommended before a preventive or treatment program is started.

Common blood screening tests can verify the presence of heartworms. Radiographs or X-ray films and other sophisticated laboratory tests are used to detect heartworm disease. Canine heartworm disease symptoms include:

In many cases, there are advanced symptoms. Some dogs do not appear to have symptoms in the early stages.others do. If not detected and controlled with proper treatment, heartworm can lead to congestive heart failure and death.

As a safeguard, many veterinarians recommend annual or biannual screening tests even for dogs that are on heartworm preventives. In known heartworm areas, or if dogs are traveling into these areas, veterinarians usually prescribe preventive medications. This medication prevents the larvae from developing into adult heartworms. Prescribed medications must be given as directed.

Today, the majority of dogs with heartworm disease survive. Most are cured by medications. Some require surgery. Prompt detection prevents needless suffering.

Feline Heartworm
Although heartworm is seen less frequently in cats, the disease poses a much greater danger. The outcome is often fatal.

There currently are no drugs approved for fighting heartworm in cats. Cats can be treated with canine medications, but this can lead to dangerous side effects, including lung failure and death. Another approach to battle the disease is by treating the symptoms, with hopes of the cat outliving the worms (heartworms live within a cat for about two years). However, this approach can result in sudden death as the worms exit through the pulmonary arteries to the lungs.

There are no consistent clinical signs of heartworm in cats. Common clues include coughing and rapid breathing. Other signs include weight loss and vomiting. However, all of these signs are also common in other diseases. Diagnosis is difficult for veterinarians and may include outside laboratory tests, radiographs, and ultrasound studies.

The good news is that there are heartworm prevention drugs available for cats. If you live in a heartworm infested area, or plan on visiting a heartworm area with your cat, your veterinarian can prescribe a preventive medication. These drugs are given once monthly and are very effective in cats and kittens.

Research continues into all phases of heartworm disease. For the latest advice, consult your veterinarian.

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Ear Infections

Ear infections are very common in dogs, although less so in cats. Two types are most often seen: otitis externa, infection of the external ear canal, and otitis media, infection of the middle ear. Although any dog or cat can get an ear infection, some breeds appear to be more prone than others. Dogs with pendulous ears, like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, or dogs with hairy inner ear flaps, like Miniature Poodles and Schnauzers, tend to have a higher occurrence of ear infections. In cats, the Persian breed seems to be more prone to such infections.

Most ear infections are easily and successfully treated. But if left untreated, they could result in serious damage.

Causes
Bacteria or yeast are most often the culprits of otitis externa. Other causes include an accumulation of wax, thick or matted hair in the ear canal, debris, a foreign body, a tumor or impaired drainage of the ear. Sometimes, infections of the external ear canal are a secondary result of some other bodily infection or ear mite infestation.

Otitis media usually results from the spread of infection from the external ear canal to the middle ear. Also, foreign bodies, debris, ulceration or improper ear cleaning can rupture the eardrum and allow infection to reach the middle ear.

Symptoms
Ear infections are very uncomfortable for your pet. Your dog or cat will show his discomfort by shaking his head or scratching at his ears. Often, the ears will become red and inflamed with an offensive odor and perhaps a black or yellowish discharge. If your pet tilts his head constantly, it could be a sign of a middle ear infection.

Diagnosis and Treatment
Because many different culprits can be the cause of your pet's ear infection, it is important to have your cat or dog examined by a veterinarian, who can then determine the proper medication or treatment. Your veterinarian will also make sure the eardrum is intact, as some medications can result in hearing loss if administered to a pet with a ruptured eardrum.

What is involved in an ear exam? Your veterinarian will use an otoscope-an instrument that provides light and magnification-to view the ear canal. He or she will determine whether or not the eardrum is intact and if any foreign material is present. If this is very painful to the pet, sedation or anesthesia may be necessary to complete the exam.

Next, your veterinarian will take a sample of the material in the canal and examine it under a microscope. This is called cytology, and allows the doctor to determine the organism causing the infection. If more than one organism are culprits, multiple medications or a broad-spectrum medication is necessary.

If your veterinarian finds a foreign body, a tick or a very heavy buildup of debris, sedation will likely be required to remove the irritant or to allow a thorough cleansing.

A middle ear infection can be more difficult to clear up. Diagnosis and treatment may include lab tests, X-rays and even surgery. Four to six weeks may pass before the infection disappears, and often during this time you will be told to restrict the activity of your pet.

For both types of infection, you should keep water from entering your pet's ears. Follow-up visits to your veterinarian are very important to make sure treatment is working and the infection has disappeared.

Remember, the longer infection is present, the harder it is to get rid of it. If an ear infection goes untreated, your pet will continue to be in pain. Your pet's head shaking and scratching can cause further problems, such as broken blood vessels that require surgery to correct. Chronic infections can harm the eardrum and close the ear canal. Surgical reconstruction of the ear canal may then become necessary.

Medicating
Treatment prescribed by the doctor usually includes administering medication to and cleaning the ears daily for one to two weeks. Remember, your pet's ears are painful, and Fluffy or Fido might not appreciate what you are about to do, so use caution. Ask your veterinarian for a demonstration on how to treat the ears properly.

Prognosis
Most often, with proper diagnosis and treatment, your pet's ear infection will be cured. However, if ear infections are chronic or recurrent, an underlying problem, such as allergies or thyroid disease, may be the cause.

Because cats are normally resistant to ear infections, other problems should be explored. Your cat may have an unusually shaped ear canal, or its immune system could be suppressed. Have your veterinarian test your cat for the feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), both of which affect the immune system. Also, diabetic cats tend to be prone to ear infections, so testing for diabetes may be indicated.

Prevention
Pet owners can help their pets avoid ear infections by practicing preventative care at home. This is especially important for those animals that have pendulous ears, have lots of hair in their ears, or have allergies or other medical problems that make them prone to ear infections. A weekly ear cleaning with a veterinarian-recommended ear cleansing solution can minimize or prevent infections. Such a cleaning provides other benefits, as well.

Weekly ear cleanings give pet owner the ability to really see the ear on a routine basis, allowing him or her to notice any early warning signs of infection. This also gets the pet used to having its ears handled, making exams and medication administration easier when necessary.

In addition to ear cleanings, pets with lots of hair on the inside ear flap should have those hairs plucked periodically by their groomer or veterinarian.

Pet owners with animals that have chronic ear problems must realize that life-long preventative care and maintenance will be necessary to ensure their pet's good health.

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Get Help Quickly if Your Male Cat is Straining in the Litterbox

If your cat is straining to urinate and only produces a few drops of urine or none at all, he needs to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Your cat could be experiencing urethral obstruction, and if the problem is not solved, he could die within just a couple of days.

What is urethral obstruction, and why is it life-threatening?
The urethra is a tubelike structure that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Sometimes, mineral crystals or stones form in the urethra and block the path to the outside. The blockage is called a urethral plug. Because a male cat's urethra is longer and narrower than a female's, urethral plugs are most often seen in males (whether or not they are neutered). Once a plug has formed, urine builds up in the bladder. This is not only painful to the cat, but can quickly cause kidney damage. The kidneys' job is to release poisonous wastes from the body; when kidneys don't function properly, these poisons accumulate in the bloodstream. The final result, if not treated: a painful death.

Causes
The cause of urethral plugs is not fully known. Plugs could result from a combination of poor diet and highly concentrated, alkaline (low acid) urine. Possibly, some viruses or bacterial infections trigger their formation. Some experts believe plugs may be linked to tumors, masses, or diseases of the prostate gland in some cases.

Symptoms
If Kitty is using his litter box often, but with no or little resulting urine; if he is trying to urinate in unusual places; or if he is constantly licking his genitalia, he may have a urethral obstruction. Don't assume your cat is constipated and just give him laxatives. Instead, play it safe and seek veterinary attention. Other signs of obstruction include depression, weakness, vomiting, a lack of appetite, dehydration, and collapse.

Treatment
Urethral obstruction is an emergency. Yet, if the symptoms are noticed early and professional treatment is obtained immediately, your cat's chance of recovery is almost 100 percent.

Your veterinarian will first try to relieve the obstruction by applying gentle pressure to the bladder and manipulating the penis. If the plug remains, the doctor may insert a catheter through the urethra into the bladder (with the cat sedated or under a light anesthesia) or suction urine directly from the bladder with a needle and syringe.

Usually, one of the above procedures will remove the obstruction. As a last resort, however, or if the cat is prone to obstructions, surgery is required. Even if the initial procedures do work, obstruction may recur in some cats within days or weeks.

What does the surgery entail?
The surgical procedure is called a perineal urethrostomy. Your veterinarian will remove much of the penis and the narrow portion of the urethra and leave a wider opening for the remaining portion under the anus. Your cat may be hospitalized for several days, and often a catheter will be left in place overnight or longer. Afterward, Kitty may be treated with antibiotics, urinary antiseptics, and urinary acidifiers. Post-operative care at home will require you to carefully observe Kitty and his potty habits.

Perineal urethrostomy will permanently cure urethral obstruction in 90 percent of male cats. The surgery does not affect the formation of crystals (which result in the plug to begin with), but provides a wider passageway for their release outside the body. Thus, blockages should not recur, but bladder infections might.

Prevention
All cats should be encouraged to exercise and be kept at a trim, healthy weight. Feed your cat a high quality cat food that is low in magnesium. Entice him to urinate frequently by keeping his litter box clean and always accessible. He should have constant access to plenty of fresh water, as well; if necessary, you can add salt (sparingly) to Kitty's food to encourage him to drink more. If your cat is prone to obstructions, you may need to administer medications, Vitamin C, or a special diet to help keep his urine acidic. You can also increase his urine's overall acidity by restricting feeding to twice daily. This is because the digestive process temporarily lowers the acidity, so every time Kitty eats, his urine becomes less acidic for awhile. In addition, have your veterinarian perform periodic urinalyses on Kitty. This will keep you and your veterinarian alert to the urine's acidity level and to the presence of any crystal formations, so you can stop problems before they start.

Be sure to discuss these and other preventative measures with your veterinarian, and get his or her approval before administering any medication or supplements to your cat.

Help your cat live a long, full life
Urethral obstruction in cats is becoming less common as more cats are routinely fed premium quality cat foods that discourage crystal formation. Pet owners should be aware that the condition is an emergency situation.

Urethral obstruction can rapidly become life-threatening over the course of just one to two days. Because of this, any cat owner whose male cat is showing signs of frequent efforts of any kind in the litterbox is strongly urged to seek veterinary attention at once.

Now that you know what to look for, you can help ensure your cat's good health by reacting quickly to signs of obstruction.

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