Bad Behavior? Or a Medical or Aging Issue?

If your pet is misbehaving, they may actually be experiencing a health problem, or a problem related to changes due to aging.

• Are they suddenly reluctant to be patted or picked up? 
• Having accidents? 
• Appear to not recognize you or their food/water bowls? 
• Confused in the house or yard?
• Startled when touched?
• Suddenly aggressive?

These issues may be caused by hearing or sight loss, kidney disease, bladder infection or obstruction, stroke or arthritis. Inappropriate barking may also indicate a vision or hearing problem, or even dementia.

Don't just chalk it up to "bad dog" or "grumpy cat:. Schedule a Veterinary exam including a blood panel and imaging to determine whether it is a medical and/or aging problem (sometimes it's both). 

With the wide variety of treatments available today, there are a lot of options for helping your 4-legged companion be their old self again. There are safe incontinence drugs that work extremely well like Proin, and issues like dementia and blindness can be solved through adjusting how you interact with your pet and keeping items in the same place in the house. For more on that, see our articles on Caring for an Elderly Pet and Caring for a Blind Pet for more information.

Whether you are considering adopting a blind pet or your current pet is having vision problems, here are some tips that will help. Remember, you have to be retrained along with your pet!
 

Setting Up Your Home

Whether a dog or a cat, there are some basic Must Haves:

• Food  and water bowls should be kept in the same place and not moved around. The same goes for your furniture - all of this becomes a "map" for them to navigate the home.
• Having  a scented plugin next to the food, water, litter, potty pads will help your pet locate their essentials more easily.
• Having  a textured rug or any rug (if the other floor area is smoother like tile  or wood) that leads to their needed areas can also be helpful because they will learn the feeling of that path versus the rest of the house.
• Gates  should be used to avoid your pet falling down stairs, or into pools, spas, or ponds. For large dogs you can use folding exercise pens to block off areas or baby gates for smaller dogs.
• Hearing  (along with smell) is now key to their darker world; try to  communicate more often to them verbally in a non-startling way.
• Patience  they will be initially anxious, until they "map" the house.  There may be accidents initially until the relearn how to locate the door, or the potty pads.
• Confinement  in a room or gated area when you are not home may not only keep them safe, but reduce anxiety. Make sure it's always the same area, with food, water, litter, potty pads in the same place within that area.
• Falling off a couch or bed can be a danger where a pet could get seriously hurt, especially an elderly pet. Bumper style pillows can be put around the edges of the bed to keep them from wandering off it wile you sleep. Place your pet on the floor before leaving the area so they don't try to follow you and get hurt.  
• ​Put gates at the bottom and the top) of a staircase to keep your pet from wandering (and then falling down the stairs) when you're not with them or  not home.
• Give your pet time and extra patience. Loss of vision produces anxiety which can sometimes cause other behaviors such as agitation, aggression, separation anxiety, or accidents.  
• To help them learn where the door is to go potty, choose a single exit door and always lead them out that door.  They will learn the pattern. You can also put a rug runner that leads to that door so the texture helps them locate it. 
• Try  not to move the furniture around; the pet will learn pathways based on where the furniture is. Moving the furniture can destroy that path causing anxiety, accidents and injuries.
• Speak to your pet more often. Use your voice to let  them know when you're leaving the room so they can follow you. Often they will have anxiety if they don't know where you are in the house. 
• Blind pets should never be left unattended outside.
• Cats who were previously allowed outside should now be indoor, as they have no defense against other cats, dogs, predators and cars. You can bulid an catio for them to enjoy the outdoors safely.
• Keep their litter in the same place.
• Buy that make a noise such as plastic balls containing bells, crackly tunnels, or toys  that squeak.
• Before picking up blind pets, speak and stroke them first so they aren’t taken by surprise.
• Blind pets may bark or meow more, or even cry out if they are not sure where their stuff is, or where you are. Talk softly to them to reassure them, and gently lead them to their items.

See Also - Caring for an Elderly Pet 

As a pet grows old their needs change – just like humans. 

• A dog that previously could hold their bladder 8 to 12 hours while you were away likely can't anymore due to an aging, less elastic bladder or other aging issues like dementia. 
• Cats may have accidents outside the litter box, because the arthritis in their hips makes it too hard to squat on shifting litter or in a domed litter pan because they can’t squat as low anymore.  
• A pet may hide away or snap due to constant pain from arthritis. 
• A cat that could previously jump up high to where you had their food, water and litter may no longer be able to due to degeneration of hips and knees. Blown ACLs are extremely common in old cats (and recoverable without surgery as with my Raja cat). 
• GI problems from IBD to Pancreatitis (both manageable with at home meds) also present themselves. Food and treats that may previously have been fine may now cause UTIs, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Dehydration is a problem. Older pets often drink less water which in turn causes other issues.
• Old teeth or lack of teeth due to aging may cause your pet to stop eating because they can no longer manage the hard, dry food and treats. 

All of this is manageable:

• A visit to the vet is in order to determine what can be done - pain management, incontinence meds, surgical options, arthritis medications, physical therapy - and even acupuncture. Meds have changed; there are now compounded meds where the pharmacy makes a chicken or fish flavored liquid you can dose with to avoid pill spitters!
• Pet ramps to help your dog get into that high SUV after the walk at the park.
• Pet stairs to help your dog or cat get on and off the couch or bed.
• Puppy pads near doors to the yard for times you can’t get home soon enough (or hire a pet sitter for potty breaks).
• To avoid accidents on a couch, place a potty pad (plastic side down) underneath their blanket or pet bed. Any leaks will not get to the couch; the blanket and pet bed are washable. White vinegar gets out cat urine smell and is very cheap. To avoid accidents on a bed, buy a vinyl mattress pad (under $10) and put it underneath the sheets. Or you can use the potty pad trick if the usually sleep on a blanket or pet bed on your bed. 
• Replace high sided and/or domed litter boxes with long, low pans with a walk-in slot. Switch to a Senior cat litter like Dr.Elsey’s – it is a finer sand so it’s easier for them to balance on versus the rough pellets or chunks of other litters.  You can even tape potty pads in the bottom of the box if litter no longer works at all.
• Buy pet water fountains or place ice cubes in drinking bowls to encourage hydration. Change the water twice daily if possible; fresher water encourages drinking.
• Cosequin, an OTC, is great for arthritis. In severe arthritis cases you may need Prednisone or Metacam. 
• Dementia and loss of vision are common. See our tips on Caring for a Blind Pet which are also good tips for dealing with dementia.  
• Buy thermal or self warming pet beds and pads. Only use heating pads on low to avoid burns, and never leave them plugged in when not home to avoid risk of fire. 

See Also - Caring for a Blind Pet

Is your cat suddenly urinating or defecating outside the box? 

The first thing to do with any such change is make an appointment for a Veterinary exam. It is often a medical reason, for example a urinary tract infection, steroid overload (if they are on medications containing steroids), arthritis especially in the hips which makes it impossible to crouch and even worse when it's a domed litter pan that leaves little room to try to maneuver with sore joints. 

Arthritis

Cats get osteoarthritis like humans. It can cause everything from pain to hip dislocation (when the ball joint no longer interlocks completely with the socket). This in turn leads to litter pan issues.
Rough litter, shifting litter, high sided (requiring jumping in and out) and domed litter pans in these situations can make it painful and even impossible to use the litter pan.

There are a few solutions to this: One is lose the dome. Leave the pans uncovered. Trying to crouch low with painful arthritis is almost impossible. With the lid off they can sit more upright. 

Walk in litter pans. These have high sides on 3 of the 4 sides, with a low opening on the 4th, requiring no leaping in and out. 

Change to a smoother litter rather than the harder, lumpy litters like crystals, pine, and rolled paper.

Flat litter pans lined with dog potty pads so there is no shifting litter to balance on. I have found this to be the best solution with elderly arthritic cats, even those on arthritis medication.

A Change in Litter or Pans

While it is important to regularly wash out litter pans, using a highly scented soap or bleach can leave an odor residue they find offensive. Better choices are dye and scent free dishwashing (NOT dishwasher) soap, or 1 cup hydrogen peroxide in water, or rubbing alcohol 70%. An effective way to wash them is to take them outside (after emptying the litter into the trash, never down drains or toilets), soak them with Ultra Clear Palmolive and water, then rinse well and do a final wipe with 70% rubbing alcohol to sanitize.

Changing litter can cause a refusal to use the box either due to scent or texture. If you must change litter introduce the new litter in a new box next to the current ones. See if they use it. If they refuse to try a different litter. If they start using it, over time mix some of the new litter into the old litter. After a few weeks you can switch completely if they are still using the new litter. 

Territory Battles

Have litter pans upstairs and downstairs, or if you have a 1 story house in 2 different locations. If you have more than 1 cat, it's possible - especially with a new arrival - that one cat is chasing the other away from the pans as part of a territory war.

Scoop that Poop!

Cats like a clean place to go. Litter should be scooped twice a day. For every cat there should be 2 litter pans especially if scooping only occurs once a day.   

NEVER cut your cats whiskers!

​Without their tactile hairs at the proper length, cats become disoriented and frightened. Whiskers enable cats to gauge and make sense of their environment. Cats use their whiskers in the same way that we use touch receptors in our fingertips.

Whiskers are Kitty Radar.

• Whiskers are embedded more deeply in the cat’s body than the shorter top-fur coat, and connected securely to the sensitive muscular and nervous systems, sending information about the surroundings directly to the cat’s sensory nerves, giving them a heightened sense of feeling and helping the cat to detect and respond to changes in surroundings.
• Whiskers enable cats to gauge and make sense of their environment. There is a sensory organ at the end of the whiskers called a proprioceptor, which sends tactile signals to the brain and nervous system. The proprioceptor is related to the position of the body and limbs, an important part of knowing where every part of the body is so that decisions can be made for the next immediate movement. This organ makes the cat’s whiskers very sensitive to even the smallest change in the cat’s environment. 
• A cat’s whiskers not only help it to gauge whether it can fit into a tight space (without even being able to see it), they can even respond to vibrations in the air, such as when the cat is chasing prey. Whiskers also serve as a way for cats to visually measure distance, which is why they are able to leap so quickly and gracefully onto a narrow ledge or out of harm’s way.

​Whiskers are most prominent on either side the nose and upper lip but there are also shorter whiskers above each of the eyes, on the jaw line, and on the back of their front legs. Cat whiskers shed and grow back naturally, and should be left alone - never trimmed or cut.

Due to age or special dietary or medical needs, you may find the need to cook for your pet. Sometimes even the prescription diets don't work. It could be as simple as your pets hate the prescription food or it's too expensive.

While this can seem overwhelming, "one more thing" on that endless ToDo list, there are things you can do to make it easy and even prepare many meals in advance. As always, work with your Veterinarian on the exact nutritional needs for your cat or dog.

Tools you'll need:

1. CrockPot - you can buy one for less than $20 brand new at places like Big Lots, or online, or purchase at Goodwill for even less. Batch cooking is quick, easy and a money saver.
2. Rice Cooker - this is also less than $20 and available at the same places. It will save you hours and money.
3. Protein: Choose Boneless, Skinless, and LowFat

Salmon
This is a great choice: easy to digest, all the right fats. Be sure to thoroughly check for bones. Non farm raised is best as farm raised often contains dyes and chemicals. The skin may be OK for them to eat; ask your Veterinarian. My elderly dog who has GI issues is able to eat the skin with no issues. You can cook a 1 or 2lb filet, and freeze portions already cooked so it doesn't sit too long in the fridge. Or in my dog's case, he won't eat the same thing 2 days in a row! Salmon unfreezes and reheats in the microwave very well.

Ground Turkey or Turkey Breast
This is a nice alternative to chicken all the time. It's low fat. Cook it with just a little water, no butter or oils. I use a roasting pan and ensure at least 1/4 inch of water is in the pan at all times (you have to add as it cooks). Like the salmon, you can easily freeze individual tupperwares for reheating.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
It doesn't have to be boneless if you are up to the task of removing all the bones. The skin can also be removed. It may be cheaper to do the removing yourself, it's just more time consuming. I cook it the same way I cook the turkey, or sometimes I grill it on the propane grill. I find broiling it or pan cooking it makes it tougher.

Preparation Tips

1. Chop up the meat or fish into small pieces to ease digestion; the smaller the dog, the smaller the pieces. Many older dogs have few or no teeth so they tend to swallow food whole. Big chunks of food swallowed whole will tend to cause vomiting. Smaller pieces are easier to digest.
2. Use the crockpot to batch cook 1 or 2 week's worth of proteins. All of these freeze well in reuseable tupperwares. 
3. Use the rice cooker to batch cook jasmine or brown rice to add to the meat. This should last, cooked, in the refrigerator for a full week.
4. Feed 3 small meals a day versus 1 big meal. It ensures blood sugar stays stable, it is easier on the GI tract, and also allows easier administration of medications needed throughout the day. As your  Veterinarian if you should add a pet multivitamin as well.

MYTHBUSTERS: 

"Impossible to train, aggressive and unruly, and incapable of living a normal life" are all myths and false stereotypes attributed to deaf dogs. 

 Adopting any dog means that you are committing your family to providing a loving forever home. Training a deaf dog is no harder than for a hearing dog; it just requires a different approach! This is also useful information if your dog loses their hearing due to aging.

Training a Deaf Dog:

• Part of this is training the person too. If the dog is not looking at you, they can't receive your instructions nor feedback, so place yourself in their line of sight.
• Dogs can learn sign language.
• Because they are relying on visual. queues only, your body posture needs to be consistent. 
• Vibrating - NOT shock - collars can be used.
• NEVER use anything, including a shock collar, that has a negative connotation or the dog will be afraid to respond in the future. 

Another common misconception of deaf dogs is that they are aggressive. MYTH! Deafness does not mean that the dog is bad; the dog's personality, the home environment, and proper training are all part of ANY dog's behavior, including deaf dogs. 

Two essential differences for deaf dogs are:

1. Deaf dogs can be startled when touched unexpectedly, so establishing a "communication spot" that you touch when you need to wake them up is a good idea. Touch the same spot each time so the dog knows it is you. Top of the head is a good choice.
2. Deaf dogs cannot hear you call them, or telling them "No!". You must use visual queues. The burden is on your training on this case! And hitting them is not a visual queue!
    

While there are a couple of adaptations to make for living with a deaf dog, the love and appreciation you receive far outweighs any perceived adversity from their lack of hearing. 

Nobody wants to think about this let alone talk about this, however a leading cause of animals ending up in shelters and being euthanized if they are older is death of their pet parent - or that pet parent going into a nursing home or hospice facility. Sadly, assuming family will take care of them often does not occur.

When you do your Will - whether with an Attorney or via an online service - include plans for your pets!

Estate planning for pets should include:
1. What happens to them after you are gone?
2. What happens if they pass before you do?

What Happens to Them After You are Gone?

• The Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center provides for the physical, emotional, and medical needs of companion animals whose owners are no longer able to provide that care. Clients of the center include pet owners who want to assure their pet's future prior to entering a retirement home, being hospitalized for an extended period, or predeceasing a pet. 
• Some Animal Shelters and Animal Rescues offer programs that enable your pets to be taken in and safely reside there until a new home is found. There are also animal sanctuaries that will take in your pets and care for them the rest of their lives, often in a home.
• You can make an agreement with your pet sitter that they will come to your home daily to care for your animals until a new home is found, and be paid from your Estate by the Executor.
• You can make an agreement with your Veterinarian that your animal will be boarded there until a new home can be found, and they can also be paid from your Estate by the Executor.
• If you choose family or friends (generally the least reliable option), ensure they truly understand the care level provided by outlining it in detail in the Executor instructions, along with how they will receive funds to cover food and veterinary care.

Whatever arrangement you go with, be sure to at least once a year, review the agreement with that Pet Guardian, and keep them updated regularly regarding changes to your pet's health and situation.

What happens if your pet passes away before you do?

• If your beloved 4 legged family member passes away, or needs to be euthanized to prevent extreme suffering continuing, there are options that make it more humane for both you and your pet.
  There are mobile Veterinarians in most areas that come to the house. In this situation, your beloved pet is at home in their familiar place, their favorite food or toy nearby, instead of a cold, hard clinic table (that's not a hit on Veterinarians; I feel same way about people hospitals!).
  If there are no Mobile Vets in your area, many clinic Veterinarians will agree to come to the house after hours. 
  Veterinarians usually have a burial or cremation service they work with, saving you the ordeal of coordinating all that during your saddest times. However, people funeral homes can also arrange this and you can actually purchase plans for this in advance, just like for people. There are also pet funeral services like The Pet Loss Center.
• Many Shelters and Rescue have Pet Loss support groups to help you through a terrible time.

In closing, remember that when you visit with your Attorney or fill out online planning forms, be sure to include provisions for your 4 legged family members. Online Will forms usually include pet provisions; if not you can include the instructions in a new section or in the Executor Instructions section.

Sneezy Cats - Feline Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs)

Feline Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) is a highly contagious but rarely fatal disease caused by both virus and bacteria. Feline URIs are not a danger to people.
 

You've probably seen the telltale signs at shelters: runny eyes, sneezing, and nasal discharge. The cats are usually listless and tired, and often do not want to eat nor drink and are in danger of being dehydrated and going into pneumonia. URIs can spread swiftly through the enclosed, stressful, and crowded shelter environment. This is why at a shelter they ask staff, volunteers and visitors to sanitize their hands in between handling each cat or kitten. Even the most conscientiously run shelter will suffer from occasional outbreaks.

Foster care for sick cats can help, by isolating the infected cat or kitten from well cats, and reducing stress levels by having them in a calm home vs. a noisy shelter. 

Before a healthy cat is placed in the area vacated by a sick cat, the entire are must be thoroughly cleaned with bleach or disinfectant. Litter pans also need to be thoroughly sterilized, along with food and water bowls. Any bedding from the sick animal must go to the laundry and be washed in hot water with bleach. Common household bleach is one of the most effective and inexpensive disinfectants available. This is why you often see tweets or Facebook posts asking for donations of bleach on shelter wishlists. Note: the bleach should be diluted 1:32 with warm water.

If you are visiting or volunteering at a shelter and notice these signs, find a staff member and report the Animal ID and symptoms before you leave. Sanitize your hands before handling or petting another cat.

Consider fostering a sick cat or kitten to help them get well in a less stressful environment. If you decide to foster, the shelter will usually have you work with their Vet or local Vet clinic for the treatment needed - antibiotics, possibly fluids and nebulizing treatments. 

At home care may also consist of giving antibiotics or eye creams, and gently wiping discharge with a moist tissue. Although viral infections do not respond to antibacterial drugs, broad spectrum antibacterial drugs are sometimes prescribed to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
 

This article is in honor of Snuffy, an abandoned FIV cat that was my third rescue after Mr.Frisky. He is pictured here. He lived to a ripe old age with us (and his Snuggle bear).

 
What is FIV?
The Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a complex virus that causes immunosuppression, resulting in an abnormal immune system. The virus attacks their  immune system, leaving them more vulnerable to other infections. Normally harmless bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi found in the everyday environment can potentially cause illness. However, recent studies show that FIV cats commonly live normal life spans provided they receive good care, are indoor only, and do not also have Feline Leukemia (FeLV). 

Can you catch FIV from an FIV infected cat?

The Feline Immunodeficiency virus cannot infect humans, it is only transmitted feline to feline. It is a highly species-specific virus.
 

Are other pets at risk from an FIV cat?

FIV is transmitted through deep, repeated, penetrating bites (deep puncture wound that occur more than once). Casual contact (eating from the same food bowls, grooming, sleeping in the same bed) is  not a route of spreading FIV. On rare occasions, infection is transmitted from a newly infected mother feline to her kittens, usually during passage through the birth canal or when the newborn kittens ingest milk. 

Symptoms and Diagnosis 

Symptoms seen with FIV vary from feline to feline, and can be the same as any infection (lack of appetite, fever, dull coat), so treatment must be established for the individual feline and physical condition. A blood panel should be performed by your Veterinarian to diagnose FIV with a new arrival.  

Note that cats vaccinated for FIV can show a false positive for FIV due to the antibodies. There is an additional, more specific test that can be done to verify if it is FIV or a false positive. This happened with my rescue cat Raja. Her history was unknown to us, and her initial blood panel gave a (false) positive for FIV. After performing the additional test, it was determined she was previously vaccinated and so the initial test gave a false positive. She was not FIV infected.
 

Prognosis and Treatment
While there is no cure for the infection, it is important to understand that a positive test for FIV is not a death sentence nor even a sentence of a shorter lifespan. Yearly Veterinary checkups including a blood panel, and immediate treatment for any secondary infections that occur as a consequence of FIV are essential. Indoor only is also essential to minimize exposure to ferals, strays, or other unvaccinated cats, or FeLV cats. 

Can the Carpet
That's recommended anyway if you or your children have allergies - to anything. Have you ever seen the underside of carpet when removed even after only a couple of years, and the mat below it? Don't view it after eating, that's all I can say.
 

If you do have carpet, you can get a flea powder or spray for the carpet from the pet store which you sprinkle on the carpet (on a regularly recurring basis) then vacuum up. It kills fleas and flea larvae (see how gross carpet is?!). There are non toxic options. For any of them, be sure to read the label carefully. In order to avoid hazard to your pet as well as you, all of you - and your pets - staying out of the room may be necessary until its completely vacuumed. 

 
NEVER use a fogger with pets in the house - or you!

​

MYTHBUSTER: If I don't let my pets inside, I won't have fleas.

Think again. You go outside. Fleas jump in your shoes, on your socks, on your pants, and come gliding inside along with you. This is especially true in places that are warm and humid, or where there has been a lot of rain and warmth. Once they receive a free ride from you inside, they nestle into your carpet and happily lay eggs and breed.

Instant Flea Kill Products

Your local pet store has non-toxic (to the pet and you) flea sprays for the pet's coat for an instant kill if fleas are bad in between the monthly Frontline or Comfortis (or whatever is your currently monthly choice). Again, like with the powder, read the label, and check with your Vet first to make sure there's no issues with interaction with the monthly preventative you are using.

I personally have found Comfortis to be a problem in my older dogs that have GI problems.  So I use Frontline for them.

When fleas are bad due to weather conditions (lots of rain and heat), I use Capstar in between the monthly preventative. You can order it directly; no RX required. Veterinary Clinics use it on pets that are boarding to prevent flea infestation in the clinics. Its oral, instant kill, and for my pets, per my Vet its safe to use between Frontline monthly administration. As always, check with your Veterinarian first before giving anything!

Heartworm:

Heartworm should really be called lungworm because they live in the blood vessels of the lung. If untreated, they clog up the heart, preventing blood from traveling through the right side of the heart, eventually causing congestive heart failure.
 

​Heartworm occurs in any area where mosquitos may bite a pet. If you don't give the animal heartworm prevention treatment, its not a matter of IF they will get heartworm, its a matter of WHEN.
 

Having adopted many dogs over the years who were heartworm positive when I adopted them, I can absolutely state that the treatment - even at the cheapest place - cost more than YEARS of heartworm prevention and it was hard on the dog - two almost died.
 

Many low cost spay neuter clinics, and animal shelters sell Heartworm and Flea prevention at reduced rates, and some online stores also offer great discounts especially if the order is an auto renew or in bulk.

I personally like HeartGuard . I've never had the dogs not want to eat it, they think its a treat so its super easy to give. For some of my dogs who had other health problems, the combined products (Heartworm and Flea treatment in 1 pill) were too hard on their systems so give HeartGuard, then Frontline for fleas. Ask your Vet which product they recommend for your specific pet's needs. Some Vets will match online prices so don't be afraid to ask!

​While outdoor cats are more at risk, all cats and dogs can get parasites. When I found Silver cat living on the streets, he had Giardia. When Mr.Frisky had to stay for three days at a Veterinary clinic, he came home with Tapeworms!
 

The most common parasites for pets are fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. If your dog or cat drinks water from outside sources, Giardia is also a risk.
 

Fleas and Ticks
Pets should receive flea and tick prevention monthly. I like FrontLineGold because it lasts longer into the monthly cycle than regular FrontLine and it's easy to apply. For cats, ensure they do not groom each other for a few hours after applying. 

A severe flea or tick infestation on your cat, kitten or small dog can lead to anemia because they can suck more blood than the pet can produce! There are also pets with flea allergies, causing them to obsessively scratch and chew at their skin, creating bald "hot spots" that are hairless, red, and crusty. Fleas also carry tapeworm eggs.

Ticks carry many diseases and need to be removed immediately by your Veterinarian. Trying to remove it on your own may result in the body of the tick breaking off because the head of the tick is under the pet's skin layer.
 

Other Parasites and Worms
Internal parasites come in several forms: roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms and protozoa. In general, they all setup shop in the GI tract.
 

Common signs are appetite loss, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, mucoid or bloody feces. For Mr. Frisky the tapeworm sign was when I saw what appeared to be a small grain of white rice stuck to his rear end. For Silver and Milo dog, the Giardia caused them to lose appetite and have diarrhea with blood and mucous.
 

If you suspect your pet is infected, the Veterinarian will request you bring in a fresh fecal sample. They can give you a collection via or like me, you can use a Ziplock bag. A fecal sample is not only vital for diagnosis at the beginning of treatment, but another is often used to verify treatment is complete.
 

Giardia
Giardia causes some or all of these symptoms: abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. The most common is the diarrhea usually with mucous and/or blood. Giardia is caused by a microscopic protozoa parasite in water from the street gutters, bird baths, streams, rivers, and ponds. When an infected pet defecates, cysts in the feces can infect another pet. SInce cats share litter boxes, the infected cat will need to be isolated to avoid this and them grooming each other. The infected litter box will need to be disinfected with bleach or thrown out when treatment is done. Any  remaining litter will need to be thrown out.
 

Metronidazole is commonly used to kill Giardia. In order to get the correct dose for cats, the tablet must be split and it is extremely bitter. Some pharmacies can compound it into flavored formulas which works best. I found my cat could not tolerate the entire daily dose given all at once without a severe reaction. After discussing with the Vet, I gave half dose twice a day. If dehydration or severe diarrhea is present, your Vet may also need to give your pet fluids.
 

Roundworms
Roundworms are the most common internal parasites in cats, resembling spaghetti. Nursing kittens can get roundworms from an infected mother’s milk, while adult cats can acquire them by ingesting an infected rodent or the feces of an infected cat.

Treatment is simple and there are many safe and effective preparations available including  Fenbendazole, Milbemycin, Moxidectin, Piperazine, and Pyrantel . Many monthly heartworm preventives contain medications effective against roundworms to help prevent future infections. Your veterinarian will advise you on the best treatment and prevention plan for your pet.
 

Hookworms
Hookworms are much smaller than roundworms and reside primarily in the small intestine. Because they feed on an animal’s blood, hookworms can cause life-threatening anemia, especially in kittens. Hookworm eggs are passed in the stool and hatch into larvae, and a pet can become infected either through ingestion or skin contact.

There are several effective drugs, called Anthelmintics which eliminate hookworms. Most are given orally and have few or no side effects.
 

Tapeworms
Tapeworms are segmented and flat. An infestation can cause vomiting or weight loss. Pets acquire tapeworms by ingesting an intermediate host, like an infected flea or rodent. When pets are infected, tapeworm segments-actual pieces of the worm that resemble grains of rice can often be seen on the fur around their anus. That is how I discovered Mr.Frisky had tapeworm after being in a boarding situation.

There are several drugs that treat tapeworms. Your Vet will choose the right one. These de-worming drugs can be given by tablet or sometimes as an injection. The medicine dissolves the worms, so you will not see them pass in the feces. 

Strokes in dogs and cats are not as rare as previously thought. 

The good news: fortunately, most pets that have strokes recover with time and proper care.

Signs of a Stroke
Frustratingly, there are often no warning signs before a stroke occurs. Your pet may be acting normal just before it occurs, eating, playing, interacting. With my dog, he was just walking around out back when it happened. Then seemingly out of the blue, you may see:

• Loss of balance, blindness, or seizures, and or
• Weakness or paralysis of one or more limbs, and or
• Head tilt or turn, circling and falling.

Older pets may be at higher risk, or those with underlying medical problems such as:

• Kidney  disease
• Heart  disease
• Thyroid problems
• Cushings disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure.
   

Less commonly it may be caused by the blood supply being clogged by a fragment of a tumor, fat, parasites or spinal cartilage. Rodent poisons are highly dangerous to pets and can cause a Hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain) and death. This type of stroke can also be caused by the underlying diseases mentioned above, or bleeding from a tumor.
 

What to Do and Treatment:
If a stroke is suspected, getting your pet to a Veterinarian or Emergency Clinic as soon as possible is imperative for chances of a successful recovery.
 

Treatment often involves identification and management of underlying conditions that may have contributed to the stroke. There may also be physical therapy options, even including acupuncture.

Although there is no specific treatment for a stroke itself, most pets recover within a few weeks. The long-term chances of another stroke depend on what caused the stroke and whether that condition can be treated or medically managed successfully through the Vet and/or care at home.

Normal Heart and Respiratory Rates for Cats and Dogs  

There are many types of litter to choose from for your cat:

• Pine 
• Paper 
• Grain (corn, wheat, soy, grass, cedar)
• Crystal (clumping non clumping)
• Clay (clumping and non-clumping)
• Dust free
• Unscented

Choose your litter (and litter pan) based on:

• The age of your cat 
• Your cat’s mobility level 
• Your cat’s overall health
• Allergies (you and your pets)

Crystal litter. Rating – 2 paws up

There are several types of crystal litter:

• Clumping 
• NonClumping
• Low Dust 
• Color changing crystals

Crystal litter can come in larger chunks or “microcrystals” which is more like clay litter and much easier for cats to balance on especially older cats. Many cats don’t like the more jagged, larger crystals which hurt or get stuck in their paws. This will cause them to go outside the litter box instead, so I prefer the microcrystal, low dust, clumping unscented crystal litter. However, I find unscented crystal litter does not mask odors quite as well as unscented clay litter.

Pretty Litter is a great concept, but it’s quite expensive (too expensive for rescue operations) and any observant cat owner can do the same thing simply by paying attention when you scoop. After you’ve had your cat awhile, you know what your cat's normal urine and feces look like in the pan from your daily scooping duties. With clumping litter, you know the size the clump usually is; with feces you know the usual color and consistency. Of course occasionally it will vary, but if you suddenly see much larger or smaller urine clumps, bloody or runny feces, it’s time to get to the Vet!

Clay litter. Rating: 4 paws up

Standard clay clumping litter is great, easy to scoop, and low cost. I recommend getting the low dust or no dust versions to avoid the area becoming coated in dust and triggering allergies in you and your cats and dogs. I prefer unscented because a heavily scented litter may cause some cats to avoid the box. They may not like the scent and it may actually become a deterrent, causing them to go outside the litterbox. I Tidy Cat Instant Action or Multi Cat which has a deodorant but is not heavily scented. It masks any odors, but doesn't create a “perfumey” smell that repels the cats.

Clay litter comes in clumping or non-clumping. Do NOT flush either especially if you are on a septic system! I keep a scoop, 4-gallon trash bags, hand sanitizer and paper towels next to the litter pans. 

If you go with non-clumping, you will need to completely empty and refill the pan with fresh litter once a week to avoid heavy odors from the urine that remains in the pan (only the feces can be scooped successfully with non-clumping). This will end up bothering you, and causing your cat to avoid what smells like a dirty pan. Pan liners can help some but won’t avoid this situation entirely. I find clumping to be more efficient and cleaner as a result.

Paper, Pine and Cedar. Rating: 2 paws down.

These usually come in rolled pellets. I have had three issues with these:

1. Senior cats with hip and knee problems (usually due to osteoarthritis) can’t balance on the pellets and fall in the pan when trying to urinate or defecate (which causes them to stop using the pan).

2. The odor is quite strong after the cat has urinated – and does not diminish. 

3. After a few days the entire house smells like cedar and starts giving me sinus problems! 

So to sum it up: paper, pine and cedar will leave a strong cat urine odor floating in the house, and may trigger allergies for all in the household, 2 and 4 legged.

Wheat and Corn. Rating: 2 paws down

While these are soft like clay, low or no dust which is great, and clump somewhat, like with the paper/pine/cedar, the odor is extremely strong – both from the litter and from absorbing the urine.

Final Tips:

If you decide to change the type of litter you are currently using:

1. Get a new litter pan for the new litter to avoid residual odors getting into the new litter. Plus I recommend new pans once a year. Eventually they just don’t clean that well anymore.

2. Leave one of the old litter pans out until the cat begins to get used to the new litter.

3. Don't buy too much of the new litter yet in case the cats hate it and won’t use the box. 

4. Once they get used to it, replace the old pans with new pans/new litter.

Please also read our article on reasons why cats may go outside the litter box. It’s not only possibly the type of litter you've chosen, but the type of litter pan. This is especially relevant for cats with mobility problems, and senior cats that have osteoarthritis in their hips and knees.

And don’t forget to scoop the poop at least once a day if not twice! Who wants to go in a dirty porta potty?!

9,000 pets die every day in shelters. Spay Neuter of cats, dog and ferals (as part of a TNR - Trap-Neuter-Return program) will save 582 dogs and 312 cats in just 3 years. A female will have an average of 3 litters a year with an average of 5 offspring per litter. 

It helps prevent Cancer
Spaying your female pets helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Neutering your male pet prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
 

MYTH BUSTER

Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.

 
It stops spraying/territory marking

Spayed and neutered pets focus their attention on their human families. Un-spayed/neutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early spay-neuter.  

 
It saves $$$$

The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your un-spayed/neutered pet escapes and gets into a fight, is hit by a car, or is permanently lost. There are many low cost spay/neuter clinics at local shelters or places like Emancipet. Sometimes there are even mobile low clinics and free clinics. You can locate a low cost clinic by first checking with your local shelter to see if they offer a monthly clinic and if not, you can use  this Find A Low Cost Clinic Tool from Petsmart.

Have you recently noticed that your cat has one, some, or all of these symptoms"

• Raggedy coat 
• Ravenous  appetite and eating tons of food but losing weight
• Hungry all the time but then won't eat
• Rapid weight loss; their collar is suddenly hanging off them
• Agitation and aggression
• Racing heart
• Vomiting      

It may be Thyroid! It is a common ailment especially for cats as they age.
 

Thyroid disease causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones, T3, and T4. Cats actually have two thyroid glands. They are on either side of the throat, and the Veterinarian will palpate the gland on exam. The Vet will also do blood work. Methimazole is usually the treatment.  It decreases the amount of the hormones released from the thyroid glands.  It is a low cost oral or topical medication given daily. If the thyroid has been left untreated for some time, it will take a few weeks to get your cat stable. You will see their appetite return to normal, their weight will follow suit. Their coat will become glossy and full again, and their mood will greatly improve.

It's very important to have a physical including blood workup every year to ensure that they are still receiving the correct dose, and monitor any potential impact to the kidneys.
 

If left untreated, secondary problems can arise such as heart enlargement, an elevated heart rate and/or liver enlargement eventually leading to death.
 

Methimazole comes in flavored and unflavored pills (beware of pill spitters; It is essential they get the full dose or they will continue to be ill.) It also comes in a gel you can run into the ear flap, or a liquid you can give orally.
 

In severe cases where medication cannot control the disease, surgical removal is an option (this is what happened with my Duchess). The surgeon in my cat's case, only had to remove 1 of the 2 glands. Since she still had 1 gland making T3-T4 (at normal levels) she did not have to go on supplements post surgery. 

You and your veterinarian should determine which treatment option is best for your cat.

Having a pet get lost is an awful, terrifying experience. Even with microchip technology, only 1 in 3 ever make it home again. Here are some tips to ensure cats don't burst through window screens (it happens frequently), or your dog or cat doesn't dart out a door when you open it for a delivery and are trying to sign for the delivery or move boxes inside.
 

Use Baby Gates as Window Guards
I like the MyPet Mesh Gate for Dogs and Cats (see picture). They are spring mounted to stay in place but we also put benches against them so the cats have a seating area. If the window is closed, you can simply pop the gate out until it is needed. You can also permanently affix it with screws.
 

Use Dog Exercise Pens as Door Guards.

Cat Cafes work because they have airlock systems to ensure the cats don't get out as patrons come in and out. This is the same idea. I use the Frisco 42" (see picture; these come in many heights) because I have cats that are Olympic high jumpers! Create an enclosed area just inside the exterior door (see picture). These are very heavy so they don't tip over; you can also secure the sides to the wall with screws (the pen has a step through gate).
 

Do a "Pet Check"before opening the Garage Door
We do a pet check before we open the exterior garage door. Our kitchen door opens into the garage. We go in and out to get tools, or empty trash, and it's always possible someone darts into the garage and we don't notice. So before opening the door to the outside, we do a "pet check". We take a quick walkabout the house, and ensure we see each dog and cat. I know too many people who never found their cat again, or lost their dog due to the pet being in the garage when the garage door opened. If you have a pet in there, and are having trouble getting them out, unplug the garage door opener to ensure it doesn't accidentally get opened, and open the door from the garage to the house. They will wander back in especially if they hear treats or cans being opened!