Happy Howl-oween!

The witching hour approaches on the eve of Halloween. I spent a good deal of my day helping my kids prepare for Trick-or-Treating.

My kids--a ghostbuster, pink-haired witch and tiny dragon--husband, sister-in-law and I braved trick-or-treating in the rain this afternoon. It was typical trick-or-treating weather for Wisconsin and certainly not the worst. Amazingly the dreary drizzle did not deter other macabre revelers. Costumed kids and grown-ups--and not a few festive dogs--thronged the sidewalks of Fond du Lac.

Dressing up dogs has become a real sport. Dogs have been wearing sweaters for ages and for good reason. Very small dogs and those not designed for Wisconsin winters have a hard time maintaining their body temperature. A husky may finally be at his ease on a drify December day, but a Boston Terrier may refuse to even go out to use the bathroom!

Animal clothing has gone far beyond practical nowadays. Our pets are budding fashion models it seems. I've seen raincoats for labradors and tutus for teacup poodles. Some creative pet owners fashion their own designer dog digs out of newborn baby clothes.

It's no surprise that Halloween has become a huge event for dressing up pets. Pet outfits range from minimalist to elaborate. A dog adorned with a funny hat is one thing. A dachshund wearing a hotdog bun and mustard shirt is quite another. Here's to all the good natured dogs out there who not only tolerate but seem to enjoy the spectacle of dressing up!

Happy Howl-oween!

So You've Been Adopted by a Stray Kitty. Now What?



Larry, Day 1

Heading into the clinic after lunch Friday, a strange baby cry greeted me by the back door. A tiny, bedraggled kitten ventured toward me. Cautiously I picked him up. Immediately his little velcro claws stuck to my shirt and a disproportionately loud purr began. I was hooked.

Has this happened to you yet? So many of my feline patients began their lives as strays, the arrival of little Larry seems like a perfect time to discuss how to bring a stray into your home.

1. When interacting with a stray cat (or any unknown animal), use caution! He may not be used to being handled and could bite or scratch out of fear. Rabies does affect cats, and many do not exhibit the classic Cujo signs of rabidity.

2. If the stray is amenable to being handled, make a veterinary appointment for him as soon as possible. Until then, keep him quarantined from your other pets to limit transmission of contagious diseases and parasites. Best not to let your children play with him either until he passes veterinary inspection.

3. Fleas are very common on strays. Poor Larry was covered in them. Where the black pellets of "flea dirt" (i.e., flea poop which is digested blood) had gotten wet, his white patches of fur were stained red! I DO NOT RECOMMEND GIVING A FLEA BATH. The chemicals in flea shampoos can be toxic--especially in cats and debilitated animals (which most strays are). Call your veterinarian for alternatives to flea baths.

4. After handling your new stray or his litter box, wash your hands thoroughly. If you have other cats at home, you may want to change your clothes after handling the stray to avoid transferring contagions.

At your stray's first veterinary check-up here are some things to expect:

1. The stray should be scanned for a microchip. Some strays are actually lost pets. The rightful owners will be grateful to know he has been found safe and sound!

2. Especially if you have other cats at home, a Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) test should be done. This is a simple blood test that can show if the stray has these viruses. Inadvertant introduction of theses viruses into your existing cat household can be devastating.Your veterinarian can explain the details of the diseases and testing.

3. The stray should be dewormed according to your veterinarian's protocol. Aside from tapeworms, most intestinal parasites are not readily obvious in the stool. Assume all strays have worms. After all, if the cat was eating rodents to survive he surely has worms!

4. Your veterinarian can treat the fleas, ticks, ear mites, lice or other external parasite(s) found. Be sure to ask if you need to clean where the kitty has been hanging out at home. Many parasites can only be eliminated after multiple treatments plus environmental decontamination.

Larry, Day 3

5. Many strays have upper respiratory infections stemming from common feline viruses. Your veterinarian may recommend vaccinating against feline distemper to help prevent complications from these infections. Depending on the stray's estimated age, your veterinarian may recommend the rabies vaccine as well.

6. Once your new kitty has been determined to be in good health, it is time to consider sterilization surgery. It is easy to tell if an adule male cat has been neutered, but much harder to tell if an adult female has been spayed. Spaying and neutering not only eliminates unwanted litters, but reduces unpleasant behaviors and future health problems.

Now that your stray kitty has a clean bill of health, you can settle down to enjoy the rare pleasures that come from feline companionship! You have been chosen by this kitty to provide the care necessary for his comfortable life. If your stray is like most I've met (including Larry), he is overflowing with affection and devotion.

The Real World, Cat Style

Feline dynamics are not easily understood. Sometimes, as if a switch has been flipped, two cats who have been best of friends for years suddenly act like mortal enemies, and only time will tell if they can recover any of their former fondness.

I worried a little about this possibility after performing an elective surgery on two feline sisters this week. Raised in a small cage at a local shelter, these girls had been unavoidably inseparable their entire lives. So following recovery from anesthesia, we moved the girls into the same large kennel for the duration of their hospital stay. Would the stress and strangeness of their situation unhinge their happy friendship? I sighed with relief when Inky and Binky* started grooming each other affectionately.


Earlier in the week I visited with the owners of a tiny stray kitten. This cute little fuzzball joined a household with two older cats. The male adult is tolerating the kitten's presence (barely) but the older female has objected vehemently! The kitten has been found cowering under a bed in the spare room. She hesitates even to venture out to use the litter box. "Given enough time will they start to get along?" the anxious owners ask. It is impossible to predict how their relationship will change over time.

Cats have unique personalities just like people. A feline household's emotional and political dynamics would probably make a great reality TV show. Let's imagine the above scenario in these terms. "Queenie" is the established feline ruler in this home. She and "Tom," the adult male, have worked out some very intricate rules for coexistence. Queenie puts up with Tom, and Tom has learned to stay out of her way. Introduce little "Orphan Annie." Like a child Annie doesn't understand adult rules of engagement; like a child she can be a whiny, unruly pest. Already henpecked into submission, Tom just rolls his eyes and sighs. Queenie, however, is ticked off that she has to share her space with yet another cat--an obnoxious bratty one to boot--and she is not going to give in without a fight!

Just imagine what it would be like to be locked in a house with another person or two. Not only must you share the same bed and bathroom with these perfect strangers, but you are also expected to eat off the same plate and drink from the same cup for every meal. Now imagine if one of these people is that overbearing, opinionated coworker you just can't stand. Will you ever learn to get along in this artificially constructed home environment? Probably. Will you eventually be best of friends? Eh, probably not.

If Queenie, Tom and Annie are going to find peace in this home they need their own space and resources and plenty of time to work things out. A rule of thumb in cat households is "one litter box per cat plus one." So this home needs four litter boxes. And more importantly, they need to be spaced far apart so Annie doesn't get bullied when she has to go. Queenie should likewise have her own food bowls and dining area so she can eat in peace. Tom, used to putting up and shutting up, will probably be happier with these changes, too.

While Queenie, Tom and Annie may never adore each other like Inky and Binky do, their owners can do a lot to ensure a peaceful coexistence. There are many tips and techniques for introducing new human and animal family members into an existing human-pet dynamic. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions and resources.

UPDATE: I just learned today that Annie has found a new home where she is the only feline family member. She is incredibly happy and doing well!

* Names have been changed to protect privacy.

The ABC's of Anal Glands

Anal glands are probably one of the most mysterious and misunderstood anatomical features of dogs and cats (yes, cats!) Barely a day goes by that I don't address an anal gland question.

Anatomy
The anal glands are little sacs just inside of the dog or cat's rectum. If the rectum is a clock face, the glands reside at approximately 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions.

Physiology
Normally the anal glands are emptied each time the dog or cat defecates. But as many pet owners know, anal glands can spontaneously empty of their odiferous contents--usually on the couch cushion, car seat or owner's bed--when the pet is startled or upset. This stinky secretion is yet another way animals communicate through scent, much like urine marking.

Pathology
Most dogs and cats do not need their anal glands expressed on a regular basis by human intervention. Pets that have a bout of diarrhea or chronic soft stools sometimes have anal gland problems. Occasionally a pet's unique anatomy (i.e., the position and opening of the glands internally; obesity) may inhibit proper emptying. Finally, some pets with repeated anal gland problems actually have an underlying allergy. This is a complicated issue that should be discussed with your veterinarian

Classic Scooting

Symptoms
When the anal glands do not empty fully the contents can build up. The dog or cat may lick their butt excessively or drag their bum on the ground in an effort to release the pressure. If these efforts fail the secretions become thicker and harder to expel and may become infected. Some pets with infected anal glands present with ruptured and draining abscesses on their hinder -- ouch!

Treatment
Pets that scoot or lick their behind excessively should have their anal glands checked. Gentle manipulation of the anal glands by a trained professional expresses the contents and gives the pet relief. Additional medication or therapy may be needed if the anal glands are infected or inflamed. Depending on the pet's history, weight loss, diet change or fiber suppplements may be needed.

Prognosis
Some dogs and cats have one or two episodes of anal gland difficulties during their lifetime which are easily managed. However, some pets require frequent anal gland expressions to keep them comfortable, and some pets wind up having their anal glands surgically removed.

Differential Diagnoses
Scooting is not always because of an anal gland problem. As mentioned before, allergies can cause itchy rear ends, and scooting in these animals can continue even after surgical removal of the anal glands. I have also seen itchy butts in pets afflicted with intestinal parasites such as round worms!

My Prescription
If your pet has an itchy butt, don't be shy about it. Talk to your veterinarian! Examination and a detailed history can do wonders to bring your pet relief and prevent a recurrence.

When Cats Attack!

Admitting to a struggle with a bit of writer's block on Facebook, I received several immediate and interesting questions and suggestions. Yet I can't get the following image out of my head and feel I should find a way to make it work.

The other day my toddler son--enamored of our cats as most toddlers are--grasped Cheeks by the armpits, hoisted her up and buried his face in her soft belly fur. Usually a very tolerant feline, Cheeks sort of freaked out at this! She wrapped her limbs around my son's head and held on for dear life as he blindly stumbled about in a panic. We rescued the cat from the boy (and vice versa), relieved to find not the slightest injury to either.

Cats being predatory and often aloof animals, it's easy for me to joke that if we humans were smaller or if they were much bigger, our cat companions would probably pounce on us like mice and toy with us a while before enjoying us for a snack. I have been observed more than once by a pint-sized feline with a chillingly calculating stare.

Mountain Lion

Domestic Short Hair

Some cats actually do lie in wait for their humans, leaping at unsuspecting legs, biting and clawing without provocation. Fortunately, this sort of excessive "play" behavior is the exception to the rule. Many more cats, like Cheeks, tolerate innumerable indignities without complaint (think kitties wearing bonnets being carted around in baby buggies). I have been absolutely shocked by the restraint demonstrated by some cats in situations that would make a less conscientious feline tear a person to shreds. Years ago during a bath, my cat Abe locked his front paws (with piercing claws out) around my arm in an effort to stop me and yowled in protest. Amazingly, he did not make a scratch!

When cats do lose control of their weapons--either in play or fury--the results to people can be disasterous. Cat Scratch Fever ain't just a kickin' Nugent tune. More than one veterinary professional has wound up in a hospital bed on IV antibiotics after a decent cat bite or scratch. It's like a game of Russion roulette. I've been bitten repeatedly--once so hard it bruised my thumbnail for months--and although each bite hurt like heck the wound healed without intervention beyond an initial thorough scrubbing. But I remain vigilent for myself, my kids and my clients because a simple little scratch can send you to the ER.

Cats biting cats can produce nasty cat bite abscesses, too. I know it's gross (it's a vet thing), but there is nothing more satisfying than draining an explosive, stinky cat bite abscess. With the pressure relieved, the cat feels better and the wound generally responds well to a short course of oral antibiotics. This type of injury is typically seen in unneutered outdoor male cats, but I've seen plenty of indoor female cats suddenly sicken from an abscess produced by a housemate's wrath.

The moral of this story is to wash thoroughly even an innocent scratch or nip and be grateful for your cat's unusual restraint during times of insult and injury!