Weekly News
05/20/2013 - There are four distinct stages of fleas: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult. A female flea will continue to lay a few eggs every day until she has reached up to 200-5000 eggs. Adult fleas can live months in your environment without feeding. Their life cycle is about 3 weeks from egg to adult, this speeds up in the warmer weather. Fleas transmit not only a variety of viral, bacterial and rickettsial diseases to humans and other animals, but also protozoans and helminths. Fleas play a necessary role in the life cycle and reproduction of tapeworm. When a cat eats the flea (usually while the cat is grooming), the immature form of the tapeworm is released from the flea. This immature tapeworm then develops into an adult in the cat's intestine and the life cycle is completed. Indoor cats can easily get fleas as they come inside under doors, through windows and ride in on us. Flea control is very important all year in Portland, as fleas thrive here.
05/13/2013 - Roundworms are intestinal parasites that are common in cats. There are two species of roundworms that infect cats, one of which can cause health problems in humans, too.
- Kittens can ingest larvae through their mother's milk.
- Eating rodents or other carriers (beetles, black flies, earthworms) who have been infected with the larvae
- 15% of commercial potting soil contains roundworms
- The eggs are hardy and can remain infective for months or years.
- Roundworms are zoonotic which means the larvae of roundworms can infect people. This happens when eggs are ingested, and is most common in children who may not practice the best hygiene, and may pick up eggs on their hands when playing in the yard, for example.
05/06/2013 - Tapeworms are a parasite that is found in the small intestine of cats. They are flat and segmented, white in color and can grow up to 20cm long.
- The tapeworm cycle begins with the flea larvae eating fecal matter that contains tapeworm eggs.
- The eggs hatch inside the flea and become cysticercoids.
- A cat may then swallow or eat a flea that contains these cysticercoids while chewing or biting at a flea during grooming.
- Once the flea passes into the cat's intestine the flea is broken down and the cysticercoids develop into an adult tapeworm.
- The tapeworm attaches itself to the lining of the intestine and feeds off the nutrients.
04/29/2013 - Introducing a second cat to your resident kitty is one of the most frightening and frustrating things that cat owners go through. It’s often a nail-biting experience but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to do a gradual introduction and give the cats a reason to like each other. Take a look at this great advice! http://catnet.stanford.edu/articles/introducing_cats.html
04/22/2013 - Microchips: 1 in 3 pets go missing during its lifetime, and without proper ID, 90% never return home. A microchip for cats gives the best protection with permanent ID that can never be removed or become impossible to read. Microchips only contain a number that identifies your cat. No personal or financial info is stored on the ID chip. Microchips are very safe for your cat. They do not contribute to cancer. Yours cats body does not recognize the chip as a foreign object, thus the immune system does not attack the chip. A microchip implant takes just seconds at your veterinarian's clinic, and then your pet has permanent ID that will last its entire lifetime. The final step is to register your pet's microchip with the maker’s company and keep your information updated.
04/15/2013 - Litter box tip #3 of 3: Cats prefer a quiet place to their business. A litter box best to a loud washing machine to them is like a toilet next to a loud train for us. Don't place food or water next to litter boxes. Keep children and dogs away from litter boxes. Litter boxes should always be a quiet place. Always consult with your veterinarian if you cat is inappropriately urinating; it could be due to a serious medical condition.
04/08/2013 - Litter box TIPS # 2 of 3: Cats prefer sand type litter, closer to their natural substrate, Pellet type litter can be painful for senior and declawed cats with arthritis. Place your litter box in a core area for your cat. Forcing them to take a long journey to relieve themselves can lead to them finding a easier place to relive themselves. Also always consult with your veterinarian if you cat is inappropriately urinating; it could be due to a serious medical condition.
04/01/2013 - Litter box TIPS # 1 of 3: Cats prefer unscented litter as they have a much stronger sense of smell. They also prefer a large litter box. Choose a litter box that each cat can easily turn around comfortable and stand fully erect. Always consult with your veterinarian if you cat is inappropriately urinating; it could be due to a serious medical condition.
03/28/2013 - Mini Home Physical
While petting your cat it is the ideal time to do a mini physical exam. Rub your hands over cat feeling for lumps, bumps or anything out of the ordinary. Look at skin for signs of fleas. Check feet and nails (trim if needed), check ears and gently lift cat’s lips to look at teeth. Cats are very clever at hiding illness but if you are aware of some of the subtle signs of illness, you will know when to seek prompt medical attention for your cat.
SIGNS: Any elimination behavior changes, changes in social interaction, activity level changes, increased or decreased sleeping, increased or decreased eating/water consumption, weight loss or gain, decreased grooming habits, stress, depression, hiding, increased vocaalization, bad breath.
If you notice any of the above, schedule a visit as soon as possible with your veterinarian.
03/25/2013 - DIET and Nutrition
Kittens need a different kind of diet than adult cats, as their stomachs are smaller and their nutritional needs somewhat different. It is important to feed your kitten a kitten food that is specially designed to meet their nutritional requirements. Feed their in small amounts, several times a day. As your kitten grows, dietary changes will be necessary. We are here to help you keep your kitten healthy and happy.
05/13/2013 - Roundworms are intestinal parasites that are common in cats. There are two species of roundworms that infect cats, one of which can cause health problems in humans, too.
- Kittens can ingest larvae through their mother's milk.
- Eating rodents or other carriers (beetles, black flies, earthworms) who have been infected with the larvae
- 15% of commercial potting soil contains roundworms
- The eggs are hardy and can remain infective for months or years.
- Roundworms are zoonotic which means the larvae of roundworms can infect people. This happens when eggs are ingested, and is most common in children who may not practice the best hygiene, and may pick up eggs on their hands when playing in the yard, for example.
05/06/2013 - Tapeworms are a parasite that is found in the small intestine of cats. They are flat and segmented, white in color and can grow up to 20cm long.
- The tapeworm cycle begins with the flea larvae eating fecal matter that contains tapeworm eggs.
- The eggs hatch inside the flea and become cysticercoids.
- A cat may then swallow or eat a flea that contains these cysticercoids while chewing or biting at a flea during grooming.
- Once the flea passes into the cat's intestine the flea is broken down and the cysticercoids develop into an adult tapeworm.
- The tapeworm attaches itself to the lining of the intestine and feeds off the nutrients.
04/29/2013 - Introducing a second cat to your resident kitty is one of the most frightening and frustrating things that cat owners go through. It’s often a nail-biting experience but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to do a gradual introduction and give the cats a reason to like each other. Take a look at this great advice! http://catnet.stanford.edu/articles/introducing_cats.html
04/22/2013 - Microchips: 1 in 3 pets go missing during its lifetime, and without proper ID, 90% never return home. A microchip for cats gives the best protection with permanent ID that can never be removed or become impossible to read. Microchips only contain a number that identifies your cat. No personal or financial info is stored on the ID chip. Microchips are very safe for your cat. They do not contribute to cancer. Yours cats body does not recognize the chip as a foreign object, thus the immune system does not attack the chip. A microchip implant takes just seconds at your veterinarian's clinic, and then your pet has permanent ID that will last its entire lifetime. The final step is to register your pet's microchip with the maker’s company and keep your information updated.
04/15/2013 - Litter box tip #3 of 3: Cats prefer a quiet place to their business. A litter box best to a loud washing machine to them is like a toilet next to a loud train for us. Don't place food or water next to litter boxes. Keep children and dogs away from litter boxes. Litter boxes should always be a quiet place. Always consult with your veterinarian if you cat is inappropriately urinating; it could be due to a serious medical condition.
04/08/2013 - Litter box TIPS # 2 of 3: Cats prefer sand type litter, closer to their natural substrate, Pellet type litter can be painful for senior and declawed cats with arthritis. Place your litter box in a core area for your cat. Forcing them to take a long journey to relieve themselves can lead to them finding a easier place to relive themselves. Also always consult with your veterinarian if you cat is inappropriately urinating; it could be due to a serious medical condition.
04/01/2013 - Litter box TIPS # 1 of 3: Cats prefer unscented litter as they have a much stronger sense of smell. They also prefer a large litter box. Choose a litter box that each cat can easily turn around comfortable and stand fully erect. Always consult with your veterinarian if you cat is inappropriately urinating; it could be due to a serious medical condition.
03/28/2013 - Mini Home Physical
While petting your cat it is the ideal time to do a mini physical exam. Rub your hands over cat feeling for lumps, bumps or anything out of the ordinary. Look at skin for signs of fleas. Check feet and nails (trim if needed), check ears and gently lift cat’s lips to look at teeth. Cats are very clever at hiding illness but if you are aware of some of the subtle signs of illness, you will know when to seek prompt medical attention for your cat.
SIGNS: Any elimination behavior changes, changes in social interaction, activity level changes, increased or decreased sleeping, increased or decreased eating/water consumption, weight loss or gain, decreased grooming habits, stress, depression, hiding, increased vocaalization, bad breath.
If you notice any of the above, schedule a visit as soon as possible with your veterinarian.
03/25/2013 - DIET and Nutrition
Kittens need a different kind of diet than adult cats, as their stomachs are smaller and their nutritional needs somewhat different. It is important to feed your kitten a kitten food that is specially designed to meet their nutritional requirements. Feed their in small amounts, several times a day. As your kitten grows, dietary changes will be necessary. We are here to help you keep your kitten healthy and happy.
- There are four distinct stages of fleas: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult. A female flea will continue to lay a few eggs every day until she has reached up to 200-5000 eggs. Adult fleas can live months in your environment without feeding. Their life cycle is...Read More
