Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex in Cats - Part 3

If you missed the beginning of this cat's story, start here.

Three weeks later:

Okay, Lily returned for her recheck today.  Really fantastic results! She looks normal!  Her upper lip is about 99% healed, and her paw is totally normal as well.

The Power of Words in Veterinary Medicine - The Unedited Version

The Power of Words in Veterinary Medicine (The Unedited Version)

A cancer diagnosis had become as common as a urinary tract infection. I had forgotten the impact of a poor prognosis.

 

In our celebrity-driven, reality TV-obsessed world, it’s become pretty apparent that in the year 2012, the classic objects of desire – money, fame, and power – remain as coveted as ever.  Although we veterinarians tend to live in our own little bubble, by no means are we immune to the ways of the real world.  Speaking strictly for myself, I have no desperate desire for fame. My small but devoted cadre of followers of my clinic’s Facebook page and my personal blog is more than sufficient to make me feel recognized.  As for wealth, I certainly wouldn’t mind a little more of it, but I do own my own practice and we’re doing pretty well, and given the economic woes that many of my clients have experienced these past few years, I consider myself fortunate to have a steady job and a nice paycheck and there’s no justification for me to whine about finances. 

It’s the “power” part of the equation that I find myself dwelling on instead.   Fame and wealth may seem elusive, but as a veterinarian, I have more power than I have ever dreamed of.  I suppose if I were to broach the topic of power to a group of veterinarians, most would suspect I was referring to the power one might acquire when advancing from an associate position to becoming a partner or perhaps even a practice owner, attaining the power to control one’s own life a little better, i.e. less worrying about job security, fleeting benefits, non-compete clauses, or sudden changes in schedule.   However, this is not the type of power that’s been occupying my thoughts.  I’m referring to the power we have, as veterinarians, to completely ravage the lives of others with a simple sentence or two. 

Dr. Arnold Plotnick joins the Petocracy Team of Animal Health Experts

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There’s no substitute for the hands-on care of a local veterinarian, but sometimes you just need to ask a simple question about a worrisome symptom or issue.

At petocracy.com, they have assembled a team of pet experts that includes licensed veterinarians, clinical specialists, and certified professionals in various pet-related fields. The team is standing by to provide answers to your specific pet health questions, for free.

Dr. Arnold Plotnick is the resident cat health expert at Petocracy -- After you have signed up to the site, connect with him here: http://petocracy.com/Community/Profile/aplotnick

In addition to the resident experts, petocracy.com features hundreds of articles, videos and conversations. All content is curated, meaning that real people are reviewing information for accuracy and relevancy to the interests of the pet owners community.

Letting Your Cat Outdoors Can Be Dangerous

Letting Your Cat Outdoors Can Be Dangerous

As a feline practitioner and advice columnist, I receive many letters from concerned cat owners.   I received a letter a while back from an owner whose cat used to live indoors and outdoors.  He would essentially come and go as he pleased, through the cat door in their kitchen.  Most of his time was spent outdoors, in the owner’s backyard.  Everything was fine.  A new job opportunity has resulted in the owner moving to a new home.  The street out front has much more traffic, and the backyard is considerably smaller.  The owner is very concerned that if he lets the cat outdoors, the cat may get lost, or maybe get injured.  The cat, however, is miserable being cooped up inside all day.  

Blog Love to FleaCures.com

We would like to send a meow-out and paws-up to our informative friends at Fleacures.com.  Recently, the website had a little question and answer with Dr. Plotnick about the joys of being a cat blogger.

Fleacures.com is an excellent source of information for all things feline versus flea.  They get very specific on why you need to protect your furry friends, how to protect, what to do if there's an infestation, and more.

Check out the mini-interview, and their website FleaCures.com

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex (EGC) in Cats - Part 2

Continued from Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex (EGC) in Cats - Part 1

Two weeks later:

So, Lilly came back two weeks later.  Check it out!  The owner reported that the long-acting steroid injection seemed to work immediately, and the lip ulcer started getting smaller.  The foot responded pretty well, too, she said, with the lateral lesion resolving, and the larger medial lesion shrinking noticeably.  As you can see, the erosion on the upper lip is about 75% improved:

Top 8 Signs that you Need to take your Cat to the Veterinarian Immediately

Would you know a cat emergency if you saw one?  I discussed feline first aid for cats and kittens (what to do in a cat emergency), but now I want to point out signs that should cause the pet owner to say, "This is a cat emergency! I need to get my cat to the veterinarian immediately."

It’s amazing the variations that I’ve seen amongst my clients in terms of how often they bring their cat to the veterinarian. I have some clients who bring their cat in if they hear one sneeze, or find one puddle of vomit. I’ve had others who hold off on bringing their kitty to the clinic until the cat is on death’s doorstep. (Fortunately, my current clients never wait that long. However, years ago when I used to practice on cats and dogs, it was a different story.)

I personally believe that cats should be examined by a veterinarian a minimum of twice a year. In adult cats, six months is the equivalent of about two years in human years. A lot can happen to a cat in six months. If not every six months, then certainly at least once a year.

There are scenarios, however, when a cat should be seen RIGHT AWAY. I’m sure there are some people who would perhaps add a few other signs to my list, however, I tried to narrow the list down to a realistic number of signs without getting too carried away.  Here are the top 8 signs that you need to take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.

Removed a Pair of Bladder Stones from a Cat

Ouch! How'd ya like to have these things bouncing around in you bladder?

Bladder Stones removed from a cat

Kitty is doing fine after surgery.

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex (EGC) in Cats - Part 1

Recently, I saw a pretty dramatic case.   A feline patient came in kind of looking like those people in that old Twilight Zone episode.  You know the one:

Beauty is in the eye of the ulcer

Kosher Cat Food: Can Cats and Their Owners Keep Kosher during Passover?

Kosher Cat Food.  Can cats keep kosher during Passover?  Can kosher cat owners keep cat food in the house?  Can we pass over the passover rules for cats? Oy Meow!

A friend of mine who lives in Atlanta, Richie, wrote to me the other day, telling me that in his never-ending search for  foods that his finicky cat Pinhead will eat consistently, he spotted an interesting designation on one of the cans’ label:  Endorsed by the cRc, Kosher for Animal Consumption.

I myself had never seen or heard of food that was supposedly kosher for cats.  I have heard of vegetarian cat owners trying to find vegetarian cat foods (which is impossible, as cats are true carnivores and cannot subsist on a vegetarian diet.  And don’t even think about vegan diets for cats), but never a kosher kitty diet.  Fortunately, Richie and I have a mutual friend, Doug, who lives in Israel and is orthodox in everything (except his love for punk music).  Doug shed some light on the topic:

The cRc is the Chicago Rabbinical Council, a well-known and respected rabbinic organization operating in the Chicago Metro area.

There is absolutely zero requirement within Jewish law for animals to eat "kosher" at any time during the year.

During Passover, Jews are not only required not eat leaven products, but they cannot even own them.  Not owning leavening, by the way, even extends to the food you keep on hand to feed your pets.

Here’s where it gets crazy:

Harlem Shake, Manhattan Cat Specialists Edition

We just could not resist. The Harlem Shake, Manhattan Cat Specialists Edition!

Free Feline Dental Evaluations for your Cats at Manhattan Cat Specialists in February during National Pet Dental Month

Free Feline Dental Evaluations for your Cats at Manhattan Cat Specialists in February during National Pet Dental Month  

Dental disease is the most common disease seen in pets. In fact, the majority of cats aged over five years have some form of dental disease. Pets need dental care just like humans do – and during the month of February Manhattan Cat Specialists wants to help get your cat’s health teeth healthy!


February is National Pet Dental Month. To encourage cat owners to take good care of their cats’ teeth, Manhattan Cat Specialists is offering, during the month of February, a free dental evaluation by one of our veterinary technicians. During this screening, the technician will evaluate the condition of your cats’ teeth and gums and will inform you if it appears that your cat has issues that need further evaluation. We can also advise you on how to keep your cats teeth healthy at home.

Providing proper dental care for your cat can protect it from pain and serious illness. Your cat will have fresh breath, be more comfortable eating, and enjoy meals more, allowing for a longer and happier life.

Call our office at 212-721-2287 and schedule your free dental screening during the month of February.

Anatomy of the Feline Mouth  

Tooth or Consequences

Arnie and Brad - Three Years Later

It’s hard to believe, but three years ago I wrote a blog post about my “lil’ bro’” Brad and I reconnecting after ten years.  If you go back to that post, you can read the story of how he and I met back in Baltimore when he was just a little kid, and how, after being out of touch for ten years, we reconnected.  Not only did we rekindle our friendship, I decided to hire him!

I figured it was time for an update.

Leukeran Price Gouging Causes Feline Chemo Cost to Skyrocket

Leukeran Price Gouging Causes Feline Chemo Cost to Skyrocket.

One Leukeran tablet is now more than $11 a pill and cat owners cannot afford that.

The Relationship Between Coat Color and Personality in Cats

Although most of us cat lovers will tell you that it’s a cat’s personality that matters most, many of us will admit that we find ourselves drawn to a cat’s particular coat color.  At my cat hospital, my technician Hiromi is drawn to orange boys.  I tend to go for the torties.  My technician Gina favors black cats.  A close friend of mine, Arden Moore (the famous writer and pet educator) feels that there is certain personality traits are tied to coat color in cats.  Only a few studies have been done, however, that explore the potential link between coat color and cat personality, and these have shown mixed results.  One study from 1995 suggested that orange male cats may have difficulties in “tolerating the proximity of other males”.   A study (that was never published) on the reactions to novel situations showed that orange and cream colored kittens reacted more aggressively than other colors of kittens when held by an unknown  human.  A more recent study (in 2010) looked at cats of certain coat colors (black, orange, brown, and tortie) and compared them to cats of the same coat color but with white patches (i.e. black and white, orange and white, brown and white, and calico) in terms of how the cats reacted to novel situations and handling by a stranger.  No significant differences were found between any of the coat color groups.

No significance. Good.

So, studies of actual personality differences based on coat color are decidedly mixed.  But what about people’s perceptions of cats of a certain color?   Whether studies show differences or not, people definitely do associate personality and color.  It’s not just coincidence that black and brown cats are the less likely to be adopted from shelters compared to other colors.  Studies have shown that the color of a cat plays a significant role as a basis for adopting a cat, however, the cat’s personality takes on the greater role when it comes to whether or not to keep the cat in the home once it’s been adopted.

Exactly how are certain colored cats perceived by people?