Cat Ailments A to Z - Overly Dramatic Cats!

Cat Ailments A to Z - Noise Phobias

Acoustico is Greek for  'To hear'

Phobia is Greek for 'Fear'

A Phobia is an overwhelming and unreasonable fear of an object or situation that poses little real danger but provokes anxiety and avoidance MayoClinic

A Noise Phobia is a severe fear of a specific sound. 
For example - Thunderstorms, Loud Trucks, Smoke Alarms, Birds, Fireworks, Screaming 

The more a cat is exposed to the fear-provoking stimulus, the more the reactive the cat may become, 
One may believe that exposure to a certain fear or phobia can desensitize the animal - Not if the fear has psychological and physiological components to it.
And not if the phobia has never been dealt with.

The Fear can actually escalate, worsening with each exposure.

Soon the pet may become fearful of similar sounds or events that they have associate with the noise.

• A fear of storms can possibly escalate by reacting to rain.

• A fear of loud noises caused by big trucks may soon be associated with trucks in general. 

• A fear of loud bird squawking may soon be associated with the cat just seeing the bird through the window. 

There may be a particular bad experience of a noise that you can ascertain as being the triggering event, but often the owner is unaware.
There may be no reason.

The natural awareness cats have to their surroundings, their knowledge of what they should be on guard for - such as the dog, another cat, the evil vacuum, toddlers ...
That triggers their fight or flight mechanism - and it should, they have evolved to know these things can cause them danger. ( the vacuum and toddler are just common sense )
It tells them to move, get out the way.

A phobia - such as a noise phobia - triggers the danger button.
The need for fight or flight.
Except they are experiencing this trigger as if they are in serious danger.
To them there is a rabid, cat eating wolf right in their face. (I have no idea, this is just a scary killy thing)

Imagine a rabid wolf in front of you, what would you do? (I would stand like a statue because that is what I was taught as a child.. in regards to a dog...so basically get eaten.. I would get eaten by the rabid wolf)

Now pretend your a cat.

• Hiding (most common sign in cats)
• Urinating
• Defecating
• Chewing
• Panting
• Pacing
• Trying to escape (attempting to climb walls, curtains, bookcases - up and or out in general)
• Drooling
• Seeking the owner
• Not eating
• Trembling or shaking
• Dilated pupils
• Vocalizing ( meowing)

Physically, the body experiences this as if the cat is in grave danger

• Cardiovascular—tachycardia
• Endocrine/ metabolic—increased cortisol levels, stress-induced hyperglycemia
• Gastrointestinal—inappetence, gastrointestinal upset
• Nervous—adrenergic/nor-adrenergic overstimulation
• Respiratory—tachypnea

Some other physically experienced issues due to phobias

• Musculoskeletal—self-induced trauma resulting from escape attempts
• Skin—acral lick dermatitis

The owner's attitude can influence the severity of the fear.
If owners themselves are nervous during storms there is a higher chance that their pet will have a  noise phobias or  a phobia may become more severe.
If the owner attempts to overly comfort the animal, the animal interprets it as confirming there really is something to be afraid of.

Not saying that our over comforting is a 'reward' but if every time your cat freaks out - you follow him, pull him out from under the bed, cuddle him, and pet him with both hands - Fluffy may be thinking - HOLY CRAP I WAS RIGHT! I ALMOST GOT EATEN BY A RABID WOLF! Look at how they are comforting me, I was in grave danger...knew it. 
I escaped this time. 
Next time I may not be as lucky.. I will have to run faster.

 Cats are weird, we all know that.
A kitten that I fostered, she was hanging out in the living room when this big bird - not 'Big Bird' - flew rather close to the window and let out this loud HONK
The kitten bolted out of the room and pushed the sliding door on the hallway closet open enough to wiggle in. 
A few moments later you could see her little head at the opening of the door - she was panting and her eyes were huge!
It's not nice to laugh... but it was so cute it was hard not to.
She has since learned that the Geese are not trying to kill her.

Sampson, a cat we recently rescued from a tree - He is showing a few signs of a possible noise phobia.
When he hears the tags on a dog collar make that distinct sound  that I can not explain...
He freezes, his eyes get huge, and he does not respond to me.
It does not take a genius to figure out that a dog probably chased him up a tree!

He reacts the same way to people arguing loudly - which he heard a couple doing outside.

So far that is all he has reacted to. It is odd because the rest of the time he is super chill.

Okay, so how do you treat these phobias?
There are various ways to approach the treatment of your kitties phobias
Most of it involves training us - the humans - to stop trying to fix everything by comforting them and telling them it will be okay.
Medications
Changing Environment 
Behaviour Modification 

If any of you human have your own phobias, or maybe deal with anxiety and panic attacks - you will understand this.
Except the rabid wolf is more like someone holding a loaded gun to our heads - though it could be the wolf.....
Us humans also can be treated with those three things.
We do differ in the fact that we may feel many of the same physiological issues - we are less likely to actually do them.
Other than the panting and meowing.. we so do that.

Cat Ailments A to Z - Mad Itch

Mad Itch
Pseudorabies Virus Infection
Aujeszky's Disease 
Suid Herpesvirus

(all the same thing)

Because it is the shortest version of the name - Mad Itch will be used for this post

Mad Itch is an uncommon but highly fatal disease found in cats - But it's associated much more with Swine

The chances are higher for cats who come into contact with Pigs.

This disease is found mostly in farm settings, though the disease is not limited to farms

Mad Itch is a herpes virus; once an animal is infected, it remains infected for life
The animal may not demonstrate any signs of disease even though it is shedding the virus.

A Cat may contract this virus by eating contaminated, uncooked meat or offal from swine, or by ingesting infected rats.

Transmission can also occur by:

• Contaminated Drinking Water
• Contact with Contaminated Clothing, 
• Contaminated Footwear
• Contaminated Equipment

The Virus thrives in cool, damp weather

It becomes inactive in drying, sunlight, and warm temperatures (98.6 F and up)

•  Cat to Cat transmission does not usually occur

• There is a mild potential for human infection. Precautions should be taken when treating infected animals, and when handling infected tissues and fluids. PetMd

Well that is not good at all 

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency - There have been no reports of this in Canada, Australia, Greenland, or any African Country. ( just a tidbit of info - Australia also has eradicated Rabies)

Most other Countries have reported cases.
The US has stated that reported cases have been limited to feral Swine - not any Pigs located on farms.
All incidents are mandated to be reported.
Since we all have heard many things about tainted or infected meat coming from China...
 China 2012

In Canada ( probably also in many other places)
There is a procedure they follow once they are informed - it does not include trying to save any animal that is infect.
All animals infected will be euthanized.

Why is it called Pseudorabies?
There are many similarities between Pseudorabies and Rabies
Two of the aspects that differentiate this virus from Rabies are:
 

1. The term Mad Itch comes from the uncontrollable itching that is the result of the virus. To the point of mutilation - Not a symptom found with Rabies
2. There are no signs of outward aggression - like the scary Rabies version ( Though the severe itching may cause an animal to appear that it is acting crazy- possibly jumping around or just freaking out)

It's possible a cat suffering from Mad Itch will display no symptoms at all, but it can still be fatal.

However, some signs which may be seen include:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Muscle stiffness.
• Excessive salivation
• Rapid and labored breathing
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Vestibular signs such as circling and head tilting
• Head pressing.
• Ataxia
• Convulsions
• Intense itching and self-mutilation from scratching
• Coma

60% of the time this virus / infection last 24 to 36 hours, and is almost always fatal. 
40% of the time this virus / infections last more than 36 hours, and it too is almost always fatal.



 There is no medical or medicinal treatment 

• Pigs are the hosts of this virus - they would be considered subject #1
• They can pass the virus amongst their own population and their young. 
• Another animal can catch this be the routes of contamination I spoke of before.
• Once that animal contracts the virus - it has a very short life span. 
• Spreading of this virus through secondary animals is not as easy - but it is possible. 
• The Cat or Dog eats the infected Rat - Bad luck and bad timing - considering the small window between alive and infected - and dead rats being not as appealing.

The Cat that is infected dies within 36 hours - generally - or the Rat -they may have ventured to a different farm. 
With them they bring the virus... when they die, the pigs possibly eat them - now another farm is infected.

Here is what they list as preventative measures in regards to Cats

• Avoid contact with infected swine
• Avoid ingestion of contaminated pork
• Avoid ingestion of infected rats

Step 1. Create machine that translates Human to Cat so we can inform them of this. 
Step 2. Sell Machine and make millions !
Step 3. Create Cat Sanctuary with large moat surrounding area
Step 4. Hire Solders to stand guard against all intruders - be they Rat or Swine!
Step 5. Name Sanctuary The Cats Lair - then get sued by the ThunderCats... 

Cat Ailments A to Z - Lily Plant Poisoning

Fantastic band name... 
My job should be to name things...

The Lily is one of the most Toxic household plants
Eating as little as two or three leaves from the flowers can result in liver failure
If left untreated it may be Fatal to Cats.
Death can occur within 4 To 7 Days
Shorter if a larger amount of the plant has been ingested 

Lilium and Hermerocallis 

Members of the band?
Could be.. but no. 

All Lilies are considered toxic to cats.

Members of the Lilium and Hermerocallius genera are considered to be most toxic to cats.

These include

The Easter Lily 

 The Tiger Lily

 The Stargazer Lily

 The Day Lily

 
Keep in mind that each type of lily could variations on colour, hybrids, and 
I know very little about flowers. 
This site sells all sorts of flowers...it has pretty pictures



Symptoms associated with Lily Poisoning 

• Sudden onset of vomiting. 
• Depression 
• Diarrhea 
• Dehydration 
• Lack of appetite (anorexia)

 Important Facts

• All parts of the lily plant are considered toxic
• There is no at home treatment for lily poisoning 
• It does not take much to cause an issue or reaction 
• Just because you put it out of reach - does not mean it is out of your cats reach
• If you have an indoor outdoor cat be sure your garden is free of lilies
• If you allow your pet to wander outdoors - a neighbour may have Lilies in their garden - this is their property, they can do as they please. Your cat does not care who's property it is. 
• Many Churches give out Lilies around Easter - remind your family members who have Cats - Easter Lilies are highly toxic
• Just because your cat has never shown interest in a plant - does not mean they never will
• YES A CAT CAN ABSOLUTELY DIE FROM EATING ANY PART OF A LILY

Cat Ailments A to Z - K - Vitamin K Deficiency

                                                                                

 Vitamin K

• Vitamin K is  a fat-soluble vitamin
• Needed for the proper clotting of blood
• It may also help prevent osteoporosis, as it is needed for the synthesis of the bone protein involved in calcium crystallization. 

Vitamin K comes in 3 forms

•  Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is found naturally in plants, especially green vegetables; K1 goes directly to your liver and helps you maintain healthy blood clotting 
•  Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is made by the bacteria that line your gastrointestinal tract; K2 goes straight to your blood vessel walls, bones, and tissues
•  Vitamin K3  ( menadione ) is the synthetic form of Vitamin K - this is the least desirable format

Both vitamins K1 and K2 are converted to Dihydro Vitamin K upon digestion.

• There is no AAFCO recommended level of vitamin K in Cat food.

There have been reports of vitamin K deficiency in cats fed several commercial foods containing high levels of salmon or tuna.

• AAFCO recommends supplementation for any cat eating a diet containing greater than 25 percent fish

Everyone else would say - stop feeding just fish you dumbass!

When we think of the word 'Deficiency'  we generally don't associate it with poison. 
But the reality is, there are poisons that can cause a Vitamin K deficiency in Cats ( Dogs & other animals as well)

Poisoning with vitamin K antagonists

• Many of the popular rodenticides act by inducing a vitamin K deficiency 
• If severe, leads to death by bleeding. 
• Coumarin derivatives such as Warfarin and Dicumarol interfere with recycling of vitamin K  and thereby lead to vitamin K deficiency. 
• Some of the newer types of rodenticides have such long half lives that a single feeding on poison bait can kill not only the rodent, but cause bleeding disease in dogs or cats that subsequently ingest them.

Betcha didn't think of that when you were trying to kill a tiny mouse.

Diseases that cause or lead to Vitamin K Deficiency
Liver disease:  

•  Decreased bile salt synthesis leads to impaired vitamin K absorption and deficiency.
• The liver synthesizes bile acids and secretes them into the small intestine where they play a critical role in absorption of lipids. 
• Vitamin K, as a fat-soluble vitamin, requires proper lipid absorption for its own absorption. 
• Majority of the clotting factors are synthesized almost exclusively in the liver

Intestinal disease: 

• Diseases that result in lipid malabsorption in the small intestine can lead to defects in absorption of vitamin K, as discussed above for liver.

Mentioned below are disorders that tend to be treated by the addition of  Vitamin K  - Though they are considered Coaagulation Protein Disorders - and not - Vitamin K Deficiency

Factor VIII deficiency (Hemophilia A) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in  Cats
Females in general can only be carriers - males are more likely to be affected
In highly inbred families, a carrier female that mates with an affected male can product female offspring who are affected


Factor IX deficiency (Hemophilia B) is diagnosed less often than Factor VIII deficiency. It has been reported in Himalayan cats, a family of Siamese-cross cats, and a family of British Short-haired cats.
As with VIII - Female are carriers and males are affected - with the possibility of inbred female offspring being affected
Merck Manuals 

There does not seem to be anything stated as being excessive  -though there is talk about K3 which would make more sense since it is the only man made format

Cat Ailments A to Z - J ( nothing good for J so..)

Well isn't that just great. Poor kitties!

Cat cavities rarely form the same way Human cavities do.

• Instead of affecting the top of the crown, feline cavities typically start eating away at the tooth around the gum line. 

 Cat cavities are not technically called cavities - I believe this is just for us 'normals' to understand Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions - This is the doctor jargon.
So yeah.. Cavities. 
 That long doctory word means Tooth Dissolving Spots. 
Cat cavities can be called several other things like simply Resorptive Lesions, Tooth Resorption, and Neck Lesions.
Again re-affirming that Cavity is the best word to use.
I hear tooth resorption and it sounds like the mouth is taking back the tooth. Back to where ever it came from...Hell probably.  
Neck Lesions ? Well wouldn't that involve the neck.. and wouldn't it make more sense if it was on the outside?
Good thing I am neither a Vet or an English teacher.

• These cat cavities usually start as a small hole, at the level of the gum line, on the cheek side of the tooth.  
• Pre molars are the most commonly affected
• Second would be Molars
• Third would be the Canines
• Cavities can be associated with inflammation but can occur without inflammation, though this is less common.

I will try to use as many pictures as possible ... without using any that may be disturbing.. to me...

• A Cavity begins as a tiny hole that is difficult to detect ( I would agree - if you look at the stage 1 image you will see...nothing)

• It will eventually progress to dissolving most of the tooth.  

• Any Cavity is at least a little painful but these become even worse once the nerves start to get exposed as the enamel of the tooth is dissolved away. ( I can attest to the pain a cavity can cause. I am not cat like so I do not hide it well)  

• In the end stages the crowns of the teeth can break off.  

• With advanced cat cavities we can also see the gum overgrow around the tooth and sometimes cover the tooth entirely.

An exposed nerve in your tooth can cause a Human to be in agony.
And we can try to dull it with drugs and Whiskey !
Neither of those things work, but at least we can attempt something.
Our Cats depend on us to make sure they are okay.

• Resorptive lesions ( cavities )cannot be fixed.  
• Some veterinarians will fill in the defect but this does not prevent it from becoming worse. 

I see no reason for a vet filling the defect if this does not prevent it from getting any worse. 
A dentist can fill a human cavity - after they remove the bad part and this stops the tooth from decaying 
( well at least that's the idea)
It does seem a bit weird to put a filling in a cats tooth. 

• There are no medications or secret remedies that prevent or fix cat cavities.  ( And me with my magic potions just waiting to be used!)
• The only way to ensure the tooth will not cause your kitty anymore pain, is to have it removed.  (That seems like the only logical option to me. So maybe the vets can get together and lower the damn price!)
• Often when one Cavity is noticed, there will be others that are discovered under anesthetic, when a more thorough dental examination can be performed. 

Ever try to check out your cats teeth?
Or maybe you have to get a pill down a cats throat...
Cats are strongly against people being in their mouths. 
Kinda like me at the dentist. 

5 Step process to cleaning your cats teeth

10 Steps to cleaning your cats teeth

Video of cleaning your cats teeth

6 Ways to keep your cats teeth cleaning without brushing!

Cat Dental Products

Cat Ailments A to Z - Insect Stings/Bites

Insect Stings & Bites

I admit, there have been times when I have basically begged my cat to kill a centipede...or spider..sorry. 

I try my hardest to save the rest, or quickly put them out of their misery if there is no way for escape. 

THEY ARE CREEPY AND THEY FREAK ME OUT. 

I still don't want anything to suffer. 

Every bug, bee..or weird other flying legged creepy freak of a bug I have saved- you should have warned your friends. My cats fear no bug. 

Maybe they should. 

I fear the part of this post where I have to look up what insects can be poisonous or seem to cause distress in cats. 

I don't wanna. 

I really don't, I know there will be pictures..I know I should add pictures so people know what they look like. 

First.. information.

Cats explore with their paws and noses. 

They go face first into danger and don't even realize they are doing it. 

Many insect bites such as Bees. Wasps, Hornets - tend to happen on the paws or in the face.

Cats react basically the same way we humans do. Except the are much smaller and seeing them with a swollen paw or swollen face is much more disturbing. 

That is considered a Localized  Histamine Release

This can cause some pain, but the pain and swelling should usually be gone in 2 days. 

The pain is not extreme. If you notice your cat acting differently, not eating. or the swelling is not subsiding - take kitty to the vet. 

Some cats react differently to being stung. 

They get what is called a Generalized Histamine Release.

The Generalized Histamine release that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, anaphylactic shock, and even death.

Just like with humans, the only way to know if the cat will have this response is for them to be stung. 

Stupid how that works...

A human can be treated with what is called an Epi Pen

A CAT CAN NOT BE TREATED WITH A HUMANS EPI PEN

Regardless how they act - they are not furry people!

There may be pet versions available. 

By that I mean the dosage.

EpiPen Auto-Injector dosing

Auto-Injector	Epinephrine Concentration	Patient Weight
EpiPen Auto-Injector	0.3 mg (0.3 mL, 1:1000)	≥30 kg (≥66 pounds)
EpiPen Jr Auto-Injector	0.15 mg (0.3 mL, 1:2000)	15-30 kg (33-66 pounds)

For a cat the concentration is much different. 

Above you can see that the regular epi is 1:1000, and the jr epi is 1:2000

A cats concentration may need to be 1:10 000 - that is a huge difference.

SO LIKE I SAID BEFORE NO EPI PENS ON CATS

Some state that you can use Benadryl, others say it is ineffective. 

Some say harmful. 

There are other antihistamines that some suggest

Unless you know what you are doing - don't do it!

That is a simple rule that people suck at following.

But I don't wanna look at spiders :(

Snakes first...

In Ontario, the only venomous snake is the Massasauga Rattlesnake.

Treatment for rattlesnake bites includes supportive care, intravenous fluids, pain killers, and sometimes antibiotics. These treatments should occur at a veterinary facility. Antivenom use is controversial.

We do have many asshats with snakes..who really should never have them. 

So there is a  possibility of a species that is not from here.. roaming the streets..

I don't know what to tell you.. other than take a picture.. run.. get to a vet. 

Then punch yourself in the face for letting your cat outside. 

Then find out who owns the snake and ...well that is up to you. 

Spiders.. 

Sometimes I hate learning.

So Ontario has Black Widow Spiders.. I could have gone without knowing that.

Black widow spider venom is a neurotoxin. Benadryl has no direct impact on cats bitten by black widows, and no home treatments are effective. Symptoms of black widow spider envenomation include severe pain (with marked vocalization), severe GI upset, paralysis, drooling, seizures, and staggering. Death often occurs as a result of respiratory paralysis. Treatment must occur at a veterinary facility and is symptomatic: pain control, antiseizure medications, and intravenous fluids are administered. There is an anti-venom for black widow spiders that is considered safe for use in cats, but it is not commonly available.

I did a copy and paste. 

I don't even like reading about them...

 Oh.. we also have the Brown Recluse

I won't be sleeping tonight. 

There will be very little help regarding spiders ..sorry..google it. 

Best bet is to take a pic if you can and get to the vet.. 

Much less of a chance of your cat getting bit or stung by any of these things -JUST KEEP THEM INSIDE

Though they may still get stung..the % is much lower. 

In order to get nasty images out of my head....

I have no idea what kitty is suppose to be. But I bet it's warm!