Monsters Inside Me

Hello humans! I may not be a spring chicken, but I am youthful at heart and so quick with my murder mittens. My age, though, reflects my extensive wisdom regarding all things C-A-T. Been there, done that. I often overhear cat owners telling my staff that their indoor cat does not need parasite prevention. “What could my cat be exposed to? She stays inside.” I want to shed some fur light on the subject so that you can keep your kitties free from parasites that could make you cat sick or die. No one wants their cat to die from a treatable problem and certainly no one wants humans in the home to be affected.

Consider these important facts, all derived from this great handout:

• Cockroaches, mice, and flies all carry roundworm (Toxocara) eggs. Cats are natural hunters and will hunt them! <gross>
• 15 percent of commercial potting soil contains roundworm eggs. <ewww!>
• Other animals in the household that go outside—like dogs and people—can bring in different parasites that can affect the indoor cat (think roundworm eggs, fleas, ticks, and mosquitos).
• A study conducted in 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control proves that almost 14 percent of the U.S. population in infected with Toxocara– much higher than what was originally through. <ugh!>
• The same study also states, “Although most persons infected with toxocara have no symptoms the parasite is capable of causing blindness and other systemic illness.” <that is terrifying!>
• All it takes is one adult heartworm in a cat’s heart to be fatal. Cats that die from heartworm can be clinically normal one hour before death. <so sad>
• And… wait for it… more than 25 percent of cats with proven heartworm infection, according to their owners, are kept indoors exclusively.

Yikes! This means that cats kept exclusively indoors can become infected with diseases from all sorts of parasites. What to do?

P-R-E-V-E-N-T-I-O-N.

So, humans, listen up. We know that indoor cats are exposed to parasites (fleas, ticks, mosquitos, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, whipworms, and ear mites), even though they don’t go outside. Keeping all your pets- both indoor and outdoor pets- on a parasite prevention year-round will protect your fur babies and yourselves.

Next question: what product should you get? My humans at Tri-County Small Animal Hospital have several options, depending on the needs of your cat. They’ll be happy to make a recommendation that is the best for your cat’s situation.  

Alas, the couch awaits, and I’m signing off to take a nap.

Love bites and snuggles, Bella

Cookies are for Santa, Not for Fido

Hello my humans- It is finally December (2020 is almost over!) and I’ve noticed that you’re bundled up lately, with these lengthy fur-like snakes wrapped around your necks. I wear my fur coat 24/7 and am always ready for winter. Speaking of winter, for those of you who celebrate Christmas, Santa will soon be climbing down your chimney, eating your cookies, and leaving presents. While we all love presents (who needs my address for sending me cat treats?), the problem lies in Fido (stinky dog) getting into the cookies, holiday treats, bacon grease, fatty meats, turkey skin, and the kitchen garbage.

“What’s the big deal?”, you ask. The big deal is that anything outside of Fido’s regular diet has the potential to cause pancreatic inflammation or tummy upset, which is often first noticed when he doesn’t want to eat, is vomiting, weak, having diarrhea, dehydrated, or has abdominal pain. If you notice that Fido isn’t feeling well, particularly if you know or suspect he got into non-dog food, call my humans at Tri-County Small Animal Hospital (865) 435-1374 and they’ll get Fido scheduled to be seen by one of our fabulous veterinarians (Dr. Linda Osborne, Dr. Jessica Hamilton, and Dr. Leslie Carter are so awesome! They love to brush my silky fur.). While dogs are generally stinky and not worth my time, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t want them to be sick.

Moral of the story: keep Fido on his regular diet of dog food, let visitors know to NOT give that begging dog table food, and call your veterinarian ASAP if Fido isn’t feeling well.

Love bites and ankle swipes, Bella

Did you know they make chicken flavored toothpaste?

Hello furiends! Bella’s back with a new story for you all! But let me tell you, it is not a fun one.

One day, here I was minding my own business, trying to eat some kibble for the fourteenth time of the day. One bite and OUCH! The kibble hurt! After that incident, I did not feel like eating. My mom noticed and was concerned that I was acting hungry, but not eating my usual many-small-meals. Thankfully, my mom is a veterinarian! Dr. Osborne, as many humans call her, examined me and realized it was my teeth. Then, they poked my little arm, I felt very sleepy, and when I woke up a couple hours later my mouth felt funny.

After a dental cleaning and one tooth extraction, I was back to my old self – except my teeth were pearly white again!

Dental health, as I hear, is an often-forgotten aspect of pet health-care. How would you feel if you never brushed your teeth?? Yeah, it’s a gross feeling. Something every pet parent can do at home is try brushing your furry friend’s teeth. Yes, it sounds silly but it’s worth it! Just be sure that you are using pet toothpaste, such as the kind they carry downstairs in my clinic. (Don’t use human toothpaste! It can be toxic, not to mention minty/spicy to us cats and doggos) My mom’s clinic sells chicken, malt, and beef flavored toothpastes designed to clean your pet’s teeny teefies. Brushing your pet’s teeth on a regular basis can improve their dental health and prolong the need for a dental cleaning at my mom’s clinic. Lauren, the tall human who manages my mom’s clinic, brushes her kitty’s teeth once a day. She gives her kitty lots of paw-sitive reinforcement; pets and a treat once they are done. Even though the teeth-brushing may only last 30-45 seconds, it is the beginnings of a healthy habit for her cat, Sylvie. Dental cleanings under anesthesia are a routine part of pet care and they should be done on a semi-regular basis, up to as often as every 6 months for those with more challenging mouths.

Rumor has it that next Month, September, my mom’s clinic is running a promotion for 10% off all dental cleanings! Make sure you talk those litter-scoopers at the front desk about scheduling your pets’ appointment for dental care.

Snuggles and love bites,

Princess Bella

What’s the deal with grain-free?

Hello! It is I, Bella, back again with some news for you all. I have overheard that some humans have been purchasing “Grain-Free” foods for their furry companions. I, for one, love my grains and I would be very upset if my litter-scoopers changed my food without my permission. So, as I stare out my window, I ponder as to why humans are purchasing this “Grain-Free” kibble?

In recent years, there has been a rise in the belief that people are “gluten sensitive”, and because of that, they eat a grain-free diet. But does that mean that you should feed your dog grain-free food? My mom, Dr. Osborne, says no!

Many other cat-pokers, or “veterinarians” as my mom says, agree that grain-free diets can cause something called dilated cardiomyopathy. I have been told that 93% of furry friends diagnosed with this heart problem are being fed that “grain-free” nonsense by their food givers. Dr. Osborne says that unless directed by a veterinarian, please do not feed your fluffy companions anything labeled “grain-free”.

My mom suggests that you stick to feeding pet food made by a large, well-known company, and that you feed something that is made for the appropriate age range. Make sure to not feed kittens adult cat food. Similarly, make sure you transition your cat, or dog, to adult food as they reach 1 year old. Dr. Osborne advises to never switch your pet’s food without consulting with your veterinarian. Additionally, my mom also says anytime you are switching your pet’s food, make sure to transition, by mixing old food with new food, over a few days to help prevent any tummy troubles. If you have any questions about your pet’s food, please call my mom’s office and ask them!

 

love bites and snuggles,

Bella

Fleas, ticks, and parasites… oh my!

Bella’s Blog – February 2020

It is February. So can someone explain this crazy weather?! First it’s sunny and 75, then it’s 20, then it floods, then it snows! What in the world? The humans here at Tri-County Small Animal hospital have been joking, “That’s Tennessee weather for ya!” The drastic changes are rather annoying… I can’t decide if I need to shed or keep my winter coat. One more thing… this abhorrently warm weather is unfortunately good for fleas and ticks. If daytime temperatures are above freezing, ticks are still active! And it takes 10+ days of sustained freeze to kill off some fleas. These back and forth temperatures do not kill those nasty blood-sucking pests! Yeck.

My litter-scoopers apply a dose prevention every month to make sure I don’t catch anything. As much as I dislike that little tube of wetness, I know it’s just to protect me. Even though I am a posh, inside-dwelling kitty, the chance that I could attract fleas is still there. Fleas and ticks can find their way into your house the same way an ant or lady bug can.

Not only are ticks gross, but they can also carry tick-borne infections that they can pass on to dogs with just one tick bite. Another thing: did you know that fleas carry tapeworms? So if Bandit eats a flea that’s on his foot, he might catch tapeworms from it. Talk about nasty. The best part? Both of those instances are entirely preventable!

In the great state of Tennessee, all dogs and cats need flea/tick/heartworm prevention all year long. Some humans think us fur babies only need prevention during the summer… and then they wonder why their fluffy ball of cuteness is scratching her neck in mid-February. Help keep your pets happy and healthy all year long! Come see me and my humans at Tri-County Small Animal Hospital and they can make sure your pets are up to date and protected from mayhem, like fleas and ticks.

Love bites and snuggles,

Bella

Happy Howl-oween!

Greeting humans! The weather is getting chillier (not that I can tell, I live inside! Thank yooouuuu, climate control.) and the leaves are changing colors! It is almost time for Halloween: that silly holiday you litter-scoopers celebrate where you eat a lot of candy and dress up as something you are not – One time, I saw a human dressed up like a cat. Imposter.

While Halloween is a fun time for you all, it can be scary for pets, like me.
Any holiday poses a risk for pets, but with Halloween comes; our food-givers are busier (often busy dressing up the tiny humans), there are more strange people in our dwelling than normal, and the hustle-and-bustle of trick-or-treaters can be no fun. (PLEASE stop ringing that obnoxious door bell. Go away.) Here are a few tips on how to keep all your fur babies safe during Halloween:

1. Keep your dogs and cats safe inside during the night. We are not used to people coming to the door every 27.5 seconds, and all the activity can be overwhelming. Keep us fur babies away in a room with the door closed, and perhaps add some white noise like a fan – it can help relax us and drown out the noise of your tiny humans screaming “trick or treat”. Also remember cats, black ones in particular, are often targeted for pranks – keep us inside and out of sight for the holiday and even a few days before and after.
2. Keep all flaming decorations (such as candles or those things you call “Jack O’ Lanterns”) out of paw’s reach. What can I say? We are fascinated by those flickering light shows of wonder.
3. Keep all candy out of reach too! Most people know chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but it can be for cats too! Also, candy containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol is poisonous to us too. It can cause seizures, coma, or death. Raisins are also toxic to dogs because they cause kidney failure. It is better safe than sorry!

4. Costume safety: Now, many of us cats and dogs enjoy dressing up! I, for example, feel like the queen I am when my food-givers dress me up. However, some furry friends hate dressing up and will try to eat their costume. Keep your costumes pet safe by avoiding strings or ribbons and the like; they can cause serious tummy aches that may require surgery if a blockage forms. Keep an eye on us of we are dressed up! Never leave a pet unattended while dressed in a costume.
5. Finally, keep us IDed! Make sure all pets have collars with ID tags and microchips with accurate contact info on them! In the unlikely event we were to slip out, we need other humans to be able to return us home!

Keep these tips in mind as you food-givers prepare for the pumpkin festival you call Halloween.

Love bites and snuggles,

Bella

Lost and Found: Cat Edition

Greetings food-givers and litter-scoopers, Bella here!

Let me tell you all about my most recent scare. I had the worst nightmare last night! I dreamed that I had got loose from the Hospital, and I couldn’t find my way back! It was dark and wet outside, there were scary noises, and worst of all, I couldn’t find any cat food! (I was not about to be “hunting” for my food, like a peasant. Yeck. I’m too fabulous for that.) Thankfully, I woke up in my warm, cushy bed here at the Hospital, with my food bowl (mostly) full and in sight. Then, I remembered that if I ever did get lost, I am microchipped, and that means that someone can help me get back home! I don’t know what I would do without my little microchip.

Come to think of it, August 15th is National Check the Chip Day! Do you have all your pets microchipped? If not, why wait? It is a pretty easy procedure and the peace of mind is worth it. Also, there is something else that is equally as important as having a microchip in the first place: keeping the data up to date. Any time you humans move or change contact information, make sure to update your pet’s microchip info as well. Did you know that Tri-County Small Animal Hospital, as well as many other animal hospitals and shelters, will scan a microchip for free? That means that if I, or any other pet, got lost and was found by someone, we can find our homes faster and easier!

Love bites and snuggles,

Bella

So Happy Together, Claws and All

Hello humans,

As a professional cat, I can assure you that scratching is a natural behavior in cats and we do this to mark our territory and condition our nails (my nails are in primo condition, thankyouverymuch). We also scratch things to show those stinky dogs who’s boss. But in all seriousness, indoor scratching can also be a sign of your cat’s stress and anxiety. Common causes of stress include changes in the home and tension/ conflict between cats.

You can start managing your cats’ stress by making sure they have one litter box per cat plus an additional litter box. Put the litter boxes in different areas around the house. Have a least one food and water bowl per cat. Put the water bowls in different areas than the food bowls and litter boxes. If your cat is still scratching in places you deem inappropriate, get them a check up at the vet and consider these alternative methods to declawing:

1. Use vinyl caps on the ends of your cat’s nails and change them out every 6 weeks. Pick fun colors that compliment your cat’s fur.
2. Give your cat a manicure with a nail grinder to take the pointy edge off. Humans make pretty quiet ones now, so they’re not too scary.
3. Add a new scratching post and apply Feliscratch by Feliway to redirect scratching onto the scratching post. My mom had carpet installed on the door frames of my penthouse so I could sharpen my nails there.
4. Buy used furniture that you don’t mind getting further destroyed.

Before your go to your local shelter and pick up a cat for your household, have a plan in place for dealing with scratching. It’s better to be proactive and start off on the right paw with your fur baby.

Love bites and snuggles, Bella

 

To vax or not to vax? A cat’s purrspective

Hello my loyal readers, Bella here! I’m back from my spring vacation in Catalonia where I toured the Sagrada Familia Basilica and played in the sand at the beach. But, now that I’m back in town, I’m getting down to business. The business at hand is reminding you humans to keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date (ugh, yes, even those of your stinky dog).

Throughout their lives, your pets will likely be exposed to several infectious diseases that can cause severe illness or even death. Luckily, you can prevent infection through vaccinations (#thankyouscientists). But how often and which vaccinations does your beloved fur baby need? Well, it depends on your individual pet’s lifestyle and risk factors. “But Bella?”, you inquire, “are vaccinations safe? I’ve heard that they can cause cancer in cats!” Great question! There have been cases of cats developing cancer in a spot where they’ve received a vaccination. The risk is small, however— especially for kittens—and it’s better to vaccinate too often than not enough. Vaccination has saved innumerable lives, both human and animal. There are also isolated cases of allergic reactions, but these are rarely life-threatening when treated appropriately. It is important, however, that kittens (or puppies) not be randomly vaccinated outside of published recommendations. Vaccines are not one-size-fits-all and should be tailored to the individual kitten or puppy.

Want to dig deeper, like I did when I built my amazing sand castle on the beach in Catalonia? Read on for canine guidelines. More interested in us mysterious cats? Read here for feline guidelines. 

Love bites and hairballs, Bella

Love me, Love me Not.

Hello, my fierce and fuuurless followers.

As you know, February has been marked permanently as the month for loveeee and in honor of this I wanted to talk about something close to my heart (literally.) Heartworms are a very real and very dangerous disease that can affect both dogs and cats, affecting mostly dogs (and as much as I don’t like them, I feel for them). However, cats can still get heartworms and should also be tested and protected! Heartworm disease develops when the animal is bitten by a mosquito that is carrying heartworm larvae (baby heartworms) that are microscopic. Once bitten, the larvae penetrate the skin and begin migrating to the blood stream. Adult heart worms can grow 10 to 12 inches in length, YUCK! Once mature, they make their home in the right side of the heart and pulmonary (lung) arteries, often causing lung disease and heart failure.

 

Even though heartworm disease is super easy to prevent *yawn* it can be difficult and costly to treat – so why not just prevent it with an affordable monthly prevention for your pet, duh!?

 

There were 5,935 cases of reported heartworm disease in just canines in Tennessee in 2018!

 

There are multiple prevention options for both cats and dogs. They’re affordable and so worth it to keep us safe from this nasty disease. Protect your loooved ones! The month of love is the perfect time to start if you’ve never had your pet on a prevention before. Call your vet to schedule an exam and heartworm test and get your pet on a preventive right away! Remember, heartworm disease is contractible year round.

 

For more information you can call your local vet, or give us a call and we would happy to answer any questions you have! (865) 435-1374.

 

For more information you can also visit:  www.heartwormsociety.org

 

 

That’s all for now!

 

Pets and love bites, Bella. Xoxo