APRIL 2016 SMALL ANIMAL NOTES Arthritis and cats inside this issue Arthritis and cats Cats are very stoical animals and are very good at hiding signs of being in pain. For this reason, they often end up going without pain relief. In fact 1 in 3 cats suffer from this debilitating disease and it can be seen in cats as young as 5 or 6 years old. Once the disease Liv J Gåsland process has started, it becomes a life long condition. Early intervention can slow down the disease process and ensure your cat is having a more comfortable life. Symptoms of arthritis in cats are very subtle: Reluctant to jump up or down Sleeps more and less keen to play Hesitant to climb stairs Reduced grooming Avoiding interaction with people Becoming more grumpy Although the elbow joint is most commonly affected, it can also be seen in knees and hips and less commonly in other joints. Cartilage forms a cushion on the surface of the bone inside the joint. With age this cartilage degenerates as part of the normal aging process. However, this degeneration can occur earlier due to injury, dislocation or infection in the joint. If your cat is overweight, the cartilage will be under extra pressure and this too will cause degeneration, leading to early arthritis. Do cats suffer from hip dysplasia? 1 3 Can arthritis be prevented? 4 Unwanted pregnancy in dogs 5 Erin Noonan, BVSc Pet health insurance 6 Hugh Hassleman, BVSc Never mind pulling my leg, how about a tail? 8
Once the arthritic process has started, there is no cure. Treatment is aimed at providing pain relief and in some cases slowing down the disease process which enables your cat to enjoy a happier, more comfortable life. Various options are available and it is better to start treatment earlier rather than later (even if your cat does not appear sore). Diet: Hills JD and Royal Canin Mobility These are both intended to be fed as an exclusive diet as the levels of omega oils and proteins are carefully designed for your pet. Joint supplements: Synoquin and Bomazeal Cat Pep These work by increasing the cushion effect as well as aiding in the repair of the damaged joint. The effect takes time to develop and as such these are designed for long term use rather than immediate pain relief. Pentosan injections: Pentosan This is a disease modifying osteoarthritic drug which stimulates the body s own mechanism to heal damaged joints. It is only licensed for dogs but has been used off license in cats. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, NSAIDs: Metacam This is the only NSAID licensed for cats and comes as a honey flavored liquid. It does not heal the joints or slow arthritic progression but works well as a pain relief in cases of acute flare ups, during winter, or as your cat s pain becomes chronic. Unfortunately, most cats first present to the vet when the pain has become chronic and it is therefore not unusual for cats to end up staying on Metacam long term, but at a low maintenance dose once they get started on it. Depending on what treatment regime best suits your cat, it will be necessary for you to bring him/her in for a vet check at least every 6 months and in some cases,every 3 months. If your cat is on Metacam long term, we will have to perform a blood test in order to monitor for any potential side effects such as elevated kidney enzymes or liver enzymes. Sometimes we also ask for a urine sample. April is Feline Arthritis Month and we would like to offer you a free check up for your cat regardless of age. We have a check up available, targeted specifically for your cat, be it a young cat, adult or senior cat. So book an appointment today and we will be happy to discuss this further and answer any questions you may have. Signs of arthritis in cats: Reduced Mobility Reduced Activity Altered Grooming Reluctance, hesitance or refusal to jump up or down Difficulty going up or down stairs Difficulty using the litter tray or going through the cat flap Not hunting or exploring the outdoor environment as frequently Sleeping in different, easier to access sites Reduced interaction and playing less with people or other animals Matted and scruffy coat Sometimes over-grooming of painful joints Overgrown claws due to lack of activity and reduced sharpening of claws Temperament changes More irritable or grumpy when handled, stroked or interacting with other pets Spending more time alone Avoiding interaction with people and/or animals 2 2
Do cats suffer from hip dysplasia? It is a well known fact that dogs can suffer from hip dysplasia, and hence a lot has been published about this condition in this species. However, it is becoming increasingly accepted that hip dysplasia is more common in cats than we realize. Liv J Gåsland The resulting lameness is often bilateral and hence can be difficult to recognize. Adding to this difficulty, cats do not show pain in the same way as dogs and the clinical signs develop gradually over time and so are often just put down to old age. On x-ray, hip dysplasia is also less obvious in cats than in dogs, with more subtle changes. It is possible to perform a total hip replacement in cats, but this is micro surgery in view of the size of a cat s hip joint. A more common surgery is to remove the femoral head and neck (the ball of the ball and socket type hip joint), leaving the ligaments and muscles to form a fibrous joint. Although surgery is an option, it is considered a salvage option and only performed if conservative management fails to keep your cat comfortable. In any case, it is best to try conservative or medical treatment first.. Cats do respond better to non-surgical treatment than dogs. Conservative/ medical treatment may involve a change of routine and environmental changes, physio, diet, weight loss, anti-inflammatory medication and nutraceuticals. If you think your cat may be showing signs of pain around the hips, then talk to your vet about it, and if appropriate the best treatment option can be started earlier rather than later. SMALLANIMALNOTESAUTUMN2016 3 3
Can arthritis be prevented? Arthritis is also known as inflammatory joint disease and can be either infectious or Liv J Gåsland non-infectious in origin. Noninfectious arthritis is often a normal part of ageing, leading to degeneration of the cartilaginous cushion within the joint, but can also be part of an immune mediated condition where the body starts treating the joint as foreign and starts to cause inflammatory changes. These can not be prevented, and treatment is aimed at either just pain relief, or slowing down the immune response. Fortunately the immune mediated conditions causing arthritis are rare. There are, on the other hand, things you can do to minimize the risk of your cat developing arthritis of infectious origin. Having your cat neutered, and kept indoors at night will greatly reduce the risk of getting into fights. Cats carry several bacteria and viruses in their mouth and these can be transferred through deep puncture wounds by cat bites, often located around joints. A cat bite abscess anywhere on the body can also cause transfer of infectious agent via the blood stream and settle in joints, hence cause the arthritic process to start. Keeping your cat up to date with vaccinations is not just so he or she can stay in a cattery whilst you go on holiday. Routine vaccination protects your cat against cat flu. Some of the cat flu viruses can be a cause of arthritis if they are carried by the blood stream and settle in the joints. You can also get your cat vaccinated against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), commonly known as cat AIDS. Cat bites are one of the many ways that FIV can be transferred between cats, and an FIV positive cat is predisposed to infectious arthritis due to a reduced immune system. Should your cat carry fleas or be infested with worms, the immune system will be working to fight these, and potentially less effective in fighting off other infections. Fleas and worms can also be a cause of anemia, which in turn will weaken your cat s immune system. Finally, perhaps the most beneficial thing you can do to prevent arthritis, is to make sure your cat is kept lean and doesn t become overweight. Should your cat already be a bit on the heavy side, then ask your vet on advice about a slimming diet. In short, although arthritis is part of old age and in fact is more common than we realize, there are ways to reduce the chance of it occurring earlier in life. 4 4
Unwanted pregnancy in dogs Erin Noonan, BVSc Spaying your dog is the best way to prevent any unwanted litter of pups. However, if you have chosen not to desex your female dog, then an understanding of their oestrus cycle can help prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Puberty in dogs occurs at between 6 to Erin Noonan 24 months old, with a heat occurring every 5 to 8 months. Pro-oestrus is the stage in a dog s cycle when she develops a bloody discharge and swollen vulva. At this stage she will start to attract male attention and this should be seen as a warning sign that she is about to come in to oestrus, or her heat. As soon as she enters pro-oestrus she needs to be separated from all entire male dogs. Prooestrus bleeding can last for between 3 to 17 days (average 9 days) before she goes into the most receptive part of her cycle, known as oestrus. During oestrus she will usually develop a straw coloured discharge and swollen vulva, and will not only attract male dog attention but will also stand to be mated. The oestrus stage can last for between 3 and 21 days (average of 11 days), with her most receptive time occurring at between 3 to 7 days post the start of oestrus. If your dog is mated at any stage during pro-estrus or oestrus, then pregnancy is a possibility! What now? The early stages of pregnancy can be difficult to diagnose. The most accurate way to determine pregnancy status is to perform an ultrasound examination 28 days after the mismating date. If your dog is pregnant and the pups are unwanted or the pregnancy is likely to be dangerous to your dogs health, then there are two options: first option is to spay your dog approximately 4 weeks The after the mating occurred. We wait 4 weeks as spaying during the oestrus period increases the risks of bleeding during surgery and can lead to detrimental hormonal effects in your dog. second option is to give mismating injections which The induce an abortion. The current protocol is to give 2 injections strictly 24 hours apart. This can be performed at up to 45 days after mating and is only 95% effective so we recommend an ultrasound 10 days post injection to ensure the treatment has been effective. Both these options require careful consideration so we recommend having a consultation with one of our veterinarians to discuss which one is best for you and your dog. SMALLANIMALNOTESAUTUMN2016 55
Pet health insurance Hugh Hasselman, BVSc If you have been watching any of the overseas television programmes about companion animals you will be aware that with the ever increasing levels of technology and knowledge, the standards of veterinary care offered for pets continues to Hugh Hasselman rise. With the demand by pet owners for the best care available for their pets, there comes an increase in the cost of treatment. Pet owning families hope that a serious accident or illness will never happen to their pet, but it often does. There is no public health system for pets. Pet Insurance is a proven method to allow pet owners to be confident that they have an affordable and reliable method to pay the costs of unexpected veterinary care. With adequate insurance cover in place pet owners are free to choose their veterinarian and know with reasonable certainty what amounts the policy will pay or reimburse for claims. This gives you the opportunity to consider all of the treatment options available and to choose the level of care you want for your pet. The premium costs can vary by the animal s age and breed. Most policies have an excess or co-payment requirement. You can also choose a higher copayment option to reduce the cost of cover. Comprehensive Medical & Surgical plans for pets up to middle age cost approx. $16.50 - $50 / month for a cat and $35 - $110 for a dog. (Consumer Magazine, 2016). 6 6 Policies can usually be tailored to include dental care, breed specific, genetic and chronic conditions. For Surgical Cover Only plans the premiums are lower. Southern Cross Insurance also has a policy for a single claim accidental injury cover. Most insurers offer six weeks of cover for free when you first register your interest in taking out a policy for a young kitten or puppy. (Between 6-20 weeks of age and 7 day stand down for illness). Policies can include end of life cover and provision for replacement of the pet. For peace of mind over your pet s well-being and for their emergency healthcare see us at for further information. There are several companies offering Pet Health Insurance in NZ. For a general review or in depth policy details look on the internet or the latest issue of Consumer NZ.
Buy a 300 Mobilize pack and receive 100 FREE* tablets! Old age is not a disease. But Osteoarthritis is. Your pet may be showing some of these signs: Difficulty getting in and out of the car Difficulty going up and down stairs Difficulty getting on and off the bed Reluctant to go for a walk or play Limping or stiffness Licking a single joint frequently (pain) Change in character or aggression Reluctance to be patted or picked up FREE* Bomazeal Mobilize Mobilize is a tasty tablet that is a safe, natural alternative for management of the symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs. In fact, Bomazeal Mobilize is the ONLY natural product with an ACVM approved label claim to aid in the treatment of noninfectious inflammatory joint disease and arthritis in New Zealand. Mobilize is available without a prescription. Green-Lipped Mussel Extract Deer Velvet process and has an anti-inflammatory action. strengthening of general body functions, healing, It has been shown to slow the degenerative Shark Cartilage A source of chondroitin sulphate and mucopolysaccharides, which are major constituents of cartilaginous material in joint surfaces, ligaments and tendons. Implicated in the restoration of normal body processes, promoting blood cell growth, improving the immune system and influencing cardiovascular function. Enzogenol A powerful formulation of antioxidants from the bark of Pinus radiata. Bayer NZ Ltd 3 Argus Place, HIllcrest, Auckland www.bayeranimal.co.nz Bomazeal Mobilize is registered pursuant to the ACVM act 1997 No. A9816. See www.foodsafety.govt.nz for registration conditions. *Strictly while stocks last. Buy one 300 tab pack of Bomazeal Mobilize and receive a FREE 100 tab pack. SMALLANIMALNOTESAUTUMN2016 77
Never mind pulling my leg, how about a tail? This is one lucky cat. He got his tail caught and pulled until he managed to get loose. But he was left with a cold tail, unable to move it. He presented to the clinic and was remarkably happy and seemed otherwise non-the-wiser of his major trauma. Liv J Gåsland An X-ray showed that the vertebra of his tail had been dislocated and separated from the spine. Injury to this level of the tail often results in nerve damage to the bladder and rectum, leaving the cat unable to go to the toilet, but this cat wanted to live and showed us that he was still able to both urinate and defecate. So the next day, he had rather extensive surgery to remove the dislocated part of his tail. He recovered well post surgery and was still able to go to toilet. His family was pleased to have him home again after his relatively short stay at the clinic. And after all, he s still got a tale to tell. Gore 8 Richmond St Ph 03 209 0101 Winton Cnr Great Nth & Welsh Rds Ph 03 236 6090 Invercargill 29 Findlay Road Ph 03 217 6688 Lumsden 44 Diana St Ph 03 248 9030 Otautau 203 Main St Ph 03 225 8206 Clydevale 2 Manse St Ph 03 415 9400 Tapanui Main Rd Ph 03 204 8233 www.vetsouth.co.nz 8 8