Pets Best Insurance Blog

Blog posts Categorized under ‘Cat insurance’

What caused kitty’s eye to fill with blood?

Posted on: November 10th, 2011 by

A black cat without pet health insurance waits to be seen by the vet.

By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

During my years as a vet and a pet insurance enthusiast, I’ve seen many handsome cats– but “Joe” was among one of the most handsome. Joe was a black 9-year-old who came to see me because his owner noticed his eye was bloodshot. It had been going on for 3 or 4 days, but Joe seemed to be eating well and acted fine otherwise.

Upon examination, I did indeed see blood in Joe’s right eye, but not in the way the owner had described it. The blood was inside the eye, not in the white part of the eye that we refer to as being bloodshot. The blood was actually behind the cornea, sitting on the iris, or colored part of the eye. There was also a moderate amount of pus floating in the eye next to the blood. The abnormal pressure was distorting the size and shape of the pupil and pushing it toward the inner corner of the eye.

These changes indicated a cat health condition called uveitis which is inflammation of the inner pigmented structures of the eye. The eyes are often referred to as a window to the soul, and likewise, they can often be a window into what is going on medically elsewhere in the body. Uveitis is most often caused by some underlying infection or systemic illness.

I had a hunch as to what illness was causing Joe’s uveitis, and blood tests confirmed my suspicions. Joe was infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

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FIV belongs to the same family of viruses as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). However, FIV is not transmissible from cats to people, and HIV is not transmissible from people to cats. The primary mode of transmission of FIV is through bite wounds. Therefore outdoor cats, especially territorial tomcats, are at greatest risk of infection. The virus is only rarely spread through casual contact. However, female cats infected with FIV during their pregnancy can pass the virus to their unborn kittens.

Infected cats may appear normal for years. The virus slowly depresses the function of the cat’s immune system, leading to chronic pet health problems and opportunistic infections. Many FIV-positive cats have chronic inflammatory conditions of the teeth and mouth. Other chronic problems include diarrhea, pneumonia, skin disease, weight loss and wasting, eye diseases (like with Joe), neurological problems, and cancer.

FIV is diagnosed by using a blood test that detects antibodies against the virus in the bloodstream of the cat. A confirmatory test called a Western Blot test is recommended to be sure of the diagnosis. I recommend testing all cats being introduced into a household to prevent exposing any existing cats to the virus. Kittens under 6 months of age may carry antibodies to FIV acquired from their mother without having the virus itself. Therefore, any kitten under this age that tests positive should be retested when it is over 6 months old.

There is no cure for FIV infection. Although the disease is considered fatal, many cats with the infection can live for many months or years with relatively few pet health issues. With proper health care aimed at recognizing and treating FIV-associated problems early, patients can enjoy good quality of life. All efforts should be taken to preserve their health by protecting them against other disease and injury. This is best accomplished by requiring FIV-positive cats to live indoors. This also helps prevent spread of the disease.

Vaccines to help protect against FIV infection are available. However, not all vaccinated cats will be protected by the vaccine, so preventing exposure will remain important, even for vaccinated pets. In addition, vaccination may have an impact on future FIV test results.

Joe’s blood work showed that his immune system was still functioning well. He was treated with antibiotics and topical steroids in his eye and he is responding nicely. I’m not sure when Joe was infected with FIV, so his long term prognosis is unclear. He is currently feeling well and enjoying life, so that’s what matters most to his owners. I will continue to closely monitor Joe’s health and hope that he has many good days ahead.

For more information about cat health care and pet insurance visit Pets Best Insurance.

Celebrate your kitty!

Posted on: October 31st, 2011 by

A newly adopted kitten with cat insurance sits in a bed.
By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Estimates show that approximately 4 million cats enter shelters every year, and 1 to 2 million of them are euthanized. This got me thinking about my own current four cats who were adopted from local animal shelters or rescued as strays. I had to euthanize my oldest one named Glory B. just this past weekend.

I got her from a shelter when she was 2 years old, and she shared her life with me for over 12 years. I spoiled her rotten, of course, and in her mind every day was a celebration! In return, though, she brought me much love and laughter. Like all of you, I could write a book on all the funny things that she did and experiences that we went through together. he was a wonderful companion, and I miss her terribly.

Cats enrich our lives in so many ways, and there’s so much to love about them– the soft, silky fur, the gentle purrs, the kneading paws, the quiet meows and little chirps. The list goes on and on! But did you know that there are also important health benefits to owning a cat?

Owning a cat can reduce your risk of heart disease. A recent study by researchers at the University of Minnesota found that people who did not own a cat were 30-40% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, even if they owned dogs. Stroking a cat has been proven to lower blood pressure, and cat owners tend to have lower triglycerides, which reduces the risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular disease.

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Cat ownership has also been shown to boost the levels of mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. As such, cats can reduce feelings of stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and other negative states.

Elderly people are particularly likely to benefit from the health-protective effects of cat ownership. Those with cats are less inclined to suffer heart attacks, their blood pressure is lower on average, they report less tension and stress, and they live longer overall. With all the health benefits cats provide, it’s important that we give them something back. This is where pet health insurance comes in. Companies like Pets Best Insurance offer cat insurance plans that reimburse 80% of your kitty’s vet bill after a deductible.

Cats offer protection against a number of health problems. If adopted before or shortly after a child is born, they reduce the risk of developing animal allergies, asthma, and possibly other illnesses as well. Children who are in a home with cats tend to miss an average of 9 days less of school a year than children who do not live with cats. Children who own cats learn responsibility and show more empathy towards others and are more willing to help others. Cats teach children about body language and other non-verbal cues as well. Cats provide unconditional love and acceptance, which can help children through difficult times. Additionally, cats can provide therapeutic benefits for children with conditions such as autism.

If you have room in your heart and your home for a forever friend, consider adopting a cat. Please visit your local shelter to find a whole lot of love waiting for you inside! For more information about cat health care and cat insurance, visit www.petsbest.com.

Cat insurance special: Those darn hairballs!

Posted on: October 21st, 2011 by

Distemper can kill: Vaccinate that kitty!

Posted on: October 4th, 2011 by

Three kittens with cat insurance are vaccinated against feline distemper.

Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

We saw our first case of feline distemper in many years at our clinic this week. Personally, I had previously never seen distemper in all of my 21 years of practice. Many people have heard of feline distemper only because the distemper vaccine is part of the regular recommended core vaccines for all cats. Some cat insurance companies, like Pets Best Insurance, even help pay for a portion of this vaccine with their wellness plans.

Because the vaccine is highly effective, most cat owners do not have experience with the disease or even hear much about the actual feline distemper infection. The 4-month-old kitten that we saw was from a group of strays being fed and cared for by one of our kind-hearted clients. Kittens are especially susceptible to feline distemper because their immune systems are underdeveloped, and, despite our best efforts, the kitten declined very rapidly and died within 24 hours.

Distemper, also known as feline panleukopenia virus, is caused by a parvovirus and is seen worldwide in cats. It is closely related to the canine parvovirus, but does not harm dogs. The virus is extremely stable in the environment, and it can survive indoors at room temperature for a year. It is resistant to many disinfectants, but, fortunately, a 10 minute soak in bleach (diluted 1 part bleach in 32 parts water) exposure will kill it.

Feline distemper is spread through contact with an infected cat or an infected cat’s secretions such as feces, urine, vomit, or saliva. It can also be spread through contact with anything contaminated with an infected cat’s secretions including bedding, food and water dishes, and litter boxes. In addition, humans can infect a cat if their clothes or hands are contaminated with the fluids of an infected cat. Most free-roaming cats are exposed to the virus during their first year of life, so kittens can acquire immunity from their mothers, but the protection does not last long. Infection is largely limited to unvaccinated cats, usually kittens and young adults, living in groups. Barn cats and feral colonies, like the one that our kitten came from, are at high risk for outbreaks.

Symptoms typically show up within 10 days of infection. The first symptoms are usually a high fever and loss of appetite. The virus attacks the bone marrow which suppresses the production of white blood cells, hence the term “panleukopenia” (literally, “all-white-shortage”). White blood cells are immune cells needed to fight the infection, and without them the patient is completely vulnerable to the advance of the virus. In the intestine, the virus causes ulceration leading to diarrhea, life threatening dehydration and secondary bacterial infection.

A special syndrome occurs if infection happens during pregnancy. If the infection is in mid or early pregnancy, the kittens simply abort. If the kittens are fairly far along, the part of the brain called the cerebellum is involved resulting in cerebellar hypoplasia. The cerebellum controls unconscious balance and movement. Without a normal cerebellum, the kitten is born with marked intention tremors. Whenever the kitten focuses on purposeful movement like putting his head toward the food bowl to eat, the tremors are so much that normal movement is impossible. The head wobbles and shakes making eating and other activities difficult.

A diagnosis of distemper is based on compatible clinical signs and the presence of panleukopenia (very low white blood cell count). There are also special tests available that can be used in the clinic to show the presence of the virus in the feces.

Feline distemper requires aggressive treatment if the cat is to survive. There is little chance of survival without hospitalization. Treatment is through supportive care with antibiotics and aggressive fluid therapy to control dehydration. Other medications are added as necessary. If a cat is lucky enough to recover from infection, generally no permanent damage is retained and the cat goes on with lifetime immunity. Virus is shed for up to 6 weeks after recovery, so precautions still need to be taken to prevent spreading of the virus.

Vaccination is the most effective method of prevention. Excellent vaccines that provide solid, long-lasting immunity are available. I recommend starting vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age with repeated doses every 3-4 weeks with the last dose given at or after age 16 weeks to avoid interference of immunity gained from the mother’s milk. The vaccine is repeated in one year and every 3 years thereafter.

Why does the cat wheeze?

Posted on: September 22nd, 2011 by

A cat with cat insurance and feline asthma looks past the camera.

By: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Idaho Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Feline asthma is a common, but poorly understood respiratory disease in cats. It is very similar to asthma in people, but cats pose an interesting challenge in terms or delivering medications to control this disease! Because of the difficult nature of treating this disease, it’s advised to research cat insurance early on.

It is thought that the cause of feline asthma is related to an allergic reaction to something inhaled. Successful therapy will often include attempting to determine what in the environment the cat is reacting to. Often this is difficult to do; possible allergens include dust, cigarette smoke, mildew and mold, pollen, cat litter, and possibly household chemicals.

Cats in city environments and in households with owners that smoke do seem to be at an increased risk for feline asthma. There is no conclusive proof, but it is thought that avoiding these allergenic triggers can help to control this condition.

This disease is characterized by inflammation of the lower respiratory system resulting in bronchoconstriction. When the bronchioles narrow, there is less room for airflow. Cats will compensate for this by increasing their respiratory rate. Thus, most cats I have seen with this condition have a rapid respiratory rate and cough, but every cat can show somewhat different symptoms.

Some cats will have a slight chronic cough or wheeze for years and never seem in distress. Other cats can have a seasonal component to their symptoms. Some will only acutely present in respiratory distress without any history of coughing. Because diagnosis and treatment can sometimes be expensive, it’s a good idea to have pet insurance for your cat. Purchasing this when your cat is still a kitten is a good idea. Left untreated, cats can suffer severe bronchiospasms, leading to asthma attacks and even death.

Cats can compensate for respiratory disease in amazing ways and subtle changes in breathing can actually indicate a serious problem. Any change in character or depth of breathing, or a resting respiration rate over 50 to 60 breaths a minutes is typically abnormal in a cat. Any cat that is breathing with its mouth open, like a panting dog, is also abnormal. Respiratory issues warrant immediate veterinary attention to treat and diagnose the underlying problem. Consider having cat insurance as a way to help keep your cat healthy!

There is no one reliable test that proves feline asthma is the underlying cause. Your veterinarian will need to perform several tests, likely blood work and chest radiographs in order to rule out other diseases that can also look this way. This is really important since other respiratory diseases mimicking asthma can be even more serious; such diseases include pneumonia, heartworm disease, lung cancer, heart failure and chronic bronchitis, just to name a few.

Initial treatment in an acute crisis will likely include steroids, bronchodilators and oxygen therapy. Hospitalization and veterinary medicine in general is expensive, and considering pet heath insurance is always a good idea to help with unexpected costs. Once a diagnosis is made, most cats can be managed on two types of medication, similarly to people. One medication is used for long term control (usually some type of steroid), the other medication (usually a bronchodilator) is needed for short term immediate relief during an ‘attack.’

Believe it or not, there are feline asthma inhalers available that can deliver medication directly to the lungs. They are shaped like a face mask and are placed over the nose and mouth. This isn’t always tolerated well by cats. In those that refuse this, oral or injectable medications are needed.

An asthma attack can be a scary thing to watch, and certainly always warrants medical attention, but the good news is that cats can live very comfortable lives as a well-controlled asthmatic.

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