Lilies: Beautiful, but Potentially Deadly

Year round, but especially now with Easter approaching, it is important to remember that lilies are very toxic to cats. These flowers are present in many bouquets and Easter lilies are particularly abundant right now. Members of the Lilium genus (including, but not limited to Easter Lilies, Twilight Lilies, Tiger Lilies, and Asiatic Lilies) can cause severe complications if ingested and should be kept away from cats.

A good rule is to keep them out of your home entirely. If you are sending a bouquet to anyone with cats in their home, be sure to talk to the florist and specify that there should be no lilies. These flowers are often used as filler in bouquets, as they are fragrant even before they are open. Also, if you have outdoor cats, it is a good idea not to have lilies in your yard.

The specific toxin is not known, but as little as a small amount of pollen can cause symptoms. Symptoms of lily ingestion include vomiting, inappetance, lethargy, renal failure, and possible death. If you suspect that your cat has ingested a lily, please contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If you are able, please bring the specific plant in with you for identification.

If you're looking for flowers or plants that are non-toxic to cats, the ASPCA Poison Control site has a great searchable list. Wheat grass and catnip are always great options that are easy to grow at home if you want to give your little one a taste of folliage. We'll have live plants in our store soon for spring.

The High-Tech Tongue of a Cat

Ever wonder why it feels scratchy when your cat licks you or how they manage to get any water in their mouths when they lap at the water so quickly? The answer to both these questions lies in the cat's unique, remarkable tongue. Their tongues are multipurpose and well suited to our feline friends.

Everyone knows how much time cats spend grooming, but unlike other animals, a cat's tongue doesn't simply wet their fur. The surface is covered with hundreds of backward curved spines called pappilae. They are made up of keratin, just like your fingernails, and thus are very firm. This helps cats groom, by  giving them a built in brush that helps catch oils, dirt, and excess fur. They are also the cause of the scratchiness you feel when your cat licks you.

As for drinking, a cat has no ability to close it's lips and create suction, and their tongues are too small to "scoop" water into their mouths. So how do they get enough moisture? The New York Times covered a study that showed cats actually drink with just the tip of their tongues, using surface tension to overcome gravity and draw the water into their mouths.

As you can see, cats' tongues are well suited to the lifestyle of a feline, allowing them to groom easily, taste well, and drink quietly. Cats are truly unique animals and all of their many adaptations help them be the mysterious creatures we know and love.

Patient Profile: Tucker

How important is early detection and constant diligence when it comes to chronic disease management? It can make all the difference, and it has in the life of one of our patients, Tucker.

Tucker is a 12 year old M/N, who first came to us on January 4th with weight loss, significantly increased urine output and water intake over 4 months. His owners also noted weakness in his hind legs for the past month. With those presenting symptoms, there were several things our doctor considered: kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes mellitus. Following the examination, a urinalysis was performed assess glucose control and urine concentration; a full blood panel, to look at all three potential causes; and a blood pressure check due to his age as well as because at least two of those conditions can lead to hypertension.
It was evident, very quickly, that Tucker had become diabetic. His blood glucose level was 541 and glucose was found in his urine. (Normal glucose for a cat is 70-125, according to our local outside laboratory). Once his full blood panel came back we could see that his thyroid level was normal and his kidney values indicated only the mildest deterioration. He clearly needed to start treatment for his diabetes to get his blood glucose under control.

The first step was to get him changed from his all dry food diet over to a 100% wet food diet. The owners said they noticed a change in his demeanor and hind leg weakness almost immediately once he started his new diet. The second step was to get Tucker started on an insulin regimen that would include testing his blood glucose level at home and staying in close contact with doctor so that adjustments in his insulin levels could be properly made. Tucker's family was extremely diligent and we heard from them on a regular basis with updates on his current insulin dose, how he was eating, how his leg weakness was, and what his current blood glucose was. With each update came subtle adjustments. Tucker started his insulin on 1/13. One month later, his family reported a blood glucose of 54 (low) with good appetite and demeanor. They were advised to discontinue insulin. Tucker's latest blood glucose level and behavior at home continue to show remission without any insulin.

Thanks to Tucker's family's observation of his symptoms that lead up to his appointment, the doctor was able to make a swift diagnosis and get him started on a course of treatment to manage his disease.

Clinical signs of Diabetes Mellitus include increased urination and increased thirst, weight loss accompanied by an increased appetite (though some cats do have a decreased appetite), lethargy or depression, reluctance or inability to jump (rear limb weakness), dehydration, vomiting or diarrhea, and occasionally acetone odor on breath. Any of these symptoms alone or in combination would warrant an exam and probable diagnostics. For further information on feline diabetes, check out Caring for your Diabetic Cat or Feline Diabetes or contact your veterinarian.

Staying on Top of Stain and Odor Control

Loving and living with cats is one of the most rewarding opportunities we have in life. However, living with feisty felines can mean we have the occasional accident to clean up. When you encounter a puddle somewhere, there are many things you can do to make sure the stain and odor are completely taken care of. Read on for helpful tips when dealing with urine (or other biological messes) when it ends up outside the litter box.

Never punish, yell at, or throw things at your cat. She will not associate your behavior with hers, she will merely become afraid of you!
Follow these steps to get the area as clean as possible:

• Blot up as much of the liquid as possible.

• Reach for a cleaner that is enzymatic – meaning it has live enzymes to “eat” away at the natural enzymes present in urine. Some well-respected brands include Urine Off, Anti Icky Poo and Nature’s Miracle.

• Soak the area very well, especially if it is carpet or furniture – you want the cleaner to reach all the parts the urine may have reached.

• Do not blot up the cleaner – allow it to work it’s magic.

• For even better results, grab a plastic bag or something similar and cover the area overnight – preventing air flow will keep the cleaner from evaporating too fast as well as increase the temperature which can make the good enzymes even more active.

• After this, you should have a clean area that smells offensive to neither you or your cat! This can help discourage “revisiting” in the area.

Now, what happens if you grab for just any old cleaner? All detergent-based cleaners are not going to do the job you want them to do AND they render enzymatic cleaners basically useless by destroying the good enzymes. But, fear not. If you have tried a cleaner that did not do the trick, reach for Urine Away. This product is a water and essential oil base that does the same thing as enzyme cleaners but will also work when detergents are present, including dried detergent residue.

If you have a cat that has had medical tests and is healthy but continues to inappropriately eliminate, talk to us about behavior modifications, litter box solutions and other therapies that can help.