Happy Halloween!

As the holiday approaches, take a look at last year's blog on Halloween Safety Tips. Have a happy, safe Halloween!

Getting Over It

By Lora Schuldt, DVM

Some of the deepest sadness I have ever felt has occurred with the death of my two kitties, Poco in 2008, and Eubie in 2010. I was recently asked by a client if I had any advice for dealing with those painful feelings of loss and grief that she was feeling over the passing of two cats in her family. I wish there was something that took away the despair that some of us feel, but what I have recognized is that even the heartache is something to be celebrated, in a way. The fact that we can develop such deep attachment and love for our pets is an amazing human trait. To care about their spirit, well-being, and comfort is an affirmation that we are inherently compassionate beings.

Crying over Poco, I decided to just wallow in it. I cried as much and as hard as I could, knowing that my sadness was pure and the result of my devotion to him. Grieving his death, to me, honored him. And somehow it made the crying more joyful than you’d think. I felt the same with his big brother, Eubie. I didn’t focus on the medical problems that resulted in their deaths, which is surprising given my job. Instead I thought about the fact that my life and brain chemistry were permanently changed by these two dear creatures, and that their absences would not alter that fact.

Some other things I did to honor my boys included sending out a memorial letter to my friends and colleagues, donating to the shelters from which I adopted them, displaying their pawprints in our kitchen, and contacting the first veterinarians responsible for their care. I planted flowers that reminded me of them and have kept tons of cute pictures. While these things may not have shortened the grieving period, they brought some positivity to the situation. This is the best advice I can give, and I wish that when and if you go through this yourself, that you will get over the sad part, especially if you can focus on the happiness your cat brought to your life.

Elmo and the Total Mouth Extraction

By Dr. Richard Lester

I met Elmo, a 5 year old Domestic Long Hair, in May 2010 as a second opinion for severe oral stomatitis (swelling/inflammation of the gums) which was being managed medically elsewhere, and was in fact part of a study for a new potential treatment for this condition. Elmo was 8 lbs 10.5 oz, underweight, painful and shy around the head and face. He would not allow a good oral exam and would hiss if you tried to open his mouth.

My first reaction was that he needed all his teeth removed (aka full mouth extraction) and although removing any part of the body should be a last resort, it is sometimes the best/only choice. The appendix or gall bladder in people is a good example. I discussed this with the owner in detail and we reviewed the experimental drug. Elmo was part of a well conceived double-blind study, (the type we need more of in veterinary medicine) so I don't know what the drug was. We finally decided to proceed with the full mouth extraction. Blood work prior to the dental revealed multiple changes that were associated with the chronic gum disease, however we felt he was stable to proceed with the dental. We elected to put a feeding tube in so Elmo would not need to eat anything until his mouth had healed.  By May 22, 2010, only 10 days after the dental,  Elmo had gained 5 oz, was trying to eat on his own and would allow me to look in his mouth. 

Elmo did have some other issues during his recovery related to kidney issues (which are, in fact, a result of his chronic dental issues), however, he is now over 13 lbs and is happy and content at home. He is willing to eat both wet and dry food (by nature cats don't chew, they rip and tear their food, so most cats do not chew the dry food anyway), is not shy about his face, and in fact he enjoys a good muzzle rub. He is bold in the exam room and knows he has me wrapped around his paw.