The number one cause of death in companion animals in this country is cancer. In our feline friends a specific type of cancer, lymphoma, is very common. The disease originates in the lymphocytes (white blood cells) of the immune system and frequently invades the lymph nodes causing them to enlarge.
Dr. Laura Garrett is a veterinary oncologist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana. She says, "lymphoma is common in middle-aged to older cats." Although it usually starts in tissues associated with the immune system (lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and bone marrow), it can set up shop in almost any part of the body because it has basically hijacked the blood supply.
A cat infected with FeLV is 77 times more likely to develop lymphoma.
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Today, the most common form of lymphoma in cats is the gastro-intestinal variety. Patients present with symptoms such as weight loss, a loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, years ago there was a different kind of lymphoma that predominated.
Multicentric (lymph node invasion) and mediastinal (a structure in the chest) forms used to be the most common. But as less and less cats become infected with the feline leukemia virus, these forms of the disease are less common. "If a young cat is diagnosed with lymphoma it is usually FeLV [feline leukemia virus] positive," explains Dr. Garrett.
This virus is directly linked to most forms of lymphoma, except the gastro-intestinal type that is now most prevalent. A cat infected with FeLV is 77 times more likely to develop lymphoma, and researchers have now shown that the virus can cause certain cells in the body to turn into malignant varieties.
A different type of virus that many cat owners have heard of, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), or more commonly known as "feline AIDS," can also increase the risk of lymphoma developing in infected cats. The current estimate is that FIV infected cats are five times more likely to develop lymphoma than those who test negative. Cats that are exposed to second-hand smoke are also at an increased risk.
If a veterinarian suspects lymphoma in a feline patient, it can be simple to diagnose. A fine needle aspirate, which is a minimally-invasive procedure, is performed by inserting a small gauge needle into an intestinal mass. After the sample is viewed under a microscope, if it contains a large percentage of lymphocytes, it is diagnosed as lymphoma.
Because lymphoma is a type of cancer that is termed "systemic," or infecting many different parts of the body, chemotherapy is necessary to treat. Because each patient is different and each form of lymphoma responds differently to the drugs, it's hard to put an exact number on what percentage of animals will go into remission. That said, in general, lymphoma responds well to such systemic therapy.
It is important to note that because veterinary medicine uses lower dosages of chemotherapy than human medicine, the majority of patients receiving treatment maintain a good quality of life. In addition, because a cat's hair does not continually grow like humans, they usually do not lose their fur coat during treatment.
For information regarding lymphoma, contact your local veterinarian. A list of board certified veterinary oncologists in your state can be found by visiting the Veterinary Cancer Society's Web site.
Author: Amanda Barth
Source: Laura D. Garrett, DVM, DACVIM
Many of us make resolutions for the New Year hoping to become healthier and happier.
For those of us who are "owned by cats," the New Year also may be the right time to assess your cat's lifestyle and make 2009 his or her best year yet. As with any lifestyle change, slow and steady progress is the goal. Making even a few healthier changes may result in significant, positive impacts on your kitty's overall wellness. I recommend taking the following to heart in order to make sure that the New Year is purr-fect for your feline friend:
1. Easy Does It.
To most of us, our cats seem to have the easy life: good food, a cozy place to nap and none of the workday stresses we encounter. However, even in that seemingly blissful lifestyle, your cat can experience stress. This can result in lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD; formerly FUS) with straining to urinate and producing small amounts of bloody urine. The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Indoor Cat Initiative (http://www.indoorcat.org) has a wonderful website that helps cat guardians troubleshoot and decrease areas of stress in their cats' lives and increase the quality of their lives.
2. Get the 411 on a Kitty 911.
It's important to know when you have a cat emergency. Vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, changes in appetite, skin masses, pale or yellow gums, weakness, and hiding all can be seen in the sick cat. Because cats hide their illnesses well, by the time even the most dedicated cat guardian recognizes something is amiss, the kitty is usually quite ill. Make it a point to check that your cat is eating daily and that her urinations and defecations are normal. Straining to urinate in a male cat (which may look like he's constipated) warrants a visit to your regular veterinarian or the local veterinary emergency service. When you pet your cat, check for changes in the skin and coat, as well as areas of discomfort.
3. Say "Ahhhhhh."
Dental disease, particularly gum disease, not only causes bad breath and pain, but the chronic inflammation of periodontitis can adversely affect many organs. Chipping off tartar with a fingernail or instrument without polishing makes the tooth surface more likely to accumulate tartar afterwards. If you kitty requires a dental cleaning, your veterinarian will discuss with you the reasons for pre-anesthesia lab work, the need for intravenous fluids during the procedure, along with heart, respiration and blood pressure monitoring that is standard in modern veterinary practice.
4. Cats Are What They Eat, Too.
Our cats were designed to eat a meat-based diet, not a bowl of dry kibble. Many cats who are on a dry, high-carbohydrate diet pack on unnecessary pounds and become at risk for diabetes, as well as joint disease. Offering canned foods, increasing the moisture in your cat's diet through circulating water fountains and adding low-sodium chicken broth, tuna or clam juice, can reap dividends. Avoid fad diets (such as those that are only meat) and other feeding choices, which may be unbalanced and place the cat at risk for calcium and phosphorous imbalances. When in doubt, contact your veterinarian or a nutritionist at the nearest veterinary school for recommendations. Because cats have unique dietary requirements, home-cooked diets can be problematic. Remember that cats can and will starve themselves when offered a diet they don't find palatable.
5. An Active Cat Is a Happy Cat
Even indoor cats can exercise. Aim for at least 20 minutes of playtime with your kitty every day. Does she like to watch the birds outside? A feather on a stick may be just the ticket. Does he chatter at the squirrels in the backyard? If so, think of toys that are pulled along the floor. Brown paper bags make inexpensive hiding places and by rotating safe toys throughout the week, your indoor kitty won't turn into a bored couch potato who sleeps his or her life away. Avoid toys with small parts that can be swallowed, as well as string, ribbon and yarn. Swallowing these objects can be life-threatening for your cat.
6. Vaccinate. Just Don't Over Vaccinate.
Your veterinarian will assess your kitty's lifestyle and discuss appropriate vaccinations. Most cities and towns require rabies vaccinations even for cats living indoors. Non-adjuvented rabies vaccines are recommended for cats. Vaccinations for upper respiratory disease and distemper are generally given to cats at three-year intervals, once they have had the kitten series of vaccinations and a booster one year afterwards. Feline leukemia vaccines are only given to cats whose lifestyles put them at risk for the disease. Vaccinations for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) are not recommended.
7. Keep Your Vet in Your Kitty Circle of Friends.
It's important to your cat's health to stay current with veterinarian exams. Cat physicals help to identify problems early, when appropriate treatment often has the best chance of a successful outcome. Annual veterinary exams for cats under seven years of age and twice-annual exams for older cats are recommended. Your cat's veterinarian will discuss diet, disease risks (such as heartworm) in your area and help you make decisions for appropriate care. Does your kitty hate traveling in the car? Many veterinary practices offer in-home care and there are veterinarians whose practices are strictly limited to house calls. With many options available, every cat can have the benefit of a thorough veterinary examination.
8. Vet the Internet.
The world wide web allows anyone with access to a computer to search almost any topic imaginable. While that allows cat guardians the ability to help their cats, it's important to realize that just because information is on the internet, that doesn't make it correct or legitimate. Be wary of beginning at-home treatments (often described as unknown to the veterinary community or cure-alls for a number of problems). Even so-called "natural" treatments can have serious side effects. With alternative medicine booming in veterinary medicine, there's almost certainly a veterinarian near you who is familiar with acupuncture, herbal remedies, nutraceuticals and other alternative treatments. Veterinary Partner (http://www.veterinarypartner.com) is an excellent website for accurate, up-to-the-minute cat care.
9. Green Is More Than Fashionable.
Many of us are trying to incorporate "green living" into our homes and lifestyles. It's important to your cat's health to keep your home clean and odor-free. For cats, a clean cat box that is free of wastes and odors is a top priority. Choosing the right litter is very important, as cats clean themselves often and ingest the litter into their system. Feline Pine is America's best selling all natural litter-100% natural. It's chemical free, and made from all natural pine, making it a safe, healthy choice for cats.
10. Enjoy Your Feline Friend.
Our satisfaction with any relationship depends on the amount of time and effort we spend with the other individual. Our companion cats are no exception. The more we understand the cat or cats with whom we share our lives and respect them for the individuals they are-with their special endearing features, as well as their quirks-the better our relationship with them becomes. How fortunate each of us is to be able to truly "caress the tiger" in our own homes!
Author: Dr. Michele Gaspar DVM, DABVP
Courtesy of Feline Pine.
Morris Animal Foundation Also Readies to Fund Genetic Health and FIP Studies
Simple changes in shelter housing may inhibit the spread of feline upper respiratory infection (URI)-and save the lives of cats. This infection, which is similar to the common cold in humans, is cited among the top reasons for euthanasia of cats in shelters. Cats with URI may not be easy to adopt, and shelters do not always have the luxury of treating the animals or waiting until the disease runs its course. Research funded by Morris Animal Foundation's Happy Healthy Cat Campaign, which celebrates its first anniversary today, suggests that stressful conditions dramatically increase the likelihood of infection. Fortunately, housing modifications reduce stress and decrease the spread of infection-making the difference between life and death for a shelter cat. Learn more about the research and the symptoms of URI at www.research4cats.org.
With Morris Animal Foundation funding, Dr. Kate Hurley, the director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California-Davis, is assessing disease incidence, cage layout and sanitation methods to determine how shelter housing affects stress and stress-related illnesses. Her research shows that prevalence of feline URI varies wildly across the country-with anywhere from 5 percent to 60 percent of shelter cats getting sick. Environmental risk factors explain some of the variation, and so far, shelters with the lowest URI rates seem to be those with high-quality housing for cats.
"Our hope is that we will find something that not only helps cats stay healthy but also helps them get out of shelters alive," Hurley says.
Every dollar (up to $500,000) donated to Helping Shelters Help Cats will be matched by an anonymous donor.
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Hurley's project is one of three Helping Shelters Help Cats studies funded through the Foundation's Happy Healthy Cat Campaign. An international team from the United States, Canada and Australia is also working to develop effective behavioral interventions to minimize the spread of URI. A third study, at the Ohio State University, will create a training program for shelter personnel, which will increase safety and comfort in the shelter. While these studies focus on shelters, findings are relevant to all pets that spend time in veterinary clinics, catteries or kennels.
Every dollar (up to $500,000) donated to Helping Shelters Help Cats will be matched by an anonymous donor. Based on this pledge, the Foundation recently sent out a new request for proposals for shelter-based research projects that will investigate feline infectious peritonitis, commonly known as FIP. Funding estimated at $250,000 over three years will be available to study this infectious disease, which is almost always fatal.
Since the campaign's launch, the Foundation has also made progress on a major feline genomic research project, funded by a $1 million pledge from Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. Hill's also donated a database of groundbreaking genomic information that will be shared with feline health researchers worldwide. The Foundation's feline genomic advisory committee will work with medical technology company Illumina to develop a tool for using this database and genetic information from other partnering scientists.
"The development of these genetic tools will bring about critical breakthroughs in feline health issues such as diabetes, renal disease, endocrine disease, cancer, diseases that alter the immune system and more. These breakthroughs will help prevent disease in kittens and will help to develop better therapies for curing diseases in adult cats," says Patricia N. Olson, DVM, PhD, president and CEO of Morris Animal Foundation.
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