Dogs and cats prefer protein, right? Not so, says OSU studyJune 6, 2018Dogs prefer foods high in fat while cats are carb lovers, according to study results published in the Journal of Experimental Biology. The study, conducted by Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University, monitored 17 healthy adult dogs and 27 cats over a 28-day period using four types of foods designed to encourage subjects to make food choices based on what their bodies were telling them they needed—not based on flavor. If palatability isn't balanced between foods, cats prefer to eat high levels of protein and dogs want to eat high levels of fat, according to OSU's Jean Hall, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, the study's corresponding author. With the flavor factor removed, the results were "much different than what traditional thinking would have expected," said Dr. Hall. "Some experts have thought cats need diets that are 40 or 50 percent protein," she said. "Our findings are quite different than the numbers used in marketing and are going to really challenge the pet food industry." The dogs and cats in the study had four food choices: high-fat, high-carbohydrate, high-protein, and balanced foods. Dogs had one hour each day to eat all they wanted …
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Dog and cat behavior myths debunkedFebruary 9, 2018Veterinary behavior is a relatively new specialty in our profession. Unfortunately, as such, plenty of old wives tales persist. As veterinarians and veterinary nurses, we critically evaluate and use evidenced-based medicine for our patients on a daily basis, and this should apply to behavior and training, as well.
Megacolon can be curable when handled the right wayFebruary 1, 2018Garfield, a 12-pound, 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat, had become constipated in the past few months. His family veterinarian initially prescribed psyllium fiber (Metamucil). Then, a few weeks later, the vet prescribed methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel). Then a few weeks later, lactulose.
Tomlyn Veterinary Science partners with Jackson GalaxyNovember 10, 2017Tomlyn Veterinary Science, maker of veterinary-quality health and wellness supplements for pets, is partnering with cat expert and animal advocate, Jackson Galaxy to promote the company's Pill Masker paste for cats and dogs. Jackson will participate in Facebook Live events, where he'll answer questions about cats while providing tips to create a harmonious home for cats and their owners. The company also will be hosting a sweepstakes for one grand-prize winner to receive a 30-minute Skype session with Jackson Galaxy to help solve their cat-related problems, along with a selection of Tomlyn cat health products. The overall pet supplement market is approximately $580 million annually, growing 3.5 percent over 2016, as consumers turn to supplements for their pets. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are more than 79 million cats and dogs in the US alone. Close to 9 million of these pets (11 percent), according to their owners, struggle with taking medications, as reported in a survey conducted by Tomlyn and a Harris Poll.
Avoiding fatalities during veterinary dental proceduresSeptember 11, 2017I recently received a call from a good friend who also is a referring veterinarian. Our conversation reminded me of an important topic I’ve been meaning to write about: identifying and containing life-threatening risks associated with dental procedures.
AAFP Cat Friendly Practice endorsements promote programSeptember 6, 2017The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has announced endorsements of the Cat Friendly Practice (CFP) Program by CATalyst Council, Cat Healthy, and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. The program is a global initiative designed to elevate care for felines by reducing stress for the cat, their caregiver, and the entire veterinary team, according to the AAFP. The CFP program, launched in 2012, currently includes more than 1,100 clinics in North and South America. It provides tools to integrate the feline perspective into clinics' physical environments and the delivery of medical care, focuses on increasing the standard of feline care, educating practices about feline patients' needs, decreasing the stress of veterinary visits, and ensuring each cat receives the highest quality, according to the association. To earn the CFP designation, veterinary clinics must meet specific criteria, such as embracing gentle and respectful handling of all cats, providing adjusted procedures to make veterinary visits less stressful for cats and their caregivers, and training staff to understand the individualized needs of cats. "Visiting the veterinarian can be stressful for both cats and their caregivers," said Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, MS, DABVP (Feline), co‐chair of the CFP committee. "So often regular check-ups …
AAFP releases two new client brochures for feline veterinariansJuly 31, 2017Feline veterinarians have some new literature to give to their cat-owning clients.
When to spay/neuter cats? Vet consensus says fix by five monthsSeptember 13, 2016It’s a simple client question without a simple answer. “When do I spay or neuter my kitten?” Organized veterinary medicine offers numerous answers to the question. Individual veterinarians are all over the map, too, and often their answers are vague, leaving cat owners dizzy.
New feline core vaccine available from BIVIAugust 18, 2016Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. has released a reduced-volume core vaccine for cats. The nonadjuvanted Ultra Hybrid FVRCP is administered in a 0.5 mL subcutaneous dose to protect against feline herpesvirus, calicivirus infection and distemper in cats at least 8 weeks old.
