Meta-analysis of studies of treatments for feline urine spraying
PubMed
Feline urine spraying inside the home is a common problem behaviour that owners seek advice for from veterinarians. Individual trials relating to a variety of interventions produce variable results, and to date, no consensus on the value of different treatments has emerged. This study aimed to meta-analyze, current data from appropriate published clinical trials that evaluate treatments for feline urine spraying.More

Confirming diagnosis of hyperthyroidism in cats: Serum free T3 concentrations
Animal Endocrine Clinic
The feline thyroid gland makes two active thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Despite the fact that T3 is more potent than T4, use of total T3 concentrations are not a good diagnostic test for hyperthyroidism in cats. More than 30 percent of hyperthyroid cats have a normal serum T3 concentration even when they have clearly high total and free T4 values. Would measuring free T3 be a better indicator of what's happening at this tissue level?More

Listen to exclusive audio, read lecture notes from 2011 Winn Symposium
AAFP
The WINN Feline Foundation has posted lecture notes and audio recording from the 33rd Annual Symposium on Feline Health. WINNing the FIP Fight is available to veterinarians signed up for access to the Veterinary Information Network.More

Ultrasound: A go-to diagnostic tool
Veterinary Practice News
Using ultrasound equipment in everyday practice means offering a minimally invasive service that is growing in appeal to clients. But before making the $10,000 to $200,000 investment, experts say veterinarians need to know their clients are interested in the service and then figure the return on investment. "For a feline-only practitioner ... a machine with a single high-resolution probe may be sufficient," said James C. Brown Jr., a clinical assistant professor of radiology at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, N.C.More

CATalyst Council urges cat owners to check their cats' vaccinations
CATalyst Council via Clarksville Online
During National Immunization Awareness Month, CATalyst Council would like to remind cat owners that their feline friends need vaccines, too. By preventing common diseases, cat owners are taking an important step to ensure that their cats live the longest, healthiest lives possible. The best thing for a cat owner to do is to take their cat to its veterinarian for a wellness visit when the veterinarian can check to see if the cat needs any vaccines or additional immunizations.More

Excessive drinking, urinating may require office visit
Gazette Newspapers
One of the most common symptoms we see in veterinary medicine is excessive urinating and excessive drinking, or polyuria and polydipsia. Cats may begin urinating outside of their litter box. Polyuria and polydipsia can have a sudden onset or it may happen over a long period of time, which may make it difficult to notice.More

Cat with 2 paws survives month in the wild
KOTV-TV
When Deuce the cat was discovered, investigators thought someone had intentionally cut off his back legs, but his vet now believes he was injured in some sort of farm accident. "He's a total miracle," said Beth Ruby at Quail Creek Vet Clinic in Oklahoma City. "To think a cat could survive an injury to that degree and then be able to live out in the environment without any kind of food or protection or any kind of health care for four to six weeks."More

Take Your Cat to the Vet Week
Petfinder
Aug. 22-28 is Take Your Cat to the Vet Week. Why is there a need for an entire week to remind cat owners to visit the vet? Even though pet cats outnumber dogs in the U.S. by 15 million, CATalyst Council and the American Humane Association estimate that cats go to the vet only half as often as dogs.More

When my cat finally took to the leash
Salon
Cats don't take to leashes, particularly at the robust age of 13; but to writer Sarah Hepola, it seemed like an elegant solution to the great dilemma of her cat's life. He would die if he went outside. And he would die if he didn't. Hepola details her second attempt to take her cat Bubba outside with a leash.More

Vet says stressed out cats leave messages for owners when they spray
The Associated Press via The Washington Post
Cats that spray are most likely communicating distress rather than misbehaving, so piling on more anxiety through punishment is counterproductive, veterinarians said. "It's like graffiti, scented graffiti," said Sophia Yin, executive board member of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.More