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From the Editor's Desk
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There is a POLL for subscribers online NOW. Please help
by telling us what sections you want to see more of! This is
the first of several polls that will be conducted
Remember my question about Cat vaccines and Program
supplies? Well, it appears the overwhelming favorites
with the lowest prices available on vaccines and flea
treatments (including Program) are
http://www.pets-megastore.com.au
http://www.psol.com.au/int/index.html
http://www.revivalanimal.com/
Follow up on the News from last week, as promised
Is cat litter harmful to your or your cat's health?
Breathing a chronic significant amount of silica
dust can certainly cause severe lung damage in
humans (Silicosis) so some caution should be
taken with cat litter. It is advised you choose a
cat litter with low dust content and if you have
any chronic respiratory disease, like asthma, wear a
mask while working with cat litter. Silicosis has not
been reported in cats and the incidence, if any, is
likely quite low. If your cat does have asthma or
other chronic respiratory disease, When cats do have
asthma, it is recommended that owners reduce levels
of any dust in the home (including using dust-free
at litters) as well as aerosols, etc to try to
remove triggers for asthma attacks.
Linda Pollack Mercer, M.D.
.
HHH
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by Susan Little DVM, Dipl ABVP (Feline) &
Linda Pollack Mercer, M.D.
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Lufenuron (PROGRAM) is a product produced by CIBA Animal
Health. This product is marketed an insect growth regulator
which interferes with the development of normal chitin
(the hard outer shell of the flea is composed of chitin)
and thus results in the death of the immature flea. It is
not an insecticide and does not kill the adult flea, but
rather prevents the immature fleas from reaching maturity
so that over time, the fleas in the household die out. The
cat product is generally given orally in a liquid form
once a month mixed with food, but is also available in an
injectable form which lasts 6 months.
It appears to be a very safe drug in all animals in which
it has been used. Rare side effects might include vomiting,
lethargy, diarrhea, itchy skin or loss of appetite.
There is about a 6 to 8 week lag period between
starting with Program and the reduction of adult fleas
on the pets who are already infested so for flea
*treatment* (as compared to prevention) it is often
used in conjunction with some "immediate kill" flea
products which may have significantly more adverse effects.
Ever since an article (1) was published on the use of
Lufenuron (Program) in the treatment and possible prevention
of ringworm, there has been a great deal of interest among
breeders and rescuers and many questions about
its use. However, the published study was
looking primarily at pet cats and dogs, not at
multi-pet populations. Control of ringworm in catteries
and shelters has challenges not addressed in the
article and those with multi-cat populations might not
expect to get the same cure rates.
The interest was based on the report that in cats treated
with Lufenuron full hair regrowth occurred quickly and that
of the cats examined individually on a daily basis by use
of fungal culture, mycological cure was detected within
7 to 14 days, while clinical recovery was complete within
10 to 15 days. Though there was one recurrence in this
group of tested cats reported with positive culture
result obtained again 35 days after treatment, even that
reported case showed negative culture results for the
next 8 weeks after a second round of treatment was given.
While Lufenuron's efficacy in *prevention* of ringworm
was not tested, the prospect that this would work has
encouraged many people to switch flea preventive
methods to attempt to prevent both fleas and ringworm
simultaneously.
It is hypothesized that Lufenuron works against ringworm
because the mechanism of action (interfering with the
synthesis and deposition of chitin in the growing
organism) happens to be as destructive to growing fungi
as it is to growing fleas because fungal cell walls
contain chitin. It is reported relative safety is
also apparently related to its action being specific
for chitin production, as humans do not produce chitin.
Lufenuron appeared not to have adverse effects when
used in the study at higher than usual doses
according to the report. However, Lufenuron is not licensed
for use for ringworm as yet at any dosage. It is licensed
for prevention of flea infestation at a somewhat lower
dose than used in the study. It is therefore very
important that pet owners give informed consent for the
off-label use of this drug if it is being used
exclusively to treat ringworm or in doses exceeding
that used normally for flea treatment.The truth is that
we don't know what dosage of Program should be used to
treat ringworm. The researchers who published the study
picked dosages for convenience, not because
they had any other specific reason and a lower
dosage may well be just as effective.
Dermatologists, however, are currently recommending
using Program at *100 mg/kg*, repeated again 2 weeks
later.
Initial reports from our patients, fanciers and
rescuers, based on subjective reckoning and user
testimonials rather than scientific study, sound
promising though certainly further objective scientific
study needs to be done to ascertain whether this indeed
the panacea for treatment of ringworm that one might
hope for and what dosage is best used.
One last word... this caution about fleas and
flea treatment A common misconception is that
fleas and other parasites are not a problem in the
winter. This is not the case. The fact is, your cat
may be exposed to parasites more often than you think
in the winter. Midwinter warm spells can produce ideal
conditions for fleas to emerge and, under the right
environmental conditions, fleas can survive, and even
reproduce, indoors during the winter. If you're using
a flea preventive, use it year-round. Weather patterns
are unpredictable, and flea season can start before
you're ready.
1. "Use of Lufenuron (Program) for treating fungal
infections of dogs and cats 297 Cases (1997-1999)"
JAVMA, Vol 217, No 10, November 15, 2000
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Disclaimer* Any advice given is not intended to
diagnose or treat individual cats and a veterinarian
should be consulted for all health problems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author Information
Susan Little DVM, Dipl ABVP (Feline)
Bytown Cat Hospital, Ottawa, Canada
<http://www.catvet.homestead.com>
and
Linda A. Pollack Mercer, M.D.
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Please note that Dr. Little will be on vacation
during the month of August. The next four issues
will have her article on early spay/neuter in
four parts.
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NEWS TIDBITS
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Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy (FSE) was first identified
in Great Britain in 1990. Since then there have been 87
cases, one in Northern Ireland, one in Norway and one in
Liechtenstein. Although Britain has a large cat population
they would not normally have been subjected to close
neurological examination in the past. Nevertheless,
sufficient numbers of FSE cases have been seen and
investigated to permit an association with BSE to be made.
Obtaining lifetime feeding history for cats is not easy,
so although all have eaten foods that would be expected
to contain specified bovine offals, no particular type of
food can be implicated. The epidemic in cats is thought to
be a useful model for past human exposure to BSE. The
number of feline cases has declined dramatically.
Interestingly, when brain tissue from some of the early
cats identified identified as having FSE, was inoculated
into mice, the incubation periods and lesion profiles
in the mice was indistinguishable from that produced by BSE.
In exotic cats there have now been nine cases in cheetahs
(three were diagnosed abroad but originated in Britain),
three in pumas, three in ocelots, two in tigers and two
in lions. No cases have ever been reported in North
America. The association between BSE and FSE is highly
suspected but not yet proven.
* Sixty-two percent of cats and dogs sleep with their owners.
As pets age, changing sleep cycles can result in loss of
rest for pets and people. The AVMA has suggestions to help
everyone get a good night's sleep. Read more about it in
the story, "Changing Times Bring Good News for Graying Pet
Population."
http://www.goodnewsforpets.com/special/071901_older_pets.htm
*Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have
discovered evidence of the cat scratch organism in ticks,
suggesting that the arthropod has the potential to transmit
the disease."We cannot say for certain that ticks are
vectors of these diseases, but at the least we can say
they carry Bartonella DNA and could be potential vectors,"
says Dr. Bruno Chomel, Professor of Zoonoses at UC Davis
and one of the investigators on the study.
* Nels Pedersen on... why cats purr
http://www.msnbc.com/news/291513.asp
* Did you know George Bush's cat was named "India" and that
this has caused people in India to be angry?
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010724/od/dog_dc_1.html
* "Oh My Cat" Perfume for you and your cat to share?
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010716/od/catperfume_dc_1.html
*-----------------HOT TOPIC------------------*
Table scraps or baby food containing even
a tiny amount of onion can cause serious
and possibly deadly aplastic anemia in cats.
*-----------------HOT TOPIC------------------*
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Bookmarks for Cat Lovers Great Cat Sites of the month!
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A great way for cat rescues & entrepreneurs to make money.
You can create and sell T-Shirts, mugs, mouse
pads and more
with your own designs on them (rescue logos or just your
own personal designs) You just upload a picture, and they
create a complete store-front for you - completely FREE.
It's easy and doesn't take long - plus it's a lot of fun.
[And if you do sign up The Feline Rescue Network gets a
credit for the referral]
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/storeref.aspx?refby=FRN
Marketing NonProfit Organizations
http://www.campagne.com/mktg101.html
From Kansas State University
Dogs and Cats are susceptible to skin cancer
http://www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/listskincancer71201.html
Cancer in Pets..What Pet owners should know
http://www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/listpetcancer101000.html
Quality of Life increases for Aging Pets
http://www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/listseniorpets91200.html
Reminder Say 'Thank You' to Your Veterinarian By
Nominating Him/Her for Hartz(R) Veterinarian of the Year
Contest
http://www.hartz.com/
*---------------NEED A PETSITTER?-----------------*
Want to find a pet sitter? Check these sites
http://www.petsit.com/
http://www.petsitters.com/index.htm
*---------------NEED A PETSITTER?-----------------*
.
HHH
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When my "Brandylion" was dying at age 15 he got much
more attention that my 14 year old "He-man" and
"He-man"
showed his displeasure by annointing a corner of my room.
After Brandy died, that stopped but the carpet in the
corner never smelled the same and on high humidity days
that scent carried throughout the room. I tried everything, I
thought. The enzymatics did nothing, others left the room
smelling of vinegar, even X-0 only ameliorated the odor
until the next time the humidity soared.
In response to the request in earlier issues, a subscriber
suggested I try a new product. I contacted the manufacturer
and received a sample of the diluted (spray) product
and applied it to the area several times.
It's been very humid this week. So now I can tell you
THIS IS GREAT STUFF! Since my cats weren't
re-annointing the spot I can't say that cats won't
still smell something... but I can't! I do suggest that
you try it and do let me know what your experience
is with it when you do! (BTW, it also works very
well on my once-stinky dog who would roll in
goodness knows what immediately after each bath)
The product is called Kritter Spritz and the more
more concentrated version is called Odorgone
Here's there URL
http://www.cleanlifetech.com/
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SPOTLIGHT The Dog who rescues cats
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I can't present it any better than is done on this website,
so check it out!
http://diabellalovescats.com/dog.htm
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Feline Freebies & Discounts
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Iams Less Active Weight Loss Kit
Brochure, "Rib check" technical bulletin,
portion control bowl and measuring cup, coupons
Phone 1-800-863-4267
Mon-Sat 8 am-8 pm EST
Register for a chance to win free Iams cat food for a year
http://www.iams.com/register/index.asp
Cats Only Nutritional Supplement Samples
http://www.cats-only.com/facts.html
Free Cat Websites
http://www.i-love-cats.com/freewebsites.htm
Coupon for a free 18 oz. box of Purina Cat Food.
Call if you're in the U.S. It is all automated.
1-800-455-9100
Free Pet Safety Kit
http://www.purinaone.com/home.asp
Free Pet Decal
http://www.sthuberts.org/scoop/guest.htm
Essential Kitty Care Kit
Coupon for Purina Kitten Chow,Essential Kitten Care
Booklet Pet Music CD (soothing music for your kitten
while you're away)
http://offers.purina.com/kittenchow/kitten_care1.asp
Odorlockers. Join their panel and get coupons
and deals on their scoopable litter
http://www.odorlockers.com/news/news_join.cfm
SideStep - a program for travelers a little program that
puts an icon on your desktop and on your browser. You
can instantly check prices, hotels and more as it opens up
a side window (where your "Favorites" are) and let's you
check 20 airlines or so according to the criteria
you want (time, price, etc.) and then shows you
those in order of priority.
http://www.sidestep.com
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From our Readers
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Because of the length, letters to the editor will not
be included here but can be found at
http://felinerescue.net/CPN/letters_ed.htm
.
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In the Eye of the Beholder.. what is Humane
Editorial
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There's a general consensus among animal lovers on what is
humane, isn't there? When severe abuse is discussed there
seems to be no argument. Everyone also seems to agree
that pets deserve to be treated kindly and provided with
adequate food, shelter, water and veterinary care.http://
However, other ethical considerations can boggle the
rationale mind and face us with ethical dilemmas...
Take the issue of Trap-Neuter-Release in feral cat
colonies under hot debate now. The question that animal
lovers are disputing is Is it more humane to trap, alter
and release MANY cats with the available funding or is the
humane and ethical course to use the money for
proportionally fewer cats and trap, *test*, alter and
release only those cats who are found to be FeLV and
FIV negative? Is it humane not to test at a time you could
and release positive cats to die FeLV deaths after
they've spread the disease to countless other cats? Or
more humane to spay/neuter more cats and have less
still procreating and fighting for meager resources? While
condemning "irresponsible owners" is it not the
responsibility of those who trap for spay and neuter to
also test the cats? If indeed the cat's "guardian for a
day" is it responsible not to test and to then release them to
colonies?
After grappling with that question, move on to another
Is it more humane to Test, Trap, Alter and Release
(TAR) than to place in a shelter where they MIGHT be
adopted but most likely will be euthanized? And if we
consider it more humane to release to a managed colony ..
what double standard is used when some humane
associations think it's more humane to euthanize than to
allow an adoption by someone who has children (just
because they have children) or who lives in an apartment
(rather than owning their own home)?
On another front, we find yet another ethical dilemma.
The "traditional" shelters (that perform population control
euthanasia) loudly proclaim that *they* are the most
humane -- that a humane death is preferable to no-kill
shelters, turning animals away when they become full.
"We don't turn any animals away to suffer on the streets,"
they point out.
On the other side of the humane "line in the sand," those
proponents of "No Kill" insist they have the higher moral
ground. Some have even charged that traditional shelters
depend to a large extent on filling and having high
euthanasia rates to justify their funding.
A conundrum! And not just on an intellectual plane...there
are no easy answers.
Presently, we find a situation where Operation Catnip,
one of the major players in TNR has suspended FeLV
and FIV testing "for the greater good" of funneling more
of their money into spay/neuter, while the one FeLV cat
they trap and release may well infect the whole colony
and lead to the death of the colony...in which case, which
greater good is served?
Or take, for instance, the case of the Arizona Humane
association refusing to participate in, and thereby dooming,
an agreement that would provide $10 million dollars to
local shelters through Maddies Fund. There are those
who believe that it is the height of arrogance on the part
of Arizona Humane and its President, Kenneth White, to
assume that theirs is the only way. The fact is that the entire
community of Maricopa County, including Phoenix, will be
deprived of the benefits that the $10 million infusion of
much-needed funding for sterilization, education and
adoption programs (the very programs that Ken White
admits are needed) because Arizona Humane refuses to
cooperate. And 20,000 animals will likely die because of
this intransigence.
Similar programs are working in other cities and states
throughout the United States. Even the entire state of Utah
has dedicated itself to the kind of effort it will take to
eliminate needless euthanasia of homeless animals. Positive,
incentive based programs to promote sterilization, education
and adoption have been shown to be the key to community
support and cooperation, and are thus long-term solutions. In
fact, a Maddies Fund grant is dependent on that very
collaboration (that Ken White refuses to give) among all of
the animal groups, including local animal control
departments, and equally dependent on no government
mandates for sterilization.
It does appear that the No-Kill concept IS sound IF there is
community collaboration. There MUST BE a facility (usually
a public animal control) that will euthanize, mainly the old,
infirm, or so severely behavior disordered that a quality of life
cannot be maintained.... but also as a safety valve for
population control. Counter-balanced by an active no-kill
concept via shelter and rescue groups that the people can feel
good about supporting with their donations and go to for
adoptions. All this, of course, works only if bolstered by the
necessary programs for increasing return-to-owner rates
and adoption rates, and easy availability of voluntary
programs for low-cost or free neuter/spay. It "takes a
village" to cure problems.
You may want to check out
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0721grant21.html
***
This editorial was written by
Linda A. Pollack Mercer, M.D.
felinerescue@loxly.com
*----------Geriatric Cat Tip----------*
In geriatric cats, diseases such as
hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
and hypertension (high blood pressure)
are often associated with behavior
changes such as episodes of annoying
calling/crying.
*----------Geriatric Cat Tip----------*
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Catnip Patch Humor AMewsment
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"There are many intelligent species in the universe.
They are all owned by cats." --Anonymous
"Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any
harm to ask for what you want." --Joseph Wood Krutch
Cat Cartoons
http://www.offthemark.com/cat.htm
Picture Perfect
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Can you help Rescue Efforts?
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How you can help
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Copyright The Feline Rescue Network
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Copyright © 2001 Linda Pollack Mercer, M.D.
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---------------------------------
Linda Pollack Mercer, M.D.
The Feline Rescue Network
60-B West Terra Cotta Ave. #160
Crystal Lake, Illinois, 60014
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"There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching
down and helping to lift someone up" - Bernard Meltzer
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