meow meow meow!!!

Cat Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
There are few things more frustrating than having a cat that is suffering chronic bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea cause dehydration, and if left untreated, can become a life-threatening situation. Therefore, any cat displaying those signs should be examined by a veterinarian. There are many possible causes of vomiting and diarrhea, but inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of gastrointestinal problems in the cat. Although cats of any age can be affected, middle-aged or older cats are more susceptible to IBD. IBD describes a group of chronic gastrointestinal disorders. Microscopically the disease is characterized by the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lining (mucosa) of the digestive tract. The cause of IBD is unknown, but the microscopic changes in the tissues (histopathology) imply that immunologic factors play an important role. The scientific names given to the different forms of the disease are tongue-twisters, but they actually describe the features of the disease. For example, the most common form of IBD in cats is called lymphocytic-plasmacytic enterocolitis. Translated this means that lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) and plasma cells (cells that produce antibody) are the primary types of inflammatory cells present in the mucosa. Less common forms are called eosinophilic, neutrophilic, and granulomatous, depending upon the predominant inflammatory cell present. Enterocolitis refers to the inflammation of the large and small intestines that occurs in this form of IBD. In cases where inflammation occurs only in the small intestines, it is called enteritis; in cases of only large intestine inflammation, it is called colitis; and gastritis in those cases where inflammation of the stomach predominates.

Diagnosis
To rule out other causes of gastrointestinal disease, your veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests that may include a complete blood cell count, serum biochemistries, serum thyroxine level, tests for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), urinalysis, fecal examinations for parasitic and bacterial agents, dietary trials, and abdominal radiographs and/or ultrasound. The most definitive of the diagnostic tests is the microscopic examination of small pieces of the intestinal lining (mucosal biopsy). Tissue samples can be obtained during abdominal surgery (e.g. laparotomy) or during endoscopic examination. Although both procedures require general anesthesia, the choice of methods depends upon a number of factors, including the availability of equipment and the part of the gastrointestinal tract suspected to be involved.

Treatment
A combination of dietary management and medical therapy will successfully manage IBD in most cats. Because there is no single best treatment, your veterinarian may need to try several different combinations in order to determine the best therapy for your cat. DIETARY MANAGEMENT Sensitivity to food antigens contributes to the gastrointestinal inflammation in some cats, so a change in diet often provides symptomatic relief. Several balanced commercial diets have been advocated as effective in treating IBD. Homemade diets are an alternative for cats that refuse to eat a commercial diet. Your veterinarian can provide you with an appropriate recipe. Ideally, the diet should contain a single source of protein not normally consumed by the cat. The addition of dietary fiber is beneficial to some cats. It may take several weeks or longer for cats to improve after a diet change, and during this trial feeding period, all other food sources (like table food, and flavored medications and treats) must be eliminated from the diet. MEDICAL THERAPYCorticosteroids are commonly used to treat cats with IBD. These drugs have potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties with relatively few side effects in cats. Additionally, corticosteroids may stimulate the appetite and enhance intestinal sodium and water absorption. Oral prednisone is the corticosteroid used most frequently because of its short duration of action and availability in appropriate tablet sizes. If necessary, injectable corticosteroid therapy can be used in cats that are too difficult to medicate orally or if vomiting and malabsorption is severe. Antibiotics, such as metronidazole or tylosin, can be helpful when combinations of dietary management and corticosteroid therapy have failed to adequately control the disease. Side effects to metronidazole therapy are uncommon at low dosages, but loss of appetite and vomiting may occur. Excessive salivation is a common reaction of cats after receiving the pill. This is probably a response to the unpleasant taste of the medication. Sulfasalazine is a medication that is often used if large bowel inflammation (colitis) is the predominate problem. If none of these medications successfully control the signs, more potent immunosuppressive drugs may be necessary, but they necessitate closer monitoring by your veterinarian.

Prognosis
It is rarely possible to cure inflammatory bowel disease, but most cases can be satisfactorily controlled by medication and dietary management. Relapses can occur if the treatment regimen is not followed completely.

source: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/resources/brochure/ibd.html

Coping With Loss

source: http://www.whataboutcats.com/loss.html

The death of a beloved cat can bring about a vast array of emotional, physical, and spiritual upheavels in your life. It is impossible to explain grief to someone who has never had to deal with the loss of a loved one. But for those of us who have had to endure this hardship, grief almost always is a life altering experience.

Grief is a powerful force. It can envelop your soul, delving you into such a dark, black abyss that you do not know how or where to find the strength to crawl back into the light.
The most important advice in overcoming grief is to not let anyone dictate a time schedule or method that you are suppose to follow to heal. Take as much time as you need to recover. This can be from a few months to years for a much loved pet.

source: http://sandtracker.tripod.com/cat-tracks.html


Pet Loss
We love our animals so much, and it's so hard to let them go. The loss of any beloved pet has a drastic impact on our lives and is equal to or worse than that of losing a human family member. Losing a little one causes extreme anguish and sorrow. This is a natural reaction when you lose a loved one, whether human or animal; and the stages of mourning are the same. Grievers feel the identical shock and denial, anger and guilt, sorrow and depression.
Yes, it is okay to cry! It's okay to grieve over your loss. You have the right to grieve because you've lost a loyal companion and a best friend. You've lost a family member who gave you unconditional love and acceptance. You've lost the one who loved you no matter what you did or didn't do.
Anger and guilt are natural, but you must allow yourself to go through all the reaction stages of death: denial & disbelief, anger, guilt, depression, and finally, acceptance. There is no order to these stages. Be sure each person in the family, including children, is allowed to share their grief.
If it bothers you to see your pet's belongings, you might want to put them out of sight so you are not constantly reminded of your loss. After a while, when you are feeling stronger, you can bring them out again.
To help yourself overcome the sorrow and grief you are feeling, have some kind of burial ceremony to say goodbye to your dear angel. If you have other pets, they are most likely grieving also. Let them be a part of it all. Write a eulogy to say how much you loved your little one and tell about all the good times and happiness you shared. Talk about your pain and loss to someone else who will understand what you are going through. Other people who have also lost a pet are the ones most likely to offer you their comfort and support because they know the horrible pain it causes. In times when the pain feels unbearable, focus on all the good memories. Use pictures and some of your little one's favorite belongings to create a special remembrance. Use your angel's tags as a necklace, or put them on a key chain. Go for a walk or call a friend on the telephone to fill the time you usually spent with your precious one. Do something you think your sweet baby would like for you to be doing at this moment. Look through the pictures you have of your darling and remember all the love and happy times you shared. Remember, too, that our little loves are waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge.
After the tears have dried and you are feeling somewhat normal again, consider getting another pet. Nothing can ever replace the precious little life you've lost, but another pet can become a dear friend to share your love and your life. Our cherished ones give so much love and happiness to us in their lifetimes that I feel we are obligated to pass that love on to other animals who desperately need homes. Who knows? One of those furry little babies might just fill a small part of the huge hole in your heart.
Our pets are a gift from heaven, but we don't get to keep them nearly long enough!

The new additions

heathcliff!

Heathcliff

Originally on: Syndicated (30 min.)
Status: Ended Premiered: September 17, 1984 Last Aired: May 1, 1987 Show Category: Animation
Heathcliff and the Catillac Cats was a popular cartoon loved by many. Heathcliff was a big orange striped cat who went around his neighborhood playing practical jokes on a lot of people. He tormented his owner, Grandpa, but was friendly to Grandma, and Iggy Nutmeg. When he wasn't stealing fish from the fish market, he was out on a romantic evening with his girlfriend Sonja, or outsmarting the neighbor's bulldog Spike.Heathcliff got his start as a comic strip in the newspaper. He was created by George Gately and the strip continues to this day. Check out the links section to see where you can read the Heathcliff comic strip online.Even though Heathcliff has been in a few different Saturday morning cartoons, this page focuses on the Monday through Friday syndicated cartoon from 1984 by DiC Entertainment. Each half hour show consists of two 11 minute episodes, and a minute long "pet tips" segment at the end of the show. The first episode stars Heathcliff and the second episode was Cats and Co. about a gang of cats named the Catillac Cats. Although both episodes take place in the town of Westfinster, Heathcliff and family never appeared in the Cats and Co. episodes, and Riff Raff and Cleo never appeared in a Heathcliff episode.The Catillac Cats starred Riff Raff, a short cat who had a tall girlfriend named Cleo, and a Cadillac car that could change into anything. Riff Raff's friends included Hector, a Himalayan cat who felt that he should be the boss of the gang, not Riff Raff. Wordsworth was a white cat who wore headphone and rollar skates and usually spoke in rhyme, and Mungo, a big dumb purple cat. A dog lived in the junkyard named Leroy, who felt the cats shouldn't live in the junkyard, and was often trying to chase them out. Cleo lived in a music store with a hairy sheepdog named Bush.

read more -
http://www.tv.com/heathcliff-and-the-catillac-cats/show/9203/summary.html?full_summary=1&tag=showspace_links;full_summary

Garfiled 2 - a tale of two kitties

Genre: Animation / Comedy / Family (more)
Plot Outline: Jon Arbuckle (Meyer) travels to the United Kingdom, and he brings his cat, Garfield (voiced by Murray), along for the trip. A case of mistaken cat identity finds Garfield ruling over a castle, but his reign is soon jeopardized by the nefarious Lord Dargis (Connolly), who has designs on the estate.


Goofs: Continuity: When Dargis is talking to Liz in the kitchen, he is wearing a brown suit. He then leaves the kitchen in pursuit of Garfield, and the next scene shows him in a black jacket and gray pants. There was no time to change clothes. (more)

Quotes: Jon Arbuckle: jon "liz will you marry me" shows her the ring liz "oh jon,yes i will marry you" everyone in the room starts clapping (more)

a friendly smile, a friendly face

I met this girl at work. She's quiet...timid probably and sports a fashionably furry wardrobe. She seems bashful but accommodating. She's light-footed as a kitten and has eyes of a cat. Her name is Grace Somogod.

We had a nice talk about cats and how they affect and touch our lives. She shared with me once how her pet cat waits for her by the gate in front of their house whenever she comes home from work. Her cat usually sits and waits outside and when from a distance would feel her approaching would rush inside the house pretending he didn't care a bit. She knows as her parents would tell her this everyday. She spoils her cat. Plays with him. Feeds him classy food too. She has this incomparable affection for felines. She did share with me how rewarding it is to be a pet owner. She even saves up for her cat just to make sure he gets to eat the food he's suppossed to be fed. =) (Neat huh?)

That's my friend, Grace. We may not talk a lot because of the differences of our work and lifestyle, but we get to see ourselves whenever we see interesting cats. By the way, she was the good person who lent me the book I took excerpts from and published in this blog. Thanks Grace!