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Cats Only
Cat Behavior 101: When Kitty Jumps Up Where She Shouldn't
Every morning, Martha the Maine coon mix puts her cards-and her paws-on the
table, en route to her favorite sunny windowsill. Unfortunately for her pet
parents, Miss Martha leaves more than a gentle breeze in her wake. We're
talking litter granules in the coffee and stray hairs in the butter, to be
precise.
To find out the best methods for dealing with countertop trespassers like
Martha, you'll have to read Jacque Lynn Schultz's "Companion Lines" column
in the latest issue of ASPCA Animal Watch. If you don't already receive the
magazine as a benefit of membership in the ASPCA, you can read the article
online, along with a selection of other features from the issue. (ASPCA
online newsletter 29 July 2004)
Cats have a reputation for being independent and stubborn. But with a few treats and lots of praise cats can easily be trained to behave better. Learn how to start schooling your feline student
Feline Health Alert: Lilies Can Be Lethal
With Easter just around the corner, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control
Center (APCC) has partnered with the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in a
campaign to educate companion animal caretakers about the potential dangers
of some of the most popular springtime plants. Many kinds of lilies—including
Easter lily, tiger lily, rubrum lily, Japanese show lily and some species
of the day lily—can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested.
Last year alone, the center handled more than 275 cases of cats ingesting a lilium species. Signs of toxicosis, such as vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite, may appear within a few hours, and will continue to worsen as damage to the kidneys progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment, kidney failure can develop in 36-72 hours. "Unfortunately, all parts of the lily are considered toxic to cats," says APCC veterinary toxicologist Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant. "Consuming even small amounts can be life-threatening."
You can keep your feline family members safe and sound by simply removing all dangerous plants from their access. We also encourage you to consider beautiful but safer alternatives to lilies, such as Easter orchids, Easter daisies and violets. To help you identify potentially harmful members of the lily family, the APCC and CFA have developed online informational materials that include photos of dangerous species and a list of nontoxic plants. Please visit APCC or CFA to take a look
Each year as flea season approaches, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives thousands of calls from pet owners who have accidentally misused flea control products on their cats. There are almost 20 brands of products containing permethrin currently available that are labeled “for dogs only.” Because when used on cats—even in small amounts—these products can spell big trouble. “The misuse of flea and tick products can be extremely harmful and even deadly to our companion animals,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, APCC Senior Vice President.
Signs commonly seen with permethrin toxicity in cats include tremors, muscle fasciculation and seizures. These symptoms can develop within hours, or may be delayed up to 48 hours. Most cats have a good chance of recovery with prompt and aggressive veterinary treatment, which may include medication, IV fluids, bathing and other supportive care.
APCC experts urge you to consult with your veterinarian before purchasing products to control fleas on your pet or in your home—and always read the product instructions completely before using any product on your pet. Adds Hansen, “By simply taking the time to read a product label carefully, a pet owner could save his or her animal’s life.” If you have used a flea control product and notice that your cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance.