Meet “Bifford”

About “Bifford”

Bifford was born in Chicago, Illinois after his mother was rescued off the streets by a compassionate and patient animal shelter volunteer. Being one of four kittens he was categorized by animal shelter volunteers as “the worst” out of the litter in regards to his cerebellar hypoplasia. When Bifford was a mere 10 days old his mother rejected him thus withholding care and nutrition he so desperately needed when a devoted foster mother assumed responsibility for his around the clock care. When Bifford was transported to Youngstown, Ohio by a local cat shelter a note was enclosed with him:

“Born October 09, 2011, mother rejected at 10 days old. Tipsy [my brother] and I are the largest of the four kittens in our litter and most affected with CH. He will use a litter box 99% o f the time, will cry beside the litter box if he cannot get in or is having trouble. Sometimes falls/flips right out of the litter box and also sometimes lays on side to go [to the bathroom] and I will help hold him up until he finishes. Sometimes will take a nose dive in litter and will need cleaned off/bathed. Sometimes he will accidentally step in his own mess because he is unable to bury his potty. Will eat some from plate but will eat best when fed canned food by hand while holding him up under his belly with my other hand. Will cry for a bedtime bottle around 9-10 PM and gets canned food 3x/day.” 

Bifford was initially adopted in Fall 2012 but was returned after his family moved and could no longer take him with them. Upon being returned back to the shelter he was then adopted in Spring 2013 by a family who vowed to care for him but unfortunately bungled his care. When being returned (again) to the shelter in May 2014, Bifford’s former family admitted that they were unable to effectively care for Bifford and felt that he was “suffering” and wanted him to “die with dignity” to which they would contain him in an empty hot tub with the cover on it in order to “contain the mess”. Bifford was terrified and underweight but otherwise unscathed, though shelter life was no life for him. Living in such close proximity to other cats in a cage free shelter proved the theory of “survival of the fittest” in which Bifford was not as fast as the other cats and was often the subject of many bullies.

I agreed to foster Bifford on Mother’s Day, 2014 in which the situation was only to be “temporary” in order to spring him from the shelter and hopefully nurture him physically and emotionally. The first few nights were proving to be exhausting ones for both Bifford and myself — roaming the house and crying all hours of the night I can only speculate he was terrified being in a strange, new environment (again) and even more terrified that he was going to fall in love with a new family and ultimately get returned back to the shelter. Couple this with the fact that at that time I had no idea how to properly care for a “CH” cat (nor did I know much about them) I feared that I would not be able to arise to the labor of love that was Bifford.

Years have passed since those first few days and I still joke with Bifford that he is a “foster” though I can say without reservation that he is a “foster fail” because he took over my heart in so many ways. Come October 09, 2018 Bifford will be turning 10 years old to which he has a happy, healthy and spoiled lifestyle (what cat do you know that has their own bedroom and TV?!) and ultimately planted the seed of special needs animals advocacy and education due to all of the misconceptions and ill-information circulating about special needs animals.

Please enjoy the website, Bifford’s photos and overall shenanigans and information 🙂

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Dr. Cary Craig – Weighing in on CH & Anesthesia!

Cary Craig
Health Science Associate Clinical Professor
Surgical & Radiological Sciences UC Davis Veterinary School

PART 1

     There are no medical contraindications to any anesthetic technique in CH. However, I think there are considerations, particularly with respect to recovery from general anesthesia. My preference would be to use short acting or reversible techniques. Inhalant anesthetics such as isoflurane have the advantage of being very short acting and recovery is rapid once the inhalant is discontinued. My own CH kitties I have induced anesthesia either with propofol (a short acting injectable anesthetic) or isoflurane or sevoflurane by mask. For anesthetic maintenance gas anesthesia is best, maintaining anesthesia with injectable anesthetics for a spay would require doses that would prolong the recovery period. The gas should be delivered by an endotracheal tube rather than a facemask. Anesthetized animals, with or without CH, cannot protect their airways and are at risk for aspiration and/or airway obstruction. I would also recommend the use of an analgesic (pain control medication) and it is best used as a premedication, i.e., given prior to the surgical procedure. Usually this is a narcotic. The doses used for pain control are safe. Occasionally, some cats have some behavioral changes when they are given narcotics which can be sedation, euphoria or dysphoria. These are temporary; they go away as the drug wears off. If the drug effects are unacceptable the narcotic can be reversed.

     To dispel any myths- gas anesthesia is not safer than injectable anesthesia but it does offer a number of advantages in many circumstances. In CH kitties the rapid recovery is the primary advantage. It is not dangerous to use ketamine in CH kitties but I expect recovery from ketamine to be a very unpleasant experience for a kitty that has difficulty with balance and coordinated movement. Ketamine has a fairly long duration which gets very long if it is used intramuscularly as an anesthetic.

 Acceptable medications for CH cats are; Dormitor/Antisedan, Dormitor (medetomidine), is a sedative/analgesic that can provide profound sedation and short term analgesia. It is reversible with Antisedan (atipamizole) which makes it very useful for short procedures. It is not really an anesthetic so I would not recommend it for a spay which is an abdominal surgery. I think it is suitable for castrations in young, healthy animals.

PART 2

Neurologic injury from anesthesia is caused by a period of inadequate oxygen delivery to the brain. The severity of the neurologic damage is proportional to the length of time the brain is oxygen deprived. The part of the brain involved in vision is particularly sensitive to lack of oxygen so blindness is the most common symptom, more severe deficits are certainly possible.

There are basically two reasons why the brain would not get enough oxygen during anesthesia in all patients (normal or otherwise) and with all anesthetics (there are no safe anesthetics, only safe anesthetists):

  1.  Not enough oxygen gets into the blood – this would occur if there is a problem at the breathing level. Almost all anesthetics depress breathing in a dose dependent manner, the deeper the level of anesthesia the more depressed breathing is. A kitty breathing room air (21% oxygen) probably will not get enough oxygen into his/her lungs if breathing is depressed. This is why anesthetized patients should always be provided supplemental oxygen. Another thing that can prevent enough oxygen from reaching the lungs is an obstruction of the airway. Anesthetized kitties cannot protect their own airways reliably and are at an increased risk for airway obstruction. This why a fully anesthetized (as opposed to sedated) kitty should have an endotracheal tube placed. It keeps the airway open and helps prevent any fluid (saliva, blood, mucous, vomit, etc.) from being aspirated into the lungs. One caveat, in the hands of someone not experienced intubating cats, intubation itself can be associated with complications (tube accidentally placed in the esophagus, traumatic intubation, spasm of the larynx)
  2. Not enough blood gets to the brain. Even if there is plenty of oxygen in the blood if blood flow to the brain is inadequate the brain will become hypoxic (oxygen deprived). This can happen if blood pressure gets very low. Most anesthetics decrease blood pressure in a dose dependent manner. It is impossible to predict how much blood pressure will decrease in any given patient by any given dose of any anesthetic. Cats are particularly sensitive to the blood pressure lowering effects of commonly used anesthetics so blood pressure should be routinely measured in cats that are under general anesthesia. That way, a drop in blood pressure will be detected and appropriate action can be taken to restore it to normal.

     I think one of the most common causes for a cat to wake up with neurologic problems is a prolonged period of very low blood pressure. If not enough oxygen gets to the lungs so that there is not enough in the blood the gums and pink skin will turn bluish purple (cyanotic) and if anyone is looking at the cat they should see this. If there is enough oxygen in the blood but not enough is getting to the brain you have no way of knowing this unless you are measuring blood pressure. It can even happen sometimes when blood pressure seems ok – blood flow is extremely important and we infer blood flow from blood pressure. So it is important that the person monitoring the anesthesia can interpret the blood pressure numbers in the context of the cat’s clinical signs of adequate blood flow.

  There are still too many practices that do not routinely measure blood pressure in their anesthetized patients with the assumption that standard drug protocols and dosages won’t cause a problem. But normal doses in normal patients can, and often do, cause problems. If the problems are detected and addressed they are not serious. If not detected there may have serious consequences.

     This is scary stuff but it should not stop client’s from having their cat’s anesthetized for necessary procedures (e.g. spay, neuter). The incidence of cats that aren’t ill dying while anesthetized has been found to be about 0.3% (or 175 out 80,000). That figure goes up substantially if the cat is sick when it is anesthetized. This is much better than 10 or 15 years ago (but still ten times the mortality rate seen in people) and we are working very hard at finding ways to make it even better.

     I think the most important factors in improving the safety of anesthesia are experience with the drugs being used and in anesthetizing the species they are being used in, experience and skill with endotracheal intubation and vigilant monitoring. 

Category: Anesthesia, Did You Know?, Miscellaneous, Slider, Veterinary Medicine | LEAVE A COMMENT

Understanding the “FVRCP” vaccine & “modified live-virus” vaccines!

What is the “FVRCP” vaccine?

The FVRCP vaccination is an important part of your cat’s routine.

It prevents three potentially deadly airborne viruses:

  1. rhinotracheitis
  2. calicivirus
  3. panleukopenia 
  1. Rhinotracheitis is triggered by the common feline herpes virus. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose and drooling. Your cat’s eyes may become crusted with mucous, and he or she may sleep much more and eat much less than normal. If left untreated this disease causes dehydration, starvation, and eventually, death.
  2. Calicivirus has similar symptoms, affecting the respiratory system and also causing ulcers in the mouth. It can result in pneumonia if left untreated—kittens and senior cats are especially vulnerable.
  3. Panleukopenia is also known as distemper and is easily spread from one cat to another. Distemper is so common that nearly all cats—regardless of breed or living conditions—will be exposed to it in their lifetime. It’s especially common in kittens who have not yet been vaccinated against it, and symptoms include fever, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. This disease progresses rapidly and requires immediate medical attention. Without intervention, a cat can die within 12 hours of contracting the disease.

These three viruses can be contracted by cats at any age.

Kittens should receive their first FVRCP vaccination at 6 to 8 weeks of age, followed by three booster shots once a month. Adult cats should receive a booster once every year or two, according to your veterinarian’s recommendation.

Adult cats with unknown vaccination records should receive a FVRCP vaccination, plus a booster in 3-4 weeks from the time they initially received the first FVRCP vaccine.

Because FVRCP is a live vaccine, it should not be given to pregnant cats. If a live-vaccine is administered to a pregnant cat then the unborn kittens may develop cerebellar hypoplasia.
 

What is a “modified- live” vaccine?

Modified live vaccines (MLV) contain a small quantity. of virus or bacteria that has been altered so that it no longer. is capable of causing clinical disease but is still capable of. infection and multiplying in the animal.

What is the difference between the various types of vaccines?

There are three major types of vaccine:

1.  Modified live vaccines. These vaccines contain live organisms that are weakened or genetically modified so that they will not produce disease but will multiply in the cat’s body. Live vaccines induce a stronger, longer lasting immunity than inactivated vaccines. It is not advisable to use modified live vaccines in pregnant queens or cats whose immune system is not working properly (e.g., cats infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), or other diseases).

2.  Killed (inactivated) vaccines. These vaccines are prepared using actual organisms or genetically modified organisms that have been killed by various treatments. On their own, they do not give as high a level of protection as the live, replicating type of vaccine, so killed vaccines may have an adjuvant (an added ingredient) to make the immune response stronger.

3.  Subunit vaccines. These are more commonly called recombinant-DNA vaccines. These are vaccines in which the infectious organism has been broken apart and only certain parts are included in the vaccine.

How do vaccines work exactly?

Vaccines work by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognize and fight a particular microorganism such as a virus, bacteria, or other infectious organism. Once vaccinated, the animal’s immune system is then primed, or prepared to react to a future infection with that microorganism. In other words, the vaccine mimics a true infection so that the immune system can better protect the body in the future. Depending on the disease, the vaccine will help the body prevent infection or lessen the severity of infection and promote rapid recovery.

Which particular brand of the FVRCP vaccine is considered “modified-live”?

FELOCELL 3 by Zoetis is a “modified-live” virus vaccine
  1. FELOCELL (Zoetis)
    1. FELOCELL 3 is a non-adjuvanted* modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine.
    2. Contains attenuated strains of feline rhinotracheitis virus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus (Johnson Snow Leopard strain), propagated on established cell lines.
    3. Safety of FELOCELL 3 was demonstrated in field trials involving 2,288 cats. No serious post-vaccination reactions attributable to the vaccine were reported.
    4. Packaged in freeze-dried form with inert gas in place of vacuum.
    5. Customer-friendly packaging includes peel-off labels for faster and more accurate record-keeping, a color-coded organizing system, and an easy-open safety band.
    6. FELOCELL 3 is supported by our Companion Animal Immunization Support Guarantee (ISG).

* Non-Adjuvanted : An adjuvant is a substance that is added to a vaccine to enhance the body’s immune response to the vaccine. Studies have shown that adjuvants have been associated with injection site reaction, injection site granuloma, and chronic inflammation in cats. (purevax.com)

The AAFP vaccination guidelines recommend that low-risk adult cats be vaccinated every three years for the core vaccines, and then as determined by your veterinarian for any non-core vaccines. Some vaccine manufacturers have developed approved three-year vaccines for many of the core vaccines. It is important to note that feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine is recommended by some AAFP members as a core vaccine, while other experts classify it as a non-core vaccine. Your veterinarian is the ultimate authority on how your cat should be vaccinated. Please always consult your cat’s veterinarian about the vaccine schedule/process, types of vaccines, side effects & more!

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Eight Common Myths about Surgery & Cats

Dr. Phil Zeltzman, brought to you by IDEXX & Pet Health Network


There are many urban legends surrounding surgery and cats. Here I take a rational look at 8 stubborn myths I encounter regularly.

1. Myth: “My cat is too old for anesthesia”
You should think twice when your friend or the internet tells you that your cat is too old or sick for anesthesia, and don’t be afraid to seek out an expert about this concern. If your cat is that old, surgery is probably not being recommended just for fun. Your veterinarian is probably talking about performing surgery because of a serious reason or even a life or death situation.

A complete physical exam and blood work should always be performed before anesthesia. In older cats, it may be wise to also take chest and belly radiographs, as well as an ECG to be thorough. Some patients may need to be stabilized before anesthesia, which may mean correcting blood work imbalances, giving IV fluids or giving a blood transfusion prior to anesthesia and surgery.

2. Myth: “Surgery is painful”
This is actually a true statement. However, surgical pain should not be ignored in 2015. We have many safe pain medications to choose from to treat pain before, during and after surgery. We should also remember that depending on what your cat’s condition is, she is most likely already in pain, which will continue to stay the same or worsen without surgery. The goal of surgery is often to decrease pain.

3. Myth: “There is no point if there is no cure”
This mostly relates to cats with a tumor. It is a matter of opinion and expectations. And it’s a very personal decision.

Without the benefit of a biopsy, we don’t know whether a mass is cancerous or benign until it is removed and analyzed. Even when a mass is cancerous, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the end of the road.

Ultimately, your decision should not be based only on quantity of life (or survival), but mostly on quality of life.

Ironically, sometimes, the situation doesn’t depend on whether a mass is benign or cancerous, but on where it is located. A perfectly benign mass blocking the windpipe, the esophagus (the tube between the mouth and the stomach) or the urethra (the tube between the bladder and the outside world) will have life-threatening consequences.

4. Myth: “My cat will not survive confinement”
Confinement is often required after surgery. The time required depends on the procedure. Confinement may be in a crate, an upside down baby/puppy play pen, a “cat tent,” a small room or part of a room. It may seem cruel to some, yet preventing jumping and running is critical to allow proper healing. Cats don’t know what is best for them. You should.
 
Interestingly, most cat guardians I deal with regularly tell me that in the end, confinement was easier than they expected.

5. Myth:  “I can’t keep a plastic cone on my cat”
Sure, a plastic cone can be a royal pain depending on how stubborn your cat is. But this “necessary evil,” worn for two weeks, is not nearly as bad as another surgery to stitch up a chewed incision. And it sure is cheaper than paying for this second surgery!

There are a few alternatives to the standard “lamp shade” or Elizabethan collar such as neck braces or inflatable “donuts.” Not all of these options will work, depending on where the incision is located, so alternative options must be discussed with your surgeon or family veterinarian.

6. Myth: “There’s always a cheaper way”
Sure, you can get to work in a beat-up truck or in a Ferrari. You can go to work in worn-up, second-hand clothes or in a tailor-made suit. But when it comes to surgery, the choices are suddenly much more important. Seeking the cheaper surgery may not be in your cat’s best interest. Which corner do you want to cut? Not give pain medications? Not give antibiotics? Not use sterile equipment? Unfortunately, good equipment, good staff and good skills cost money. And this is reflected in the cost of surgery. The good news is you can get an insurance plan for your dog to avoid this financial dilemma.

7. Myth: “I can just use medication instead”
I am very sorry to say that I have met cats with megacolon (a painful condition due to many months of severe constipation) and other long-term conditions that had been treated “medically” (i.e. with medications) for months to years. These cats suffer on medications, while surgery could have provided much better results. Initially, the medications only address the signs, until they don’t. Surgery addresses the cause of the condition.

As I always say, “the disease is the enemy. Surgery is your friend.”

8. Myth: “Things will get better on their own”
The difficulty is that you cannot tell if vomiting is a sign of something benign or something serious. Sometimes, vomiting is due to eating a bit too much or a bit too fast. And sometimes, vomiting is due to a foreign body which requires surgery to be removed. So don’t procrastinate; seek help from your family vet sooner rather than later. Waiting too long can have devastating consequences on your cat’s health.

These 8 myths are not meant to offend anyone. They are based on observations made over years of practice. Sure, there are complications, expected or not, during and after surgery. Fortunately, most of the time, surgery can make a world of difference for your cat.

Questions to ask your veterinarian about surgery:

  • What are the goals of the surgery you recommend?
  • What would happen if we didn’t do the surgery?
  • What can I do to ensure my cat’s comfort after surgery?

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian — they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Category: Anesthesia, CH-Proofing, Did You Know?, Miscellaneous, Veterinary Medicine | LEAVE A COMMENT

What are the most common household toxins to pets?

Content Courtesy of AVMA;AVMA.org

As a pet owner, you want to keep your furry friend safe and healthy, but your pet’s curious nature sometimes can get him into trouble. Animals investigate the world with their mouths and they can ingest poisonous substances accidentally. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to advise pet owners about potential pet toxicities. To help you take precautions and ensure your pet stays safe, the ASPCA has compiled a list of the most frequent offenders, many of which can be found in and around your home.

Pets and over-the-counter medications

In 2018, the ASPCA received 213,773 calls, almost 20% of which were related to ingestion of over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, cold medications, and herbal supplements. Even a medication that does not require a prescription can be extremely dangerous to your pet. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen and naproxen can cause acute kidney failure and should never be given to pets. Do not try to treat your pet’s medical problems without consulting an AAHA-accredited veterinarian, and never give him a medication that is not approved for veterinary use.

Human prescription medications and pets

ADHD medications, antidepressants, and heart medications were most commonly ingested by pets, although your pet can suffer significant side effects from any human medication he eats. Keep all medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, safely stored inside a medicine cabinet or cupboard or up high where your pet can’t reach them and ask your visitors to do the same.

What foods are toxic to pets?

Many foods that are safe for people can be deadly to pets. Keep the following toxic foods away from your beloved companion:

  • Chocolate
  • Xylitol (often found in sugar-free gum)
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Grapes and raisins
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeinated drinks
  • Raw yeast dough
  • Raw or undercooked meat

Never leave food where your pet can reach it and keep pets out of the kitchen when children are eating to prevent them from gobbling up dropped food.

What about prescription veterinary products?

Prescription animal medications often are flavored to increase palatability, so pets may mistake them for treats and eat more than prescribed. Inquisitive pets may even eat pills that aren’t flavored, so keep all medications out of your pet’s reach. Remember, animals can chew through plastic bottles, so child-proof may not mean pet-proof.

What other household items are dangerous to my pet?

Products such as paint, glue, and cleaning chemicals often are left out on the assumption that pets won’t eat these bad-tasting substances. But sometimes pets lap up liquids because they feel good or have an interesting texture. Household products can contain dangerous chemicals and some household glues expand in the stomach, causing a life-threatening blockage.

Rodenticides

Products designed to kill rodents are particularly dangerous to pets, who may be tempted to eat the tasty bricks, granules, or pellets left out for mice and rats. Rodenticides kill rodents by causing internal bleeding, high calcium levels, brain swelling, or toxic gas production. Never put rat bait out where your pet can find it and keep your pet confined to your yard to prevent him from eating your neighbors’ rodenticides.

Insecticides and pets

Ant baits, bug sprays, and foggers can be poisonous to your pet. Read labels to ensure proper use of these products and prevent pets from exposure during and after use. Store all insecticides on high shelves out of a pet’s reach.

Plants toxic to pets

Plants found in flower beds, vegetable gardens, and indoor planters and arrangements can be toxic to pets. Cats, who particularly like to munch on greenery, are sensitive to many plant types, but dogs also can be at risk. A complete list of toxic and nontoxic plants can be found on ASPCA’s website, but the most common toxic plants include:

  • Autumn crocus
  • Azalea
  • Cyclamen
  • Daffodils
  • Dieffenbachia
  • Hyacinth
  • Kalanchoe
  • Lily of the valley
  • Lilies
  • Oleander
  • Sago palm
  • Tulips

If your pet eats leaves, flowers, or stems, immediately take him and a plant sample to your AAHA-accredited veterinarian. Although toxicity signs may not be apparent, it is vital to remove poisonous material as soon as possible to prevent toxin absorption into the body.

Garden products and pets

Many products used on lawns, gardens, and flower beds can cause toxicity in pets. Fertilizers made from bone or blood meal are tempting to pets and can cause pancreatitis, or can clump in the intestines or stomach, causing a blockage. Other fertilizers and herbicides applied to lawns also may contain toxic chemicals.

Category: Anesthesia, Did You Know?, Veterinary Medicine | LEAVE A COMMENT