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 | You will notice that all the content in today's newsletter is related, either directly, or indirectly to our cats' health. Expect more along this line in future issues, as well as some fun stuff. Next Monday, the 22nd, is Earth Day, so mark your calendar to check the home page for some cat-related content. Have a great weekend, and don't forget that around here, EVERY day is hug-a-cat day. Connect With Franny Facebook | Twitter | Free Newsletter | |
BPA Lining in Pet Food Cans
 BPA lining in pet food cans may be a contributing factor for hyperthyroidism and other diseases and conditions in cats.
My Joey was only eight years old when he was diagnosed as hyperthyroid - a disease which is more common in older cats. I had been feeding him various brands of canned cat foods since adopting him and his brother, Jaspurr at 6.5 weeks. BPA is a hard, clear plastic, which is used "as a protective lining on the inside of metal-based food and beverage cans," according to the FDA. It has been approved for that purpose sin the 1960s. However, studies done over the years have linked BPA to a number of health concerns in humans, and at least as a contributing factor to hyperthyroidism in cats. Learn more about BPA lining in Pet Food Cans, how it can affect your cats' health, and what you can do about it.
| Understanding Anesthesia for Cats
Our Billy was scheduled for dental work on Monday, April 15th. He had to fast after 8 p.m. Sunday, and we loaded him into our car at 8 a.m. Monday. I had a lengthy discussion with our veterinarian, and with the vet tech dental expert who would be doing the dental work. They both completely allayed my fears about the anesthetic, and preliminary sedative. It didn't go quite as expected. After Dr. Ladonna called requesting permission for an xray because of Billy's wheezing, she called back to tell us to come get him. He had a bit of bronchitis, so we scheduled the dental work for two weeks forward after the antibiotic/prednisone have done their job. I completely trust my veterinarian, and appreciate that she is as conservative as I am when it comes to the health of my cats.
| Remembering a Legend: Eileen Poole
Last Sunday was the 6th anniversary of the passing of my dear friend, Eileen Poole. Eileen was better known as Feline Companion, the name of her now closed website. In 2000, her site was voted as my Cats Site of the Year. For many years, Eileen and her partner, Liz, managed a cat sanctuary for special needs cats: those that were FIV or FeLV positive, blind, crippled - the (unadoptable) castaways of the feline world. One of Eileen's legacies to me was her comment when I was devastated to learn that my beloved Shannon had FIV. Eileen told me then, "Remember that Shannon doesn't know he's sick." I have carried that with me to this day... learn more about this amazing woman.
| Cat Picture of the Week: Tiger
Image © About.com Member Pauline15
I got cold chills when I first read Tiger's story, because my Joey has had similar symptoms to his for quite some time. Then, when I saw his photo I knew he was destined to be Cat of the Week in April. This photo was taken a few months ago and Tiger no longer looks quite the same. His eye was removed recently, and in a week or so, he will go back to the vet to have the stitches removed. Pauline's advice is sound, and well worth repeating here: "It is important to watch any eye condition that continues on to be checked with your Vet. Tiger first has some watering or matter which continued and then his eye was red next to his nose. That was his first Conjunctivitis case and he also had Uveitis. " Watch for Tiger in the future, as my "poster cat" in a new article on eye infections and URIs.
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Some time ago, an email from a reader asked "Do cats purr when they are alone?" This question led me to a fascinating exploration of the physiology of a cat's purr. It is almost certain that both this mother cat and her nursing kittens are purring, something that seems to be ingrained from birth.
