RESEARCH - Cats Test Positive for Harmful Chemicals Found in House Dust

A Swedish study has confirmed that high levels of brominated flame retardants measured in cats are from the dust in homes.

The study is part of an ongoing project called MiSSE (Mixture Assessment of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds).

The project aims to identify and evaluate the mix of endocrine disruptors in indoor environments.

The study showed that cats are exposed to chemicals found in electronics and furniture - chemicals that become dust and can adversely affect health.

The results are very interesting because small children, notorious for putting everything in their mouths, are exposed to these chemicals as well.

“The brominated flame retardants that have been measured in cats are known endocrine disruptors. It’s particularly serious when small children ingest these substances because exposure during the development can have consequences later in life, such as thyroid disease”, says Jana Weiss at the Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University.

In a previous study, the researchers demonstrated that brominated flame retardants were found in higher concentrations in the blood of cats that had developed feline hyperthyroidism compared to healthy cats.

Brominated flame retardants are added to textiles, furniture and electronic equipment to prevent the material from igniting.

Many have been found to be health hazards and banned, however they are very persistent and can leach from products for many years after they have been produced.

Researchers took blood samples from cats and gathered dust in the children's room, the adults' bedroom and the living room.

The samples were analyzed and the chemicals found were not only those that are currently in use, but also some that have been banned for decades.

To avoid exposure researchers recommend:

• Clean regularly to remove dust
• When buying new textiles, furniture, electronics, etc., choose ecologically certified or environmentally friendly products
• When buying a new product, ask the retailer or manufacturer about the chemicals used in the manufacturing process.

HEALTH - Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Opposes Declawing of Cats

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has updated its policy on declawing cats to clearly oppose the procedure.

The CVMA changed the position statement’s title to Domestic Felid Partial Digital Amputation (Onychectomy or Declawing) to better reflect the nature of the procedure, and explicitly states that it “opposes elective and non-therapeutic Partial Digital Amputation (PDA), commonly known as declawing or onychectomy, of domestic cats.”

Dr. Troy Bourque, CVMA President, said in a release, “Much research has become available since we last examined this position statement and it is evident that felines suffer needlessly when undergoing this surgery as an elective measure. Furthermore, behavioural research has advanced to allow veterinarians in this field to help clients modify unwanted scratching behavior without the completion of an Onychectomy.”

Animal welfare organizations have long held policies condemning declawing for elective or non-therapeutic reasons and have promoted behaviour modification to address scratching issues.

The new CVMA policy recognizes scratching as a normal cat behaviour and nails are used by cats to assist with balance, climbing, and self-defence.

The policy goes on to say, “surgical amputation of the third phalynx of the digit alters the expression of normal behaviours in cats, causes avoidable short-term acute pain, and has the potential to cause chronic pain and negative long-term orthopedic consequences.”

Does this new policy mean the surgery is banned in Canada?

No. It is up to veterinary regulators in each province to decide whether to ban the procedure.

Some provinces in Canada ban elective and non-therapeutic surgeries such as docking and cropping in dogs, and only time will tell if that happens for declawing.

Declawing is banned in the U.K., Europe, Australia and several California cities, and New Jersey is considering a law that would ban the practice unless a vet deems the operation medically necessary.

For now, Canadian Veterinarians “have the right to refuse to perform non-therapeutic Partial Digital Amputation surgery. If alternatives fail to alleviate undesirable scratching behaviours, veterinarians have the right and responsibility to use professional judgement for a humane and ethical outcome.”

RESEARCH - Cats Are Healthier When They Work for Their Food

A recent study out of the University of California Berkeley showed that food puzzles, which take advantage of the feline hunting instinct and make them work for their food, result in happier and healthier cats.

Published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, the study states that foraging for food makes cats more active, they experience reduced levels of stress, and become less demanding of their owners.

The researchers describe over 30 case studies within their own practice where food puzzles positively impacted a variety of issues including aggressive behaviour, antisocial behaviour, obesity, inappropriate urination, anxiety or depression when left alone, and even stalking the household guinea pigs.

One sixteen-year-old obese cat lost 32% of her body weight in 18 months and began to interact and forage with the new kittens in the home after being fearful and antisocial.

A three-year-old British short hair who had been biting the owner with no warning when anticipating meals or not getting attention, completely stopped this behaviour after six months of using mobile and stationary food puzzles.

There are a variety of food puzzles on the market for cats.

In July, InfoStream featured the innovative NoBowl system which is made to look like mice. The NoBowl is an example of a mobile puzzle which requires cats to push, roll or manipulate the puzzle.

With a stationary puzzle Felines learn to navigate a board. Most often they have to fish food out of the puzzle with their paws.

Owners can even make their own puzzles if they are the DIY types.

Figure 1

Homemade mobile (a), homemade stationary (b), purchased stationary (c) and purchased mobile (d) food puzzles. Courtesy of Mikel Delgado (a,c), Leticia Dantas (b) and Ingrid Johnson (d)

Cats can be particular about which type of puzzle they prefer - as they can be particular about many other aspects of their lives - so trial and error may be necessary to find the best puzzle.

Some cats may also like variety so alternating between different puzzles can keep them happy and interested.

Food puzzles were originally created to provide enrichment for captive zoo and laboratory animals. It’s interesting they are now being used to benefit the health of domesticated cats and dogs as pet owners strive to make their pets’ lives as positive and fulfilling as possible.

HEALTH - An Alternative to Giving the Cat a Pill

It can be one of the most challenging tasks for a cat owner - giving their feline a pill.

The internet abounds with serious how-to videos and the not-so-serious cartoons and step-by-step instructions which inevitably result in hospitalization of the cat owner.

There is good news on the horizon for owners of fractious felines. A Colorado veterinarian is researching a different way to administer a popular medicine to cats with kidney disease, one of the most common medical conditions in older felines. 

Mirtazapine, a drug that boosts appetite and reduces nausea in cats, is applied as a cream to the cat’s ear.

Quimby’s latest clinical trial builds on five previous studies into whether a transdermal gel works and how the appetite stimulant can help improve nutrition for cats, who become picky eaters as their kidney disease progresses.

Dr. Jessica Quimby is still recruiting subjects for her study and is looking for owners who are willing to use the cream for six weeks and record the results.

Over the six weeks, half of the time the cream is Mirtazapine and the other three weeks it’s a placebo, with neither Quimby nor the participants knowing which cream is which.

The official results won’t be ready for at least a year.

In the meantime owners can wait and hope for an alternative to full-fledged feline battle when medicating their cats.

For information on participating in the study, contact jessica.quimby@colostate.edu.

B.C. Cat Will be First to Get Prosthetic Blades

Eight-month-old Cassidy is now one step closer to walking and jumping like other normal cats. He was injected with Botox in his hind legs to relax the muscles before placing prosthetic blades on his back limbs.

"This will be the first cat in the world to be fitted with prosthetic blades, so our hope today was just the final step before that surgery can be performed," Dr. Mike Higgins, a neurologist with Canada West Veterinary Specialists told Tech Times.

Cassidy will travel to North Carolina State University for the prosthetic limb implant.

These types of 3D printed prosthetic blades have already been used for dogs, but this is a first for cats.

Dr. Higgins predicts prostheses will be more available for paralyzed and malformed animals in about 10 to 15 years.

Cassidy lost his rear legs due to wounds caused by E. Coli. He was found and rescued by Shelly Roche of Tiny Kittens Rescue last year.

Read the full story.

INNOVATE - Revolutionary New Cat Litter

Cats Incredible, a revolutionary new clumping cat litter, is set to launch at Global Pet Expo in Florida this month.

What makes this litter so different? The Dow Chemical Company’s patent-pending nontoxic technology that prevents ammonia from developing in the litterbox.

It doesn’t simply mask or neutralize the toxic gas; it stops it from forming, according to Andre Argenton, global research and development director for Performance Materials and Chemicals at Dow.

“At Dow, we’re problem solvers,” Argenton told Pet Product News. “Odour control is the No. 1 problem in the cat litter market. We believe we have broken through this problem with a disruptive technology solution for the litter industry that can improve the health of cats and their owners. Cats are important members of many families; our breakthrough technology gives cat owners peace of mind knowing their cat’s litterbox is providing a safe, ammonia-free environment.”

Joey Herrick of Lucy Pet Products has filed a worldwide patent on the innovative package design. The bright, recyclable bag features a side removable cap and ergonomic side and top handles for ease of use, and Ricky, a cat rescued by Herrick, graces each bag. His tail curls around to create one of the handles.

“It’s just a beautiful, extremely functional bag,” Herrick told Pet Product News. “There isn’t another like it out there.”

The litter is available in unscented and lightly scented with lavender, and was accepted by 100% of the felines at Lucy Pet who tried the product.

Four corporations collaborated to make this product a reality – Lucy Pet Products, Central Garden and Pet Co., Horn Co. and The Dow Chemical Company.

They expect Cats Incredible to be a "game changer" that revolutionizes the cat litter category.

READ MORE: A Winning Combination: Sparked by Lucy Pet Products’ Joey Herrick, a pet industry innovator extraordinaire, four corporations collaborate to revolutionize the cat litter category.

CVMA Supports cat healthy initiative

Canada's veterinary feline specialists created Cat Healthy, an initiative to help more cats recieve the preventative healthcare they need to live longer, healthier lives. 

During the 2014 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Convention, Cat Healthy officially launched its new website showcasing a number of preventative healthcare protocols designed to provide practical recommendations to raise the standard of care for cats across Canada. 

Fore more information, visit www.canadianveterinarians.net

Cat Healthy is the only program in Canada that was created by Canada's five local board-certified feline veterinary specialists. CVMA is pleased to support cathealthy.ca and its protocols. 

www.cathealthy.ca