THE WASHINGTON POST • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010
24 DC
fox from 15
stopped this routine a little more than a year ago, and he is still absolutely fine.
K.A. Fairfield, Conn.
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DF: I appreciate your effective measures of getting more fluid into a cat suffering from a urinary tract blockage caused by calculi, also known as crystals or sand. Many cats, especially those
addicted to dry food, have insufficient fluid intake that can lead to bladder inflammation and special (and expensive) salt-loaded prescription diets sold to treat the condition, with the idea that cats will then drink more water. But high-salt diets are not good for man or beast. Your solution is cheaper, safer and clearly very effective.
EXCESSIVE GROOMING
Dear Dr. Fox: I have a female cat that will soon be 16. I feed her Authority cat food for sensitive skin. She uses clumping cat litter and doesn’t go outside. She is constantly grooming, licking and scratching. Is this a sign of something wrong with her environment, food or health? Because she is grooming all the time, she is also throwing up fur balls. She has licked her tail so much it is bare close to her rear. The cat food is made up of
turkey and oatmeal. I used to feed her Purina One, and once I used a new one that includes vegetables. It seems she started the grooming after the new food. The vet thought she was probably allergic to something in
L OCAL LIVING
the food. So I changed her to Authority, but she is still grooming all the time. She does have some allergies, because every once in a while, her eyes start running.
M.S. Irving, Tex.
DF: Judging from your cat’s age and the fact that most cats are exposed to chemicals in their environments, food and water that can damage their thyroid glands, your veterinarian should check your cat for hyperthyroidism. Common signs are increased grooming, often to the point of self-mutilation, irritability, aggressiveness and weight loss despite increased appetite.
Considering her age, I would advise no more vaccinations, which could further impair her immune system. Gradually put her on a more natural, biologically appropriate diet. She might well be allergic to certain ingredients in her diet, such as corn, soy and fish. Some cats are allergic to synthetic fragrances found in their litter or elsewhere in the home, including laundry detergents. Cats are very chemical-sensitive, and simply treating them with steroids or antihistamines without doing some in-home detective work to identify possible allergens is not the best solution.
MISMATCHED TWINS
Dear Dr. Fox: My orange tabby will soon be 2 years old. He and his twin brother are indoor cats. He weighs 20 pounds, and his brother weighs 10. I’m not sure what a healthy
weight would be for him. They both eat a diet of dry food
exclusively. They run around and play at the same level, but it’s hard for this cat to lose weight. I am seeing him walk more slowly, almost with a slight limp. I tried feeding him just twice a
day, but my husband insists that cats prefer to graze throughout the day. Setting up separate feeding regimens is not possible because we work out of the house 10 hours a day.
S.K.S. Virginia Beach
DF: Your husband is right: Cats like to take small snacks, but what you are feeding them is going to shorten the life of one of your cats, if not both. You are witnessing how some
cats adapt to a high-carbohydrate diet, at least for a while. Other cats become obese, diabetic and arthritic. You should change their diet to
a no- or very-low-grain dry cat food, hiding small quantities in various places for them to find while you are at work. Feed them quality canned cat food (one tablespoon each) before you go to work, as soon as you come home and an hour before bedtime. Remove all remaining dry food as soon as you get in from work. Consider raw cat foods, too.
Michael W. Fox, author of a newsletter and books on animal care, welfare and rights, is a veterinarian with doctoral degrees in medicine and animal behavior. Write to him at United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. ©2010 United Feature Syndicate Inc.
animals from 15
The following were among cases handled by the Washington Animal Rescue League, 71 Oglethorpe St. NW. For information, call 202-726-2556 or visit
www.warl.org.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Animal Rescue League treats 60 feral cats
OGLETHORPE ST. NW, 1-99 block, Sept. 7. The league spayed and neutered 60 feral cats from various District neighborhoods during its monthly clinic. Volunteers humanely trapped the cats, which were later returned to their colonies. The cats were vaccinated and treated for
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1-800-753-POST Home delivery is convenient. SF
parasites. They were being fed and will be monitored.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Five dogs go to the league for treatment, evaluation
NEW YORK AVE. NE, 1200 block, Sept. 8. League employees picked up five dogs from the D.C. shelter. One of the dogs, a 3-month-old mixed Labrador retriever, was emaciated, covered in fleas and suffering from an eye infection. The animal was being treated at the league’s medical center. All of the dogs were to be neutered and evaluated for adoption at the league.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Free reception to feature league, hospital leaders
A free reception featuring Peter Glassman, director of Friendship Hospital for Animals, and Gary Weitzman, chief executive of the Washington Animal Rescue League, will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 30, at the league, 71 Oglethorpe St. NW. The reception will kick off Friendship’s $25,000 matching challenge grant for the league’s Humane Education Program. Friendship has pledged to contribute a dollar for every dollar earmarked for humane education that the league raises by the end of the year, up to a total of $25,000. For information, visit
www.warl.org/news- events/events.
— Compiled by Ria Manglapus 1-800-753-POST
SF
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