Category: non-fowl

What is Saddle Thrombus

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A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that Meow Meow suffered from a complication of heart disease called saddle thrombus or FATE. Further, due to her condition, we decided to put her to sleep. But what is saddle thrombus? What are the signs? Does it affect dogs too? And can it be prevented? Continue reading as I answer these questions and more.

Distal aortic trifurcation thromboembolism, aortic thromboembolism, and saddle thrombus are all similar. And you’ll usually see them used interchangeably as well. Moreover, aortic thromboembolism or ATE is a deadly illness. Plus, when a blood clot or thrombus gets established in the aortic trifurcation, it extends down into the external iliac arteries. At that point, it ends up resembling a saddle. Thus, the term saddle thrombus.

Causes of Saddle Thrombus

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You already know that saddle thrombus occurs in cats. In fact, it’s more common in male cats than females. And although it’s rare for dogs, it does happen. Additionally, just as with cats, saddle thrombus is more prevalent in male dogs than females. However, saddle thrombus is usually caused by heart disease in cats, typically HCM. Though, with dogs, a variety of conditions can produce saddle thrombus, including

sepsis
cancer
cardiomyopathy aka heart disease
damage to the lining of a blood vessel
enlarged left atrium
heartworm
hyperthyroidism
iron deficiency
blood clotting issues
weakly performing heart
protein losing nephropathy (PLN)
and splenectomy

And according to this study, PLN was the most commonly diagnosed issue recognized to induce a hypercoagulable state. Therefore, it’s presumed there might be a connection between an increased tendency to develop blood clots caused by PLN and saddle thrombus formation.

Signs of Saddle Thrombus

Traits like unexpected paralysis, pain, respiratory distress, and sudden death can take place in both cats and dogs with acute onset of saddle thrombus. Despite that, it’s still rare for dogs to experience acute onset. Rather, canines are more likely to manifest symptoms of chronic onset of saddle thrombus compared to cats.

Signs of Acute Onset Saddle Thrombus in Cats and Dogs

Since blood supply to hindquarters is blocked, both cats and dogs can experience

paralysis in one or both hind legs (cats)
back legs will be cold to touch
foot pads and nail beds may appear pale
cats will cry out or meow more
hypothermia
vomiting
possible respiratory distress
and sudden death

paralysis in one or both hind legs (dogs)
back legs will be cold to touch
foot pads and nail beds may appear pale
dogs bark and appear anxious
hypothermia
vomiting
possible respiratory distress
and sudden death

Symptoms of Chronic Onset Saddle Thrombus in Dogs

Chronic symptoms are more subtle and may only appear as weakness or limping. However, over time your dog may also present with

anxiety
coughing
trouble getting up or jumping
reduced ability to exercise or stamina
hypothryroidism
a limp due to weakness in back legs
lowered body temperature
toe wounds
sudden paralysis and pain
respiratory distress
weakness
and sudden death

How Saddle Thrombus is Diagnosed

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Including the above signs, upon examination, femoral pulses on the inner upper back legs are typically absent on cats. And sometimes they’ll be absent on dogs. Therefore, a diagnosis of saddle thrombus can be made largely on symptoms alone. Given the gravity of the situation, most pet parents opt to euthanize their pets.

Otherwise, if treatment is still desired, more tests and diagnostics are required, such as

Xray
Ultrasound
Urinalysis (dogs)
ECG
and blood tests

Several factors should be considered when determining to pursue treatment rather than euthanasia. Issues that negatively impact survival with cats include

decreased heart rate
absence of motor function
having more than one leg affected
hypothermia
and a confirmed diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF)

And the main factor affecting survival with dogs is ambulatory status. For instance, dogs with aortic thromboembolism usually fare better if they are still walking compared to dogs who are paralyzed due to the same condition.

How to Treat Cats with Saddle Thrombus

Often cats need to be hospitalized for a week or two with saddle thrombus until stable. Additionally, they may be referred to a kitty cardiologist But, initially, treatment may consist of

pain medications

oxygen, if and when necessary, for CHF or respiratory distress

IV fluids for dehydrated cats

antithrombotic therapy, ie heparin

as soon as oral medicines are tolerated, then Plavix is started

next, when patient is stabilized and pain is under control, physical therapy of affected limbs is started

However, loss of blood flow to the hind leg can lead to tissue death. So, if only one leg is affected, amputation is an option. Though, there are some contingent aspects.

after patient is stable and comfortable, any necessary diagnostics for treating the underlying cause of saddle thrombus are carried out

and monitoring patient closely

How to Treat Dogs with Saddle Thrombus

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As you’ll notice, much of the therapy offered to cats with saddle thrombus is similar for dogs as well. Nevertheless, there are a couple of differences, as you’ll see. In addition, treatment is not universal, which means it depends upon the veterinarian and their expertise. Therefore, if your dog has saddle thrombus, medical care might include

hospitalization, depending upon the severity of the patient’s condition
pain medications
oxygen therapy, if necessary
antithrombotic medication, such as heparin
aspirin and/or Plavix will also be started
although, if clotting isn’t broken up, then the patient may be referred to a specialist, or the veterinarian may opt to surgically remove the clot
and finally, treat the underlying cause of saddle thrombus

Outcomes with Cats and Dogs with Saddle Thrombus

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Once cats and dogs have a saddle thrombus, the prognosis is very poor. Despite the effort, they’ll either end up not making it, or more than likely have another episode. Thus, most pet parents choose euthanasia for their pets as the most humane option of relieving their suffering. However, you will undoubtedly find instances online of pets who were discharged from the hospital or survived ATE. Though, from everything I’ve read, those examples are considered outliers.

For instance, this study, involving 250 cats that had FATE, revealed that over 150 of the cats were initially euthanized. The study followed the therapy, hospitalizations, deaths, and etc over a period of several months. Then, depending upon certain conditions, some of the cats survived up to a week. But, due to severity and other factors I’ve listed, many still didn’t make it. And others had 2 or even 3 additional occurrences of FATE. In the end, only 6 of the 250 cats survived.

And this one, regarding dogs with saddle thrombus, is similar, yet not as grim. It included 100 dogs at the beginning. But again, because of different issues, only 16 of the original 100 were still living half a year later.

Preventing Saddle Thrombus

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Plavix is the recommended preventative treatment for saddle thrombus in at-risk cats. Though, many pet parents don’t know that anything is wrong with their cats until it’s too late. But that’s why vaccinations are a great time to see the vet. Moreover, if your pet has chronic issues, such as heart disease, CHF, or kidney disease, keeping up with visits is a necessity.

Although, there are things you can look out for as well, to be proactive. Since I know you care about your pets as much as I care about my own, I like to share the things I’ve hopefully learned. With Meow Meow dying, I look back on things I feel I should’ve noticed; things that make me question whether she was sick almost 2 years ago. But then I tell myself, Of course she was, silly! She had heart disease. Indications your cat might have an issue with their heart or be at-risk for saddle thrombus would be

water intake (drinking more than ~1 cup a day for an adult cat)
activity level has dropped significantly
appetite has changed as well or doesn’t eat as much.
losing weight
using the bathroom in places other than the litter box
panting or shallow breathing
stopped grooming themselves, ie. claws need trimming and they have dandruff
and/or periodic lameness in different limbs

Since I don’t know much about dogs with saddle thrombus, there wasn’t anything different online than what’s already listed. Yet, I feel like they would also present in some ways similar to a cat such as

activity level has changed, ie not doing as much or can’t do as much
appetite has changed, ie, doesn’t eat as much or eats more than before for an adult dog
weight gain or weight loss
panting or shallow breathing when not doing much exercise
periodic lameness in different limbs
low urine output compared to water intake
weakness
vomiting
and/or abnormal behavior

I based these symptoms on the conditions listed above that can cause saddle thrombus in dogs. Furthermore, if you’re concerned about your pet’s health, contact your veterinarian. The best prevention is early detection and treatment.

So, What is Saddle Thrombus

Saddle thrombus can affect both cats and dogs. Although, it’s not as common with dogs as it is with cats. And while heart disease is the main culprit behind ATE in cats, there can be any of a number of issues in dogs. Moreover, dogs generally manifest chronic onset symptoms, whereas cats will have acute symptoms. Also, both cats and dogs are diagnosed and treated pretty similarly. However, veterinarians no longer surgically remove blood clots in cats.

In addition, both kinds of pets have a poor prognosis, depending on motor function. Furthermore, if cats have hypothermia, more than one limb affected, and CHF, that affects the outlook as well. But keep your pets’ annual visits with the veterinarian, so they can detect any changes. And if you notice anything out of the ordinary, please call the vet. I hope you never have to experience anything like that with your fur babies.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Please comment, share, and please don’t forget to follow.

Tags ATE, feline heart disease, PLN in dogs, saddle thrombus

All animals Chicks Hens non-fowl Protecting Your Backyard Birds raising happy, healthy chickens Roosters

Bird Flu and Chickens

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A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post on factors, such as bird flu, affecting the cost of eggs. Even as egg prices have decreased slightly where I live, HPAI still abounds. What is it? How is it spread? And are people at risk? These are just some of the questions I’ll answer as we discuss bird flu and chickens.

What is HPAI

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While there are 4 types of influenza viruses (A-D), type A viruses are the main ones identified in causing worldwide flu epidemics. Further, whereas types B, C, and D have been detected in other species, including humans, only type A has been recognized to infect birds. Also, avian influenza, a subtype of type A, is labeled as either high or low pathogenicity in relation to genetic features. Thus, HPAI, or highly pathogenic avian influenza is a severely contagious illness caused by influenza type A virus.

History of Bird Flu

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According to the CDC, bird flu was first documented in 1878 in Northern Italy. Fowl plague, its moniker, was characterized by high mortality. And by 1901, it was concluded that fowl plague was caused by a filterable virus. But it wasn’t until 1955 that fowl plague was revealed to be a type A influenza virus. Moreover, in 1981, the term fowl plague was replaced by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at the First International Symposium on Avian Influenza.

Then, in 1996, HPAI H5N1 was first observed in domestic waterfowl in Southern China. Additionally, bird flu was subsequently detected in people in 1997, something previously not thought possible.

More recently, as of 2021-2022, a new H5N1 virus with a wild bird adapted gene popped up. Furthermore, it’s caused the biggest outbreak Europe and the US have seen to date.

How does Bird Flu Spread

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Given that avian flu is so infectious, how does it spread? Well, based on the USDA website, bird flu spreads directly from bird to bird. However, it can also spread indirectly by coming into contact with something that’s infected. For instance, suppose someone tracks feces from a contaminated farm back to their own farm, and then their chickens walk and peck the ground where said person tracked contaminated feces, picking up the virus. That’s just one example of how bird flu can spread to birds.

Bird flu has caused over 200 million poultry deaths in a host of countries so far. Additionally, an unprecedented number of non-poultry birds, including wild birds, have died due to the disease. Plus, because of migration patterns of wild birds, they help the virus circulate. Thus, wild birds, rodents, and people are all possible sources of presenting the disease to domestic birds. But what about other vectors?

What are Vectors

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vector noun

2 a: an organism (such as an insect) that transmits a pathogen from one organism or source to another
“Vector.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vector. Accessed 19 Feb. 2023.

Over 2 decades ago my father-in-law was asked to assist veterinarians in Great Britain as they were dealing with foot and mouth disease. While he was there, he remarked on how there were a ton of flies on the dead and diseased cattle. He finally mentioned it to someone in charge, even asking what they were doing about the vectors. Unfortunately his observations were not well received, as he was told to keep his mouth shut.

I found this memory poignant, especially in light of all the affected birds from this latest outbreak of HPAI. What are we doing about other vectors? We’re aware of animal, human, and bird vectors that spread the disease. Though, I could only find a couple of examples online, in the US, that even hinted that flies might be vectors. However, this study done over a decade ago didn’t come right out and say that flies spread bird flu. It advised that the flies carried it in the study, so it was possible. But, more tests would be needed.

Though, in the event you want evidence that flies spread diseases, check this site out. It details HPAI outbreak in Japan during 2003-2004, and was linked to the blow fly, a relative of the common house fly. Also, according to the same study above, flies were listed as mechanical vectors. But what’s the difference between mechanical and biological vectors? And what are wild birds and mammals when they spread avian flu to chickens?

Mechanical and Biological Vectors

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Mechanical vectors, such as flies, pick up an infectious agent and physically transmit it in a passive way. And a biological vector is one in whose body the pathogen develops and multiplies before passing on to another host. Mosquitos are biological vectors for West Nile virus.

Honestly I couldn’t find what wild birds were, whether biological or mechanical. However, since we’re told that birds spread the disease from bird to bird, it would seem they are also mechanical. Although, we’re told as well that wild aquatic birds are natural reservoirs for the virus. Plus, in the intervening years we don’t see the disease before it resurfaces, and it’s mutated, indicates a biological vector is at work. Interestingly enough, birds are reservoir hosts for West Nile virus.

Wildlife, especially mammals, are reservoirs for an enormous diversity of viruses.
¹Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
²Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia
³CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Private Bag 24, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia
John S Mackenzie: ua.ude.nitruc@eiznekcaM.J
⁴Address: 20A Silver Street, Malvern, Vic 3144, Australia.

And according to the CDC, aquatic birds, including shore birds and wild waterfowl like ducks are considered reservoirs, or natural hosts, for bird flu viruses.

Symptoms of H5N1 HPAI in Poultry

Birds infected with the virus may show one or more of the following:

sudden death
lack of energy
reduction in egg production
soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
swelling around head, neck, and eyes
purple discoloration on head and legs
gasping for air (difficulty breathing)
nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing
incoordination (stumbling or falling down)
twisting of the head or neck
and/or diarrhea

What You Can Do

Biosecurity is currently the best policy if you have backyard birds. Read below for recommendations:

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Disinfect clothes, shoes, egg trays, vehicles, crates, etc.
Don’t expose cleaned and disinfected tools and equipment to wild birds.
Wash hands and shoes before and after entering chicken yard (area).
Buy birds from reputable sources; and isolate for at least 30 days to observe for any signs of illness before mixing with the rest of your flock.
Restrict visitors on and off of your property, especially from having contact with your flock.
Don’t visit other poultry farms, and avoid visitors that have poultry.
Keep wild birds and rodents out of the coop and poultry areas.
Don’t let your birds have contact with migratory waterfowl or other wild birds.
Secure feed and water to guard against contamination.
And have a written biosecurity plan.
Finally, if you’re working around sick birds, wear PPE; and visit the CDC site for more info.

In the past, simply culling birds and the heat from summer seemed to keep the virus in check. However, with this latest outbreak, it hung around. And now, some countries are even considering poultry vaccines for H5N1. It’s a measure of desperation. Costs and the need to have a vaccine for all of the strains are just a couple of reasons vaccines haven’t been used before.

Are People at Risk

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Poultry and wild birds aren’t the only animals being affected by avian flu since 2021. Thus far, several mammals in both Europe and the US have been infected by H5N1. Red fox, opossum, raccoons, a coyote, striped skunks, harbor and grey seals, a bottlenose dolphin, a fisher, 3 types of bears, a mountain lion, a bobcat, an Amur tiger and an Amur leopard all have been found positive for the H5N1 virus in the US.

Likewise, seals in Scotland, sea lions in Peru, and lastly, mink in Spain have also been identified with the virus. Given that mink seemed to pass the virus between themselves gave virologists concern. Furthermore, past studies have revealed mink to be vulnerable to avian and human influenza A viruses.

The high seroprevalence of combined avian and human influenza viruses suggests a strong likelihood of co-infections and thus farmed mink could serve as “mixing vessels”….
^aKey Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology and Zoonosis, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
^bDepartment of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
^cChinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Center for Influenza Research and Early-Warning (CASCIRE), Institute of Microbiology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
^dSchool of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
^eSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
^CONTACT Jinhua Liu nc.ude.uac@hjl
^*Honglei Sun and Fangtao Li contributed equally to this work.

Nevertheless, the CDC advised that humans lack the type of cell receptor in the upper respiratory tract that H5N1 viruses use to cause the disease. Plus, according to WHO, this current strain of H5N1 has caused less than 10 infections worldwide. And only 1 was in the US. In addition, it mainly affects those who have close contact with sick birds. Moreover, there have been no known human-to-human transmissions of the H5N1 virus that’s presently spreading globally among birds.

In Summary

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Bird flu has been around a long time. And each time it returns, it’s changed a little bit more. Further, there are a number of ways bird flu can spread to poultry. Additionally, even though it’s been identified in some mammals, the threat to humans is still considered low.

However, if you see any of the symptoms listed above in your birds, you are encouraged to contact your agricultural extension office/agent, local veterinarian, local animal health diagnostic laboratory, or the State veterinarian; or call USDA toll free at 1-866-536-7593.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please comment, share, and follow.

Tags Bird Flu, bird flu and chickens, h5n1, HPAI 2022

All animals non-fowl

HCM Heart Disease in Cats

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HCM heart disease in cats is a condition that causes the heart muscles to thicken. Further, it can affect kittens and adults alike, as well as any breed and gender. In addition, it’s estimated that anywhere from 15% to 30% of cats have HCM. However, most cats with HCM show no signs of disease. On top of that, we had to put Meow Meow to sleep recently due to complications related to HCM. As a result, it’s my sincere hope to prevent other pet parents from losing their cats in like manner.

Typical for me, when we or our pets go through an illness or injury, I scour the web for as much information as I possibly can to understand, and to hopefully prevent or find a solution to the issue. What started as a limp in Meow Meow rapidly progressed to lameness in only a matter of a couple of days. At prior vet visits, we were never told she had heart disease; never heard the words heart murmur, mitral valve dysplasia, or arrhythmia.

What caused Meow Meow’s lameness was feline aortic thromboembolism, otherwise known as FATE or saddle thrombus. And once cats are diagnosed with FATE, such as Meow Meow was, there is rarely good news. Therefore, even though saddle thrombus essentially brought about Meow Meow’s death, HCM heart disease was at the root of it.

What Causes HCM Heart Disease in Cats

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Genetic predisposition of HCM is the prevailing cause in many cat breeds, including Ragdoll, Sphinx, and Maine Coon. But HCM is also readily recognized in other purebred cats, including Bengal, Shorthair, Norwegian Forest, and Persian. So heredity is thought to be a determining factor with those breeds as well.

Although, other cat breeds, including mixed breeds, are speculated to have similar genetic causes to their HCM, work directed toward finding those remains unfruitful as of yet. Plus, mixed breed cats generally either don’t have well-documented family history or no family history of HCM. Thus, scientists believe there are also other, unknown causes of HCM.

Though, according to Cornell Feline Health Center, both hypertension and hyperthyroidism lead to HCM. Lastly, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart disease are often linked together in humans and cats; either one can provoke the other.

Symptoms of HCM in Cats

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First of all, since cat owners don’t regularly exercise cats, unlike their dog counterparts, there might seem to be no symptoms of HCM heart disease in cats. Often dubbed the silent killer, because pet parents aren’t aware their fur baby has it until heart failure, FATE, or even sudden death.

But that doesn’t mean changes aren’t occurring. Even as the heart becomes less effective, your cat’s body makes up for the disease, concealing symptoms. Think of small adjustments their body makes over time, ones we don’t register. Sadly, extended activation of such compensatory mechanisms damages the heart muscle and other organs in the end stages of the disease. Therefore, for clarity, I’ll divide the symptoms into 2 distinct medical conditions.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

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CHF occurs if your cat’s heart isn’t pumping enough blood to other parts of their body, causing fluid to back up in the lungs. Humans with CHF often compare it to drowning. And according to BMC Veterinary Research, cats affected with HCM have been shown to carry a 23.8% risk of developing congestive heart failure. Furthermore, symptoms of CHF in cats include:

Heart murmur
Abnormal heart rate or rhythm
Increased time spent sleeping while less time being active or playing
Weight loss, including decreased appetite and vomiting
Elevated breathing rate and/or effort
Pale or blue gums and cold extremities
Fainting or loss of consciousness
Open-mouth breathing or panting
Ungroomed appearance–upon close inspection, they might have dandruff in their fur, and/or long claws
And sudden death

Thromboembolism

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A thromboembolism is a blood clot that breaks off and causes a blockage. And based on Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, as of 2003, thromboembolism was observed in around 50% of cats with HCM. In addition, where the clot breaks off and settles determines the symptoms.

Stroke – a blood clot that blocks blood flow in the brain. And signs consist of seizures, weakness, blindness, falling, muscle spasms, and coma.
Pulmonary embolism – a blockage that occurs in the lungs. And the signs are labored and rapid breathing. But the cat can also cough, have blue-tinged gums, faint, and/or go into shock. In addition, sudden death is also possible.
Aortic thromboembolism, aka saddle thrombus. 89% of cats with saddle thrombus have some form of heart disease. However, HCM is the one most often to blame. And saddle thrombus appears because a blood clot travels from the aorta and settles in the saddle, cutting off ALL circulation to one or both back legs. Additionally, it generates extreme pain and paralysis, and is often fatal.

Furthermore, in some cats, the strain of FATE deteriorates their cardiomyopathy leading to acute congestive heart failure. So you see, a cat can have both saddle thrombus and CHF with cardiomyopathy. Though, it’s not common. And if it happens at all, it’s usually later in the disease.

How HCM Heart Disease in Cats is Diagnosed

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Unfortunately a DNA test is not how heart disease in cats is definitively diagnosed. Seeing that some cats that are predisposed to it don’t fall ill with HCM, even as other cats aren’t do. However, your pet’s veterinarian might hear a heart murmur at a routine office visit. Or another symptom might pop up, in which case the vet may recommend

proBNP blood test that measures the NT-proBNP hormone that’s released by stretched or stressed muscle cells in the heart. Despite being reported to have a 90% accuracy rate, there are other issues that can influence the test results.

echocardiogram is considered the gold standard when assessing the heart. This feline echo shows an image of the heart so veterinarians can then evaluate the heart size, shape, and the way it functions. Moreover, the veterinarian will be able to measure wall thickness, examine heart valves, and check blood flow. Echocardiograms can also be used to detect some heartworm infections.

Depending on your pet’s symptoms, your veterinarian may recommend a chest X-ray and/or an electrocardiogram (ECG) besides. The X-ray would look for fluid on the lungs. And the ECG would reveal any heart rhythm abnormalities.

Just be aware that if your cat doesn’t have HCM heart disease now doesn’t mean they won’t at some later time. Thus, if you have a high-risk breed, like one listed above, you should get them regularly tested.

Treatment for HCM in Cats

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Fortunately, many medications formulated for people are also prescribed for cats with similar issues, as you’ll see below. However, don’t give any medicines to your pets until clearing it with your veterinarian first. Obviously dosages are completely different. In addition, disease progression will dictate treatment. But overall, the veterinarian may want to

slow your cat’s heart rate, correct arrhythmias, and lower blood pressure

Beta blockers like atenolol can slow heart rate and lower blood pressure. And calcium-channel blockers, such as Cardizem, are used for cardiac arrhythmias.

minimize clot formation

Plavix is usually better than aspirin at preventing further clots, according to Morris Animal Foundation. .

alleviate fluid build-up with CHF and change your cat’s diet

Diuretics like furosemide are used to drain excess fluid from the heart and/or lungs. Plus, oxygen therapy and needle aspiration are additional options if congestive heart failure is severe.

Also, your cat’s veterinarian likely won’t recommend changing any diet UNLESS your fur baby has congestive heart failure. That’s because unrestricted sodium intake for cats with CHF causes fluid retention. Talk to your veterinarian, or look here for ideas on what to feed your cat if they have CHF.

and lastly, give your cat pain medicine if needed

Prognosis of HCM Heart Disease in Cats

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There are many variables involved when evaluating the prognosis for HCM in cats, like your cat’s age and how advanced the heart disease is. In addition, how well your cat responds to treatment affects the outlook as well. However, generally HCM heart disease is a progressive disease. Usually once symptoms appear, unless the first one is a blood clot, cats live about ~ 2 years. Otherwise, the odds are less than that.

Moreover, it’s vital to understand that heart medications don’t cure HCM. Although, they can prevent the disease from getting worse, and/or from causing secondary issues. Nevertheless, the best plan is to get cats diagnosed early, before any symptoms start.

HCM Heart Disease in Cats

Meow Meow Kitty Kitty

As I’ve learned about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and all of the resulting symptoms and complications, I realized why we didn’t notice the subtle signs in Meow Meow. She was a middle-aged cat when she came to live with us. Perhaps if she was kitten or a year old back then, things might have been different. But when Meow Meow came to us, she was already deep in her habits of sleeping all day. Therefore, we had nothing with which to compare her behavior.

Again, HCM is a degenerative disease, especially once symptoms start showing up. But it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. Even something as simple as excessive sleeping or an unkempt appearance should be taken as a sign that something is off. Because the sooner treatment can be started, the better your cat’s fighting chances are.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you enjoyed it. Please post a comment, share, and don’t forget to follow.

Tags feline aortic thromboembolism, feline heart disease, HCM hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats, HCM in cats, saddle thrombus

All animals non-fowl

Cats Gain Weight after Spaying

Post author By KS
Post date January 22, 2023
1 Comment on Cats Gain Weight after Spaying

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About 80% of American household cats are spayed or neutered, which is invaluable for the many health and social benefits. However, most studies have found that cats gain weight after spaying. But it’s possible you didn’t notice many changes if your cat was spayed when she was a kitten, since she was still growing. Though, if you had your cat spayed as an adult, you might have discovered that she’s heavier than she once was.

Even if you have a cat that put on some extra pounds post-spay, nevertheless, with your help, they aren’t destined to become obese. Continue reading for ways to combat the weight gain, and to keep obesity at bay.

Why Cats Gain Weight After being Spayed

Meow Meow is too heavy to lift herself up enough to drink out of the fountain!

I never experienced a cat in heat before Itty. But just to recap feline estrous: female cats are in heat every few days for at least 10 solid months of the year! Plus, their hormones are raging, which includes estrogen being released, on and off, during this 10 month long period.

Thus, when Itty was in heat, she had no time for food. Because she was distracted. And it wasn’t until she was out of heat that she would finally eat food. However, a few days later she would be back into her heat cycle. Until she was spayed. Since she no longer has all those hormones driving her other needs, I have theories about what caused her starvation after surgery, then over-eating, and therefore, weight gain.

Regardless of my theories, multiple studies have revealed that cats gain weight after being spayed because:

they lose estrogen, which decreases metabolic rate
metabolic rate is decreased, thus their energy needs are decreased
plus, spayed cats need about 20-25% less food than intact cats for ideal weight
in addition, appetites can increase because estrogen has been shown to decrease appetite
and finally, some spayed cats are under-exercised and over-fed.

Age Cat is Spayed is a Factor in Weight Gain Post-Spay

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This might actually surprise you, but adult cats are more at-risk for gaining weight, resulting in obesity, post-spay than kittens. Although, depending on which site you look at, you might get a totally different answer. But I was suspicious of this myself, after witnessing the effects of hormones during Itty’s estrous cycles. And considering that spaying a cat is similar to a human hysterectomy, it has to be such a shock to their systems.

In any case, this study published in 2017, involved only kittens (15-52 weeks). And the purpose was to determine their total energy needs by inspecting the significance of spaying, age when spayed on intake, and body weight. Given the study only included kittens, half were spayed/neutered early compared to the rest, which was conventional. Or they were spayed/neutered at a later date, when they hit puberty.

The results revealed that the kittens spayed/neutered early, before reaching sexual maturity and their first heat cycle, gradually gained weight through normal growth. Whereas the kittens spayed/neutered after sexual maturity showed sudden increases in feeding, hence gaining weight more quickly, and becoming overweight.

A Word About Hyperphagia and Leptin Resistance

Digital Art, Courtesy of Sarah Smith

Hyper-what? Well, up till now I’ve just been referring to Itty’s need for food post-spay starvation. Though, it turns out there’s an actual word for the condition. Also, it appears that other pet parents are unaware of this term as well. Because when I looked up this issue about starving cat post surgery, there were tons of others with the same problem. They just didn’t have a word for it either. However, it is most commonly associated with injury to the hypothalamus.

But there’s also leptin, which is a hormone that helps our bodies maintain normal weight on a long-term basis. While normally leptin increases when food is eaten, signaling the hypothalamus to tell the brain that we and our pets are satisfied, mammals with too much or too little leptin don’t get those signals. Additionally, those with higher levels of leptin, who eat more and gain more weight, indicate leptin resistance. Therefore, from what I’ve read, there’s obviously a connection between spaying/neutering and leptin resistance. For instance, this 2002 article from The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism says:

One means through which estrogen may affect energy balance is through influencing synthesis of the hormone leptin. Leptin is a hormone produced by adipocytes (10) that is thought to affect energy intake and expenditure (11–13).
Leptin in Postmenopausal Women: Influence of Hormone Therapy, Insulin, and Fat Distribution^*
B. A. Gower, T. R. Nagy, M. I. Goran, A. Smith, E. Kent

Scientists used to think it was just cats eating too much. Or that their owners were too lazy to play with them. However, with more research done on leptin and its function, it makes more sense that something else is going on. For example, all the starving cats post-spay. It’s the classic chicken or egg question: which came first, the eating disorder or the starving cat? Since I’ve experienced this firsthand, and I know how small Itty was prior to spaying, I can tell you how off the charts hungry she has been. She has no idea that she’s full. Thus, once cats hit puberty and are then spayed, hormonally something happens. Or doesn’t happen like it’s supposed to. And so cats eat. And eat, because they don’t know they’re full.

What You can do to Prevent Obesity Post-Spay

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If your cat was spayed recently, or is going to be, just know that she is going to gain some weight. It’s a given, at least with everything I’ve read. Despite that, to prevent obesity

first, don’t allow your feline friend free choice feeding post-spay.

Instead figure out your cat’s daily caloric needs using this site. And then adjust their food intake by giving your cat several smaller, measured meals throughout the day.

Also, avoid feeding your fur baby table scraps or treats

Most of the time cats seem finicky. Until they get spayed. Next, they appear starving. And then any type of food is fair game to them then. Be strong, my friend. Be strong.

And promote physical activity.

Get some toys and play with your cat. Or even explore your backyard together. But do something that distracts them from wanting to eat all the time.

Before Itty went into her very first heat cycle, she and I would play together all the time. However, once she hit puberty, she was no longer herself due to those crazy hormones. While Itty is now spayed and no longer distracted, she’s up to playing and exploring again.

Lastly, make an appointment with the vet.

If after all of these steps and you’re still fighting the daily hyperphagia, or starvation, then it’s time to see the vet. You can’t do this on your own; you need some help.

In fact, I’m planning on making an appointment for Itty as well. Because I’ve already changed her diet. Though, I’m not sure how much fat content I’m supposed to cut out of her diet, since fat is vital to their diet. And I suspect she has leptin resistance. The good news on that is there is treatment to reverse leptin resistance. But the vet probably needs blood work before starting any treatment.

In Conclusion

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Most cats gain weight after being spayed due to the loss of estrogen. And the hormone leptin experiences resistance after spay as well, which leads cats to eating more, and thus, gaining more weight. However, there’s things we can do to help our cats from becoming obese: providing smaller meals, encouraging exercise, and talking with the veterinarian.

If you’ve already had your cat spayed for some time, did your cat experience hyperphagia? Also, did she gain weight? And how did you handle the changes?

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Tags estrogen and leptin association in cats, leptin resistance, post spay weight gain

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Benefits of Spaying Your Cat

Post author By KS
Post date August 18, 2022
2 Comments on Benefits of Spaying Your Cat

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Just as there are reasons to spay bunnies and dogs, there are also benefits of spaying your cat. Furthermore, there are more opportune times to have your cat spayed than others. But first, let’s discuss what spaying is.

Spaying is the common word for ovariohysterectomy. And it’s a surgical procedure removing the ovaries and uterus, thereby sterilizing the female cat. Therefore, she won’t be able to produce any offspring. So, unless you are a breeder, it’s recommended to spay your cat for the reasons below.

Also, I’m dividing this into two parts, medical and behavioral benefits. First, we’ll look at the medical benefits to spaying cats. And then go over the behavior advantages.

Medical Benefits of Spaying Your Cat

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Spaying your cat

removes the threat of ovarian and uterine cancers

before her first heat cycle, greatly reduces her risk of getting breast cancer

Mammary tumors are the most common tumors in cats. And ~85% of them are malignant. Also, cats who are not spayed have a higher incidence of mammary cancer.

decreases her risk for urinary tract infections

The risk of UTIs won’t completely go away if your cat is spayed. Although the threat of them is reduced.

and it eliminates the chances of her getting a serious and fatal uterine infection called pyometra

Pyometra is a secondary infection of the cat’s uterus, occurring within weeks of her being in heat.

Behavioral Benefits to Spaying Your Cat

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If you spay your cat

she’ll no longer go into her heat cycle

No more yowling, meowing, or cat calling at all hours of the night. And no more of her trying to get her freak on with any of the other pets.

and she’ll no longer spray urine, if she did that during her heat cycles

Other Benefits of Spaying Your Cat

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No extra mouths to feed or kittens to find homes for

Cats can mate and get pregnant quickly. And shelters are already overcrowded. Thus, by spaying your cat, you don’t have to worry about any of those issues.

Best Time to Spay Your Cat

As you can see, there are a lot of advantages to spaying your cat. But when is the best time to have it done? Most veterinarians agree that spaying your cat before their first heat cycle is the preferred time. And this is primarily to reduce any mammary cancer risks.

In a previous post I explained that cats can have their first heat cycle as young as 4 months old. Therefore, whether you have a cat that’s already had her first heat cycle, or you have a kitten, discuss spaying her with your veterinarian.

Weight Gain After Spaying

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One reason pet parents cite for not wanting to spay their cats is the belief they will get fat. Well, those pet parents aren’t wrong. This co-relation has been studied: sterilized pets, including dogs, were 3 times as likely to be overweight than non-sterile pets.

The reason cats gain weight after being spayed is mainly due to hormonal imbalance. They lose certain hormones that not only control reproduction, but also affect metabolism and food intake. So they might roam less, have less physical activity, and eat more.

What You Can Do

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After your cat is spayed,

talk to your veterinarian about how much food you should feed her, because her caloric intake needs to be adjusted
since she’ll feel hungrier, adjust her feeding schedule by giving her smaller, more frequent, meals throughout the day
don’t give her any table scraps
and play with your cat; wand toys, laser pens and fuzz balls are all great!

We have 2 cats that are spayed, and one that will be by October. Unfortunately none of our cats were spayed before their first heat cycle. But 2 were given to us as adults. And I tried to get Itty in before her subsequent heat cycles. However none of the offices I talked to would spay her unless she was done with her heat cycle completely. So this was the next best thing; waiting till it slowed down. (July didn’t work, because by the time her surgery would come up, each week she’d be back in heat.)

Meow Meow definitely is overweight. But I think it’s due to no activity. Cake is a good weight. And that’s because she’s still active. If you have cats, are they spayed? Did they gain weight after being spayed? Your comments are appreciated.

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Tags best time to spay your cat, reasons to spay your cat, spaying your cat

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How to Tell if Your Cat is in Heat

Post author By KS
Post date June 23, 2022
1 Comment on How to Tell if Your Cat is in Heat

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Cats have their first reproductive, or heat cycle when they reach sexual maturity. And for some breeds that can be as early as 4 months old. While for others, that could be as late as 18 months. However the average age is typically ~ 6 months old. (Itty was 10 months old when she had her first heat.) And cats display some signs that they are in season, so you will notice them acting differently. Continue reading to find out how to tell if your cat is in heat and how you can help her.

Cats are seasonally polyestrous, which means they’ll have multiple heat cycles during breeding season. Thus, in the US, February through October is considered the perfect breeding season. Therefore, your cat will likely cycle every 14-21 days from February to October if they aren’t already spayed or pregnant.

But how long does a cycle last? Each heat cycle lasts several days. Also, if the queen, or intact female cat, is not mated during the heat cycle, then she’ll go out of heat. For example, when Itty had her first heat, it lasted about a week. Or so I thought, because 3 or 4 days later it returned with a vengeance.

Signs Your Cat is in Heat

She’s extremely vocal

This is one of the signs many pet parents notice first. Whether it’s yowling, caterwauling, or meowing when there was barely a mew before, cats in heat make all kinds of new noises.

Take Itty, for example, who, 2 days before we realized she was in heat, started meowing at me in the middle of the night. Full on meowing, while most of the time she only has little mews, that don’t even qualify as meowing. I thought she wanted to play with me or needed something. Or just loved me. Then the other signs started showing up.

She’s more loving than the dog

The second clue your cat’s in heat is that she’s more loving than your dog, if you have one.

For instance, she lets you pet her, she rubs against you, and wants your attention and affection, whereas before maybe she was elusive. If your cat isn’t spayed, and she’s now extremely affectionate, it could just be she’s in heat.

Change in eating habits

She may eat less when she first starts her heat cycle than she was before. However she might return to her normal feeding schedule in time; that’s how it’s been for Itty.

A lot of floor action; ie, her tail and rear seem to always be up in the air. Plus, she rolls around on the floor more than she used to

Female cats in the first position, called lordosis, are signaling that they are ready to mate. And by rolling on the floor, she’s releasing her pheromones all over the place. She’s just hoping it will catch some cat’s fancy.

Moving her hind end and treading her hind feet when her back is petted

At this stage of her heat cycle, she’s very receptive to being mated, and might try anything to achieve her ends.

Begging to go outside (if an indoor cat)

Or she’ll try to sneak out if you’re not careful. And you might even start seeing toms, or male cats, gathering around your home in search of your cat.

Urine spraying and marking territory

Some queens will either urinate more often or spray urine on objects. Since cat urine contains both pheromones and hormones, this signals to other cats that they are in heat.

However this isn’t the only way that cats mark their territory; the other way is by scent rubbing against objects. (I’m thankful that Itty doesn’t spray.)

Another sign your cat is in heat is if she’s even more of a fastidious groomer than before

If you notice your fur baby grooming her lady bits round the clock, chances are pretty high that she’s in heat.

And the last sign your cat is in heat, is that she flirts with your other pet(s)

Rather than just reserving all of her lovey dovey behavior for you, your cat may treat the dog or rabbit the same way; maybe even more so. You’ve caught them almost having inter-species relations! (Gasp!)

That’s what Itty does with Sophie, in spite of the dog’s protests.

What You can do for Your Cat

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Even though they make a lot of noise and act like they’re suffering, the feline cycle is different to human women. Typically cats in heat don’t bleed; that’s because they reabsorb the uterine lining instead of bleeding it out. And experts believe cats in heat aren’t in pain when they make all their racket; it’s just their mating calls.

Although, what you can do is have a heating pad out for your cat, and see if she uses it. Itty didn’t use ours. But the trick that always seems to help her is when I play with her. And she’s good at trying to distract herself too.

Also, definitely keep your cat away from male cats if you don’t want her to get pregnant. And

try giving your fur baby some catnip
use Feliway or other cat pheromones throughout your home
and keep the litter box(es) clean

If your cat isn’t spayed and she hasn’t had her first heat cycle, talk to your vet about the best time to get her spayed. Some sites claim that veterinarians can still perform the surgery even while cats are in heat. However, just because they can do something doesn’t mean they will. For instance, we had to postpone Itty’s spay until mid-summer to see whether her heat cycle is waning. It should be a lot better than when it first started. But we’ll see.

Assuming you have a cat, did you get her spayed before she started her heat cycle? Or did you wait until she already started it? If you waited, did she have any or all of the signs I listed? Alternatively, did she exhibit extra ones? Your comments are appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. And if you enjoyed it, please like, share, and don’t forget to follow!

Tags cats, heat cycle, heat symptoms, spay

All animals non-fowl

Who Keeps the Pet in a Breakup

Post author By KS
Post date June 16, 2022
No Comments on Who Keeps the Pet in a Breakup

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Let’s face it, we pet parents are attached to our pets. Maybe they remind us of little kids in some ways? They’re small, cute, and seem needy. And since nearly 70% of US families have at least one fur or feather baby, perhaps they agree with me. But if those adult, romantic relationships go south, then who keeps the pet in a breakup?

365 Pet Insurance polled over 1500 American pet parents in January 2022 to answer that question. They wanted to discover how we handle our pets in a breakup or divorce. However this isn’t a new issue.

For example, in 2013, a lower court judge agreed to a hearing regarding a miniature dachshund in the midst of a couple’s divorce. The reason for the hearing, the judge explained,

“Although Joey the miniature dachshund is not a human being and cannot be treated as such, he is decidedly more than a piece of property.”
The Detroit News

Evolution of the Family Pet

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Ancient Egyptians were the first to keep cats as pets, recognizing their abilities as mousers. But, in Europe, cats didn’t get popular with the wealthy until the 1700s. And then, by the 1800s, all of the social classes started adopting cats. Also, cats made the journey when the Americas were discovered. Although, they were only viewed as valuable assets to protect the food.

But by the mid-19th century, in the US, the ASPCA formed, followed by the first anti-cruelty laws. And cat stardom only continued with works by artists such as Louis Wain.

In 1897, the US Supreme Court ruled that citizen-owned dogs were personal property. Though at the time, people only kept dogs to make money. However that changed, because our society became more urbanized. So, eventually dogs became man’s best friend.

And lastly, keeping backyard birds became a movement during both World Wars, when it was Americans’ patriotic duty to keep chickens. Unfortunately, after World War II, many backyard chicken farms dissolved. Since ~ 2000 going forward, backyard chicken keeping is regarded more as a hobby. Further, there are so many sites and blogs dedicated to chicken keeping, that you know the authors view their birds as pets.

Pets as Family

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As our societies transformed, so too have our pets. Or rather how we view them. We no longer need them to work alongside us as our property, or even for us. Though that doesn’t mean your cats won’t bring you something they caught. Or that your chickens won’t lay eggs. However, it means that we keep our pets for the emotional bonds we share with them.

According to a study in 2015, 95% of those surveyed thought of their pets as family members. But, given the Pandemic, SIP and/or stay-at-home orders, inflation, food scarcity, and resultant uncertainties, the percentage could be even higher now. So it’s no wonder that when couples split up, their pets are often caught in the crossfire.

Some Results of the Survey

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Among the respondents surveyed with 365 Pet Insurance, only 19% have won a pet custody battle, while 12% have lost custody of their pets. Of those who won, most were women. In addition, 55% of participants feel that pet custody should be treated similar to child custody arrangements between divorcing parents.

Regarding a hypothetical split-up, the majority of respondents indicated they would rather share custody of their pets. Also hypothetically, in the event of a split-up, the majority of participants would prefer losing everything, friends and material goods, compared to losing their pets.

Pet Custody

Digital art, courtesy of Sarah Smith

Currently there are six states that have laws on pet custody, whereas Rhode Island has pending legislation. Furthermore, both Texas and Alaska have made visitation schedules between previous spouses. Though the majority of states still regard pets as property.

And disgruntled, hurt, and angry former partners or spouses oftentimes take their frustration out on their pet by trying to take the pet away from the other pet parent. Therefore, that person is not only hurting their former partner, but they’re hurting their pet as well.

When determining pet custody or even “property”, depending on where you live, the courts rely upon sales or adoption records, AKC records, veterinary and vaccination records, and insurance.

Who purchased or adopted the pet?
Who registered the pet?
Whose name is on the vaccination and medical records?
Who micro-chipped the pet?
And who took out insurance on the pet?

Check this site out for more details on what courts will look at to establish pet custody. And for complete results of the survey, go here.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Have you ever had a custody battle over one of your pets? Your comments are appreciated. And if you enjoyed this post, please like, share, and please don’t forget to follow!

Tags pet custody, pet families, pet property

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Signs You’re a Crazy Pet Parent

Post author By KS
Post date May 14, 2022
2 Comments on Signs You’re a Crazy Pet Parent

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We spend a lot on our pets. Not just in money, but also in time. Americans reportedly spend ~$2300 annually just on their cats and dogs alone. And that doesn’t even take into account chicken, rabbit, and reptile lovers. But there are more signs you’re a crazy pet parent than spending money on your pet.

While there are plenty of “crazy lady” memes, I use the term crazy a bit more endearing. Additionally, I don’t single out just women, because I’ve found that men can be just as fond of their pets. However, what does “pet parent” even mean?

The term pet parent is considered by some people concerned with the rights of animals to be more acceptable than owner .
Collins English Dictionary

But it’s really just someone who looks after and cares for their pet.

Now I’ve broken this up into three sections. And the first set of signs you’re a crazy pet parent that we’re going to examine is the cat lover. Cats are mysterious. And they can be elusive or playful. Maybe you’re guilty of being crazy for cats. Or you know someone who’s heading down that path? Just continue reading to find out.

Signs You’re a Crazy Pet Parent: for Cats

This is Meow Meow, when she still lived in the house and there was only Moses to deal with. She liked to sleep on me.

You might be a crazy cat person if you

hardly go on vacation, because…what would happen to your cats?

may even read fiction books about cats with your kids

talk to your cats, and reply to them when they meow

have more than a couple of cats

gladly make room for your cat to be comfortable on your bed; BUT if some human tries the same, you push back

buy your cats presents

don’t get mad if your cat steps on your laptop keyboard, because she wanted to be near you and get your attention; however, now you just anticipate her and close your laptop to prevent any mess-ups

sleep with cat food on the nightstand so the kitty knows where it is; cats are creatures of habit, right?

don’t mind if the cat scratches the furniture

get them special treats

have cat themed items

FaceTime your cat in the event you’re ever away

celebrate your cat’s birthday

sing to your cat or make up songs about your cat

and if your cat takes your chair when you vacate it, it’s ok; you just take another one and move all of your stuff over

The second set of signs you’re a crazy pet parent that we’re going to investigate is the chicken lover. Chicken popularity has been going strong since Covid. So that means more crazy chicken parents. And the newer parents you are, the crazier you are. Trust me, I know. But that doesn’t mean that old chicken parents stop being crazy for their backyard birds. We just share our joys with fellow crazies.

Signs You’re a Crazy Chicken Parent

You might be a crazy chicken person if you

talk to your chickens

don’t run the chickens out of the garden even if you’re spouse tells you to

make special treats for them

cook oatmeal for your family; and then make extra for your chickens, because they love it

thank the chickens after they eat the treats

name all of your chickens

have chicken t-shirts and wear them proudly

read chicken blogs

have chicken themed items in and out of your house

save food for your birds, and ask others to do so as well

encourage the rooster; and believe that he actually listens

are happier seeing and watching your chickens than TV; and they think you’re pretty darn special too

talk about your chickens to anyone who will listen, but you’re starting to notice their eyes glaze over

might have even let a weak baby chick sleep in your bed, snuggled in a hand towel

and when you go outside, your backyard birds flock to you

Finally, the last signs that you’re a crazy pet parent we’re going to consider is the dog lover. Dogs have been man’s best friend since, what seems, the beginning of time. They’re faithful, loving, and trustworthy. What’s not to like?

Signs You’re a Crazy Pet Parent: for Dogs

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You might be a crazy dog person if you

set up play dates with your friends’ dogs

FaceTime with your dog when you’re ever away

leave TV or music on for your dog when you’re ever away

buy your dog toys

flavor your dog’s food, because they don’t like plain dog food

take your dog on outings

let your dog sleep on your bed, even if they take up most of the bed

spell words out so your dog won’t understand

don’t mind dog hair on your clothes, furniture, or the occasional fur in your food

baby-talk to your dog, no matter their age

love giving your dog belly rubs, and your dog loves it too

let your dog chew on you, because it’s how they say, “I love you”

have birthday parties for your dog

usually don’t go out of town for long, or go far

ignore anything your dog does that could be construed as bad behavior, because you love your dog; and “they’re such a good dog,” you say in the baby voice

and if you’ve ever stayed at a non dog-friendly hotel before, you might’ve snuck your dog in. Don’t worry. I won’t tell, if you won’t

There are some common traits all of these pet parents have in common that I have yet to list. Therefore, if you have cats, dogs, and chickens, please keep reading.

You Might be a Crazy Pet Parent if

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On occasion, you’ve been known to spend more on pet food, bedding, litter, etc, than on your own groceries.

Furthermore, you have more pictures of your pets than your children.

And you talk more about your pets than your kids. In addition, you’re more animated when you share about your pets.

Additionally, you post more on social media regarding your pets.

Also, going out of town for any type of vacation is difficult, because of all of your pets. So you don’t even know what a vacation is anymore. But it’s worth it, because who will love your pets like you do?

And you admit that the word “fret” is in your vocabulary regarding your pets occasionally.

Finally, you might be a crazy pet parent if your neighbors are constantly trying to bring you strays.

Conclusion

This concludes the signs you’re a crazy pet parent. And I confess that I’m guilty of 98% of them. But it’s ok, because I love my pets. And if it turns out that you’re a crazy pet parent, it’s perfectly ok. Because, you’re accepted.

Also, I’m going on vacation next week for 10 days. So I might not post. We haven’t had a real vacation in 4 years. But back then we didn’t have the extra cats and our dog that we have now. We had Moses, but he was allowed to come on vacation with us then.

In addition, the place where we’re going now is not pet-friendly. Although, that hardly matters, because Sophie would need tranquilizers to go on vacation. Anyway, this will be the first time that we left Sophie and Poppy for an extended time. So we have some anxiety about that. Therefore, if you think of it, please pray for our pets and neighbors. We have a lot of pets. Over 30, and some chicks that we’ll eventually sell. Thus, it’s a huge responsibility, however we have great neighbors.

Are you a fellow crazy pet parent? Do you struggle with going out of town because of your fur or feather babies? Or do you have awesome neighbors who help you out? Let me know how you handle these issues in a comment. And thanks for taking the time to read this post. Also, if you enjoyed this piece, please like, and follow for more.

Tags crazy cat lady, crazy chicken lady, crazy dog person, signs you're a crazy pet parent

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Reasons for Getting a Pet

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Around 23 million American households adopted Pandemic pets since 2020. And 90.5 million US families currently have a pet. That’s ~ 70% of the population. Which must mean we really think pets are special. So, if you don’t have one already, let’s cover some reasons for getting a pet.

Reasons for Getting a Pet: Adults

Mental Health Benefits

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Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Petting an animal is known to release oxytocin, promoting feelings of happiness and love. It also reduces cortisol and increases serotonin. Which then lowers blood pressure and heart rate, which is also calming.
Help for PTSD: One study found that pets relieve anxiety by adding comfort while reducing feelings of loneliness.
Better Cancer Management: Pets can help cancer patients manage their treatment and emotions. Some patients even report that their visits are better with therapy animals.

Physical Health Benefits

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Lower Blood Pressure: The American Heart Association found a connection between owning a dog and lower blood pressure. That’s likely because dog owners who walk their dogs will probably reach the advised level of physical activity than pet owners who don’t walk.
Cardiovascular Health: Similarly, dog owners have a lower risk of death than non-dog owners following a major cardiovascular event, like heart attacks or stroke.
Pain Relief: Our pets can distract us. In some ways that can be bad. But, in a lot of ways, that can be great! Take pain, for instance: Spending time with our pets, playing with them, or just petting them can distract us from chronic pain. Or our pets can get us moving around, not focused on our pain.

Relational Benefits

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Social Catalyst: Pets have been referred to as “social capital.” People are more apt to know their neighbors if they have pets than if they don’t.
Better Marriages: Studies report that couples who have cats or dogs have closer relationships. Additionally, they’re more satisfied in their marriages and respond better to stress than non pet-owners.
Find Love: Some people believe their pets can even help them find romance. Further, some singles choose potential matches based on whether there’s a pet. Or how he or she treats their own pet.

Creativity Benefits

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Improves Work Life: One study revealed that employees that brought their dogs to work were more engaged. Also, they were more dedicated and had more work-based friendships.
Increases Creativity: Maybe you’re familiar with the Amazon Prime movie The Electrical Life of Louis Wain? It’s based on a true story. Mr. Wain was an artist and first started painting cats to cheer up his wife. However, after she died, Wain continued to be inspired by cats. Other artists likewise inspired by their pets were O’keefe, Picasso, Matisse, Andy Warhol, and Norman Rockwell.

Reasons for Getting a Pet: Children

Benefits for ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder

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More Positive Outcomes for ASD: Having a pet could help children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder. Purdue did a study on the effect guinea pigs had with children diagnosed with autism. And animal-assisted activities had positive results for kids with ASD, including smiling. Also, children hospitalized with ASD interacted more with a therapy dog than with toys. Furthermore, they smiled and talked more. And interacting with the therapy dog resulted in looking at peers and adults.
Help Kids With ADHD: Having children diagnosed with ADHD read to their pet could help them focus. A study had 2 groups of children diagnosed with ADHD. One group read to a therapy dog 30 minutes a week for 12 weeks. And the other group read to puppets that looked like dogs. The results of the study showed that the kids who read to the real dogs had better social skills and fewer behavioral issues.

Benefits for Child Development

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Emotional Wellness: Having a pet has been shown to decrease anxiety in children, specifically separation and social anxiety disorders.
More Confidence and Resilience: Children who have pets can talk to them easily, without fear of rejection. And that helps kids gain confidence. Pets listen without criticism or judgment.
Better Self Esteem: Kids with pets report better self esteem than those without pets.
Higher Self Concept Scores: Children who got pets, either in early childhood or adolescence, have a better self concept.
Teach Responsibility and Self Reliance: Having pets creates an opportunity to teach kids to be responsible. Since kids generally love animals, it’s a great way to show them how to take care of something.
Aid in the Learning Process: Pets help kids develop empathy and emotions. In addition, pets help kids succeed at school-related tasks.
Improve Education: 3 to 6 year old children, who had bonds with their pets, were more verbally intelligent than their peers without pets.
Reduce Stress: Having and actually interacting with a pet increases levels of oxytocin while reducing cortisol. Therefore, this benefit happens not only with adults, but with kids too.
Improve Immunity: If pets are introduced at a young age, they lower a child’s risk of future allergies and asthma.

Reasons for Getting a Pet: Older Adults

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Slows Cognitive Decline: A recent study has shown that longterm pet ownership can delay cognitive decline. And that includes dogs, cats, fish, hamsters, bunnies, etc.
Decreased Agitation: Studies show that patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s are more engaged when there are resident pets. And the patients have fewer problem behaviors and increased social interactions. Whether the pet is a robotic dog or real dog, the results are the same. Additionally, in the 1990s, Bill Thomas revolutionized the nursing home industry in upstate New York by bringing in live animals and plants. The results were amazing: the patients helped take care of the plants and animals. Then they started dressing themselves, and infections and prescriptions decreased.
Improved Health: A study in the Netherlands showed that older adults, who had a dog, were more physically active. Also, they had more social engagements. But this was just for dog owners, likely because they walked their dogs. Further, in another study, older pet owners had better overall health than their counterparts, regardless of walking the pet. They had less arthritis, healthier weight, and decreased incidents of congestive heart failure.

Pets are a Big Commitment

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But, before you buy a new puppy for grandma, remember that pets aren’t a miracle cure for everything. Even if we think they are. Therefore, whether you know someone who could benefit from a pet, or you want one, there’s a few things to go over.

Pets Cost Money: They are a lifelong financial commitment. From food, vet care, toys, bedding, boarding, and grooming to anything else that could come up. And if the pet is going to an elderly person on a fixed income, this could be overwhelming.
Time and Attention: Some pets require more time and attention than others. Dogs need to be walked, while rabbits need constant vigilance, so they don’t chew through things. Although there are other pets that require only a minimal amount of attention and care.
Can Hinder Your Social Life: If you have a pet, you can’t go away for a quick weekend, unless you have someone who can watch your pets.
Pets Can Tear Things Up: At times, there will be accidents. Though, pets left alone for long periods of time, especially energetic pets or pets that have abandonment issues, may continue to get into and tear things up.
Pets Need to be Handled Properly: Any pet has the ability of hurting someone if not handled responsibly. So, it’s important that parents take the time to train children how to interact with their pets.
Pets Carry Health Risks: Some people are immunocompromised, so they should always check with their doctor. But the most common health risks are allergies. However there are hypoallergenic pets.

What Next

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If, after considering all of the above, and you still want a pet, then you need to think of what kind you want. Some people don’t know what kind to get. And others don’t know the size or breed. Although there are alternatives to owning a pet. For example, you could foster an animal that you think you would like. That way you could find out if that kind of pet would be a good fit. Or you could volunteer at a shelter. Here’s a great article if you’re already considering a pet.

There are so many benefits to owning a pet: Mental, physical, and social advantages foremost among them. And I know that our pets continually increase oxytocin and serotonin in me. Because I always feel better just by watching them.

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Tags ADHD and ASD, oxytocin, pros and cons to pets, reasons to get a pet

All animals non-fowl

Is Pet Insurance Worth it

Post author By KS
Post date March 18, 2022
No Comments on Is Pet Insurance Worth it

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With so many uncertainties still ongoing in the world right now, you may be tempted to pass by this article altogether. And I would understand. I mean, it’s just a pet blog. But our fur babies do offer unconditional love and acceptance. And that is very calming in a stormy, ambivalent time. Furthermore, accidents happen. Like the one a patient told me about regarding his standard Poodle, that tried following him to work. His fur baby ended up getting hit by a car; $50,000 and minus one leg later, he feels like insurance would’ve helped him out. So, let’s examine health insurance for them. Is pet insurance worth it? Does it live up to the hype?

I was surprised to find out that pet insurance first got its start in Sweden over 100 years ago. Additionally, its emphasis was on farm animals and cattle. But before long, in 1924, the first dog in Sweden was insured. Then, in 1982, America’s beloved Lassie was the first dog statewide to receive health insurance, due to her popularity. And as of 2019, 90% of dogs and 50% of cats have health insurance in Sweden.

As pet owners realized the benefits of health insurance, in 2007, NAPHIA, or the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, was established, by reputable and experienced pet health insurance companies and professionals, to create standards for the industry.

In a previous post, I briefly mentioned that many people adopted pets as pandemic companions. However, I didn’t mention an exact number or percentage. But, during the past couple of years, even though ~33% of American pet parents adopted pets, most didn’t get health plans for their fur babies. Therefore, keep reading to find out the pros and cons of getting your pet health coverage.

Pros of Getting Pet Health Insurance:

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premiums are usually less for young pets and cats
deductibles are acceptable
you can choose your vet
easy to compare options
and you can do more for your pet

With so many advances in veterinary medicine, pet parents no longer have to choose between a mountain of debt or letting their animal go. Also, in the past there weren’t as many options to treat animals like there are today. However, those options can be costly. And pet insurance seeks to mitigate those costs. Although, there are disadvantages to pet insurance as well.

Cons of Getting Pet Health Insurance:

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premiums are higher for older pets and dogs
you have to pay the vet up-front before getting reimbursed from the insurance co.
insurance plans don’t cover everything
plans have limits
and you could spend more on your pets with insurance than without it

Most US pet insurance policies are accident and injury, or coverage with added wellness care. And that makes sense when you first get your pet. You might not think your puppy or kitten has a debilitating disease or a genetic problem. So, if you get insurance, you might consider only accident and injury, thinking down the road, something could happen to them. Like the car accident I mentioned earlier. Or what about this other story I heard about a cat eating hair, and it got stuck in its bowels; that ended up costing the pet parent around $1500.

Should You Get Pet Health Insurance

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Although, what happens if your pet doesn’t ever have an accident or illness? Not every pet will have an illness or an accident, so they won’t necessarily need any insurance.

For example, my own history with pets: since being married, we’ve had 3 Shelties, 3 cats (that we still have), and one Aussie. And I’m not counting the chickens. Our first Sheltie, Kirby, died of old age; Roxy was hit by a car and died instantly, and Moses died of old age. So, routine care was all those dogs needed. Now we have 3 cats and an Aussie, and thus far, they too have only needed routine care.

I looked at our options for insurance on just Poppy and Sophie, to get an idea. Since we’ve been providing routine care for our pets anyway, I just looked into accident and illness. Therefore, for both pets, it was somewhere around $40- $50 a month. But that’s just the insurance. Hypothetically, if I got the insurance and had to take one of them to the vet, because they got sick or injured, then I’d have to pay whatever the vet charged me. Then I’d file the claim, and once the deductible was met, eventually get reimbursed based on whatever I chose to get reimbursed back–70-90% of the claim. There’s a maximum, unless I choose lifetime.

So, if your pet doesn’t ever have an accident or illness, that’s great news! However, you’re stuck making those insurance payments, unless you cancel the policy. Or you purchase a wellness policy for your pet instead.

What do Veterinarians Say

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AVMA, or American Veterinary Medical Association, states on its website that it “endorses the concept of pet health insurance to help defray the cost of veterinary medical care….” And then it lists some caveats about viable pet insurance. I include that because when I asked my father-in-law his take on pet insurance, he said to read the fine print. Additionally, if you go to the AVMAs site regarding pet health insurance, they re-iterate time and again, to read the fine print, make sure how they handle pre-existing conditions, etc.

Thus, according to my mother-in-law, who worked many years with my father-in-law in his practice, pet health insurance “is usually used to get pet parents in the door. However, most people don’t follow through with the things the contract covers. And when they have something really wrong with their animal, they find out it’s not covered by the contract.” (Italics, mine; substituted for people.)

Still, 1 out of every 3 pets need emergency veterinary care each year. And even though emergency veterinary care can run between $800 and $1500, less than 56% of Americans can afford an unexpected $1000 bill, of any kind.

Other Things to Consider

Usually no pet insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions. And that includes the accidents and illnesses that I mentioned earlier in this post, not just genetic issues. Therefore, getting a pet plan before they get sick or injured makes more sense than after. However, only you can make that decision. And there are different factors that can affect the cost of a pet insurance policy: where you live, kind of pet, breed, age, percentage you want to be reimbursed, maximum, and of course, if your pet has been sick or injured.

Although, there are alternatives to pet insurance if you can’t afford it, depending on the circumstances. Or if your pet is denied due to hereditary or pre-existing conditions. Some examples are:

Pawp: it has no deductibles, no payments; and it’s more of an emergency plan
Care-credit for pets: not only is there financing for people and health, but also for fur babies
Community health sharing plan: it’s like if insurance and crowdfunding had a baby
Pet care savings account: just what it sounds like, a bank account

Most of us love our pets. They’re like family, and we’d be devastated if something happened to them. But at the same time, we don’t want to lose the farm, metaphorically, if we can’t afford an unforeseen vet bill.

On a side note, I read an article on things veterinarians dislike; whether or not it’s true or false, I don’t know. But the comments were horrible. People saying that if you didn’t have insurance on your pet that you didn’t deserve to have pets, which I don’t agree with. There are so many animals in shelters or on the streets. If a loving family takes in a pet off the street or out of a shelter, feeds it, loves it, and gives it a good home, but doesn’t provide insurance, that family has still done more good for that animal.

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Tags pet insurance, pros and cons of pet insurance