All cats may have nine lives, but Christopher, an orange and white tabby who lives at a Redwood City veterinary clinic, also has a sixth sense.

Dubbing him a “guardian angel,” “wonder cat” and “miracle kitty,” the staff and volunteers at the Nine Lives Foundation’s Feline Well-Care Clinic say Christopher can tell when other cats need help. He will sit outside the cages of sick felines until someone lets him in, and last month, the clinic says, he saved the life of a kitten in need of a blood transfusion.

“It’s weird, it’s really true that he seems to understand things,” said Monica Thompson, Nine Lives’ chief veterinarian and founder. “He knows when he can help. He alerts us when things aren’t right about a cat.”

Christopher, who is about 3 or 4 years old, was found on the side of a road by a group of bicyclists in March. He arrived at the clinic unable to stand, his pelvis fractured.

He recuperated, and one day simply jumped out of his cage while it was being cleaned.

Since then, Christopher has lived at the clinic. On Wednesday morning he snoozed in his favorite cat bed on a desk, ignoring the hustle and bustle around him. As is typical for Christopher, he was napping next to a terminally ill cat.

“He’ll often paw at a cage door to be let in so he can clean and comfort a cat in there,” said Robert Lowery, a San Ramon resident and volunteer at Nine Lives.

He even became known as the “feral kitten tamer” last month, when he asked to be let into a cage with two feral kittens that were “untouchable, just hissing and growling,” Thompson said.

Christopher taught the kittens all about being a cat, and within a couple of weeks they were tame. One has since been adopted, and the other is still available.

“The kittens were so excited to see (Christopher) that when he left the cage they would sit and cry,” Thompson said.

But Christopher’s biggest claim to fame is likely saving the life of a tiny black kitten that came to the clinic July 11 with severe anemia. She needed a blood transfusion immediately, and Thompson couldn’t draw enough to even determine her blood type.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” Thompson said.

Christopher kept jumping up on the operating table, rubbing on Thompson and nuzzling the kitten. So Thompson grabbed Christopher and used his blood for the transfusion.

Thompson didn’t know it at the time, but the kitten had an uncommon “B” blood type found in about 20 to 25 percent of the cat population. It’s also a blood type usually found in purebred cats, Thompson said, so she wouldn’t have expected to find it in the black shorthaired kitten.

As it turned out, Christopher also has Type B blood. The kitten was standing up within about four hours of the transfusion, Thompson said, and has since gone back to Humanimal Connection, the rescue foundation that was caring for her.

“If I hadn’t paid attention to (Christopher), I probably would have lost the cat,” Thompson said.

Though many people have inquired about adopting Christopher, Thompson said, he “serves a purpose” at the clinic.

“Who knows how many cats he’ll save in the years ahead,” Lowery said.

By Diana Samuels
Daily News Staff Writer

The Nine Lives Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of cats and kittens. It operates a veterinary clinic and shelter, providing low cost spay/neuter, rescue, medical and adoption services. Its shelter welcomes all cats and kittens regardless of their physical, medical or behavioral conditions.

The Nine Lives Foundation shelter: 3016 Rolison Road, Redwood City, 650-368-1365

The Feline Well-Care Clinic: 1683 Broadway, Redwood City, 650-368-1365

An ancient Chinese brew may help reduce the intestinal damage caused by chemotherapy given to colon and rectal cancer patients, researchers said on Thursday.

To meet growing consumer demands, researchers in the field of traditional medicine are trying to prove the efficacy of ancient drugs using Western-style animal tests and human clinical trials.

In a paper published in Science Translational Medicine, the researchers said they fed cancerous mice the Chinese brew after the rodents had been treated with irinotecan, a chemotherapy drug known to be toxic for the gut and a cause of diarrhoea.

“The researchers treated cancerous mice with chemotherapy, which shrank tumors but also caused massive destruction in the intestinal lining of the animals,” they said in a statement.

“After a few days of treatment with PHY906, the medicine restored the damaged intestinal linings in the mice.”

PHY906 is the laboratory formulation of a 1,800-year-old Chinese formula containing peonies, a purple flower called skullcap, licorice and fruit from a buckthorn tree.

Called Huang Qin Tang, the brew has been used for a long time to treat diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.

“Irinotecan reduces tumour growth by itself but if you combine with PHY906, it will further reduce tumour growth,” said lead author Yung-Chi Cheng at the Yale University School of Medicine in the United States.

“By itself, PHY906 does not decrease tumour growth, it has to be used in combination with chemotherapy.”

Colorectal cancer is the third deadliest cancer, after lung and stomach cancer. It caused 639,000 deaths globally in 2004, according to the World Health Organisation.

According to the American Cancer Society, the economic impact from colorectal cancer in terms of premature death and disability is US$99 billion annually, excluding direct treatment costs.

Cheng said the team has since completed a small clinical trial using the brew on 17 human patients with colorectal cancer.

“The results of the clinical phase 1/2A trial looks promising,” Cheng said by telephone, adding that they would be proceeding to a larger clinical trial.

Cheng has a stake in PhytoCeutica, Inc., which develops traditional Chinese medicine into drugs for the treatment of cancer and it holds the licence for PHY906. (Reporting by Tan Ee Lyn; Editing by Ron Popeski)

Six out of ten pet dogs are overweight or obese, according to a study by veterinary researchers at the University of Glasgow.

Like humans, portly pooches are piling on the pounds as a result of a number of factors, including being fed scraps from the dinner table, lack of exercise and even how old or rich their owners are.

The study, published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, was conducted by researchers in Companion Animal Studies at the University who obtained data from 696 dogs and their owners attending five city veterinary practices.

The dogs’ had their body condition assessed and those which exceeded the optimum body condition for the breed by at least 15 per cent were classified as obese.

In addition, owners were asked how often they fed their dog, what type of food was given, how often it was exercised, and the owner’s age and household income.

The results showed that 35.3 per cent of dogs were found to have an ideal body shape, 38.9 per cent were overweight, and 20.4 per cent were obese – a further 5.3 per cent were underweight.

Dr Philippa Yam, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Veterinary medicine, Glasgow, who led the study, said: “Obesity is an important welfare issue and one that needs to be addressed.

“As in human beings, being overweight has major health implications because obesity is known to predispose to or exacerbate a range of medical conditions, including arthritis, expiratory airway dysfunction and ultimately decreased longevity.”

Dogs which received scraps from the table every month were more likely to be obese, while dogs which received treats and snacks often were more likely to be overweight.

The study also found that older dogs and neutered females were more likely to be obese, in line with previous research.

The dogs of owners who earned less than £10,000 a year were much more likely to be obese or overweight than those whose owners earned £40,000 or more.

Older owners were also more likely to own overweight/obese dogs, though this did not affect the amount of exercise a dog received as very little difference was observed in levels of exercise between owners of different ages. However, the intensity of exercise given by younger owners compared to older owners was not measured and this is a subject of further investigation.

Dr Yam added: “As well as factors described in our paper, we have also found that misperception of pet body condition is also likely to be a factor in pet obesity. Positive steps need to be taken to ensure that the number of overweight pets in the UK is reduced.

“We, together with colleagues in human medicine, Professor John Reilly, Professor of Paediatric Energy Metabolism, are using methods to assess canine activity levels more objectively. We gained funding for a PhD project to investigate the human-animal bond in relation to weight loss programmes in both dogs and children.”

For more information contact Stuart Forsyth in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 4831 or email s.forsyth@admin.gla.ac.uk

A 6 week old puppy known as Pebbles got into her dad’s fishing gear while dad had taken a break from organizing his equipment for a fishing outing. Unbeknownst to dad our pup had swallowed hook, line, but no sinker. In a few days this girl was vomiting and on physical exam showed a painful abdomen on palpation. An x-ray soon showed the diagnosis—a fishhook was evident in the proximal abdomen- most likely within the stomach. Our curious put was taken to surgery and sure enough a fish hook with some attached fishing line was found and surgically removed from her stomach. Healing was uneventful and Pebbles is now back playing with her dad, but is no longer invited to join him when he goes fishing!

Why do animals yawn? Why do cats eat grass? These and other pressing questions were explored in an entertaining animal behavior session at the AVMA’s annual convention in Atlanta, Ga., this weekend.

Benjamin Hart, DVM, PhD, DACVB, distinguished professor emeritus at the University of California –Davis, spoke about some of the more inexplicable behaviors of companion animals in his talk: “Why do they do that? Purring, yawning, flipping out on catnip, and eating poop.”

Why do cats eat grass?

Hart cited statistics that said about 80 percent of cats eat plants of some kind or another. Grass-eating is common in wild felids such as lions, and dogs eat grass, too. But the reasons for this behavior are not well-understood. It is commonly thought that grass eating in cats and dogs is linked to intestinal distress. However, in a Web-based study of more than 2,500 cat owners, Hart said only 5 percent of plant-eating cats showed signs of illness, although 32 percent vomited after eating. About half of the cats in the survey ate mostly grass.

The results were much different for younger cats (less than one year old). Among these cats, only 1-2 percent showed signs of illness and on 2 percent vomited after eating grass or plants. Also, about 80 percent of young cats ate plants other than grass.

Hart concluded that grass-eating among cats is normal, and may have some ongoing health-related effects such as expulsion of intestinal worms. However, a sudden increase in grass-eating behavior could signal intestinal distress, he said, so the behavior should be monitored.

Why do cats purr?

The sound of a purring cat is music to many cat owners’ ears. But the fact is that no one really knows why this behavior occurs. It is known that purring occurs in species where the hyoid process is fully ossified, such as cats, cheetahs, jaguars, and bobcats. Lions and tigers and other roaring species cannot purr, and purring species cannot roar. Roaring and purring probably serve different evolutionary purposes, Hart said.

Cats purr when they seem to be happy, but also when they are sick, injured or even giving birth. Some of the latest theories say that purring is a way to repair muscles and tendons after a vigorous chase. Hart cited research that said purring occurs in the range of 25 Hz, which is identical to the frequency that promotes healing of wounds and tissue. A sick cat that purrs is also helped in this way. Inactive cats who lie around on the couch all day may also purr in order to keep up their muscle mass.

Why do animals yawn?

Hart said that while the common belief is that yawning expands the lungs and oxygenates the brain, many animals yawn without low oxygen levels.

The current, leading hypothesis is that yawning cools the brain, Hart said. During inactivity, cerebral circulation slows and the brain warms up. Yawning cools arterial blood via the nasal countercurrent veins, and thus cools off the brain, allowing it to function better.

“Imagine sitting around the campfire with predators around,” Hart said. “You see some bushes moving, yawn, the brain cools and you are ready for action.”

The contagious nature of yawning could also be explained with this theory. If one member of a group yawns, it signals the others that action is imminent so the others need to cool their brains as well. A recent study found that yawns are contagious between humans and dogs. Hart speculates that co-evolution between dog and man has led to this phenomenon.

Why do cats flip out on catnip?

Most cats, when exposed to catnip, will go through a series of random reactions including courtship, predatory and play behaviors for 5-15 minutes. Hart said that this reaction does not seem to be a marijuana-like reaction since it does not require any blood levels of the ingredient to provoke a reaction. It is also not any kind of co-evolutionary phenomenon, since the catnip plant evolved on a different continent from cats. He said it seems to be “just an odd event.”

However, Hart did offer one theory. The active ingredient in catnip, nepetalactone, appears to activate the neural elements of play, aggression, sexual behavior and predation in the cat’s brain. The skin of stressed mice produces lactones, and these secretions might be similar enough in some cases to provoke the catnip-like reaction in the cat that has caught it, allowing the mouse a chance to escape.

Poop eating

Hart said he saved this subject for last in his presentation “because it’s so disgusting.” Coprophagia has grossed out and confounded many pet owners and veterinarians for a long time. Unfortunately, there does not seem to be an effective way to stop dogs from eating their poop, although he did offer some interesting stats on dogs that do it.

Hart cited a recent unpublished Web-based study, which included information from nearly 1,500 pet owners with dogs that had been seen eating feces daily or weekly, and at least 10 times. According to the survey, the top five feces-eating dogs were Labrador retriever (10.4 percent); golden retriever (5.8 percent); Basset hound (5.5 percent); German shepherd (5.3 percent); and the Shetland sheepdog (4.7 percent).

About 10 percent of the dogs ate only their own stool, while 32 percent ate the stools of others, and nearly 50 percent of all dogs who ate feces would eat their own or that of other dogs. “Most dogs ate any ol’ stool,” Hart said.

Other findings included:

• Females were more likely than males to engage in this behavior (60 percent vs. 40 percent)

• The behavior does not reflect poor den sanitation: 82 percent of dogs in the survey almost never soiled their own house

• Almost all dogs opted for fresh stools as opposed to old ones

• Neither behavior modification techniques nor food additives seemed to be effective in changing the behavior

From AAHA NEWStat
8-4-10 Vol 8 (16)

For an 88-year-old, Betty White has more street cred than people a quarter of her age. After appearing on “Saturday Night Live” with Jay-Z (and earning the TV show its best ratings in 18 months) and landing a new comedy series called “Hot in Cleveland,” White is launching her own line of T-shirts and hoodies that will hit stores in August. Through an exclusive licensing deal with Jerry Leigh Apparel, a Van Nuys, Calif.-based clothing manufacturer, White’s smiling face was recast as a striking black-and-white mug with her first name outlined in red. Targeting the digital generation, the hoodies feature washable earbuds and a jack to plug into iPods and MP3 players. Portions of sales for the $28 Ts and $48 hoodies will go to the Morris Animal Foundation, an animal health organization, for which White serves as a trustee.

WWDEyeScoop

When you think veterinary care for fish–the household aquarium probably comes to mind. But aquatic veterinary medicine goes beyond goldfish and angel fish. Not that people don’t love their goldfish…they do and will bring them to a knowledgeable veterinarian for health issues such as treatment of wounds or when they are not feeling well. When it comes to fish medicine, also think koi–these colorful Japanese carp are very popular and for the serious collector, a koi with the right coloration and markings can cost as much as $50,000. Koi have been brought in to Pet Care Veterinary Hospital for health assessments and treatment and consultation for problems with backyard koi ponds are requested now and then.

Then there are state and federal fish hatcheries that have been used to raise fish in order to replenish public fisheries since at least the 1870s. And what about fish farms that raise catfish, salmon and tilapia for our dinner tables and restaurants? These industries need veterinary care and proficiency as well. Perhaps more focused on overall pond population or ‘heard’ health, veterinarians are needed to help figure out and control disease outbreaks and outline disease prevention programs.

As you can see aquatic veterinary medicine is in demand. Another career path within veterinary medicine and another example of the variety of animals serviced by those working in this amazing field.

Peter G Fisher, DVM
From the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association
August 1, 2010 vol. 237(3)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — July 26, 2010 – Biggers & Callaham LLC., D/B/A Mice Direct of Cleveland Georgia is recalling frozen reptile feed (mice, rats, chicks), because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling contaminated pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

The frozen reptile feed was distributed in all states, except Hawaii, through pet stores and by mail order and direct delivery.

Frozen reptile feed was shipped in plastic bags with the following product codes M-SP100, M-P100, M-PF100, M-F100, M-H100, M-W50, M-A50, M-JA25, R-P100, R-F50, R-PUP50, R-W50, R-S50, R-M20, R-L10,R-J5, R-C5, R-M3 followed by E9, F9, G9, H9, I9, J9, K9, L9 or A10, B10, C10, D10, E10, F10, G10 and whole frozen chicks in 25 count bags.

Human illnesses that may be related to the frozen reptile feed have been reported in 17 states. The recalled product should not be fed to animals, even after heating in a microwave oven, since the heating may not be adequate to kill Salmonella. The recall is based upon sampling by the FDA of frozen mice. The company continues their investigation.

Products shipped after 07/24/2010, will be irradiated in a similar manner as raw food for human consumption in order to address the Salmonella issue associated with these products.

Consumers who purchased reptile feed from Mice Direct are urged to contact Mice Direct by telephone at 888-747-0736 from 9:00a.m-5:00p.m EST Monday-Friday or by e-mail at sales@micedirect.com for instructions concerning this recall and for credits towards replacement of unused product.

Contact:
Mice Direct: 888-747-0736
sales@micedirect.com

Cincinnati — Iams voluntarily expanded its recall to include veterinary and some specialized dry pet food out of fears of Salmonella contamination.

The Procter & Gamble company reports the recall of some 22 veterinary formulations was issued as a precautionary measure.

Recalled products include:

Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas: all dry sizes and varieties; best by date of 01Jul10 – 01Dec11; all UPC Codes

Eukanuba Naturally Wild: all dry sizes and varieties; best by date of 01Jul10 – 01Dec11; all UPC Codes

Eukanuba Pure: all dry sizes and varieties; best by date of 01Jul10 – 01Dec11; all UPC Codes

Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin: all dry sizes; best by 01Jul10 – 01Dec11; all UPC Codes.

“These products are made in a single, specialized facility. In cooperation with FDA, P&G determined that some products made at this facility have the potential for salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling all products made at this facility,” the company reports in a statement.

Consumers are asked to discard the dry pet foods listed as part of this recall, P&G reports in a statement. In addition, people handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product.

Pets infected with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

For more information about product replacement or refund call P&G at (877) 340-8823.

The veterinary diets impacted by the recall include:

Intestinal – Low Residue E: 5 LB, UPC 0 19014 12405 3

Optimum Weight Control D: 5 LB, UPC 0 19014 15105 9

Weight Loss Restricted Calorie: 5 LB; UPC 0 19014 12205 9

Renal Early Stage: 5.5 LB; UPC 0 19014 14410 5

Joint: 6 LB; UPC 0 19014 21006 0

Skin & Coat Response FP: 6 LB; UPC 0 19014 12106 9

Skin & Coat Response KO: 6 LB; UPC 0 19014 21106 7

Puppy Intestinal Low Residue: 8 LB; UPC 0 19014 12908 9

Weight Loss Restricted Calorie: 14 LB; UPC 0 19014 12214 1

Joint: 15 LB; UPC 0 19014 21015 2

Optimum Weight Control D: 15 LB; UPC 0 19014 15115 8

Skin & Coat Response FP: 15 LB; UPC 0 19014 12115 1

Skin & Coat Response KO: 15 LB; UPC 0 19014 21115 9

Intestinal – Low Residue; 15 LB; UPC 0 19014 12415 2

Renal Early Stage: 15.5 LB: UPC 0 19014 02235 9

Weight Loss Restricted Calorie: 28 LB UPC 0 19014 12228 8

Intestinal – Low Residue: 30 LB; UPC 0 19014 12430 5

Joint: 30 LB; UPC 0 19014 21030 5

Optimum Weight Control D; 30 LB; UPC 0 19014 15130 1

Skin & Caot Response FP: 30 LB; UPC 0 19014 12130 4

Skin & Coat Response E KO: 30 LB; UPC 0 19014 21130 2

Int Low Residue Breeder Bag: 37 .5 LB: UPC 0 19014 12437 4

Aug 1, 2010
DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

The most common calls received by Pet Poison Helpline for cat toxicities are:

Lilies

Canine permethrin insecticides (topical flea and tick medicine for dogs)

Household cleaners

Rodenticides (mouse and rat poison)

Paints and varnishes

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory veterinary medications such as meloxicam, Rimadyl®, and Deramaxx®

Glow sticks/glow jewelry

Amphetamines, such as ADD/ADHD drugs

Acetaminophen (Tylenol® in brand name or generic form)

Ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin® in brand name or generic form)