The chore of giving your cat a bath is probably not on your list of priorities, and it's likely your feline companion is happy about that. Thankfully, cats seem to do fairly well at keeping relatively clean, and bathing is usually not necessary.
Dr. Catherine Metry is a dermatology resident at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana. She mentions that, "cats do a pretty good job of taking care of themselves." But that doesn't mean a little grooming every once in a while is a bad idea.
Short-haired cats may require less upkeep than their long-haired comrades. For example, Persians may need a good brushing each day to prevent their long locks from matting up. But no matter what type of cat you have, experts suggest that you do your best to make grooming sessions a positive experience. You can reward them with food for standing still, or just a soft reassuring voice. One bad experience can make grooming impossible later on in life.
After time, and with the right brush, your cat will hopefully come to enjoy being groomed by you. Just be cautious of brushing sensitive areas like the neck and belly. At the least, Dr. Metry recommends that, "it is a good idea to brush cats a couple times a week," to remove dirt and dead hair.
When it comes to nail clipping, such a task might be best left to your veterinarian depending on the cat. Many will resent having their paw grasped and manipulated in the way necessary. If you are able to safely clip your cat's nails, be careful not to clip too close to the claw and hit the blood vessel, or "quick." Doing so is painful and, like an elephant, a cat won't forget that experience the next time someone tries to clip its claws.
If you do have the opportunity to adopt a cat at a young age, it is a good idea to get it accustomed to people holding its paw and manipulating its claws. Doing so when they are young will make life much easier when it comes to nail clipping later in life.
In some breeds, normal discharge from the eyes should be cleaned frequently to prevent any irritation. To do so, you can use a warm washcloth to gently loosen and wipe away any debris. If there seems to be more discharge than usual contact your veterinarian to rule out any ocular disease.
In the end, most cats do fairly well on their own, but a twice weekly brushing can help keep them in tip-top shape. For more information or questions on cat grooming, contact your local veterinarian.
Source: Catherine Metry, DVM
Author: Ashley Mitek
In today's challenging economic times, most of us are spending less to save more. But saving money doesn't mean you need to skimp on caring for your cat or dog. According to one recent survey, each year the average pet owner spends approximately $2,500 on 'maintenance' fees such as food and veterinary care.
Take charge and take a bite out of your pet care costs. Learn how to buy shrewdly, focus on prevention, avoid unnecessary items or procedures and keep your pet healthy.
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Following are some ideas to help keep costs down, without compromising the quality of your pet's health and well being.
Keep Your Pet Healthy and Active
Stay on top of your dog or cat's regular checkups. Many pets don't exhibit symptoms of illness until it's too late. Early diagnosis can prevent symptoms from becoming serious and keep your cat or dog from picking up additional illnesses due to a compromised immune system. Early prevention, including vaccines, heartworm and parasite controls, help keep your pet healthy and reduce the drain on your savings.
Watch your pet's diet. Ask your veterinarian about the best type (and daily quantity) of food for your pet and don't skimp on quality. Contrary to popular belief, the best way to save on dog or cat food is to buy quality items in bulk rather than purchasing cheaper brands. Economizing on quality typically means missing out on nutrients your pet needs.
Exercise is critical to your pet's well being. Make certain your four-legged friend gets the proper amount of exercise for his breed and discuss his activities with your veterinarian. Keeping your pet in shape can prevent obesity, which can lead to many (expensive) health problems such as diabetes, arthritis and torn ligaments. Exercise can also reduce the risk of heart disease, joint issues and other problems.
Consider your pet's age, health and current activity level when starting a new exercise routine and discuss these factors with your veterinarian. The CFA offers events, such as agility, that promote exercise for owners and pets to enjoy together.
When your pet is ill, discuss with your veterinarian the full range of treatment options available before you make a final decision. Sometimes there are choices that differ in price but can produce the same results. It's worth asking.
Don't Cut Back on Hygiene and Dental Health
Good grooming will help your dog or cat look and feel his best but can be expensive. Regular brushing, bathing (depending on coat length) and nail trimming can be done at home to save money and can also alert you to signs of early problems. An alternative to some of the more expensive liquid bath products available for pets are several dry products. You might also consider alternating between professional and at-home grooming sessions. How often you need to groom your dog or cat depends on his size, breed and type of coat. Be certain to discuss your pet's grooming needs with your veterinarian.
Learn how to brush your pet's teeth regularly at home and stay current on annual dental cleanings. Use special toothbrushes and toothpaste designed for dogs and cats. (If your pet resists having his teeth brushed, rub his teeth and gums with your finger and let him sniff and lick the toothpaste.) Provide chew toys or other products that will help clean his teeth. These steps can avoid tartar build-up and gum disease, which can easily lead to kidney disease, liver disease and other infections. Saving your pet's teeth and gums saves money in the long run.
Get More for Less
Check out local newspapers, fliers and pet publications for discounts, promotions, coupons and free samples. When shopping for your pet, try to buy items in wholesale or bulk quantities, especially when they are on sale. Many pet stores offer specials or frequent buyer discounts, while some food vendors provide coupons for customer loyalty, large quantities or new product brands.
When you purchase large quantities of food or other items, properly package excess amounts or consider trading or sharing with other pet owners. In some communities, bartering clubs are popular and allow members to easily trade products and services. For instance, you might provide a service such as landscaping or bookkeeping in exchange for a grooming session or cat food.
Ask if your veterinarian offers any types of discounts on services or products. If your pet needs a prescription for an illness or ongoing condition, ask your veterinarian about generic brands and shop around first for the best competitive price. Don't forget to ask your veterinarian about food or pharmaceutical promotional samples, which can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs.
If you own a newly registered kitten, the CFA offers various registration benefits. They also provide valuable information regarding feline health research and responsible pet ownership.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Besides maintaining good feline and canine health and regular veterinary check-ups, there are other things you can do to save money. Make certain you 'pet-proof' your home and keep hazardous items out of reach. Keeping your pet indoors or on a leash can help prevent illnesses and injuries -- and avoid unnecessary medical expenses. Saving your pet's life after it has eaten toxic mushrooms or been hit by a car can be costly.
Even when you're careful, pets can escape. A gate may blow open or some other accident can occur at any time. Your pet could wind up lost, costing you both time and money to try to recover him. Make certain your cat or dog wears an identification tag with your name, address and phone number at all times. Consider having your pet microchipped, one way to permanently identify and help recover your dog should he become lost. You might also want to enroll in the AKC Companion Animal Recovery service. They maintain a large database of microchipped dogs and cats, as well as some other species.
As careful as you might be, sometimes the unexpected or unthinkable happens. Wonderful advances in veterinary care often means that decisions about what is affordable can weigh heavily on pet owners. One solution for budget-minded owners, including seniors on fixed incomes, is pet healthcare insurance. As the word spreads about affordable pet healthcare insurance, more and more pet owners are enrolling in plans that fit their needs. Pet insurance options can help provide a way to manage veterinary expenses while giving your pet affordable medical care.
The CFA Pet Healthcare Plans offer several coverage levels for pet owners. One example is our Essential Plan which provides protection for unexpected accidents, injuries and illnesses, up to an $11,000 maximum annual benefit. The plan features a $125 per incident deductible, with a 10% co-insurance payment and it reimburses 90% of allowed expenses. You can choose to pay on a monthly or annual basis. Other levels of coverage are also available, including an Accident Plus Plan for pennies a day (with up to $8,000 annual coverage, $2,000 per incident, a $75 per incident deductible and a 10% co-insurance) and Wellness Plans with higher benefit maximum limits and reimbursements toward extensive routine and preventive care costs.
Take charge and take a bite out of your pet care costs. Learn how to buy shrewdly, focus on prevention, avoid unnecessary items or procedures and keep your pet healthy. These habits can help enable you to significantly cut your expenses and survive economic downturns -- without compromising your cat or dog's health and wellbeing.
Author: Linda Crandall
CFA Pet Healthcare Plan
Imulan BioTherapeutics, LLC (IMULAN) announced encouraging early results from clinical trials on their T-Cell Receptor (TCR) therapeutic vaccine for feline stomatitis. Feline stomatitis, also referred to as gingivostomatitis, is an immune mediated inflammatory condition affecting the oral cavity. The TCR therapeutic vaccine is an immune modulating biologic that re-programs specific immune cells (T-cells) implicated in feline stomatitis. IMULAN's TCR therapeutic vaccine is currently being evaluated in a multi center, double blind clinical efficacy study in cats with stomatitis.
Dr. Daniel Gingerich, IMULAN's Chief Scientific Officer stated, "Although specifics of the clinical findings are not being released, interim analysis of data from case reports received thus far are very encouraging. The interim data are an internal milestone to allocate our resources towards focusing on our TCR vaccine program, designed to qualify for regulatory approval for feline stomatitis."
About the TCR peptides: T-Cell Receptor peptides are immune modulating biologics designed to restore immune function and normalize cytokine profiles by precisely regulating T-helper cell activity. The peptides are undergoing formal approval process for atopic dermatitis and feline stomatitis but have also evidenced promise for viral infections, cardiac disease, and fungal infections. T-Cell receptors are the gateway to the immune system, and are responsible for recognizing substances such as peptides. Once a T-cell receptor is activated, it triggers a cascade of cellular events that produce a systemic immune response.
About IMULAN: Imulan develops unique, precision immune regulating compounds for veterinary medicine. IMULAN's primary focus is on biological strategies to treat infectious, autoimmune, and immune mediated diseases in small and large animal medicine. For more information about Imulan, please visit www.IMULAN.com.
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