Howdy Partner, Welcome to the Buckaroo
The other day I stumbled upon this picture of my nephew James who treasured his season pass to "cowboy country," Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, NC. It made me think of my first real customer service job working at the Buckaroo in Cary. My introductory title is the way I was instructed to greet each guest. For those of you familiar with downtown Cary, it was located on East Chatham at the current location of the U-Haul rental facility. It would tickle me when a customer would step up to the counter ordering ½ of a fried chicken, large fries, apple pie and then ask about a diet drink. The hamburgers were the quintessential mystery meat as to this day I am not sure what they contained. Thus it was challenging when friends stepped to the counter and asked “What’s good”?
Surprises (although some are good) many times are not what we expected.
What is the surprise behind fleas in carrying diseases such as Feline Infectious Anemia in cats?
Although most clients do not want to see fleas on their pets, the more sinister, hidden aspect of these blood sucking pests is their ability to carry infections such as Mycoplasma Haemofelis (Hemobartonella felis). This mycoplasma (bacteria without an outer cell wall) is carried by fleas (also lice and ticks) and transferred in the saliva of flea bites, attaching to red blood cells and taking advantage of the kitty host. It is hoped that the body of a cat will mount an immune response to destroy the organism. However, left untreated or in an animal with a compromised immune system, (cats with feline leukemia virus), it can lead to anemia, pale gums, yellowish tinge to skin (jaundiced) and even death. Many cats can become permanent carriers.
How is Mycoplasma Haemofelis diagnosed? Is it a disease only in cats?
Diagnosis is not simple as there is no cell wall so regular cultures as one would use for a urinary tract infection are not applicable. Most times detection is a scan of a red blood cell slide to detect the organisms on the surface of red blood cells. However, since they are transiently present, a better method is a PCR test to amplify the DNA of the organism within a blood sample of an anemic cat. It is estimated that up to 10% of cats are carriers. This particular organism does not infect dogs.
Which cat population is most at risk?
Cats with exposure to the outdoors and male cats are more likely to have infections. A positive Feline Leukemia Virus test increases the vulnerability of their compromised immune system to becoming susceptible to feline infectious anemia. In rare cases, this co-infection increases the risk of bone marrow cancers. Also positive queens (cats who are bearing kittens) can transmit infections to their kittens.
Is there a treatment?
The newest treatment is combining a quinolone antibiotic, Veraflox, along with a good, comprehensive flea control of all pets in the household and the environment. Year round use of products such as Advantage multi, Activyl, and Frontline Plus is recommended. Many infectious disease experts are skeptical that cats can truly be cleared of this disease.
Switching topics, as we are talking about surprises in cats, is it possible a spayed cat (removal of both the ovaries and uterus) can show signs of being in heat?
Yes, there are a couple of scenarios when spayed (Ovariohysterectomy) cats can show signs of estrus: vocalization, behaving differently, urine marking, totally affectionate, and often sticking rear end up to be rubbed. Cats demonstrate no vaginal discharge when they are cycling. One cause is Ovarian Remnant Syndrome with part of the ovarian tissue is remaining (incomplete removal) thus producing estrogen.
The second cause is being seen more frequently in the last 5 years is due to cats licking the skin or being held close by owners using estrogen creams. In other cases, the human estrogen creams were applied without gloves and then a family pet was touched.
Here is a funny cat video to cheer your day!
Celebrating the joy pets bring to our lives every day!
Dr. Betsy Sigmon, Hospital Director, Creature Comforts Animal Hospital
Photo of the week from the Bryan Reddersen family
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