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Last month, we discussed the fatty liver and mentioned that, for some cats, food needs to be introduced slowly, or they could have worsening electrolyte abnormalities. This condition is called “refeeding syndrome.” It is a condition that can affect severely malnourished, underweight or starved animals once refeeding is started and [...]

This month we will further discuss “fatty liver syndrome” (hepatic lipidosis). As mentioned in last month’s newsletter, it is one of the main reasons that we place feeding tubes in cats. So, what is it exactly? Quite simply, it is when the liver becomes overwhelmed by fat metabolism in the [...]

I have placed more than a few feeding tubes over the years, and I frequently get asked: “Isn’t that just for cats in hospice?”  The short answer is: “No.”  So, I wanted to use this month’s newsletter to explain the use of feeding tubes.  Why would a cat need a [...]

Spring is in the air again, and many cats will be looking to go back outside or spend more time outdoors. While going outside is a great source of stimulation and activity, it can also hold a lot of potential dangers for our feline friends. Outdoor hazards such as rival cats, [...]

Last month, we discussed the hierarchy of needs for cats. This month, we will look at ways we can meet these needs for our feline family members. Remember: meeting all of these needs should lead to maximum happiness for your kitty!  The first (or base) layer of needs for cats [...]

I have seen it written that a healthy cat is a happy cat, but the converse is also true: a happy cat is a healthy cat. Just like humans, cats need stability in their life. It has recently been shown that animals can suffer from PTSD and that chronic stress [...]

This month, we will look at the last of the “routine” surgeries that we commonly perform on cats: spaying.  For those who might not know, spaying is the removal of both the uterus and ovaries in a female cat. It is recommended that all female cats (that are not specifically [...]

Most people have heard that they should spay and neuter their pets. Neutering is recommended for all male cats that will not be used for breeding (note: intentional breeding should only be done for improvement of a particular breed), but why is it so important? Neutering has many benefits for [...]

In recent cat news, the American Association of Feline Practitioners has taken a strong stance against declawing. While declawing does seem to be on the way out, we still get several inquiries a week from people asking about declawing their cat or kitten. While we are happy to say that [...]

You may have heard the phrase, “a fat cat is a happy cat”, but is this really true? While many cats do carry a little extra weight and are happy and healthy, there does reach a point where the weight is no longer “cute”. If your cat is overweight and [...]

Every cat guardian wants a happy and playful cat. One of the easiest ways to see a happy cat is to offer them catnip. But, what if your cat is one of the 40% of cats that doesn’t respond to catnip? Are they resigned to a lifetime of boredom?  Fortunately, [...]

Hello, everybody and everykitty!  It's been a very busy summer, and we hope you're staying safe and cool!  We just wanted to take a moment to give everyone a heads-up about Pet Fest next month. Important: Pet Fest will be at the Missoula County Fairgrounds this year! This year, Pet [...]

The summer travel season is here once again, and many of us will be traveling with our pets. While lots of people will be traveling with their dogs, there are an increasing number of people traveling with their cats. It is not as impossible as it seems, and many cats [...]

Kitten season is here once again, so for this month, we are going to review kitten veterinary health basics. Most kittens go to a new home at 6 – 8 weeks of age, and most (unless they come from a shelter or reputable breeder) have not had any previous veterinary [...]

Now that spring is here, many cats will be spending more time outside. Thus, it is the unofficial start of abscess season. Cats most often develop an abscess due to fighting with (or running away from) another cat; although, any small puncture can potentially lead to an abscess. This means [...]