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No More Homeless Pets Forum
December 2, 2002 Special Needs Animals |
Advice and support for people caring for special needs animals provided by Best Friends veterinarian Dr. Virginia Clemans offers expert advice on caring for special needs animals, both at home and in shelters.
Introduction from Dr. Virg:
We all have them. Some of us are vegetarians. Some are morning people. Some people are allergic to strawberries. The list goes on.Many of our companion animals have special needs. Some cats won't eat dry cat food; others won't eat canned cat food. Some dogs like Frisbees, others like tennis balls. I have a cat that is blind. My blind cat gets around just fine in his familiar environment. But if I pick him up, he gets disoriented and frightened. So I pet and play with him on the floor. Every animal has special needs. Some are easier to accommodate than others.
Dogs and cats with diabetes need twice-daily insulin injections. You can learn from a veterinarian how to give pills, do simple grooming, apply eye drops, ear medications, and give allergy shots. Some special needs dogs and cats require more extensive nursing care. Incontinent bladders need expressing twice daily. Less mobile older pets need to be encouraged to exercise. Pets missing a limb may not be able to negotiate stairs as well as their able-bodied counterparts. You can learn to care for all these special needs.
Caring for a "special needs" pet is very rewarding. They return your kindness and consideration many-fold with their love and devotion. They appreciate that they are special and know that you are special too in the care that you give to them every day.
It will be my pleasure to answer your questions regarding "special" animals. I have seen many of them. My household consists of 12 cats (including the blind one I mentioned earlier and one with three legs); 5 ferrets (one of which is 12 years old -- a little past the normal 8-year usual lifespan of ferrets); and 6 rats. Of course, every one of my pets, like every one of my patients, is very special to me.
Questions
Neurological kitties
Overweight older cats
Allergies
Chronic Renal Failure
Treatments for asthma
Larger dogs and health issues
Making a move easier
Raw diets
Cerebellar hypoplasia
Stress-induced colitis
Special cat diets
Expressing bladders
"Wasting" money on special-needs animals
Inflammatory bowel disease
Broken tail complications
Feline Infectious Peritonitus (FIP)
Neurological kitties
Question from Member:
I have a cat named Mia. She is only 9 months old, but she has had health problems most of her life. Her back legs are partially paralyzed and, so far, my vet can't diagnose the problem. She seemed fine as a kitten, but the bigger she gets, the more trouble she has walking. She has had several expensive tests and is currently being treated with steroids, antibiotics, and a laxative (due to trouble moving her bowels). The next step is a myelogram and possibly, back surgery. I'm not sure if I can afford this and I don't know if I have the time and energy to continue nursing her. Do you have some advice? I live in San Antonio...is there a local chapter of your organization? I would appreciate any help you could give me. I have become very attatched to Mia and I hate to think about putting her to sleep.Response from Dr. Virg:
It certainly sounds as if you and your veterinarian are doing everything possible for little Mia. Neurological deficits can be difficult to diagnose and to treat. Sometimes treating the symptoms (which is what you are doing with steroids, antibiotics and laxatives) is the best solution there is. A myelogram would possibly pinpoint a problem that could be treated with surgery, but maybe not. Another avenue to explore is acupuncture. Find out if your veterinarian can refer you to a veterinary acupuncturist. Some neurological problems respond to acupuncture treatments.We have quite a few kitties here at Best Friends that have adjusted very well to their neurological difficulties and lead happy and playful lives. They do require a little extra cleaning up now and then and smooth surfaces on which to navigate, but they seem content and full of spunk. It can be hard to watch a neurological kitty if they have difficulty getting around, but most of them do well enough to have a good quality of life.
Overweight older cats
Question from Member:
My cat is 15 years old and is overweight. I considered having her lose weight, but I also heard that sometimes dieting can cause a more serious problem in cats. She seems healthy outside of a few problems that come with age. Any suggestions?Response from Dr. Virg:
Overweight older cats can suffer from a variety of health problems due to obesity. Yes, there are some very serious consequences when overweight cats lose weight too rapidly. Before any cat (or dog) is placed on a weight-loss program, a visit to the veterinarian is in order. Your veterinarian will do a complete physical exam and perhaps some blood tests and/or radiographs (X-rays) to rule out any medical problems or hormone imbalances that may be causing problems with weight. When a clean bill of health has been given, some increase in activity and exercise along with a diet change can be prescribed according to your cat's individual needs and health issues. Once again, especially in cats, GRADUAL weight loss is the key to HEALTHY weight loss.Allergies
Question from Member:
When you suspect an animal of having allergies (e.g., runny nose & eyes, itchy skin, gnawing at certain areas, etc..) what steps do you recommend taking? Thank you in advance! I think you're great!Response from Dr. Virg:
Allergies in cats and dogs most often involve the skin and digestive tract (i.e. itching, chewing, hair loss for skin, and vomiting, diarrhea for the digestive tract). There are two types of allergies: inhalant allergy (mold, dust, pollen, etc.) and allergies to food. Some animals have both types of allergies. Oh, and yes, I can't forget FLEA allergy if you live in an area with fleas. (We are extremely lucky here in southern Utah--NO FLEAS!!) An evaluation by your veterinarian can often narrow down the cause of the itching just by doing a physical exam. However, more often than not, blood testing is required to determine exactly what your pet is allergic to and what steps need to be taken to relieve the allergies. Treating the symptoms of allergy without eliminating the cause of the allergy is not ideal, especially when most allergens (what the pet is allergic to) can either be eliminated or at least controlled. One option (after proper allergy testing) is to do desensitization injections ("allergy shots") in an effort to lessen the animal's response to the allergens. This works if the allergy is caused by inhalants. Diet change can be initiated if the allergy involves food. In any case, allergies cannot be "cured", but only "controlled" and treatment usually needs to be continued for the life of the pet.A member wanted to share her website, which is an online resource for people who care for animals with special needs: http://www.specialneedspets.org
Chronic Renal Failure
Question from Member:
My Suzi (Bichon BYB rescue, aged 10) was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure in September. Her treatment plan includes Prescription KD food, 4cc amphojel once a day, and up until recently, daily sub-q's administered at home. This was done because twice she collapsed and seized on Sundays which necessitated taking her to the ER vet for fluids.When she was diagnosed, my vet told me her kidney values were "off the chart" ... her most recent blood test (11/27/02) revealed what Dr. C. said were the lowest values she'd seen since Suzi was diagnosed, and for me to drop the sub-q's down to twice weekly.
Suzi was my first rescue and, actually, my first pet EVER, and although I currently have 11 senior and special needs rescues in my home, she will always have an exceptionally special place in my heart.
I want to make sure I'm doing EVERYTHING I can for Suzi ...
1. Is Prescription KD (what the vet clinc sells) the best food for her, or is there something else that would be better?
2. I used to give her Missing Link with Glucosamine but obviously I can't do that any more because of the protein. Is there a form of glucosamine safe to give her?
3. What about treats? Is there ANYTHING she can safely enjoy?
4. Dr. C. told me Suzi's condition was most likely genetic and not my fault ... but is it possible I could have done something (or NOT done something) to cause it?
5. Is there anything else you can think of that I can do to assure my Suzi the healthiest, happiest and fullest life possible for as long as possible?
THANK YOU so much for your time!
Response from Dr. Virg:
Suzi is really fortunate to have such wonderful person caring for her needs. Although each case of chronic renal failure progresses slightly differently, I will answer your questions. Yes, KD diet is ideal for dogs with renal failure. It is low protein and puts less strain on the kidneys when metabolized. There are many "joint health" products available and your veterinarian can help you find one that is safe to give Suzi. Any low-protein (those not containing animal products) are OK to give while feeding the KD diet. Small bites of fruit (not citrus, grapes or raisins) are ideal if Suzi likes them. Apple, pear, banana are good to try. You can offer KD kibble as a treat as well. Very often, regular kibble presented as a treat seems like a treat. You can also make treats out of canned KD by cutting it in small pieces, placing on a cookie sheet and baking in 250 degree oven for 7 to 10 minutes. Renal failure in older dogs is usually just an old age change (like heart disease, arthritis, etc.). Some dogs have kidneys that fail earlier in life than others. (Remember that any dog over the age of 8 years is considered geriatric.) As far as what you can do for Suzi to prolong her life and keep her feeling good? Regular check-ups by your veterinarian and follow the recommendations based on these check-ups.Treatments for asthma
Question from Member:
My cat has suffered from asthma for her entire life. She is currently 8 years old. The only treatment that my vet and I have found effective is waiting until she actually has an asthma attack and treating her with 1/2 cc of Depo-Medra. She is averaging an attack every 4-5 weeks. I have almost lost her twice...her attacks come on very quickly and are very severe.Have you heard of any other effective treatments out there for feline asthma? I am so concerned about the possible damage we are doing with the steroid.
Response from Dr. Virg:
I am sorry to hear that you are having so much trouble with your kitty and her asthma. There are many approaches to treating feline asthma. There are medications that can be given continuously that can help prevent asthma attacks. It's important to give these medications on a regular basis, not just when the attack occurs. Perhaps you can discuss other treatments with your veterinarian, or seek a second opinion from another veterinarian. Feline asthma can be life threatening and it is important to find an effective treatment.Larger dogs and health issues
Question from Member:
Stranger is a large old dog, approx 10 yrs, part Akita/Chow/Rott, etc. For the past year he has been deteriorating. He has difficulty getting up, turning over, and walking. Sometimes when we help him up, his back toes curl under and we have to right them to keep him from walking on the tops of his toes. He was tested a year ago for for a number of things, including cushings, diabetes, kidney failure, all false. My vet said it must be psychological. This is a pretty laid back dog, so I couldn't really accept that. I've been worried it is cushings, even though his test was negative. He drinks copious amounts of water, which was the first thing that got me to the vet. This dog unfortunately was allowed to gain a lot of weight. He was up to 150 lbs. (too much), even though he is a big dog. He has been on a "diet" for several years and is now down to about 70 lbs, a mere shadow of his former self. My vet recently recommended he go on heart medicine (Digitalis, I think), but first wanted to do a liver function test. After the liver test, the vet prescribed Hills L/D dog food and never said another word about his heart. The food is ungodly expensive and doesn't seem to help anything at all. Most of the time we have to help Stranger to stand. He can get outside and eats well; most of the time he's in good spirits. I'm thinking of going to another vet. Any advice or suggestions? Anything I can do to make him more comfortable?Response from Dr. Virg:
As they age, dogs can have rather severe problems with arthritis of the hips and spine. They can also develop bone spurs on the spine (spondylosis) that can cause the rear end weakness you are describing. As far as the blood tests taken a year ago, remember that a year in the life of a dog is equivalent to seven years! A lot can change in seven years! I think that you should consider a re-evaluation with repeat blood work and radiographs (X-rays). There are medications that can be given for arthritis pain that are quite effective and make these older dogs more mobile and more comfortable.Making a move easier
Question from Member:
Congratulations for your amazing work. We are sure the animals are very fortunate to have you as their doctor.We have a 13 yrs. old english cocker spaniel called Indiana. In the last four years she has had a lot of health problems. She started with kidney stones and urinary infections 4 years ago, developed pancreatites due to medicines and three months ago was diagnosed with diabetes. She is almost 100% deaf and blind.
Today, besides all these health problems, things seem to be under control and she is a happy girl who loves to sleep, be loved, eat treats and ride in the car (not necessarily in this order).
Our question is that we will be moving for a new place and want to know how to make this transition comfortable for her.
Response from Dr. Virg:
Good work for taking such good care of Indiana. Dogs are generally easier to move than cats. In other words, they adjust to new situations better than cats. With older dogs, however, their routine is very important to them. So keeping Indiana's routine as much the same as it is now is critical. Give her the same foods in the same bowls, same bed, same mealtime, etc. The only real problem that could occur is with her diabetes. Diabetic dogs are very sensitive to stress, and stressful situations can cause the diabetes to go temporarily out of control. During the move, and for a few weeks afterwards, keep a careful eye on her appetite, urine production, and water consumption.If there are any changes, get in contact with your veterinarian right away. If you are moving far enough away from your present home, establish yourself with a new veterinarian in your new area as soon as possible. That way, if there are any problems, you have a veterinarian that you can call upon even in an emergency.
Raw Diets
Question from Member:
I have a cat that has been with me for 17 years. She came to us as an adult stray, so we don't know her real age. Last year she started losing weight. I brought her in for testing and it showed kidney failure, but the levels weren't too bad.At the time, I couldn't get her to eat anything consistantly for more than a day or two. In my desperation to find something, I read about feeding a raw, homemade diet. I tried it and she devoured it and has been doing well for a year. Actually, she has gained some weight back.
I really think it is the only reason she is with us today. I use a variety of veggies and use a feline multi-vitamin.
I am wondering if you have any experience with this and, if so, how long do you think she could hang in there?
Response from Dr. Virg:
My goodness, what a long life your kitty has had with you! Renal failure is very common in older kitties. Once the blood test kidney values (BUN and Creatinine) are elevated, it is impossible to say how much longer the failing kidneys will last. Some kitties only last a few weeks, some several months, and some several years. As the kidney function starts getting worse, the kitty will eat less and less, may vomit and/or have diarrhea, lose weight and become lethargic. It may be necessary to give the kitty fluids under the skin (SQ fluids) to keep the hydration good and help flush toxins out of the system.I am not a proponent of a raw food diet. I feel there is too much risk of bacterial food poisoning from meat that has not been cooked thoroughly. In fact, when feeding home cooked diets in general for pets, you run the risk of a diet that is not correctly balanced. Vitamins are not a solution for a poorly balanced diet. If you must feed a raw food diet, please at least rinse the meat under copious amounts of cool running water to wash away surface contaminants. Any vegetables are easier to digest for cats if they are steamed until fairly soft. Keep in mind that cats don't need many carbohydrates, so vegetables should be added at a very minimum.
I think that your kitty should have regular check-ups including blood work regularly to monitor the kidney function and the need for SQ fluids. Please know that if SQ fluids are deemed necessary, your vet can teach you to do this at home so kitty won't be stressed by multiple trips to the vet clinic.
Cerebellar hypoplasia
Question from Member:
I have a special kitty named Flower. I got her when she was brought in to be put down by some folks who could not manage to take care of her anymore. I work with the humane society and we thought we would see if we could find a home for her. I have had her since last April. She turned one in April and I adopted her.She did walk at first, but just a few steps and then fall. Then she got worse and gave up walking completely.
Previous owners said that she had gotten worse over the time they had her. Right now, she does not walk and has quite a bit of atrophy. I had a lady who does physical therapy on animals show me excercises to keep her comfortable.
Flower is a sweet, happy, kitty who seems content with what life has thrown her way. I love her very much and spend lots of time with her and even take her to work with me some days. Most people fall in love with her because of her sweet little spirit. But then there are some who think it is cruel to keep her alive.
I was told at first that she had C.H, but tests were never done and I have read that C.H does not get worse. Is C.H just given as a diagnosis on most neurological conditions? What are some of the neurological conditions that get progressively worse? Flower does not seem to be in pain so do you think it is fine to keep her alive as long as I don't mind taking care of her? She does seem to urniate ok twice a day, although sometimes I rub her tummy to get her to go. But she only poops every 2 or 3 days. Is that bad for her? What can I do to make sure she poops enough? She eats about a can or can and a half of food a day. She has too much trouble with dry food, so only gets a few kibbles. Thank you for any input on Flower's condition. (I am coming to Best friends next May to volunteer for the third time and I hope to bring Flower with me. I surely will bring her in to meet you, Dr. Virg!)
Response from Dr. Virg:
Since cerebellar hypoplasia is the most common cause of the symptoms you describe, it is often given as a diagnosis without specific testing. A thorough physical exam, neurological exam and routine blood chemistry testing can more often than not rule out other causes of neurological deficits. Your decision to "keep Flower alive" is certainly valid if you and your veterinarian agree that her quality of life is good and she is getting the proper nursing care that she needs. Concerning her bladder and bowel habits, you may need to consult with your veterinarian concerning expression of her bladder and bowels, the use of laxatives, and diet to help her bowel function to be more normal. The amount of food she eats sounds adequate, but a better judge is her weight: is she losing or gaining and is she at the proper weight for her age and body type.It sounds as if you are completely devoted to little Flower and are giving her the best possible care.
Stress-induced colitis
Question from Member:
Sundance, one of my three dogs, has problems with stress-induced colitis. He's a Golden Retriever. When I take him to the groomer, he has horrible diarrhea for two days afterward. Even when he just has a rough day with the other dogs, he'll get diarrhea. Is there anything I can do to control this? Of course I try to avoid things that cause him stress, but sometimes that can't be helped.Response from Dr. Virg:
First, a complete physical by your veterinarian is in order to rule out any medical problems or parasites. If all is OK, then there is a medication that can be given after stressful situations to help clear the diarrhea. The same medication sometimes prevents diarrhea, if given prior to a stressful situation. Also, if a dog is prone to colitis and diarrhea, make sure that there are no changes in the regular diet. In these dogs, even just one treat (such as that given by a groomer) may trigger the diarrhea. If you want him to have treats at the groomer, take some along of your own, something that you feed him at home, so that nothing will be given that he's not used to eating.Special cat diets
Question from Member:
Do you have any suggestions for cats that need more than one kind of special diet? My cats eat hairball control, light (I finally switched to hairball control, dry, after adding cat lax to their wet food every day for over 6 months - it is really helping). But my male cat also gets cystitis frequently, and might need CD or something for that. He also suffers from some food sensitivity. He does best on a lamb and rice diet. He has FIV and I think the sensitive GI tract may be related to that. And he's overweight and around ten years old. So he really needs lamb and rice, cystitis prevention, hairball control, low calorie, senior food! Unfortunately, no such thing seems to exist. Any ideas?Response from Dr. Virg:
Boy! That's complicated! I think it's time for you to have a dietary consultation with your veterinarian who is familiar with your kitty's medical history. There are a LOT of different types of diets out there to treat a LOT of different medical problems. With multiple problems to treat, it's time for your veterinarian to decide which medical problems give him the most trouble and treat with the appropriate diet.Remember, there are a lot of prescription diets to treat specific medical problems that are OK for normal cats, without the medical problem, to eat. But, some of these diets may not be right for your other cats. So, see your veterinarian.
Expressing bladders
Question from Member:
I have a question about expressing bladders. How long can cats live with having their bladders expressed at least twice-daily? The girls who crossed over last year had come to the shelter to live out their lives (one at 5 wks did live to be 13 yrs old). My concern is the males. I now have 3 here, all neutered--one is not cooperative at all with having his bladder expressed; the other 2 can't get away as quickly from me! I have learned (I think from so many years of doing it already), from the smell of the urine if there is a problem brewing, like infection. Boys are just a new experience to me, as the shelter had just girls for so many years. I get worried about the cystitis thing with male kitties. Thanks.Response from Dr. Virg:
Cats can live many years having their bladders expressed. Sometimes, males are harder than females because their urethra (the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside) is smaller in diameter. If the bladder is not expressed completely each time, then urine can "pool" in the bladder and cause a bladder infection (cystitis). Cats that have to have their bladders expressed are more prone to developing cystitis because of the possible pooling of urine and because of irritation to the bladder during the expression process. There are medications that help relax the bladder muscles and make expressing easier. Also, some male kitties develop scar tissue that further narrows the urethra. A surgery (called a perineal urethrostomy) sometimes has to be done if expressing the bladder becomes increasingly difficult and bladder infections more frequent, despite medication. If you are concerned that there is a bladder infection present, your veterinarian can do a urinalysis and prescribe antibiotics, if necessary."Wasting" money on special-needs animals
Question from Member:
How do you respond to people, especially people who you would normally consider good animal-minded people, who take the position that special needs animals waste money that could be more wisely spent spaying and neutering animals that have a better chance of adoption?Response from Dr. Virg:
This can be a difficult question, especially if funds are limited. Some special needs animals are very hard to rehabilitate, and indeed, some cannot be rehabilitated. Certainly if the needs of the animal are so great that it cannot reasonably be given a good quality of life, then humane euthanasia is warranted. When these special needs situations arise, work with a veterinarian whose opinion you value and trust. You can then make decisions with that veterinarian regarding treatment, prognosis, and quality of life for the animal, versus care needed.Inflammatory bowel disease
Question from Member:
Our shelter has several cats with inflammatory bowel disease. We're controlling it the best we can, but it's such a nasty disease. My question is, does anyone know what causes IBD? Are there things you can do to help prevent a cat from developing it?Response from Dr.Virg:
You are right, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a very nasty disease, in more ways than one! The cause of IBD is an abnormal immune response in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. The inciting factor may be food,environmental agents and/or hereditary factors. The most common sign in cats in vomiting and/or diarrhea and weight loss. The cat may become thin, depressed, painful in the abdomen and develop a poor hair coat. Blood tests are often normal, but must be done to rule out other causes of these symptoms in the cat (i.e. hyperthyroid, diabetes). Inflammatory Bowel Disease cannot be cured, only controlled. Diet manipulation with or without medication may help. Relapses are common. There is no known way to prevent IBD, and it may take many food/medication trials to get the disease under control.
Broken tail complications
Question from Member:
My [cat] Elmo broke his tail almost two weeks ago. Our vet instructed us to express his bladder every 4-6 hours. Is this overkill? I've been leaving work midday every day to come home and express his bladder.On a more positive note, Elmo has recently started taking pees in the box on his own! They are not nearly enough to relieve his bladder and we've been expressing it regularly, but we're suddenly seeing hope at his recovery. (His tail break/pull was very extreme and the vet could give us no indication as to whether he might heal or not. We had resigned ourselves to the idea that we might be expressing his bladder on a permanent basis.) Is this a sign that Elmo might make a full (or almost full) recovery? When cats find themselves in this condition, does recovery usually take place in gradual amounts?
My final question concerns the tail itself. The vet says it will need to be amputated, but they don't want to do this for a couple of months. In the meantime, should I be limiting Elmo's activity? He wants to jump and climb when he has the energy, but his tail flops behind him and I worry that this could cause more nerve damage. Is this possible? Just to give you a little background, Elmo's injury/break is at the sacrum.
Response from Dr. Virg:
Because we have so many incontinent kitties here at the sanctuary, we only express their bladders routinely twice-daily. Our technicians keep careful watch over these kitties and report if their bladders seem overly full when they are expressed. Occasionally there is a cat that needs to be expressed more often than twice daily--it's an individual matter. Some kitties are not as cooperative or as easy to express as others. I think if your veterinarian recommended multiple expressions throughout the day, then there must be a need for that in this individual kitty. It's good news that Elmo has started urinating on his own. But beware that this may just be "leaking" from an over-full incontinent bladder and that bladder expression is still needed! As far as a prognosis regarding Elmo's recovering his bladder function, sorry, but each case is different, and is a "wait and see" proposition. I think it is probably OK for Elmo to have as much activity as he feels able to do. Your vet can answer this question better than I having seen the radiographs of the injury. Good luck with Elmo. I know he appreciates your kind and gentle care.Response from member (who originally asked question):
Thank you for your insight. It hadn't ocurred to me that Elmo's bladder might just be "leaking". Could it just be coincidence that these leaks are occurring in the box? [Usually] the peeing/leaking has occurred when Elmo was in the box, posturing to urinate. In general, how do you feel kitties do emotionally on a permanent bladder expression program? I feel that Elmo's young life is very much worth living, even if this condition is permanent. He does not like having his bladder expressed at all, and it requires two people to do this. However, right afterwards, he is generally very cuddly and seems unaffected.Response from Dr. Virg:
Sometimes these "bladder" kitties may feel that they have a full bladder and therefore will go to the litter box, but are unable to empty the bladder because of the nerve damage. As long as their bladder/urinary health remain good, and their view of life remains good, despite having to be expressed, I think these kitties do fine. You and your veterinarian can make these decisions based on periodic urinalysis. Good luck to you and to Elmo!Feline Infectious Peritonitus
Question from Member:
I recently rescued a cat and was planning on keeping him. When he went to the vet to get checked out, he tested positive for FIP. I have been trying to find out more about FIP, but it seems like there isn't much known aboutit. I have other cats and am worried about bringing this cat home in case my others could get it. But from what I've read, the test can be wrong and they're not sure how other cats get it. Can you offer any information for me?
