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January 2023 www.surfacecreekveterinarycenter.com 970-856-4474
SCVC Pawprint Feline Osteoarthritis A HIDDEN EPIDEMIC WITH AN EXCITING NEW TREATMENT
tell their owner that nothing can be done. So, we’ve historically treated only the most severe cases of feline arthritis. For other cats, the benefits of treatment wouldn’t have been worth the downsides. But now, the game has changed. I learned of a new injectable drug called Solensia a few months ago, and we’ve begun administering it to patients. The results we’ve seen so far are outstanding. I’m amazed at the improved quality of life these cats have seen and how much more active they’ve become. Solensia is a monoclonal antibody that is injected once a month. It mimics cats’ natural antibodies and targets the main drivers of osteoarthritis pain. Cats experience few side effects from the drug, and 77% of cat owners report an improvement in their cats’ mobility and pain levels after three months. During the seminar where I first learned of Solensia, I also learned that feline osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is far more common than I ever realized. Many behaviors we’ve come to accept as typical signs of aging in our cats are indications of a disease. Stunningly, 60% of cats age 6 or older are affected by osteoarthritis, as are 90% of cats by the time they reach 12. You may see many symptoms of arthritis in your cat every day. One classic sign is what I call “the slide.” A cat should be able to jump off
If you’re a dog owner with a large breed, you probably know about the risk of canine arthritis. But cat owners are generally much less aware that feline arthritis is a problem — even though the condition is more common in cats than dogs. The discrepancy is at least partly due to how veterinarians practice medicine. In the past, we haven’t focused much on feline arthritis for one simple reason: There haven’t been many effective treatments. Some dietary supplements or “nutraceuticals” can help a little, but the improvement is usually minimal. Prednisolone is often effective, but it can be dangerous to keep cats on it for an extended period. Laser therapy works for some cats but not others. Meanwhile, the medications we use on dogs with arthritis can be deadly to cats.
a table or chair without hesitation. Cats with arthritis, though, will often slowly slide their front legs down the object they’re jumping off before finally leaping. The process of jumping up on an object is similar. Cats should be able to do this with little thought, but when you see them hesitate or shimmy their back end before jumping, it indicates they have arthritis. Other signs of osteoarthritis in cats, along with illustrations, can be found by scanning the QR code on this page. Don’t feel bad if you’ve noticed these behaviors in your cats for some time — I have come to recognize them in my cats, too. But now we can do something to make their lives easier. I’m excited about the advancements in feline osteoarthritis treatment and hope everyone seeing symptoms in their cats will join us on this journey to increased mobility and better health. We can finally help our pets with this prevalent condition, and I look forward to improving countless cats’ lives.
It’s difficult and frequently unhelpful to diagnose a medical issue in a patient only to
Scan the QR code below to determine if your cat is displaying signs of osteoarthritis. If your results are concerning,
call our office to schedule an appointment!
–Dr. Jeff
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The Best Companion
THE FURRY FRIENDS OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY If you wander down a riverbank in southwest Bangladesh, you might happen upon a squealing, squeaking crate of river otters. The otters aren’t in danger. In fact, they’re the pampered helpers of the region's fishermen and women, who’ve trained them to herd fish. Yes, that’s right — just as we use herding dogs to corral sheep and cows into pens, people who fish in Bangladesh use otters to drive fish, crabs, and prawns into their nets. The practice dates back hundreds of years — and it’s impressive to watch. First, in the dead of night, the Bangladeshi anglers load crates of otters onto their boats and head out to fish. Each otter wears a small rope harness and leash attached to a wooden pole. As soon as the boat reaches the fishing area, the fishermen release the otters. They dive into the water and paddle furiously after schools of fish, encouraging them to swim into their owners’ nets. According to the publication Roads & Kingdoms, Bangladeshi fishers can catch more than 20 pounds of fish per excursion thanks to their otter helpers. Locals breed otters specifically for this purpose, raising them just like Westerners raise dogs and cats. This otter-human partnership is an important part of Bangladeshi culture. The fish the otters bring in sustain their owners through lean times and help them survive periods of famine. However, according to the BBC, the tradition is slowly fading away. Rivers in the region are drying up, pollution is surging, native fish are disappearing, and families are getting out of the otter business. One third-generation fisherman told Roads & Kingdoms that as of 2015, only 12 families in Gopra Village, where he lives, continue to fish with otters. That’s a tiny fraction of the 100 families that fished when his father ran their family business. However, How Bangladeshis Use Otters to Harness Their Catch
A Meeting With Destiny Destiny Leon traces her love of animals back to her grandmother. “She had everything from horses to emus to goats,” she remembers. “Being around animals was always a part of my childhood.” She also took an early interest in medicine, working at a hospital before realizing her true passion was in veterinary care. After working as a technician assistant at a veterinary office in Telluride, Destiny decided to join Surface Creek Vet and started work in late November 2022. As a kennel technician, her current duties involve keeping the clinic clean and organized and ensuring our boarded patients are well taken care of. She looks forward to completing Surface Creek’s in-house training program and hopes to eventually work her way up to full-time veterinary technician. “I love helping the animals,” Destiny says, “It’s like being a small detective because the animals can’t tell you what’s wrong.” She enjoys helping to solve the mystery and get pets back to living their best lives. Destiny also has a lot of fun learning about canine breeds and behaviors. Destiny’s love of animals extends far beyond work. She has three dogs, two lizards, and a cat at home. Her oldest dog is a pit bull named Fearless, whom Destiny calls “a gentle giant.” Mac is a mixed-breed rescue who almost met an unhappy end before Destiny took him in. Her other mixed- breed, Chica, “is like a water otter,” Destiny says. “She loves to swim in the river. We also take her snowboarding, and she loves to pull our sleds.” She also enjoys spending time with her sphynx cat, Bert, and her two bearded dragons, Theo and Carmela. “I like all animals,” Destiny explains. When she’s not hanging out with her pets, Destiny notes that she and her boyfriend “are pretty outdoorsy people. In the summer, we’re either camping or dirt bike riding, and winter is snowboarding season!” We caught up with Destiny only a few weeks after she started at the clinic, but so far, she particularly enjoys that “Everyone here works as a team.” We think she has a bright future ahead, and we’re excited to see more of what she can do! MEET OUR NEW KENNEL TECHNICIAN!
he told the reporter he “will continue to work with otters as long as there are fish to catch.”
To learn more about this fascinating human-animal
partnership and see a video of the otters in action, head to YouTube and search “Bangladesh otter fishing.”
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THINKING INSIDE THE (LITTER) BOX
Why Cats Know Where to Go Many proud new dog owners will spend months house-training their puppies, often cleaning up soiled floors along the way. But while new kitten owners have their struggles, teaching their cats where to relieve themselves usually isn't on the list. Whether a cat is 8 weeks or 18 years old, showing them the litter box once or twice is about all the training they need. But why?
While cats have been human companions for thousands of years, it's a recent trend for cats to spend most of their time indoors. The first
commercial litter boxes appeared in stores in the early 1940s, and pet owners would fill the boxes with ash, sand, dirt, or newspaper. Since cats want to cover their waste, they immediately took to the arrangement.
Humans were a tougher sell. Cats would track ashes around the house, and none of the available options masked the smell of cat urine or feces. Edward Lowe accidentally invented cat litter in 1947. He was selling clay for chicken nesting when his neighbor asked if she could have some for her cat box.
Clien th ts e SWpr o e r a d ding Interestingly, dominant feral cats typically leave their waste uncovered to communicate that they're in charge, while cats lower on the pecking order cover theirs. This tradition continues indoors for many cats. If you have multiple felines and often find uncovered feces in the litter box, it's probably your more dominant cat sending a message. It comes down to instincts. Cats prefer to cover up their waste in dirt or sand to protect themselves from predators and ensure prey don't notice their presence. It probably doesn't hurt that cats' ancestors trace back to the desert, where sand was readily available.
The clay absorbed moisture and odor and was an instant hit around the neighborhood. Kitty litter soon reached stores, and clumping varieties arrived on shelves in the 1980s. These days, cat parents can also choose silica, paper, pine, or walnut-based litter options.
Since using a litter box is as natural for a cat as eating, cats eliminating elsewhere should be taken seriously. Many cats will avoid the litter box if it is dirty, too small, has high sides, or uses a hood. Try different types of litter and boxes to determine the problem's source. If the behavior continues, bring them to the veterinarian for a checkup. Urinating or defecating outside of the box can indicate a serious medical condition.
This vet-approved gravy for cats is easy to make with ingredients you can find at any local grocery store! Adding a gravy on top of your cat’s kibble is a great way to keep them hydrated. Save leftovers in the fridge. Homemade Gravy for Cats Inspired by Hepper.com
Carin Frantz
INGREDIENTS
• •
Meat scraps (optional) Carrot cuttings (optional)
• • •
4 tbsp plain, sugar-free beef or fish gelatin
1 cup water, room temperature 2 cups chicken stock (no salt or seasonings added)
DIRECTIONS
1. In a glass bowl, combine gelatin and water. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the liquid becomes clear and gains volume. 2. In a pot over medium heat, add chicken stock, meat, and carrots. Boil until carrots are soft. Make sure the carrot and meat pieces are small enough for the cat to eat safely! 3. Incorporate the boiling stock into the gelatin, stirring well. You can do this by hand or use a blender. 4. Let it sit until the gelatin starts thickening. Pour a small amount on top of dry kibble and serve!
WReeRf e rerwa lasr! d
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Does Your Cat Have Signs of Arthritis inside this issue
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The Furry Saviors of Bangladesh
Meet Our New Kennel Tech, Destiny!
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Why Cats Come House-Trained
Homemade Gravy for Cats
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Tips for a Cozy Winter Picnic
5 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WINTER PICNIC New Appointment Cancellation Policy When you cancel with less than 24-hour notice, we now require a prepaid $50 deposit to reschedule. If you keep your rescheduled appointment, we will apply the deposit to your veterinary bill. If you miss your rescheduled appointment, the fee is nonrefundable. It’s Cozy Season!
enjoying a warm winter meal. You can even cook your food over the fire! Remember to be careful when building a fire in the wilderness and take proper safety precautions. Pack Hot Meals Picnics are all about ease and relaxation! Here are some toasty and hearty winter picnic meal ideas to help warm you up: • Soup • Stew • Pot pie • Toasted sandwich or panini • Warm brownies • Baked mac and cheese • Loaded baked potatoes • Quiche • Chili Keep It Simple Remember, it doesn’t need to be complicated! Even just a thermos of hot chocolate; some warm, freshly baked cookies; a bunch of blankets; and hats and gloves are plenty for a winter picnic — ultimately, it’s all about soaking up the beauty of the most wonderful time of the year!
This time of year, we all enjoy nestling up by a fire, cuddling under a blanket on the couch, or enjoying a warm cup of joe at the local coffee shop. If someone were to propose a winter picnic at the local park, you’d probably think they were crazy. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the idea. With these five tips for hosting a winter picnic, you'll be up for having lunch outside in January any time. Keep Warm Maintaining heat in winter is at the forefront of all concerns, and your winter picnic is no different. Be sure to pack hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, socks, and an extra set of clothing for unexpected changes in the weather. Believe it or not, a large beach umbrella is extremely helpful in protecting you from the winter elements. You can even plan some active picnic games to keep your body moving and the heat flowing! Light a Bonfire If the location of your picnic permits, light a fire to cozy up next to. Some beaches and campgrounds have designated firepit areas to start a fire while
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