10 tips to keep your cat using the litterbox

10 tips to keep your cat using the litter box

1.      Make sure the box is big enough (1.5 times the length of the cat)

2.      Box is not too deep

3.      Use unscented litters

4.      Use fine grain clumping litters

5.      Scoop every day and take out the trash – don’t leave it next to the box unless you are using a Cat Genie

6.      Wash with mild dish soaps once per month – no harsh detergents they will deter your cat from coming back

7.      Make sure you have 1 more box than number of cats in the home (ie 4 cats = 5 boxes)

8.      Place in low traffic areas and away from food / water sources

9.      Prevent access from dogs / children etc

10.  Depth of litter should be approximately 2 inches (5 cms)

If you have followed all these tips and your cat still isn’t using the litterbox always remember to seek help from a veterinary professional right away.  The sooner we address the problem the more likely we can help your cat.  The longer your cat stears clear of the box the harder it will be to get him back in it.

Transition to Interceptor Plus

Heartgard is an oral heartworm preventative which is recommended to be given once monthly on a year round basis.  It prevents heartworm disease as well as a few intestinal parasites.  The medication comes in a beef flavored chew and is generally well tolerated by dogs.

Though we have used Heartgard successfully for years, the hospital recently made the switch to Interceptor Plus.  Our doctors are excited to recommend this product for several reasons:

• It is just as effective at preventing heartworm disease when given monthly on a year round basis. 
• It not only prevents roundworms and hookworms, but also whipworms and tapeworms. 
• Certain breeds can be very sensitive to the drug Ivermectin (the active ingredient in Heartgard). Toxicity in these sensitive breeds could occur with an overdose. Thankfully, this is not the case with Interceptor Plus. 
• The chewable tablet is safe and tolerated very well. It is also smaller than Heartgard so easier to give to smaller pets. Most dogs will readily take it as a treat. 
• Price is a huge benefit! This product will save the average pet owner money each year. There are great manufacturer rebates!

We made the switch to Interceptor Plus because the product does MORE for LESS cost and in a similar SAFE, TASTY treat.  At this point, it is the most broad spectrum oral preventative on the market.  Please don’t hesitate to call the hospital if you have any questions about Interceptor Plus!

Feline Infectious Peritonitis or FIP

Many cats, if not most, are exposed to feline coronavirus (FCoV) when they are young.  It causes a mild diarrhea that usually clears without treatment.  The virus is spread from cat to cat via saliva, nasal discharge and stool.  The virus is stable in the environment for a few days to a few weeks but is easily killed by most cleaning agents.  The majority of cats who have had FCoV go on to live normal lives.

photo by Lucie B Photography

The problem is that, in some kittens and cats, the virus will mutate into the deadly Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP).  FIP comes in two forms: the wet (or effusive) form and the dry (or non-effusive) form.  The wet form is the most common and it tends to affect cats under 2 years of age.  This form of FIP results in fluid leaking into the chest and/or abdomen.  The dry form more commonly affects adult cats and causes build-ups of inflammatory lesions in various organs.  The signs of this form of the disease depend on the organ involved.  

There is no way to prevent cats from developing FIP.  Although rare, any individual cat can mutate FCoV into FIP.  Research has shown that there is a genetic component to developing FIP, so some related cats and some breeds are more likely to mutate the coronavirus into FIP.  The mutated FIP virus itself is not contagious. 

A new test available through veterinarians can distinguish between cats with FCoV and cats with FIP.  Unfortunately, this test can only be run after the cat has signs that go along with FIP;  it is usually run on chest or abdominal fluid.  There is no test that can tell if a healthy cat will develop FIP later in life.

The worst part of all this is that once a cat has developed FIP, there is nothing that will cure the disease.  Some cats, mainly those with the dry form, feel better for a short time with treatment but in the end it is always fatal.

References:

Small Animal Internal Medicine 2nd edition, Nelson and Cuoto.

International Cat Care website: http://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/feline-infectious-peritonitis-fip

article written by:

Stephanie Altneu, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Vernon Hills